Mine Your Own Business

Sales and Great Quotations

Here's a good article with twelve great quotes that Dave Stein has used over the years in sales, writing, speaking, and coaching. Here are a few to entice you to read the whole article and see how these quotes relate to business: "Opportunity may knock only once, but temptation leans on the doorbell." (Unattributed) Or how about this gem: "Some people are so far behind in the race, they believe they are leading. (Uncle Junior on "The Sopranos")

These are just a few really of the great quotes in the article.  Here is a classic from Tom Bridges (now retired from Tacony Corporation) that he used frequently "If it was easy, anybody could do it". He would use that line when facing challenges. Now add your favorite quote that you use in your work.

Fun with your small business

Here is a very different article that stresses some ways to have fun with your small business. The article begins by reminding small business owners of some of the reasons they may have opened their small business in the first place, such as no demanding bosses, endless meetings, and a general lack of freedom. It then goes on to describe some of the reasons the recession may have spoiled some of the fun of owning a small business. The final part of the article describes some possible ways to restore some fun aspects of owning a small business.

Do you have any other ideas for having fun at your business, maybe bringing your grill to work and making a really nice lunch or dinner? Who knows, maybe the smell of grilling may even attract some new customers.

So what's all the Twitter about?

One definition of twitter from my ancient Webster's dictionary (copyright 1966) is "to talk in a chattering fashion", but lately the word has taken on a whole new meaning. This posting is about two articles, one from USA Today and one from a local newspaper that present two rather different viewpoints on Twitter and social networking in general.

The USA Today article provides a brief summary of all the new social networking tools on the Internet with a great deal of emphasis on how Twitter is expanding rapidly. The article from the local newspaper has a little less serious view of Twitter, saying it could follow the course of the CB radio fad of the 1970s and proposing a very interesting test to judge Twitter's staying power.

So what do you think of all the new social networking tools, will some of them become indispensable and if so what are the ones that will?

Motivation

Here's something kind of fun for a cold, icy Monday.  Matthews Belinkie has put together forty motivational quotes in a video that runs just over two minutes.  Something here is sure to ring your bell.  Even the Grinch is included.  Enjoy.

The Top 10 Reasons Why Working Longer Hours is a Good Thing

Anita Bruzzese is a published author, blogger, and all-around great lady who writes the 45 Things blog.  (Check this out!)  Last week she pointed out that with the number of people being laid off, there's a lot more work for the rest of us.  As the holidays approach, if you've cut back on hiring, chances are you're picking up a lot of the slack yourself.  Here's Anita's list of the top 10 good things about working all those extra hours.  Some may not apply directly to your situation, but most of them are probably right on.

1. Your mom feels so bad for you she's started doing your laundry.

2. Your neighbors are dropping off meals at your house, thinking you died. (The tuna casserole was excellent.)

3. The dog has quit shredding the drapes. It's no fun when you're not around to yell about it.

4. The overnight security guard at work has been letting you in on some really good deals. It's amazing the stuff that falls off the back of a truck!

5. You won $5 from the cleaning lady who said no way would a sleeping bag fit under the desk. Way!

6. No standing in line for coffee at Starbucks. You're first in line when the doors open.

7. Living in the same suit for five days straight has really cut down on your dry cleaning bill.

8. For Halloween, you didn't have to buy a costume. You went as one of the "undead" and won first prize in the scariest costume category.

9. Your stalker finally gave up and went away, saying your schedule was just too exhausting.

10. You don't have far to go for your weekly groceries -- the vending machine is just down the hall!

How Do Sewing Machines Work?

, I can't explain it, but this post is one of the most popular ones we've ever done.  More than one year after it originally appeared it still gets almost daily page views.  In case you missed it, or if you just enjoy something silly that actually teaches something, here it is again.  Enjoy!

I know, MYOB is a blog about business for ALL independent retailers, but you have to see this video, no matter what you sell. 

Here's how YouTube describes it:

"Junkyard Wars audition tape (successful!). Ever wonder how a sewing machine works? See a larger than life model constructed, and the operation played thru."

Three self-proclaimed "nerds" (New England Rubbish Deconstruction Society) build a larger-than-life sewing machine using themselves as the vital parts (needle, looper, bobbin case, tension, and feed dog).  It's a hoot and does a pretty good job of explaining how the magic happens.

These guys will actually appear at your school, or trade show, or special event.  The details are on their web site.  (Check our post later today on special events.)

Why You Should Always Proofread

Happy Friday!  Here's something light for the end of the week.  I picked up this ad on a recent trip.    It's a heck of a price for a new Birck home.  Always proofread your ads.

[Click on the image to see a larger version.]

To avoid any embarrassment, I deleted all of the builder's information.

Have a great weekend!

Thought for the Day

"Land on your feet and stay inside the lines."

Al Trautwig,

NBC TV, at the Women's All-Around Gymnastics Championships in Beijing

8/15/08

Your Tax Dollars

Sorry, but I have to play Jay Leno today.

Wouldn't it have been cheaper to hold the press conference here on Earth?

Thanks to Biz Stone for the tip.

The Great Illinois Corn Flake

I wish I was smart enough to make this stuff up.  Pictured at the left is a Kellogg's Frosted Flake that you can purchase on eBay.  According to its owner, it is an exact replica of the state of Illinois.  As of yesterday afternoon, the high bid was $200,440.00! 

The bidding started on 7/13 at a meager $9.99.  It was three days before the bid was bumped up to $12.00.  By the end of the day on the 16th, the high bid for the stately flake was all the way up to $55.00.

On St. Patrick's Day things went crazy (something that never happens).  A total of 39 bidders upped the price from $55.00 to over $200,000.  You still have time to bid on this amazing flake, but keep in mind that there's an additional charge of $4.99 for shipping and handling.

To help with your purchase decision, here's a picture of the Land of Lincoln flake alongside a picture of the state itself.