A pressing moment in time

Posted on June 20, 2011 by David

Boy did he make an impression.

Inspiration for June at It’s All About The Customer continues with today’s post dedicated to Johannes Guttenberg. That’s a name that will not pass the spell checker.

But thanks to Guttenberg, this blog and the 150+ million other blogs out there should be grateful for his invention. Backed by the Holy Roman Empire, this invention sparked a revolution of knowledge spreading across Europe and eventually the world.

Prior to this innovation, 40 pages a day would be the best a copy writer could do. The printing press multiplies that by a factor of 90, making it possible to produce 3,600 pages per workday.

This one invention led to the discovery of many things we enjoy today because this event led to a scientific revolution thanks, in part, to many scientific journals written to share ideas and test new theories.

As a matter of fact, the type you are reading today is a direct result of Guttenberg’s efforts nearly 700 years ago.

Got any innovative ideas hiding up your sleeve? Is there an approach you take with your customers that inspires others you work with to do something that’s never been done before? Got an idea that might need to be shared with others in the form of a best-selling book?

What are you waiting for? Write it. Share it. Live it. Press on!

Posted in Innovation, Inspiration, Knowledge, Learning, Reaching Customers | 3 Comments

We are family

Posted on June 19, 2011 by David

I don’t have pictures of everyone. As of February 2011, there are over 156 million of them.

And we’re all related.

I can’t list them all either. But a few deserve special recognition for their contribution and inspiration for “It’s All About The Customer”. They are fellow bloggers. And these are the special ones:

Patty Hebert – Where Did The Time Go

Donna Flanagin – Bulkmail4u

Brandon Ogden – What’s Your Mark?

jeff noel – Do Something Great

Lee Cockerell – Lessons in Leadership

Craig Nickoloff – Craig Nickoloff

Mike Reardon – Open Mike

Rhodes Davis – Godly Youth

Charlie Chang – Nicodemusatnite

They are a combination of writings focused on everyday life with emphasis on the spiritual, emotional and physical well being of anyone who will stop by and read.

Thank you, blog family, for your support, inspiration and motivation.

Posted in Uncategorized | 15 Comments

You think you’ve got problems?

Posted on June 16, 2011 by David

Are you a runner? Do you have a job that requires working on your feet? Ever wanted to stick your toes in the water to test the temperature?

Try this one on . . . You’re born missing bones in both legs. Plus, your right arm is only partially developed. By the time you are one, both legs were amputated below the knee. Now you’ve got to learn a totally different approach to walking without legs. Kinda tough to do those things listed above, huh?

Fast forward from 1977 to 2010. What do 14 hours, 19 minutes and 12 seconds mean to you? It could be the drive time to a vacation paradise. It could be the amount of sunlight in a day where you live.

Or it could be how long it took Rajesh Durbal to finish the Kona Hawaii Ironman World Championship. That’s a 2.4 mile swim, a 112-mile bike race through lava fields finished up with a 26.2 mile marathon. All this with one good arm and a heart determined to accomplish anything.

“Don’t ever give up on what you believe in.
Not once.
Not ever.
Dream to do extraordinary things everyday.”

How big are your problems now?

Posted in Inspiration, Rajesh Durbal | 12 Comments

Social Media Experiment

Posted on June 15, 2011 by David
The power of relationship
The power of relationship

If everything went as planned yesterday, then the above picture is of myself and Mark Sanborn, an international bestselling author and noted authority on leadership, team building, customer service and change.

When I heard that Mark was going to be the keynote speaker at our annual convention, I set out to learn what I could about him. I bought one of his books, The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Make the Ordinary Extraordinary. Immediately, I realized this is a man I want to meet.

He is also a fellow blogger. So I made a comment on one of his postings. Comments are always welcome and I thought it would help add a little spark to his day. He replied with a very gracious thank you. And that opened the door for me.

Feeling a bit bold, I asked him for a shout-out from stage at our convention during his keynote address. David, are you serious? Do you want to turn an opportunity to learn from one of the world’s best into something like calling a radio DJ just to get your name shouted over the airwaves?

No. I did it as a “social”experiment; a test of the power of social media to expand one’s social and professional network. And if this is this post is up, then the experiment was a success.

It also showed the power of relationship. And that’s what Mark shared with us today. Our customers don’t just buy our products. They buy our products and a little piece of us to go with it. They buy our products because of us.

Mark used the word CARE – Create a Rare Experience. Make a connection to your customer to show them you care. Don’t waste an opportunity to be extraordinary.

Posted in Business Growth, Customer Service, Customers for Life, Difference, Exceed Expectations, Innovation, Inspiration, Leadership, Mark Sanborn, Opportunity, Relationship, Social Media | 7 Comments

Look what I found

Posted on June 14, 2011 by David

As I was getting ready this morning I was organizing my backpack with supplies for the day.

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I put it down and finished getting ready. Then it hit me.

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I’ve seen something eerily similar to this. My good friend and mentor jeff noel, the internet’s only 5-a-day blogger, offers you 5 short, pithy blogs focusing on Mind, Body, Spirit, Money and HQ (the paperwork of life).

It seems that this bag from the team at Go T.E.C.H. has a similar focus.

Are you concerned about the Intellectual, Financial, Physical and Emotional well-being of your team, your customers or even yourself?

How’s that for seeking out your inspiration? It was right in front of me the whole time!

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 5 Comments