Happy Date You Were Born On

Had a recent birthday.  Received calls from family and friends, and lots of nice messages on Facebook.  Got a few e-cards too.  Several companies I buy from know the date of my birth so they sent me some formula birthday greetings.  Got one from my home and auto insurance office--never met her.

And then I got this, from a radio station in Minneapolis that I often listen to online:




Genius! 

I don't know them and they don't know me but it looks like Sarah Jane   http://sarahjanesbakery.com/ would like to meet me.  And she's willing to give me six FREE cupcakes to start our relationship, with no strings attached.

When you click on her site, there she is...it's Sarah Jane!  She looks like she cares, doesn't she?   She looks authentic.  Spend some time on her site, read 'About Us.'  You'll quickly realize that she's your mom, your aunt, or your childhood neighbor.  The site, the pictures, the words -- authentic, schmaltzy, genuine.

If I lived in Minneapolis I'd be placing my order today and I bet Sarah Jane would have a customer for life.

The next time your company wants to acknowledge a customer's date of birth, why not partner with someone who can do more than that.  Find someone who can help you say HAPPY BIRTHDAY...and mean it.  They'll thank you for the connection.

I really feel (not just think) that Sarah Jane wants me to have a Happy Birthday.  And she's pretty sure that her cupcakes will do the trick.   I feel she's right.

Oh, and FREE always works.  Because when done right, it doesn't cost a thing.

Will the real CEO please stand up

Telling stories. Everything you do tells a story. About you, about me (how I feel when I hear your story).

So the Big 3 took private planes to DC for their first beg.

The second time (after public outcry) they drove hybrid cars.

Who are they? Are they the guys who fly in private jets everywhere? Or, are they the guys who drive all day to get to a meeting?

I'm not making a judgement here about which mode of transportation they should choose to take. But I do take notice on how and why they made each decision. Which one is authentic to each of them? Did one of them want to drive the first time but were swayed to fly for security reasons? Did one of them say, "I'm not wasting 10 hours in a car just to make a show." And then he was convinced that the show needed to happen?

It was reported this morning that John Thain, CEO of Merrill Lynch, had requested a $10 million bonus. And then this afternoon it was reported that he will "decline" any bonus this year. What happened? Which one is he?

I may or may not agree with private planes and large bonuses in our present economic situation. But I will always agree with being told the truth. I want to feel that what you say is authentic. If I think you're putting on a show then I won't know when to trust you.

So who are these guys?

Who are you?

What's your job?

What do you hear when you ask someone what their job is?

First, a bit of background...

I worked in the radio industry for most of my adult years. Now I have a great group of clients that use radio personalities to endorse their products/services. So now I interact with a lot of radio salespeople.

When I ask them what their job is, here's what I get...

"I'm an account executive for WXXX." Or..."I sell advertising for the leading AC station in Chicago." Or maybe, "I work for (insert Big Corporate Company) and represent the leading adult station in the market."

Why not this?

"I'm a storyteller, a connector. I help local business grow."

If I heard that, I'd say, "Tell me more"!

"Well, I find great companies, with unique products, and I help them tell their story--to thousands of people."

How do you do that?

"I connect businesses with customers by telling authentic, emotional stories on the radio. Real stories that spread--to an audience that is right for their product or service."

How's it going?

"I have great relationships with a lot of remarkable people who lead great companies. They work with me in all aspects of their marketing--because they trust me. They know I won't try to sell them something unless I'm convinced it will work for them. A lot of people think radio is dead, but I know better."

Sound corny? Not to me.

A business that looks for ideas, that surrounds itself with smart people, will love an answer like that.

So, what is it that you do?