MAGICJACK : 12-MONTHS LATER…

Well, it’s been a full year. My subscription expired yesterday. I wrote the following back when I first received the "as seen on TV" gadget that looked pretty amazing.

• MagicJack…Does it work? when I first got it.




• Magic Jack : Does it work? after six months.

So what’s the verdict?

I’m pleased to announce that it is GUILTY of working almost flawlessly!

But didn’t he say "almost"?

Yes, he did. The few "bumps" I’ve had have been more due to the PC or Internet that the device. For the past 12 months, I have used my MagicJack on two different laptops, one with XP and the other with Vista as well as three different desktops also with different Vista/XP combinations. Here’s a list of my findings:

• Regardless of the operating system, the "plug-and-play" feature seems to work just fine. When you plug the MagicJack for the first time, it self-installs the software and you’re up and running.




• Transferring the 911 location (very important) is a snap, just go the the MagicJack website, log in, and change your location. I do hasten to add that I’ve not had to use the 911 feature, so it’s not been tested in the field.




• Overall performance has been very good, for local and long distance. International calls are fine too. If you wish to make international calls, you do have to keep a balance on your account. Incoming international calls are not affected.




• Occasional "Max Headroom" like effects do happen, making the other person sound a little as though they’re trying to rap. This primarily happens when the Internet connection is being heavily used by other programs or the bandwidth is low.




• I’ve used MagicJack on wired and wireless computers with comparable results.




• On the current computer, the MagicJack has been running continually for about 2 months with only 1 reboot (required for service pack updates).




• The telephone number is tied to the MagicJack, not the computer, so if you plug the MagicJack into a new PC, the number transfers with it.




• The control panel on the screen is very simple to use. You can see outgoing and incoming call history, use it to dial or save numbers to your phone book.




• The voicemail is so-so. It’s usable, but not great, but it’s there if you need it.

On the whole I am delighted. For $50 you get a dedicated telephone number (plus you pick your own area code). Just add handset and Internet. I have just renewed my subscription for 5 years ($60).

For the price, the ease of use and quality is incredible value. Wherever you go, you take the same number with you. It’s perfect if you change locations like I do, or transfer from PC to laptop and back.

Personally, I am very hapy and will continue to use MagicJack and even get another…and no, I still don’t own stock in the company

You can learn more at www.magicjack.com.

LEANER, MEANER…AND QUITE DIFFERENT

In a recent conversation with a colleague, I commented on how I felt the business dynamic was changing. Permanently. I went as far as to predict that:

In a few years, there will be a handful of "mega corporations" responsible for everything from food production to financial services and media. Many of the "big corporates" today are learning the "merge or die" lesson, just look at the headlines that would have been unbelievable just five years ago. In my (very humble) opinion, these large corporate entities are going to form the basis for our economy. They will be the foundation, or "backbone".

"Brick and mortar" firms are changing too. They are either being swept up like rocks in a glacier, or going out of business. Sure, some are changing, but only then to become part of the "corporate glacier".

I think the "traditional" job will change. I see things such as benefits (healthcare, pensions etc) go by the wayside. I’d even hazard a bet that in the foreseeable future, "W2" style employees will be much rarer than 1099. After all, it makes sense for companies who need to be leaner, contain costs and reduce risk. Shift the burden of benefit costs to the employees.

On the flip side, employees can become business owners in their own right. Now, at least in theory, they are "vendors" who can charge for services provided. Work 40 hours, bill for 40 hours. Work 45 hours, bill for 45 hours. With no benefits to pay for and seeing the "employee" as a "vendor", even overtime becomes a cheaper option for companies than worrying about the "encourage unpaid overtime" that anyone who has worked in corporate knows about.

Not everyone is going to want to, or necessarily be able to, set up their own company or be a self-employed entity. Hence, for a while at least, traditional W2-style employment will be the norm, but, as we’re seeing, there will be fewer jobs with fewer benefits.

It doesn’t have to be all negative. Companies can (and already do) form organizations with collective bargaining power to obtain half-decently priced benefits such as healthcare. Personally, I see this as a help rather than a hindrance. Group insurance will be a little different, but it may be an option to self-employed people who belong to associations who are able to get "group" rates.

With so many self-employed / small companies, out there, there will be room for innovation and even more specialization. Consider this: a company wants a product. They hire a small company that is a specialist in developing a product. The small company gets a mandate and goes out to bring in just those resource companies that can develop the product. At the end of the project, everyone goes their own way. No expectations beyond the project. You’re paid for what you do, and off you go.

This more "modular" type of company / project / service scenario will suit the upcoming generations who are used to the technology and cultural mindset that will be required.

Of course, this prediction is open to suggestions of being rather "Orwellian" or, dare I say "socialist"? Except I see it evolving already. Look around you at the number of smaller companies, self-employed people and the number of "super corporations" that are getting bigger and bigger.

This isn’t intended to scare anyone, in fact the opposite. It’s just my opinion, but the business world is changing. We can fight or we can do what we do best: adapt and innovate.

MARKETING FOR MARKETING

An advertisement idea for a new marketing campaign about marketing.



© Copyright 2009 JDE LTD. All rights reserved.

LEGACY MARKETING

"Oh boy, what’s he doing now?"

Excellent question and I’m glad you asked. Let me answer with another question: how do you want to be remembered?

"You mean….?"

Yes, when you get to "the end".

Kidding aside it’s a serious question. Personally, I want people to look back and think "there was a good person, who delighted in helping others".

So, the second question is: are you practicing your legacy in marketing now?

"Uh-oh, sermon…"

Actually, it’s not.

If you think about it for a moment, if you want to be remembered, or look back one day and say "wow, look what I was able to do," consider what you’re doing today in order to be able to have that vision to look back upon.

Are you building pyramids using the strengths of others, or are you building pyramids with others?

If you truly want to be remembered as a good person who helped people realized their dreams, or someone who dedicated their lives to a cause, or a committed individual who just wanted to see people grow, then consider putting that philosophy into practice now.

You only get one pass at this life, and you’re the driver. You may not care what you think in 20, 30, 40 or more years from now. You may care even less about what others may think. But you know something? I’ll bet it shows…

WELCOME TO THE WEB!

HOME RELOCATION EXPERTS
www.HomeRelocationExperts.com

Home Relocation Experts is a group formed by broker Sue Griman of Desert Dwellers Realty, LLC who specialize in personal, corporate and military relocation.

Unlike many "traditional" relocation companies, the business model of HRE is more referral-driven than "fee for service". As Sue describes it,
"a personal touch in relocation backed by decades in relocation and real estate."

Their nationwide network of agents and service providers are all "best of breed". The product and site have been a vision of Sue’s for many years and we’re
very pleased to have helped realize it.

SUPERIOR FINANCIAL SERVICE
www.SuperiorFinancialService.com

We’re also delighted to announce the launch of the completely redesigned site of Superior Financial Service. SFS offers secure online/offline banking transaction and credit card processing services.

The site features a very clean, modern look and technical features including XML, RSS syndication, Flash, Java, HTML and .Net. The technical and aesthetic challenges presented at the outset of this project has inspired some of my best personal work.

One principal said upon completion, "JDE really hit a home run in the building and delivery of our site. The visual presentation of our company in this medium conveys everything we represent at Superior Financial Service.".

A GUARANTEED WAY TO GENERATE INTEREST

If you’re reading this, then it worked. A thought-provoking or challenging "hook" is the first step in getting attention. What you do with it after than, of course, is up to you.

In social media, products like Twitter rely on interesting "tweets" in order for people to converse. Tweets that are considered good are "retweeted". There are even awards ("Shorty Awards") for the best one-liners.

A captivating lead-in can make a huge difference, no matter what product or service you’re offering. Sometimes, the difference between you and your competition might just be getting someone to stop at your store or website and not the next guy’s.

For example, which sounds more interesting?

• EXPERIENCE IS AS IMPORTANT AS QUALIFICATIONS




• YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR : ASK ABOUT EXPERIENCE

Now, perhaps these aren’t the best of tag lines, but if you are trying to stand out from the crowd by virtue of your experience, both are adequate. However, in my opinion, the second tag suggests a slight "challenge", possibly that cheap isn’t always good…? Both articles or websites, blogs, flyers, brochures or whatever could have very much the same contents, but giving the prospect something to think about could be the margin you’re looking for.

When you’re writing your next article, blog post, advertisement, web site…etc, consider asking a question that people might not have thought about. Take a different view on an everyday subject. Be controversial. Stimulate discussion. Make them wonder what mysteries are inside

Bear in mind, that the content is important too.

I’ve written about being #1 on the major search engines (see SO YOU MADE IT TO THE TOP OF GOOGLE). Have a great seo-friendly site that gets you placed is important, but it’s no use if people aren’t staying on the site.

Ditto anything else. The content is as important as the title, but having a good lead-in certainly helps.

FAMILIARITY DOESN’T ALWAYS BREED CONTEMPT

This post idea came to me after I read a very good entry on Steph Adamo’s blog titled "Tropicana Redesign", in which Steph points out that there was nothing wrong with the "old" Tropicana carton design and that the "new" look is in fact, rather awful.

The post has since been featured on Yahoo! and other places. From the reaction to this comment, I think most people agree that, at least in this case, Tropicana (or rather Pepsico) should have left it alone.

But this raises a point. Especially in these turbulent times, people are looking for something different. Marketing is no exception. Whether it’s a new look or new approach, different gets noticed is conventional thinking. As a marketing consultant, I can agree and attest to this…to a point.

Sometimes tradition is also good. Take the upcoming 4th of July. Could anyone imagine it much different that it’s been pretty much since the first Independence Day? How about Thanksgiving? Of course we don’t want to change these things, the way we celebrate is traditional! Shame on me for even talking about it!

In these rapidly changing days and weeks when everything is moving so quickly, change can be positive, but so can stability.

Looking at the old Tropicana carton I see something that is very familiar. The new one isn’t. Did they really need to change it? Well, someone at Pepsi thought so, but how about marketing tradition instead of change? Something along the lines of "everything is changing, but some things don’t" or "we got it right first time, why change". You get the idea.

I call this concept "remarketing". Look at many small companies (and some large ones). You see things like "serving the community since 1982…" or longer. That implies a tradition, familiarity and a tried and true method. Why not advertise the fact?

Sometimes change isn’t the way to be different. Sometimes being the only one that doesn’t change can be just a unique.

I write about different marketing strategies and techniques, both traditional and non in my online newsletter Webby’s Updates which you can read at www.JDELtd.com and subscribe to if you so choose. You can download this and other articles from by Small Business GENetics site, www.sbgenetics.com

WEBBY’S : JULY 2009 ONLINE

The July edition of Webby’s Updates is now online at www.JDELtd.com. Simply visit the site and click on the “news” button to read it.

This month features include two marketing pieces, JDE client reviews, news, new website launches and, of course, Webby’s Trivia.

Happy 4th of July!

IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE, WHY SHOULD I?

To quote a line from the Oliver Stone film Nixon, "nothing sells like sincerity".

Some can fake sincerity. In fact, I know people who take pride in their ability to fake it. This, in my opinion, is as dangerous (if not more so) than not caring at all.

We’ve all been in situations, most likely in retail stores, where we’ve encountered the stereotypical "bored" employee who is just there because "it’s a job", and really doesn’t give a hoot about anything, least of all you.

Now, that’s not necessarily insincerity, but it’s a lack of concern or even "light caring" about a job or responsibly, and it shows.

As a marketing person, I work with many clients. More often than not, we work on projects to "jump start" their marketing efforts. Perhaps this is a "makeover" of some kind, a new approach or a different take on an existing one. What I see across the board is that once we’ve stoked the fires of imagination, excitement heats up, passion brews and the rest follows is so much easier after that.

If you care; if you’re passionate; if you believe in what you are marketing, whether that’s a product or a service, it will show.

Marketing begins with you. You have to believe in the product. You have to market it to yourself and then, as the customer, you have to believe it’s a good thing. If you don’t believe it, then why should your potential clients?

Imagine if you don’t believe you’re doing the right thing…it’s just "a job"…"I hate it, but it pays the bills"…do your (potential) clients deserve that? If you answer "yes" ask yourself why they deserve it.

I write about different marketing strategies and techniques, both traditional and non in my online newsletter Webby’s Updates which you can read at www.JDELtd.com and subscribe to if you so choose. You can download this and other articles from by Small Business GENetics site, www.sbgenetics.com

SEARCH ENGINES DO IT WITH SPIDERS

At least the good ones do. There’s always a lot of talk online and offline about "how do I get to #1 in (insert search engine here, mostly Google)?". The answer is much along the lines of the famous New York quip "How do I get to Carnegie Hall?"…"With practice".

Search engines vary in the exact "how". At companies like Google, their search algorithms are pretty KFC-secret-recipe-for-your-eyes-only guarded secrets. Yet there are some conventionally-accepted "norms" that apply to Google and most others.

The term "spidering" or "crawling" is as old as the "web". If you image the Internet, of even a website being structured very much like a spider’s web, with one thread literally linking to another, search engines "crawl" along these threads and, based on certain algorithms, give "points" that ultimately increase or decrease a site’s ranking.

It’s a little more complex that than, but for the sake of this conversation, lets keep it as simple as we can.

"Spiders" or "crawlers" are little programs that do this searching, cataloging…."indexing" is the proper term. They look at pages in "text mode". Certain HTML "markups" such as headlines, page headers, links etc are weighed and scored. As a site owner, you can regular some of what is looked at and what isn’t, at least by the engines that play by the rules. There are codes that can be added to pages or in a file called "robots.txt" which given specific instructions to spiders.

Having relevant content within the text becomes important, yet there is a fine line between what is good for a site and what is bad. For example, lets use the term "Arizona Real Estate Information". Ideally, when people type this into Google, we want our site to be one of the first ones that appear. So, we put the search terms into our page headers, the "meta tags" which are parts of the page also used for indexing and we try to work it into the text. Too little and it might negatively affect our site’s placement. Too much and we run the risk of having content that looks bad to a visitor and may be considered "keyword spamming" by the search engines.

And this is one piece of the whole puzzle, but it is a piece that you, as a website owner, has a degree of control over.

There are, of course, many other things that affect placement including inbound links from reputable sites, proper HTML coding, site maps, image "alt" tags and a host of technical things.

Sites that are all "Flash" are harder, if not impossible to index because what the viewer may see as text is more or less an animated "picture". Ditto pages that are in fact images rather than text (you can test this out by using your cursor to highlight text on page. If you can’t, then it’s probably going to be difficult to index). The best search engine technologies, which are always evolving, are finding ways around this, to allow much more flexibility in site design. Even PDFs are now routinely indexed if they’re part of a site.

SEO or search engine optimization deals with all these and more, hence the industry is part art and part science…and part luck and very hard to get right and do well, hence a lot of bad press.

Anyway, I thought this might be of interest. If you’re a little technically inclinedyou can download "Lynx", a text viewer, which gives you a "spider-like" view of a site. The results can be quite interesting…