Blog Management

I decided to modify my blogging efforts and try to keep some 'theme' consistent for each blog. So I have now migrated my fire related training to a new blog called www.2in2out.blogspot.com

This blog will continue to focus more on my professional business life and my adventure racing will still be on www.tmmar.blogspot.com

Holiday Inn

I started the following blog a few days ago after seeing this new commercial by Holiday Inn. I was interrupted by false alarm fire call (a story for another day) and I am finally getting back to finishing it.

Awareness. Retention. Acquisition. Trial. Loyalty. Repeat. Engagement.
These are key terms I think about when I am 'thinking' about how drive more revenue. Any good marketer is looking for a strategy that can be measured. It might be as simple as reservations or units sold or more complex like a percentage increase in click through’s on a specific site over a defined period of time. This commercial is funny. It is very creative. And yes it is even getting me to write about. But is going to drive more revenue? Will it encourage a frequent traveler to ask....maybe I should stay at a Holiday Inn? Will remind a family that Holiday Inn provides accommodations? Will it encourage someone to take a trip that would never be taken before? Upgrade to a more expensive room? Order a movie? Anything incremental?



I am all for entertainment. Even at the expense of marketing and advertising dollars....but what value is being driven?

One Cool Video

The CMO at BestBuy posted a link to this video on Twitter. I am glad he did as it really made me smile today.


Where the Hell is Matt? (2008) from Matthew Harding on Vimeo.

Great Post on Blogging

I picked up this post on Twitter from Desarev . Great overview on blogging.

Response to the question about customer loyalty vs loyal customers

David Gandrud: Good question. Customer Loyalty is not a result of a good marketing strategy or even a well planned rewards program. Customer loyalty is the byproduct of providing an exceptional service or product that, at a minimum, meets the needs of the customer and at a price point and convenience factor that places your product/service in the mindset that drives repeat business above and beyond other solutions or competition. Loyalty Marketing is the strategy that is used in a heavily commoditized space or one with significant competition and minimal differentiation. This strategy is used create a point of difference that says, all things being equal, I might as well get rewarded for my behavior.

See posting on Linkedin.

Job Hunting - - Week Two

I am writing this blog with the intention of posting after I have firmly landed on the ground with a new job. I am officially one week into my official transition from SoftBrands and I have three more weeks of being on the payroll.

Over the last two weeks I have spent nearly every business day meeting with at least one or two individuals...building the network. This week the 'opportunities' have seem to come fast. As it stands now I am interviewing for the following:

Company "A"--Publisher, Director of Marketing. This is a solid opportunity and one that I think I will get an offer on. I am currently one of two remaining candidates.

Company "B" -- Category Director. This opportunity came about from an inside contact who was able to get me in front of the recruiter after they had conducted the first rounds of interviews. Feels good but there are a lot of candidates.

Company "C" -- Consultant and Full time. This came about from a placement agency. This is one of those large, institutional companies that is low on my list of "ideal" situations. But an opportunity (two) none the less

Agency "D" -- just met up with this one today. Had not expectation that they were even looking but it appears they might be and it could be a great opportunity. Excellent culture. Great people.

Company "E" -- This one just surfaced as well today. Another institutional company that is low on my radar screen.

Agency "F" -- This one actually started in mid-September. This one is a Q1 opportunity that still needs a requisite.

As 'good' as this seems I am still a pessimistic realist when it comes to my own doings. I plan for the worst......even though I know I am doing everything I can.