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Everything
Old is New Again:
Wow,
it seems like it has been years since I typed on this page. Oh wait,
it has been! I hope that you all have been well. In case you haven't
noticed we are still in business and better than ever. The EDGE
is on another frequency and on a bus. We will have a new web site
design and new streaming audio coming soon. 2010 holds alot of promise,
but we need to get back to our roots. This applies to all of our
businesses these days: What did we do to be successful, stay in
business, and roll with the punches. We worked hard, stayed dedicated
to our long term goals, and did not compromise. We gave it our all,
and that is what we will continue to do here on The EDGE. We hope
that other business owners and our advertisers will find inspiration
in these words as well. Feel free to contact us, as we expand our
business, we would like to help expand yours as well. CONTACT
Positive Outlook:
A
positive outlook can change your life & your business! I have
a friend who owns a 'seasonal business' and every year when we talk
about advertising, he tells me, "well, I dunno. Not sure what
the weather will bring this year, not sure what we're gonna do".
And every year I remind him that he tells me the same thing every
year. Every year is a crap shoot for his business, and every year
he does just fine. Which made me think, isn't every year a crap
shoot for all of us. If we listen to the doom and gloom reports
in the news (mostly cable TV), you would think that we should all
just curl up in a ball because things are "SO BAD". I
also realize that people have lost jobs over the economy, and I
feel your pain- again every year is a crap shoot for all of us.
But for those of us who own and operate businesses and for those
who are still employed, keep a positive outlook. Look for opportunities,
create opportunities. Be the ball Danny! We are all in this together.
Your business still is in business, and you need (now more than
ever), customers. Let's create some opportunities together. (This
part is a sales pitch for Radio Advertising on these stations):
I have met with many businesses, some are very receptive, have a
positive outlook, and continue to plug away and move forward. Some,
are allowing the doom and gloom talk to dictate their actions. They
are cutting back in areas they shouldn't be in my opinion. They
are cutting back advertising. What they should be doing is smarter
advertising. I asked those businesses, are you planning to take
down your sign, shut off the lights in the store (save on electricity),
not run the heat or ac in their businesses (that would save money
too. All of those above mentioned ridiculous suggestions are just
that ridiculous. So what I say to their competition is, OPPORTUNITY!
They are in a panic. Watch the movie it's a Wonderful Life. There
is a great scene where there is a 'run on the bank' and George Bailey
is talking to his customers. He says, (not exactly word for word),
"we can get through this, we just need to work together and
not panic". "Potter's not selling, he's buying. While
everyone else panics"! (Again, I haven't watched the movie
since Christmas so it's not word for word). But, my point is unless
we are planning to close our doors, and move away, we all need to
work together and look for opportunities. We might have to do things
differently, we might make less money doing it, but we can get through
this! A positive outlook can change your life & your business.
I know this first hand. Take that Mr. Potter!
Mega-happyface-Mart:
Wow!
Talk about taking advantage of the little guy. This is not a rant,
but a true story. Actually happened this week. I have been looking
for a particular piece of software for my computer. The new edition
was recently released. The Mega-happyface-Mart in town was supposed
to have it in stock, according to their web site. (Of course, why
wouldn't they? They have everything, and at a better price, RIGHT?)
Well,
I drove over to the Mega-happyface-Mart and as my luck would have
it, they did not have the latest version of the software in stock.
They had last years edition, although at a much better price by
the way. So I debated, do I need this years edition or can I get
by with last years edition? As I debated, the clerk noticed that
the box was opened and it was store policy not to sell an opened
box of software. Good policy, but now, the Mega-happyface-Mart did
not even have last years edition of the software that I needed.
However, they might have a copy at another Mega-happyface-Mart 20
minutes to the north. So, a road trip to the north was made.
Now to the Bigger, Better, SUPER-Mega-happyface-Mart, only a 20
minute drive. Get into the software section AND,,,No, they did not
have the latest version of the software. They did however have 2
of last years edition. Well, I drove all this way. I need the software.
I can use last years edition, that will be fine! But wait, what's
this? The price was $12.80 More than the first Mega-happyface-Mart.
This is a SUPER-Mega-happyface-Mart, their prices should be better.
They are actually located in a smaller town. No, I was told. That
is the price. We don't match our other stores prices. What is the
reason? I inquired. Your other store is only 20 minutes away. I
was told that because the other store is in a bigger area, with
more competition, they priced items lower. HMMMMM!
Now, you mean to tell me that all those small Mom and Pop businesses
that used to be in town, (who were complaining all those years
about the unfair advantage SUPER-Mega-happyface-Mart had) were
right? But wait, when those small Mom and Pop businesses used to
be in town, that was more competition and so therefore the SUPER-Mega-happyface-Mart
had the best prices on everything. Now, all of the Mom and Pops
went out of business and the prices are higher. Oh, I get it, I
get capitalizm. I really miss those Mom and Pops.
So here is what I did. I went home and bought the software on the
internet. Not from the SUPER-Mega-happyface-Mart stores web site
by the way. If they (the SUPER-Mega-happyface-Mart) is going to
run the Mom and Pop's out of business, then jack up their prices
in victory, because they can, I am going to the next level of shopping.
I am shopping online. I got the brand new edition of the software,
at a better price and it was delivered via UPS next day. I didn't
even have to drive anywhere.
Visit our Edge Online Shopping Mall Coming
Soon-
TAKE
THAT Mega-happyface-Mart!
Loyalty:
Is
a word that seems to have lost it's meaning. I was recently negotiating
with a vendor,
the Vice President of this vendors sales division, (by the way,
I knew this guy when he was just a sales rep) anywho, This guy talked
down to me like I was a rookie. We have been doing
business with this vendor for over 7 years. Took most every product
that they pitched. When competing vendors called on us, we were
polite, we took their meetings, we listened, but in the end we were
loyal to our vendor. We were under the impression that our loyalty
would be returned.We were wrong.
This
particular vendor caved to the pressure from one of our competitors.
A competitor who wants the products this particular vendor supplies.
Up until last year, they were "EXCLUSIVE" to us. Then
something changed. Our competitor, who is larger, decided to throw
their weight around a bit, our vendor gave in, and some of our exclusive
products became "Shared". One of our products went away
entirely. Of course we understand how business works, you know,
dog eat dog and all that, we are not fools. But for what it is worth,
one would think that there would be some loyalty shown back our
way.
My
take on all of this is simple. The former Sales Rep became the Vice
President perhaps by not showing loyalty to his former boss, the
former Vice President. Now this little sh*t is a "Big Shot",
and he is going to show the world how big he is. He's gonna show
everyone, and he's not gonna take any crap from anyone. Loyalty
is only a word in a dictionary to this guy. I hope he realizes that
there is a Sales Rep somewhere in his organization who is planning
to become the Vice President. And so it goes, this sick cycle carousel
of dis-loyal people.
I
for one will re-think who supplies our business. I think I'll start
by asking our new rep if he/she ever plans on becoming Vice President
and how
UPDATE:
Keep this in mind, there are always alternatives. If Vendor A
drops the ball, treats you poorly, doesn't live up to your expectations,
or threatens to supply your competition if you don't pay more money,
politely tell them to pound sand. Vendor B, C, D, E, & F are
waiting at
your door, and their service will be much better. Demand it!
The
Machine:
Have
you ever heard a store clerk or cashier say to someone
" I'm sorry but THE MACHINE won't let me process your
transaction "?
THE
MACHINE ? I must have been asleep for way too long. When did the
Machines take over the world? THEY said it would happen.
You know those people only known as THEY and THEM.
Not to be confused with THOSE people. THEY told us
some day the world would be ruled by machines. Did the prophecy
of Sci Fi writers finally come true? Do the machines rule the world?
Of course not. Perhaps our jobs, and day to day home life would
be a bit different and perhaps more difficult without the machines;
however, it is my opinion that THE MACHINE is not in charge,
and does not make the rules. The minimum wage, entry level store
clerk or
convenience store cashier is told WHAT to say by someone, a person.
And I'm sure that person doesn't have gears, wires and microchips
implanted under their chromium exterior. My point here is simple:
People somewhere have made decisions or are making decisions, or
not, that affect our daily lives. Perhaps these decisions inconvenience
or embarrass others.
In the case of the cashier who would not process the customers transaction,
because the machines told him not to, there most definitely
could have been a better way for the cashier to approach the situation.
Instead no other solutions or alternatives were offered. Except
that the customer could call this toll free number to speak to someone
two thousand miles away, probably a machine.
By the way, the only reason The Machine would not process the transaction:
THE MACHINE WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY!
As luck would have it the next customer in line was unable to use
her credit card at the gas pump. Another customer was unable to
use their bank debit card. Of course this was long after the first
customer had left the store, probably never to return.
Companies are becoming bigger and bigger. Local stores are being
replaced by a nationwide or regional chain of Mega Marts, with Managers
who have no real authority, or stake in whether or not ONE customer
leaves the store dissatisfied never to return again. The attitude
and conduct of that Convenience Store Cashier, reflects the attitude
and conduct of the CEO of the Corporation they work for. As well
as the Board of Directors and top level Management of that corporation.
As THEY say, " Crap rolls down hill ". Some would suggest
that the customer should call that toll free number, or even write
a letter to the corporate office to express their dissatisfaction.
My suggestion is to stop doing business with companies like this.
Immediately! No second chances. The actions of the lowest person
directly reflect the actions of the top person. There are many other
choices, and many other businesses we can patronize. Bigger does
not always mean better. Find a smaller, local business, perhaps
one that is owned and operated by a local resident. I realize this
may require a bit of work on the part of the customer. You may have
to slightly change your shopping habits, but in the long run it
may be worth it. You may just find that a smaller, local company
may really be better.
My message to the top person:
Set a better example, have a better strategy, establish a better
policy,
and enable someone lower to make better decisions on their own.
WITHOUT THE MACHINES INPUT!
©Copyright 2006-2010 Radiowerks
Broadcasting Companies All Rights Reserved
All Promotional ideas are the exclusive property of WWGE Radio
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