When Customers Become Walking Advertisements I don't think it is too difficult to create a company people will love and respect so much they will tell the world about it. Companies of course try to attract customers to get them in their door, but are some companies simply looking to get customers in the building, or are they looking to build relationships with their customers? I think you can build a relationship with your customers...
How to Be Insanely Great in Front of Any Audience Steve Jobs does not sell computers; he sells an experience. The same holds true for his presentations that are meant to inform, educate, and entertain. An Apple presentation has all the elements of a great theatrical production—a great script, heroes and villains, stage props, breathtaking visuals, and one moment that makes the price of admission well worth it. Here are the five elements of every...
Sales Data from Fast Company Magazine, October 2009 McDonald's U.S. Revenue: $30 billion Avg. Transaction: $6.00 Avg. Store Sales: $2.3 million U.S. Stores: 13,958 Chipotle U.S. Revenue: $1.28 billion Avg. Transaction: $8.10 Avg. Store Sales: $1.8 million U.S. Stores: 800 Burger King U.S. Revenue: $9.13 billion Avg. Transaction: $5.75 Avg. Store Sales: $1.3 million U.S. Stores: 7,213 Starbucks U.S. Revenue: $8.75 billion Avg. Transaction: $4.75 Avg. Store Sales: $985,000 U.S. Stores: 11,537 Subway U.S. Revenue:...
This morning finds me at the airport, bound for Minneapolis. Despite arriving on time, I've been greeted by that all-too-familiar announcement: flight delayed. Thankfully, free Wi-Fi and an electrical outlet have transformed this inconvenience into an impromptu work session. Armed with a fresh Starbucks, I've settled in to observe the fascinating microcosm that is airport life. People Under Pressure The airport reveals human nature in its most unfiltered form. A few rows down, a mother...
Hey everyone, I'm back in the Bay Area after visiting Portland for the last few days for Christmas, and let me tell you it was quite a trip! I woke up this morning at 3:30am and left with my dad and Tyler to the airport at around 4:20am for our 6:45am flight so I could get Tyler back to Lana for Christmas. My dad heard the main roads had cleared up, so he took the...
Traveling from sunny California to snowy Portland with a toddler California Sun vs. Portland Snow If I haven't said it a million times before, I love California. I was talking to my mom yesterday, who said it was snowing like crazy in Portland and that my flight later in the day may not make it. I was surprised to hear things were so cold up north because my neighbor across the street was washing his...