The Lil' Things (and others)...

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I've read too many books to recall which one... oh wait... I remember who always talks about the little things making a difference, Andy Sernovitz (good reads whether you're a marketer or not). In my recent travels, I've noticed several small things that make a difference...

• At Nike's World Headquarters, there are no trash cans in offices. An employee has to trek to the break room, where recycling options present themselves.
• At the Salty Dog Cafe in Brookings, OR, the owners have left cards on the tables thanking you for your patronage (too bad they weren't hand-written or signed).
• My cab driver in Beaverton who got out and opened up the passenger front door inviting me into his space as equals instead of as my chauffeur, then proceeded to give me a history of Portland on our drive.
• Giving a book to a friend and getting two in return.
• Knowing the names of the homeless people near your business and greeting them when seen.
• Offices with an office dog.
  

And, a few other things that made a difference (but in a bad way)...

• Hotels that force you to pay for wifi when there are four coffee shops within a block that offer it for free.
• Stark and sterile-looking restaurants that feel more like hospitals than eateries... prompting me to realize that my necessity to eat is unrelated to the proximity of your food.
  
• Indifference when you arrive at your destination. Any traveler that rolls into accommodations early in the morning might have been traveling all night, a little "happy to see you" can go a long way.

What little things do you often notice?

Change.gov: Fair to Middlin' So Far

I've been spending time on Obama's new site, http://change.gov, because I like how he transitioned from candidate to Pres-elect using social media. My hope is that he will continue to use the techniques in office that helped him to get there.

So far, the Change.gov blog is really just a means for posting press releases. That's a bit disappointing. When I was at Unity08, the most amazing part of the movement was the ability for Americans to log in and engage each other about the issues and the possible solutions we could enact to resolve them. I truly hope that Obama keeps the people involved in the process.

I realize that the issues are complicated, but we're inspired. That inspiration means that we are willing to pay attention and learn as much as we can about the issues so that we can make an informed decision on how best to resolve them.

The site is also accepting applications for jobs... very interesting. When I was in DC someone told me once that some unfathomable number of jobs are turned-over/created when a new president enters office. So, I really like that Obama is getting a head start and opening up the administration to as many job applicants as he can. Not sure what the vetting process will be like because it is going to be massive. But hopefully, the best candidates for the available positions will be selected.

To follow the process, I submitted an application. Hey, who knows, Obama might want an online marketing machine here in the middle of the country! Here is their auto-response:

Hello Robert,

Thank you for your interest in joining the Obama-Biden Administration. Within a few days, you will receive an email with a link to the more complete on-line application. Please be patient, as we are trying to respond promptly to the large number of people who are interested in working in the Administration.

You might be able to draw some parallels to what Nike has done. Their EKIN program launches experts into the field to evangelize their products to those that use them. It is this distributed network that is a such a boon to the brand... the EKINs have a real cache about them. Obama could possibly do the same by building teams of expert individuals in regions and cities (just like campaigning) that proactively and reactively engage Americans about America.

That would definitely be Change, eh?

Random Thoughts: Saturday Morning

Why is it so different to carry your cue into a pool hall than your ball into a bowling alley?

It's a rainy Saturday morning in the mid-west, which is nice because we have had too much heat of late. It's the type of morning that makes you want to lie in bed with a significant other and cuddle. Remind to find one of those soon. :)

The Olympics have started and I love how excited my friend HB is... since she started her new job at Nike a handful of months ago. She is definitely a kid in a candy shop.

Many ideas have been rummaging around in my head and I'm working with a few individuals on a better understanding of how to make them realities. Exciting times, for sure.

I can't say enough about my new favorite town, Columbia, MO. Well, it might be more the guide that I've found there than it is about the town, but I won't say much about her yet, other than that she makes me smile.

Finally finished watching "Gosford Park" and didn't find it appealing or intriguing. Rating it 2 stars on Netflix.