Once again, a stupid Apprentice wanna-be can't hit their own personal shutup button. Marissa deserves to go.

Square's Rules of Marketing

Square leaves funny comments on this blog from time to time. While speaking with Square the other day, he shared with me his personal 2 Rules of Marketing

1. "Get busy living, or get busy dying." A nice sentiment from Shawshank Redemption
2. No matter who you are talking to, whatever they are saying is the most important thing.

Thanks Square.

Outstanding in a crowd

Tremendous Trav knows how to stand out in a crowd and show his true colors.

...But What Does Hospitality Mean?

According to Danny Meyer, the restaurateur who wrote SETTING THE TABLE, "hospitality, which most distinguishes our restaurants - and ultimately any business - is the sum of all the thoughtful, caring, gracious things our staff does to make you feel we are on your side when you are dining with us."

And that's what it's all about.

What Does Customer Service Mean?

Customer Service = putting others first. It's that easy/hard.

Jeep® Waterfall

Found this remarkable video through MarketingBlog.eu. Fantastic technology. See for yourself

Lame-O

The Apprentice. What was that all about? Why would someone just quit like Michelle did? There have been pleny of times when it looked like someone was going to be fired and someone pipes up in the board room and totally redirects Trumps ire. Regardless, you shouldn't quit and give up. she should have thought about whether or not she wanted to work for the Trump organization long before she got on the show. Anyone can review the last 5 seasons on DVD to get a good idea what they are getting into. (I can hear Ben quoting Churchill now)

Rewarding Good Behavior

Just went to buy my Sunday paper like I always do every Sunday afternoon, from the OnCue Express #40 down the street. What made this visit different from all the rest of the visits to this store or any other store in recent history is, the cashier...used my name. I presented my debit card, like I always do...and the cashier said, "Thanks Scott."

That's great! Good job! He shoots, he scores! Music to my ears. Unbelieveable. The Giants Win The Pennant! Ta Da! Thank you for noticing! I'm somebody!

I'll go back and see if it happens again. Any bets? Let me know if it happens to you.

More Animal News

Hunter Townsend, Ben's oldest son, took his first deer this season and what a deer it is! The 9-point scored 135.6 on the Boon and Crockett scale and weighed in at 210 lbs. Hunter shot this deer while hunting with his good buddy E.J. Harpole. I am very proud of Hunter's accomplishment.

Checkin in on Nala

We went in yesterday to get the stitches out of Nala's jaw. Two weeks ago she had been hit(?) byt a car or come in contact with some calamatous situation that broke her jaw. But Dr. Manely said she is doing fine, the jaw is staying in alignment nicely and that she should stay on soft foods for 4 more weeks. This picture kind of shows all the fur that had to be shaved off to work on the jaw line.

8 lives to go.

Pasta to Live For

My friend Robin Black turned me on to this recipe that is out of this world. It's called OLIVE GARDEN PASTA e FAGIOLI. We made it tonight and everyone raved about the thick rich tomato-y taste. I'm lovin' it.

Job Well Done!

Great job Joey and Matthew. Looks like one slip-free siewalk to me. And ahead of schedule(2:50pm)

Two boys, 4 tools and unlimited potential

Kids sit around in the house too much these days. So on this snowy day, I asked Matthew and his friend if they would clear the sidewalk ion front of the house. In exchange, they would get $5.00 each in iTunes to download songs. They were all over it (as you can see).

As I watch these two work, I'm thinking...they could make alot of money on a day like today just clearing sidewalks and driveways for people. Shouldn't we parents help the younger set understand how to be industrious and how to make money? Isn't it amazing that the schools teach everything but how to develop good relationships and how to make money?

Its so fun watching these kids work. You can tell they are trying to figure out how to get the job done, who's responsible for what, how to pace themselves, track progress and trying to understand what doing a good job really means.

While I'm at it, might as well teach them how to do just a little bit extra; the 1% more that's so rare these days.

Great job Matthew and Joey!

p.s. I'll post another photo at 4:00pm (deadline for project to be completed) and see how they did.

Anti-Butt Busters

As I have mentioned earlier, the town is covered in a chunk of ice. However, while others are slipping and falling their way through life, I am motivating around without the slightest chance of slipping...even with leather sole shoes...thanks to the awesome power of SHOE CHAINS. Dad invented these shoe chains many years ago. And even though he has passed on, his invention is still saving my butt.

Photos caught at just the right moment

Thought I would share more funny pictures...these are more about catching subjects at just the right moment(?) Thanks again Sigler.

Remarkable Shopping Bags

Thanks to Lisa for sending in these series of hilarious pictures. What a great way to get your customers involved with your product. Who said shopping bags have to be boring?

Ice Ice Ice

There is Ice everywhere. And the weatherman is predicting more snow this weekend. Thank God the power is still on at our house. There is no such thing as shovleing this stuff off the driveway. The sleet and freezing rain created a "cast" over the entire town. It will take weeks for all this to go away. This is good weather to be wearing shoe chains.

John Foley who writes the Business Advisors section of the Restaurant Blog has a good article worth reading. I can identify with this article since I along with other friends have been having breakfast in the same place every Friday for the last 6 years. Although not alone, I can appreciate the concept of going to the same place to eat, week in and week out. Consistency means alot. And it must mean alot to alot of people because I see the same group of folks every Friday. Creatures of habit.