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Keeping Your Focus
March 11th, 2010Focus | Focus | Focus
Have you heard those words? I have talked about passion. Passion is one of my favorite words. I think focus is number two and I think the two together make a great combination.
Focus is defined as being direct, knowing what the purpose is.
Writing for this blog helps me bring these two words together. When driven by passion, I may be the only person who understands what I am talking about. With focus, I am always reminded that people want great content and I need to meet their needs. Some days are better than others.
One goal of mine is to continue to become a better writer and listener. I need to engage the input of readers more.
Some of you have your own blogs or post a lot of information on twitter or facebook. Who are you writing for? What is your focus?
Finally, what topics should this blog address? I am always open to suggestions.
Clock is ticking
March 10th, 2010Any of you felt like the clock is ticking faster and faster when you get back to the office from a vacation, out of town conference or client visit. That is how I feel right now. Rushed.. Also need to attend a meeting at 3.00pm before I go home in three hours.
Source for Picture http://jeffreykrames.com
Its always fun getting back to the office, many, many thoughts, ideas, solutions, issues going through my head. Have you had that experience recently?
Its an exciting time and a time to sort out things… Tomorrow I should be back to a regular schedule. For now its chaos and I will begin the sorting process
Do you want poor return on your money, stay in a hotel
March 9th, 2010Hotel Stay| Could you make it living in a hotel
We all have choices, but really do you want a poor return on your money, stay in a hotel for a few days. How much are you willing to pay for the experience.
Costs/Benefits
I am attending a conference at a very nice hotel. The normal room rate is $239.00 and we are paying $99.00. I wonder if my next door neighbors know how much money I am saving. Although, I am sure I have paid more at other places I have stayed at.
Yesterday, I did a presentation on Internet Marketing tools without the use of the internet. The cost to have the internet setup in our conference room was $250.00. I can walk 200 feet to the hotel lobby and connect for free*.(*$9.95 per day for room rate) . Needless to say I told our conference organizers to save their money.
The workout room has treadmills, bikes, eliptical trainers, but if you want to use the weight room its an additional $5.00. What is special about weights?
Of course, restaurants always bump the price up. However, a cobb salad for $12.00…really.
Parking – I have to pay to self-park and more to have an attendant park my car. Another $10.00 per day.
Now the items mentioned are just basic items. Of course there are other premium services like the 24-hour business office where I can pay $10.00 to print out a Word Document, or order room service, etc.
My point here is that a person cannot live in an environment like this and it will eventually create conflict because consumers will find out that certain groups are receiving more benefits then their group. Where else in the private sector can the price of a room go up 241% overnight for the same room and amenities.
Lessons Learned
For me its a good lesson in valuing our own services. Can someone get the same service like ours at the same quality for a lower price? Are there value-added services that we provide our clients without breaking the bank?
Just like a hotel, I would invite you to check out our services and prices. Sometimes we do not mention all the value-added services that Midwest Laboratories provides regarding reporting, shipping and analysis packages. We will continue to work at this, but we would welcome also welcome your input and questions as well.
The last thing Midwest Laboratories wants to be thought of is a hotel for checking in samples.
Missouri Valley Ice Manufacturer’s Association
March 8th, 2010Today, I am attending the Missouri Valley Ice Manufacturers Association Conference. I will be talking about online marketing techniques and hopefully showing a little social media to this group. The group is made up of producers and suppliers who come together to help strengthen their particular industry.
I always enjoy meeting with the group. Most of the members have been coming to these meetings for more than 20 years. Last night, a member received the lifetime service award, he was 80 years old and had no plans to retire. I think that is awesome!
The strength of this group is its members and it really says a lot about the group. I reel fortunate to be a part of the group today and look forward to connecting with the members.
Dealing with potholes|Some suggestions
March 5th, 2010We are just now entering pothole season. Early spring when the temperature rises above 32 degrees during the day and falls below the freezing mark are the perfect conditions according to most definitions. However the winter in the Omaha area has been one of the coldest on record and one of the worse pothole seasons I have ever seen.
Every mile of road in this city has some type of chunk missing. I am sure the impact of the cold, plowing of streets and heavy ice/snow conditions have contributed to this process.
Crews are working around the clock and motorists are trying to avoid the holes and keep their cars from too much damage.
Two innovative ideas:
Maybe someone needs to find a new substance that actually performs better in the winter then the traditional asphalt. I have not heard of any new solutions, have you? Holes could be fixed faster at a lower cost.
Also, maybe someone could mark the holes with some sort of paint so motorists would be aware of such holes. This would help create awareness instead of driving and hoping to miss the “land mines”, I mean..pot holes. Mark them, warning signs, a marker on the side of the road, like a flag…I think drivers would welcome the awareness and would not complain as much about being fixed.
What are some other ideas?
Triumph of Ag
March 4th, 2010
Updated – March 5, 2010 – Great Show this Year!! The Exhibitors were great! I could not believe how many people stopped by our booth! Excellent Show!!! Heard lots of Compliments! Thanks Bob Mancuso and staff – You guys put on a first-class show.
The Triumph of Ag show was spectacular yesterday. People from all over the midwest descended on Omaha to see the latest in farm products, machinery and services. Made contact with several clients and new people regarding soil, water and compost test information. The place was packed and there isn’t an empty exhibit.
I talked to another vendor and she indicated that agriculture shows are her favorite because the people are much nicer.
Its a great place to meet and spend some times with members from the agricultural community.
I hope the local and national media are covering this event. I think they would find that the agriculture community is the consistent force that is helping Nebraska stand out during this rough econcomic time period.
Check out the show! The price is right! I don’t have any control over the parking. Thanks again Bob Mancuso and your staff for a great show.
Reconnecting through Company Blogs
March 3rd, 2010
Ok – I am still on a roll with the whole reconnection on twitter….Now I want to reconnect with companies through their blogs.
Companies that Blog – Facebook Fan Page
I started a Facebook Fan Page – Companies that Blog. I am encouraging companies to post their blogs and I am trying to add company blogs that people may want to read or subscribe too.
Definition of Blogging
Blogs – Definition from Wikipedia A blog (a contraction of the term “web log”)[1] is a type of website, usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video.
Blogging is Personal
It’s a personal reflection. I think companies who take the time to be personal with people outside their company are some of the best in the business. It takes work and it is an art to make the connection. That is why this information is so valuable to consumers and companies.
Start Blogging Today
Blogging is the best place to start with respect to social media becausee…..
If your company, currently has a blog, list it here or on the Facebook Fan Page
If your company does not have one, begin today. You can use all sorts of online platforms like Blogger or WordPress.
Refreshing to connect again on twitter
March 2nd, 2010Wow! – Just like a great ice, cold beverage…This is how I feel about reconnecting again on twitter…
Thanks to all of you who made the move from @MidwestLabs to @MidwestLabsBlog on twitter.
I should have done this a lot sooner. It feels great to actually see people I know as well as new followers and actually have a conversation. I think I made more progress in one day reconnecting then in months worrying about trying to connect with more and more people.
The follow/following numbers are overrated.
Numbers – McDonalds
Think about it. McDonalds has signs that says millions and millions served. How does that affect you. Is your burger better? Do you get better service?
Numbers – Sporting Events
Think of sporting events when they announce the attendance figures, 10, 502 people. Do you feel really important? What if they announced that Joe and Mary have attended 100 straight games, now that would be impressive and would mean more.
My point, numbers are good to use with respect to accounting figures, but be careful when using it to measure connections with people. Would you rather have 10,000 followers who may/may not follow you or 100 strong referral clients/friends?
If you still do not believe me, check out my good friend, Jim Connolly – JimsMarketingBlog @JimConnolly| He is the one who brought this to light for me. Going from 50,000 followers to 4,000.
How are you interpreting your numbers with respect to follow and followers? Make sure you are headed in the right direction.
Connecting through Stories, the introduction of Market Watch Monday’s
March 1st, 2010What story are people most interested in?
With that being said, today, I am introducing
Market Watch Mondays
Check out this post regarding today’s Movers and Shakers… Lots of great information on today’s featured stocks. In particular I am watching Berkshire Hathaway. Net Income jumped 61% in 2009.. YES!!!
Also, this week watch for news coming out of the Commodity Classic this week March 4-6, 2010. Some Great Speakers are lined up for this event.I always look for some type of national statement coming out of this event.
Highlights for today! Have a great week.
Connecting on Twitter | Some changes at Midwest Laboratories
February 28th, 2010I have been on Twitter, @Midwestlabs for over 1.5 years. I built up a following, but my focus was on gaining more followers and building awareness with others. I don’t think that is all bad, but I have noticed a drop off in the number of tweet communication with some of the core people I used connect with in the beginning.
I really like twitter, but I think more transparency is needed on my end of the communication. For this reason, I have started a new id @MidwestLabsBlog . This account will focus on the day-to-day people I want to build relationships with. This account is not one of those, “I will follow you if you follow me back” . Communication is two-way.
At a city-wide networking event, do you give your business card to everyone at the event or do you spend quality time where you know a win-win situation could occur. Which relationship is more real and can stand the test of time?
I will keep both accounts active, for now and gauge the responses.
I would like to know your thoughts. I know there are strong opinions on both sides of this argument and would consider it a pleasure to know what you are thinking.
Brent Pohlman – follow me on twitter – - @MidwestLabsBlog