EIMSTI-ngesting coffee-E
A few of the things that came up in conversation this morning: Ghostface Killer's annual "Top 10 softest...." and his apology to Chris Brown (which I won't include); the origin of the word "stuff;" branding/web marketing; never again ordering french pressed coffee at Amelie's; life coaching; neglecting crying babies who don't belong to you; leaving and returning to a familiar city; and the importance of consistently following up.
Stuff
You'd be surprised the stuff i found on the word "stuff." A clothing line by Hilary Duff? A term for illegal drugs or narcotics? BOOOOOOO!
#wompwomp...I don't much want to repeat much more than that so... check out what urbandictionary and wiktionary had to say if you care that much. I've concluded to remove the word "stuff" from my vocabulary as often as possible. Overall, it's nonsense.
Branding and Web Marketing
In an age where there is indeed such a thing as "media takeover" and where the new Facebook is really just a Facebook/Twitter inside of a Facebook (where you can see what your friend's friend posted and EVERYONE who "liked" it, even if they are not your friend), it can be difficult maintaining authentic ingenuity. What is a brand anyway? I say it's more than a name...it's every picture, sound, word, color, opinion, font, style and affiliate presented with the name that distinctively identifies the purposes and function of a company. In building a brand, especially online, you lose or gain credibility according to how well you connect with your targeted audience. The fact that someone who you haven't met or shared a real, live conversation with can view any or EVERYTHING that you put online should heighten your sense of urgency to resolve the need to personally connect with a potential customer, a "follower" or a "Facebook friend."
Such a need poses a challenge to much of my generation who "lives" on the computer and finds it very difficult to start, much less maintain, a decent conversation with a stranger. Young and Naive Entrepreneur who may not know how to look someone in the eye while speaking to people for fear of misreading a text, Old-Man Gravy, Old-Woman Gravy who may have difficulty understanding why Google Mail and Gmail are the same thing, I ask you, "How will you change your habits to benefit the greater productivity of your life? How will you reach those with whom you are unfamiliar to build your brand?"
What you were waiting for an answer? I charge for that! Consultation is free though. Moving along....
What you were waiting for an answer? I charge for that! Consultation is free though. Moving along....
Dark Roast, French Pressed, One Pot, One Cup, NO BUSINESS! C'Mon Amelie's!
I love Amelie's (NoDa) for many reasons. But today, after enjoying a wonderful free cup of half-caff Starbucks coffee (Thanks Pam!), I wanted more. I decided to buy 32oz of French Pressed coffee (less than $6) so we could share, and after the first sip, I imagined myself acting as Spitter (aka Rusty Cartwright from ABC Family's Show "Greek"). o_O. For those who don't know, Spitter earned his nickname because he spewed the first shot of tequila he ever took at a Frat house all over a pretty girl....#fail. The egg/spinach/asiago/bacon croissant I had was FABULOUS! But I swear if they ever serve me "old coffee" (as CHD:WCK! put it) again, I'm going to accidentally trip and fall and ask for a cup of brewed coffee instead. UUUGGGHHH!!! Moving on....
Life Coaching
I think many things about life coaching. I even considered it as a profession. Who knows, 10 years down the road I may have certification and mucho dinero from coaching someone else's life. But really, after 200 hours of "Coach Training" and 2500 hours of "Coaching Experience" I'm supposed to PAY YOU to help me move forward in life? I mean really, isn't that why people pay for college classes...or pay for psychological or psychiatric counseling...or go to church (a FREE service, giving tithes and offerings is a part of a lifestyle, not DUES, ok??)? Is coaching not just another way to conceal one's crazy?? To convince onself that I don't need professional help I can just drive my Life Coach nuts? I'm not judging don't get me wrong, I'm just here to ask a question. Okay and maybe make a statement: my Grandma trumps any coach I've met, AND she offers sheer, comedic entertainment with 70+ YEARS of experience. #takethat2x (Get your coaching certification TODAY! by clicking here...)
Neglecting Crying Babies Who Don't Belong to You
This subject is difficult for me to talk about, as babies are close to my heart. However I will reach into my courageous parts and BLOG ABOUT this sensitive matter! Let me build the scene for you: I'm in the inside corridors of a business complex...some would call it a store front. There are offices, restaurants, a deli, a convenience store along the outside and there are plants, and tables, people and Wi-Fi along the inside "hallways" that offer entrances to these offices and stores. There's a pair of young fair women enjoying a french press that is apparently more delicious than mine, what seems to be a Toastmasters-For-Jesus Club meeting of 8 men and women, and in the distance...in the far corner, a homeless man, who is awake (because the signs on the wall say: "Management reserves the right to ask anyone to leave who is found sleeping in the atrium. Thank you.") Long story short, as we sit and sip and chat, I see a woman bring a baby in a stroller into an office about 7 feet away from me. She disappears. The blinds are lifted so I can see the child in her rolling walker through the glass door. I see an older woman, who clearly doesn't like dogs, walking a strange looking unidentified (by me only, I know not breeds) dog with fluffy hair on its legs and an oddly long, skinny tail on a leash, into the same office as the baby.
It can be hard, it can be exhilarating and it can be necessary. Either way, once it happens you'll be alright. If I say any more than that, I'll be writing a book....How many times have I moved again??? smh
How many times have we completely changed our opinion of someone because they failed to follow up on something they said they would do? Ladies, how many times have we written a guy off because you gave him your number and he didn't call, or y'all went out and you had a good time, but every future conversation included promises to do something with no execution of said something?? Now granted, people will tell you exactly what you need to know about them by their action or inaction, but I'm specifically talking from the perspective of maintaining self-respect and good rapport with your fellow-human by following up. Just do what you say your going to do, or follow up to say that you can't do it right now with a TBA. Something! Even Forbes suggests that following up after an interview that you bombed builds good rapport and can benefit you in the long run. (Click this if you want to learn how to follow up on a job interview)
Do you know how many businesses get referrals or make sales just by following up with prospects or former customers in a respectful or a courteous manner? It's not about being invasive, get to know your fellow-human and what their needs and preferences are as a person first. While they get to know who you are as a businessman (includes women), they just might like your approach and ASK YOU what you have for them! Every good business should have sound training on piquing interest and maintaining respect and value for one's own and the other's life and interests. That's just my opinion though (not Albert's). Check out this article on following up from the site that makes everything easier.
Imagine, you get someone's business card (with a custom-Vista Print logo on the front, and the actual Vista Print Logo and www.vistaprint.com on the back), and called them, listened to the ringback, spoke to them about a service/product you wanted to pay for because you have a project with a deadline, and they say they'll have something for you on Monday. Monday passes, they don't answer the phone, Tuesday passes and you're stuck trying to find someone else to do what Johnny Do-Little said he was going to do. Then you see him in the streets on Wednesday and he's like "Maaaaaannnn, I meant to call you the other day!..." Would you stop listening to Johnny right then and there, or would you continue? Would you say his rapport has gone down the drain, or is he a credible source of reliable business at this point?? I'm just saying.
Hollerz!
From Stine...yeah Eimstine...NOT Albert! Don't get it twisted. Grab a flat iron and smooth that ish out.
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