My favorite place to hear music: The Gorge

The perfect place for music

The scenery is breathtaking! Even if you aren't feeling the music, the background is amazing! Last concert I saw there was OAR and Dave Matthews Band.

Twittering About

Like anybody else, I have been trying to figure out ways to make this social networking trend work for me and my company. The rewards I have already experienced include fostering a closer relationship with the surrounding community by making myself available and approachable. Social Networking allows people to get to know people. In a time where people don’t trust corporations, they would much rather get to know the people that comprise a business then hear an advertisement created by some marketing guru.
I believe one of the reasons for this marketing shift is the fact that people are not interested in the “hard sell” anymore. People want something of value from you before they care about what you have to say. This value can be a feeling of camaraderie, expert advice, discounts, feelings of being important, or just respect in general for who they are and what they might need. People have unprecedented access to information and expect transparency from the companies they do business with. If I was able to bring one important concept with me, from the ten years I spent in healthcare, into the catering business, it is the fact that patients/clients come to the table informed and prepared. No longer do you get the benefit of the doubt just because you have letters behind your name.
That being said, I have had some very interesting experiences exploring the likes of facebook, twitter, and blogging.
Twitter has turned out to be the most challenging for me, and perhaps this is because it is the newest site I have decided to become active on. There are instructions scattered about the internet on how to “properly” use Twitter, but I am the sort of person who jumps right in and learns better by experience. One thing I have noticed is that there are a lot of marketing executives with Twitter accounts. Because there is so much media focus on social marketing, everyone is jumping on board, whether they know what they are doing or not. So many of these marketers are trying to bring the “old school” marketing tactics they have always used into this new world of Social Media Marketing. Some of the deceptive activity includes “following” as many people as they can in order to get them to reciprocate and “follow” them back. Afterwards, they will “un-follow” these same people in order to make it appear as if they have a huge following, thereby gaining Twitter clout and validation. This goes against everything that this new generation of marketing stands for. The world of business has changed because people don’t want deception and games anymore. People want transparency and trusting relationships with those that they purchase goods and services from.
On the flip side, I am encouraged by the entrepreneurial spirit that is thriving in these changing times. People are harnessing the power of the internet to drive people (willingly) to their websites by offering rewards and value. I believe the key difference between these two different types of marketing is the value and respect they place on their potential client. If you treat me like a number in your statistics, I want nothing to do with you. On the other hand, if you are interested in who I am and what I might need or even have to offer you, then I am open to a reciprocal relationship that could potentially benefit us both.
Twitter, and social marketing as a whole, is what you make of it. Take the time to learn the culture of the program and use it for its’ strengths. I have found that careful attention to the right people on Twitter keeps me on the cutting edge of what is happening in the world of technology, social media, economics, and society as a whole. Becoming an insider is well worth enduring the learning curve that comes along with exploring this strange new world of marketing and social media.

Image taken from http://ethicalmedia.com/

The Mobile Office

Nems (Owner Chick) and I have been teaching classes on the explosion of social media marketing and low cost tips in utilizing today’s technology to the advantage of you and your company. No class is the same because our scope of knowledge changes with each passing day! I want to reiterate that we are NOT experts… just a couple of Chicks trying to make sense out of the vast amount of information that is out there. One of the trendiest finds we have noted is the total mobile office. This used to be the elusive dream of people everywhere. Only available to owners or top executives at large companies. Today’s technology allows people to work from home, vacation, or even on the road. Most companies can become web-based with ease. Phones are so much more than phones. In fact, during my last 10 day trip to California, I used my Blackberry to keep track of all of my emails, answer the “Chick” line and generally keep my life organized! It’s a blessing… and a curse! Some people find this to be an intrusion of their work life into their home life. In a way, it is an intrusion, but I think of it more as a blend. It benefits both employer and employee by allowing more family time (no commute time) and freeing up the employer’s financial assets that would be spent on maintaining a workspace for employees. Not every industry can benefit from this, but the ones that can, are! Business Week had a very good article on this workplace shift; http://blogs.zdnet.com/forrester/?p=165
It is well worth a read if you interested. This is one of MANY reports on the trend.

Besides embracing the inevitable change that comes with technology, these new advances are big wins for both quality of life and the environment.

Cheers!

Jayme

Wealth from Cold Cuts?

Wealth from Cold Cuts?

Well sorta… but I am getting ahead of myself. Yesterday Nems Scarim (Owner) and Jacqueline Westergaard (Head Chef) won first place in a cold cuts deli platter contest that took place at a convention in Las Vegas. Contestants were given a limited selection of meats and vegetables, and 20 minutes on the clock.
I can’t help but draw a parallel between this scenario and my favorite definition of an Entrepenuer; One who creates wealth out of nothing. Right now, it seems as if there is “nothing” available for the small (or large) business owner. There are no available loans for working capital and it seems like everything we own has decreased in value. A true Entrepenuer, however, can look past the present situation into a brighter future filled with success and prosperity.
So, to bring this full circle back to the deli platter… We must make something “appetizing” out of a pile of “cold cuts.” This might look like “beefing” up customer service, or increasing community presence and taking “stock” in the people and businesses around you. And of course, what goes better than “cheese” with a “platter” full of social commentary? Hence, this blog entry!

A small disclaimer on the posted picture of the meat platter… Ones created in our kitchen in Tacoma look much tastier.

A Moroccan Meal

When we were asked to put together a Moroccan themed spread for the Association of Bridal Consultants, I couldn’t help but flash on the Christmas episode of The Office. If you aren’t a fan of the show… there just might be something wrong with you, and you may not relate to parts of this blog post. In the episode, Phyllis, the head of the party planning committee, describes to one of her coworkers how to create and display pita triangles on a platter. The walls were draped with colorful swags of fabric, and people dressed in traditional Moroccan clothing. The evening’s festivities included one of the employees setting her hair on fire and eventually ending up in a rehabilitation clinic.
Fortunately, the evening we catered followed a different path. As you can see by the pictures, the décor was fabulous, and the spread was delicious. Our Chefs were given the theme and they created an amazing menu. Some of the Moroccan offerings included;
Baklava
Moroccan Spiced Salmon Cakes
Tzaziki
Couscous on a Romaine leaf
Chicken Skewers with Marrakesh Dipping Sauce
Dried Fruits
Olive Tampenade

Cupid goes to the Klondike

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Tickling your Tastebuds

Did I mention that I love my job?

Here is the menu that the Chefs created for our marketing class next week;

Appetizers;
Crab stuffed Mushroom Caps
Ahi Tuna in nest of Microgreens
Individual Caesar Salad (in a presentation that will BLOW YOUR MIND!)

Dinner;
Grilled Salmon Lemon Buerre Blanc
Rib Eye Steak with Blueberry Demi Glace

Garlic Buttered Petit Vegetables

Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Dessert;
Creme Brulee