Keeping up with the Joneses

Watched the movie The Jone$es (Spelled that way on the cover) Was not real sure what it was about other than keeping up with the Joneses. It was suggested to me by Netflix.

Turns out it had a strong sales message in it. It really plays to the stereo type of sales being some kind of under lying psychology and making people buy things to be important and at some level buying things to extreme to the point they go bankrupt. In this movie the Joneses are a plant of a fake family to get the neighbors and community to buy stuff just because it is cool, make them more important and such. In the end this even goes to the extreme of someone killing themselves. (Don't want to give too much away to ruin the movie)

It is unfortunate that this is the view of most people on sales. Takes quite a bit to over come this vision.

Helping people is what sales is really about. Finding solutions to problems, matching product to people who have a want or a need.

The YEAR of the Tablet

Ok sure, the iPad came out not quite a year ago. This year at CES there were over 50 tablets released.

Game changer? You bet ya.

Clearly there will be many more advancements to come and the way we use this technology will change.

Keep your eyes open this year. The price of this technology will drop quickly and the value continue to advance.

Feeling good things to come?

Business is feeling better than a year ago. I remember last year looking at what needs to be done and wondering how to get there.

This year it feels like we have been shot out of a canon.

I cannot wait to see what it looks like when we get busy.

Back into the groove of things

Someone pointed out that I had not posted any New Year resolutions. I have a couple, but I decided to start with the most measurable. That is to lose the final 5 pounds I have been working on and keep if off all year. So here it is for everyone to keep me on track.

I ended 2010 at 165 and want to be at 160. Sure, not a lot but trust me, that final 5 is tough. I have been working out at least 5 days a week for 30 min and have not made a dent into it. I am now focused on reducing my intake and if that does not work will have to increase the work out time.

Time for school and work!

It must be time when Caden says he is ready for homework! I have to admit, I am ready to get back at it. Enough with the sleeping in and screwing around all day.

Time off

Me and the boys have been holding down the Fort here in Hays. From cleaning, grocery shopping, errands and more! I think we even did a good job.

I will be ready to go back to "Work"

One thing that really has not changed in 50 years or more is the grocery shopping. Sure the check outs are faster with computers and such. However, I think it is time for a basic change in the way it is handled.

How about I submit my order for next week via on line and they either deliver it, or I go pick it up. They could build meals ready to go. In other words have a weeks worth of meals that you select and then they get all you need for the meal. You could take it even further to automate this system with the involvement of your pantry and fridge. They could talk to your "Home network" and keep inventory. With the coming of RFID tags replacing the simple bar code, you could have the fridge check your expiration dates inside, and know what is in it!

Think of the potential change in the way the store does business. They no longer have to maintain huge stores, just smaller ones to handle those "Emergency" needs and the Riat family could pick up a couple of hours per week of productivity (Or time with the boys)

Sure, the store may lose the impulse buy, but think of the reduction in shrink.

I have several details that probably need ironed out of the plan.

Anyway, guess that is what I come up with when I have time on my hands!

And a Great Christmas was had

By all. Everything was by plan except poor Jen had to take Sunday off with illness. You know she had to be sick to miss her family Christmas. Me and the boys filled in for her.