What's THAT in your pocket?

HTC thinks a second tiny phone is the answer to your oversized smartphone complaints

I do not agree with the statement.  If 1 large phone is too troublesome, adding the 2nd, smaller phone, will not help matters.
I see going mobile going in 1 of 2 directions:
1.  Follow the Samsung Galaxy designs and stay just smaller than a tablet.
2. Follow the iPhone design and go the compact route.
I lean toward the larger design - what say you?
Best,
Toby

Don't fear complaints - embrace them

These Big Companies Are Abandoning Twitter And Facebook For Customer Service

Good morning all,
The link above take you to a piece in Business Insider.  As I read it, the thoughts started flowing and I kept asking myself why?
Every company has needed to do more with less and streamline their organization, but Social for Customer Service helps you do just that. Even if your tweet or facebook post is not responded to right away, it is better than being on hold or navigating a phone tree.
Is this bigger than efficiency? The fear of complaints in public? If that is true, I answer the decision maker: "it is no what the customer said, but how he is responded to." I also ask: "Is the customer right and our process wrong?"
Are we too afraid to hear from those who consume our products?
Companies must learn not to fear the negatives, but learn from them, improve their product or service and create advocates.
Don't respond to the troll who howls at the moon, respond to the objective lurker who is your fan.
Looking forward to your comments.
Best,
Toby

What is your Social Strategy - What tools are you using?

Social media is a powerful group of tools that can help your company with everything from Sales to SEO.  Before setting out please use this as a guide to get you started.


Social Strategy

1. What is your goal?
2. What are the tools available?
3. How will success be measured?

Goal

What are you trying to achieve?  SEO for your company's site, create a community, enhance customer service, promote a blog or press release - all can be accomplished through Social.  Once you determine what you want you accomplish, you can choose the right tool to reach your goal.

Tools

1. Linkedin - SEO and Community
2. facebook - Community
3. twitter - Give your Marketing campaign reach
4. Pinterest - just like twitter, Pinterest spreads the word and brings memories alive with pictures.

Measurement

1. How many have joined the Linkedin Group and do the comments and discussions look like?
2. How many new posts hit your facebook pages?  How many new "likes?"
3. How many twitter followers, re-tweets, and mentions are you getting?
4. How many followers and re-pins are you getting on Pinterest?
5. Here is the hard one - can sales be tied to these efforts?

I have named my four favorite Social channels, but there are many out there.  It is important to experiment with a few and find what you are comfortable with and to also remember that less can be more. It is easy to think about the reach Social can deliver; don't lose sight on the importance of engagement.  Without discussions, a community is only a list.  

Cheers,
Toby

Gun Advocates: Your Country Needs You (To Be Responsible)

The Newtown, Ct. shooting has robbed babies of their futures, and has adults wondering "why?"  One side says guns are the cause of this horrible event while the other side argues a teacher or officer with a gun could have prevented it.  Both sides have their points, but neither can undo the damage done.  Guns are amazing tools that have been part of tragedies, but they have also helped people provide for their families, enforced the law, and liberated countries.
There are many things that cause harm and take lives: airplanes, cars, alcohol, cigarettes, etc, but nothing causes more fear or debate than guns.  Those who fear them, hate them; those who want them cite the 2nd Amendment on a loop.  Where is the responsible middle that can bring the two sides together? 
I have not found a person yet who can justify the need for the personal ownership of: assault rifles, armor piercing bullets, and high capacity magazines.  You are a hunter. Fine, you do not need an assault rifle; there will be nothing to bring home.  You want to defend your home. We all do: handguns are very hard to control, get yourself a shotgun. 
Gun advocates need to mandate iron clad background checks and constant training.  If you have nothing to hide, I want to look (or know the right people did), and if you want to defend yourself, you must be trained and practice so you can perform at the moment of truth. 
Some of my fondest childhood memories are target shooting with rifles and trap shooting with shotguns.  I am not a hunter; I have grown up with guns, learned to respect them, and NEVER thought of using one to settle a problem.  Guns are not in my house, nor do I believe I need to carry one to protect myself, but as a responsible, law abiding citizen, it is my right and one that should never be taken away.
I look forward to and respect your comments.
Cheers,
Toby

Merry Christmas - an invitation

Now that December is upon us, so is the Christmas season; my favorite time of the year. People seem to want to treat one another better and there is a lift in people's spirits. Those who called my house were welcomed by my Mom saying "Merry Christmas" as she answered the phone.
I believe in inviting people to share my holiday with me so I say Merry Christmas. Just like inviting you to share my table, I invite you to my home to enjoy a great meal.
"Merry Christmas" is not to offend; it is a friendly invitation.
Cheers,
Toby

11 Years Ago

Where were you and what were you doing when you heard?
If you were a parent, how tightly did you hug your child(ren) that night?
How did you feel?
Do you still remember?

I remember as clear as yesterday:
A co-worker's husband called her and reported the first crash. The internet, streaming video, servers were nothing like they are now and there was not the access to information. I was calling friends in NYC, but no one's cell would work - for days.
Everyone walked around in a fog wondering what would/could happen next. The nights seemed so dark.
As a father, I was so angry about the suddenly orphaned children and tried to imagine what the fathers on flight 93 were thinking.
I will NEVER forget.

Remembering,
Toby

Sports, Sportsmanship, and the Scoreboad

I am gearing up for a new hockey season.  While getting together rosters, putting together drills, and thinking about tournaments I started thinking about the big picture.
The scoreboard shows "Home" and "Guest" not the names of who scored the goal and who made the assist. The scoreboard reflects the performance of the team, not the achievements of its individual members.
The score sheet does not tell the entire story either. It shows who scored, who assisted, and the saves made by the goalie - so much is missing.
When watching your next game look for these things: the back check, clearing the puck out of the defensive zone, the hug or highfive of encouragement, the hustle of the weaker player who never gives up.
Herb Brooks said it best: "When you pull on that jersey, you remember one thing, the name on the front it a hell of a lot more important than the one on the back."

Thank you parents for all the support; it means the world to the coaches as well as your sons and daughters.

Please share this with other coaches and those who love the game.

Cheers,

Toby