Archive for June, 2009
Is Chris Brown Sorry for Beating Rihanna?
on pop star Rihanna.
There was a tremendous backlash against Chris Brown after the news about his domestic violence and photos of a beaten Rihanna came out.
Sponsors and radio stations dropped him, and the
singer had to cancel several high-profile appearances, including a performance
at the Grammys.
Chris Brown's Sentence
Judge Patricia Schnegg imposed a stay-away order that requires that Brown and Rihanna stay at least 50 yards from each,
except at industry events when the distance is reduced to 10 yards.
Brown's lawyer, Mark Geragos, said the plea deal includes five years of
supervised probation and six months of community labor.
Chris Brown will also be required to attend
domestic violence classes.
Brown spoke softly throughout the hearing as he waived his rights and told
the judge he understood the gravity of his plea.
"I think it's commendable you took responsibility for your conduct," Schnegg
told Brown. She said she hoped "the terms and conditions of your probation will have some
meaning."
Is Chris Brown Really Sorry?
But is Chris Brown really sorry or is he just putting on a show for the camera? Once you've crossed the line and beat a woman, can you control your violent impulses? Will he learn more appropriate ways to handle his anger?
I would love to know your thoughts. Please feel free to comment.
Business Success the TPE Way: A Podcast with Mike Michalowicz
by Guest Blogger, Lena West, Chief of Social Media Strategy at xynoMedia
As a proud TPE, I’ve mentioned Mike Michalowicz on this blog a few weeks ago. I explained that if you haven’t read his book, The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, yet, you were missing out big time.
It might seem like I’m a bit of a stan
for Mike, but I sincerely believe in what he has to say about business success and personal development – so much so
that when I took my team away for a 3-day off-site strategy meeting,
his book – along with two others – were our business reference books
for the weekend.
Since I first wrote about Mike on this blog, I have been wondering how many of you actually grabbed your copy of The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur? Better still, if you bought it, did you read it. And, if you read it, did you put Quarterly Tacking into play (page 83)? How about Focus Five (page 57)?
If, sadly (for shame!), you’ve done none of the above, you’re in the right place at the right time. Mike and I sat down to chat for a few minutes (ok 25 minutes and 32 seconds) about two weeks ago and he had a few choice words for Lipsticking’s readers. Ok, just kidding, but seriously, in this audio he shares excellent tips, actionable advice and he keeps it real about why you should listen to him at all (hint: he wasn’t always the rockstar he is today).
You should click the blue “play” button below to listen. Yes, I know it’s 25 WHOLE minutes. Yes, I know you’re busy and you don’t have time blah blah blah. Listen anyway. See how cool it is to be a Lipsticking reader???
A Waterless Washer? Really?!?
When one washer door closes, another opens… Just when California and the Southwest as a whole is facing a massive water shortage a "Polymer-based cleaning company Xeros and Cambridge Consultants have developed what they say is the world’s first ‘virtually waterless’ laundry washing machine prototype." The article posted in Greenbang says that it uses reusable nylon polymer beads. The beads clean cloths faster using far less water and electricity.(saves 90% of water!) Read the whole write up here. What is impressive is that the creators already commissioned a Life Cycle Assessment on the product. While current products are holding back…
Go to Source
The Human Single Point of Failure
By Guest Blogger, Mary Schmidt, Marketing Troubleshooter
And can’t we all rant for hours about the sorry state of customer service? I write about Big Clueless Companies…but (and here I’m making an abrupt turn…screechhhh…) – it’s not necessarily all the CEO’s and “management’s” fault. I’d submit that many executives actually do believe all that stuff about commitment to customers. (I’ve worked with a number of them…been one of them back in my Corporate days.)
The problem is that most corporate (and guv) execs, due to organizational structure, are so far removed from the real world that the single point of excellence and failure often falls way down the line, to a person who may or may not have the attitude, experience or skills for the job.
What’s truly baffling to me is that service hasn’t gotten any better in this difficult economy. Banks still act like they have all the cards – foreclosing on properties that will sit empty (and on their books)…Credit card companies are still acting like Tony Soprano in a bad mood…and customer service employees everywhere still seem to think the customer is the unnecessary (and irritating) component of customer service. You’d think that even the dimmest employee would have caught on the company needs customers if there are to be jobs.
“M’AM, you can’t do anything about it.” Credit card phone rep ever so “politely” telling a friend of mine to basically go pound sand. Um, y’all do know that you need good customers these days, right?
“You’ll JUST HAVE TO WAIT until I finish this.” Desk clerk at luxe hotel snips, if he or she deigns to notice you standing there at all. And the headlines continue about upscale hotels going under…
“I never said that.” The salesperson says…even after you forward the email that shows that – yes, indeed – he did say that. And the headlines continue about people not buying in these tough economic times…
Then there are conversations that go like the old “my dog didn’t bite you…it’s not my dog…I don’t have a dog…” routine. Which is actually excellent service avoidance strategy since it leaves the customers so flummoxed, they can’t respond appropriately.
I recently had that experience with the admin. assistant at an Albuquerque museum in helping with a big client event. She’d say one thing. Then deny she said it. Then claim we never talked about (even when there were those pesky emails…) Last resort, “It’s not in the contract.” Well – dang me and hang me – she got me there. Indeed, there was nothing written in the contract about treating customers with honesty and courtesy.
The museum is a gorgeous venue and the rest of the actual working staff (security guards, maintenance people, etc.) couldn’t be nicer. But…then there’s the human single point of failure. Luckily, the attendees weren’t subjected to the behind-the-scenes surreality. Due, in no small part, to the top-notch caterers who understand the meaning of customer service (and went above and beyond…and had also warned me about the museum.)
Now, I’m sure the museum probably doesn’t get many complaints. Most people aren’t good at confrontation and – besides – it takes time and energy to lodge a complaint (will it do any good anyway?) But, I wonder – how much repeat biz do they get? Hmmm…asking around I find “the museum” has a reputation for being difficult to work with (“I’ll never have another event here,” one biz owner said to me)…when it’s really that single point of failure.
So, if you’re at the top of your company – spend some time way down the line. You may find that what you thought was a big, gnarly economic problem….is actually a people person problem.
The Think Big Manifesto: A Podcast with Michael Port
This podcast is extremely important. It’s a bit longer than some others – a full 15 minutes. But, you can have it playing while you blog or Twitter. You can listen to it a few minutes at a time. The important thing is for you to listen to it – all of it.
Michael Port isn’t new – you probably all know who he is. From his Booked Solid and Beyond Booked Solid advice, to his latest, The Think Big Manifesto, Michael Port has been helping small business learn to focus on the details that count. In this podcast here’s what counts:
Small thinking = small ideas. Give that up.
Thinking Big, winning, doesn’t require a loser. We can all be winners. (yes, we can)
In the book and this podcast you’ll learn about the One-Way Revolution that gives to everyone, and takes from no one.
And, among all the rest (yes,there is a lot of ‘all the rest’) Michael will urge you to Stand for Something…Listen up…
Some of this Year’s Father’s Day Promotions
By Guest Blogger, Donna DeClemente, Donna’s Promo Talk
This Sunday, June 21, is Father’s Day so I thought I would mention a few promotions that I know of that have been developed to help celebrate Dads.
Kmart is supporting the promotion with a national television spot (in both English and Spanish) highlighting men’s apparel, the movie ticket offer and the film. The interactive promotional micro-site is where consumers can redeem codes for movie tickets, download “TRANSFORMERS: Revenge of the Fallen”-themed content, watch movie trailers and purchase TRANSFORMERS merchandise. To read more on this promotion link to Donna’s Promo Talk.
It wouldn’t be Father’s Day without the mention of at least one golf- themed promotion. McCormick &Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants is celebrating Dad’s day with a sweepstakes called “Something Special Fore Dad”. One lucky dad will win the grand prize of a set of custom-fitted Titleist golf clubs and golf bag and a first prize winner from each restaurant will receive a free round of golf for two at any ClubCorp course. Entries are being accepted both online and in-restaurant. They are also offering menu specials during Father’s Day weekend and a complimentary dessert for all fathers on Father’s Day.
So all you women, don’t forget to make this Sunday a little special for the men in your life. I just want to say a quick thanks to my Dad for all the year’s he’s had to deal with a mostly female family… there’s three of us girls and one younger brother. Now my husband has had it very similar with a house of females as well… two daughters, no son, just a male golden retriever. I wish a very Happy Father’s Day to you both as well as to all the other great dads out there.
