Color Change Blog

Get your business revved

2010-05-18T21:54:00.001-05:00

John has provided another excellent business marketing resource with The Referral Engine: Teaching Your Business to Market Itself. I read his first book, Duct Tape Marketing: The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide and began implementing the ideas he shared with several businesses I was involved with. I can say that these books are not just for small business, but ANY business in any arena. Those that read The Referral Engine and begin to implement the strategies into tactical plans will see results. I ordered the pre-sale book and just finished it today and John has mastered the art of helping business people taking the strategic concepts and moving them into implementation with very clear and concise steps. While some will argue they don't have the time, in actuality, they can't afford not to. I highly recommend this book to those looking to rev their business. Not only does the book provide great examples, it will get the gears turning for creative ways to use the practical steps in your own business. Read more at The Referral Engine.

Companies can't hide from customers or victims

2010-04-16T09:00:00.001-05:00

If you operate a company, you might want to re-think your business model if you are acting unethically. Technology enabled customers and victims are forcing businesses to listen. And well, if they don't, their businesses will fail soon. I read with interest the All Facebook article, "Towing Company Sues Student For $750,000 For Creating A Facebook Group." Some students are alleging that T & J Towing company is breaking into vehicles, taking the parking sticker, then towing the vehicle an finally charging the students $118 to get it out of impound. The FB group is nearly 10,000 strong with many people stating the same issue. This will be very interesting to see how the situation plays out.

Retaining customers - USPS doesn't get it

2009-10-06T14:57:00.001-05:00

Another reason the United States Postal Service (USPS) is behind the times is the classic PO Box. I went to renew the PO Box for Color by the Sun today. I got a renewal notice via email (which is a nice feature, btw) last week that told me I could renew for 6 months for $55. So I'm at the counter and told the clerk I wanted to renew. He asked if I would like to renew for 6 months for $55. I asked him how much it would be for 1 year. He said, oh, a hundred and something. Then he checked and it was $110 for the year. I sarcastically replied, wow, what a deal. Give me 6 months then. Just out of curiosity, I called my local UPS Store to inquire what the box rates are for the UPS Mail Service. The UPS Store worker told me that a small box would be $16 month, so 6 months would be $96, or I could do 12 months and get 3 months free. So $144 for the year for the UPS Mail Service or $110/year for the USPS service. The UPS Mail Service has several additional benefits, like getting a real address, package notification by text or email, accepting of packages from all carriers, mail forwarding, and call-in mail checking by phone.

I did a brief search on the number of PO Boxes and found that most Central Business Districts (CBDs) have over 100,000 PO Boxes available. I don't know what the "unused" rate is for USPS PO Boxes, but I'd be willing to bet that if they offered a $10 discount for 1 year and made it an even $100/year, they would retain more PO Box users. They would have signed me up for a year on the spot.

Retaining customers should always be a priority. Using a little common sense marketing and giving your existing customers some incentive to renew for a longer term is easy. Thinking like a business isn't so easy when you are part of the government.

Avoid putting the "kabosh" on a presentation

2009-09-11T12:59:00.001-05:00

For many people, the thought of getting up in front of their peers or people they don't know causes the pulse to race and anxiety to rise. Practicing in front of a mirror, friends and family members will help alleviate the worry and also improve your delivery. Here are some basic presentation tips called the The 10/20/30 Rule of Powerpoint from Guy Kawasaki and an ironic "How to Give a Lousy Presentation" to help you in your journey.

The "factory model" is dead...

2009-08-13T17:28:00.000-05:00

Great interview with Seth Godin. Here's an excerpt:

Question: Marcy Shinder:
Over the more than 20 years that OPEN has been serving business owners, we’ve seen the resilience of entrepreneurs to adapt to changing times. But are you now forecasting a change as profound as that which precipitated the industrial and digital revolutions? Are you saying that there’s going to be a radical difference in the way that future business models are formulated?

Answer Seth Godin:
"I think so. The biggest single difference is that the whole factory model is dead – the mindset that says that the purpose of the corporation is to raise money and build a factory, and the purpose of the factory is to make lots of stuff that people will buy. That’s gone, it’s over. The way we train, the people we hire, the products we make, the way we sell them – is approached in a different way now. The new paradigm is two or three guys, setting up a couple of desks and laptops in their garage, conquering their own corner of the web, and maybe making $1 million or more in their first year. All the brains and emotion are migrating to service-related businesses that stress their horizontality rather than verticality. It’s a mass-customization, high-bandwidth connectivity kind of paradigm."

Here's a link to the full article.

Tribal Leadership

2009-08-07T16:27:00.003-05:00

I've been following how Tony Hsieh of Zappos and other companies structure their business models. This is a great audio book that can be downloaded for free that describes how companies at different stages function.

If you are an entrepreneur and love learning about business, this is a must listen/read. I plan to get the Kindle version after listening to the audio.

http://www.zappos.com/tribal.zhtml

What does it mean?

2009-07-10T16:48:00.001-05:00

It means you better be quick and nimble, or Jack be dead...

Advice on equity when starting a business

2009-04-03T15:17:00.002-05:00

This information would have saved me lots of mistakes along my journey in starting and forming businesses. If you are considering starting a business (AND ESPECIALLY PARTNERING) you should read this. There is something about guys and wanting a business partner. You need to treat it like a marriage and carefully consider all avenues before signing the papers.

Here's the Advice on equity blog post from Seth Godin.

Is your social media user name taken?

2009-03-17T09:01:00.004-05:00

One of the questions I get asked is "Where do I start to get involved in social media?" I blogged about this question specific to Twitter, but there are many different avenues for social media.

The first step is deciding what your strategy is for using social media. What is your "end in mind" or the results you want to achieve for your business?

Second, how do you plan to support this initiative? How much time can/will you or someone you hire devote to it?

Third, create realistic expectations and tie your social media strategy into your overall business strategy, marketing strategy and specifically your Web strategy.

Then get educated on some of the social media tools. Currently, some of the most popular are Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Digg, LinkedIn and YouTube. However, there are more out there than you think.

You can check your desired username (business name) at www.checkusernames.com

Social networks for entrepreneurs

2009-03-16T15:46:00.002-05:00

Social media is the new buzz on the Web. For entrepreneurs looking to connect with other entrepreneurs, Mashable, The Social Media Guide, posted an article on the Top 10 Social Networks for Entrepreneurs.

If you are running your own business or aspire to start your own business, this is a great list of social networking sites for entrepreneurs.

Small business productivity on the iPhone

2009-03-14T23:47:00.005-05:00

As a small business owner, I know the challenges of wearing several different hats during the course of the day. I also run the business using Apple computers, which many in the business world would think absurd. But I enjoy using my Macs and they are pretty much trouble free. I can count on them to work at all times.

I also use an iPhone for email, calendaring, taking notes, and recording important thoughts, such as ideas for blog entries. I came across an article in Inc magazine about iPhone apps for business and thought I'd share it. While I admit they don't fall into my daily use on my iPhone, they might come in handy for other small business owners using Apple computers for their business.

Overwhelmed by Social Media? Yeah, I know.

2009-03-11T09:49:00.003-05:00

I've been using social media tools for several years now. My most recent education has come with Twitter. I've been using the tool Twitter for about 5 months now. Over the past 2 months, I've gotten a fairly good handle on what it can be used for and how to use it.

I've also found myself enamored and addicted to Twitter. I have been using Tweetdeck on my desktop and as my followers grow, the people I'm following grows as well. I just glanced over at my All Friends tweets this morning, they are at 493. Can I read all those? No way. I've also created groups, but those are starting to run over the rim as well.

I read a great blog entry today called How to Boost your Social Media Productivity - A Guide for Busy People. Even the list of how to optimize your Twitter experience is a bit overwhelming. But take it easy and just pick a few to start with. I read Tim Ferriss' entry on How to use Twitter without Twitter owning you - 5 tips and I plan on implementing his suggestions.

I think I'm going to have to give up Tweetdeck for now, unless I can figure out a more productive use for it.

Amazon Kindle for iPhone App - A practical review

2009-03-04T12:44:00.002-06:00

I read Walt Mossberg's review on his First Impressions of the Kindle on Apple's iPhone, and so I thought I'd give it a try. Couple of tips:

1. You need an Amazon.com account if you don't have one. I already had an account.
2. If you are like myself and have never used a Kindle, you will be wondering what to do next after you download the Kindle app on your iPhone.
3. I did notice a little icon on the sign in page that says you can download a sample to view, but after I used my Amazon login, I couldn't figure out how to look at a sample.
4. You actually have to login to Amazon's Kindle site using Safari on your iPhone. Make sure you login again... on the Web
5. I searched Kindle to try and find a sample chapter to check out on my iPhone. I don't want to buy a book without actually seeing how this deal works and looks first. It was a hassle, I spent 10 minutes trying to figure it out. Then a box on the right side has a download sample chapter with the option to send to my iPhone. Now we are getting somewhere. Turns out, ANY BOOK that you are interested in you can download a sample portion of. I had no clue.
6. I got a sample download of Andy Sernovitz's book Word of Mouth Marketing (the older version) and was able to see how it would look on the iPhone. Let's just say I was a bit disappointed that I could not rotate the view to horizontal (landscape view). I found myself reading about 30 words and then having to flip the page. Of course I can shrink the text and get about 45 words, but still. It's a bit of a hassle.

I think the move by Amazon is brilliant, but it's going to take some work to get it right. But it is a start and it does get the job done.

Small Business Mac Users

2009-03-04T11:39:00.003-06:00

The article in MacLife called "50 Things Every Mac Geek Should Know" has some great information and tips on using your Mac.

Social Media Congres - "Blogging Business"

2009-03-03T09:53:00.001-06:00

This is great information on how a blog can grow your business. Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Social Media Congres - "Blogging Business"

View more presentations from chrisgarrett. (tags: smc social media)

Getting Started Using Twitter? This will help.

2009-02-26T18:29:00.004-06:00

If you are new to the world of Twitter, it can be very confusing. I started several months ago using the tool and learning about how to use it effectively. I'm still learning. Here are a couple of links that will get you started learning how it works, how to use it (and not to use it), and understanding how it can be used for your small business.

The beginner's guide to Twitter

A user's guide to Twittering

Twitter for Business

Here's my personal collection of bookmarks for all things Twitter.

That will get you started on your way to using Twitter as a tool for your small business.

Opportunity in a bear market

2009-02-24T19:21:00.002-06:00

I remember a good friend of mine years ago explaining the difference between a bear market and a bull market. When a bear swats you, he swings down to knock you to the ground. A bull charges you and horns you and tosses you up. Well, many big businesses are struggling in the bear market right now. Small businesses have many possibilities right now. Being more nimble, although cash flow might be limited, we can look at the problems as opportunities. Opportunities for innovation and meeting market needs by looking to the various niche areas that we serve.

It is true that it is not easy. But if you buy into the continued negativity of the business news, you are sure to miss those opportunities. I expected the same for our business and cash flow can be trying.

I was pleased early this year by having several international inquiries. We have fulfilled orders from Hungary, Canada as well as Puerto Rico (I know it is the US). We also have shipped samples to Israel and Brazil and have an a couple of inquiries from Africa (no not Nigeria, although we do get requests to transfer funds for them.)

So we remain optimistic that we will continue to grow the custom color changing t-shirt and other custom color change product market both in the United States and internationally.

Hopefully, as a small business, you are keeping in close contact with current customers, future opportunities and that pesky cash flow.

Shane

Kal Tire Embroidered Towels and Tote Bags

2009-02-24T19:09:00.002-06:00

I've been quite the slacker with the blog lately. I've got half a page of blog notes, but just haven't taken the time to post. It's been a busy start to 2009. We wrapped up a large order of embroidered towels and tote bags for our client Kal Tire in Canada. We had a great time serving them and getting everything to our expectations so we could exceed theirs.

We shipped 1600 lbs of towels and tote bags to Hawaii for their event.

Here are a few pictures of the final product and the boxes on the pallets.

Shane

Doing business in the United States

2008-12-09T11:08:00.002-06:00

One of the wonderful aspects of business in the United States is the idea of trust. The concept and the very reality that I can pick up my cell and call someone pretty much anywhere in the US and order something and have it delivered, then have an invoice sent to me. Do people sometimes get burned? Of course and they will always will. But the majority of the transactions can be done in this manner.

This reality of business transactions that we are able to enjoy in the United States is the result of our honest and hardworking American business people who have gone before us. We have built up a "capital" in the United States that allows us this freedom to trust. In other countries, the idea of being able to conduct transactions like this is often a foreign concept. This is one of the challenges of doing business globally that Americans need to realize and understand. It is the very core of why many of our relief efforts and infusions of money just flat out don't work when we give "aid" money to other nations.

Ken Eldred, in his book God is at Work, discusses the very concept of building up "spiritual captital" in nations so that a trust can be established. Not only for business, but for community growth.

Fair Trade Sports

2008-12-01T13:16:00.007-06:00

If you are looking for an extra special gift that blesses several people, not just the receiver, check out Fair Trade Sports. Scott James is a close friend from college and we just connected again in person when he was in Waco speaking at our alma mater, Baylor University.

Fair Trade Sports sells sports balls that are made overseas, but rather than taking advantage of cheap child labor, they pay adult workers a fair wage to manufacture the balls.

I just got my oldest son the Fair Trade Match quality soccer ball in orange and he loves it. He is already asking when soccer season starts again.

The soccer balls prices are comparable to what you find at the retail department stores and more of the money actually goes to those who have labored to make the balls.

Space X Rocket Test in Waco, Texas

2008-11-24T08:17:00.006-06:00

Over the weekend, Space X, tested a rocket just outside Waco, Texas in the town of McGregor about 15 miles away. On November 22 around 10:30 pm (Saturday night), Space X lit up the 9 engine Falcon rocket and created a huge orange glow in the sky and rumbled a 25 mile square area for about 3 minutes.

It was pretty spectacular. Problem was that they had only notified the city of McGregor they were going to be doing this. Everyone else was in the dark until the rocket test lit up the sky and shook everyone's bones for a few minutes. Then the calls to the media and police started. I live outside Waco about 8 miles from Crawford, Texas, where President Bush has his ranch. I honestly thought that someone had bombed the ranch and I was waiting for the F-16s to scramble from Fort Worth and arrive. We had a couple of F-16s get dispatched a few years back when a pilot in a single engine plane flew into the ranch's no fly zone. That was a pretty amazing scene as well. I watched outside till the fireworks and shaking stopped, then went inside and turned on the TV to find out what was up.

The news people were scrambling to find out what was going on.

What does this have to do with business? Well, everything. First, you need to be a thoughtful neighbor in your community. Second, let people know what you are doing and have transparency. Third, when you make a mistake, confess and ask for forgiveness. Fourth, next time don't repeat the actions of number three.

Space X did notify the McGregor community, but not anyone else. They said the reason the test was so loud and bright was the cloud cover. They have done tests before, but not of this size and it was during the week, not at 10:30 pm at night on a weekend. Third, they were not very appologetic to the community. If they were smart, heck they are rocket scientists, they should throw a party and invite the community out and show them the rocket hand out hot dogs and free Dr Pepper and then tell everyone when the next test is so everyone can come out and bring their lawn chairs and watch it. Will it happen? I don't know but I'd show up with the family.

Web Conferencing options for small business

2008-11-18T21:45:00.000-06:00

I love getting inquiries from around the world on our custom color changing tshirts, tote bags and other products. The challenge facing SMEs is that you have to figure out ways to communicate effectively with your customers while on a budget. A great way to do this is via Skype for IM and for voice. I also have found need of tools that allow me to share documents, presentations and have a whiteboard. The three that I know best are GoToMeeting, DimDim, and a new one that I was just introduced to called Vyew. Being a Mac user, there were challenges with the GoToMeeting until they recently added the ability for a Mac to actually host the meeting and not just be a participant. GoToMeeting is not free. The other two options, DimDim and Vyew are covered really well in this review at the Axsyshosting Blog. Take a look at the review and give DimDim and Vyew a try.

Joys of computer troubleshooting

2008-11-18T21:28:00.000-06:00

One of the many joys of owning your own business and all the freedom that comes with it is that sometimes "those" days don't seem to end. Yesterday happened to be a day that had much planned on the GTD list, but a major interruption took a chunk of the day with it. That interruption came in the form of my Apple iDisk not wanting to function properly. I know there has been a bunch of moaning about how Apple really messed up with the roll out. That is an entirely different conversation that I won't touch here. Needless to say, after a hour here and an hour there, I finally came to the solution. It should have been easier to find in my opinion, but it wasn't. So hopefully this post will help one of my Apple brethren in need of help.

Here's the link to the Apple iDisk "iDisk failed to sync" troubleshooting doc so you can fix your iDisk syncing.

Troubleshooting iDisk Sync issues

Using Social Networking Tools for Small Business

2008-11-15T15:08:00.004-06:00

I'm learning very quickly that there are way too many options for social networking out there. As a small business owner, I want to make sure that I am staying connected to my customers and potential clients, but the list of options can be overwhelming. I recently spoke with a friend of mine, Rich Jarvis at Lab Armor and he agreed that the social networking was confusing and he didn't have time to track all of it down.

There are some great resources out there for getting started, one of which is John Jantsch's Duct Tape Marketing Website, blog and newsletter. John does a great job helping small businesses understand and use technology. Here's the link to the social networking info. I'll be posting more about this later as I work on the social networking for Color by the Sun.

If you have additional info, post it to the comments.