Walmart’s Uncanny Halloween Promotion

A few thoughts and interesting items contained…I mean seen…in this week’s news that Walmart now sells caskets online.

The timing, just before All Hallows Eve, is priceless.

This gives a new meaning to their slogan, “Save money. Live better.” Apparently this applies to the after-life, too.

Caskets (and urns) are sold in Walmart’s “For the Home” department. For the home?

The first casket listed is the Regal Wide Body Steel Casket.

Is it any wonder that none of their caskets have customer reviews? Each model offers us the opportunity to “Be the first to review this product.” Maybe their next casket promotion will be surrounding the news that a customer submitted a review, timed with Easter.

Always Consider Your Audience

The first rule when planning to motivate or persuade anyone: consider who you’re communicating with.

What did the authorities know (or assume) about the drivers of this road that such a sign was necessary?

What other signs are likely to be further down this road?

“CAUTION – WIDELY SCATTERED LIGHT WHEN SUNNY”

One primary message at a time please

Reminds me of the Scarecrow with his arms pointing opposite directions in The Wizard of Oz

When we try to communicate more than one main message and too many details in any form of media, the more confusing and less motivating we become.

Define your one, primary message, and then carefully select what supporting messages are necessary, if any.

Meanwhile, be careful when driving in Hawaiian parking lots, and send me your photos of funny signs and messages like this one.

To Twitter or Not to Twitter

I just set up my first Twitter page and am exploring how to leverage this “broadcasting” app.

You can find me at https://twitter.com/RickCram.

Are you on Twitter? And if so, are you on to follow or be followed?

A thought about “control”

Some have the perception that the person in control of a meeting, such as a sales call, is the one doing all the talking. Truth is, the person who asks more questions and listens is in greater control.

Thought for the Day

“A real leader faces the music, even when he doesn’t like the tune.”

— Anonymous

Creative Fundraising and Cost-Cutting For Non-Profits

If you’re interested in being more effective with your fundraising…and doing it more efficiently…you’ll find this webinar time well spent.

Hosted by OneWorld.net in Washington, D.C., four speakers presented to a local and an online audience on May 21, 2009.

My presentation, “Understanding Your Donors and Using this Knowledge Effectively,” was the second one.

Use the following links to bring up in different browser tabs or windows the podcast (audio only) and the slide show.

With the .mov version of the slide show, you’ll need to PAUSE and PLAY the movie to keep pace with my comments on each slide. First launch and play the podcast and advance it to when I am introduced (about one-quarter of the way into the podcast), then launch the movie of the slide show.

Click Here for Podcast

Click Here for Slide Show Movie

You’ll hear references to my document with a list of key questions to have answered before developing any appeal or marketing piece. Contact me for a free copy.

I look forward to your comments and questions.

Meanwhile, the three other presenters were excellent and the audio of their presentations are worth your time, as well.

Congratulations PLGA Foundation

To the families and friends of the PLGA Foundation and to the 500+ good people who turned out for the event on May 31, congratulations on making the first annual PLGA Foundation Ride and Family Fun Festival a great success.

You’re close to reaching the goal of raising $500,000, yet you’ve accomplished so, so much by demonstrating and delivering “hope” for kids…and their families…with PLGA brain tumors.

Do you act on your convictions?

After reviewing a good number of quotes on “conviction” (one of the 7 C’s of Persuasion), I found one that makes a good point…

“Conviction is worthless unless it is converted into conduct.”

-  Thomas Carlyle

Your conviction not only challenges you to act it out…work it and live it out…it is one of most powerful catalysts for motivating others to take action.

How are your convictions leading to actions with your marketing, sales and fund-raising?

If you were king…

Fill in the blank, and then answer the question.

“If you were king, what would you do to improve __________?”

At least once a year, everyone in your management team should address this question, with the pressing issues filling in the blank.

A good way to know what to place in the blank is to ask and answer the question, “What is the largest challenge facing our organization?”

The “king” question should be posed to middle management, line and staff, customers, channel and center-of-influence constituents, as well, once a year or when your conducting research to strengthen your brand and key strategic issues.

Have you ever asked and answered the “king” question? Were you surprised by the results?