I Dream Business

Revelation.

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:06:00 +0000

I've had a revelation about life and everything else. When I can't see a possible negative coming up ahead, the moment I'm in is not as much of a concern

When I'm driving and see a car wreck, for some reason I slow down (I wasn't thinking about that a second ago).
When I run out of money, at that moment, I work frantically to earn as much as possible (I wasn't planning on saving until I looked at my checking account).

Why is that?

Would I want to live that way all of the time?

Is it possible to avoid the negative situations?

If I could follow rules to avoid these negatives, who's rules would I follow?

Do I want to avoid these negatives in my life?

Maybe it's not "possible negatives ahead", maybe, it's just a dramatic change.

Random Thoughts...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 05:41:00 +0000

Preface: (In no way will this blog post help you in business or life, it is literally just random thoughts. Don't read this post if you don't want to waste your time.)

My friend Mike Nyfeler just gave me a cd with some music he thought I should listen to. I put the cd in, opened the tracks up in iTunes and started listening to an artist M83. AMAZING!!! I love how fluid and melodic they sound. I get interested in the actual artist name (M83), interesting...

Curiosity gets the best of me and I have to research what it means. I went to google and typed in M83 and clicked on the wikipedia link. This link gives a description about this band...ah ha, there is a link to what the band is named after, so I click on it. When I click on this link it takes me to the galaxy Messier 83.

I start reading about this galaxy and it says that it is 15 Million light years (measurement of time) away...uhhhhhhh....What? My mind can grasp the greatness of that distance so I need to do some figuring. I look up on google for the speed of light, it turns out that the speed of light is about 670,616,629.2 miles per hour (measurement of distance) or 983,571,056 feet per second. I still can't wrap my mind around this, so I need something relative to compare it to.

I think of how far it is around the earth, so.......I google it. I find that the circumference of the earth at the equator is 24,902 mi / 40,076 km. Some simple math is required to figure this out:

How many times could we go around the earth in one light year?
(Speed of Light) 670,616,629.2 miles per hour
x (The number of hours in a year) 8,765.81277 hours
= (The total Number of miles in light year) 5,878,499,812,015.72
/ (divided by) (the circumference of the earth) 24,902 miles
= (The total # of time we could go around the earth in 1 light year) 236,065,368.726
x (light years to the galaxy M83) 15,000,000
= (The total # of times we could go around the earth in 15,000,000 light years) 3,540,980,530,890,520
= WOW!

Now the thought occurs to me that this galaxy technically could be completely gone by now, blown up, imploded, whatever, and we would have no idea.
Because the only way we can see this galaxy is by the LIGHT it puts off. So as long as the destruction of this galaxy didn't happen over 15 million years ago, we will still be able to see it. But if the galaxies implosion (or whatever) happened 15 million years ago tomorrow, it would disappear out of the sky tomorrow.

That is freaking confusing and trippy. I hope this pointless post lived up to your expectations.
~Chais

Face book marketing...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 02:13:00 +0000

Marketing on facebook is an interesting thing. It can be very successful if it is not used or abused.

Now I need to clarify the word marketing, for a lot of people that aren't 100% familiar with the term it can relate to 100's of different ideas and strategies to get a specific word out to the masses. This is not a Webster's definition!

We did marketing on facebook a couple of days ago. It consisted of sending a message to friends that care about me and any business I might own, start, or are running. The message was in a light hearted manor, with a free prize (or in this case, prizes) for the winner of a small contest to get people involved in our business 3vine. So far it has gone really well!

I really appreciate friends that take interest in any business Three Dot, Inc., might have. It means a lot to me personally. We did find some things that we could modify along the way, but it isn't anything huge.

I guess what I am saying is, if you have a trusting friend base over a social network and you send them messages that might benefit both parties involved, there is nothing wrong with that. Enjoy being creative in how you market yourself and your businesses.
~Chais

Here is a look at the event that started our facebook business involvement: Create A Name, Win Some Wear!

www.3vine.com

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 18:18:00 +0000

We just launched www.3vine.com today and we want your criticism. Please look at our site, tell us if something could look better, if something should be different, it something is spelled wrong, etc. We want to know your thoughts. If you go to our contact us form and fill out any info you would suggest (positive or negative) we would really appreciate it.
Thank you,
~Three Dot, Inc.

Following up on... Creating a Fad or a Trend.

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 19:41:00 +0000

My business Partner David Lano and I, are trying to make something that is not currently popular, popular again. We are trying to change the status and symbol of what hemp jewelry is known for (necklaces that pot smokers make in their spare time) to what it will be (a clean, alternative fashion accessory and symbol that goes with just about anything).

To do this we developed a couple of few ideas of how this can be accomplished. First is to create a brand worth buying, because of what it stands for or what it makes you feel. Second is to allow the product not just to aim at a certain audience, but to open it up to a wide range of people. Third is to create a free prize (or a few of them if needed) to allow any potential customer to get something for their time and money. Here is what we did:

The Challenge: Make Hemp jewelry a popular item again, even after the fad and trend has run its course.

Where we are currently:
We've created a Brand that makes and sells its own jewelry with the potential for many other items to be added in the future. This brand is called "3vine", it is an online only reseller that has a clean. fresh, simple feel to it. The website address is www.3vine.com (we will be launching the beginning of this week). We created a brand worth selling because of what the company is, the company image, and what it does for person that goes to our site (It Complements Your Style).

3vine's About Page:
"We don't know you.
We don't know your style, and each person has their own.
We do know our products and what they do for us.
Our products complement who and what we are everyday.
Use our wear to help accentuate what you love about yourself.
Be yourself and wear it proud.
3vine: Complementing Your Style"

Our Product:
We have over 130 different styles of Hemp Jewelry ("Wear" is the term we are using to replace the word jewelry) but we will only list somewhere in the neighborhood of 25-40 max (between the catogories "Ankle", "Wrist", and "Neck"). We want to be broad enough to reach the gamut of audiences, but not too broad where the number and supply is overwhelming. Too much supply means not as much demand.

Our Free Prize (by the way, you should read this book):
We believe any one company should have multiple free prizes. One of ours is free shipping. another one will be the convenience of our site. On every product detail page for each piece of jewelry, we will have a printable version of a ruler for potential customers to be able to size them self up right there. We will be adding more free prizes all of the time.

This is where we stand right now with an attempt of making hemp jewelry more popular again. We will be constantly updating as we add or find additional avenues to sell our brand and our Wear.
~Three Dot

Distress is Bad, Eustress is Good...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 20:21:00 +0000

Below (which I found to be amazing...) is from the book, The 4-Hour Work Week.

"Unbeknownst to most fun-loving bipeds, not all stress is bad....There are two separate types of stress, each as different as euphoria and its seldom-mentioned opposite, dysphoria.
Distress refers to harmful stimuli that make you weaker less confident, and less able. Destructive criticism, abusive bosses, and smashing your face on a curb are examples of this. These are things we want to avoid.
Eustress, on the other hand, is a word most of you have probably never heard. Eu-, a Greek prefix for "healthy", is used in the same sense in the word "euphoria." Role models who push us to exceed our limits, physical training that removes our spare tires, and risks that expand our sphere of comfortable action are all examples of eustress--stress that is healthful and the stimulus for growth.
People who avoid all criticism fail. It's destructive criticism we need to avoid, not criticism in all forms. Similarly, there is no progress without eustress, and the more eustress we can create or apply to our lives, the sooner we can actualize our dreams.
The trick is telling the two apart."

It's A Place To Start...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:36:00 +0000

Challenge your self always!

Take a look at Thomas, he took a silly challenge with a friend and decided to get a life lesson from it. If we could all think like this, we might have some more self dependent people in our society (I'm leaving that open so you can think of what type of person might fit in the Opposite category. If you'd like me to elaborate, I would love to.)

~Chais

Selling ideas on Ebay...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 18:19:00 +0000

We did it!
We sold our first business idea on Ebay!
Oh, you better believe that we are so well known that we can sell our ideas for money to a random person we've never met before. This is an amazing feat, starting us on a path of riches and glory. Do you think it matters that we only sold our idea for $3.25 before any expenses were taken out? No...I think it is a starting place to a new type of industry...Maybe.
We will definitely try it again after we finish spending the time to complete the idea that winner chose, and we think of additional ideas.
Very Interesting Starting Place...
`Three Dot

PMBA...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:12:00 +0000

We are working on the PMBA list and our goal is to have all of the PMBA books read in 2 1/2 years or less. Here is a list of books from the PMBA that we have purchased to read, are reading, or have read. We will update you with our progress as we continue.
`Three Dot...

1. How to Read a Financial Report: Wringing Vital Signs Out of the Numbers (How to Read a Financial Report)
2. The Bootstrapper's Bible: How to Start and Build a Business With a Great Idea and (Almost) No Money
3. The Goal
4. The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)
5. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich
6. How to Win Friends & Influence People

Marketing (in the form of advertising) affects who it affects...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:10:00 +0000

Words following this statement might be something like this:
Duh...
No, Really...
Wow, That's deep (with a hint of sarcasm)...

But it is so true and simple that we (especially myself) forget about it.

I was with my mom watching television last week and we saw an Alltel (cell provider) commercial that has the 4 guys (they represent the other cell phone companies) and "Chad" (from Alltel). The four guys always do something silly or stupid to make Alltel look like a better company. My mom loves these commercials (absolutely loves them...) and I...not so much.

So, I think to myself that this commercial is a waste of time and money and that if I were to do it, I would do them it a different way (I don't everything about commercials, but I know my own tastes and what effects me). The interesting part is that my mom loves it the way it is, maybe my way wouldn't effect the people that it currently does in a positive way.

Using myself and my views as a basis to judge whether all marketing is good or bad, is an incomplete way of looking at it. I need to view it (marketing) from other's points of view (my mom and people like her), as well as from my own. This combined point of view is the middle ground that every non niche company tries to find. It requires more work and is more time consuming, but it is the area that I need to be shooting for.

What I learned:
1. Look into marketing deeper (my own, other company's and individual's)
2. Don't judge what works or doesn't off of 30 seconds of thought (I need to push myself to grow).
3. Don't forget about the customers / partners / investors that don't think like me!

Selling Ideas...Developing a different business model...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:20:00 +0000

Is it possible that people want success so bad, that they will buy an idea from someone they don't know on ebay?

We wanted to find out, take a look at our Ebay Listing.

Tell us your thoughts on this...
Is it worth while?
Is it wrong/right?
Could this be a profession?
Would you need to establish credibility with ebay members before you could become successful?
Could this be a new type of service?
Will ebay leave it as a listing, or will they remove it?

Mandatory & definitions?

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 03:54:00 +0000

"Mandatory"

What does this word mean anymore?

Main Entry: ¹man·da·to·ry
Pronunciation: 'man-d&-"tor-E
Function: adjective
1 : containing or constituting a command

OK...
That is a nice definition, but what is a mandatory? Is it something that is an absolute, or else? Is someone going to fire me if I don't go to a "Mandatory" meeting? What if I'm sick, is that acceptable or grounds for termination? Or is mandatory a word that just means "more than important"?

I challenge the word mandatory, I challenge the idea of what it means pushes in business. To me, it means that someone will reign down fire "On Me'' if I don't do something that is mandatory. Is that how you see it? Should we have a word like that in business or can we successfully get by without it? Even though we have such a nice definition up top, we all make up or skew words to mean what we want. That's all words are in the first place aliases to emotions, feelings, and ideas.

We need to have proper (and common) definitions (The boss needs to state what his definition of words are and then he needs to properly communicate them to others). If a boss does not inform his employees of his thoughts and definitions of certain words, they wouldn't know which "mandatory" to follow, his or theirs...

Challenge the dictionary, challenge your teachers, challenge your parents, challenge your bosses...think for and push yourself...

Reward the front line...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 23:39:00 +0000

The majority of time in business, the main people that get the big rewards, are the people in charge. While this philosophy has its advantages for the Boys in charge...it really sucks for the little guys.

If you have worked in retail, the food industry, at a local swimming pool, or a manufacturing plant, you have probably had the thought "what would they do without me". That thought is more valid than you probably realize. You are the front line people, and some of the most important people in your organization. You decide whether the company makes it or breaks it. You decide whether the company excels or is average. Whoever your boss is, he/she needs to be taking notice of this fact and thinking about what they can be doing to make sure you have the things you need to do your best.

I'm not saying that if you feel like your bosses aren't respecting you that you should curse the customers away or poison the food at the local diner. I am saying that you (the employees as a whole) have control in a positive and negative way with the company you work for. Be aware, if you decide to start doing things that will affect your company in a negative way, you have the extreme possibility of getting fired (as any good boss/ manager should do if an employee is in sabotage mode). But if your looking at and trying to change things in a positive way, you need to be noticed and rewarded.

Last night I went to a local coffee shop. It was Sunday night at 9:30 PM and I had a huge craving for a Large, Skinny, Spiced Chai Tea Latte, with a shot of vanilla (oh ya, that sounds good). I went through the drive through, put my car in park and imagined the amazing taste of my soon to be chai tea while I was waiting for the employee to come to the window. Here he comes, only he is wearing street clothes, "I'm confused" I thought, "where is his Barista's Daily Grind (the name of the coffee shop) Uniform?" This particular employee I have never met before. I asked him if they were open, and he said that on Sundays they close @ 7 and he was just hanging out after work. He asked me what I had wanted and I told him without even registering that he was there on his own time, "a Large, Skinny, Spiced Chai Tea Latte, with a shot of vanilla" and he said ok. What? did I hear him right? He didn't say, "come back tomorrow night and we will be open later". No, he said, "What would you like?" I look into the window to see if he is playing with my mind or something, he's not, he is making my drink! I am ecstatic! I get my wallet out to give him a big tip, he hands me my drink and says "sorry the register is closed, I am just going to have to give it to you." WOW! ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I am in awe of this guy that his precious mother so thoughtfully named "Mike". Mike, Thank you so much for making me a permanent patron of this coffee shop.

Mike did a very little thing that required 3 minutes of his own personal time, and he championed all employees that work for Barista's. I will never forget that little sacrifice from a coffee shop employee. He is "the front line person" that should be noticed, recognized, and rewarded. I'll tell a lot of people about this experience, and Barista's definitely will get additional business because of this small act of kindness. Nice Job Mike!

Mike, when you feel you aren't being respected or appreciated by your employer, let me know and we will find a place for you within our organizations. Thanks again.
`chais

I'm keeping track of it...and I LOVE it!

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:32:00 +0000

It is amazing, I purchased a little memo book. No, really it actually has the word "MEMO" in gold foil on black vinyl. I purchased it for an outlet of any idea I might have, and it works. I put it in my back pocket and whenever I think of something I want to write down, I do. Later, I look at it and I remember what I was thinking and I expand upon the ideas. Who would've guessed that something so simple could make my life so much easier and allow me to be more creative? Probably, anyone else that owns a memo pad.

That is why I'm blogging about this. Learn from my experience, buy a memo pad if you want to remember creative things, write down blog ideas, make doodles, or get someones email address, etc. Now the fun part is trying to remember to carry a pen...

Have fun memoing...

I'm Excited about Real Estate...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 18:55:00 +0000

Three Dot has just set a 5 year goal for Items we want to invest in. Real Estate (residential and commercial) is going to be a big part of our corporation Three Dot, and where it wants to be financially in 5 - 10 years. I have been doing more and more research on strategies for buying, selling, and misc., and I have found a lot of information. A lot of this information comes from one of my favorite financial men Robert Kiyosaki. Now, I knew that he has been in real estate and other investments for a long time, but I had no idea how well his wife is doing. Here is a video I found with Robert Kiyosaki's wife, Kim Kiyosaki:

I think it is amazing that an average woman, if she so desires, can become a financial, real estate, and industrial leader in an industry that has been stereotypically focused on men.

Here is a link to her book Rich Woman, I am going to purchase it for my wife, just in case she would ever want to read it. :) It hasn't been just a man's world for a long time, but I still like to bring up whenever I notice a woman doing so well.

Keep Innovating...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 02:57:00 +0000

Have you ever thought of a great idea, service, product revision, a new way to thank your customers, or things that could make your business grow? You might have been on your way to the coffee shop before work, or sitting around your kitchen table in the morning and it hits you... You just came up with an idea, that if implemented, might bring a revival to your job or current company your with. You rush into work or pick up the phone just to talk to someone from your organization that might care and help with the initiative. You spill it all out on the table, every little detail... ...and you ask, So, What do you think?... You give a long blink as if you know what you are already going to hear. And here it comes... ...That is an interesting idea, but... But What? Why does there always have to be that "but"? Why are "the people in charge" the ones that are scared of change and growth? Was it in our presentation? Did they not see the benefit and the little sacrifice that it would take to do things a little differently?

All of these questions rush through your mind, while at the same time you feel like you wasted some life force and creative energy on a company that doesn't appreciate growth or their employees/members thoughts.

A person can only be rejected a few times within the same organization before he/she loses any motivation to help with change. The only thing that the business is hurting by not considering every idea it hears, is itself. If a business isn't trying to improve itself, then why not take your improvements somewhere else, where they might be appreciated, or maybe given some consideration. Wouldn't it feel nice to have someone tell you, "Wow, that is a sweet idea, let's see if we can use that somewhere". Even if it wasn't implemented exactly as you thought, you helped create that change, you are one of the important people in the business, your thoughts matter.

Don't lose that creative edge, or your problem solving abilities because your current organization is lazy and scared. These traits will be what takes you where you want to go professionally. Keep innovating...

Do your best right now...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 21:53:00 +0000

Whether you are a lawyer, pilot, gardener, plumber, or beautician, it's okay to do your best. I know that some people feel like they should only work as hard as they are paid, this mentality puts us in a catch 22. We aren't going to get recognized as a better employee, manager, CEO, or part-timer, unless we actually become better. I am challenging myself to be better, it is very difficult to push all of the time, but why not. It will improve our lives in every other aspect.
`chais

Share of Mind

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:27:00 +0000

What's the first thought that comes to mind when you think of a computer, an automobile, or can of soda? More than likely its a brand name or a particular feeling towards a company and its product. For example, when I think of a computer I think of Apple. When I think of an automobile I think of Ford. When I think of a can of soda I think of Coke. In addition, I tend to associate each company name or product with a feeling: Apple = Sweet Design; Ford = "Fix or Repair Daily" + Cheap; Coke = Refreshing + Classic + Color Red + etc.

Notice, not all of the examples I mentioned above have a positive description or feeling associated to the company name, products, or services. Is this a problem? An opportunity? How do these direct relationships between general product categories and company branding occur? How do these companies embed their product branding in ones mind and synchronize their look and feel with ones perspective on common goods and services? Its called "Share of Mind", and companies spend millions of dollars annually in hopes of purchasing positive "Share of Mind" via advertising, and promotional endeavors. With today's overpopulated marketplace and everyone begging for attention, this concept is especially vital in obtaining brand recognition and customer interaction. Is this the only way to purchase "Share of Mind"? No.

So, how do you purchase this "Share of Mind" without investing millions of dollars? Make something worth talking about. Be remarkable, and don't settle for mediocrecy. More than likely, if your products and services are worth talking about you already have a share of your customers mind, for a moment. But this temporary spike in brand recognition hasn't been set permanently. In order to ingrain your product or service with a lasting impression, continue to be remarkable while exceeding expectations. Continually repeating this level of performance will slowly but surely create a positive "Share of Mind" in your customers thoughts and actions which will lead to the increasingly prized attention in today's marketplace.

What are your thoughts? Did I miss something? Feel free to post a comment with your suggestions or any questions you might have.

If you don't like it, do something...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:47:00 +0000

Yesterday, I picked up a book from the public library (I like to read them first, if they are worth buying, I will) by Seth Godin, titled "Free Prize Inside!" (It is worth buying, so I will). It's a book explaining how everyone in your company, is in the marketing department.

This is not the standard thought within the majority of organizations. Many organizations and businesses believe that marketing can and should only be done by one person, "the marketer". This is a false statement, and if you were to ask a true marketer if they would appreciate any help or outside input, you would most likely here a unanimous yes. We are all able to think of great ideas for the companies we're involved with, so don't put the blame of your company's bad advertising, bad storefront, bad logos, or bad Marketing on one person or group. If you feel like something should change within your organization, make it change by giving your ideas and input.

If your ideas are not valued, or not given constructive criticism, you are probably working with an organization that is either dying or doesn't want to be remarkable (If that is the case get out, you will be much more appreciated elsewhere).

Telemarketers...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 22:01:00 +0000

Has anyone heard of a successful telemarketer? I've always wondered if that was a way to make a career.

I'm not sure, but I can think of a couple of things that would most likely help their cause...

1. Practice, Practice, Practice... If I am a telemarketer, and I am calling someone I have never called before, I would practice saying their name before I dialed their #. This would probably be a starting place anyway.

2. Memorize the script before call your potential client. Seriously, how hard is it to know what you are going to say in a round about way instead of reading every word off of a script.

3. Ask for the person your calling by their first name. Why would you ask for the person you are calling by their full name? When I call a buddy (which is probably what you want to sound like your doing), I ask for him by his first name. Because we are on a first name basis, not strangers, wouldn't they want that impression also?

4. When you do finally get me on the phone, use salesman ship 101. Tell me what I am going to get out of this. Don't tell me about your company, I DON'T CARE!!! I want to know how your product, service, or idea will benefit myself and my company.

5. The Most Important things... ...Have something worth my time and yours (and say it like you believe in the product, so I will), or you might have just as well had that robot call me, you know, the one I hang up on within 1 second of hearing "Hi this is John, with second source..." ...CLICK.

Good Luck Mr. Telemarketer, I hope you make many riches off of this advice.
`chais

Take away what you can, from any situation...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 16:29:00 +0000

Yesterday, I walked into the local 4 plex theater (hilltop 4 theaters) in Kearney, Nebraska . My wife and I were going to go see Borne Ultimatum, the latest in the Borne series. We get to the theater at 1:30PM and pay our $11.00 for our admission (it is a matinée, so it is a little cheaper than normal). We stroll over to the concessions line preparing ourselves for the $7 feast of a medium popcorn, and a large soda. While we are waiting for our refreshments to come, I look around at this "fine" establishment trying to notice the things they have in the lobby that might be the reason they can charge $20 for 2 people to see a movie (with refreshments of course). ...what, I don't see a video arcade area, I don't see nice comfy and clean waiting benches, I don't see clean flooring that looks like they just cleaned it for me... How can they do this? How can this establishment be worth $20 a couple (during matinée pricing)?

We go and take our seats, and prepare our selves for a sweet action packed movie. It starts, and it is everything I hoped for (besides being able to hear the theater next to ours through the paper thin walls)... ...uhhh, wait a minute... I realize that while I was trying to get some of my money back, by chugging the large soda in hopes of getting as many FREE refills as I can during the movie, that I have to relieve my bladder. This is a good thing, I think to myself, now I will see that the bathroom will be everything I want it to be for the price of admission.

No, it can't be... a total of 3 urinals, 1 of which is broken, dirty floors, and dirty walls. Now, I can understand that because this is a little theater there doesn't need to be 20 toilets in the bathroom, but for the few you do have, please have them working. Take 4 couples admission $ and use it to have a plummer come to your theater and fix your toilet as soon as it breaks. Make people believe that this theater is a well oiled machine and always working.

Probably the most frustrating part about this dirty theater is that they let it be that way. They decided that they are not going to manage their employees to clean "anything" when they don't have a task to do ( They decided to be less than average). The sad part is that most of the people that go in there to watch a movie, wont complain because they don't expect much more in Kearney, Nebraska.

Why Does it have to be like this? Why can't businesses realize that if they were to put a little more effort in (not just to survive, but to be remarkable) that they could possible own the market in that area and surrounding areas? It frustrates me to see the stereotype of small town, mid-west businesses to be true over and over again. Don't get me wrong, this type of "survival only mentality" is everywhere in the US. But in the places where people expect businesses to be that way (small town, small time, and low quality) why don't they push through the extra steps and make the stereotype change? Do they know that they need to change? or that they can change?

I can honestly say that I learn more daily,(the right things to do for my businesses and the wrong things to do) from other businesses examples. Any business that wants to start a change should start with reading the book Purple Cowby Seth Godin.
`chais

A weekend of camping means no blogging...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Sun, 02 Sep 2007 17:46:00 +0000

We'll be back in front of a computer and internet on Monday September, 3rd.
`chais

Financial IQ #12

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:05:00 +0000

depreciation

Definition 1

A noncash expense that reduces the value of an asset as a result of wear and tear, age, or obsolescence. Most assets lose their value over time (in other words, they depreciate), and must be replaced once the end of their useful life is reached. There are several accounting methods that are used in order to write off an asset's depreciation cost over the period of its useful life. Because it is a non-cash expense, depreciation lowers the company's reported earnings while increasing free cash flow.

Definition 2

A decline in the value of a given currency in comparison with other currencies. For instance, if the U.S. dollar depreciates against the Euro, buyers would have to pay more dollars in order to obtain the original amount of euros before depreciation occurred.

buy me a chai tea, I'll do more...

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 03:18:00 +0000

If a manager or leader in charge, asked their employees what made them more motivated during the day, and fulfilled those things (within reason...), would it be worth the expense?

If a boss asked me that question, I would say, "I am more motivated and productive when I have my morning chai tea", which is $4.01 with tax. It would more than pay for itself in my productivity, for me it's the surge of caffeine in the morning that I need, and my day is golden and on track.
If they only knew to ask...

Financial IQ #11

noreply@blogger.com (Three Dot Inc.) — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 03:10:00 +0000

cash flow

Definition

A measure of a company's financial health. Equals cash receipts minus cash payments over a given period of time; or equivalently, net profit plus amounts charged off for depreciation, depletion, and amortization.