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| I like the "Hooray" for Extra Effect |
'Nuff said.
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
Be a Sissy!
Being the male of the species, it's often difficult to discern the wants and needs of a significant other. In the case of where we needed to go out to eat this week on date night, my mission could not be any clearer, Sissy's Southern Kitchen and Bar on Henderson. My lovely wife, with her Latin accent, kept asking for what could only be understood as Cici's, but I was reasonably sure that she did not want buffet pizza. Now that we have tried Sissy's, even if I was wrong, I believe I have won some reputation points for the meal.
The dining room was very comfy and the waitstaff were warm but respectful of our time and space. They were all dressed in throw back apparel completing the 50s vibe of the dining room. The place was packed, with people waiting up front. A real mixed crowd, from blue hairs to tattoos.
We opted for no appetizers, saving room for desserts, and headed straight to Sissy's Jalapeño Margaritas. They were made with blood orange juice and you could see the jalapeño seeds swimming in the drink. Not too sweet, just the right amount of bite. ¡Perfecto!
My wife pretended to look at the menu, but it was very clear before she entered the beautiful, she was going to order the fried chicken. I'm pretty sure she looked at the menu just to preview the desserts and decide what I should order, so that she could try a second dish. Needless to say, as metal buckets of fried chicken were delivered to several adjacent tables, it was clear that my wife was not alone in her obsession.
I opted for the Texas Fish and Chips. I don't know why. There were several intriguing comfort food options that will need exploring in future visits (spoiler: I liked it and will definitely return) including the Crispy Chicken Fried Streak, but I was quite content with my selection. The fish and the fries were perfectly crispy on the outside yet cooked to perfection. The fries had great seasoning, though I'm sure that some might think they are too salty, but as the song says, "That's what fries are for...keep smiling, keep biting..."
The desserts were both good, though I will admit that I will opt for the appetizers next time, as the savory won out handily over the sweet at this establishment. Oh, and I will be back.
The dining room was very comfy and the waitstaff were warm but respectful of our time and space. They were all dressed in throw back apparel completing the 50s vibe of the dining room. The place was packed, with people waiting up front. A real mixed crowd, from blue hairs to tattoos.
We opted for no appetizers, saving room for desserts, and headed straight to Sissy's Jalapeño Margaritas. They were made with blood orange juice and you could see the jalapeño seeds swimming in the drink. Not too sweet, just the right amount of bite. ¡Perfecto!
My wife pretended to look at the menu, but it was very clear before she entered the beautiful, she was going to order the fried chicken. I'm pretty sure she looked at the menu just to preview the desserts and decide what I should order, so that she could try a second dish. Needless to say, as metal buckets of fried chicken were delivered to several adjacent tables, it was clear that my wife was not alone in her obsession.
I opted for the Texas Fish and Chips. I don't know why. There were several intriguing comfort food options that will need exploring in future visits (spoiler: I liked it and will definitely return) including the Crispy Chicken Fried Streak, but I was quite content with my selection. The fish and the fries were perfectly crispy on the outside yet cooked to perfection. The fries had great seasoning, though I'm sure that some might think they are too salty, but as the song says, "That's what fries are for...keep smiling, keep biting..."
The desserts were both good, though I will admit that I will opt for the appetizers next time, as the savory won out handily over the sweet at this establishment. Oh, and I will be back.
Sunday, June 24, 2012
The Most Fortunate Person in the World
One man's pittance is another's fortune. While I might not have been happy with the quality of the pizza I ate Friday night out with the family, for many in our communities, that pizza might have been the only meal they would have had all day. Maybe, for several days. It puts things in perspective. Mine are first-world problems, when many here in North America suffer what we would consider third-world problem, but the awareness of the issue is low.
As we approach summer, the problems of hunger in North America get more difficult. Food bank shelves are challenged. Many kids who rely on school meal programs no longer know where food will come from some days.
Last month, we took the kids and friends to see the opening of the Calatrava bridge in downtown Dallas. As we drove on the highway, the bolt on the bike rack came off and a bicycle flew off the rack to oncoming traffic behind us. It happened in an instant, and we were in panic. As we pulled off the road and looked back, we were amazed at our fortune. All the cars avoided the unintended projectile. No one was hurt. Even my son's bike survived unscathed. I still can't believe it, but I am so thankful that nothing bad happened.
Accidents happen to people all the time. The recession has humbled and hurt many. You may never know, because they hide their troubles behind their pride.
Look in the mirror. Count your fortunes in small denominations and be happy and appreciative every day. Others are not as fortunate, but we can do very easy, simple things to help them.
Donate. Volunteer. Use free services like TangoTab, and help feed the hungry, just by dining out like you normally do. You will feel wealthy regardless of your financial status.
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| Andre Angel of TangoTab, Jay Ratliff and Cliff Geathers of the Dallas Cowboys at Minnie's Food Pantry |
Last month, we took the kids and friends to see the opening of the Calatrava bridge in downtown Dallas. As we drove on the highway, the bolt on the bike rack came off and a bicycle flew off the rack to oncoming traffic behind us. It happened in an instant, and we were in panic. As we pulled off the road and looked back, we were amazed at our fortune. All the cars avoided the unintended projectile. No one was hurt. Even my son's bike survived unscathed. I still can't believe it, but I am so thankful that nothing bad happened.
Accidents happen to people all the time. The recession has humbled and hurt many. You may never know, because they hide their troubles behind their pride.
Look in the mirror. Count your fortunes in small denominations and be happy and appreciative every day. Others are not as fortunate, but we can do very easy, simple things to help them.
Donate. Volunteer. Use free services like TangoTab, and help feed the hungry, just by dining out like you normally do. You will feel wealthy regardless of your financial status.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Don't Call Us, We'll Call You
We brought the kids yesterday to Bass Pro Shops, where to my metrosexual amazement, my son was in redneck heaven. It was like watching a pig in mud. Don't know where he gets the passion for fishing and hunting from, but I should likely administer a DNA test, because its not from me.
Let it be known, the lessons we learn in the new digital and social marketing world that we live in are always applicable in the physical world, and vice-versa. For example, as we were walking from guns back to bows to the waterfall, where parents were gathering with their kids for Aunt Mikki's Kid Fishing in the pond around back, we were not-so-subtly accosted by a gentleman. I thought he was just providing directions to where we should congregate. No, actually, he was selling discounted rooms at some family lodge Bass Pro Shops owns in Branson.
The lodge looked nice enough. He wanted everyone to pay attention, even my son, who just wanted to put a worm on the hook of his fishing pole and fish. Still, I let him go through his pitch, out of courtesy and curiosity. I said, "thank you", but we don't have the money right now to buy a vacation, and that I would be happy to take some information to talk with my brother and his family when we planned our next vacation.
I'm not sure I could have said something that should have turned off a sales person more that, "I don't have money to spend." But, that wasn't enough. He would not let us go. I then politely mentioned that my son was itching to go to Aunt Mikki's Kid Fishing activity, and I was not going to plan a vacation right now. Only after a little more cajoling did he let us go, expecting us to come back after the fishing.
Intent is just as important in the physical world as it is online. He could have spent that time with someone who gave a poop. I mentioned specifically, I plan these sorts of family vacations with my brother and his family, so in a way, I was not the sole decision maker, and certainly, though an advocate, my son was not. This is something you can find out in the physical world that you most times cannot in the electronic world. Lastly, I had somewhere else urgent to go, so he did not respect me as a customer, which is as critical in the electronic world as in the physical. Pushy sites are just as bad a pushy sales people.
As I think back, the only question he asked all of us is what we like to do. He should have asked if I was planning any family vacations in the future and he would have been able to cut the sales call down to 5 seconds and everyone would have been happier.
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| Watch out for sharks and gators... |
The lodge looked nice enough. He wanted everyone to pay attention, even my son, who just wanted to put a worm on the hook of his fishing pole and fish. Still, I let him go through his pitch, out of courtesy and curiosity. I said, "thank you", but we don't have the money right now to buy a vacation, and that I would be happy to take some information to talk with my brother and his family when we planned our next vacation.
I'm not sure I could have said something that should have turned off a sales person more that, "I don't have money to spend." But, that wasn't enough. He would not let us go. I then politely mentioned that my son was itching to go to Aunt Mikki's Kid Fishing activity, and I was not going to plan a vacation right now. Only after a little more cajoling did he let us go, expecting us to come back after the fishing.
Intent is just as important in the physical world as it is online. He could have spent that time with someone who gave a poop. I mentioned specifically, I plan these sorts of family vacations with my brother and his family, so in a way, I was not the sole decision maker, and certainly, though an advocate, my son was not. This is something you can find out in the physical world that you most times cannot in the electronic world. Lastly, I had somewhere else urgent to go, so he did not respect me as a customer, which is as critical in the electronic world as in the physical. Pushy sites are just as bad a pushy sales people.
As I think back, the only question he asked all of us is what we like to do. He should have asked if I was planning any family vacations in the future and he would have been able to cut the sales call down to 5 seconds and everyone would have been happier.
Friday, May 11, 2012
An Amazing Concept
When I grew up, we received 4 TV channels. I remember my brother and I, in the winter, watching TV together, lying down in front the TV with our feet on the baseboard heater, probably much too close to the TV, which has undoubtedly caused permanent damage in later years.
As Seth Godin has said about the TV Industrial Complex, communication and marketing to consumers has changed. When I grew up, when there was a commercial on TV for Captain Crunch, it was obvious that we needed to go to the store immediately and buy some Captain Crunch. The TV said so.
In the current age of information overload, spam mail, spam email, and getting Groupon'ed to death with emails and mobile notifications, people don't have the time and patience for outbound marketing anymore. We fast forward through most TV commercials. We read out news in 141 character bites. It's a huge challenge for many brands, but I would contend that this puts the largest stress on the most important element for brands to keep their customers engaged: a great product or service.
I know. I'm amazing. Hold the applause, please. Hey, having other reasons for customers to come back for great content is awesome, but if you don't deliver on the goods they care about the most, ain't no one gonna care anyway.
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| free comic book...you know you want it... |
In the current age of information overload, spam mail, spam email, and getting Groupon'ed to death with emails and mobile notifications, people don't have the time and patience for outbound marketing anymore. We fast forward through most TV commercials. We read out news in 141 character bites. It's a huge challenge for many brands, but I would contend that this puts the largest stress on the most important element for brands to keep their customers engaged: a great product or service.
I know. I'm amazing. Hold the applause, please. Hey, having other reasons for customers to come back for great content is awesome, but if you don't deliver on the goods they care about the most, ain't no one gonna care anyway.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
Lead by Error
I've been off the blog wagon for several weeks, and it's not for lack of interesting stuff to talk about, just that life in the startup has been all-occupying. We've made amazing progress, yet, I keep looking up and the mountain is not getting smaller. Yes, this is actually fun!
As with any multi-person venture, large corporation down to small startups, leadership is important. Setting a vision. Clear goals. Passion. Mentoring and improving the team. Honest, data-based assessments. Leading by example.
One of the most difficult leadership skills is admitting mistakes. We always want our kids to tell the truth, admit their mistakes and clean up their messes. To lead well, you need to admit when you err, correct it and move on.
Our employees are like our kids, and they don't necessarily learn from what we tell them. They more often learn and inherit traits from what they see us do every day.
As with any multi-person venture, large corporation down to small startups, leadership is important. Setting a vision. Clear goals. Passion. Mentoring and improving the team. Honest, data-based assessments. Leading by example.
One of the most difficult leadership skills is admitting mistakes. We always want our kids to tell the truth, admit their mistakes and clean up their messes. To lead well, you need to admit when you err, correct it and move on.
Our employees are like our kids, and they don't necessarily learn from what we tell them. They more often learn and inherit traits from what they see us do every day.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Hair Grows Back
Well, for some of my bald friends, they would disagree, and for that, I am truly sorry.
I am, on occasion, an odd bird, as it is sometimes called. My wife had made comments to me about both her unhappiness of the use of "product" in my hair (women like to comb their fingers through my hair, unhindered, you know...) and the fact that within days of getting it cut, it would inevitably form the classic Christmas Tree (as named by my children) faux hawk shape, which was also not agreeable with the missus. So, I walked over to Dork Clips after work last week and got a buzz cut. A number 1 guard, for those of you in the know.
I got home in time to pick up the wife and kids for the presentation of the winners at my son's science fair at school. My 9-year old son's reaction was, "Dad, you should really wear a hat!" with a look of embarrassment on his face. My 5-year old daughter chimed in, "gross!" and they both asked when it would grow back. Clearly, I had not pleased the masses with my decision.
It's been a week, and its grown back a bit, and I get better comments now. Probably, the sympathy has started to kick in. Either way, in 3 weeks, I will have the equivalent of a new small, hairy animal on my head. I likely was uglier (tough to believe that this extra state was achievable) than normal, and the decision was probably not my best.
But, in life, like in business, the stakes were not critical, and hair grows back. Build a bridge, get over it.
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| Hair Cut or Head Enlarged? |
I got home in time to pick up the wife and kids for the presentation of the winners at my son's science fair at school. My 9-year old son's reaction was, "Dad, you should really wear a hat!" with a look of embarrassment on his face. My 5-year old daughter chimed in, "gross!" and they both asked when it would grow back. Clearly, I had not pleased the masses with my decision.
It's been a week, and its grown back a bit, and I get better comments now. Probably, the sympathy has started to kick in. Either way, in 3 weeks, I will have the equivalent of a new small, hairy animal on my head. I likely was uglier (tough to believe that this extra state was achievable) than normal, and the decision was probably not my best.
But, in life, like in business, the stakes were not critical, and hair grows back. Build a bridge, get over it.
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