Love at Last


I just can't help but lust over innovative new ideas in technology, social media, and all things web based. Ad:tech NYC next week? Yes please! Tech Crunch newsletter in my inbox? Double yes please! Never has anything ever sounded so sweet.

God I love being a #nerd.

FREE!

It always stirs a bit of excitement when we hear or see the word FREE! Getting something for nothing, WOOHOOO! What could be better, right? Let's take a closer look...

Your boss sends you on an all expense paid trip to the Bahamas. A guy buys you a drink at the bar. You receive a free sample of Pirate's Booty walking through Whole Foods. All these things are free...but are they really? Or are they in exchange for something in disguise?

We can easily place a $1,200 price tag on a trip to the Bahamas, while it's much harder to place a price tag on spending several late nights at work. Same thing with accepting a $15 martini at the bar from Mr. Wrong when Mr. Right was just around the corner. Oh and that free sample at Whole Foods? Think again. The cost of giving out that sample was definitely figured into the price of the product, which you are now more likely to purchase since you've been persuaded by the free sample!

Damn those marketers and their scheming marketing tactics! So is FREE ever really FREE? Most likely not...but good thing you know better now and will think twice next time it comes to FREE!

The Next "IT State"

As of recent, the state of New Jersey has willingly...or perhaps unwillingly drawn a lot of attention to itself. With hit reality tv shows like Jersey Shore and The Real Housewives of New Jersey reaching millions of viewers, it's no wonder they've gained a less then desirable reputation.

The question now is, who will be the next IT state? Will it be Texas with it's beef eating, pick-up driving cowboys? How about Wisconsin with it's Canadian sounding, brat-eating Packer fans?*  I'm curious to see who will be next to put their worst foot forward in exchange for some exposure!


*People in WI don't actually sound like Canadians, nor are they all Packer fans or eat brats.

It's Raining. It's Pouring. Don't be Snoring.


It's easier to deal with the rain when you're prepared. You bring your umbrella and wear your rain boots because you know you'll be doomed without them.

Like a good business plan, it's much easier to deal with industry changes when you're prepared. You look out the window and examine the environment. Is it cloudy out? Is there a shift in technology? You calculate your observations and plan accordingly.

If you don't take the time to examine your environment, it's likely to put a damper on things. Let's learn a lesson from Blockbuster.

Focus on Your Core!

Colgate launched a line of Kitchen Entrees and Coors tried bottling water, true story.

Sometimes we spread ourselves too thin, being mediocre in several areas rather then an expert in one or two. To step-up your results, revisit your core competencies-your best skills and attributes that differentiate you in the marketplace. Think quality vs quantity to build credibility.


Click HERE to see a list of the 25 biggest product flops of all time...BIC Underwear included!