Social Networking: Making Old Girlfriends Pay

Julie K had better watch out. You see Julie was my first love back in the eighth grade. Until, that is, she turned me down for the Valentine's Day Dance. Now, after 27 years of dealing with the pain, it's time for a little pain and suffering on her end.
I'm going to use social networking to make her pay.
First, a few facts. Her friend Sarah told me she wanted to go to the dance. Then, I asked her and she broke my heart in two. And I must say, I was a catch back in 1981. I sat in the back of the bus with the other cool kids, I wore a concert shirt to school at least two days a week (sure sign of coolness back then) and I even shaved once every few weeks. Heck, I had hair back then.
But Julie ruined my life. (I'm playing Lionel Richie's "Endless Love" as I write this).
Now, it's her turn to suffer. I'm going to use every social networking site I know (Blogs and more blogs, LinkedIn, MySpace, FaceBook, Twitter, etc.) to basically trash Julie.
I was talking with a PR professional last week and he mentioned that PR firms (who used to promote businesses) will now help disseminate messages (for and against others) through social networking sites. These firms make it look like a real grassroots undertaking. (Don't want the world to know it's really four guys in a South County cubicle.) I'm going to hire that PR firm. Ah, the world against Julie K. I can rally every heartbroken 8th grader against her.
Then, I'm going to hire an IT firm to make sure all of these entries end up high on Google's searches. Julie's dog will soon know how bad she hurt me.
I could walk away, move on with my life and not worry about Julie. Yeah, right. Why would I do that when social networking is here to make people like Julie pay.
I'm looking for much more than an apology. I've had years of pain and suffering. I'm thinking a two-week cruise to the Caribbean might help.
Now, Julie will probably hire her own PR firms and disseminate bad information about me or information to make herself look better. She'll probably also hire an IT firm. She may even tell some stories about me to discredit me.
That's OK, my PR firm will just disseminate some more crap about her.
I just want to thank the designers of social networking. Somehow, when the idea of social engineering began, getting back at Julie K was exactly what the founders had in mind.
--Ron Ameln, SBM

When You Think: Think Big!!!

Former football announcer John Madden was also a great coach in his day. One of his most dramatic pre-grame pep talks came during a Super Bowl when he simply told his team: "Don't worry if the horse is blind; let's load up the wagon anyway."

It's a philosophy most businesses should embrace, especially now as companies start planning for 2010. Don't worry is your ideas or plans have some holes in them (or maybe seem like they won't work), think them through anyway. Think through ways they CAN work, instead of ways they can fail.

You might be surprised at the outcome.

Years ago, 1947 in fact, a competition was held in St. Louis for an architect that could design a monument on the Riverfront. Architect Aero Saarinen actually won the competition with a unique Arch. Although Saarinen had no idea if the Arch could stand without falling into the River (many engineers told him it would never work), he and the City pushed on with the project. Design began in 1963 (some engineers still thought it would never work). In fact, until the final piece of the Arch was put in place in 1965, some engineers still didn't think it would work.

However, thinking big paid big dividends. Even though it was once thought impossible to construct, engineers figured out a way to make it happen.

The Gateway Arch has been the crown jewel of St. Louis. It is the landmark the City is known for around the globe.

As you make future plans for your business, don't let the naysayers derail your dreams. Think big. There is plenty of time to figure out logistics and whether or not your ideas will work.

--Ron Ameln, SBM

The Budget: An Important Part Of Any Firm's Success

When we talk about running a business and the numbers, everyone first thinks about the Big Three (Profit-Loss, Cash Flow and Balance Sheet). Unfortunately, no one talks about the budget.

In talking with business owners throughout the month, I'm shocked at how many owners don't have a budget.

If you don't have a budget, start one today. Break everything down from your "Cost of Goods," "Salaries," "Income," and "Expenses." Then, as the year goes on, re-check your budget. Put percentages next to items each month and make sure the company is staying on target. It's the only way you'll know if (and what) things are going wrong. The sooner you realize these things, the sooner you can take action and correct them.

The budget is really your guide to help you through each month, quarter and year. I know our budget has helped us stay on track, and it has helped us understand all of our numbers better.

Planning for 2010 is just starting. If you don't already have a budget, create one today.
--Ron Ameln, SBM

Jon and Kate: What Ever Happened To Hard Work?

I went to college (MIZZOU) some 20 years ago with Brad Pitt. Now, even though we were both in the Journalism School, I didn't know him (please girls, don't call me I can't help you meet him). Pitt left MIZZOU, with very little money, his senior year and moved to California because he wanted to be a star. In the late 80s, becoming a big-time Hollywood star meant you moved to Los Angeles with very little money, waited tables at night, went to countless auditions every day and went to acting class. It was hard work, and it took a lot of dedication and perseverance. But, for those who persevered, like Pitt, the rewards were endless. It was called working hard to become a star.

This brings me to Jon and Kate, the current reality stars we hear so much about. Today, people don't move to L.A. and work hard and learn a craft to be famous. No, that's too hard. Today, would-be stars act outrageous, try to get on American Idol, Survivor or another reality show, or find a good fertility doctor.

Why work hard when a fertility doctor can get you on screen much more quickly? I guess it's part of the instant gratification we see in society today.

Jon and Kate received massive amounts of money, opportunities for book deals, a tummy tuck for her, hair implants for him, homes, etc. They are bona fide stars.

But did they really earn those things?

--Ron Ameln, SBM

Why Government Motors (GM) Won't Work

As a parent I've learned that the most difficult, and at times most unpopular, decisions are often the ones that are in my children's best interests in the long term. They don't notice it now, but they probably will 15 years from now.

The same is the case for businesses. Difficult decisions today (layoffs, budget cuts, diversification) may be the best decisions for the future of the company. Even though these decisions might be unpopular today, they may mean the company exists 10 years from now.

That is precisely the reason Government Motors, the new GM, won't work. Politicians don't care about long-term, they care about popular opinion and making voters happy.

This is already happening at Government Motors. Here's a great example.

GM recently announced a decision to close a parts-distribution center in Norton, Mass. The reasoning seemed sound. The company is bleeding money and parts weren't really flowing from the distribution centers. So, consolidating the centers would help save costs.

The problem: The Norton, Mass., distribution center happened to be in Congressman Barney Frank's district. Frank chairs the Financial Services Committee, which is important to GM now that the Government will soon own 60% of the firm.

Frank called GM's CEO and guess what? The parts plant will not be closed after all.

Difficult decisions must be made to save struggling companies. Politicians cannot make those decisions. Can you imagine politicians setting interest rates? Rates would be 0% (and inflation would be through the roof). What politician would have the guts to raise interest rates. They can't even suggest tax increases.

Frank says his decision to intervene in the situation had nothing to do with the parts plant being in his district. (Surprise, surprise). Frank said he intervened because closing the plant meant parts would now be trucked across the country, which means increasing our global warming problems even more. He actually made the decision in order to help save our planet. (I guess this means GM can't close any of the parts plants.)

Now, GM must figure out a way to cut costs and make all the politicians happy so they can be elected next cycle.

Decisions made for a company based on anything but the best long-term interests of the company just won't work.

--Ron Ameln, SBM

Important Question: What Business Are You In?

I had lunch the other day with one of my mentors and I began telling him about some of the diversification plans for SBM. He stopped me at one point, with a very direct question: "What Business Are You In?"

Can you answer that question in your business? Years ago Hertz Corporation asked this question and realized that the firm was not in the "rental car" business, but rather the "get people out of the airport as fast as possible," business. This discovery changed the way the executives and employees made decisions. It spawned a Hertz Club where members no longer had to wait for vehicles, a huge success for the company at the time.

So, what business are you really in? When you discover the answer, every decision you make should meet this objective.

For SBM, we're not a "publication," or a "newspaper." We're in the business of "Educating and Promoting Small Businesses." After some reflection, I realized some of my diversification ideas didn't really meet this goal.

What Business Are You In?

--Ron Ameln, SBM

Diversification: Riches In Niches

Every company is looking for ways to diversify and gain some new revenue streams, especially in this economy.

One warning: Take your time and find the right solution. Remember: there are riches in niches. Don't leave your niche behind trying to find the holy grail of income.

Years ago Hardee's decided to diversify and serve fried chicken. The chicken was excellent and soon the stores were packed with patrons buying chicken. The only problem: Hardee's didn't have the capacity to serve large amounts of chicken. Soon, patrons were waiting 30 minutes for chicken. That didn't last long, as you can imagine.

It didn't take long before customers, angry they had to wait 30 minutes for chicken, stopped coming not only for chicken but for the restaurant's niche: burgers.

Wisely, Hardee's abandoned the chicken concept and once again focused on its niche: burgers. The chain learned a valuable lesson about diversification. Today, even as chains strive for healthier menu choices, Hardee's continues to focus on its niche: burgers.

--Ron Ameln, SBM

Phil Jackson: A True Leader Wins Again

L.A. Lakers basketball coach Phil Jackson just led his current team to an NBA title. It will make the 10th NBA title for Jackson.

It's no wonder he's won 10 titles. You can tell he's a leader just by watching him on the sidelines. Unlike most coaches in the NBA, Jackson doesn't stand all game screaming at his players. He sits quietly, almost like he's at church. (He's a believer that yelling at someone in heat of a game will not improve his or her performance. Instead, he opts to talk about game situations and offer advice during halftime or timeouts when competitive emotions have settled down.)

Even the world's most coddled, self-centered athletes (basketball players) respect him because he treats them like human beings. (He even passes out books to players on road trips. Yes, Dennis Rodman actually read a few of them.) He gives his players responsibility and a say in game stratagies.

As leaders of our businesses, we can take away many lessons from Coach Jackson.

--Ron Ameln, SBM