Beginner Business Blog: Top Five Tips for Starting Your WordPress Business Blog

web marketing and communications consultant Melanie L. DrakeWhen we first talked about starting a blog for the AchieveMax® web site, I had a few concerns, the primary one being that I would have to learn a new program, which—after some research—turned out to be WordPress. Having now worked with a blog in WordPress for almost a year, I admit there are a number of things I wish someone had told me about WordPress and blogging when I started.

For those of you considering starting a WordPress blog for your business (on your own server, not through WordPress.com), here are the top five tips I wish I had known before starting a WordPress blog.

1.  Windows Live Writer

The WordPress editor is lacking to say the least. I think it is worse than the first word-processing program I used more than 20 years ago. For St. Patrick’s day, Harry wanted his article to be in green text. With the WordPress editor, there is no button to change the color of the text. Instead, you have to track down the code for green text in some other program. Windows Live Writer, on the other hand, allows you to change colors of text, create tables, insert tags, insert maps and do a bevy of other things. You can then save the draft locally, post the draft to WordPress, or publish the article. It’s a little cranky with registered trademarks and em-dashes when transmitting a post into WordPress, but other than that I have no complaints so far.

2. Feedburner

Although I knew about Feedburner a few months before I ever set up an account, I initially didn’t see the need for Feedburner since I already had an RSS feed as part of WordPress. However, Feedburner makes it easy to redirect 100% of traffic for your feeds to a FeedBurner feed you have created. FeedBurner can then track all of your feed subscriber traffic and usage and apply a variety of features you choose to improve and enhance your original WordPress feed. I particularly like the feature that allows people to subscribe to the RSS feed via e-mail as well as the statistics for outgoing links and incoming links. I also use the headline animator (see below) in my e-mails. Since there are so many optional features, it takes a while to dig through your choices; I am still setting up some of the features.

 

AchieveMax® Blog

3. Daily Back-ups

Ever since Norton Antivirus decimated my Netscape mail a number of years ago, I’ve learned to back up my important files often, most on a daily basis. One day not too long ago, our blog disappeared. There was no way to sign in to the administrative panel, and nothing showed up on the main blog page. My web host has a link for downloading the SQL database, and believe me, without the back up, I could have lost months of work. I still have no clue what happened, but restoring the database with the back up was the only thing to fix the problem. Even with the back-up, I lost a few comments and the final version of two posts. There is also a WordPress Database Backup plug-in for those without this back-up feature on their web host.

4. FileZilla

Originally, I installed WordPress through Fantastico, which automatically installs a variety of scripts, through my web host. WordPress regularly updates its software with new additions and security updates that should be uploaded to your server. Updating WordPress via Fantastico was fine until a glitch with Fantastico caused all the em-dashes and registered trademarks to convert to gobbledygook.  I have since discovered FileZilla, which is a fast FTP and SFTP client for Windows with a lot of features. I simply download the newest WordPress version, sign into my account, and upload my file. Of course, always create a back up of your SQL database and site before installing a new version of WordPress.

5. Technorati Incoming Links

Technorati searches, surfaces, and organizes blogs and the other forms of independent, user-generated content (photos, videos, voting, etc.) increasingly referred to as “citizen media.” It currently tracks 98 million blogs and over 250 million pieces of tagged social media. By joining Technorati, you can claim your blog, which then allows you to see your incoming links in your WordPress dashboard. This feature is a good resource to know who is linking to you.

While I was writing the section on Technorati, I ran across an article, Newbie Blogging – Crucial Choices and Trackbacks. This blog article is a great source for learning about trackbacks and includes links to other sources for new blog owners.

Beginner Business Blog: Top Five Tips for Starting Your WordPress Business Blog” is part one in a series of blog articles designed to help you start your own business blog.

About Melanie L. Drake

Melanie L. Drake focuses on the publishing and marketing sides of the AchieveMax® company. AchieveMax® professional, motivational speakers provide custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars, and consulting services on change management, creativity, customer service, leadership, project management, time management, teamwork, and more. For more information on AchieveMax® custom-designed seminars and keynote presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Little-known Facts about Well-known Leaders – Lee Iacocca

If someone were to ask me what Lee Iacocca was best known for, I’m afraid I would find it quite difficult to decide on a single answer. Today, he’s an 82-year-old philanthropist and author who’s as active, feisty, and driven as he’s ever been — if not more so.

However, to highlight a single chapter in his on-going saga would indeed be a momentous challenge. Think about the choices:

  • He was an American industrialist.
  • He was president of Ford Motor Company.
  • He was instrumental in the development of the Ford Mustang.
  • He was fired from Ford Motor Company.
  • He saved the Chrysler Corp. from bankruptcy via restructuring as chairman.
  • He secured a loan guarantee from the U.S. Congress in 1979 to save the company.
  • Unlike so many other industries, he repaid the entire loan — seven years earlier than expected!
  • He was responsible for Chrysler’s acquisition of AMC in 1987, reducing the Big Four to the Big Three. This move also brought the profitable Jeep division under Chrysler’s corporate umbrella.
  • He was a passionate advocate of U.S. business exports in the 1980s.
  • In 1982, Ronald Reagan appointed Iacocca to head the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, which was created to raise funds for the renovation and preservation of the Statue of Liberty. He continues to serve on the board of the foundation.
  • In 1999, Iacocca was the head of EV Global Motors Co. a company formed to develop and market electric bikes with a top speed of 15 mph and a range of 20 miles between recharging at wall outlets.
  • He is the author and co-author of several best-selling books.
  • He is a strong advocate for better medical treatment of diabetes. In 2000, Iacocca founded Olivio Premium Products, which manufactures the Olivio line of food products made from olive oil. He donates all profits from the company to diabetes research.
  • Iacocca has been an advocate of “Nourish the Children,” an initiative of Nu Skin Enterprises, since its inception in 2002. He is currently its chairman. He takes an active interest in the initiative and helped to donate a generator for the Malawi, Africa, VitaMeal plant.
  • Iacocca led the funding campaign to expand Lehigh University into buildings formerly owned by Bethlehem Steel. Iacocca Hall on the Mountaintop Campus of Lehigh University houses the College of Education, the biology and chemical engineering departments, and The Iacocca Institute, which is focused on global competitiveness.
  • In July 2005, Iacocca returned to the airwaves as Chrysler’s pitchman, along with stars such as Jason Alexander and Snoop Dogg, to promote Chrysler’s “Employee Pricing Plus” program; the ads reprise the “If you can find a better car, buy it” line that was Iacocca’s trademark in the 1980s. In return for his services, Iacocca and DaimlerChrysler agreed that his fees, plus a $1 donation per vehicle sold from July 1 through December 31, 2005, would be donated to the Iacocca Foundation for diabetes research.
  • Most recently, he wrote a book, Where Have All the Leaders Gone?, in which he challenges both political parties and business leaders everywhere to return our country to the levels of strength, quality, success and integrity it once enjoyed. He minces no words in this particular best seller. Visit our book reviews on our web site for greater insight.

See what I mean? Where would you focus? I hope I have, in some way, encouraged you to do some personal research on your own into this very multifaceted leader who will forever grace the pages of history books everywhere.

Lee Iacocca was born Lido Anthony Iacocca in Allentown, Pennsylvania, to Italian immigrants who had settled in Pennsylvania’s steel-making belt. After high school, he graduated from Lehigh University with a degree in industrial engineering. He then attended Princeton University on a Wallace Memorial Fellowship.

Beginning a career at Ford Motor Company as an engineer in the early 50s, he quickly proceeded to turn them on their ear. He made tremendous inroads in engineering, sales and design and became president on his 40th birthday in 1964. Ironically, he clashed with Henry Ford II and ultimately was fired in 1978 despite Ford posting a two-billion-dollar profit for the year!

Rather than retiring, which he was certainly in a position to do, he moved across town to the Chrysler Corp. and performed what was considered to be miracle after miracle as he made automotive history. After retiring from Chrysler, you’d think Lee would be ready to settle down and enjoy his much-deserved retirement. Instead, he appears to have considered that retirement as a launching pad for the second half of his life. He’s accomplished more since retiring than most people do in their entire lives.

You’ll want to learn more about this very unique leader and will be inspired to share what you learn with others. We need more leaders like this man, and we need them today!

By the way, when embarking on your research, you can remember how to spell his last name by using the method devised by his Chrysler employees. They devised the mnemonic slogan: I Am Chairman Of Chrysler Corporation America.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Generation Communication Gap: Do You Really Know that “Generation Y” College Freshman You Call Family?

I recently read a very interesting article that focused on a possible motive for many of the major challenges we’re facing today. Chaotic examples of disruptive scenarios were shared from the area of politics, sports, the economy, today’s workplace, entertainment, employment, health care concerns, immigration, education, war, and family structure to name a few. It suddenly became quite apparent that there’s a growing communication problem within our society today, and it’s impacting just about everything we do.

The importance of good communication skills has long been acknowledged as a necessary skill for anyone striving for success. Our society has recognized, taught, debated and focused on this skill set for as long as I can remember. Then why the sudden epidemic leading to chaos in so many situations? The author suggested that it might be more than just communication skills. He suggests that it might very well be based on more of a “generational” clash than on a lack of communication skills. True, the ability to converse with one another is critical today more than ever as global cultures clash, technology advances at a tremendous speed, and the world becomes “flatter” by the minute.

However, is our lack of ability to converse successfully a result of declining communication skills or simply a more vivid example of our society existing of so many living generations who simply don’t make the time or effort to understand one another? And yet we’re forced to live and work together, making critical decisions impacting those around us who may very well have no idea as to what may have influenced our decision-making process.

This is a listing of recent generations for individuals born in the United States. Dates are approximate, as recognized by demographers. As you review the list, try to visualize someone you may know from each of the generations.

2001-Present – New Silent Generation or Generation Z
1980-2000 – Millennials or Generation Y
1965-1979 – Generation X
1946-1964 – Baby Boom
1925-1945 – Silent Generation
1900-1924 – G.I. Generation

As you review the list of those you visualized, think about the many vast differences in each generation. Consider their childhoods, parents, education, technology, politics, religious influences, work ethics, global exposure, etc. Obviously, there are tremendous differences in each generation, and yet today we’re forced to interact in a number of various scenarios. For instance, my grandchildren were exposed to computer operation and speaking Spanish in kindergarten. At that same age, I majored in sliding my nap rug across the classroom floor on my stomach, and the highlight of my day was devouring graham crackers and milk every afternoon.

Maybe this author has struck a critical chord here that demands closer scrutiny. As a society, we’ve acknowledged generation gaps, written books about them extensively and even discuss them in the classroom. However, have we really taken these studies seriously and made an effort to understand how we differ in so many ways from one generation to the next? Do we seriously realize the negative consequences that might result if these gaps continue to widen? If, after reading the following information, you realize the need to broaden your perspective on this critical issue, seek out the numerous studies and books available on the subject by going to Google and/or Amazon.com for further references.

Just in case you weren’t feeling old enough today, just read this. Each year the staff at Beloit College in Wisconsin puts together a list to try to give the faculty a sense of the mindset of this year’s incoming freshman. Here are a few points from this year’s list.

  • They never “rolled down” a car window.
  • They have grown up with bottled water.
  • Pete Rose has never played baseball.
  • Rap music has always been mainstream.
  • They were born the year Harvard Law Review Editor Barack Obama announced he might run for office some day.
  • Wal-Mart has always been a larger retailer than Sears and has always employed more workers than GM.
  • Al Gore has always been running for president or thinking about it.
  • They grew up in Wayne’s World.
  • Stadiums, rock tours and sporting events have always had corporate names.
  • MTV has never featured music videos.
  • The space program has never really caught their attention except in disasters.
  • They never saw Johnny Carson live on television.
  • The World Wide Web has been an online tool since they were born.
  • Dilbert has always been ridiculing cubicle culture.
  • There has never been a Berlin Wall.

It’s a wonder we can even speak to each other. And, interestingly enough, no one generation is more correct or incorrect than another. They’re all just enormously different from one another, and we’d best take immediate action to close those major gaps. What are you going to do?

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Tomorrow’s Work Place

The August 20th edition of Business Week magazine will be featuring a cover story on “The Future of Work.” In this special double issue, they will discuss how we will master technology, manage companies, and build careers in the era of the global 24-7 workforce.

As part of this special project, Business Week conducted a poll of 2,000 Americans in middle management and above, 25 years and older. Here’s a short sampling of their findings.

90% of managers think they’re among the top 10% of performers in their workplace.

When asked which of the following scares those polled the most, they answered as follows:

 Men Women
My Computer 4% 7%
My Boss 6% 7%
My Spouse 11% 5%
Wall Street 27% 35%
China 52% 46%

More than 1 in 4 (25%) workers 55 and older say they expect to retire.

Only 1 in 10 (10%) under the age of 30 says the same.

6% of respondents under age 30 said they’ve accidentally called their boss Mom or Dad.

This special report also discuss “The Five Faces of the 21st Century Chief.” I found this article quite interesting as it predicted that the “generalist” CEO will give way to the “specialist” CEO, whether that’s a global networker or someone with a knack for assembling all-star teams. They’re also predicting five specialist CEO types to be in the greatest demand:

  • The BRAIN … May be algorithm geniuses, coding prodigies, or merely credentialed scientists or designers. CEOs in touch with their inner geeks will be a much sought-after breed.
  • The AMBASSADOR … CEOs with explicit business experience in emerging markets of China, India, Russia, Brazil and Dubai.
  • The DEALMAKER … Those able to both sell off non-core assets and go toe-to-toe with private equity players on big acquisitions will be in heavy demand.
  • The CONDUCTOR … Future companies will have to form alliances with outsiders and turn to networks of innovators for new ideas. More cooperation and creativity across divisions will also be necessary. This CEO will have to orchestrate everyone to play in the same key.
  • The CASTING AGENT … As Boomers retire, the talent wars will become fierce. CEOs who can retain the best people and deploy them adeptly will be hot commodities.

Think of the number of today’s CEOs who can’t honestly claim a strength in any one of those five areas.

Be sure to check out this issue of Business Week as it’s filled with articles reflecting the change of today’s workplace. They discuss the future of perks in the workplace, the no-cubicle culture, home-office-lab possibilities and the question of cog or co-worker?

If you happen to be one of those who won’t admit to constant change, simply pick up the newspaper and keep tabs on the number of articles you find in one issue that tells a different story. It was recently explained to me by an experienced MBA within a leading national organization that the realities of change didn’t actually apply to their current environment. They were too small and far too well-rooted in their current culture to be affected by the scare tactics of the change-mongers among us. I’m pretty certain there were people with very much that same attitude working for American Motors Corp., Trans World Airlines (TWA), and Montgomery Wards at one time. I wonder where they are today?

Want to learn more about broken molds, smashed time clocks, multidisciplinary projects, accordion staffing, freelance armies, mobile managers, and the just-in-time workforce? Don’t miss this captivating August 20th issue of Business Week.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Leadership Lessons We MUST Pass On

Over the years I’ve heard many people complain about professional speakers sharing stories, anecdotes, allegories, parables, metaphors, etc. that have been around forever. Apparently, they’re tired of hearing the same thing over and over again. I can understand that.

In fact, I’ve felt that way myself from time to time as a speaker while I’m creating keynote or seminar content. I can remember thinking maybe I should skip that particular material this time as so many people have heard it before. However, whenever that thought enters my mind, two major facts soon follow.

First, these traditional favorites have been repeated so many times by so many speakers for good reason. They educate, they entertain, they make a point, they’re memorable, they’re passed on to future generations because they have been proven time and time again to add value to those who hear them. When they stop proving to be valuable, they’ll be forgotten and cease to exist.

Second, I think of the many valuable tips, tools, strategies and lessons I’ve learned over the years from professional speakers and trainers that continued to share those very valuable traditional favorites. If they had decided to discontinue sharing for fear of being accused of repetition, I never would have had the pleasure and privilege of learning this material myself. As I think back over my career, I can remember hearing and reading a lot of repetition from such notable speakers and authors as Tom Peters, Zig Ziglar, Denis Waitley, Jim Rohn, Peter Drucker, John Maxwell, Stephen Covey, Ken Blanchard, Norman Vincent, Brian Tracy, Napoleon Hill, and Tony Robbins. I’m so thankful they were persistent in their messages.

I’m also concerned about this valuable material not reaching the ears, hearts and minds of future generations. How will they learn these lessons if we don’t continue to share them? In reviewing today’s current business environment, it’s quite obvious that many of today’s leaders have missed some very important lessons during their careers, and the results have taken their toll. I urge you to join me in making certain we pass on these wonderful lessons to our future leaders.

For example, a client recently sent me the following old favorite. Although she had heard it many years ago, she enjoyed and appreciated hearing it again. After reviewing it myself, I certainly have to agree with her. I also thought of many people I’ve met who hold a variety of leadership roles who obviously missed this “oldie but goodie” the first time around. It’s one of many we should all remember and pass on to emerging leaders in every organization. Enjoy.

During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one:

“What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?”

Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, red-haired and in her early 40s, but how would I know her name?

I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade.

“Absolutely,” said the professor. “In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say ‘hello’.”

I’ve never forgotten that lesson.

I’ve also never forgotten her name was Dorothy.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Business Briefs – August 15, 2007

Chocolate Anyone?
Campbell Soup, the largest soup company in the U.S., recently reviewed their extensive portfolio and decided to explore strategic alternatives, which include the possible sale of their Godiva Chocolate division. They feel the premium chocolate business simply doesn’t fit their strategic focus on simple meals such as soup, baked snacks, and vegetable-based beverages.

Ronald sells Boston Market
McDonald’s has reached a deal to sell its Boston Market chicken chain to private-equity firm Sun Capital Partners for an undisclosed sum. It’s amazing how many Boston Market fans had no idea the family-style restaurant was owned by McDonalds.

Preparation for Olympic Games Underway
Like so many other countries obtaining the privilege of hosting the Olympic games, China is pulling out all the stops to make certain they convince the world that they can produce the grandest games in history. With one year remaining before the opening ceremonies, Chinese organizers are evicting more than a million tenants to make room for the 37 venues, which make up the famed games. They’re also shutting down factories to reduce pollution, plotting to control the weather, staging rallies to teach English and ordering Beijing’s sometimes rude citizens to mind their manners. They’ve even scheduled the opening ceremony to take advantage of a Chinese lucky number – 8. The games will begin at 8:08, August 8, 2008.

They’re expecting 10,000 athletes and 550,000 visitors. To put on a good face for the world-wide exposure, China will dole out a record $40 billion on stadiums and airport and subway improvements. China is determined to overcome its growing negative image resulting from recent scandals involving contaminated food and consumer goods.

Possible Tax Increase Haunts Tobacco Land
As Congress weighs the biggest federal cigarette tax hike in history, $1 per pack, analysis has noted sharp declines in consumption. The nation may be about to experience one of the biggest one-time declines in smoking according to leading economists and health experts. Don’t expect the ever-strong tobacco industry to sit back and hope this doesn’t happen. You can bet the midnight oil is being burned in nightly strategy meetings all over Tobacco Land. The potential revenue losses would be an unacceptable blow to an enormous profit picture. You’re going to be hearing more about this issue in the coming days.

Toy Industry Added to Victim List
The Fisher-Price division of Mattel toys has become the latest victim of the “China Syndrome” to the obvious dismay of U.S. parents from coast to coast. Mattel, like many other toy manufacturers, had contracted with companies in China to make the toys. These toys produced sales of $22 billion last year, not counting another $12 billion in computer games. The toys were recalled because of concerns about paint containing lead, which has been outlawed for use on U.S. toys since 1978. China currently makes 70% to 80% of the toys sold in the USA.

The “China Syndrome” appeared first in pet food, then seafood, then tires, then toothpaste, and now it’s included the biggest toy company in the world as well as many other smaller ones. What’s next? Does anyone see a pattern here? Young toy owners are smart enough to respond with a resounding “duh”? What will it take to reveal this pattern to Washington?

Coke Gets Healthier
Cola-Cola announced it has agreed to purchase privately held Energy Brands, Inc., known as Glacéau, the maker of vitaminwater and other enhanced water beverages. The $4.1 billion acquisition will be in cash and is expected to close this summer, subject to customary approvals. Add current sales of their Dasani brand to the potential of Glaceau Vitaminwater, and one would think that the minds at Coke are taking water very seriously.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

What Happened to “Americans”?

The “AMERICAN” I grew up with has disappeared. As a military serviceman, I was an “AMERICAN,” serving and protecting other “AMERICANS.” I took great pride in doing so. Today, I’m sad to report the demise of those “AMERICANS.” They have become an endangered species moving rapidly toward a state of total extinction. WE can reverse that dangerously negative trend, and I’m suggesting we begin doing so immediately. Let me explain.

Merriam-Webster defines “American” as “a native or inhabitant of North America or South America.” It is also defined as “a citizen of the United States,” which is the definition used in this article.

Due to my extensive travel schedule, I find myself doing a lot of my computer work very late at night. In doing so, I usually keep the television on, tuned into one of the many news channels, as a multitasking effort to keep me awake as I compute and keep up to date on what’s going on in the world. I learn a lot by listening to, watching, and reading the news. I’m growing tired of what I’ve learned the past few years. For instance, I have learned that we have lost trillions of dollars in Iraq, and I learned who’s at fault. A conservative television station clarified exactly why the liberals are totally at fault. It made sense to me. Then I turned to a liberal station and learned how the conservatives engineered the entire operation. That, too, made sense to me. The list goes on and on. Who’s responsible for the poor and/or lack of response to Katrina? Gas prices? Immigration? Global warming? Lack of health care? Infrastructure collapse? Growing taxes? Rising prices? Poor quality? Trade imbalance? Who’s truly at fault? Republicans or Democrats? Conservatives or Liberals? Bulls or Bears? Pro-life or Pro-choice? Hawks or Doves? Male or Female? Rich or Poor? Boomers or Busters? Catholic or Protestants? I obviously have no clue.

I do know this. “AMERICANS” die in wars. “AMERICANS” suffered from Katrina. “AMERICANS” are paying higher prices for everything. And, as I look back over the years, it’s so very obvious that our greatest accomplishments occurred when we came together as “AMERICANS.” We cured diseases, we won wars, we landed on the moon, we overcame tremendous odds, we solved problems, we created the world’s greatest products and services, we won the respect of the world, and we did it as “AMERICANS.” We didn’t accomplish any of these things as members of the many categories listed above. We’ve always been at our best when we came together as “AMERICANS.” Have we forgotten this valuable lesson? Can we afford to forget it? It’s time we returned to the valued status of “AMERICANS.”

I recently received the following piece from a friend. It was written by my all-time favorite author, “Anonymous,” and it reminded me that those serving our country all over the world, defending our way of life, and doing it proudly are doing so as “AMERICANS.” This is a fact that we should be thankful for, should be appreciating daily, and should be explaining to our children and grandchildren as we strive to regain that treasured status as “AMERICANS.”

Here’s another thought. If you know any of these true “AMERICANS,” take a moment out of your busy day and send them a note of thanks and appreciation. If you don’t know anyone serving our country abroad, contact any one of the following sites to learn more about sending e-mails, letters, gifts, etc. to members of the military all over the world. What a fantastic family project! What a great tradition to pass on to future generations. A few moments out of your busy day can make all the difference in the world to a brave, lonely “AMERICAN” on the other side of the world. No politics, no issues … just thanks and appreciation from one “AMERICAN” to another. Do it today and urge others to do the same.

For those who fight on distant shore,
Who give without a word;
Defending us with honor,
So gallantly they serve.

For every boy who leaves his home,
Returning here a man;
And every woman who made a choice,
To make serving part of her plan.

For every fallen soldier,
Who gave all they could give;
To guarantee our liberty,
And the freedom that we live.

Each one who served with honor,
The brave, the tried, the true;
America gives its thanks today,
For we see a hero in you.

For more information on our seminars, keynote presentations, or consulting services, please call 800-886-2MAX or fill out our contact form.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Limp the Unfriendly Skies

Newsweek Magazine reports that in the first quarter of this year, only 71.4% of U.S. flights arrived on time, and 19,260 passengers were involuntarily bumped! FlightStats.com reports that in July alone, 16,988 flights were canceled — up 54% from July of last year. As if that weren’t bad enough, more baggage was lost, damaged, or mishandled last year than at any time in the history of aviation!

However, fear not, these negative stats should not discourage you. After all, you’ll always have the following fringe benefits of air travel to look forward to:

  • Higher prices
  • More airport construction
  • Longer security lines
  • Overbooked flights
  • More canceled flights due to weather
  • Missing pilots and crew members
  • Rude, sarcastic gate agents
  • Less baggage allowed on flights
  • More baggage lost as we add what we used to carry on to what we expect to lose below
  • Fewer seat choices or additional cost for a choice in coach
  • The privilege of being shoe-horned into the middle seat, sandwiched between the last two passengers you would choose to sit with if you had the choice
  • Being assigned the seat directly across from the bathroom that seldom works, allowing you to personally meet and greet the majority of your fellow prisoners
  • No magazines, pillows, or blankets
  • Backing away from the gate precisely on time to hear your pilot announce that you are currently 48th in line for takeoff
  • Landing at Gate 1 in Terminal A to discover your connecting flight is awaiting you at Gate 75 in Terminal F … and realizing that you have 12 minutes to make that connection
  • Tremendously long layovers OR two-minute sprints to your connecting gate
  • Jumping on a moving sidewalk that doesn’t
  • Rushing to your favorite rental car agency to find 65 people got there before you, they’ve lost your reservation, or the only car left is a Super Hummer and local gas prices just passed $4 per gallon
  • Slower shuttle buses and fewer taxis

Unfortunately, the majority of American flyers lack an efficient alternative to the unfriendly skies. When was the last time you traveled a l-o-n-g distance by car, bus or rail? Have a nice flight. It can only get better … I hope!

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Little-known Facts about Well-known Businesses – Steve & Barry’s

I must admit that when I first heard about a new business named “Steve & Barry’s®” my initial thought was of a pawn shop or a catering service. It sounded as though a couple of buddies combined some loose change in hopes of starting up a local storefront. In fact, that part isn’t far from the truth.

However, what followed has the making of a traditional “Horatio Alger” rags-to-riches classic. My prediction, based on what I’ve witnessed thus far, is that this organization will someday be studied as part of most MBA programs as Wal-Mart, Southwest Airlines and G.E. are today. What these gentlemen have accomplished in a relatively short time is nothing short of phenomenal! Steve & Barry’s® is changing the way that consumers shop for their clothes and changing the way that retailers cater to them. They’re stripping away the gloss and giving consumers something real.

If you’ve never seen or heard of one of their operations, you must make an effort to experience their unique offering. A couple of my grandchildren dragged me into one of their stores in our local mall, and I was overwhelmed and very impressed with what I saw. On the other hand, I gave them a year before they would fold and ride off into the sunset, leaving nary a trace of their previous existence. I made that prediction because I knew there was no way any company could sell that quality of merchandise at those prices and hope to realize anything resembling a decent profit. I’ve since added that particular prediction to my growing list of major miscalculations.

Steve & Barry’s® is an American casual apparel clothing chain with about 200 locations in 33 states and plans to open an additional 70 stores in 2007. Those who shop there typically pay 50% to 90% less for the same quality clothing found at competing department and specialty stores. The majority of their locations are between 50,000 and 100,000 square feet, and offer casual wear for the whole family: a wide selection of jeans, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jackets, sweaters, polos, cargos, footwear, accessories, and more. They also feature licensed apparel from top American brands, including Marvel Comics, WWE, Hasbro, General Mills’, Hershey’s and Ford, and the largest collection of collegiate licensed apparel in the nation. Most every item in the store is priced around $9.98, although they often run store-wide specials as low as $7.98. Visualize a quality varsity jacket at prices like that!

By providing premium apparel at impossibly low prices, this retail phenomena is single-handedly changing the retail landscape. They’re enthusiastically busting the model. As a result, they’re also significantly impacting entire communities, altering shopping patterns, and impacting local economies. Competitors would be wise not to ignore this rapidly growing customer favorite as they aspire to re-imagine their company daily.

But how did it all begin? Childhood friends Steven Shore and Barry Prevor
have been business partners since they were teenagers living in suburban New York. They started their business careers by screen-printing T-shirts and selling them for $1 at flea markets across Long Island and New Jersey. In 1985, they opened a modest collegiate apparel store at the University of Pennsylvania. Steve & Barry’s® quickly became a landmark destination, as students found they could purchase the same quality collegiate-licensed clothing sold at the campus bookstore for dramatically lower prices.

The success of the original store at the University of Pennsylvania fueled an expansion to other universities across the country such as Michigan State, the University of Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Purdue. The mall superstore format began to take shape in the late 1990s, upon the opening of its first mall-based location near Detroit, Michigan.

This fantasy fairy tale could easily end here as old friends Steve and Barry gallop off into the sunset on their white steeds to live happily ever after. But wait, it appears that their legend is just beginning. I remember reading about this next chapter in their epic tale in the business section of USA Today. What a concept!

In 2006, Steve & Barry’s® made retail history when the company teamed up with NBA basketball star Stephon Marbury of the New York Knicks to develop an affordable, high-quality, basketball sneaker. Believe it or not, they did it. They sell the sneaker for just $14.98 compared to shoes of comparable quality selling between $100 and $150! When I heard about this development, I assumed the obvious … the shoes must be made of cardboard to sell at that price. Then I saw them featured on a segment of ABC’s “20/20” television news show. They pointed out that Marbury actually wore these very shoes during all of his NBA games. If that weren’t enough, “20/20” commissioned a professor of footwear design at the Parsons School of Design in New York City to test the sneakers. He cut them in half and discovered they are similar in construction and materials as the most expensive basketball sneakers offered by other top brands retailing for over $150! This Starbury Collection of shoes, high-quality jeans, jackets, hoodies, T-shirts, hats and more will certainly put smiles on the faces of many youngsters who, until now, simply couldn’t afford clothing of this quality. Hats off to Stephon, Steve and Barry!

However, things didn’t stop here. Public response to the Marbury project was so monumental that Steve and Barry sought out other similar opportunities to offer their growing horde of loyal fans.

You’ve probably seen the popular television commercials promoting their next line. They’ve partnered with popular TV/movie actress and fashion icon Sara Jessica Parker to create the BITTEN collection designed for women of all ages and sizes. The collection, offering nearly 1,000 apparel and accessories pieces, including jeans, woven and knit shirts, suit separates, wool and cashmere sweaters, dresses, jackets, lingerie, T-shirts, sweatshirts, sleepwear, swimwear, bags, jewelry, belts, footwear, and much more, just recently hit their stores. The name BITTEN reflects Sara Jessica Parker’s initial reaction upon entering a Steve & Barry’s® store. She said she was blown away by the store, the company’s mission statement, their products, prices and employees. She says she was “bitten” by the Steve & Barry’s® bug.

If this organization can create opportunities like this for themselves as well as their customers, why can’t other retailers do the same? My guess is that they can and choose not to. The lure of the profit is far too great. Apparently they have yet to take notice of Steve & Barry’s® tremendous success and continuing growth.

By the way, the story is far from over. In 2005, Steve & Barry’s® purchased over 3.5 million square feet of space in shopping centers throughout the United States, the most of any mall-based chain in the country. The result was 62 brand new supermarket-sized stores, which doubled their outlets. Steve & Barry’s® is planning a series of blockbuster announcements over the next 12 months that will continue to shake the retail landscape. In fact, before the summer ends, former Nickelodeon star Amanda Bynes will also debut a clothing line, “Dear.” Similar to the BITTEN line, Dear will be a women’s brand that will appeal mostly to younger women.

Keep an eye on this very unique retailer as they will be setting standards for their competitors and raising the expectations of eager and appreciative customers for years to come. You might find it very beneficial to take a closer look at their culture, philosophy, mission, and methods as much of what they do so well can easily be applied to any business focused on customer satisfaction … regardless of your product or service.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.

Education or Ignorance

I’ve been very fortunate to have spoken to audiences on more college and university campuses from coast to coast than I can recount. I’ve spoken to high school students, college students, administrators, business groups, and public groups. I’ve spoken to audiences with advanced degrees as well as those who were thrilled to have achieved their GED.

I am and always have been an advocate of life-long learning. I’m proud to have passed that philosophy on to my children and grandchildren and I hope to tens of thousands who have attended my seminars and keynotes over the decades. Anyone who’s familiar with our web site and/or blog is aware of the fact that I strive to learn at least one new fact every single day of my life.

I recently learned another apparent truth, which I believe I’ve suspected for years but have finally resigned to accept as a reality: Education DOES NOT necessarily equate to intelligence or wisdom.  The acquisition of wisdom requires a person to be open to input and feedback in their daily lives. As Henry Ford said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.”

Over the years I have met a large number of people who have earned more degrees than I can comprehend. I envy their accomplishment. I respect them for their efforts. However, I feel sorry for them IF they become closed to input and feedback in their daily work lives because they’ve learned so little. I say that because of what I have observed of these people in the reality of the workplace. They are not open to change. They feel no need to continue their education as technology enhancements continue to bombard us daily, new techniques and strategies are introduced regularly, new products and services are continually updated, and the world becomes flatter as reflected in our daily newspapers and emphasized in The World Is Flat by Thomas Friedman. However, these people apparently think they already learned all there is to learn. They scorn ideas and concepts that have stood the test of time as being outdated, and they close their minds to anything that might appear as new and/or different. They don’t read books, magazines, or newspapers and don’t even bother to monitor television or the Internet from time to time in search of new discoveries. They’re very closed-minded and often attempt to intimidate those who may disagree with them.

Don’t misunderstand. I’m not describing everyone who has achieved educational excellence. Not by any means. I have also worked with individuals with advanced degrees who thrive on and take pride in their efforts to continue their education in as many arenas as possible. I know people with Ph.D.s who have invested a great deal of time, energy and money to attain this lofty goal that so many aspire to achieve. Upon achieving this objective, they have no inclination to abandon their desire for life-long learning. They encourage and assist others to do the same. They may not always agree with but are always open to new information involving any development. They view life as a learning experience and love every moment of it.

In either case, success has little to do with education or the academic degree that reflects that accomplishment. It has everything to do with the philosophy of the person involved and how they chose to utilize that education. In the first scenario, I question if the person has learned anything other than facts and figures. In the second scenario, this person has developed the ability to rise above his/her circumstances to view the larger picture. They have obviously converted their education into the wisdom it takes to lead their organization, country, family, team, church, neighborhood and themselves to the greatest heights of success. They don’t view life-long learning as a burden but rather an exciting and challenging opportunity they eagerly seek out. They stand head and shoulders above the first scenario participants who are not open to input and feedback in their daily lives

Then there are those on the lower end of the educational spectrum: high school dropouts, those with nothing more than a GED, those who barely graduated from high school, college drop-outs, and those who barely made it through the lowest levels of higher education. Many of these people have accomplished nothing and will continue on that disastrous path.

Even more of those in that group have overcome their lack of education to climb to great heights of achievement. Today they’re demonstrating great leadership in military services, Fortune 500 companies, politics, various entrepreneurial areas, communities across the nation, and any number of other leadership roles. Leadership authority John Maxwell recently revealed:

  • More than 50% of all CEOs of Fortune 500 companies had C or C- averages in college!
  • 65% of all U.S. senators came from the bottom half of their school classes.
  • 75% of U.S. Presidents were in the Lower-Half Club in school.
  • More than 50% of millionaire entrepreneurs never finished college!

Members of this group are always open to new ideas, respect age-old concepts that continue to prove viable, are open to change, read as much as they can, question those who have more experience, seek out mentors, welcome new technology, monitor news resources constantly, take risks, leap from their current comfort zone, and continue to smile in satisfaction as they strive for life-long learning.

In short, it’s not education that is so important. There are many highly educated homeless people, prisoners, and unemployed in this country today. On the other hand, there are many uneducated people in these same categories.

Conversely, some of the most successful people in every area of achievement would not be there if it weren’t for their excellent educational history. A good education is invaluable today and should be supported and promoted to every young person in the nation as an essential step to achieve their aspirations.

Then there are those who have not been fortunate enough to have acquired a higher education for any number of various reasons. However, they have enjoyed tremendous success by capitalizing on so many other valuable assets at their fingertips … the most obvious being that of life-long learning.

So again it’s quite obvious that an education is nowhere near as crucial as what you choose to do with it. I proudly salute those individuals with advanced degees who choose to use their education as a stepping stone to a life-long crusade of learning. Sharing that praise are all those who have overcome their lack of education to reach great heights while continuing their informal educational pursuits.

When you go to work tomorrow, survey those within your work environment. You’ll quickly recognize each of the personalities I described above. Which are you pleased to work with? Which are you proud to call a teammate? Which contributes to a positive work climate, productivity, and results? Which will help your organization grow and compete? Which are you?

For those of you with children today, please plant that seed of life-long education deep in the psyche of their minds and hearts. It is truly the key to their success.

About Harry K. Jones

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of professional speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services. Harry's top requested topics include change management, customer service, creativity, employee retention, goal setting, leadership, stress management, teamwork, and time management. For more information on Harry's presentations, please call 800-886-2629 or fill out our contact form.