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Wondering what the big retailers do every year to up their marketing game? This short Wall Street Journal video reveals how mall operators looked at the high-end retailers and are now borrowing some of their best practices to attract the crowds. Reports are that about 47% of Black Friday shopping is now done online. Where is your competition coming from and what are some other industries you can explore to brainstorm new ways to market you and your clients’ services?

View the video here.

http://www.centralvacuumstores.com/about/us.php

Did you ever call a business just because they looked like they were doing something right?

I did this morning…and they matched their web presence…what a beautiful moment.

Looking for a new company to service my central vacuum system, of course, I went to Google.  Now, why didn’t I go to the folks I usually go to?  Rude receptionist…third degree…voicemail…you know the routine.

I call the company above.  The owner ANSWERS the phone.  He sounds totally inviting.  Now, unfortunately, he’s not in my area (I could have done a bit more thorough research…but then I wouldn’t have talked with him).

So, while I’m not going to do business with him, I compliment him on his site and suggest he adds a blog.  He tells me it’s at the bottom of the page — I suggest he adds it above the fold.  He says he’ll tell his webmistress (wife).  Family business!  And I could hear his appreciation for her in his voice.  Sweet!

I joke, you should give her a raise.  He laughs.  How many small business owners today are paying more to their employees than they take home? It’s a weird moment the first time that happens, then, as small business owners, we suck it up and keep plugging away.

So, hats off to every entrepreneur today — and to every entrepreneurial thinker out there wherever you are. 

Keep workin’ it!

I’ve had it. Today, another story about another government employee accused of taking a bribe. This one, Richard Lopez Razo, U.S. State Department employee.

Let this be the official collection site for your stories — of how you’ve simply served constituents, how your commitment to serve has won out over nefarious offers where you could have sold out.

I’ve talked with too many good people…people who are committed to serving their nation, their state, their president, their governor — the unsung heroes of government. The people who just want to do a good job everyday.

So, whether you’ve been solicited, offered special goodies or not — just send in your hard-work stories of success. Let’s brag about the good stuff…write your own good headline.

Keep on keepin’ on!

Looking for some quick inspiration to keep you going today? You’re not alone. Don’t let the system getchya down! Below is an excerpt. For the full article, click here.

Honoring You, Your Leadership & Your Service to Others,

Penni

The 10 Paradoxical Commandments of Government by Ken Miller (Governing Magazine)

As the great change agent Margaret Meade said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Grab the wheel. – See more at: http://reallifemagic.com/blog/#sthash.F5cBgV0k.dpuf

With that in mind, I give you the Paradoxical Commandments of Government. These are the reasons why changing your agency is so hard — and why you should do it anyway. Of course, commandments, like hotdogs, only come in packages of 10 (even though buns come in packages of 12), so I had to whittle down the list. I left out some of the pithier ones, such as, “The councilman’s cousin is going to get the job; try hard anyway,” and “No one will read the report you are working on; write it well anyway.” I have also by no means exhausted all the possibilities. In fact, I’d love to hear more commandments from you, my fellow change agents.

The Paradoxical Commandments of Government

1. The reward for doing good work is more work. Do good work anyway.

2. All the money you save being more efficient will get cut from your budget now and forever. Find efficiencies anyway.

3. All the bold reforms you make will be undone by the next administration. Make bold reforms anyway.

4. There is no time to think about improving what we do. Make time anyway.

5. Employees may fight the change every step of the way. Involve them anyway.

6. The future is unpredictable and largely out of your hands. Plan anyway.

7. The press only cares when something goes wrong. Share your success stories anyway.

8. Legal will never let you do it. Simplify it anyway.

9. If you develop your people they will move on to better jobs. Train them anyway.

10. Your ideas will at best make someone else look good and at worst get you ostracized by your co-workers. Share your ideas anyway.