michaelcalienes’s posterous

It doesn't stop. The information keeps coming. The applications continue being developed. The feeds keep streaming. And sometimes it feels like all you can do is watch, mouth agape, as the status updates keep scrolling down your screen like the end of a really confusing movie whose credits never end.

Here's the good and bad news. It's not going away.

As a matter of fact, you're probably already involved in that ubiquitous conversation. Just read this brief article which cites that "77% of YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter listings that appeared for brand searches were controlled by a party other than the marketer." It means people are sharing information about experiences with their social networks.

Although you can't control what people say, you can listen and respond, which are two simple ways to make you and your company look more alive and involved than it's ever been -- and that's a huge step toward impacting your bottom line.

The important thing to focus on is what your business needs to accomplish. Stop thinking about not what everyone else is seeming to accomplish by what they're posting. After all, the only successes you can accurately account for are your very own.

Once you've spelled out your business goals, you'll be able to more easily filter out what you DON'T need to be doing -- which is probably most of what's making you crazy.

I won't say it's a piece of cake, but it's certainly less overwhelming than you might think.

Need some guidance? We're here to help you define where you want to go -- and draw the road map that can guide you there.

Loading mentions Retweet

When I took my first bite, I chalked it off to The Red Elephant Grill kitchen having an off night -- which is unheard of. When I returned three weeks later, the result was the same. Crestfallen, I asked the our waitress if she wouldn't mind getting the manager (my wife always loves when I do this).

It wasn't 30 seconds before Jeff Hanson, General Manager, appeared, introduced himself and asked how he could help us. Pushing back a tear, I asked what was up with the chicken salad?

Apparently, the original chicken salad recipe had been getting some disheartening reviews from customers. Now, it was gone. The tarragon and walnuts had been evicted, only to be replaced by grape halves. My chicken salad wrap had been transformed into something that no longer compared.

Noting my disappointment, Jeff quickly said, "Tell you what, next time you come in, call me fifteen minutes before and I'll make it for you the old way."

I heard angels sing, and an elephant trumpet. Jeff seemed to bask in a heavenly glow.

Over the next couple of months, I visited with my daughter and wife but didn't bother asking Jeff to make good on his offer. After all, who wants be that annoying customer? (My wife, however, will tell you that I am, and she would love telling you this).

Last week, I went for it. I called ahead and spoke to the Assistant Manager, Jeri Render. I explained the "situation" and she said, hold on, let me get Jeff. She got back on the phone about three seconds later and said, "Jeff says come on over."

Fifteen minutes later, I was sitting with my daughter, enjoying the original chicken salad wrap recipe. It was perfect. Better than perfect, actually. It was made just for me, by the fearless leader of a fun-loving group of people who seem to always be going the extra mile.

The Red Elephant Grill became our family's go-to restaurant since we moved to the Northeast side of Tallahassee. When we're in no mood to crank up the stove, our 3 year-old daughter stills get her grilled-cheese-and-fries, my wife her single serving pizza, and me, well, since there's no more tarragon or walnuts, I go for the grilled mahi mahi. When you're there, you can always count on the food being hot, the atmosphere being fun, the music being funky, and the staff being unforgettable.

Well done, folks. Very well done.

Loading mentions Retweet

Whether you want to explore social media tools or discuss how you can more effectively market your business in today's quickly evolving marketplace, The Conversation Factory can be your learning center. From facebook, twitter, and other social media applications to establishing a trustworthy online presence and managing your time, we'll tailor one or a series of Custom Conversation sessions that can get you moving in the right direction with clarity and focus. Fast.

1-on-1 Conversation:*
$70 per hour

2-on-1 Conversation (bring a friend, save a few bucks):
$50 per person per hour

3-on-1 Conversation (bring two friends, save a few more):
$40 per person per hour

Please email me for groups of more than three.

Book your Custom Conversation by simply emailing me or calling 850.459.8192.

If you'd like to learn more about the kinds of ideas and guidance we can offer, consider attending one of our fun, electric Conversation Friday sessions held every Friday (unless otherwise noted) from 12-1pm at The Conversation Factory, just off Capital Circle and Mahan. More about those sessions here.

*Previous guests of Conversation Fridays will receive 1-on-1 sessions for $60 per hour. Discounts available for non-profit organizations.

Loading mentions Retweet

Conversation Fridays at the conversation factory weren't meant to be a networking session in the traditional sense. We certainly don't exist for the purpose of pitching business to each other. But what's happening is exactly what I hoped would happen: guests are beginning to earn trust and business by sharing their perspectives and ideas. After all, sharing ideas IS pitching business, but doing it like this is so much more powerful, genuine, and human than traditional sales approaches.

By the time each session ends, everyone knows who you are, what you do, and what makes you unique in your space. Of course, this last part depends greatly on your participation during our one-hour session.

If you're interested in attending, email me or just post a message on the conversation factory's wall on facebook. We encourage reservations because we strive to limit our sessions to 10 people so that everyone gets a chance at participation, though we certainly don't frown on you if you're a serial listener.

You can bring your business cards and your ideas, just leave the sales pitch at the door. A one-hour conversation beats 10 second elevator speech any day of the week -- especially Fridays.

Have a great weekend.

Loading mentions Retweet

So. What do you do when you launch a facebook page featuring a new product people hate? If you're Honda, and your product is the CrossTour set to release this fall, you put a copywriter and a lawyer together in a freshly-disinfected room, turn on the fluorescent lighting, set the thermostat to about 64º, and get to work.

1. Set up a "Message to Fans" tab; after all, who wants to speak directly to anyone responsible for the very thing being berated?
2. No matter how strong the urge, do not respond directly to anyone.
3. Post a commercial that doesn't even show the car, thereby fueling fans' opinions.
4. Make visitors become fans to access "exclusive content."
5. Explain the removal of comments with something warm and fuzzy like, "We removed comments that were posted contrary to American Honda's consumer-generated media policy for associates."

I could go on, but you get the point. Although a lot of bad has been said about the Honda CrossTour (and its social media efforts), it's apparent Honda didn't do enough social media homework to soften the blows they never saw coming. Personally, I don't think the car looks all that bad -- certainly the social media effort was designed much more haphazardly. I'd say it was as well thought out as the Pontiac Aztek (now THAT is one ugly vehicle).

Happy Sunday.

Loading mentions Retweet

I-10 east
I95 north
traffic on 278
Hilton Head South Carolina
Beachside Tennis
meat lovers pizza
booboos & band-aids
shrimp & grits
crabbing
biking on the beach
swimming
biking to harbor town
lighthouse climb
114 steps
smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, chopped onions
Savannah, GA
Paula "not eatin there" Deen
river street
dockside southern style buffet
cornbread fried chicken collard greens mac and cheese stuffing
a salad
tiny beers with tiny limes -- yes, coronitas
Claire Ben Ashley Julie Brandon
Myra Virgil
Jen Ruby Michael
Nicki -- and Josh via text
stacy's pita chips
ahi tuna salad
salty dog
missing Rodney
green ice cream with chocolate chips
chocolate ice cream
you really want cotton candy ice cream?
cool water currents
happy dolphins
shark!!
low tide rivulets
like walking in a dryer full of wet clothes
tandem bike drag
Italian night
grampa
stroganoff
effen raspberry vodka
canceled golf
early departures
i'll-fitting merrells
low country boil
she's eating broccoli & hot dogs?
beach walks
crabbin'
crab hats
hello kitty kite
butterfly kite
bi-plane kite
mushy sand
pizza flavored pretzels? yea, gross.
hummus
Italian night
fried calamari
diet sunkist & vodka? really?
bananagrams
cranium
harbour town
signe's heaven bound bakery
traffic on 278
I95 north
I-10 east
get the dogs at MoJo's
i don't wanna cook either -- Lucy Ho's, please
that was a great vacation.
good night.
love you ruby.
love you mommy and daddy.
love you too.
can't wait till next year.

Loading mentions Retweet

post to facebook, twitter, tumblr, your own blog , etc... by simply emailing your posterous.com address from your own email address. attach pictures, video, and audio directly into your email and send.  killer simplicity. for example, i posted this message on facebook via email, as well as this blog post --> http://www.transplant-1.com/blogorama/this-is-a-test-post-from-email-via-posterous/

Loading mentions Retweet

Posterous is a new service that lets you by emailing a specific posterous.com address from your email account. In doing so, posterous grabs the content in the email and posts it where you ask — either on facebook, twitter, your blog, etc... Well, it's time to see how it works.

Loading mentions Retweet