Memorial Day 2010 on Monday, May 31st

A classic re-post from 2008 "Let us never forget" —Semper Fi

Netflix Business Model

Netflix shares their business model: SlideShare ©2010 Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey. All rights reserved.

New source of Biz Insights

A man is a success if ... Where business and Rock & Roll might just co-exist! Like this quote from Dylan. Check out this new repository of business insight for the business owner. Recapture the Thrill of Business Ownership™ ©2010 Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey. All rights reserved.

mashup: more on pricing and purchasing

More on Pricing Update: May 2010 News flash: Not everyone knows everything that is necessary for success. Okay, you got me, not much of a news flash. But it always surprises me when I learn about situations where common knowledge is not common practice. Here is a small glimpse inside my brain and how it works. Ever see the movie, Working Girl, featuring Melanie Griffith? I have mentioned it on several occasions. If you don't own it, rent it today. The business lessons pour out of this thing as if it were written to serve as a self-contained B school for the ever hopeful. Well, maybe that is a little too strong... but it is very entertaining and packs quite a few lessons on business. In the movie, she explains how she creates a mashup that results in a huge victory for her employer and the client. Hence today's mashup... First, in a brief conversation with a colleague, the topic of Purchasing came up. He mentioned a situation where the "low cost provider" was actually causing significant expenses to accrue to a client. Well beyond the costs of shifting to a better source of materials. Let me restate it this way (as many businesses have policies that mirror this mistake): Purchasing is required to get three quotes for every purchased part, and without a thorough explanation otherwise (with fancy multicolored charts proving the case beyond all doubt), you must buy from the low cost provider. Makes sense, right? So how does Zig Ziglar, Chet Richards' book, Certain to Win, and my "Biz Connection Howto" post from October 2008 mashup into a lesson on pricing? I thought you would never ask! First, my mind raced to the Zig Ziglar example on "Price vs. Cost" in his book, "Secrets of Closing the Sale." Which I have on cassette tape (showing my age, right?). For the new kids on the block, this particular lesson ("Overcoming the Price Objection") is also available for free on his podcast on iTunes. Then, when I turned to my blog in search of articles on pricing, the post Biz Connection Howto popped up, in which I used the word "pricing" in an unrelated manner, however, in reading the post, my reference to "trust" hit me between the eyes. Big time! Which instantly lead me to Richard's book. Clear so far? Great You cannot get this policy changed until your organization trusts you. All the proof in the world is useless. Honest. I have seen it time and time again. But only after I discovered it first hand. Leadership is trust, or at least it is required in order to lead others. Want to make a difference in your organization? Start by creating trust, then, work on those multicolored charts. Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey ski@throughput.us P.S. Consider sharing your story on Pricing with my readers via a guest post. Drop me line if you want to contribute. (cc) 2010 Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey. Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Sales and Marketing help for NE Ohio

The "One Degree Difference" by Ron Finklestein Recall that story by Victor Kiam in those 1980s TV commercials when he talked about his love of Remington and said, "I liked the shaver so much, I bought the company"? Well, Ron has done it again. Put together a great system for business coaching that overcomes most (if not all) the hurdles I have observed derail otherwise great intent among business owners. I liked it so much that I joined... then I bought a license to reproduce the program with Ron's materials, blessings, and even some hands on assistance. Join Ron and I in Medina, Ohio this Thursday morning. Get there at 7:45AM to get a good seat. This introductory seminar is free to registered Sales and Marketing executives in NorthEast Ohio. You must register online: SSMAB Online Registration Got questions? Give me a shout. Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey ski@throughput.us (330) 432-3533 ©2010 Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey. All rights reserved.

tungle (the next killer app?)

Lets connect! -ski

New skiWIDGETs web site up

New skiWIDGETs web site...

Got content?

Get some skiWIDGETs for that web site or blog, or even that next email blast.

-ski

©2010 Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey. All rights reserved.

Lang Lang on the iPad

Amazing... just think if Eric Clapton has an iPad and thought to play Layla! (thanks to the scobleizer for the link)

Catch SKI in Medina, Thursday May 27th

Solopreneur's Sales & Marketing Seminar 

Thursday, May 27th - 8am to 10am 

FREE (Limited Seating - Register now) 

Rustic Hills Country Club

Medina, OH 44256 

http://events.linkedin.com/Solopreneurs-Sales-Marketing-Seminar/pub/329299

Moving our news feed to feedburner

Ever forget to do something? I have been meaning to move the news feed for this blog over to the industry standard feedburner for some time. Finally have done so. Why Better metrics. -ski

Joe D for Comfort Stop PPS

Joe D at Pro Riders Marketing announces availability of the Positive Stopping System If you enjoy the motorcycle scene in America, especially the customs (my favorite), then you need to know "Joe D" from Pro Riders Marketing. While I was putting a solid manufacturing system in place for an American OEM motorcycle company some years ago, Joe was a key force in my supply chain. Guess what? His actions magnified my results. If Joe endorses it, I'm sold It is that simple. Of course this part is destined for my vRod... I can use the help getting it stopped! -ski P.S. Some photos of the vRod... and my Turismo Signature Edition custom. ©2010 Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey. All rights reserved.

Ever miss Closing a Sale?

The Golfer and the Millionaire by Mark Fisher Every now and again, we hit a great golf shot. Or close a valuable sales deal. Or make a new connection that generates a ton of new business. If you are most like folks, you hit some good shots and you hit some bad shots... but life goes on. Consider the professional golfer Is this "hit or miss" approach to the game going to pay off on Sunday afternoon? Hardly. The same is true in business. Only more so. In a slump, but not sure why? This is the book for you (and me!). We all have off days. But when they crowd out the good ones, it is time for a change. Einstein said it best, "The thinking that creates the problem is not sufficient to create a breakthrough." [paraphrased] If you are a small business owner in North East Ohio, I can help. Actually, a colleague and I can help. I am in the process of licensing one of the greatest solutions for getting the small business owner "back in the game" that has crossed my path in quite a few years. To learn more, give me a shout. We are sharing an overview of the program next Thursday, May 27, 2010 in Medina, Ohio. Seating is limited as the price of admission is zero. Zilch. As in FREE. What entrepreneur can pass up free in this day and age. If you can't make the face to face meeting, consider picking this book up and figuring it out on your own. Of course, the sharpest minds are looking for "inside" story. From folks that have done it before. See you in Medina. Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey ski@throughput.us ©2010 Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey. All rights reserved.

Five years and counting

Five years ago I started blogging... And owned this Buell that I bought over the net. Flew to Dallas, TX to take delivery and ride it home. What a great trip. The original post is still online. In case you don't know, Harley-Davidson owned Buell. They killed the line of bikes late last year. How sad (and stupid). Rumor has it they could have sold the line and recouped some money. But I digress. Here is that first post from May 1, 2005:

Welcome SKI Consulting and Implementation is all about throughput. Due Date performance. Achieving one's goals. Welcome to the "Throughput" blog. As David Letterman asks, "Is it anything?" Only time will tell. -ski

Well, what think you? Now that five years have elapsed from our lives? Is it anything? Better yet, If I have helped your business adventure, leave a comment. -ski ©2010 Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey. All rights reserved.

Innovation tied to Change?

How important is innovation? I love the first hand stories of managers that tell about a great book they have read and how it has opened the doors of their minds to a new vantage point, only to have their superiors "rain on their parade" and explain away the potential benefits. In 80% of the cases, their boss gave them the book! Irony? Before you quickly dismiss the irony of such occurrences, think about the ramifications. To morale for sure (and yet this is often overlooked), but also to the health of the organization. Here is a question I have asked: "Why did your boss give you the book?" Almost always, the answer is to help the organization solve a problem. Most of us have been there; trying to make a difference. Then, you hit pay dirt. You read well into the middle of night remarking to yourself (out loud), "This is exactly the answer!" Only to be put in your place the next morning at work. How sad Well, here is yet another chance to raise your blood pressure (as if we need more "at bats" at this activity!): Jack's Notebook by Gregg Fraley Studying up for my presentation at the DoD Performance Symposium on June 9, 2010 on the methodology and tools of Goldratt's Theory of Constraints (TOC), I picked this book up for insight into Innovation's role in Change Management. I have not been disappointed. In fact, I owe Fraley a new review based on this aspect of this great book. But I digress... Here is an idea Buy two copies of this book and give your boss a copy! Maybe the inverse will work? Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey, Jonah Throughput.us (843) 564-4754 P.S. My presentation is on Wednesday, June 9th at 12:45 PM and is innocently {grin} titled: "System Optimization and Synchronization using TOC to Accelerate Change." If you are in the DoD space, do come up and introduce yourself. ©2010 Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey. All rights reserved.

To effect change requires energy

Albert Einstein said: E=mc²

"One of Einstein's great insights was to realize that matter and energy are really different forms of the same thing. Matter can be turned into energy, and energy into matter." —Bill Willis

I have been thinking a lot about "change" of late, in preparation for addressing the DoD Performance Symposium on June 9, 2010 at the National Conference Center in Virginia. One of the more interesting twists in my mental exercises comes from the rereading of a number of texts and articles on change and this notion that change requires energy. Framed another way, consider Newton's First Law of Motion: "An object at rest tends to stay at rest, or if it is in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by a sum of physical forces." *batteries not included One of the great marketing expressions of the last century was this classic that was so powerful it was made into a movie starring Jessica Tandy (and for which she won the 1988 Saturn Award). But I digress... If your organization (in the DoD space) seems to have trouble initiating and fully implementing the proper changes at the proper time, maybe your batteries are low! Maybe the bigger issue is how to quantify "proper" changes? Perhaps your system's boundary lines seem to shift at the most inopportune time? Join me at this year's event: 2010 DoD Performance Symposium National Conference Center, Virginia June 8-10, 2010 What: A three-day conference on performance that includes presentations by senior Defense officials, Federal Government leaders, Service leaders, Deployment leaders and Transformation leaders from all branches and agencies. Voice of the Customer: Based on attendee feedback from past events, this symposium will:

1. Feature two days of general session and daily practitioner breakouts.
2. Showcase significant business operations issues that were solved by using performance improvement methodologies resulting in positively impacting the front-line warfighter.
3. Have the last day dedicated for services and agencies to meet and discuss/grow their respective initiatives.

Where: National Conference Center, Lansdowne, Va. Link: Registration information To Register after May 25, 2010, call the National Conference Center directly at 703-729-8000.

Content for SocMedia efforts

skiWIDGETs drive traffic Check out the latest in Spring Widgets for your web site or SocMedia efforts... drive content and therefore, traffic right to your site! http://skiwidgets.info

News from AHA

American Hospitality Academy Check out this great video on AHA and why they are the world-wide leader in hospitality education. The small print: AHA is a client of Jeff 'SKI' Kinsey since 1998.

Goodwill Industries

Over 17,000 individuals served One of my charities is Goodwill Industries in NorthEast Ohio. I don't give as much as I would like, but I do what I can (when I can) as well as buy a lot books from them. Odds and ends too, including furniture. Why? For fiscal year 2009, Goodwill in NEOhio invested over $17,000,000 in wages, taxes, and other cash outlays back into the local communities served. Besides helping those needing a hand up. And generally made a difference in the lives of those 17 thousand individual served via services in areas like speech therapy, job placement, parenting skills and adult literacy (to name but a few of the programs). Want to help? Buck Rodgers (of IBM) said it best, "We all have a civic rent to pay." For those of us that understand ROI, it is not just a duty, it is an honor and privilege to give back. No extra cash on hand? Your "time" makes a great substitute. So, take a few minutes and get involved. In a charity close to your heart. For those in NEOhio, consider reaching out to the local Goodwill Industries: http://goodwillclevecanton.org You can also make secure online donations. What is holding you back?