Walt Disney

"If you can dream it, you can do it."

Walt Disney,

founder of The Walt Disney Company

It's Not About Britney!

Some Sexy Car - Volkswagen - Eos

This is when the otherwise-pleasant Wilco-scored Volkswagen ads jumped the shark. No dude, you are NOT the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man.

Ayn Rand is Toxic for Free Enterprise

Adrian Bye of Tasmanian Consulting writes:

Most of you know that I'm a huge Ayn Rand fan and believe its critical for entrepreneurs to read. I've noticed that a large percentage (70%+) of successful entrepreneurs have read her. So I asked my friend over dinner if he had read her, and naturally he had, when he was in highschool. And I was shocked to hear that while he liked her a lot in the past, he now views her material as toxic.

He suggested that it's the kind of material that puts a target on your back if you're successful, and would create an unpleasant world if everyone studied her.

His point was that successful entrepreneurs will be successful anyway, and are just naturally attracted to Ayn Rand but would be better off without it and don't need it.

Phil Evans The Newcastle Philosopher

I noticed this gem when reading a back issue of Phil's newsletter:

2008 is a year to be embraced in every way possible;
a year to live out our personal dreams;
a year to fulfill our goals and all of our personal visions;
a year to rejoice in the potential we all have as individuals, and to realise the greater potential we have as a united community - both locally and globally;
a year to think big and focus on world peace;
a year to live with a feeling of complete gratitude, by focusing on what we have, rather than on what we don't have;
a year to live in harmony and abundance; and
a year to be the best darned person we can possibly be, as much of the time as possible!

And remember this: Never be afraid to be wrong: think of the joy it brings to others!

Phil Evans - People Stuff

WatchIndia.TV Bonanaza

If you are missing your favourite Bengali television programs, you can now watch them on your PC.

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There is constant local news and culture, the latest hot talent reality shows and lots of food programs to keep you challenging your appetite.

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Qantas Staff Excell on QF653

On Wednesday I travelled from Melbourne to Perth on QF653

A Customer Service Disaster was close when the passenger in 4C directly across the isle from me started to feel fluid running onto his head... what could it be?? Three cabin staff appeared, treated the matter professionally but, importantly, in great humour, and the offending "passengers water bottle which had sprung a leak" was located and removed.

Every one was assured there were no further problems and each and every water soaked item was dried, rearranged and re-stowed. And a happy tone was set for the trip - over 4 hours - to Perth.

The Customer Service Manager for the flight was a Kiwi lass called Vicki and she made the trip memorable. And as the mood that resulted from the "averted disaster" caught everyone on board, the meal service was exceptional - the food wasn't bad either! - and I was able to score an additional ice cream to boot.

My travelling companion was an SEO Expert ( search engine optimisation for the non web people reading this..) Franki Nguyen from TN3 and we chatted for the 4 hours. Franki has a fascinating story of the 2 years it took for his family - Vietnamese boat people - to get to Australia and how they have prospered here.

So, as a seasoned traveller, on "just one more flight" I have to say THANKS Vicki and your QANTAS team for a fabulous time on QF653 from Melbourne to Perth on Wednesday.

BONUS: On the labels of the Red Wine served with our meal there was a promo by Dan Murphy and Seppelt for Victorian Cabernet and with some "sweet talking" I left the plane with 6 tags for the FREE bottle of red... what a trip.

Income for blogging is a hot topic

I wonder how long writing reviews for websites will be a viable way to earn money on line.

I have had a quick search of the available opportunities for people blogs to do this and there seems to lots and lots of places to do this. However, the amount varies from .50c to $1000.

One I saw today which looks interesting is called, of all things SnapBomb and it claims to create buzz and feedback for websites. It will be interesting to see whether any traffic is generated to my site by the inclusion of their keywords snapbomb, buzz, and blog marketing.

Anyway, if you are interested in this type of income have a look at their site here.

How to Make Your Clients Addicted

I came across this great outline of how to get clients to feel good about dealing with you. It was in an email I got from the people at X2 Digital

When dealing with a business – Does it feel right? When something just feels right it is because your brain is telling you that it’s happy. As humans, our brain needs certain things and if it gets them - it will be attracted to them in the future. We become addicted.

Understanding what triggers these feeling with your customers is the essence of effective marketing. Digital Marketing has a key role in these trigger processes. You should examine what messages and triggers your customers enjoy when dealing with you. Look at you repeat customers; what are you doing to create addictive relationships? And how can you expand these?

Typically your clients must feel at least three of the following four things at very high levels:

1 - Certainty Certainty Clients must be certain that they will get what they expected (service, professionalism, face time, delivery, information, outcomes, quality, product etc). Every time – without fail. What are your client’s expectations?

2 - Connection Clients must feel connected with your business, people or offer. It must sustain a strong relationship that rewards the client emotionally. (learn their names, habits, needs, support their feel of who they are or want to be etc). Not treating the customer simply as a number - you can perhaps even have fun.

How can you connect with your customers?

3 - Variety Clients feed off variety. They must feel they are getting change and choice from your offer. Nothing ever stays the same. (delivery, range, niches, variations, colour add-ons etc). Surprise and delight them – add spice into your customers life. Just think of the design industry; fashion, cars, razors etc

What can you create today that feeds this need for variety?

4 - Significance Significance is a big one and guess what - Everyone wants it. Developing in your client a feeling that they are valued, important, individual, and unique is often essential. When you are remembered, how does it make you feel? If you are complimented on your appearance or your choices - you can feel touched. Equally when using the brand or service you are fulfilling a desire to feel more of the person you aspire to be. (Marlborough Man, Greenpeace, Union Member, white glove service etc).

How are you building this feeling with your clients?

Japanese Roofed Courtyard Entry

Some of our pounding around the countryside is bringing us to the attention of Japanese demolishers, one of whom has just sent us images of a roofed courtyard entry and gate they have for sale.

We are not sure if a market exists for Japanese architectural pieces exists so I thought I would ask your opinion.

If we bought this to Australia we would need to sell it for $6000.

Do you think anyone would pay that?

Keith McLennan
http://www.japon.com.au

Would you believe these facts...

These interesting observations came from David Craker:

The strongest muscle in the body is the tongue.

(Hmmmmmmmmm........)

Right-handed people live, on average, nine years longer than left-handed people do.

(If you're ambidextrous do you split the difference?)

The ant can lift 50 times its own weight, can pull 30 times its own weight and always falls over on its right side when intoxicated.

(From drinking little bottles of what?)

(Did taxpayers actually pay for this research??)

Polar bears are left handed.

(Who knew....? Who cares? How'd they find out, did they ask them?)

David Craker

“We bring your ideas to life”
http://www.inventconnect.com.au/

Kiwi Funny Business...

Humour in Business Awards New Zealand - Founder and Convenor - Pat Armitstead

“Business is about only two things – fun and profit. Successful companies are able to combine these two attributes. The Humour Awards ensure that we recognise the fun part of business”
Tony Falkenstein – Red Eagle Corporation – Judge

"I am delighted to be hosting for the 3rd consecutive year New Zealands Humour in Business Awards. The awards are designed to celebrate the notion of fun at work and contribute towards the general well being of individuals, teams and the nation. The aim is to raise awareness of the ways humour and fun contribute to workplace enjoyment and personal and team productivity. Entries for the awards need to be submitted by April 1st with judging being done by Mike Hutcheson, Ex MD Saatchi and Saatchi and now Director of Lighthouse Ideas, Tony Falkenstein from Red Eagle, and Barbara Plester, BBS, MBS (hons) Lecturer at Auckland University whose thesis was on humour in the workplace, Barbara said “Research suggests that enjoying fun and humour at work has impacts on employee retention, satisfaction and even performance and our entrants showed this in a variety of ways. “

Vegas Fun Online

The very latest in online casino fun is now available, and the website is FANTASTIC. There are loads of casino games to choose from and the download software makes everything easy.

Whatever you level of experience 32Vegas has a game and a plan for you. You are supported by live phone support and it seems that many languages are also offered. You can top up your account using various web payment systems so you can play to your hearts content.

The website is so cleverly designed that you would think you are in a real vegas casino! When I last visited there was a $3.9m bonus available... just like the real thing.

Just shove him out in front of the policeman's gun!

A woman was alone in her home in West Jordan, Utah, when someone knocked on the door. She was working and ignored it. A moment later a downstairs window smashed and three burglars climbed through.

Terrified, she grabbed a cordless phone, hid in an upstairs closet, and called police.

"One of the burglars came into the room I was in," said the 21-year-old victim, who didn't want to be identified. "Nothing was going through my mind except, 'Please don't look and find me'."

That's when the burglar decided to look for valuables in the closet. He even brushed across her boots and legs, but didn't look up; he would have seen her face. When police arrived, all three took refuge in the room, and one decided to hide in the same closet she was in.

"He didn't even realize I was standing there. He was smashing me up against the wall," she said. When police entered the room she burst out of the closet, yelling "He's in here! He's in here!" -- surprising the burglar even more than the officers.

All three men were captured; they were armed with knives.

Deseret Morning News

Crusing Our Life Away

As the pace of the 21st Century heats up, slow down and take a romantic cruise. Your holiday will automatically transform into leisurely paced adventure where days and nights seem as one and everyone really enjoys themselves.

Winter, summer, spring or autumn will make no difference to the experience of walking along the deck of a grand cruise vessel, feeling it keeping the rhythm with the gentle waves or being pitched to and thro by swells and ocean spray. You will marvel at the feeling of being at one with nature.

Cruising with during a Princess Cruises vacation will have you heading to an exciting exotic port-of-call. With your every need anticipated by vacation professionals who make sure you are completely relaxed, stress-free, and happy.

Each cruise company has a distinct feel and when you choose Royal Caribbean it will mean a completely relaxed, stress-free, and happy holiday will be yours! With over 150 exotic ports of call and destinations listed with Cruise Vacation Centre you will be spoiled for choice.

Value for money is what Royal Caribbean Cruise offers! Everything on board has been included in your fare so that you can be guarantees of a very affordable, active and entertaining vacation.

Looking for real adventure or something a little more exotic? Then your choice must be Norwegian Cruise Lines where your fellow cruisers know how to enjoy the adventure. Like you, your fellow cruisers are active travelers who are looking for new experiences, choices for the whole family and great value

Remembering that a dollar saved is often foolhardy, you know that your cruise holiday will be fabulous. Operating since 1993, Cruise Vacation Center has sent over 250,000 passengers sailing. Cruise Vacation Center strives to provide clients with a cruise specifically planned to their tastes, always providing extraordinary personal service and the lowest prices.