Category: Ramblings

During my tenure in radio, I remember doing a remote broadcast from an appliance store. As I stood chatting with the store owner while waiting to do the live spot, he saw a older couple walk buy with a copy of the Consumers Reports Buying Guide. “They walk in with… Read More "“Bricks and Mortar Stores, It’s Time to Go Online!” Or, “A Lesson From an Appliance Store Owner.”"

It was September 2010 when I first wrote about the loan sharks over at Western Sky Financial who promise financial freedom for those saddled with the need for quick cash.  A cursory review of the terms and conditions of these payday loans revealed interest rates that would make Vito Corleone’s… Read More "“Western Sky High Interest Payday Loans On Radar of New York State.” Or, “When Interest Rates are Too High.”"

Nothing spoils a relationship with a customer faster than lack of communication. Think about it. There has to be some time in the not-so-distant past when you needed an answer from a company you do/intended to do business with. More than likely you sent an email or left a voice… Read More "“One Ringy Dingy.” Or, “How Well Do You Communicate With Your Customers?”"

When I can’t sleep I usually find myself reaching for my iPhone or iPad to check email. Yeah, it’s a bad habit. Especially when it’s two or three in the morning. A quick email check can often times lead into me taking twenty minutes to write a “short” response. Last… Read More "“Performance Reviews are Hogwash.” Or, “Insomnia and Human Resources.”"

If you have a website or eCommerce store, you probably have an intense hatred towards Google. Just the words “panda” or “penguin” strikes fear in you to the point where you can’t watch Animal Planet anymore. For those of you who don’t know what the heck I’m talking about, here’s… Read More "“Finger Pointing Over Bad Search Results.” Or, “Sins of the Past Impact the Future.”"

Happy Birthday to me. Well, not yet. It’s a couple days away and in case you’re wondering, I’ll simply say I fit into the age group referred to as “over 40.” One thing about the annual celebration of being one year closer to death, is the coupons. Yes, the coupons.… Read More "“It Doesn’t Suck to Be Over 40.” Or, “Celebrate Your Customer’s Birthdays with Reward Marketing.”"

The art of sitting down and writing a letter has been replaced by typing out an email or sending a text message. I was never one to send a letter. With an attention span as short as my temper, even an email more than two paragraphs long gets the trash… Read More "“I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write a Letter.” Or, “That’s One Bad Ass Burrito at Glickman’s”"

As we turn a page on the calendar, I find it hard to believe that the year is half over and that supermarkets jack up the price of hot dogs right before the July 4th holiday. While most of our thoughts are on a three-day workweek, fireworks, the tank of… Read More "“I’m Dreaming of a Green Christmas.” Or, “Get Your Store Ready for the 4th Quarter… NOW!”"

What did you have for lunch today? Oh, never mind. I saw the picture of the two chili dogs, fries and a milkshake that made me very envious.  Aren’t you on a diet? How was work? Oh never mind. I saw that post about your boss. Is he really that… Read More "“Hold it! Don’t Post That!” Or, “Our Private Lives in a Social Media World.”"

They say things happen for a reason. Not sure if I’m entirely onboard with that at the moment. For example, right now I’m sitting in my underpants, sweating like a tax cheat at lunch with an IRS agent, in an 87 degree house staring at the air conditioning repair man… Read More "“Things Happen for A Reason.” Or, “Machines, Sweat and Perseverance.”"