Steve Miller's Blog, page 16

We Don’t See Things As They Are

Today’s world sure seems crazy and one of the craziest things is our apparent difficulty communicating with each other.

Obviously, we need to try our best to understand each other, work together, and do our best to make the world a better place.

But the fact is, it’s really, really hard to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes because we all have different world perspectives. Our backgrounds…our education…our family…our friends…our schools…where we’ve lived…everything that’s touched us has influenced and impacted how we see the world.

It’s called heuristics and we’re all affected.

That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to understand each other. We should. But before we can really do that, we have to admit to ourselves we are bias.

This week instead of recording a new presentation, I’m reaching back into my video archives and grabbing one of my greatest hits. It’s a portion of a speech I gave several years ago, titled We Don’t See Things As They Are. It’s only six minutes and nine seconds.

I’d appreciate if you would share this with your friends and please share your comments.

Uncopyable Rock Star: Zappos

Need shoes? I recommend you do what I did, and order from one of our Uncopyable Rock Stars: Zappos.

I love that the Zappos branding promise is summed up in the printed message on the box. And when I ordered shoes recently, Zappos definitely delivered.

“Free shipping, both ways,” means you can order as many pairs of shoes as you want. Try them on at home. Return what you don’t want. (Warning: you may find yourself wanting all of them).

I needed white shoes a couple weeks ago, ASAP. Yes, I’m a gifted procrastinator!

I went to our local DSW and my fears were confirmed: I’d waited too long. I found a pair on clearance, but it was sold out in my size. “Check online,” I was told. I did, and DWS.com had them! Alas, there was no apparent way to expedite them, and no phone number. I opened a “Chat.” A message popped up and told me it would be 21 minutes until I could expect a response.

Then this message appeared: “Your chat has ended.”

Expletive!!

Steve suggested I try Zappos, and since I always take his suggestions, that’s what I did. I called the phone number I found online. Within one minute, a real person answered. During the short wait, I heard this recorded message: “Press One to hear the Joke of the Day.” If you know anything about me, you know I immediately pressed ONE!* I was still chuckling when the phone was answered by David. He was friendly and helpful, and offered to expedite my order – for no charge. “You’re my last call of the day!” he said cheerfully. Maybe he would have done the same for anyone, but I felt special.

The shoes arrived. I kept two of the pairs from Zappos and will return the other, using a FREE shipping label I printed online. The DSW pair is going back to the store – and I’ll take them myself since returning them would cost an extra $8.50.

The next time I need shoes, I’ll skip DSW and order from Zappos, an Uncopyable Rock Star.

*The joke: Q: Why should you never tell a secret in a Corn Field? A: Because the Corn has EARS.

#1 Reason Why Your Marketing Fails

A giant misconception about marketing is that it’s more art than science. Couldn’t be further from the truth.

The problem is marketing usually isn’t held to the same standards as sales. Sales knows what it’s expectations are. Here is your quota. Make your quota and you get to keep your job.

Believe it or not, marketing can and should be held to the same standards. Unfortunately, not only aren’t too many marketers under educated on measurable marketing, but most CEO’s aren’t either.

Here you go CEOs (and marketers). I’m going to share why marketing is first a science (numbers-driven) and second an art (let’s be creative!) Watch this week’s Uncopyable Business video and find out how!

Dropping F-Bombs in Your Marketing?

Maybe it’s my age showing. Maybe it’s my small town Indiana upbringing.

I’m getting tired and more than a little offended by the loosening of language in the business world. Bestselling books dropping F— and Sh— in the title. High traffic websites casually using the same coarse language. Speakers and authors adding vulgarity to their messages to do what…shock us into listening to them? Frankly, IMNSHO, if that’s what it takes, then their messages can’t be that strong.

What’s your take on this apparent growing trend? Is vulgarity appropriate in marketing and messaging?

Watch this week’s Uncopyable Business message!

What’s your opinion? And use appropriate language, please!

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Uncopyable Rock Star: Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville

The song “Margaritaville“came out in 1977. That was the year I graduated from high school – hearing it takes me back in time. No matter what your age, I bet Jimmy Buffet’s ode to beach life makes you feel a little more laid back. That feeling is the inspiration behind Margaritaville, Buffet’s Orlando-based global lifeystyle brand. 

As I said, I graduated high school in 1977. Songs from that year include many awesome titles, and a few clunkers (“You Light Up My Life,“ by Debby Boone, comes to mind). The song “Margaritaville” is unique. It embodies a feeling and attitude we all crave at one point or another. In case you want to know exactly where Margaritaville is located, it’s described on the website as: “…in the tropics somewhere…ocean breezes bring the seaplanes and sailboats…Passports are not required, island music rules. No waiting lines for anything.”

Margaritaville is a “State of Mind” which has been built into a brand and expanded into a highly successful empire. It encompasses restaurants, hotels, resorts, casinos, apparel, and even a musical.

My favorite is probably a budding chain of island-inspired retirement homes. Imagine a bunch of “55-and-betters,” wearing flip flops and “nibblin’ on sponge cake,” slightly arthritic fingers poised over booze-filled blenders.

To quote Liz Lemon (30 Rock): “I want to go to there.”

The Margaritaville brand is unique, and would be impossible to copy.  When we hear Jimmy Buffet songs, it makes us want to experience paradise. The myriad of Margaritaville brand offerings transport us there, for a price people are happy to pay.

For those reasons, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville is an Uncopyable Rock Star. I’m personally thrilled to raise my icy, salt-rimmed glass in salute.

Uncopyable Rock Star of the Week: Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville

The song “Margaritaville,” by Jimmy Buffett, came out in 1977. That was the year I graduated from high school. Hearing it takes me back in time. No matter what your age, I’m betting the song makes you feel a little more relaxed and laid back. That feeling is the inspiration behind Margaritaville, Buffet’s Orlando-based global lifeystyle brand. 

As I said, I graduated high school in 1977. Songs from that year include many awesome titles, and a few clunkers (“You Light Up My Life,“ by Debby Boone, comes to mind). The song “Margaritaville” is unique. It embodies a feeling and attitude we all crave at one point or another. In case you want to know exactly where Margaritaville is located, it’s described on the website as: “…in the tropics somewhere…ocean breezes bring the seaplanes and sailboats…Passports are not required, island music rules. No waiting lines for anything.”

Margaritaville is a “State of Mind,” and this state of mind has been built into a brand and expanded into a highly successful empire. It encompasses restaurants, hotels, resorts, casinos, apparel, and even a musical.

My favorite is probably a budding chain of island-inspired retirement homes. Imagine a bunch of “55-and-betters,” wearing flip flops and “nibblin’ on sponge cake,” slightly arthritic fingers poised over booze-filled blenders.

To quote Liz Lemon (30 Rock): “I want to go to there.”

The Margaritaville brand is unique, and would be impossible to copy.  When we hear Jimmy Buffet songs, it makes us want to experience paradise. The myriad of Margaritaville brand offerings transport us there, for a price people are happy to pay.

For those reasons, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville is our Uncopyable Rock Star of the Week. I’m personally thrilled to raise my icy, salt-rimmed glass in salute.

iPhone turns the Big 1-0!

Ten years ago this week Steve Jobs introduced the iPhone, first widely accepted “smartphone.” The first model only had three primary functions – play music like a iPod, connect to the Internet, and…well, make phone calls.

None of us knew how badly we would need a smartphone in our hands a short ten years later.

But from a B-to-B perspective, have you given the smartphone much consideration for your business? In other words, how have you adjusted your go-to-market strategy to include the importance of the smartphone to your customers and prospects?

In this week’s UNCOPYABLE BUSINESS, Steve delves into the importance of the smartphone in future sales for your company.

Have you signed up for Steve’s weekly Office Hours? Join him live this week to answer your marketing, branding, and innovation questions! Click here to register for free!

The #1 Lesson from the Death of the 8-Track

My smokin’ hot wife, Kay, suggested that a lot of my BFFs might not know the story of my Dad co-inventing the 8-track tape player. So besides sharing that story with you, I’m also sharing the #1 business lesson I took away after observing my Dad’s efforts to keep the 8-track alive.

Many, many other long-gone companies have fallen because they didn’t understand the importance of this. Don’t be one of those companies.

Be sure to subscribe to Steve’s Weekly Uncopyable Business videos (Click here)!

Uncopyable Rock Star: Mattress Mack

Have you ever heard of  Mattress Mack? If not, you probably will soon.

Jim McIngvale, known as “Mattress Mack,” is the owner of Gallery Furniture. He was already well-known and loved in Houston, his home town. His quirky, silly commercials are memorable. His promotions are unconventional. And ever since he opened his furniture store in 1981, he’s been known as an extremely hard worker and philanthropist.

Now he’s been launched into the stratosphere of fame by his generosity in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

The devastation in Southeastern Texas is on everyone’s mind. Many of us are doing something about it, like donating to the Red Cross. But that’s nothing compared to the heroic efforts by first-responders, local volunteers and businesses.

In the aftermath of Harvey, “Mattress Mack” stepped up immediately. He announced he was opening the doors of Gallery Furniture to those displaced by the disaster. “To hell with profits,” he said. Let’s take care of the people.”

Several hundred people made their way to his store. An additional 200 were picked up by Gallery Furniture delivery trucks. In the video above you can hear reactions from grateful evacuees first-hand. (Local restaurants stepped in to serve them food, and other services are being provided as well).

As for those quirky Gallery Furniture commercials, they’ve been a key to his success. It turns out his tag line came about accidentally. In the early days, while he was in a make-or-break phase of his business, he rushed through his commercial message. He talked fast to save money on filming. He quickly said, “Gallery Furniture will SAVE YOU MONEY!” The clear message worked. He’s enjoyed years of success, and the product line has now expanded to include expensive luxury furniture.

During an interview, some of the evacuees were seen lounging on the furniture in his show room. McIngvale was asked, “Will you sell the furniture?”

“Oh sure,” he replied. “Maybe I’ll have a Harvey Floor Model Sale. I’ll come up with some schtick!”

His act of generosity will ultimately mean even more success. Many will buy from him for that reason alone. But it’s hard not to be deeply touched by the fact that to him, the definition of success goes far beyond the furniture he sells.

Kudos, Mattress Mack. You’re an Uncopyable Rock Star.

Uncopyable Rock Star of the Week: Mattress Mack

Have you ever heard of  Mattress Mack? If not, you probably will soon.

Jim McIngvale, known as “Mattress Mack,” is the owner of Gallery Furniture. He was already well-known and loved in Houston, his home town. His quirky, silly commercials are memorable. His promotions are unconventional. And ever since he opened his furniture store in 1981, he’s been known as an extremely hard worker and philanthropist.

Now he’s been launched into the stratosphere of fame by his generosity in the wake of Hurricane Harvey.

The devastation in Southeastern Texas is on everyone’s mind. Many of us are doing something about it, like donating to the Red Cross. But that’s nothing compared to the heroic efforts by first-responders, local volunteers and businesses.

In the aftermath of Harvey, “Mattress Mack” stepped up immediately. He announced he was opening the doors of Gallery Furniture to those displaced by the disaster. “To hell with profits,” he said. Let’s take care of the people.”

Several hundred people made their way to his store. An additional 200 were picked up by Gallery Furniture delivery trucks. In the video above you can hear reactions from grateful evacuees first-hand. (Local restaurants stepped in to serve them food, and other services are being provided as well).

As for those quirky Gallery Furniture commercials, they’ve been a key to his success. Interestingly, his tag line came about accidentally. In the early days, while he was in a make-or-break phase of his business, he rushed through his message. He talked fast to save time and money on filming. He quickly said, “Gallery Furniture will SAVE YOU MONEY!” The clear message worked. He’s enjoyed years of success, and the product line now includes expensive luxury furniture.

During an interview, some of the evacuees were seen lounging on the furniture in his show room. McIngvale was asked, “Will you sell the furniture?”

“Oh sure,” he replied. “Maybe I’ll have a Harvey Floor Model Sale. I’ll come up with some schtick!”

Ultimately, his act of generosity will mean even more success. Many will buy from him for that reason alone. But it’s hard not to be deeply touched by the fact that to him, the definition of success goes far beyond the furniture he sells.

Kudos, Mattress Mack. You’re our Uncopyable Rock Star of the Week.