I remember being at an event where Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point, Blink and Outliers, shared his views on how social media contributes to isolation. He spoke about how Facebook actually disconnects people rather than the opposite. Gladwell addressed how it was more common in the past to know one’s neighbours and to socialize with them, and how
Read more »
When was the last time you had an unexpected guest? These guests can show up in the form of difficult clients, changes in partners or spouses, unexpected health issues or painfully bad news. What I am discovering in my own life is when I experience these challenges, the least resistance I have to what has happened or what is happening,
Read more »
I decided to work on developing a higher level of tolerance for myself and others. In order to do so, I joined a once-a-year program in the fall of 2012 called “Expanding Your Windows of Tolerance.” Over the past month, I have found numerous opportunities where my tolerance levels were tested. It’s interesting to see how it happens in waves.
Read more »
What are you most grateful for today? It is human nature to have emotional ups and downs. One of the strategies I use to get through the dips is to focus on what I am grateful for. Several years ago, a good friend suggested I write those down on a daily basis and I did. I found that my daily
Read more »
A friend of mine invited me to attend a BC Lions football game last November. I had never been to a game before and didn’t know much about football. Fortunately, there were other friends who came who could explain the basics to me as the game progressed. The main reason I went was because the friend who invited me was
Read more »
Used to walk my dog in a neighbourhood where my partner at the time lived. I loved weaving my way down this one street until we reached a wooded area. Almost every time I walked this way, there was a little white car parked in the driveway of one of the houses on the street. It had red vinyl lettering
Read more »
Do you remember the game Snakes and Ladders from when you were a kid? Although I have a huge fear of snakes and had lots of snake nightmares when I was young, I still loved playing the board game. While on my way to a reflexology appointment one evening, I spotted this truck while cycling by. It said “Rakes and
Read more »
Do you ever have moments where you wonder if you are going the wrong way with your business but aren’t quite sure? Sometimes it’s hard to delineate the difference between knowing whether you might be operating on fear or gut instinct. This is a great time to get feedback from someone else to help you find clarity and determine the
Read more »
When I pulled up to my local Chevron to get gas for my car, I had to laugh when I saw this ad for Van Houtte coffee. At the top left corner of the ad, it read: “Drink Responsibly.” At first, my mind went directly to not drinking alcohol and driving, yet, there was a big picture of a disposable
Read more »
Is direct mail dead? I don’t think so. I received this envelope in the mail. Unlike most of the promotional mail I get, which is a fair share, I was intrigued by this one. The red stamp “DO NOT BEND” made me think it was something important. After all, it was only a regular legal-sized business envelope. So the first
Read more »
This sign of the three levels of fear is a perfect example of Alan Weiss’ concept of providing clients or customers with at least three options. Each option provides more value and is a bigger investment. 1. Medium Fear is for families or the weak hearted. 2. Hot is for the brave. 3. Hardcore is for the insane. Which level
Read more »
I have a number of addictions: riding on the back of a motorcycle, living in East Vancouver and devouring sweet things. When I was in Niagara Falls this spring, I knew that if I walked into this candy shop I would be in big trouble so I decided to take a picture of the signage and keep walking instead. That
Read more »
A week before the Easter long weekend, I was in Niagara Falls promoting my new book Lift Strategies: Quick Tips to Engage Customers and Elevate Profits at the Canadian Franchise Association Convention. I had never been to Niagara Falls before so I was very excited about the location of the convention. I had the option to upgrade my hotel room
Read more »
Are you a tree hugger? I am. When I moved to British Columbia twenty years ago from Ottawa, Ontario, I was in awe of how big some of the trees are. After all this time, this awe hasn’t changed. I still feel the same way as I did the first time I stood next to a humongous tree. As a
Read more »
Despite the constant rain in Vancouver, I am constantly reminded of how beautiful it is to live here. I particularly love the time of year in the spring when the cherry blossom trees start flowering. Their scent is breathtaking and the pink and white flowers take over the streets with illuminating joy. When I see the trees it reminds me
Read more »
I wonder how many people pass by this stand of hats at the Toronto Airport, put one on and take a picture. I remember walking this stand at very early in the morning on my way to catch a flight back to Vancouver after doing a speaking event for the Canadian Franchise Association Christmas Luncheon just outside of Toronto. This
Read more »
One of the things I love about the neighborhood (usa spelling) I live in is the diversity of the people who reside there. With that diversity comes self expression, art, community and beauty. There are also a number of parks within a short walking distance from my home. When I walk home from buying my groceries or doing my banking,
Read more »
Frito Lay launched a new product, SunChips, in a 100% compostable bag in 2009. They decided to stop due to thousands of complaints over how noisy the bags were. Initially, they tried to appease their riled fans with this response: Official Video In response, unhappy customers posted videos of their own: Home Video #1 Home Video #2 Home Video #3
Read more »
I think Spence Diamonds knows how to sell jewellery. Their radio commercials and bus shelter ads speak to women who want to feel they are “the one” and puts pressure on their partner to take the big leap and present the woman they love with an engagement ring. How do you feel when you look at this ad? Do you
Read more »
I’ve ridden my bike past this bin regularly for the past few months, and every time I do, I chuckle. It may stand out like a sore thumb, but it’s really clear what this company is in business to do and it’s clear how to reach them. Bin There makes disposable services fun. Hats off to them for being engaging
Read more »