Dan’s Surfing Snippets

As a business entity we utilize the service of other companies for many needs. Companies and organizations, large and small, contract with many other companies and sub-contractors for services and products and quite a number have these same arrangements for year after year.

You get used to the status quo.

It gets to be routine and you take it for granted that they are giving you the best possible service for the best possible price; that they know what they are talking about and that they are the most knowledgeable in their field. But that isn’t necessarily so.

I was recently having a conversation at a business meeting with a good friend from Brady Ware, Jim Cornett. One of the services they provide is brokering the best health insurance a company can purchase for their needs.

Just this past week Jim was doing his normal fact-finding for a potential new client and discovered a very simply error that will now save this new client $75,000 per year! That means that this client was unnecessarily paying $75,000 for the past three years! My point, their current provider was not doing it right for the client.

An attorney friend of mine Jeff Senney, with Pickrel, Schaeffer and Ebeling, has saved countless businesses from IRS problems through the years, mainly because their current providers were not doing it right. As a CPA and attorney he is an expert in Business Tax Law.

People say the housing market is slow. Not according to my friend John Warner of Real Living. He thinks outside the box for both buyers and sellers alike and gets things done.

Mortgage problems? Sheri Smith at National City Mortgage knows how to get through the mountains of options and paperwork to get the right home mortgage to fit your needs. She also goes way beyond her competitors to help people out.

The question to ask yourself as an executive is “Are all my subcontractors knowledgeable and providing the best service at the best possible price?

You don’t always have to pay for good service. Another good friend of mine from Smith Barney, Jennifer Baker, will take a look at your portfolio and financial situation (even if not a client) and methodically and meticulously set up a plan for you whether or not you sign with her company… all for free. That alone tells me a lot about her high quality service and dedication to her clients. She takes pride in doing it right.

No one wants to pay taxes but having a tax accountant that really knows the Federal and Ohio Tax Code is essential. My friend Brittany McCune, CPA of Clark, Schafer, Hackett & Co. can help you get through the maze of laws and is there for the long haul. Start-up businesses are her specialty.

I suggest we all should periodically re-evaluate our current service and product providers to see how they compare to their competitors.

I know many caring, friendly, competent and knowledgeable business people in the Dayton-Miami Valley Area, like Dave Roark of Chapel Electric, Jeff Anderson of Monroe Heating and Air Conditioning, Brian Smith of Ed Smith Flowers, Donna Armentrout of the Massage Connection and Dave Dickinson of HRI Commercial Realty and many more.

If you need a business service or just want to get another opinion, I will be happy to recommend a quality provider. Just contact me at dan@spiritsgifts.com

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Almost every day I hear people complaining about the poor and sometimes shoddy service they are receiving out there. And frankly I am surprised.

It’s a known fact that the quality of service either makes or breaks a company. So I find it a no-brainer that giving excellent, timely and efficient service should be the ultimate goal of any organization.

But the fact of the matter is that the companies that give excellent service are too few and far between. Sure making a profit is the main reason that drives most businesses. However, it doesn’t cost any more to be pleasant and take a little time to listen to what your customer needs and what they have to say.

Timely service is important. People don’t want their time wasted nor do they want to feel that they are unimportant or slighted by having to unnecessarily wait.

A good example comes to mind. A few years ago I received a call from a business associate that the company they worked for was having a problem with their current webmaster.  Seems that they would give him items to post on their website and weeks later it still was not up. They would have to make several calls urging him to follow through and his answer always was, I am swamped and will get to it when I can.

Wow! I could not even imagine myself treating a customer that way. Needless to say, I got the business and they are very happy with my same-day service.

I would think that having less customers and give quality service is better than having too many customers and giving them all bad service. Does greed stand in the way of better judgment?

Fine restaurants make their reputation from the fine service and food quality they provide. People are smart and love to be treated well and know it when they are mistreated. Customers deserve great service and those companies that do so build a loyal customer base.

I always believe in the Golden Rule and that the customer comes first. But this philosophy set aside, no business can survive without its customer base. Therefore, if customers are so important, then why not treat them as such… with dignity, high regard and excellent service!

If you are looking to grow your business at a good steady pace then proper networking will certainly help you reach that goal. But building solid business relationships is key.

Here’s a great example. The other day I forwarded an email to selected business associates about a local accounting firm that was expanding into the HR market. One of my business networking associates emailed me about getting connected with the CEO of this firm. I have known the CEO for several years and have built a mutually trusting relationship. I emailed the CEO to see if he would meet with my business associate. He emailed me back that he would and they have an appointment date to discuss doing business together.

Subconsciously the trust and bonding that I have with the CEO gets transferred to the business associate through my introduction. This scenario could not and would not happen if there was not a solid business relationship between myself and the CEO.

But, it’s just not about attending a lot of networking events. You have to start by getting your face out there so that you are recognized.

Social events are also very important. Many play golf and many deals have been made on the golf course.

The Dayton Chamber of Commerce hosts many networking events and is a great resource.

It is important to meet other business people so they get to know you. Therefore, it is important to meet in more depth environment on a one-on-one basis. You can do this over lunch or a cup of coffee. It should be a place without distractions as you have a goal to achieve… getting better connected.

What you each want to do is talk a little about your history and what got you to do what you are now doing. Your aim is to have people build trust and confidence in your company, your abilities and most importantly you.

If you belong to BNI (Business Network International) then you already know what I mean. It is called a “dance card” and has to do with setting up this 1:1 meeting and communicating, in more depth than you can accomplish at a group meeting, what type of referral(s) you are looking for and visa versa.

I am not going to refer someone to a client unless they have my 100% confidence and trust. Remember… a poor referral is a negative against you.

You build trust and you find trust in others. Nevertheless, you should strive to fulfill the great expectations people have of you to keep you name in high regard.

Building relationships is important to all size companies but even more important to small size organizations because of limited budget for advertising. A good referral for a business opportunity is like gold and should be treated as such. And please keep in mind that a referral is the highest compliment that you can give or receive.

Seems like every day we hear about TV and radio promos, people or businesses emphasizing a “green” program or initiative.

I feel that these are all good for our country, our city and our state. It is good for our daily lives to be less polluted and more environmentally friendly. It is good to reduce our dependence on foreign oil. It is also good for us all to enthusiastically get behind a worthy cause that has positive and motivating consequences.

Like many things in this world, one person alone makes little impact but collectively we can move mountains, or in this case, move it greener.

The daily soaring of gas prices is forcing us all to change our habits and be more cost-conscious now instead of putting it off for a future “to do” list. It is certainly getting our attention. Going Green is something we should all be embracing not only from a personal but also a business perspective. We should take this adversity and turn it into opportunity.

There are many things we can do to make even a little impact, like changing from incandescent to fluorescent light bulbs, quit smoking cigarettes, driving cars that get better mileage or use alternative fuels, reducing unnecessary driving and being more aware of our own environment and habits while thinking about what else we can do to help in this cause.

From a business standpoint we can also do our part. I hear about many initiatives by companies and government entities that are making a large impact like converting their fleets to propane, installing solar panels on the roofs of their buildings, installing wind turbines, and re-cycling garbage and waste into energy.

Even a small business such as ours can do its part. Our “green initiative” is to have less face-to-face meetings which means not driving to and from meetings and thereby saving on both the cost and consumption of gasoline. We accomplish this by creating a wip (work in progress) website so our clients can see the progress of their new website design 24/7, from any computer with Internet access via this link. This also saves a lot of meeting time for our clients and is less disruptive to their normal business daily routine.

Video conferencing is being used by the medical field, in education, by corporations and even on individual video phones to virtually bring people together without the cost, travel expense, time and gas consumption that they would normally encounter.

This is now the “new frontier” when it comes to invention, innovation and investment. Finding a better and cleaner way to produce energy is the new wave that can not only help us get “greener” but can also be the saving force that helps our country’s economy by producing more jobs and wealth right here in the USA.

Dayton has a long history when it comes to inventions. We are currently losing a lot of manufacturing businesses and jobs. What better way to boost our economy than to be at the forefront of ‘going green.’ Think about the possibilities. I’d like to hear what you are going.

Here’s more info:

http://www.treehugger.com/gogreen.php

http://www.forbes.com/2007/07/02/green-environment-energy-biz-cx_db_0703greenbiz_land.html

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/07/02/ecocities/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/08/03/AR2006080301454.html

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/002-4063737-6851259?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=going+green&x=16&y=18

My wife and I first moved to Dayton, Ohio from New York in 1978 during the winter blizzard of ‘78. So we have been here for 30 years! And that trip took 3 days by car!

You can say it was a bit of culture shock coming from a very large city of many millions to the Dayton Metro Area of a couple hundred thousand people. New York is the “city that never sleeps” and Dayton closes up shop at 5 pm.

The difference is striking but very positive for both of us. We love the Dayton area and the Dayton people.

Looking back it seems that a lot has changed in Dayton in 30 years. I can remember only two shopping malls, The Salem Mall (in Trotwood) and The Dayton Mall (actually in Centerville). They were both much smaller then. The Salem Mall was attractive and many times we would go there not only to shop but to do our daily walk. Many others had the same idea. We no longer have Harrigan’s Ford, Wolohan Lumber, Builder’s Square, the Kon Tiki Theater and Miami Valley Hardware.

On the radio we listened to Lou Emm and on TV 7 we watched Gil Whitney with the weather and Don Wayne, the Walter Cronkite look alike, seriously doing the news. I am sure you had your favorites. There were others on the other channels too like Johnny Walker on TV22 and Omar Williams on TV2. Remember Steve Kirk on WING radio? I also remember Erma Bombeck…gosh she was funny. Si Burick was a great sports writer for the Dayton Daily News. Oh yes, there was another paper called the Journal Herald.

James McGee was Mayor and we not only didn’t have I-675 but we didn’t have the Trotwood Connector either. This was before the pedestrian bridge at Deeds Park and there was no RiverScape Park and of course no RiverScape Fountain, which we enjoy. No Dragon 5/3 Field and no Schuster Center Theater.

Downtown at that time did not have the Fifth Third or Dayton Centre buildings. Coming from NY I don’t call them skyscrapers. We didn’t have the Private Fair Soldier Statue on Main and Monument. Although I heard that they did have it back in the late 1880’s. Wonder if it is the same statue?

I remember eating ice cream at Sherer’s and bowling at Bolero Lanes. Hara Arena is still around but I remember attending a lot of events there through the years including music concerts, pro wrestling, hockey (Dayton Gems then the Dayton Bombers) and country western concerts. Not a big CW fan but we took my Mom whenever she would visit from NY. She loves her “country music.” We were delighted to show off our town, including the Air Force Museum which just keeps growing and growing.

Sinclair Community College was much smaller then and has steadily grown in size and stature. And remember Rike’s Department Store and the famous Christmas Display.

Remember the Roger and the Zap Band? That was a tragic story.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnTxhO8L_YI&feature=related

We had no Internet then and no home computer until the early 80’s with the introduction of the Commodore. We did not have a cell phone but we did have a car phone that was attached to a large bag that we plugged into the cigarette lighter of our car and had very limited reception.

I wonder what 30 years in the future will hold? Will anything be left of the big automotive industry? What will be the Dayton Area population? What will be the main industry?

I am sure you have your Dayton Nostalgic moments too and I’d love to hear about them.

Click here for more Dayton Nostalgia:

http://mhs77.com:80/Nostalgia.html

http://www.thinktv.org/demand/dema_demand.html

http://www.gigsalad.com/Music-Groups/Oldies-Music-Group/OH/Dayton/5

Since the first dazzling commercials of the Apple iPhone I was both amazed and intrigued. I saw the crowds of people line up for hours to get their hands on a new generation of phone that used an innovative “touch Screen” method integrating gps technology to make calls, connect to the web and make phone calls all combined with the functions of a widescreen iPod.

For some reason I just stayed on the sideline and watched. Since I currently use Sprint I wasn’t too keen on switching to AT&T. This pricey device had some initial problems including slow connectivity to the web and a costly monthly phone bill.

Then Apple listened to its audience and came out with the faster and somewhat less costly iPhone 3G with even more features added. Still, you have to sign up with the AT&T network which leaves a lot to be desired. I have been using Sprint for years and if the iPhone let users choose a different network I might have purchased the 3G.

However, just a few weeks ago Sprint released their “touch screen” multimedia Smart phone the Samsung Instinct. The ads caught my eye and my curiosity peaked so I dove into my research of this alternative to the iPhone.

Having been fully satisfied with the better $129 price, better phone network with faster speed and similar options (as I compared the two) I ordered the Sprint Samsung Instinct. Value-wise the Samsung Instinct is also better than the new Verizon LG Dare. As a Sprint customer I was entitled to an additional rebate savings.

I did the order by phone and it took about two weeks to arrive because so many people have had the same idea. Sprint has been so swamped with orders that they are desperately trying to fill them as fast as possible.

The phone had to be activated so I did this by phone with a friendly Sprint representative and then they asked me to wait about 2 hours more for my current Sprint phone to be deactivated and for the transfer to take place.

The Samsung Instinct came with an additional battery and external battery charger which I thought was thoughtful. Other items include stereo Bluetooth headset and USB cable to connect with your PC when using the Media Manager Software to transfer music, photos and video clips.

Sure enough I was finally connected and online. The Instinct comes with a ton of features and some (to my surprise) not found at all on the iPhone like live mobile TV or speed dialing from the home screen and voice activated commands. With the iPhone you can only buy music via WiFi (when you can connect) and not cellular as with the Instinct.

I found it to be very user friendly and easy to navigate, especially with the three shortcut buttons at the bottom for back, home and phone. The iPhone only has one “home” button. The touch screen menus are very easy to navigate and you can adjust the touch sensitivity to suit your needs.

Narrower and lighter than the iPhone, the Samsung Instinct has a haptic feature  –a slight vibration when you touch a screen button— that lets you know that your command is received.

Samsung Instinct texting is in landscape mode which seems easier to use for me and vertical mode (you can also draw the characters with your finger or stylus) while the iPhone can only be used in vertical view during this operation. Yes, the visual experience using the iPhone is slightly better.

In comparison to the Apple iPhone and Verizon’s LG Dare the Sprint Samsung Instinct has the most features, the best value and does it all very well. These include Sprint TV, streaming audio content, visual voice mail, camera, camcorder, web browser, listening to music, viewing photos, GPS, Voice Command System, purchasing music online or slide loading from my computer, and the other standards such as calculator, clock,

email, test messaging, voicemail, notes, and more.

I am having a very a positive user experience with the Samsung Instinct. I have been able to easily make calls whether using Voice Command, Contact List or typing in the phone number. Call quality has been excellent. I was able to pull up the GPS Navigational system easily from both buttons and Voice Command. I especially like this feature for driving because a soft sounding voice gives you turn by turn instructions.

Although many online reviews have called the Samsung Instinct the “iPhone Killer,” which denotes a lot of praise, I wouldn’t go that far but would say that it can stand up head-to-head to the iPhone 3G. For me, I find it very practical and a lot of fun! For more info go to: http://www.instinctthephone.com/

I used to get colds all the time, especially during the cold wintry months. However, I have noticed that I haven’t had a cold or flu in the past few years! There must be a reason (I never had a flu shot in my life).

Yes, I understand that you can build up a resistance to certain strains but I also know that what we call the common cold (acute viral nasopharyngitis) mutates readily. So each cold virus we are exposed to is relatively “new” to our immune defense system. I have known people of all ages throughout my life who were always sick with a cold.

So I decided to reflect as to what I have been doing or not doing that has had an impact. I feel that sharing this information as to what has helped me might also help others.

I know that the common cold virus gets transmitted by contact, one person to another. An obvious example is if a person with a cold coughs or sneezes right into another person’s face. However, there are many not-so-obvious means of transmission.

If I have and cold and cough into my hand, then touch a door knob to open a door; then 48 hours later someone touches that same door knob and then touches their face, especially rubs their eye… boom, they catch a cold.

I don’t want to sound like Monk (the character on TV) but, if we really think about it, there are germs all around us. So what I have been doing is washing my hands often and using sani-wipes and liquid hand sanitizer whenever I am at meetings and especially after shaking hands.

I make sure that I do not touch my face while in public.

If I did have a cold I would not shake hands and state that I have a cold and do not want to spread it to others. If I cough, even to clear my throat I do not cough into my hand as that would only spread germs. I would cough into the inside of my suit jacket. I feel that it’s just common sense not to infect others.

No, I don’t run around and whip out a box of sani-wipes after shaking each person’s hand at a meeting. I am just conscious that when this happens my hands are possibly “contaminated” and I should keep them away from my face until later when I am able to wash my hands. When able I also wash my face and blow my nose. I believe this helps to get rid of the unwanted germs that might have been trapped in my nasal passages.

Another thing I do is take about 500 mgs of Vitamin C every day and whenever I think that I might be exposed to some sick people around me, as soon as I am able, I take EmergenC (powder in a packet, available at most health food stores) in water or juice (1000 mgs Vitamin C per packet) and I feel that my immune system gets that extra boost to ward off and prevent the impending infection. Whatever…mind or matter… it works for me!

There are other things that I do to stay healthy that I will be exploring at another time but staying cold-free is important enough to share now.

I can surf the web all day and night and one thing becomes quite evident…

p h y s i c a l    s t a g n a t i o n.

All of us who use computers a lot or have desk jobs suffer from the same problem. Our minds might be getting exercised but our bodies are not. And, as someone with a little bit of health of knowledge, I know that it is not good.

Long hours of sitting results in weight gain, poor muscle tone, and on and on. I know this and I am sure you do too. But whether it is laziness, lack of time, lack of motivation or whatever, the result is that we don’t get enough exercise.

I am the first one to admit that it is hard to find the time in a busy schedule to get to the gym or rec center. There’s travel time, time at the center, changing of clothes, time to travel back. I know– more excuses and that is what many of us do.

I saw a commercial on TV a few times about the Wii Fit Balance Board System and it caught my attention. So I did what we all of us do when something stirs our imagination… we surf the web. I found all sorts of YouTube and other videos on Wii Fit and I was further intrigued.

So I surfed some more and researched and researched. And the more I did the more I wanted one. Talking it over with my wife (like any good husband does) I found out that she wanted to exercise more but had trouble finding the time and had an interest in this new gadget. She also surfed the web and we decided to go right out buy one.

Well, we found out that to get the Wii Fit to work you first need the Nintendo Wii unit. Ok, we searched online for prices and then which stores carried them only to find they were all SOLD OUT! So every day we tried again and it was the same thing.

I figured the local stores must carry this stuff so rather than drive from store to store I searched the web for phone numbers and ended up calling a few. They said that they received shipments here and there but they get sold out immediately. Wow, does everyone have the same idea… guess so.

So every day we called and called. Days turned into weeks and finally we found a store that just got a shipment in. We talked the clerk into holding it for us and we rushed to the store and paid about $250 for the Nintendo Wii unit but still no Wii Fits in stock.

Taking the Wii home and unpacking I found out that it came with a Sports Games CD so we could at least get used to using this new system while waiting for the Wii Fit to come in. Without a doubt we were very impressed. I haven’t played interactive games since the days of Pac Man and the Mario Brothers at the mall arcades. Again, we were impressed not only with the fantastic video graphics but also how the wireless unit intuitively monitors each and every motion to give a very realistic experience. The attention to minute detail is phenomenal.

It was easy to get physically involved. Just turn it on, place in the CD and play the games. We were not just sitting or standing. We were moving around. We were bringing up a sweat. We were getting active!

Our drive and determination to add the Wii Fit package to our new Wii unit increased. We continued to call several stores on a daily, and sometimes hourly, basis. I bet the clerks recognized our voices. Finally persistence paid off. One store said that they just got a shipment of 8 in and they would put one on the side for us. How thoughtful… or maybe were they tired of all the phone calls.

Without hesitation I got in the car and drove down to the store and picked up the Wii Fit unit. They even had it on sale so I was able to get it for $85 including tax! There I go, spending my tax incentive check before I even get it. We also purchased a second Wii remote so we wouldn’t have to hassle with “passing the baton” back and forth.

This thing is amazing. It tracks your BMI (body mass index) and weight. You select a goal to loose weight and how many weeks to do so. It talks to you and gives you great advice just like having a personal trainer. The wireless Balance Board is able to pick up every slight shift in movement so it is able to help us with our posture too.

Exercises are divided into different categories: aerobics, yoga, strength and balance games. It’s the “ease and availability” that is the key. Every time I am able to take a short break I can simply walk over to where we have the unit installed and do an exercise for as long as I like. The virtual trainer recommends that it is better to have a schedule and stick to it. Like measuring the BMI and weight the same time of day each time.

Two weeks have gone by and we have both seen positive results. Most of all, we are motivated to get our bodies back in shape and stay there. As a tech freak, this is not only interesting, but it is FUN!

I often run across folks who have a business, add a website and expect thousands of customers to call immediately!

I wish life was that easy. Actually some have done very well via their website. However, I know you don’t want to hear it, but you have to work hard to get good results. More importantly, you have to work smart to get great results.

The basis of promotion is like good communication. You have your organization on one hand and your target audience on the other. The website can be the catalyst to get these together and can be very effective in communicating your message. Nevertheless, I am constantly amazed at seeing advertisement from companies and their website address is not included. This is such a waste of opportunity and money.

A good plan is needed that fits your budget. The fundamental objective is that each and every piece of printed and media material that leaves your office must have your website address on it. The obvious are flyers, brochures, all marketing print advertisement, and business cards. The not so obvious are signs on your vehicles, billboards, outdoor signs, TV ads, invoices… now are you getting the picture?

Don’t overlook every opportunity, including your emails. Think outside the box. Some might be right under your nose. As each business and organization is different, we impact the public in different ways. Look at each of these all around you and see if it includes your website address.

Then there’s the Internet. Hopefully your webmaster fully Optimized your website for the Search Engines before starting the Registration Process. This is extremely important for people to find your organization on Google, Yahoo, etc.

Speaking of Google and the other Search Engines, they love websites that have other websites that link to them. This helps your website ranking. Therefore, get as many organizations and companies that you know or belong to have a link on their website to yours.

Blogging is another way to promote your company. We are all experts at something.

You can start a blog about the subject that interests you evoke conversation. My friend David Bowman (see www.davidebowman.com) is paid by his company to blog full time. That’s all he does, but in doing so, spreads his brand and that of his employer throughout the world. You can’t even put a dollar amount on the value of this advertising.

There are so many ways to get involved with different groups on the web. However, just getting involved or listing is not enough. You have to promote your organization, list your website address, and build credibility like David.

Yes, this all takes a bit of time and energy but it will pay off in the long run. You do not have to put a lot of time into it but you should plan to do something every day on a consistent basis. Go ahead and promote your website!

Some people feel that if they have a website they can kick up their feet on their desk, fold their hands behind their head and wait for the big bucks to just roll in.

You might just as well go back to playing the Lottery.

Nothing can replace hard work and sound business judgment. There is no easy fix. Advertising and getting your word out is always important, especially in hard times.

A well designed website can increase sales and recognition for your organization or company, especially if it has been properly Search Engine Optimized and Registered.

Let’s look at advertising as a pie and the website as a slice in that pie. However, this piece of the pie has been growing larger and more important. Years ago a business was not considered credible if it didn’t have a fax machine. Then it was an email address. Now it is a website.  It is important for even small businesses to have a website presence. A website also gives every size business the same opportunity.

The same level playing ground.

The factors that contribute to success are not only credibility but also communication. A well-structured, well-designed website can be the communication focus of your organization; bringing people together more quickly by sharing more quality information than ever before. It can also save “non-cash-flow” time.

Take the hiring process as an example. The old way was to place an ad in the daily paper. This process would create the scenario of finding numerous applicants at your door; some of them fitting the categories of over-qualified and under-qualified. The form is completed in long hand. There are many questions and answers from the applicants, and other items to deal with all of which wastes a lot of time. This type of application process is very time consuming.

The more effective way is to utilize your organization website. You still place the ad but do not have a phone number or street address only the website address.  Therefore, applicants are directed to the website’s “Career Opportunities” button and a page that would describe the opening position(s) with a form for them to fill out online.  The completed form is sent via email to the appropriate person in your organization who receives the printed application(s). At the time of their choosing he/she can review these applications and call in only those they feel would be appropriate for an interview. This saves an enormous amount of time.

The latest stats I heard was that 86% of both individuals and companies, in need of  a particular product or service, look first on the Internet. If you don’t have a website you are being passed by. Can you afford not having this piece of the pie?