Bob's no hassle like Capitol One

My wife and I went out to buy our daughter a new bed. She has outgrown her toddler bed and it was time to move up. We decided to go to Bob's "no hassle" so they say. You enter and I have to say there are sales people hanging out all over the place. One will come up and introduce their selves and show you where things are then be gone. No hassle, no pressure. This is where it gets agitating, after making our selection we hunted down a sales associate and showed them what we wanted. Now we have made our selection, we are ready to purchase, no hassle, no pressure as of yet. Then comes ALL the options, delivery options,extra GOOF proof warranties [I told him we where goof proof], extra protectors. The list goes on, some of the things not being so no hassle or pressure at all. To points where we say "No" and they continue to try and sell it. The purchase was finally made and done, I did not leave feeling no pressure.... It reminds me of dealing with Capitol One, the are "no hassle" as well. That is until you call for something, then they have everything under the rainbow that they want to offer you. Which leads me to my point, your story and sticking with it. If you believe in your product or service you should offer all that. Might it cost a little more maybe, but you would truly set yourself apart. You wold be going to the edges where few tread, due to the fact that so many are afraid of the fringes. It is dangerous water to tread but you will set yourself apart. Maybe offer a pamphlet with all the extras at the beginning, with the prices and tell them if they want any of the extras, to let them know when you purchase. Never asking again, now that is no hassle or pressure. Either way if you say you are one thing and do another your story doesn't jive. How is the customer or client supposed to retell that story? I call this one Buzzkill!

Happy Hatching,
Jason Desjardins
jason@whereideascometohatch.com

Famous Daves

I went out o lunch the other day with my family. We ended up at Famous Dave's, I had heard some talk about it [word of mouth and the story are powerful]. If you haven't noticed I am all about the story that lies beneath the surface waiting to be discovered. This was no different, when I walked in it seemed like a BBQ place. The first thing I noticed was the smell of delicious BBQ. Next was all the odd things all over the walls. Not so much odd but a lot to look at never bored. Then I noticed the old fashioned wooden benches, concrete floors [easy cleanup]. It didn't stop there everyone was laid back and all their names started with Famous. The menu was loaded with BBQ everything, they did not stray from that. I noticed on the table a roll of paper towels. Not one with your utensils or a couple when they brought the meal but a whole roll. This told me "This is going to be messy" real BBQ. Next was the fact that I did not have to ask for BBQ sauce, no, there was a wooden box on our table with seven different BBQ sauces. From "Sweet and zesty", "Sweet and Sassy" to my favorite "Devils spit", it lived up to its name if you are curious. They have a great story here and they live it. This makes it easy for me to retell the story to anyone I please which will be many. Here is an excerpt from their website " Dave’s road to fame began with a strong hankerin’ for fine barbecue and a stronger desire to make the finest slow-smoked barbecue folks had ever tasted. He visited rib shacks, roadside joints, every hole-in-the-wall or fancy pants supper club he could, all in search of the most succulent meats, savory seasonings and lipsmackin’ sauces around." They have a story built in that they live by, do you?

Happy Hatching,
Jason Desjardins
jason@whereideascometohatch.com

A city and its story.

Saturday my family and I ventured out to the city to do some shopping. I had noticed how the sidewalks were not plowed two days after it snowed. I commented on how it must stink drudging through the snow. It made me think about how the city itself even has a story. We began watching how everyone was in their own world. Unobservant of anything but them. It is like the city not taking time for them. To plow the sidewalks, they don't take time to show them they care. Sometimes the littlest things can make a difference. We live about twelve miles outside the city and I go to work at or before 6:30 am and the crews are out plowing the sidewalks and getting rid of snowbanks. I pay higher taxes for it but I feel the town cares about its residents. Everyone knows everyone and everyone cares about one another. Land where we live is highly sought after, not so in the city. "If you don't want to be here we will fill your void. Then to only concrete our thoughts. We went through the Drive through at Dunkin Donuts for coffee. When we made it to the window the girl waiting on us handed us our order with her back to us while talking to a co-worker about her mother. I took our stuff and drove off with out any sort of thanks or personal service. Stories are everywhere and they say a lot. Wahts your story and what does it say? Now I know why I chose not to live in the city.

Happy Hatching,
Jason Desjardins
jason@whereideascometohatch.com

Gatherings

I believe in the power of groups. A group of people that believe in something hold a lot of influence. Whether what they believe in is a cause a product or service. I have been thinking about this concept a lot lately. Word of mouth is a powerful tool that is not always properly harnessed. Sometimes this leads to people being misled or feeling deceived. Imagine if you had a large gathering of people with a common interest maybe not all the same view. Some people that are curios about this cause, product or service. These people are given the tools and stories that go along with this common message and all the things they can imagine to try for free. All while benefiting a great cause. No one is forced a message, everyone is there by choice willing to listen, wanting to listen. They then want to tell others and get them involved... back to word of mouth and genuine stories. This is something I am going to work on making a reality. A consumer conscious for benefit gathering. I will keep you up to date on this idea and when it hatches I will post it here. Now I have some people to get in contact with.

Happy Hatching,
Jason Desjardins
jason@whereideascometohatch.com

Super Bowl commercials

What have we learned after the Super Bowl about advertising? The obvious is that companies will pay big bucks almost 3 million dollars for a 30 second ad. What do the companies get out of it? A lot of people talking about their ads if they are funny or just disturbing enough [you know which I am talking about]. Does this actually sell your product or service? I am in no hurry to go out and buy Doritos b/c of a life sized mouse beating up someone, funny yes. Nor, am I any more likely to by Sobe b/c of lizards dancing to Thriller. I will admit they get a lot of talk time and free publicity but in my opinion most of the time this will not lead to extra sales. Why not spend that money on fundamental grass roots marketing. Tell your story and why you are better and why your product should be bought. It is the story of your services and products that people buy and fall in love with. You can buy alot more marketing and sales with three million than one ad that will get alot publicity. I truly dont believe that publicity will always = sales. A genuine product and story will=word of mouth, which=sales and loyalty.

Happy Hatching,
Jason Desjardins
jason@whereideascometohatch.com

Customers and their satisfaction.

Being in marketing, I am always watching and listeneing for the underlying stories of everything. I go out to eat on a frequent basis, I am not talking McDonalds but places where you are actually served. Have you ever noticed that all dinner long you are being interupted by the waitress. "How is your meal?" "Can I get you a refill?" "Would you like more bread?" "Would you like this packaged up?" The last being really important, that means you are all done your meal and would like to get your check and leave. You have had your [hopefully] great meal and you and your family would like to go now. Now what happens is crucial. The amount of time it takes to get that check. I would think this being crucial in getting the next customer sitting and keep people from waiting. Although it never fails that the server seems to disappear at this point taking at least on average five minutes. Doesn't seem long but when you are done and ready to go it is an eternity. If any servers or restaraunt managers are reading, I belive that this is an important part of customer service. Almost all restaraunts pride themselves on speedy great and friendly service. This is part of your story, what I tell other customers. That story though has to be from start to finish or it doesn't count!

happy Hatching,
Jason Desjardins
jason@whereideascometohatch.com