So it’s been a long week: twenty-one hour days, short nights, workload building by the hour. I’m pooped, tired, and spent to my last energetic ounce. I need a break. I need sleep.

“Luke San Antonio is celebrating Mardi Gras downtown…just FYI..”
Hmmm…I like Luke.

“…and they have Crawfish..”
Dammit!  Such peer pressure. Well, I haven’t slept this long, what’s one more night.

2lbs of Crawfish

As I scrounge around for coffee or something with some kick like a starved scavenger, my Consumption Partner and I jump in the car; begin the journey down the yellow brick road; talk about what we’re going to eat first; hop, skip, and jump a few lanes; and follow the rainbow to the pot of gold.

The minute we walk in, we fire off our first order like a shotgun round, before sitting down as Tim nods his head knowing we would show eventually. “Two pounds of Crawfish please, good sir…”, and as he slowly turns to put in the order, he hesitates as if awaiting something else….“oh yeah,  8 meatpies and 10 oysters as well.” There it is!  Order is placed.  Drinks are made.  The night begins.

Crawfish & Meatpies

We run into a few friends, play a short game of Catch Up until they ask what was ordered, we respond, to where a shocked “You ordered TWO pounds of Crawfish for just you two?!”, dribbled from their mouths. “No, we ordered: two pounds of Crawfish, meatpies, and oysters..”, we responded proudly, “and all will suffer the same fate…leave no P.O.W behind!”

Thirty seconds after the prophecy was stated, the first two orders of victims were delivered.  We said our good-byes and entered Consumption Ninjas mode for the unfair battle that was about to partake.  As my Consumption and I adjusted ourselves, gained stable footing, stretched and cracked our knuckles, we gave one another a mental “high-five” and allowed the massacre to begin.

Extinct 2lbs of Crawfish

Shells snap, tails brake, and  juices flow as handicapped claws and antennae lay across the battlefield scattered from their initial host, never to return to themselves again.  “These are good!”….”Uh-huh”, is the only communication as Operation: Desecration is underway.  Other than that, there’s only radio silence.

Time passes. No compassion is felt.  Regret is only a word in the dictionary.  Battle One is won. “…and I have an order of 10 Oysters here for you both”, Tim announces.  Oh yeah…Battle Two…..Vic-tor-ious!

Extinct Oysters

As the dust settles, piles of bodies lay as the aftermath, and we increase the stock price of napkins, Tim collects the caskets of plates and bowls with no excitement or surprise to the WTH Just Happened session that just took place. Instead he says, “Have ya’ll tried the Hurricanes with our barreled Rum?”, as a slight smile crawls across his face.

“Hurricanes with barreled rum, huh?  Hmmm…”, a quick look to my battle partner, a nod is given, “…Sure, let’s get two of those!”

And in that my friends, lies yet, another story…

Human Touch Marketing

A new year has begun. Companies are beginning to implement the marketing and budgeting plans that have just been approved (or pending), to charge forth into the new year (and hopefully into new profits).

Yet it still amazes me how much emphasis is put on Social Media Marketing as the only end-all-be-all strategy!

Yes…I’m a fan (more average than psycho-enthusiasts) of new technologies, ideas, and initiatives, but the effectiveness of Social Marketing lies in how YOUR business functions, processes, and operates.

Now the strategy that leads with Social & Online Media will behoove the majority of, let’s say, Direct TV’s target market (where a prospect sees an ad, clicks, calls, receives information, and pays over the phone with a Credit Card) than it would Tommy B’s Homemade Bakery.

Now I’m not saying Social Media wouldn’t make any sales for Tommy B’s Famous Power Muffins, with say online coupons, but perhaps he’d benefit more by re-directing marketing energies and efforts elsewhere

• working with an organization/fundraiser
• donating to charity
• holding a benefit on location
• entering food festivals, etc..

Am I bad-mouthing companies looking to have a Social Media Strategy? Of course not. But what I am saying: remove the Lemming Mentality, and determine what would benefit your business more, for less. Does this mean more work?  Of course! But you didn’t think Success was loose and came easy, now did you?

Why spend money on only sending tweets and accumulating Likes, when you can meet and greet, shake hands, take a photo, then tweet the pic of:

• a new Prospect
• Customer
• Friend
• Partner
• Affiliate, blah, blah, blah..

With this approach you create great memories, multiple awesome first impressions, then others see an ACTIVE business owner!  The more you do, the more people talk…not bad WOM (Word of Mouth) results.

Actual relationships are more memorable than Digital relationships (unless you’re on a dating site and met, The One, but we’re referring to Business & Professionalism here).

Actual relationships appeal to more than 2 senses (seeing & hearing with webcams vs seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and perhaps tasting, if attending dinner meetings)…therefore giving a lasting impression (a positive one hopefully)!

Social Media Marketing allows us many nuances in sharing and promotion, as well as the ability to multitask or be distracted.

So don’t be too one-sided this year. Don’t lose the art of Human Touch Marketing.

I’ve not ever heard a motivational speech so empowering as this one! This may or may not apply to the goals you’ve set for your Life, but definitely deserves your attention at least once!  Enjoy!

Wow! It’s February already! If this keeps up, we’ll be celebrating 2013 next week! But in any case, Happy New Year!

If you haven’t noticed, we’ve undergone some changes here at SirIndie.com, and trust me, it was long overdue (thank you to everyone who gave their feedback, compliments, and constructive criticisms).

It’s a new year, and depending on your perspective, that means new opportunities (or new trouble) to pursue!

We all make plans to progress and move forward but sometimes Life has a way of getting in the way and pushing us on our asses.  Nevertheless…this year, no matter what happens; whatever may trip you, get in your way or knock you down…make it your primary resolution to pick yourself up, dust off, figure out what happened, and start moving forward again.

Is this easier said than done?  Not the action of “recovering”, but perhaps the number of times you have to perform this action and/or the weight of the/a situation, can be a discouraging.  But trust me, I don’t speak as if I’m immune…

For all of you who have been with us over the years we’ve been online, you’ve witnessed changes in:

• our content delivery
• marketing campaigns
• contests
• ideas
• layouts, etc.

Change happens. Get comfortable with it. Whether it was a great idea, horrible idea, the best move you’ve made, or a mistake, keep pushing this year! With every step, you’re closer to the finish line (whatever that may be for you and if you don’t know where that finish line is…pull out some scratch paper, grab a pen, and figure it out now)!

And above all else…don’t feel alone. Numerous Entrepreneurs, Bloggers, and Human Beings will run into challenges, “brick walls”, and difficulties this year (including us). Just remember: “When you keep moving forward…it’s only temporary.” -Marcus Jordan

So just like a strenuous workout, moving into a new home/apartment, or giving birth (what the..???), for the moment you may hate it…but the results from surviving those moments are ACHIEVEMENTS.

“Calm seas do not make skilled sailors”. But when the storm passes, enjoy the view.

Welcome to 2012..

Nike’s newest campaign is The Kobe System…a system for those who have reached the pinnacle of success and how to go beyond.  These two videos are hilarious only because it tries so hard to be so serious!  But in any case, it’s funny enough for me to share it with you.  I introduce to you:  The KOBE SYSTEM! Enjoy!

“Welcome to the Kobe System”

“You Need the Kobe System”

It’s Sunday Funday.  Monday through Saturday has been absolutely hectic, unforgiving, and I’m hungry.  I need relaxation, tasty fare, and an adult beverage…stat!

As I arrive and walk up to the counter, I’m completely thrown off guard with the statement, “Um, we don’t serve pancakes…”.  Blasphemy.

But hey, I was here now. No turning back. As I skimmed over their menu with tears swelling up due to the images of buttery and delicious pancake visions running through my mind, I developed a slight attraction to an item.

Madhatter's Spinach Scramble

“Hmmm..Spinach Scramble, huh? Served with a medley of sweet and regular seasoned potatoes with a typed of shredded cheese on the scramble? Eh, why not…it’s protein. ”

“What would you like to drink sir?”
(The assumptive close…good job.)

Well, I’ve had a Hell Week…Fishbowl Mimosa it is!

I pay, snatch the Mimosa Goodness, grab a seat on the patio, and enjoy the moment (filled with a mouthful of champagne and orange juice) until the food arrives.

As the food is placed down, I look at the size of the portion.  Hmmm….I should’ve ordered two. But for the moment, let me get down to business on this poor defenseless plate before me.

Fishbowl Mimosa

I immediately target the helpless scramble of 3 eggs, Spinach, and Artichoke before realizing a small, plastic container of Salsa.  “Hmmm…let’s see how this changes the game..”

All of a sudden the temperature of my taste buds increase a few degrees until it reaches spicy!  Caught me a little off guard but nothing the Fishbowl Mimosa couldn’t handle! Being better prepared, I go for round 2 of the Mystery Salsa.  Strong taste.  Great flavor mixture of bold (salsa) and subtle (Spinach Scramble).

Before I notice, my plate is clean.  And right before my internal Greedy Monster starts to go on a rampage, I feel a sense of contentment.  Not too full, not to hungry = just right.  It seemed that Madhatter’s has brought the “reasonable” back in culinary portions (versus the over-stuffed American status quo of today).

As I sat back and started to make notes of an upcoming writing project on my phone, I found myself more impressed with Madhatter’s on two fronts:  Taste and Portion Control.  Well done Madhatter’s, well done.

Thanks for the great food and watching my waistline, Victor!

Sir Indie and Victor of Madhatter's in San Antonio