Video: A Peak Inside Coolest Toys On Earth

With all the wind-spinners, it is hard to miss the store – but it is no wonder that people mistake it as ‘just’ a kite store. If they only knew …

So I have an interesting puzzle to solve: how do I get the ‘uninitiated’ to actually take the first step into the toy store that I work at? Almost everyone locally knows where it is. Thousands of people have driven by it. But most people think it is just a kite store. What if we tickled their curiosity with an epically fun peak inside? And what if those that have fallen in love with the store actually shared this video with all of their friends and family around Thanksgiving dinner? Watch below!

I believe once you walk through those doors, the rest will take care of itself.

One visit and either you will love it and be back for more or you’ll get all 

Facebook Jail Again?!

Stuck in Facebook Jail – Where you can’t add any friends because of ‘bad behavior’ …

This is the fifth time I find myself in Facebook Jail. The first three times, I can understand just a little why Facebook threw a couple of red flags when I added people too rapidly. They thought I was a spamming psychopath with a cute profile picture – there are plenty of them out there. But I really do know a lot of people. I had 997 friends last year when I said ‘see ya‘ to the off-centered ‘f’ logo. But now I am locked out of adding any more friends for 12 more days …

So I knew Facebook didn’t like me after getting the warning “You are using the People You May Know in a way that it was not intended to be used” when I rejoined Facebook in July. That message was what I got after over-exerting my left mouse button from all the ‘Add Friend’ clicking I was doing to my hundreds of amigos. This kept up until finally Facebook sentenced me to 7 days of not being able to send a friend request. I guess I needed to cool my jets.

Then after my first jail term, being the bright engineer I am, I thought that rather than clicking on all these people I knew and misusing the ‘Friends You May Know’ app, I would just

An Announcement is Not a Story

Are your communications just announcements or are you building up a relationship through stories? (Credit: Photographer LindseyJoy.net)

There is a such a huge difference between an announcement and a story – but too often people confuse the two. We can be much better communicators, things stick better in our memories and encourage us, if we tell stories rather than just announce things.

Let me give you an example.

A wedding announcement is usually a fun thing to get in the mail. It is usually printed on really nice paper, in a finely crafted envelope usually with colored ribbon or tissue paper, and sometimes even includes the picture of the engaged couple. The announcement will include information of when the wedding is and details about where it will be held. They are beautiful pieces of art that I have saved away the many I have received in my memory box. But for the most part, announcements are informational.

Now contrast the announcement with

The McDonald’s Daily Double: Are You Fooled?

The McDonald’s sign that first attracted my attention to their “new menu item”

Ever since McDonald’s updated the design of their restaurant buildings from the crazy-clown red and yellow motif that seemed to eerily scream ‘come to me kids!’ to a more substantial and calming brick, glass, and yellow design with their built-in McCafe’s, I have frequented them much more often. Their image is heading in the right direction – different eating areas for kids, young folk, adults, seniors, etc. Muted tones. Fancier and more lifelike display of food on digital signage. It finally seemed like McDonald’s was going to re-image itself as a higher-end quick service type of restaurant. That was, until I got fooled by their Daily Double.

I had seen the sign driving by a local McDonald’s over the past few weeks suggesting I try a Daily Double. Finally last week, I decided to try this new ‘deal’. At first, I thought it

iVan – A magical and revolutionary device at an unbelievable price

Have you heard of my Craigslist success story? Let me tell you a little about it – who knows, maybe life has been kinda rough lately – and you needed something ridiculous to boost the old spirits.

Intently focused on pondering how to market and sell iVan. The 'classically aged special tint' windows are viewable in the background.

The below advertisement appeared on my local Craigslist to sell my, how should I say this nicely, ummm …. ‘lovingly used’ van. I just happened to be walking by the technology section of Walmart, and saw on the end cap, a big display for iPad. I was amazed to see such a product in Walmart – so I said to myself, “Self, if Apple has allowed it’s beautiful newborn into the likes of Walmart, then why not use their tag line and allow their ability to focus on the good and make not-so-great things sound okay bleed into a similar ad for your van?” I wanted little hassle on the transaction, make it colorful, and maybe even make it onto ‘the best of Craigslist’.

… and that, kids, is how iVan was born. (and sold in 2.5 days with no hassle)