1. Made it my social media hub by loading the Hootsuite app
2. Made it my news hub using the Pulse app as well as the CNN app
3. Loaded the ABC app for sitcoms and shows (wish NBC had an app for their shows)
4. Added the Kindle app so that I can access our family library of Kindle books
5. Added a selection of music from my iTunes library so I can listen to music while using the iPad
6. Rented and watched a movie with my wife (No Strings Attached with Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman)
7. Using the WordPress app I’m writing this blog post entirely on the iPad

I have limited experience with Apple products (my wife has an iPod and so i’ve used it along with iTunes), but have had no problem figuring out how the iPad works. Additionally, typing is easier than I thought it would be. For longer emails or posts that require images, charts or video a laptop or desktop would likely be easier, but for basic correspondence typing on the iPad works great.

Recent research shows the number one use for the iPad is simply browsing the web. I understand why after using mine. It becomes such a rich experience, especially when you tie it in with social media apps like Flipboard. You end up browsing articles and video from your friends posts/tweets since more of the content is shown than just the link (check out the Flipboard example here to see what I mean).

When the first iPad came out there was a lot of talk about the inability to multitask. I was in agreement as it seemed that capability would be necessary in today’s fast-paced world. No longer do I feel this way. If you want to multitask on the iPad you are missing one of it’s most simplistic and beneficial features: rich content one app at a time. I would argue that the iPad is the digital equivalent of stopping to smell the flowers on a hike. You can enjoy amazing content and go deeper using apps that do a great job of sifting massive amounts of online information.

Because of this, the iPad is the minimalists dream. It is the one device that will keep you connected, informed, and entertained. After less than three hours of messing around with mine I can assure you it does all three with ease.

I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface of what this thing can do. The sign of a good product is one that can pleasantly surprise even after the user has had it for awhile – I fully anticipate more fun surprises as I continue to use my iPad. As my exploration continues on this new device, I will keep you posted on what I find. If you have had an iPad for awhile, what have been some of your favorite uses (apps, entertainment, productivity, etc.)?

While the “buy local” phrase is often used in reference to local food products (i.e. local fruits and veggies, local eggs, etc.), it’s also pitched by businesses of all types as they try to pull on the community heart strings of their customers. “Support Local Jobs – Buy from These Local Merchants,” and “Company ABC – Your Local Provider of XYZ” are typical billboards or ads you can see anywhere across the U.S.

Those who choose to use “buy local” mantra should keep in mind that we live in a global economy where individuals can purchase products & services online from anywhere. Further, we live in a day and age where physical mobility is as easy as hopping in the car to drive to the store or city that has the best deal or best service. On the business-to-business front, products like Skype and WebEx,  and LiveMeeting make working with a consulting partner from across the country as easy as having a face to face with a similar firm in the same town. Location in many instances is irrelevant.

When I hear a business promote the local theme, I often wonder what aspect of their business is lacking.  It’s as if they are using the term as a scapegoat to comprise quality on some aspect of their business. In my experience with many local businesses, this is often the case. Sometimes it’s the products they deliver, sometimes it’s the processes they have for doing business. More often than not, it’s in the customer service they deliver. They assume that because they’re a local business, the consumer will support them even if they aren’t open on Sunday’s, or if they are a day or two late with a report.

If you really want to promote local, you should be ready to stand up against any similar company in any city. Raise the bar and compete at that level, and your “support local” theme will likely resonate with your customers and prove to be a strategic advantage over your competition.

Living in Wenatchee, I see businesses of all types settle for mediocrity and assume being local is enough. Seattle is only 2.5 hrs away, yet most businesses don’t act like Seattle businesses (B-to-B or B-to-C) compete directly with them. News flash – they do. When was the last time you scoped the competition of the nearest city? Might be worth analyzing the next time you are doing a SWOT analysis. What threats exist where potential customers can look to nearby cities to find the services or products they need?

Being local can be an advantage, don’t get me wrong. But to really benefit from it, make sure you stack up against the competition from your region, not just the city you are located. The higher you raise your standards, the more your “buy local” messaging will resonate. I will always support a best-in-class local business – but they have to truly be best-in-class and live up to that expectation.

In my attempt to be “ready for the unexpected,” I decided to find the nearest bathroom while I had the chance. I ended up asking a Nordstrom cashier where the nearest bathroom was. She cheerfully said there was not one on the floor we were on, but she thought there was one down the escalator and on the left.  No problem (so I thought). I headed down, turned left, looked around, turned right, looked around and ultimately couldn’t find it.

So, I asked another Nordstrom employee. Amazingly, she wasn’t sure where the Nordstrom bathroom was, but after a few seconds indicated there was a public restroom just outside the store in the mall. At this point, I was frustrated. Shouldn’t employees know where their own bathrooms are? I wasn’t in “dire” need to use the bathroom, but I was trying to get back to the family asap so Brianne had some back-up with Langley.

I grudgingly said “thanks” and proceeded to find the public bathroom in the mall. This is where I realized what was really bothering me. She had given me what I needed, directions to the nearest bathroom – but I was frustrated because I wanted to use the Nordstrom bathroom (I guess I’m picky ; ). Like their stores, I assumed they would be cleaner, and more enjoyable to use than a public bathroom.  Weird? I don’t think so. I think most of us make decisions like this all the time without thinking about it.

This experience caused me to reflect on the other times where we purposely stopped at a store, coffee shop, gas station because we knew the bathroom was clean. Beyond just a making a pit stop, often we purchased something in the process.

When you start to think about the “marketing assets” your business has, don’t forget the bathroom.  The condition it is in will say a lot about how you care for the rest of your retail establishment. For people who regularly travel a certain route, they might just stop BECAUSE of your bathroom, and spend some money in the process. In the battle for the consumer dollar, every advantage helps, so make sure the bathroom effect is working for you.

While I’m still a rookie when it comes to blogging, I do have some tips for those of you who are thinking about it. Here they are:

1)      Just start. The hardest part is literally just getting started – so get over it, and just start. Tons of free options abound for platforms (WordPress - my preferred platform, TypePad, Blogger, etc.), choose one and start blogging.

2)      Have a plan. This isn’t hard either. My original goal was two posts per month, but ultimately revised it to one post a month. Other bloggers will say you need to post at least weekly to generate followers. If you have the time for that, definitely do it as I would agree that quantity does help. If not, set a realistic goal. One post a month should be achievable.

3)      Pick a theme. My theme is business and how it impacts our lives, and it’s given me plenty of topics to write on. Pick something you are interested in and roll with it. Recently, a friend of mine started a great blog called “Get Caught Skiing,” which is a great topic and will allow him to target a specific reader base. For those skiers out there, check it out – Mike is one of the funniest guys I know, so in addition to being informative you will get a good laugh, like his post entitled “The Thuggie: Long, Comfortable, Good.”

4)      Just Write. Kinda sounds like the first tip, but with a twist. My good friend who goes by the Twitter handle @cshams23 gave this advice to me when I started – just write. Don’t over-analyze your posts, especially early on. Just get the creative juices flowing and get something written.  Once you have it done, proof for grammar, make sure it flows, and post that sucker.  I typically write and review a post in one night, and then come back to it a day or two later for one last look. If it’s a topic that requires a more research, I will do that up-front before writing, and then may add in an additional proofing round just to make sure my facts are straight.

5)      Queue Up Your Posts. This year I am trying to write my posts in advance – so in any given month I have two more posts ready to go. By writing in advance, I can schedule posts to go out on the same day each month (consistency for readers). I didn’t do this last year but really should have.

And there you have it. Blogging tips from a rookie blogger, just in time for you to start your own blog in 2011. If you already have a blog and have some tips of your own, by all means, please share in the comments section – would love to hear from you.

As the picture above shows, the Quick Rinse Cube is basically exactly what it says it is – grapes in a container shaped as a Cube that you can take home and easily rinse without having to take the grapes out of the container.  Holes on all sides of the Cube allow the water to flow evenly around the grapes.  After rinsing, the Cube stores nicely in the fridge and keeps them contained until you finish them. Simple and efficient.

Outside of the convenience factor (rinsing and storing), the stackability of the packaging in grocery stores is another reason I have to give it high marks. I can totally picture a nice big display of these Cubes standing proud and looking fantastic at retail. While grape bags fall over each other and typically have no uniformity on the retail shelf, the Cube will easily stack and make for an excellent presentation to consumers.

Additionally, the overall design attractiveness of the Cube will benefit it as well. The super clear plastic of the cube really makes the grapes shine compared to the standard grape bag. Artwork is minimal, letting the product shine through (which is what consumers want to see anyway). And last but not least, the handle stands out as well, making it super easy for consumers to grab and go (impulse factor).

My biggest concern with the Cube is how well the grapes will hold up in it. For instance, cherries are prone to dehydration in clamshell packages whereas they hold up better in bags. At the end of the day, product quality is what will bring consumers back for more, so hopefully the packaging protects the product as well as it shows it off.

A secondary concern is that the normal grape bags still have holes in them – so essentially you can still rinse the grapes in the standard bag. Kinda surprising that no one has marketed a “quick rinse grape bag” – an easy claim to make. Further, a bag likely uses less packaging, so there is a sustainability component that could also be promoted if a “quick rinse grape bag” were to go head to head against the Cube.

Despite these concerns, I still have to give this new packaging two thumbs up. Coming out with new ideas is tough work – so kudo’s to Pandol Bros. for developing a creative and attractive package for their table grapes. This opportunity was ripe for the taking in regards to communicating to consumers the ease in which they can rinse the product and store it. Further, the cube aspect really lends itself to displaying at retail, which is a huge bonus. This package will shine in the grocery store.

To see the Quick Rinse Cube in action, check out a spot my buddy Michael Marks (the original Produce Man!) did for a Sacramento TV station:

OK, so the trail is crazy easy to find, however, make sure you go the right direction on the loop.  As we were heading down, a fellow biker riding up politely informed us we were going the wrong direction.  Duly noted – next time go counter-clockwise on the trail, not clockwise.  Thankfully we were the first ones there at around 8:00am, so we didn’t run into anyone barreling down as we were riding up. If you are thinking about doing this ride, after parking your car, ride your bike up the main dirt road and it will funnel you right into the single track (and you’ll be on your way to a successful counterclockwise loop).

For those of you that want to really hammer it, two loops can make for a great workout. That is probably the only thing lacking about Freund Canyon, it leaves you wanting more!

Enjoy the brief video below. This is a view of the trail that few get to see (well, unless you ride it backwards like Jerry and I)…

Jerry after hammering it to the top.

Me after trying to keep up w/ Jerry.

I disagree. While consumers will form their own perception, how they form it sits squarely in the experience they have with the brand.

Ultimately, brand positioning and branding in general is more important now than ever. With so much noise to sift through consumers are craving brands that can deliver on their promise.  Authenticity is the name of the game in the 21^st century, and if your brand doesn’t deliver an authentic experience than you’re going to have a tough go.

Facebook, Twitter, blogs, texting . . . word of mouth can now take many more forms than just talking to a friend over a cup of coffee. Those who encounter an authentic brand will share it with friends and unlike the past, that sharing can spread like wildfire and reinforce the brand’s reputation. Look at how quickly Apple has been forgiven for the antennae issue. Over and over again Apple has delivered on their brand promise, and while the media might be looking for a chink in the armor, an explanation and a solution set everything back in order (if you haven’t watched Steve Jobs press conference on the issue, you can watch a summarized version on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZctdV9dZyE).

But it all comes back to that initial experience, that initial perception of what the brand stands for. While we don’t have complete control over what the consumer will take away in their minds, it is our duty as marketers and brand managers to tell the story the right way, the first time. Then, and only then, do we have a chance at accurately reflecting a brands true identity to customers.

For more reading, check out these two posts on the Puget Sound American Marketing Association blog by Don Morgan:

Is Brand Positioning Dead in the 21^st Century?

Are You Living Your Brand Strategy?

Additionally, for a quick story on how brand positioning / advertising that isn’t authentic can negatively impact your brand, check out a quick post by Kevin Coupe from The Morning News Beat (an excellent blog on all things retail related). The post is about how his initial positive perception of a new restaurant changed to a negative perception after hearing more about it via word of mouth. The initial branding worked, but because it was not authentic the new restaurant kept Kevin from ever becoming a customer. 

 http://www.morningnewsbeat.com/News/News_Article_Detail_S.las?A=34256&Date=2010-07-26

In the past I’ve occasionally ventured into the realm of veggie burgers, primarily out of curiosity as to why some of my extended family members would ever forego the staple meaty burger that is as American as apple pie. For instance, I distinctly remember trying Boca Burgers when they came out, and I distinctly remember thinking I would never compromise a meal again with that kind of vegetarian cardboard. So when Brianne brought home the Morningstar Farm Burgers from Costco a few months ago, I was skeptical to say the least. But, to my surprise, these bad boys had ample flavor and substance. 

In doing a little digging, this is a Kellogg product being sold under the Morningstar Farms brand. I’ll admit – I was surprised to find it was a Kellogg product. They’ve done a good job of giving it a non-Kellogg look with branding and packaging that has a more natural and down-home style.

Two thumbs up from me on this product. For you meat-eaters out there, trust me, I was a skeptic too, these Chipotle Black Bean Burgers are the real deal. Load ‘em up with salsa, guacamole, avocado and cheese to accent the southwest flavor. While these burgers won’t convert me into full-time vegetarian, they will definitely remain a favorite in our household until someone can top them.

But before I digress too much, a little background information might help. If you haven’t heard of Crossfit, or functional fitness style workouts, you soon will.  In a nutshell, functional fitness gyms focus on variety and intensity without the use of any machine weights. Instead, you end up doing pull-ups, working with medicine balls, hitting a sledge hammer against a massive truck tire, flipping truck tires, pulling sleds with weight on them, lunges, squats, and a variety of other movements that are “functional” in style.

Over the last five years these types of gyms have exploded in popularity, with more than 2,000 popping up across the county.  Initially targeting professionals whose jobs require stamina and endurance (i.e. firefighters, SWAT teams, military, etc.), these gyms have also attracted everyday athletes who, like me, have become bored with the standard gym experience (sounds like another intersection of business and life – hence the popularity).

The Inner Circle Gym opened in Wenatchee in April 2009, and was the first functional fitness gym in the valley.  I have to be honest – it’s awesome. My workouts are shorter, more intense and most importantly, more fun! Yes, I said it. Fun. : )

For instance, here was yesterday’s workout that made me so sore today.  Adam Vognild, one of The Inner Circle Gym owners put this workout together. We did each of the items listed below for 3 minutes, with a one minute break in between. So in twenty minutes, we maxed out our reps at each “station.”

• Sit-ups
• Pull-ups
• Sandbag get-ups (take a 35lb sand bag on your shoulder, lay down, and get up, back down, up etc.)
• Air squats
• Burpee’s

That’s it. Nothing fancy, but boy am I sore. The cool part is, tomorrow I’ll go in and mix it up with a completely different workout. Efficient, effective and fun. You gotta love that.

If you are interested to learn more, check out these links:

The Inner Circle Gym Website – www.theinnercirclegym.com

Wenatchee World Article – At this gym, they don’t have no ellipticals, pal

WSJ Article – Fitness as a Full-Time Pursuit

I have no regrets. Life is too short. That’s why my only message and reason for this post is to look at your life, and make sure you are making memories and making a difference. Don’t waste time on distractions – focus on what is most important.  The question, “In ten years, will you regret X decision” is so true.

And how does the title of this post tie in? Because this title describes a memory maker for me that I want to share with you. Our son’s favorite word is ”buh.” Additionally, he has a whole series of favorite things that stem from “buh:” balloon, bee, ball, blue (for blueberry).  I love it.  I’ll never forget the joyful ”buh’s” he says daily right now as he points them around the house.  We all could use a little more “buh” in our life – they’re a good thing!