tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42900623480960821972024-03-12T21:01:08.866-05:00The Future of Business and Marketing Revealedyou could be paving the way.Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.comBlogger57125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-12496629219497975752009-04-21T08:55:00.003-05:002013-01-07T01:34:09.342-05:00Did Google Hack Target?!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNawmROVurzAjkbsRtSurC233-H2AAqmmj_gMxDCAe-SN7q-pEmHbUX3UJ3W30-GP5vL-9vedMhaxCA_opwNVjSIIQpiHmB-yWQKDbjncYfj8lHol6kQbjqupmZBywhFfpzpg1VGFivSH/s1600-h/target-adsense.gif" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5327149934526355794" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDNawmROVurzAjkbsRtSurC233-H2AAqmmj_gMxDCAe-SN7q-pEmHbUX3UJ3W30-GP5vL-9vedMhaxCA_opwNVjSIIQpiHmB-yWQKDbjncYfj8lHol6kQbjqupmZBywhFfpzpg1VGFivSH/s400/target-adsense.gif" style="cursor: pointer; height: 317px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
What else could explain this, other than a rogue AdSense sales team at Google breaking into Target.com and sabotaging loyal Target customers?<br />
<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Target.com allows other advertisers to compete with Target within the Target website via Google AdSense.</i><br />
<br />
HUH?<br />
<br />
I am shopping patio furniture at Target.com, and right there in my results are Ads by Google, promoting patio furniture from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Lowe's</span>, Home Depot, an interesting looking domain name called "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">DirectPatioFurniture</span>.com" and 3 other competitors.<br />
<br />
Is Target so smart that they know their online customers will shop other sites, so they might as well make revenue with their own traffic through Google AdSense?<br />
<br />
This is a very courageous strategy if it is working, and an outrageous one if it is not.<br />
<br />
Because some person is in charge of Target.com, and I am not, I must assume they know <i>much </i>more than I do and are very good at marketing. Target is a brand that knows how to brand. They are a market that knows how to market. But this time, I think someone went nuts.<br />
<br />
May this bold and/or nutty decision-maker find this post through Google Alerts, and respond with a, "Kirk, you're wrong. We're achieving more goals, profits and customers by adding Google AdSense in our website. We're going to get you as our customer anyway, you're going to shop around anyway... we love taking $5 from Home Depot every time you click their link. We love taking $6 from "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">LoveMyPatio</span>.com." Because we know you are going to come back to us, in our store in your town, to purchase your new patio furniture."<br />
<br />
If I were king of <a href="http://target.com/" target="_blank">target.com</a>, I'd probably rather keep my customers on my site. Allowing competitors to advertise on your website through Google AdSense is -- to me -- exactly like allowing Home Depot and Lowe's to put uniformed employees in your patio furniture section to guide customers away from Target for the purchase.<br />
<br />
God knows I've been wrong a couple times before, and this may be Target pulling off some of their pure marketing genius.Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-84703171201917745292009-03-12T21:40:00.004-05:002009-03-12T22:08:32.044-05:00You Never Know What's Next<a href="http://www.searchme.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5312503604879620738" style="WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 276px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv2zHyipEDPWMao3yKiEXOPP4OFzbPWmi7SNIo55Mr6CgPYDcvfvUgYttdkcJi7J7xhOyZaZljwu-Y9231dJA-7AsHHTzFcsDzxEyezzR8N7o4hXMYLzXi8wcMR0H6pHPxX2uUVl3gXF0h/s400/searchme.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The first time I used Google was during a visit with a client in San Francisco. It was January of 2000, and while Google had already been a hometown hit in Silicon Valley, it was not even on the same field - or in the same universe - with the likes of AOL and Yahoo!. I've been a fan of their online services since that day, and they have grown to dominate their game.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But you never know when the next thing is going to hit, and you can bet that no one will ever dominate forever. My guess is that a visual engine will take the next turn at the top. It could be an existing player, such as Google, Yahoo!, Microsoft, Apple or Adobe, but it could be a newbie too.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I have a really good feeling this is what the next evolution of search engines will look like: <a href="http://www.searchme.com/">http://www.searchme.com/</a>. </div>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-47506500870660475692009-01-29T10:51:00.004-05:002009-01-29T11:05:41.919-05:00Chick-Fil-A... one model from which anyone can learn.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://chickfila.com/"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 337px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGlFSWPjCXqw80cbDBfj6-JJWfSKHf2Vp96B3FFgJHmjKDCj09x5qctM6uWrbXrk-CvcVdQzdTS2A_avT0uHyiciZ6js8TE4XR2RpZ-156asSXUDw3xEAeqiNXbiirkGAAW_6ojt8Zcln/s400/chick-fil-a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296745964812079346" border="0" /></a><br />No one can dispute this company as a pure success. If you want to get better, follow the best.<br /><br />(Read this article in the AJC)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2009/01/29/chick_fil_a_earnings.html"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 219px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjctuRgpcsjF6UGkj-fCLTh0CeNLGfQBHICtqJvfbfI292P5_LvnJ_isAW49dlBy3ZeL8N8_mxmnm5_gWecV7YV0-8uEaCZwiHtH7Y5s2PzoHSVpxu8aLBPTiuqNwYVuwPfhMfi3y5tnO8Q/s400/ajc-chick-fil-a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296747184748144242" border="0" /></a>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-35879706256154431382008-10-16T17:24:00.005-05:002008-10-16T17:28:16.229-05:00Even in a Recession Depression, Google's Kicking A(d)sI have several clients who are thrilled with Google AdWords, and some who still fear it.<br /><br />If you have something to sell, and your potential customers cannot find you in Google, you're missing the boat.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a8NxA7VQJQ5A&refer=worldwide">Read the Bloomberg article here...</a>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-77889623135442912402008-07-24T11:08:00.002-05:002008-07-24T11:14:06.248-05:00Cheap, Fast, or Good: Pick 2This one's apparently been out there for a while, but I came across it in a Tom Wait's interview of himself.<br /><br />Anyway, the point in "Cheap, Fast, or Good... pick 2" is:<br /><br />If it's Cheap and Fast, it's not going to be Good.<br />If it's Cheap and Good, it's not going to be Fast.<br />If it's Fast and Good, it's not going to be Cheap.<br /><br />Right now, I consider myself Cheap and Good. I'll strive for Fast and Good.<br /><br />Which 2 describe your products or services?Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-18679999798032695042008-05-10T09:14:00.004-05:002008-05-10T09:48:55.194-05:00Personal $ecurity<a href="http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805090392"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5198758288003166834" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsijKtn3b9ldDExT5Nqr5qO7S0zgE4O7eOohhAMaoOrEOV18BojLRNKPQ0IvMeFZy49ppYN2VgEMZzC_5oAaxvex3sX6fq71bAAwNhxOowc0g1UjMy3XH4iW2EoUBEwnNm9ighqiTj9Xwp/s400/apple-target.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I've been saying home security / personal security is going to explode. Here's a perfect example of what's to come... a woman's Mac is stolen, she logs in remotely and takes photos of the thieves with the Mac's camera. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Someone's going to make the right technological solutions to protect all your private property... or at least let you know who stole it, when, and where it is now.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008805090392">Read the article about the Mac lady here.</a></div>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-36747929178206284972008-04-11T16:39:00.004-05:002008-04-12T13:26:02.071-05:00Death of a Salesman?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKHtSpCA4f_E5YfC_vZULxhaKg-uMUgmSArWKTOVqx9T1RlikoyzKEKGVIpEX-szswGF1ej8cEZvZorx2LnrYjdOAXH0HUar-Zur9OpEhqJAbN_jL5nh1eZoTfvu6-3mrCAg1iaO2Ah-w/s1600-h/naughty-monkey.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcKHtSpCA4f_E5YfC_vZULxhaKg-uMUgmSArWKTOVqx9T1RlikoyzKEKGVIpEX-szswGF1ej8cEZvZorx2LnrYjdOAXH0HUar-Zur9OpEhqJAbN_jL5nh1eZoTfvu6-3mrCAg1iaO2Ah-w/s400/naughty-monkey.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188105792003344354" border="0" /></a><br /><br />My wife found a pair of these shoes at a local boutique. She was ready to buy, but they didn't have the color she wanted (yellow, as shown).<br /><br />Now that she knew she liked the style and the comfort of the shoe, she was able to get online that afternoon, order the shoes from Zappos.com, and they were delivered overnight. And it cost a few dollars <span style="font-style: italic;">less</span> than at the boutique because she was not charged local sales tax.<br /><br />She may have asked the boutique to order the shoes for her through their distributor, but I bet they would not have been delivered overnight. The salesman would have had to make an effort to say "Oh, if you want a pair of the yellow, I can have them here by Friday." But that effort was not made.<br /><br />Sounds good for Zappos, bad for salesmen and local independent retailers.<br /><br />PS. Here's my affiliate link to Zappos. Shop away!<br /><a href="http://www.jdoqocy.com/click-2487563-319178" target="_top"><br /><img alt="Click here for Sandals from Zappos.com!" src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-2487563-319178" border="0" height="125" width="125" /></a>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-74246267051947287222008-03-25T20:06:00.002-05:002008-03-25T21:10:28.341-05:00Why Jeff Tweedy's Business Should Be Important to You<a href="http://wilcoworld.net/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5181866740575976050" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKpDv6U_6g1CE2L9ELmF26pYrMzG1jVOn6SG6deh3JWs7ReW8p6tHXRBu2yY9DOt4VdCI44D_O172EhFCxkETP6guwAguZhFBWed7Y1LrAY7tBspXOMcRlRcpCb8w5RxERgHQhhHW3clIx/s400/wilco-032508.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Jeff Tweedy is a musician who has been carving his own path through the music business for years. He embraces the internet as a medium to get more people to hear his band's music, even if the listener doesn't pay for the song. I won't put any links here... simply Google him and music business, and you'll see his views in detail.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Here's the path he took to make me become a really good customer. This is a great example of how long it might take to make a customer a "lifetime" customer.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>1. In the early to mid 90's I hear of a band called Uncle Tupelo that's good, but I don't check them out. I really don't like their name. This was Jeff Tweedy's band.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>2. Mid to Late 90s ... I hear of Wilco and the term "alt country." It's supposed to be good. But I don't hear it. It's not on the radio. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>3. 2004 ... Yankee Hotel Foxtrot comes out. It's a great, great album. A friend gives me a burnt copy on CD. I love it. I watch a borrowed copy of their DVD documentary of making <em>Yankee Hotel Foxtrot.</em></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>4. Same friend gives copy of next album, "A Ghost is Born." It came at a time when I had another band on heavy rotation, and I didn't have time to give it a chance. A few listens told me it was no YHT, as expected.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>5. 2007: Another friend asks me to turn him on to some cool music. I turn him on to Wilco, thinking it's a good fit with other music he likes. He loves it.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>6. 2008: Wilco comes to second friend's town. He insists on buying me a ticket. We see show. I'm blown away, and am taken to a new level of "customer satisfaction." I get home, buy all their albums at iTunes, and even gift it to friend #3 because they had just seen them on Saturday Night Live</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Motive: If you sell something you care about, don't ever give up, and use any avenue possible to let people know you and your product/service exist.</div>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-58137183816164031202008-02-13T21:25:00.003-05:002008-02-13T21:52:17.457-05:00Pioneers of Something, Always<a href="http://www.supernaturalsuperserious.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166656697663619138" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiSZTTaRpUJyetyGBpdC8-gW1NwzwGEIEtLWJjUjEvbLljFUXfAu7gECmW7JFte2YDJvP9SZFmmTrNsxMd3VWuHat6y0Jd4X1m3ByGZtp5Lym0agE27-KHs77ZqLEeybEw4j13eGTo18-0/s400/supernatural-superserious.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>some people just aren't happy unless they're blazing trails.</div>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-37009640731289470732008-01-29T15:19:00.000-05:002008-01-29T15:26:38.433-05:00When the next Boom comes...You'll see:<br /><br />The next Starbucks: A healthy/affordable/fresh take-out concept<br />The next iPod: 24-7 personal security monitor and GPS<br />The next HDTV: automated, affordable home security and neighborhood monitoringKirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-34868622344643617142007-12-16T22:31:00.000-05:002007-12-16T22:52:15.380-05:00It's Good to Self-Google<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJDzS0lx2gPhQrpLQko8IiFgsjwkib3WFMooWrjavwIyOs7pdJewe0GYlWhosER_u0Ru7rhBciNXEE6O9rew_iGsNKOco4nUvADI8MpzBd2bMOTQDC9iRBjJu9RGxPLr2AyqIJTpNBLd7/s1600-h/google-yourself.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5144784674234154866" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJDzS0lx2gPhQrpLQko8IiFgsjwkib3WFMooWrjavwIyOs7pdJewe0GYlWhosER_u0Ru7rhBciNXEE6O9rew_iGsNKOco4nUvADI8MpzBd2bMOTQDC9iRBjJu9RGxPLr2AyqIJTpNBLd7/s400/google-yourself.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I've been Googling myself for several years. It's good because with so much info out there, it's good to know what info might be out there about <em>you.</em> You can bet your future boss or spouse will Google your name. If there is any negative information, you might have to do some work to fix it.<br /><br />You can counter it by doing your own AdWords Campaign, in which you can ensure your chosen information about yourself is at or near the very top of the results page. I've been running mine for over 4 years. Google "Kirk Lancaster" and you'll see my little ad.<br /><br />Often you'll have people and companies with the same name show up in the results, and you actually have to advertise and optimize your site in order to have someone find you quickly.<br /><br />The point is you have to make sure your name and your company's name is fairly clean in the results of internet searches. Google yourself. It's good for you to know what's out there.<br /><br /><a href="http://news.wired.com/dynamic/stories/P/PERSONAL_INTERNET_SEARCHES?SITE=WIRE&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2007-12-16-16-15-21">Here's a good article at Wired.com about it.</a></div>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-4643257815515347932007-12-13T09:36:00.000-05:002007-12-13T09:40:39.634-05:00Perfect Example of Getting Customers InvolvedCan't write it up any better than this. And this will work for small companies too. Example: A landscaping company could have a "Worse Lawn in Town" contest and give away a lawn makeover. Not a bad way to get people to talk about your company. Think locally!<br /><br />I'll probably even pick HD over Lowe's on my next trip.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2007/12/12/depot_1213.html">http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/stories/2007/12/12/depot_1213.html</a>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-25085597886380509832007-12-10T22:57:00.000-05:002007-12-10T22:59:59.995-05:00Ahhh, the Joys of Christmas 2007Ahhh, the joys of Christmas 2007... a huge variety of Christmas songs old and new downloaded from iTunes, shopping online from our favorite e-tailers, and avoiding the inconsistent service of local retail.Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-18825792574488720012007-10-01T07:40:00.000-05:002007-10-01T07:56:00.423-05:00Yes! THIS is the future of marketing revealed!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiwoS8uY56zi7EByz39j0qLiA0WIyk0fS6bfvSWkMzkWb08Jt215uu_GPXVJyXzM0coRsjmUMIqU595r_TC6ylFG-sK2hNDUgJEzV9Xr0guS6XCqvZ5toLlL56oRcuSFxWdEybqrwlOiY/s1600-h/radiohead-100107.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5116351071253993586" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkiwoS8uY56zi7EByz39j0qLiA0WIyk0fS6bfvSWkMzkWb08Jt215uu_GPXVJyXzM0coRsjmUMIqU595r_TC6ylFG-sK2hNDUgJEzV9Xr0guS6XCqvZ5toLlL56oRcuSFxWdEybqrwlOiY/s400/radiohead-100107.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Radiohead, one of the world's most popular rock bands, is selling their new album in various formats directly from their site. But for just the download of the music, fans have the option of what to pay beyond the small processing fee. It's like an honor system. Common sense says that most of the downloaders will pay nothing, but the beauty is that they must provide their detailed contact information, so Radiohead will definitely get to market to their listeners directly with tour info, merchandise sales and new releases. Brilliant!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/10/01/bcnradio101.xml">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/main.jhtml?xml=/money/2007/10/01/bcnradio101.xml</a></div>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-65574401958283576582007-09-22T10:46:00.000-05:002007-09-22T11:28:13.925-05:00Make sure you know what you want your website to do<p>There are only so many reasons for your business to have a website. Make sure you know what you want your website to accomplish, and once you pick your reasons, make sure you're fulfilling each one as <em>simply</em> and <em>user-friendly</em> as possible.</p><br /><ul><br /><li>Tell people about your business, service and/or products</li><br /><li>Tell them <em>enough</em> about your business to get them to contact a sales person</li><br /><li>Sell your items/service, 24-7 online</li><br /><li>Promote your company 24-7 online in search engines (the new "phone book")</li><br /><li>Enable two-way communication between company and customers, employees and partners (blogs, instant chat, email, form data... etc.)</li><br /><li>Learn more about your customers and what they value; what they're looking for</li></ul>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-12334833034301475322007-09-18T21:27:00.000-05:002007-09-18T22:52:44.766-05:00Chik-Fil-Yay!I always love going to Chick-Fil-A. They seem to be one of the few "every day" brands that manages to be consistent in product and service.<br /><div></div><br /><div>Tonight I realized for the umpteenth time that when I eat Chick-fil-A, there's never anywhere to put ketchup for the fries. Every time I ask for ketchup, and every time I remember that my only option seems to be ripping open the paper/foil bag that holds the sandwhich. There's a ketchup problem at Chick-fil-A!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Sell a "ketchup bucket." Like a small version of pudding cup, with removable foil top. Buy it for a dime and sell it for a quarter... I'd buy it. And I would enjoy my fries more too!</div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jShrNTVliU4eET9W8DyAC1-JR22QhMBIHmeOBzryTLrOsxuJm_5PUEoZdgILXfngA441gJPnsIO3_w_qDvohKgut_17x2HPgp8tgQeHGo7OJ6IazoURSwCUZzJyqkM9G4th5EIrRNa8P/s1600-h/pudding-cups.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111758106844825314" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9jShrNTVliU4eET9W8DyAC1-JR22QhMBIHmeOBzryTLrOsxuJm_5PUEoZdgILXfngA441gJPnsIO3_w_qDvohKgut_17x2HPgp8tgQeHGo7OJ6IazoURSwCUZzJyqkM9G4th5EIrRNa8P/s400/pudding-cups.jpg" border="0" /></a>(like this, but ketchup)</div>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-14930846410719840982007-09-09T21:33:00.000-05:002007-09-09T21:37:16.685-05:00If you have to lead people...<a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/notebook?page=gamedayFinal072"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108398648373700002" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6FbnbdT8sOyXKafP9Ys0m3EswHcU27STPVgpHmz5p3QhUPq8xJcjj1s2E_rF6-5XhKjVpxwpbPHh1RRGCzZ6TztvMPkuvZpm0m4mnTKHiRtYmM011UQ4_n4B8obPgfvcKcxMQmd9m2Hb/s400/spurrier-090907.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>check this guy out. If you manage any kind of team, I'd study everything you can find about this guy. He's the best coach alive for people who have to be prodded to do their best, and at making something work out of what you have to work with.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-59983083501018050562007-08-22T13:27:00.000-05:002007-08-22T13:59:58.724-05:00Want to understand a viral ad?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZT1fYJmJtqI_knlZLM0M3FQp9l_t1e2DrdxlJRL0d-N51jDWbgymDpZ7BG5raTBPEpQBTVFIq-iC_2KJuiUk-pcn0DAWqRaVR9wDOYgRM3Xv-EFOz9JQPz0Rg-HEt_AdJA-AL4i3Mwai/s1600-h/viral.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101601501850527122" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKZT1fYJmJtqI_knlZLM0M3FQp9l_t1e2DrdxlJRL0d-N51jDWbgymDpZ7BG5raTBPEpQBTVFIq-iC_2KJuiUk-pcn0DAWqRaVR9wDOYgRM3Xv-EFOz9JQPz0Rg-HEt_AdJA-AL4i3Mwai/s400/viral.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Hopefully you don't have to get hurt to do it, but your ad really does need to be remarkable to be viral. <a href="http://www.break.com/index/top-gun-motors.html">http://www.break.com/index/top-gun-motors.html</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>(Even before the "remarkable" part, this guy's pretty funny. It's so crazy that after all these years, local automobile dealers still scream at you. I guess that means it still works...)</div>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-88786305161645582382007-08-19T09:59:00.000-05:002007-08-19T10:23:52.650-05:00Even though it's easier, it ain't that easy...Blogging. Digital photos. Advertising in Search Engines. Updating your website...<br /><br />Everything is so much <em>easier </em>now when it comes to communicating with your customers, employees and other business associates.<br /><br />But that doesn't mean communicating is any easier. Coming up with a message that is relevant and interesting to your audience is still <em>not</em> easy, especially when your audience has more communication to deal with than ever before.<br /><br />While it's very inexpensive to set up a blog and website to communicate openly, that doesn't make it easier to write several small articles a month or get your brand properly identified.<br /><br />While it's amazing that you can be advertising your product to the world within minutes in Google, you still have to have a great product, enticing message and effective call to action. And you have to know to manage keywords or you can waste A LOT of money.<br /><br />While it's much easier to measure results of online marketing compared to older channels, it's still not that easy to understand what all the data means for your future marketing plan.<br /><br />You have to stay on top of marketing trends and tools like never before, you have to apply just as much to your marketing budget as ever before, and you have to work just as hard to communicate properly as before.<br /><br />But here is one thing that is easier in today's marketing world... you do not have to spend so much money TESTING an idea on physical media, such as printing and mailing newsletters, business collateral and traditional media in broadcast and print. You can launch a message and get fairly immediate response from your audience, which allows you to adjust your marketing on the fly. And once you have nailed it in the online world, you can safely launch it in traditional media too.Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-12257992561529923422007-07-18T21:59:00.001-05:002007-07-18T22:35:12.578-05:00Does this Work?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzieygUmiStIw-_V7Ucyjdeby7JNeGmMDq2g8_6RQ5tPUxWtIUdvsCPAE23OVEiUvOiApHKvv6wKZeiXU8bwqQ9a0OHEAX5q5qeneLOeq8obpzRIVExwvttu7gQH5lBSjus-5TBVgZC8S/s1600-h/kirk-cat-simpson.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088745782760759442" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGzieygUmiStIw-_V7Ucyjdeby7JNeGmMDq2g8_6RQ5tPUxWtIUdvsCPAE23OVEiUvOiApHKvv6wKZeiXU8bwqQ9a0OHEAX5q5qeneLOeq8obpzRIVExwvttu7gQH5lBSjus-5TBVgZC8S/s400/kirk-cat-simpson.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#3333ff;">Cathy and Kirk "Simpson"</span><br /><br /><div>I am a Simpson's fan, so I will see the movie. Putting out a website that lets me <a href="http://www.simpsonizeme.com/">Simpsonize </a>myself is simply as cool as it gets, but by now you shouldn't be shocked getting that from the Simpsons' franchise. </div><div></div><br /><div>So I would say this is brilliant, except I'm still not going to patronize the sponsor because of this ad. I don't have anything against Burger King, I just know I don't eat there, and a cool online app isn't going to change my mind.</div><br /><div></div>But BK has been kickin' it, so I guess they know what they're doing. Here's one thing I'll bet... that this "Simpsonizer" becomes one of the most popular things ever on the web. I just can't wait to find out if it really sells burgers.Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-27811200756377540402007-07-16T22:16:00.001-05:002007-07-16T22:23:04.802-05:00Make Sure You're Picture Perfect<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wsWcSnN2CFmSmr1W61SAbGy0XNfX0pgJufkHwANpaCONdokipZ-hM6iAunDjWNK40Y81qAmnOR-CygKJtGXEkAoimgud5p6fn_dCkrGGcjLWNXrq3gFn6HSwNvP8JzHO_0tJwZiEIAe5/s1600-h/ANDRUW.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5088001065496404082" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4wsWcSnN2CFmSmr1W61SAbGy0XNfX0pgJufkHwANpaCONdokipZ-hM6iAunDjWNK40Y81qAmnOR-CygKJtGXEkAoimgud5p6fn_dCkrGGcjLWNXrq3gFn6HSwNvP8JzHO_0tJwZiEIAe5/s400/ANDRUW.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Look at this AT&T ad featuring Atlanta Braves star Andruw Jones. </div><div><br /> </div><div>You do not have to post pixelated photos/graphics that make the subject look like this, and you shouldn't. Make sure your photos and writing are well-done, by people who know what they're doing. (KirkLancaster.com -- hint, hint.)</div>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-6677286167092591582007-07-16T21:04:00.000-05:002007-07-16T21:30:51.303-05:00I hate to see this.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PhFlFqzegIoW_fycLX5hKTHYAXGOmHp4BRBc7orRmJLGteyYZI1LiaLePWa8OW0YdYo4oI0hgmerWN3NvYSS-bhRmHyxa-CrCqFodGIZ6iZuNGOBfMMmnhtc11cKYY2OapiauWDC9YM4/s1600-h/GARCIA-WINE.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5087985002318717010" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PhFlFqzegIoW_fycLX5hKTHYAXGOmHp4BRBc7orRmJLGteyYZI1LiaLePWa8OW0YdYo4oI0hgmerWN3NvYSS-bhRmHyxa-CrCqFodGIZ6iZuNGOBfMMmnhtc11cKYY2OapiauWDC9YM4/s400/GARCIA-WINE.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Perusing bottles at the grocery tonight, I see "Jerry Garcia Wine." For some reason -- and I'm not a fan of the Grateful Dead -- this bothers me. When I get home to check out the story, (did he have a vineyard?) a typo in their site happens to clarify everything. In a link to learn more about the artist, the site says "to learn more about the Jerry Garcia, click here." "The" Jerry Garcia. That's it. He's an object. Just like ol' Elvis, he has heirs making all the money now. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Maybe the wine maker is making money because of that rabid Dead-Head following, but to the people marketing this (Clos du Bois), I say: C'mon. If your wine is any good, try a little harder than that. Just be honest with your brand. Why try to ride someone's coattails if you want to put out something remarkable?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I'm sure the wine is less-than-average fermented grape juice, they're cashing in on suckers (probably still trippin'), and laughing all the way to the bank. </div><div> </div><div>Hopefully your work means more to you than just preying on the weak with a sub-par, whorified product.</div>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-15134436614603426502007-07-08T16:05:00.000-05:002007-07-08T17:21:47.842-05:00Looking Into the Crystal BallPerhaps by 2012...?<br /><br /><ul><li>Cars will have exterior and interior full-time cameras and recorders; your own little "black box" that will protect you (or possibly incriminate you) in the event of accidents or crimes.Car tags will be wireless and digital, no numbers visible.<br /></li><li>Cars won't start unless tag and insurance are up to date, and the driver is licensed and authorized to drive. Thanks to these new tags, you won't be running any red lights or stop signs without getting an automatic fine.<br /></li><li>Cars will have real-time speed limits based on traffic, road and weather conditions. You won't be able to break speed limits, again giving you big savings off car insurance.</li></ul><p>Yes, this is another hard-to-stomach, far-fetched vision, and privacy advocates will scream bloody murder. But when you consider automobile accidents are the most common cause of accidental death in America, why can't we use technology to help eliminate 50,000 deaths per year? Many new business opportunities would be created, and many liabilities destroyed. </p>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-68145989592793644972007-06-29T17:30:00.001-05:002007-06-29T18:01:08.987-05:00119 Years Later<a href="http://www.3121.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081624070776763442" style="CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLVMfvwBWZg00bJ4sNEK0Pp-ePQc5dA19tsI1xYUuX0mo2HaGeIfXvC381OqvIrPJ6ge8qVlSXm9sKvlUXOjpLtSGrIhGHRIKoLQKhyphenhyphen_8xWzEPnfHmK3crlAutsVSx4h2n9xPS3ktMzyyH/s400/edison-prince.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>The first known recorded music was created on Thomas Edison's "yellow paraffin cylinder" on June 29, 1888. One hundred nineteen years later, Prince is launching his anticipated new recording in CD format for free to subscribers of a British Magazine.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>New methods of distributing information, products, services, ideas -- just about anything you sell or share -- are popping up every day. Are you thinking of new ways to get your product or service into the hands of more customers?</div><div> </div><div>(edison photo from the Smithsonian Institution; Prince from 3121.com)</div>Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290062348096082197.post-55686267457529004812007-06-22T15:26:00.000-05:002007-06-22T22:48:04.235-05:00May the Young and the Restless Take OverSeth has a <a href="http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2007/06/rochambeau-the-.html">great post today </a>about creating a business environment where workers really care. In addition to the fun interactive promotions listed in his article, I add this: If you really want to make the front line care, give them a real incentive. A piece of the pie.<br /><br />Give the sandwich maker a small commission on every sale, and he will be more concerned about giving the customer a good product, value and experience. He'll want them to come back. The more sandwiches he and his co-workers make, the more money they take home.<br /><br />This could apply beyond food service to every day retail. How quickly and accurately do you think your cashiers will ring up your customers if they get paid a commission on every product they ring up, even if it is small? An extra $20 to an employee on a busy day will make sure they do what it takes to make every day a busy day.<br /><br />Remove the tip jars. Add a commission on every sale for the whole staff. Watch your employees become salespeople, customer service reps, teammates and company champions all in one. It used to be that way; perhaps it's time to bring it back.<br /><br />One thing's for sure... it's going to take a slew of new business leaders to create the environments needed to enable employess to care. May the Young and the Restless future business leaders take over soon.Kirk Lancasterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15538675545257202948noreply@blogger.com0