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Like the seasons all things must change.  In my opinion it started with the ATM at the bank.  At first people scoffed at doing business with an automated teller.  The ATM was a robotic method of banking that was easy to distrust.  As the generations changed the sentiment towards automation became indifferent.  Convenience won over human contact.Read more

In small business there are two philosophies. Stay small and cater to a niche market that you are comfortable with or attract big business and grow. Read more

Some time ago I created a Facebook “Fan Page” for A Better Connection. I log in occasionally to show the trollers to the door and post infrequent, drive-by comments on the wall.  But for the most part it sits somewhere on the Internet with a log in and password that elude me.  But as newspaper companies disappear like tumbleweed in a sandstorm and the size of yellow page books thinning down like cheap gravy, I’ve reconsidered paying more attention to my neglected “Fan Page”.
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I’ve worked in the answering service industry for most my life. I remember when answering machines made their debut and then came voicemail. Trudging through those complicated voicemail trees and outdated answering machines have and are crimping my style.  There is nothing better than a live voice.  Below is an example of a company who, during this economy, is introducing an updated version of an old dinosaur.Read more

We have an ongoing project that when we revisit it I clench my teeth.  Up until this point I was confident of my resolve for creative challenges using time and inspiration but this is a different beast. Read more

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a customer respond, “…because we have always done it that way.”  Not that it is a better or smarter way but familiar.  For example, those businesses who continue to spend thousands of dollars in yellow page print advertisement.  They meet with their yellow page representative, discuss ad size, target areas, sign the contract and presto, it is done for the year.  This annual “meet and sign” has continued for decades likeRead more

I heard the news this week that Starbuck’s is re-introducing instant coffee, VIA-Ready Brew.  My question is, with the return of instant coffee will yellow page books get hot again?  Will the day reappear when I choose to pay $2,345.00 per month for a half page, local area Dex print ad for those who let their fingers do the walking?   Read more

Last week my business partner, Marcy “the Queen of Redundancy” was in true form.  Our toll free call forwarding numbers stopped working.Read more

I recently came upon the Southwest Airlines advertisement that states, “Bags Fly Free.”   A friend of mine who happened to be looking over my shoulder asked jokingly, “who do you think they’re referring to?”   I have to hand it to Southwest; they have always come through with creative marketing campaigns.  Another area where Southwest is surpassing their competition is customer service offerings that are included in the ticket price.  There is no charge for checked baggRead more