Brain Rain

Seen this in a couple places, and thought I'd post it here because business people, in fact ALL people, have the ability to be creative, just in different ways (and as someone who's wired to both sides, I can really say it's a good thing to follow this idea), and expressing that inner creativity is a key to self-actualization. You just need to get the juices flowing.

It's called "catch your brain rain." I did it this weekend, and I think I need to do it onward, so that my lack-of-creativity spells become shorter, and after a couple days I'm feeling a noticeable difference.

From the blog by James Ledoux with special thanks to 43 Folders for mentioning it:

Keys to catching the brain rain:

• set aside 10 minutes, each and every day
• have pen and paper handy
• allow yourself the freedom to think crazy thoughts
• don’t worry if nothing really productive springs to mind right away
• periodically scan over your notes from these sessions as things may pop into your mind after they have “marinated” for a while
• if no ideas pop into your head pick a fun topic and doodle a bit
• use word association to get things rolling if you feel stuck e.g. thinking -> thoughts -> mind -> brainstorm -> brain rain

I think you'll be suprised with what you come up with. I was.

Consistency is what consumers expect

So my daily life has made it to the blog. Hasn't taken long.

Went to Starbucks to get a break from office life, and use the wi-fi (which, although I am not a fan of paid wi-fi, I was going to indulge).

Now, in the middle of a major downtown, there are three Starbucks (obviously, they think there is a market). Now, of these three, only one has wi-fi AND power outlets (and all locations have ample seating and space for users).

This is a most curious thing, as the idea of no wifi or outlets with Starbucks seems to be against their business model. It's like going to McDonalds and the location doesn't sell Big Macs. It's just odd... and it's not like there are a ton of places with free wi-fi... (yes, there is in some public parks here... you ever used a computer in sunlight? Not very efficient....)

This not only inconveniences the customer, but cuts off a potential revenue stream (Wi-fi and the increased amount of drinks people will buy when they're using their computer). Either way, it is clear to me that I'm going to have to go the suburbs (until they get their act together) to have a satisfactory experience at a Starbucks (as the third has no windows to the outside). Even more painful, is that this could be easily addressed for a relatively small amount by in one case hiring an electrician, and the other getting the same box every other Starbucks has, and then you have brand consistency.

So todays' message is: Deliver consistently, and don't set expectations your service cannot meet.

27 Million Give Podcasting a Chance

27 million people. Now we're getting somewhere.

However, we need to make sure we do a better marketing job as media professionals as to what podcasting is. There's big confusion out there, and people answered the question only after having a definition read to them.

There are lots of people who maybe aren't technophiles but would really enjoy them, and we need to reach out to them, instead of what some do, which is belittlement. A simple google search comes up with these folks standing on some ground of techno-superiority.

I see three major talking points:

Some of the confusion comes from the word itself, because it infers you need an iPod (when you do not, if you do it right any mp3-compatible player will do, or even just your computer and some speakers attached to it). It's the most common explanation I give, almost on a daily basis.

We can't abandon the word "podcasting"; after all, it's something like 80% of the mp3 player market is iPods, it's a rare instance where the best designed and engineered consumer product is winning, and there's some good press mileage.

Another improvement that could be made, is that as much as it does make some sense, "subscribe" on the iTunes music store infers to some that people need to pay for it. I've seen lots of intelligent people get foiled by that. We must take the attitude (as somethings as painful as it may be) that wording can be confusing and be mindful of it.

Lastly, we need to try to stay away from DRM (Digital Rights Management). It restricts people, and the reality is that people want what they want, where they want it, when they want it. We must face the fact that if someone truly wants to steal content, no DRM will stop them.

We can do things like only offer the direct podcast link on a subscription page, etc. but when you start reaching into peoples' computers, forcing them to listen while they're online or limiting where/when they can use it, you hinder your effectiveness (think AOL video... much of it you can't use it if you have a mac, eliminating a strong early adopter audience). I don't necessarily blame AOL completely, as some of their top people like Ted Leonsis mostly "get it," but the development of this medium, and it's profit potential, will be limited as long as there is the bent toward controlling users).

Perception IS reality. Let's improve the perception of podcasting by making it easier to use; by not going on tirades to the effect of "it's not a podcast if you don't subscribe!" The rest of the non-tech world does not care. They want it to work the best way it can into their life.

And, as we show people how to take what they want with them wherever they go, we'll get more to subscribe soon enough.

Make your Monday not as crappy

It's important to start your week right. And that means Sunday night.

Why? Because one of the reasons Mondays suck is that you're getting your bearings for the week. In my experience, if you spend just a few minutes getting things ready for Monday, you'll feel better and be able to knock things out... even better, get your first-thing emails out the night before.

Of course, things always come up, but you'll be much more prepared with 15-20 minutes of pre-game warmup.

And, if you can't bear to get yourself motivated for 15 minutes with your laptop, notepad, or whatever helps you, think about for 15 minutes how you could attain other forms of gainful employment where you'd get motivated to do so.

Ten things Tech folks forget about

I love technology as much as the next blogger. However, if there's one thing I've learned running a multimedia production/development business is that technology-focused individuals frequently miss the boat when it comes to what a customer really wants... And then they're flabbergasted when they do not get the sale or their "greatest idea" doesn't get through to the prospective soul who may be saved by their brainchild.

I'll apply it to podcasting, which is a core push as of late for our organization (shameless plug). We do great web design/development, and we will continue to, however, the founders' vision is to be strongly involved in multimedia, because it's been our core believe that convergence is the future.

After all, there are a lot of web deselopment (if I could remember where I saw that first, I'd link to them... I like made up words, such as "loftice") companies out there, many who have good skills. What we do best is integrate it with information delivery vehicles (such as multimedia) into so-easy-to-use-grandma-gets-it solutions. We do a lot of work knowing that one size does not fit all. And why? Because it makes the customer look good.

The source of my inspiration is Jeffrey Gitomers' Little Red Book of Selling. I don't know if it changed my life but it did speak to many things I believe in as far as self-accomplishment. In the book, it talks about 10 things that customers really want, and that it may have nothing to do directly with your product of service.

The theory is, and I've seen it work myself, is that if you can show how a customer/client will get a good number of these accomplished with your product/service (and there will not be exact answers for everything in every case, and so it may double up), you'll sell. If you cannot figure this equation out, sit down with a notepad and figure it out before you start missing rent.

1) More Sales. Our service enables your message to be embedded into peoples lives, while they jog, drive, browse.. And our production quality will ease their acceptance of it. It also builds trust because you are facing the public and speaking to, not at, prospects.

2) Greater Productivity. Employees, vendors, clients, etc. can all be easily kept abreast of happenings they are interested in (whatever they may be, from investor information to product release) in the ways they want and are entertaining (audio, RSS, video, etc). This saves a lot of legwork, and personalizes the relationship which helps get and keep people "on your team."

3) More Profit. In one fell swoop, you can communicate a message to a lot of people in the format they want at a reasonable price, even more reasonable than streaming solutions. It also affects sales (see #1) which increases profit. The flip side will also relate to #9, because we make it much easier and let you do what you do best, while we do what we do best.

4) Better Image. High quality always improves your image and value proposition. We provide extremely high quality at a reasonable price, and are fierce guardians of your brand and image. Need help with your brand/image? We got that too.

5) More Customers. Aimed at a client/consumer audience, what we do can be extremely powerful. However, many companies make the mistake of producing a long-form radio commercial. People don't want long form commercials, they want entertainment, they want knowledge, they want their ten wants answered too. Or they'll subscribe, listen to the first episode, and never come back. What we do is consult to create material that's actually entertaining and useful. You have to think outside of the big three (billboards, radio, TV) that agencies usually do to succeed because this is a different animal.

6) Loyal Employees. Employees that feel part of a team, part of something bigger, are happier employees. This helps with that (see #2).

7) Better Morale. (See #2, #6).

8) No Hassles. That's why you hire a professional... to eliminate hassles. What we do doesn't seem hard (there are plenty of "do-it-yourself" podcasting solutions), but our years of experience, qualified personnel, and specialized equipment make us the best choice, especially in situations with multiple concerns (conference audio, meetings, live events, etc... our specialty is on-location work, which requires many hours of co-ordination, planning, etc. which most of our clients don't have, not to mention our skill set).

9) More Free Time. (Everyone wants this). You get more free time because you can write a check and have your time and effort investment into this technology significantly reduced. You could learn basics and get out an okay product with weekends and nights reading, buying software, testing, etc. or you could just have it done, and you know it'll sound/look awesome and it'll impress people.

10) Notoriety. Embracing technology is almost always good for a business. Reaching out in new ways is also a good thing. People, newspapers, blogs, etc. will talk about you and talk about you well because your content and your production values will be high.

Well, that entry lasted longer than I thought. Maybe more will come later to me. In the meantime, to see what I think might be the best large-company marketing push as of late, check out The Slowskys and have a laugh. Great way to establish value for a much more expensive product, using the most persuasive selling tool anyone has... humour.

p.s.- The spellcheck also does not recognize "podcasting," "blogger," or "RSS."

This second, this here blog got it's wings

Post one. Day one. (Okay, post three, after my first attempt at this).

Premise one: I have friends. If anyone DOES read this (and welcome), they probably could not care less what I did with my cat, where I went for breakfast (unless there is a newsworthy event), or some other mundane thing people use blog therapy for (which so, so, so many do). If you need a substitute for daily life, I would suggest playing The Sims.

I've resisted doing a blog (even though I've been strongly encouraged by others), due to the fact every second a blog gets it's wings, but in a couple minutes, it'll be my second, so here goes.

Premise two: Time-sucking people, who are also usually responsible for vampire meetings. These people, in business situations, have decided that your time is worth less than theirs because they demand your attention immediately for EVERYTHING (and then wonder why you're even thinking about charging them for rush service). These people have the inability to put the world, their work, in perspective.. and that's why everything is in a hurry.

It comes down to an axiom: When I'm in a meeting with you, you want me to pay attention to you. After all, you're paying me to pay attention. And, conversely, when I'm in a meeting with someone else, I would think someone would think the same.

But no. It seems I'm an odd duck for the old fashioned rule, "don't answer your phone in a meeting." I may be "technologically savvy," "connected," "plugged in," and every other cliche, but one thing we cannot do is let technology make us as a human race forsake manners and etiquette.

p.s.-I find it amazingly ironic that the blogger spell check does not recognize the word "blog." Details, man, details!