THE FIRST IN EVERYTHING

It was October and the Indians on a remote reservation asked their new Chief if the coming winter was going to be cold or mild. Since he was a Chief in a modern society he had never been taught the old secrets. When he looked at the sky he couldn't tell what the winter was going to be like.


Nevertheless, to be on the safe side he told his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the village should collect firewood to be prepared.

But being a practical leader, after several days he got an idea. He went to the phone booth, called the National Weather Service and asked, "Is the coming winter going to be cold?"

"It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold," the meteorologist at the weather service responded.

So the Chief went back to his people and told them to collect even more firewood in order to be prepared.

A week later he called the National Weather Service again. "Does it still look like it is going to be a very cold winter?"

"Yes," the man at National Weather Service again replied, "It's going to be a very cold winter."

The Chief again went back to his people and ordered them to collect every scrap of firewood they could find.

Two weeks later the Chief called the National Weather Service again. "Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?"

"Absolutely," the man replied. "It's looking more and more like it is going to be one of the coldest winters ever."

"How can you be so sure?" the Chief asked.

The weatherman replied, "The Indians are collecting firewood like crazy."

Collaborating

AND WORKING TOGETHER

In listening to friends, family,aquaintences and random people (you know me, I'll talk to almost anyone) about the challenges of promoting and selling products from their entrepreneurial businesses I am throwing out this idea.

What if several of you hosted a combined event under one roof?  Maybe for holiday shopping or after the holidays in February when people begin showing the signs of cabin fever.

Who do you know, that has a home with enough space to accomodate and would be willing to open it up to such a collaboration for one day to set up some display tables? Who do you know that has access to a FREE commercial space?

Each vendor could set up a display table, the host can serve a light snack and beverages (the cost of doing business). 

Come prepared with "Specially priced items", business cards, marketing materials and a registry for people who would like to be contacted in the future.

Hand everyone a FREE 2 part perforated ticket at the door for a chance to win a basket that will include a sample item from each of the vendors as a door prize.  The 2 part ticket should have ample space on the back of the half that you will keep, where the customer can write their name, address, phone and email address (I think you can purchase them pre-printed on the back).

Don't try to hold the customer hostage for the day.  Lose the stipulation that the winner of the door prize must be present at the drawing (could be a motivator for the customer to provide complete contact information on the back of the ticket).

Invite businesses that are not in competition with each other like:

• Mary Kay
• Tupperware
• Pooka
• Body Magic (big hit with physicians)
• Mellaluca/Melaleuca
• YTB
• Jewelry (an artist that makes their own jewelry)
• Baker or Caterer (someone who will bring samples)
• Stocking stuffers

Lastly, I'm sure we all have a friend or family member (heck get your children involved if they are old enough and well behaved) who would volunteer 1 day to help you make this a successful event.

Advertise on your website, Facebook page, create an email distribution list, FREE websites, your blog, my blog, the library, send an Evite invitation, your church!!!!! 

Just brainstorming.

Thanksgiving Turkey Crawl

Trying to figure out what to do on Thanksgiving?

Here's an idea that a good friend of mine introduced me to a few years back.

The Turkey Crawl!

The way it works goes like this:
The day is spent crawling (walking) from one house to another for the different courses of the holiday meal.  So you start off at one house for hor d'oeuvres, you move on to the next house for the main course, ending the day at yet another house for dessert.

Now of course you can add your own twist to the days events like cocktails, singing, a movie, story telling or whatever you want.  Or you can keep it simple letting everyone mingle and just provide the timing for the movement from one house to another.  (ie)  Hor d'oeuvres from 2-4pm, Main course from 4:30 - 6:30pm and dessert from 7 - 9pm.  Don't forget to include the name, address and phone of each host.

Hosts and guests can collaborate on what dishes will be prepared.  To help keep the process organized and in one centralized place, the facilitator can use a tool like Evite where everyone can RSVP and add to the list of who is bringing what.

However you plan the day, make sure you keep a camera handy.  I'm a big believer that although many people grimace at the sight of a camera, they share similar feelings of having been included in an event that was memorialized by photos.

The photos can be shared later via a picture maker slideshow (your choice of vendor, a free service is always most welcomed).

Happy Thanksgiving!