Banks and Bulldogs

I’m a spender. I admit it. I know that I need to save for my future but I just never seem to get around to it.

Luckily, Scotiabank recently unveiled a program designed for spenders just like me. It’s called Bank the Rest. Modeled after the Bank of America program called Keep the Change, Bank the Rest is a free debit card savings program that helps people build up savings while making everyday purchases. What happens is every time a consumer uses his or her Scotiabank debit card, the total of the purchase is rounded up to the nearest dollar or the nearest five dollars and the difference is automatically deposited into a high-interest savings account. Basically, the more often you spend, the more often you can save. The program has been a huge success. (more…)

Derailed….

Worked hard to grow my business.
Ran out of hours in the day to manage the growth.
Got Derailed.

Hit a pretty scary health bump.
Took me two weeks to recover.
Got Derailed.
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Check this out!

Earlier this spring, in an effort to revive flagging sales, Starbucks launched an online community designed to open up a dialogue with customers. The new site, MyStarbucksIdea.com allows customers to share, discuss, vote on and see the results of their ideas.
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Friends

Have you ever noticed that sometimes our friends know us better than we know ourselves?  That what is hidden to us is obvious to them?

For years, I have believed that I was in the idea business. I have always said that I get up each and every morning to help more people have more ideas more often because ideas have the power to take us where we have always dreamed that we could go.  Ideas are my passion. Idea are my expertise. Ideas are not only what I do, they are who I am. (more…)

This is NOT an automated response!

Every week when I send out this email newsletter, I get a ton of automated “out of office” responses. With the exception of a few details – name, date of return, person to contact in your absence – they are all exactly the same. And I mean exactly the same. (more…)

What’s in the bottle?

This week I came across an amazing example of one of the most fundamental principles of successful Innovation.  It hails from Pieter Walser, owner/winemaker of South African BLANKbottle wines. I strongly suggest that you check out the site but here’s the bottom line (or the BLANKbottle as the case may be) (more…)

Is this a good excuse?

This week’s newsletter is late.  But I have a really good excuse.

Or do I?

The excuse: When I decided to send out this newsletter once a week, I made a promise to myself – that I would deliver real value to you in each and every issue.  I wasn’t prepared to send out this week’s newsletter until it met that standard .

The reality: Once again I fell victim to a syndrome that I call It’s not good enough yet and the truth is that I fall victim to that syndrome on a regular basis. The exact same thing happened to me recently with the design of my new business cards and is happening to me right now with the production of my new video that was supposed to be out two months ago. (more…)

Do you think this will fly?

Air Canada recently announced a new “customer service” program called “On My Way”. The program promises to help passengers cope with delays and cancellations beyond the airline’s control, including bad weather or airport traffic,all for a mere $25 – $35 fee per flight – paid at the time of booking!  This additional fee entitles the traveler to “speedy” access to “specially-trained” customer service agents - I guess that being in contrast to the ones that the rest of us have been dealing with for years! (more…)

Get This!

Last week I was speaking at the Healthy Workplaces Conference at the White Oaks Conference Resort and Spa just outside of Niagara on the Lake.  This was not my first time visiting the incredible White Oaks property where everything, including the most amazing chairs that I have ever had the pleasure of sitting in, is perfectly designed to enhance their client’s vacation and meeting experience.

On the bottom left hand corner of the White Oaks website you will find their philosophy summed up in three words. We Get It.  When you click on the We Get It icon there is an explanation. A rather clinical explanation I thought, but an explanation none the less. (more…)

Me and Elton John

Are you an Elton John fan?  I must admit, I’ve always had a bit of a love hate relationship with the man and his music.  Over the years, many of his songs have made up the musical score that accompanied the story of my life.  I have bopped to Bennie and the Jets; cried over Candle in the Wind and found strength in I’m still Standing. (more…)