Old Style Folk is Alive & Well
By admin | May 21, 2009
The Berkshire Ramblers “old style.” of folk music is well known to traditional music lovers. The group is fronted by Joe Browdy and Alan Chartock, and has been active for more than forty years. Original Ramblers include Joe Browdy, Alan Chartock, Roselle Chartock and Octavio Hernandez. Also playing with the group is Bob Salzman and guest artist Seth Rogovoy. The Ramblers are known to collaborate and work with a wide variety of musicians. Rehearsals occur on stage during a gig. Today, The Ramblers limit appearances to events for not for profit institutions.
Alan Chartock, the Rambler’s banjo player, recently wrote a piece for the Troy Record. He advocates naming a bridge in honor of fellow musician and activist Pete Seeger. As President and CEO of WAMC, Northeast Public Radio, he may carry a bit more weight than the average banjo player:) I hope Pete gets his due.
The bottom line is this - the next time that you hear The Ramblers are going to appear at an event - don’t miss it. If you want to keep up with Alan Chartock’s daily musings, you can always follow him on twitter!
Topics: Marketing | No Comments »
Steve Rodrigue of FE Coding is broke - can you give him a job?
By admin | March 9, 2009
Perhaps you know Steve Rodrigue of FECoding http://www.fecoding.com. If so, he could use your help. You see, Steve took $950 from me as a down payment for a website that was never developed. Steve says he really wants to pay me back, but he doesn’t have the money. When I asked Mr Rodrigue what was completed on the job, he ignored my email.
I’m sure that Steve doesn’t want to be known as a thief or a deadbeat, and would welcome a loan from a good friend, so he could clear his name. Just in case Steve has burned all of his friends in
Of course that would suck for you, but at least I would be whole:)
I’m hoping that Steve does the right thing and issues a refund. If he does, I will let you know.
Topics: Marketing | 2 Comments »
Using the Web to evaluate Health Professionals
By admin | January 12, 2009
As the parent of a type 1 diabetic, I have my Google News Alert set for “type 1 diabetes” cure. This allows me to stay on top of the breaking news in this field. One of today’s alerts was titled “Treating the internet informed patient” The author is an arrogant jackass, Robert D. D’Ambrosia, M.D.
Dr D complains that “Most patients will freely admit that they have, at one time or another, researched health-related information on the Internet.” Imagine that - individuals without an MD behind their name having the nerve to research their symptoms. This does not sit well with the “good” doctor. In fact, Bobby D offers the following model as the ideal:
“At Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, patients newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, and their families, are instructed not to conduct any Internet-based research on their condition—at least for the first few days following diagnosis. This edict eliminates the misinformed patient.”
WTF - are you kidding me? I hope this isn’t true. Perhaps someone from Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia can set the record straight on this.
Dr D then bemoans: “If only this model could be cloned and used for all patients in every specialty.” Ah, yes Doctor. Damn those (mis?)informed patients who dare to take an interest in their own health. Why can’t they just shut up, listen to your diagnosis then do as you say without question?
When my son was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, I spent the next 24 hours straight (no kidding, there was no sleep) learning as much about this disease as possible via the web. The diabetes educator was stunned the following day by my knowledge & understanding of the disease. It seems that I was bright enough to separate the BS from the facts. I’m guessing that most patients have that same ability.
I also discovered the world of clinical trials for the treatment of newly diagnosed type 1 diabetics. This is something they DON’T discuss at the hospital and the window of opportunity is short. Many type 1 diabetes trials are limited to newly diagnosed patients. If you don’t act immediately, you will miss the chance to participate. I was on the phone to Columbia, Harvard & Yale 48 hours after my son’s diagnosis looking to get him enrolled in a clinical trial. I learned about the trials and the locations from internet research.
So why does this Doc have a hard on for patients that use the web for research? It might have something to do with this warning letter that I turned up when using the web to look into his background. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that D’Ambrosia would be cited by the FDA for “Failure to obtain proper informed consent prior to involving human beings as subjects.” This guy’s attitude appears to be that Doctor knows best & the patient should have no information nor say in his or her own treatment
Note to Robert D. D’Ambrosia, M.D.: This is 2009 - The days of Doctor as God are long gone. Get with the new plan or retire - no kidding. At least get in compliance with the FDA.
Topics: Marketing | 1 Comment »
Gratuity? - The UK doesn’t get it.
By admin | July 2, 2008
I just got back from SEO Class in the UK. This was a terrific class with world class presenters including Internet Marketing Consultant, Ammon Johns of Fresh Egg, SEO & business consultant, Brian Turner, Shaun Anderson, cofounder of HOBO, an SEO company in Scotland , and Lyndon Antcliff, master linkbaiter who offers a killer content creation service. Heck - even Quadzilla of the SEO Black Hat Blog
took time out from his world tour to make a presentation!
The class was a wild success. The presenters were all great guys. Everyone learned a lot & had a great time in the process.
Outside of the conference, I was somewhat surprised to discover that it is impossible to get decent service in a UK hotel, restaurant or pub. Need a room after flying all nite and arriving at the hotel at 7:30 AM? Too bad. Wait till 2:30. Never mind that these were arrangements made in advance.
Need to combine some tables at the restaurant for a large group? Well those tables aren’t going to combine themselves. Have at it my friend.
Ready to order your meal? Well, belly up to the bar, buddy. That’s right - all 10 in your party. You don’t expect the server to handle 10 orders do you?
Tipping in the UK is a “foreign” concept, so there is ZERO incentive to do anything, but scrape by. From what I heard, this even extends to the strip clubs (.)(.)
A note to visitors to the US from the UK: Please tip your server / strippers generously. The value of the GBP vs the USD is exceptionally strong . Sure, I used to be a cheap SOB who hated the idea of tipping, just like you - but I have seen the light.
Thanks Edinburgh
Topics: Marketing | 2 Comments »
CVS: Your order is confirmed (not!)
By admin | December 19, 2007
My wife happens to be staying with my son at Yale Medical Center in New Haven Ct. He is undergoing a clinical trial for newly onset type 1 diabetes. As you might imagine this puts a bit of pressure on Christmas shopping & mailing cards. In order to take some pressure off, she ordered Photo Holiday Cards online to pick up at the local CVS, planning to address & mail them from the hospital.
So, she placed the order & Got the following confirmation on Dec 18 at 9:25 AM
|
Fantastic!
For some crazy reason, my wife figured that if she went in that evening - a full 6 1/2 hours after the available pick up time that she could pick up the cards & be on her way - WRONG!
Instead, the clerk couldn’t find the cards & couldn’t give an explanation as to why they might be MIA. When asked what the store did in cases like this, the clerk had no answer. When asked when the cards might arrive - you guessed it - no answer.
That’s when I called Amy at the customer service number. It would appear that that little asterisk in the email designated that the 19 cent photo was ready - but NOT the cards. Nice. Amy admitted that the confirmation was “confusing” and the website was to be redesigned. But… since this doesn’t happen often, its a low priority.
I suggested that it might be a nice gesture to drop the cards off at the Ronald McDonald house, when they did arrive, to save my wife another trip to CVS. Amy would have none of that.
Sooo - when ordering cards from CVS, make sure you call ahead to make certain that your pickup location has the equipment to print the cards there. I’m really not sure why I have to spread the word about this, when CVS could easily explain the lead times on their website.
I bet if Penn & Teller were chairman & CEO of CVS, this wouldn’t happen!
Topics: Marketing | 1 Comment »
Penn & Teller “Get It”
By admin | December 13, 2007
I was in Las Vegas last week for Pubcon, an event dedicated to internet marketing. I happened to be on the same flight as Todd Malicoat, aka stuntdubl. Todd has a reputation as one of the smartest internet marketing minds in the business. He is also widely recognized as being the nicest guy in the world of internet marketing. Todd once again showed his generosity by treating 40 of his friends & colleagues to the Penn & Teller show at the Rio. Thanks Todd!
Penn and Teller are not only great magicians, but they are great marketing guys, too. They aren’t afraid to push the envelope - going so far as to yell “FIRE” in a crowded theater (no kidding) and even blowing up the American Flag (which they make sure the audience recognizes as an illusion). Not many people can get away with that!
At the end of the show, both magicians bolt for the exits - not to escape the crowds, but to GREET the audience as they exit the theater. Both Penn & Teller HAPPILY signed show tickets & posed for autographs with their fans. These are two guys who really understand who pays their way. Sure its old school - and it works! There was a time when most businesses in America treated their customers the way that Penn & Teller treat their audience. Customer service standards seem to be steadily eroding, as I have eluded to in previous posts. It’s a shame that Penn & Teller stand out as the exception, not the rule - but for that very reason - I would encourage you to catch their act the next time you find yourself in Sin City!
Topics: Marketing | No Comments »
The scariest thing about “Frightfest” is the customer service
By admin | September 30, 2007
As a marketer, I’m impressed when someone finds a way to extend the life of a seasonal business. Six Flags has done just that by introducing their fall “fright fest” to capitalize on the ever popular fascination with all things Halloween. Seems like a good idea, right…
Well it works. My Wife & I took our 2 kids & 2 of their friends to Six Flags New England, yesterday. The weather was PERFECT and the place was packed. So whats the problem?
Unfortunately, their signature ride - “Superman” was closed for the season. Bummer. Next, they impose a policy of no re-entry after 4:00 PM. That means that all of the families that packed a cooler (which is banned from the park) and planned on a little picnic at the car had that idea dashed upon entry.
Well, now that the park has built in a crazy demand for dinner, surely they have taken measures to satisfy that demand, right? - WRONG! Every food vendor appeared to me to be understaffed & overwhelmed. At least the food staff didn’t appear to be overly concerned or overly stressed. They moved as if they didn’t have a care in the world and the lines which I counted to be anywhere from 34 - 62 deep didn’t phase them a bit - Bravo!
When I’m forced to pay $9 bucks for 4 chicken strips & fries and $3.50 for a diet coke can you at least get it to me in a REASONABLE period of time. When I have to pay $75.00 for what would amount to less than $20 bucks at McDonalds, can you at least staff the place appropriately. Is this asking too much?
The bottom line is this - when you come up with a great idea like fright fest, don’t treat it like bonus income or icing on the cake. Don’t try to squeeze every dime out of the customer. Don’t go light on the staffing. Maybe even train the staff to give a crap about the consumer.
I won’t be heading back to fright fest or any other Six Flags property any time soon. Am I overreacting, or do I have a legitimate point here?
Topics: Marketing | 1 Comment »
Restaurant Week is Back!
By admin | September 26, 2007
I’m a student of all things marketing. This blog is about all things marketing - except one - internet marketing. Not that I am a stranger to SEO / SEM. In fact, just the opposite.
Truth be told, I have sold my internet marketing soul to Jim Boykin, of WeBuildPages.com. As COO of WeBuildPages, Jim has exclusive rights to my SEO musings, which can occassionally be found on his blog, jimboykin.com.
Actually, marketing is marketing and what works offline can often be applied online. The trick is to figure out the twist to make it work.
As a small business owner, I have a special spot in my heart for other small business owners. I cringe whenever I ask for a good restaurant recommendation & get Applebees, Fridays or any other generic corporate food mill. I asked my Dad where my family could treat him to a special meal for his 70th Birthday. You guessed it - Cheesecake factory - aauugh!
Ma & Pa restaurants are very much like the “bob in the basement” webmaster. They are at a real disadvantage when it comes to competing with the corporate guys. One VERY successful marketing campaign is this one:
RESTAURANT WEEK RETURNS SEPTEMBER 24-29!
The Capital Region´s first and best Restaurant Week is back, September 24-29, 2007! Don´t miss your chance to experience multi-course meals at some of the region´s greatest dining establishments for only $16.09!
That’s right - a 3 course meal for just $16.09. Being the big spender that I am, I treated my wife to a great Italian meal at a restaurant that - not only had I never been to, but never even heard of.
This promotion put 2 new fannies in their seats and it was now up to them to earn a customer for life. I am happy to report that they succeeded.
This is a wonderful win-win proposition. I bet there’s an online twist that could work equally well if you just put your mind to it.
Topics: Marketing | No Comments »