Atomic Penny

Recently I contacted a businessman that I had done business with, commented on his blogs, tweeted his success and shared his writings with others. Because I knew he was busy, I used his personal email address, and did not want to interrupt him with a phone call. The response I received was not from the business owner, but from some unknown assistant. It read in part, “thanks for writing Bob (not his real name). If you wish to leave a message please go to his website and post a message.”

WOW!

Now I know what my support is worth. It must be that I didn’t attend all the seminars, workshops and consulting he tried to sell me. He will never understand my frustration, but I probably won’t go out of my way to use his services, which are quite good. I just wanted to support him when he started out, and hoped that I could learn something which I did.

By the way, I have emailed or twittered Seth Godin, Pamela Slim and Tony Hseih and received a personal response. I was no only surprised, but more importantly I was impressed. I am not a captain of industry, I am not a major player, and I am definitely not someone who can bolster his or her career. But to each of them I am important enough to respond to, and they have a fan for life.

If you put this in the context of your business, have you ignored your older customers because they didn’t buy everything that was offered? Do you consider the person with the biggest car or highest credit limit more important than the customer paying with cash?

Who stood by you when you started up and when times turned tough? What have you done for them lately?

POWER ON–Mark

Tony Hseih, CEO of Zappos had his book, Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose recently released. Here is what I learned:

I just finished this book for the second time and am wondering who this guy thinks he is? Happiness at work? Building a brand through culture, interaction, transparency and creating loyalty as well as personal relationships? Taking care of customers in a way that WOWS them and creates a reason to return?

This has got to be STOPPED! We cannot tolerate this type of behavior! Allow our employees to think and voice opinions? Making decisions and taking calculated risks? What’s next, provide a nap room and an onsite counselor?
Doesn’t he realize that we as corporate leaders know more than the cumulative brainpower of the collective?

Please help me spread the word, this has to stop, and stop now. Before you know it, the underlings will all be looking for more than a paycheck; satisfaction and a great work environment are not to be allowed. Thinking will result, and sooner or later tattoos of the corporate logo on the ass will disappear.

Join me in putting an end to this kind of thinking. If not now, when? If not you, who?

The lizard king must rise again!

(sarcasm intended)- sometimes translation is necessary.

POWER ON–Mark

Facebook has over 162 Million users in the U.S. alone and Twitter has 75 million users, with 15 million of them currently listed as active. These are staggering numbers, and if you are using these platforms to get your message out, you need to apply the right way to reach your target users.

Honda recently used Facebook to launch it’s new vehicle, the Crosstour, and the response was less than pleasing.  If you look for followers on Twitter, the top company after celebrities and news organizations is the NBA  then Whole Foods at 1.8 MM and 1.75 MM followers respectivly.

My point is that Facebook and Twitter, as well as other social media sites have there place. You need to decide how you are going to best use them to your advantage.  Does your message resonate when posted? Rioja restaurant in Denver updates its fan page with new menus and special events. Uni-ball advertises its fan page in television commercials. Many companies are using twitter as a delivery system for coupons. Tony Hseih uses twitter to update employees and customers of his thoughts and goings on at Zappos.

I also use Facebook (Atomicpenny Fan Page)  as a means to deliver my blog and to send out announcements. I use Twitter (@atomicmark) also as a delivery system. Until I get the Confetti Project fully up and running, that will be my reach. Watch for more information soon!

What are your expectations of your social media program, and are you expecting more than you realize?

POWER ON–Mark