fbpx

Miscellaneous Thoughts

Marketing, Miscellaneous Thoughts, Personal Development, Self Development

It takes discipline to say positive

A crazy fixation I have, and judge as negative, is when people attempt to shape the perceptions of others with denials.  President-elect Biden got the coronavirus vaccine and said, “There’s nothing to worry about.”  OK, that’s not so bad.  Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, upon not getting votes needed for re-election as Speaker during a federal corruption probe said, “This isn’t a withdrawal.”  Let’s use that as an example and come back to Biden.  “This isn’t a withdrawal.”  Really?  What is it?  Whatever – you didn’t win and you won’t.  Why deny what everyone knows – you lost.  Now people think that Madigan lost, AND he’s a liar.  What should Madigan have said?  He still got the most votes, even though not enough so maybe, “OK, my caucus is still considering its best path forward.”   

My point: stating your view as a negative is reflexive.   We want to deny – and that’s not as wise as stopping to think about how to reframe to a positive statement.   

Back to the President-elect.  With more thought was there something positive he could have said about getting the vaccine?  How about, “This is great!  I can focus on the business of the people knowing I and those around me will stay healthy.”   

Avoid the easy negative statement and replace it with something that’s truthful, authentic and positive. 

Marketing, Miscellaneous Thoughts, Sales

It’s Time to Take Video Calls Seriously

Friends, when we started to use video at the onset of COVID, I advised to be thoughtful about how we present ourselves.  We are now 8 months into COVID and video calls are no longer a novelty.  It’s time to take video calls seriously.  One company leader I spoke with said that it is now REQUIRED for pitch meetings that those participating have lights, a green screen, and decent microphone.  Over the top?  No, it’s not.  Here’s a screen capture from that drove me to write this post.  It time to CARE about what others see (laundry day!) and hear when we’re on video.

It’s time to step up to well lit, clear sounding calls that make a positive impression.

Is what I’m recommending complicated?  NO.  Extravagant?  Here’s the budget:

– Light ring for face lighting:  $35 to $200 (other lighting options, $100 to $200)

– Bluetooth headset with boom mic:  $35

– Green screen:  $100 to $200,  (with a thoughtful, uncluttered background, you can get by without that)

—————————————————–

TOTAL, to look and sound pretty good:  $70 to $425

Do it already.

Entrepreneurship, Miscellaneous Thoughts, Personal Development

Colorado’s COVID-born neighborhood entrepreneurs

It’s likely that Candice Ferguson (above) made great bread and jams before COVID and that Amanda Murphy was a fabulous cook before March 2020.  They have both have turned their skills, ingredients from their gardens, and extra time at home into micro businesses.  Using Facebook posts, in just a few weeks these women are producing at capacity.

What does that say about who we support and how we buy in Colorado?  What we’ve known – that we love buying authentic products from people we know and trust. During times of stress, we even more joyfully rush to buy from these micro businesses.  I know this isn’t just a Colorado thing.  Still, I love that it’s as strong here as anywhere.

Back to our roots.

I find this gratifying – and I find it a thought-provoking reminder that in the age of multi-billion dollar retailers like Whole Foods who strive to meet all our comfort product needs choose to buy from our neighbors.  This desire hasn’t changed since we lived in tribes – wait – we still do!  This is an amazing reminder of why big brands (and even our own businesses) work so hard to build communities of consumers.

P.S.  Watch for the Fetch markets of Colorado artisans (formerly Denver Flea, a podcast episode in 2018)

 

Default, Entrepreneurship, Miscellaneous Thoughts

Colorado’s Unprofitable Reopenings are Encouraging

In my interview with Jamie Repenning, President of Colorado-based Floyd’s 99 Barbershop, I was struck by the fact that even as Colorado businesses reopen, constraints in the number of customers that can be in the shops at a time mean that businesses will reopen knowing that they’ll be losing money.  In fact, many were losing LESS while closed than they will reopened.

But, I haven’t heard loud complaining.  I think that says great things about Colorado business and Colorado entrepreneurs: that putting their staff to work serving customers is the priority.

That’s gratifying to me.  Sure, maybe your do-it-yourself haircut wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be.  Still, it’s time to reward the commitment of our Colorado businesses by going back to them and leaving big tips.

Miscellaneous Thoughts, Personal Development

Possession is 9/10th of the Law… if you want it.

My friend Tom has a wooden canoe he built over 20 years ago.  It hangs magnificently from his garage ceiling where it’s been for many years.  He also had a boat which, despite being meticulously crafted from mahogany, he sold for much less than I’d expected.  “No one wants this stuff anymore,” he said.

He’s right.  My sons and their friends only want things that they use regularly, and that they can easily store in their small homes.  Photos of great, great grandparents?  That’s nice, but no thanks.  Family heirloom furniture?  There’s nowhere to keep it.

It occurs to me that while I purchase things TO LAST, my sons purchase things expecting they will serve their purpose and then be replaced.  A phone, a surfboard, a truck, hiking boots.  Even most new clothing and furniture is designed to be trendy and temporary.

What does this mean to me? I actually think my sons are right.  I’m using this COVID time to get rid of stuff – stuff I never really needed and perhaps didn’t want.  I’ve been giving shipping heirlooms to my sisters.  They’ll keep them awhile before coming to terms that their kids don’t want them either.  My conclusion: the stories about how getting rid of stuff frees your mind?  It’s true!

Scroll to top