In the competition between quantity vs. quality – quality wins every time.

In the 1970s, CBS News reported that the average American saw between 500-1,600 advertisements each day.

Thirty-some years later, the Yankelovich marketing research firm estimated the average person then saw 5,000 ads per day.

In 2017, according to Forbes, the average American was exposed to 4,000 to 10,000 advertisements every day. And that number is likely only increasing with the evolution of technology and the passage of time.

What that means as a collective, is that we are becoming savvier about what ads we ignore and screen out of our awareness, and what ads we pay attention to. And our children are even more discerning, at even younger ages than we. We are much pickier about what we will give our attention to....

When the subject of crochet comes up, and I begin to talk, it’s like a door opening to sunshine and happiness.

Or sometimes, a door to a fascinating volcanic firestorm. (Gee, what does that look like anyway?)

And people always comment, “Wow, I never realized ____, and you’re so passionate about crochet!”

Usually there’s a new spark in their eyes, a little like the one in mine.

And I know I have accomplished my goal: Infection.

Infection can be evil, or it can be good. I propose we have a lot to learn from viruses. I propose that Joy is just as easy to spread as Hate...

“There’s always a Nellie Oleson.” Anyone who grew up reading or watching Little House on the Prairie barks a knowing laugh.

Fact is, there is always that person somewhere in your life. That one person who gets under your skin, who acts as a challenge to you. Whether as a minor yet annoying inconvenience, or as someone whose very existence seems to defy yours. Perhaps that one person you can’t help but think p

Today is warm and beautiful outdoors. I’ve never had a green thumb, yet enticed by the fresh air and clear skies, I head outdoors to work on my backyard.

Mainly, there is much trimming and raking to be done. I hear there are all sorts of trimming rules for the health of your bushes and trees, but I know none of these things. However, I want to host a cookout and clean things up. I haven’t ventured out to maintain anything back there in months.

So I do things the slow way...

“Consumers are statistics. Customers are people.” – Stanley Marcus.

What are you focused on? Your benefit, or your customer’s?

Whether business-to-business or business-to-consumer, it’s essential to interact with the real world of your customer. Get to know their challenges. Get to know their prospects. The moment your focus is self-centered is the moment you begin to lose your capacity to serve your customer.

According to a McKinsey survey, 70% of buying experiences are based on how the customer feels they are being treated.

“When times are good, you should advertise. When times are bad, you MUST advertise.” – Association of Business Information Companies.

During uncertain times, many small companies become discouraged by a sudden drop in revenue and start eyeing their marketing budget to reduce expenses. However, this is precisely what businesses should not do.

If you stop marketing now, you risk becoming invisible.

Businesses need to maintain an image of stability and connection with their customers to survive uncertain times.

McGraw Hill Research’s Laboratory of Advertising Performance (LAP) conducted a study on marketing during recessionary periods. They discovered that firms that maintained or increased their advertising budgets during a recession “could boast an average sales growth of 275 percent over the preceding five years.” 2

It may seem counterintuitive to spend resources on marketing when the world feels in chaos. Still, it has been studied and proven time and again through many national and international events: businesses that continue to market and advertise through tough times, and times of uncertainty, will be stronger than those that don’t.

In fact, businesses that continue to market outpace those that don’t.

Shortly after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, The Clark Company published this bit of historical advice...

“See mom, these are the Hot Wheels I want to keep, because they have moving parts.” The rest can go to the fundraiser.

Moving parts are always more interesting.

Wait…. That’s not right. I’m sitting at a stop light. At an intersection on the edge of town. Nothing but trees and cacti on my right. I turn to my left.

The birth of a child does funny things to a parent.

The instant they are part of your life, you can’t imagine life without them.

It’s like it always was and was always going to be.

Those first years are the time you get to know your child in a special way.

One that they will never remember and will never see the way you do.

As they grow up, gain confidence, mature, and remember this or that about their lives, those are the years and triumphs you will always…

Cacao beans are a rich and tasty treat (and resource) that have been in high demand all over the world for thousands of years.

The story begins in Mexico, where ancient fermenting pots and ceramic vessels showed traces of cacao and its active ingredient theobromine dating back to 1900 B.C. Then around 1500 B.C., the Olmec began brewing, roasting, and grinding cacao beans for drinks and food, including gruel, and there’s evidence that cacao may have been fermented and used as an alcoholic drink.