Monthly Archives January 2009

The Heroin to Cost Saving Shopping – Addicted to Aldi

We are addicted.  There, I said it.  I remember one of my most powerful mentors (he has since passed beyond this cacky coil) was so miffed when he found out that each box of Tide soap had an allowance for Soap Box operas. . . daytime TV.   He was so incensed that he was the force behind introducing No-Name Generic Food products here in the U.S.   Is was during this effort that we connected, starting me on a journey of marketing and consumer packaged goods. I came to know and understand the quality of various products.  Is there
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And they make good shoes as well

I am writing an article for an association magazine and recall seeing a set of rules that came from Nike in the 1980’s.  Referred to at the time as an escaped email from within Nike it outlined 10 Principles that supposedly represented the dogma and maxims of Nike as they went out and competed in the market in the early days of their existance.  In searching through the Internet, I had a hard time finding them.  Finally I resorted to calling Nike’s PR arm in New York City.  Leaving a message I thought, “well, they will never call back .
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Real World Bathroom Humor

My sixteen year old daughter had just come out of the restroom, her hands still wet from washing.  She smiled, walked over and put her damp hands on my forearm and looked up into my face and said with a giggle, “Excuse me mister, could you help me get my penny out of the toilet?” Argh! It takes me back to a visit to the COSI Museum in Columbus, Ohio.  That is where I was engrossed (or is that gross’d?)  in the bathroom stall experience. As I entered the mens room and found that appropriate seat, I looked up and
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Professionalism is Catchy

I work with lot of colleges and universities.  Several years ago I did some strategic planning for one group of post secondary schools which eventually lead to being asked by a lot of different education institutions to conduct Strategic Planning, Sales Training, Marketing & Branding classes and workshops. Recently Kent State University started asking me to help some of their internal customers as well as external clients with various projects. I have come away from these experiences with a new found respect for the professionalism of some of the Kent State people.  These are warm, intelligent and yet very progressive
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IKEA – Which is Swedish for "Great Customer Experience" – big grin

One quarter TRILLION catalogs a year and over 600,000,000 customers makes IKEA of Sweden big.  But not so big that they can’t pay attention to customers. Recently I was eating lunch with family in one of their stores (the famous Swedish Meat Balls with mashed potatoes.)   I noticed a young man a few feet away from me with his back turned toward me.  He walked away and there was a Microwave.  Right in the middle of the cafeteria.  A microwave.  How many restaurants would even consider allow YOU, the lowly customer, the choice of reheating your food when it
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Bryant Heating Equipment Leaves a Cold Feeling

I came home from a Holiday get away to a cold house.  My Bryant furnace was on the fritz.  Told by the repairman that it was the “Cadillac” of equipment.  He then proceeded to tell me how I would need a new squirral cage fan and motor for $1000.  A new furnace is only $3000.  What a rip off.  There is no way a motor and some fan blades cost $1000.   Our conversation now turned very cold.  He finally came back with an offer which gave me a discount if I bought a one year service contract that brought
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