Trent365

Many of us tend to be pretty critical of the choices we make.

Even when those choices didn't necessarily lead to bad outcomes, we still expected more.

Whilst I'm a big fan of that process of analysis and assessment, it doesn't mean you should beat yourself up over not making the perfect choice.

If the world was perfect, the operating environment was ideal, then sure, maybe you should make perfect choices.

But the world is never perfect.

And perhaps now, more than ever, is a good time to cut yourself some slack over some of your less than perfect choices.

#choices #judgement #mistakes

We've missed out on some great experiences over the past year and a half.

Especially those related to travel.

But Malaysia Airlines have realised that we also miss some of the annoying experiences too.

So, they released an Autonomous Sensory Meridien Response (ASMR) Experience.

What's that?

Basically, an audio experience.

You can sit back, close your eyes and listen the sounds of a flight from pre-boarding announcements right through to landing.

For me, as someone who has spent many, many hours listening to those sounds, I always found them really annoying.

But now that I haven't heard them for so long, I found this audio experience oddly enjoyable.

You can check it out here ... https://bit.ly/37rTzz7. 

So, think about the annoying elements of your customer's experience. Could you maybe create your own ASMR experience?

#soundscapes #audioexperience #marketing

In this politically correct era that we live in, we tend to talk a lot about avoiding confrontation.

But sometimes, confrontation happens.

It's time we talked more about how to get through the confrontations.

Either to win them, or to survive them.

If you don't agree...take a listen to my recent run in with the Alpha Male in the macaque monkey troop I encounter on my morning walks here in Kuala Lumpur...

#confrontation #avoidance #survival

When it comes to our investments, we like to diversify. Not put all our eggs in one basket.

We want to spread the risk and spread the reward.

But when it comes to our employment, it's usually just with one employer at a time.

If that company goes bust, we're out of a job. 

Sounds the opposite of diversification.

Given that our job is our main source of income, that all seems a bit risky.

With the massive upheaval in the way we work during this pandemic, maybe now is the time to discuss a mechanism where we can be employed by multiple companies at the same time.

It would spread the risk for the employees...but also for the employers as well.

Interesting idea!?!

#employment #diversification #workforcetransformation

Seeing is Believing.

Once I see it, I will belief it.

I may not believe in ghosts or UFO's, but the minute I see one of them...I'm a Believer!

But as Seth Godin suggests, it's often easier to see something that we already believe in.

Sometimes, no matter how much evidence you show people, they still convince themselves to not believe.

If I don't believe in the benefits of meditation, chances are no amount of evidence to the contrary will make me a believer.

So, the business lesson in this is...

Don't waste time trying to sell someone who doesn't want to be sold.

Far better to spend your energy finding those who already believe, and then help them see you.

#marketing #selling #believing

Thanks to COVID-19, we've probably all now experienced an online or virtual conference or meeting.

Something that we would have previously hosted at a hotel or a venue, now has to be done virtually.

But hotels could still play the role of host.

Maybe the Chef could live stream a cooking class during a break?

Or the Spa Team could live stream a yoga & stretch session?

With a bit of planning, the hotel could even send out notepads and pens and mints to all attendees so it feels more like the real thing.

To be clear, this may not be a great revenue earner for the hotel.

However, it would certainly help keep them Front of Mind.

And it's still an opportunity today as many parts of the world are still under some form of lockdown or restrictions.

#virtualevents #hotels #businessopportunity

When it comes to delivering our customer experience, we focus a lot on the Customer Touch Points. 

We want to Control every point where a customer comes into contact with our brand, our product, or our service.

It may be your website. Maybe your reception desk.

However, there are some touch points beyond our control, yet still very much a part of the customer's journey to experience our brand.

For example, the taxi driver that delivers your guest to your business.

Whilst it's not specifically part of your brand, it is part of your customer's experience.

You can't Control the taxi driver's service delivery, but you can Influence it.

It could be as simple just saying thank you to the driver. Or perhaps giving him a piece of candy or a gift voucher to say Thanks!

Over time, the word will get around that yours is a good place to drop passengers off.

The drivers will be happy to go there.

If they're happy, your customers will probably enjoy the trip.

And that can't be bad for your brand.

#customerexperience #touchpoints #influence

Logitech CEO, Bracken Darrel, is all for Company Culture.

But he also says it's important not to lose sight of Individual Culture.

You don't want your people to just recite the Company Edict verbatim.

You need them to put their unique, individual spin on it.

In doing that, you can ensure it all remains authentic.

So let invite people embrace the Company Culture, but also encourage them to stay true to their Individual Culture at the same time.

Smart advice.

#companyculture #individuality #authenticity

We tend to think that it's the things we did wrong that cause us the most grief.

But chances are, it's the shots that you didn't take, the mistakes that you didn't make, that end up costing you more.

It's the Errors of Omission, or of not doing, rather than the Errors of Commission, or doing.

So go on! Have a go!

NB: Thanks Seth!

#mistakes #lifelessons #try

Staying on the edge of culture can be risky for brands.

The risk is that they may end up offending or upsetting their existing customers.

But McDonalds Chief Marketing Officer, Morgan Flatley, reckons that's a risk worth taking.

She believes that brands are ultimately resilient.

Customers will forgive a few missteps. They will get over it.

So maybe it's time for your brand to play on the edges a bit more.

#branding #culture #marketing