Hooray for Adam's Mark

Every year there is a sacred pilgrimage to Buffalo, NY to watch the Buffalo Bills and this year was no exception.

We usually stay at the Adam's Mark Hotel because it's in walking distance of the downtown attractions.

Normally the stay is non-eventful. This time, however, there was a leaky toilet in the room. Not a big enough deal to change rooms, but a big enough deal to wake me up at night. On top of that I did report the leaky toilet to the front desk, but it was never fixed.

So when I answered the e-mail survey that Adam's Mark sent out I was truthful about the toilet. Again, not a big thing. But, they asked.

To my delight I received an e-mail from the General Manager apologizing for the leaky toilet. While it would have been better to not have said leaky toilet at all, it was nice of them to take the time to write back.

In an age when you get dinged a fee to use the credit card purchase check (thanks Citi-Card) that they send you, or to cancel your car insurance (thanks Nationwide) it's refreshing that there are companies out there that are trying to win your business by giving you a positive experience.

The End of Paper

Ahhhh. Now they're doing it too! They charge less if you print out your own conference materials.

This isn't really the end of paper. It's the end of paper being included.

Predictors of Excellence

Joe Friel, a guru among triathlete coaches, lists the best predictors of excellence in sport. (The full article is here.)

Motivation: Do you want it?

Discipline: Will you sacrifice for it?

Confidence: Do you believe you can do it?

Focus: Can you ignore the distractions?

Patience: Are you willing to wait for results?

I think the list holds true for business as well. Notice that nothing is listed about talent.

Yesterday's Innovation: The Paper Bill

T-Mobile wanted to charge their customers a $1.50 a month for the right to receive a paper bill. They seem to be wavering on implementing the current plan, but other companies such as Waster Management already ask you to pay the charge.

The trend isn't only for businesses, even the Baltimore Running Festival no longer sends out any hard copy literature. Everything is sent electronically.

Tractor Time

Life is equal parts "going the right way" and "doing the right things."

Often the "doing the right thing part" takes up so much time that you don't lift your head up and notice if you are going the right way.

I've had a couple of days off lately and have spent the time getting the lawn ready for winter.

During my time on the lawn tractor my mind has had some time to wander and actively think and as a result I've come up with a several kick-ass ideas. Ideas that I wouldn't come up with if I'd been at work plowing away on the daily fire drill.

This isn't surprising really. William Duggan, in this book Strategic Intuition, shows how gestation is an important element of breakthrough ideas.

Maybe they'll let me cut the grass at work.

Whale Facts

Things that quite possibly only interest me...

Don't Worry About the Water
In the last three years 10,000 people have been killed due to drug violence in Mexico.1

Still Made In America
Manufacturing still employs 11.7 million people in America.

Wisconsin has the largest percent of it's workforce in manufacturing at 17%

Usually Miller Brewing loses 25 of 550 workers a year in turnover. This year they have lost none.2


Notes:
1. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/31/us/31border.html?_r=1&hp
2. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/13/business/economy/13manufacture.html?_r=1&hp

Inspiration Sunday

Thanks to all those who serve.

Yuck: The Great Contraction

The Great Economic Contraction doesn't seem to be easing as some had hoped based on the tough economic news in the Wall Street Journal today. They reported that consumer credit is still being cut.1

Revolving credit, which is primarily credit-card borrowing, declined at an 8% annual rate.

Nonrevolving credit, such as loans for autos, vacations and education, declined at an 11.7% annual rate.

33% of banks in the Fed's loan officer survey reported tighter terms and conditions for approving consumer loans other than credit cards. None of the banks said they loosened credit standards.

Not good news when 70% of your economy is dependent consumer spending.

Notes:
1. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125243661985993287.html

2. Image credit: http://media.photobucket.com/image/bank%20robber/x_stang/Stick%20Pics/BankRobber.jpg

From The Bad Design Files

Ventriloquism, public access TV, and bow hunting should never mix. Ever.

The name of the show is Inside Access, hosted by Ryan, and it runs on our local cable access channel 11.

Inspiration Sunday

It Just Has To Work

There is always a lot of hand wringinging about making something better.

In reality, there is a "it works" line. If you can make it work than a lot of the rest of the discussion is table dressing.

The problem is that often the "it works" line is undefined or at best it is an arbitrary thing.

The reason for that is that no one wants to strive for mearly good enough. Good enough should be table stakes.

But paying attention to good enough is important. If you can't even get to good enough tough time await. Really pain full, lots of work times.

When ever you are evaluating a new venture you need to make sure you fully understand the situation in order to acheive good enough. Never assume you can get there.