Bud Bilanich | The Common Sense Guy

The TSA is Entering the Ad Business

As I was standing in a very slow moving security line at Newark Airport this morning, I got to thinking about an article I had seen earlier this week.  Apparently, the TSA is going to begin selling ad space on the bins that people use for their computers, toiletries, coats and shoes.  The TSA says that the bins are great places for ads because people who are going through security are in a heightened state of awareness and will register the ads’ message.

In my book, 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations, I argue that it is important to build relationships with important constituencies outside of your organization.  Customers are a very important constituency for any business.  Advertising is one way in which companies build relationships with customers.

Still, I think that placing ads in the bottom of bins used at airport screening locations is a bad idea.  I go through airport security twice a week almost every week (sometimes four or six times a week).  When I am undergoing the screening process, I am focused on getting through it with a minimal amount of hassle.  I have it down to a regular process.

1. Secure two bins.
2. Remove my computer from its case.
3. Remove my toiletries from the other bag.
4. Place the computer and toiletries in one bin.
5. Remove my jacket, place it in the other bin.
6. Put the bin with my jacket in front of the bin with my computer and toiletries.
7. Put my computer case and suitcase on the table behind the two bins.
8. Remove my shoes and place them in the bin with my jacket, just before going through the metal detector.
9. Go through the metal detector.
10. Retrieve my shoes from the bin and put them on.  (I hate standing on a cold dirty airport floor in my stocking feet, so I minimize the time I am without shoes.)
11. Retrieve my jacket, and put it on.
12. Retrieve my computer and put it back into its case, securing it with the Velcro straps.
13. Check to make sure my cell phone, air card and computer cords are still in my bag.
14. Close the computer bag.
15. Retrieve my toiletries, place them in my suitcase.
16. Hook up my computer bag and suitcase.

Then I’m on my way.  I know this might sound a bit anal, but I repeat this process in the exact same way every time I go through airport security.  I find that it is the most efficient way of getting through security.

Would I be likely to even notice the ads in the bottom of the bins? No.

If I did notice the ads, I would be unlikely to have a positive view of the product being advertised.  At best, the product would be something that I associate with a difficult and unpleasant experience -- airport screening.  At worst, the product would be something that I associate with the reason for the enhanced screening – terrorism.

Ads in the bottom of TSA bins? Not common sense in my opinion.  That’s my two cents on ads in the bins used by the TSA at airport screening locations.  What’s yours?

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blog: www.CareerSuperStar.com for common sense advice on becoming the life and career star you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

Use Blogs to Build Customer Relationships

As I mentioned yesterday, strong, lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with outside constituencies is one of the “secrets” in my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations. Customers are any organization’s most important outside constituency.  Blogging is a great way to stay in touch with your customers.

I came across an interesting article on business blogging in USA Today last week.  It was entitled Blogs Put Businesses on the Web Search Map.

Jim Hopkins, the author of the article says “Hunting for ways to boost revenue, a growing number of small businesses are adding another weapon to their marketing arsenal: blogging.  A blog lures more traffic to a company’s website…Blogs are easier and cheaper to update than conventional sites.  And they encourage customer feedback…”

Give Blood, Play Rugby

Strong, lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with outside constituencies is one of the “secrets” in my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations.  Customers are any organization’s most important outside constituency. 

Check out this article that appeared in a recent Wall Street Journal…

Want Great Relationships With Customers, Suppliers, Regulators and Investors? Tell the Truth

Last week was a tough one for two CEOs. 

Patricia Dunn resigned as the Chairperson of Hewlett Packard.  The pretexting scandal – that arose from her spying on her board members and member so the media – got out of hand. 

Peter Dolan was fired as CEO of Bristol Myers Squibb.  Mr. Dolan was running a company that was already in hot water -- operating under a deferred prosecution agreement with the US Attorney – sanctioned actions in which BMS overloaded wholesalers with inventory to meet quarterly sales targets.

To paraphrase an old hamburger commercial, where’s the ethics?

Strong, lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with key outside constituencies is one of the points I make in my book 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations.  Customers, suppliers, government regulators and shareholders are four key constituencies. 

Ethical behavior is a great way to build relationships with external constituencies.  Ethical behavior must start at the top.  The latest issue of The Motivational Manager has a great piece entitled Build a Culture of Honesty in Four Steps.  This article provides a quick roadmap for executives and small business owners who want to develop a ethical culture in their operations.

Here are the four steps to building an ethical culture.

1. Tell the truth.  It sounds simple, but it can be tempting for managers to massage or spin information.  Bad idea.  A culture of honesty begins at the top.
2. Seek feedback.  Give employees the opportunity to share what they think in safe forums such as anonymous surveys, suggestions programs and all hands meetings. 
3. Mythologize truth tellers.  Share anecdotes about truth tellers.  Portray them as the heroes they are.  Let everyone know that you prize people who tell the truth, no matter how unpleasant.
4. Police yourself.  Take a look at your behavior.  Grade yourself on your honesty and openness.  Encourage others to grade you too.

Ethical behavior and honest dealings with external constituents is the foundation on which strong relationships are built.  Leaders and business owners need to set and hold to high ethical standards.  It’s only common sense – if you won’t do it, how can you expect others to do so?

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more common sense.  Check out my other blogs: www.CareerSuperStar.com for common sense advice on becoming the life and career star you are meant to be; and www.CommonSenseDay.com to learn more about Use Your Common Sense Day -- November 4, and to read stories of common sense in action.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

Chipotle Mexican Grills -- Building Supplier Relationships

On July 28, I did a post about Chipotle Mexican Grills and their unique way of recognizing one of their employees.  They told Houram Iskandani’s amazing story on one of their soda cups.

Well, they’re at it again.  This time, they’re recognizing one of their vendors.  I think this is pretty cool – sending out some kudos to a supplier – especially when that supplier is a couple who operate a family farm.  Read on to hear what it says on the Chipotle cup…

Reminder spot -- A Good Way to Keep in Touch and Build Relationships

Strong, mutually beneficial relationships withimportant outside constituencies are one of my 4 Secrets of High Performing Organizations.  I find that remembering my customer’s birthdays is a simple but effective way to stay in touch with them.  It’s a very good relationship building tool.

Lately, several customers and friends have had birthdays.  I use a web based service called Reminder Spot to keep up with birthdays.  I haven’t missed a customer or client birthday since I’ve begun using Reminder Spot.

Reminder Spot is easy to use – it took me a few minutes to enter the names and dates of my relatives, friends and customers.  I have it set up to provide me with a reminder one week before someone’s birthday.  Reminder Spot also sends me an e mail reminder on the day of the birthday.

The basic service is free – Reminder Spot makes its money from affiliate programs that provide gifts you can order on line, and from their premium service.  The free service is all that I need.

Reminder Spot even provides free e cards, so you can send birthday greetings at the last minute.  You can purchase e cards too, but I find that the free ones work just fine.  They are humorous and give you the opportunity to write a custom greeting to the recipient.

I have begun to send both snail mail and e cards to my customers.  In this way, the customer always gets greetings from me on his or her birthday – regardless of the US Mail or company mail room peculiarities.  I’ve never had anyone complain about getting two birthday greetings from me.  I don’t know about you, but I still like to open an old fashioned card on my birthday.

The common sense point here – keep in touch with customers, suppliers, and other important constituents by remembering their birthdays.  Reminder Spot is a simple, but effective way of doing so. 

I enjoy sending birthday greetings, because I like receiving birthday greeitngs.  If you’re reading this, and would like birthday greetings from The Common Sense Guy, just send me an e mail with your birthday and e mail address.  Reminder Spot and I will take it from there.   I’ll send you an e card on your birthday.

That’s it for today.  Thanks for reading.  Log on to my website www.BudBilanich.com for more leadership common sense.  Check out my other blog www.CareerSuperStar.com for common sense advice on becoming the life and career star you are meant to be.

I’ll see you around the web, and at Alex’s Lemonade Stand.

Bud

PS: Speaking of Alex’s Lemonade Stand – my fundraising page is still open.  Please go to www.FirstGiving.com/TheCommonSenseGuy to read Alex’s inspiring story and to donate if you can.

Common Sense Ideas for Catchy Copywriting

A few weeks ago, I met Margo Berman at a workshop we were attending.  Margo calls herself a “creative strategist”.  Among other things, she is a copywriting expert.  She was kind enough to send me some of her materials. 

I was impressed with what she had to say about copywriting.  These days, almost any small business owner needs to create some type of copy to promote his or her business – usually web copy.

Read on to learn how to write effective ad or web copy..

Becoming More Persuasive

Lacey Smith is a friend of mine.  The other day, he sent me a copy of his book Get It! Street-Smart Negotiation at Work: How Emotions Get You What You Want.  I’ve read a lot of books on negotiation, and this is one of the best…

Customer Service -- The Good, Bad and Ugly

On Friday, I told you the story of Alpha Omega computers and the great service I received when I was in Tennessee recently. 

And now, as Paul Harvey says – the rest of the story...

The Beginning and End of Customer Service

Last week I was in Tennessee.  When I returned to my hotel one evening, I realized that my computer’s power cord was shot.  It wasn’t giving me any power.  My battery was at about 35% of capacity and I had several hours of work I needed to do.  It was about 7:15 in the evening.  I had a problem…