Jul 30

A colleague of mine in San Francisco sent me the following graphic, and it makes sense for search enginge thoughts, as well as, well…life? It would seem as I move along in my project there is at time as lack of good foundational tools, like patience, planning and education. If that background is not there, how do you build your credibitlity, trust and reputation?

SEO Tools

There are millions of sites out there, almost seemingly millions a day. In the projects I am working on now that shift of “listening” to your customers is happening more and more. But I also expect that as the scale of economies takes effect, small and medium sized businesses who did not have a great web precense will start to very soon. That can only mean a much larger marketplace for the world.

Jul 30

MSN Tracking Image

MSNBC.com

Baggage system breakdown delays JFK flights

Backup has left American’s terminal brimming with hundreds of bags

The Associated Press

updated 1:32 p.m. PT, Wed., July. 30, 2008

NEW YORK - A software glitch crippled the baggage handling system in an American Airlines terminal at Kennedy Airport on Wednesday, delaying some flights and causing a luggage pileup at the ticket counters.

The malfunction created big problems throughout the day for passengers flying out of Terminal 8, one of the newer buildings at JFK.

Thousands of customers had to leave their luggage behind and hope it would be delivered later. The breakdown was galling to some passengers already steamed over the airline’s recent decision to start charging fees for each checked bag on flights within the United States and Canada.

“I’m just not happy. I think it’s crazy,” said Mike Howell, who was en route to San Diego after visiting New York City. “If they do charge people 15 dollars per bag, they should get it right.”

The problem developed at around 4:45 a.m., when a piece of software failed in the computer that reads the bar code on each piece of tagged luggage, and then whisks the bag via conveyor belt to the proper gate.

With the automated system out of service, airline employees were forced to sort each bag by hand. They quickly became overwhelmed by the task.

The airline tried delaying flights for 60 to 90 minutes, hoping that would be enough extra time to get them loaded, but lots of luggage still didn’t make it aboard.

The airline’s engineers and technicians from the system developer were still working to diagnose the software problem Wednesday afternoon, said airline spokesman Tim Wagner.

Because of the crisis, American waived its fees Wednesday for travelers checking fewer than three bags at JFK. Starting in June, the airline, like most of its competitors, has charged $15 for one checked bag or $40 for two bags. Passengers may still carry on luggage for free.

Wagner noted, however, that a majority of the flights affected by Wednesday’s baggage problem were international, and thus not subject to the fees in the first place.

The airline had about 67 scheduled departures at JFK on Wednesday.

Some bags were being diverted to nearby LaGuardia and Newark airports and put on alternative flights.

Wagner said he could offer no immediate estimate on how long it might take the airline to sort through the backlog and get each bag to its proper destination.

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Jul 29

Hello New York,

About 8 months ago I turned to a few friends and proclaimed “I’m leaving New York in June” Nobody actually thought I would do it, they thought it was a joke, a bluff - a hoax! So it was, after eight years in Manhattan I moved to San Francisco two months ago. I happy to report that after to months on the west coast - I’ve never been happier. I actually started to understand what it physically means to understand my own mind and body.

I write to my friends in New York, there is a charm that is Manhattan, it makes you feel like you are on top of the world and it is center of the universe. And to some extent, that is true, but I am also happy to report there is an alternative feeling to that world that enables you to more closely monitor who you are as a person.

Ocean Beach

Over eight years I knew a lot of people, and to some extent I can divide them into 3 groups:

1. Those that love New York, would never leave and thrive on the existence.

2. Those that want to leave, want to move, find another ground - but never do.

3. Those that want to leave, want to move, find another ground - and find the courage to do so.

My point is, in the last two months a gorgeous woman who has the intials DW taught me a great lesson. Change, no matter how big or small, to induce upon your own self takes courage and a dash of blind faith. I woke up this morning to the view below (granted I’m dog sitting), but working from home today I ate my lunch next to the lapping waves of the Pacific Ocean. OK, yes, there are MASSIVE forest fires just north of here, I was thrown from my bike a week ago and it is cold here during the summer. But in the last week or so I felt an opening in my mind - the ability to think clearly again, to write again - to illuminate my sense of humor.

I send much love to my friends and community in New York, you made me, and I will never forget that, like many events I experienced from 2001 attacks, to blackouts, to watching the leaves change to New Year’s in Times Square.

Be good and keep the Apple crisp!

Jul 28
Gorgeous Lady at the Ocean
icon1 Michael Findling | icon2 San Francisco | icon4 07 28th, 2008| icon3No Comments »

Am I working hard or hardly working? I am working on ideas and thoughts and useful subjects that I could write in my public display of brain power, but for today, I’m going to share my friend Erin, she is a gorgeous girl and I get to watch after her this week!

Erin at the beach

Jul 27
A call to the masses
icon1 Michael Findling | icon2 San Francisco | icon4 07 27th, 2008| icon3No Comments »

Incredible. You put up a note that you are going to show a form of nostaglia and the masses FLOCK. I was very impressed last night with the crowd that came out to the Breakfast Club movie last night in Dolores Park. Folks were cold, loud and stoned - but this is San Francisco, we play hard and work hard.

I think about how I am looking at different companies who want to get their “product” out there, imagine if getting your idea out there was as simple as showing a John Hughes Movie?! Cheers, great flic!

Jul 25

I moved to San Francisco six weeks ago and in part had hoped to clear my mind of New York City noise (physically and mentally). That process was going smoothly, and….well, it still is. In part, I wanted to start to write in this tool again, to connect, to reach out - to network if you will.

Yesterday as I rode my nice new bike along Van Ness Avenue/Street here in San Francisco I was side swiped and thrown from my bike. First, I am OK, a bit bruised, scrapes here and there, but otherwise fine. I wanted to say that there is one piece of equipment that saved me from a great deal of extra pain, my helmet.

If you ride a bike, and do not have one of these, I beg you for the love of all that is holy, buy one and wear it.

More to come and hope to update this as much as I can on a daily basis!

Jul 23

The Key to Effective Viral Marketing is Emotional Engagement

Viral marketing is the process of using peer-to-peer communications in order to rapidly spread information about a brand or message. The term ‘viral’ stems from the concept of a ‘virus’, a self-perpetuating phenomenon which infects whatever it comes in contact with, spreading itself in an expanding outward arc. Your message is the virus. The carriers are your audience.

People encounter specific data or ideas daily and pass it on to their friends and other people in their network. All things equal, one can say that information is shared more rapidly when the recipient has a strong emotional connection with the specific message. They adore it. They despise it. They are deeply puzzled by it. It makes them upset. It makes them happy.

Emotions are inextricably a component of social communication. As humans, we share our emotional experiences as a way to express our individuality and maintain our relationship networks. In a [1] 2007 Indiana University study (paywall), researchers pinpointed the six primary emotions with a strong influence on viral referral behavior.

These are surprise, fear, sadness, joy, disgust and anger. In many cases, the more disruptive the message, the sooner it is shared. Surprise, the first emotion, is an essential element of all viral marketing campaigns. It works as a foundation alongside other emotional triggers. Here are the researchers recommendations on each emotion:

  1. Joy. An emotion suited for irrelevant or fun brands and brands who want to revitalize their image. Suitable for products which promise life enhancement.
  2. Sadness. Suitable when seeking an immediate response to unfortunate events. Consumer reactions may result in short-term commitments instead of long term patronage. Best to balance sadness with messages of hope or change.
  3. Anger. Best suited for single issue campaigns that require an immediate reaction to perceived injustices experienced by the target market or general environment/society. Anger is a fleeting emotion and is not suitable for campaigns which require long-term action. Also does not work well with complex or subtle issues.
  4. Fear. An emotion that is a short-term response to a perceived threat. Must be used carefully and sparingly. Likely to receive mixed responses from target market and best accompanied by proposed solutions which solve the fear-causing problem.
  5. Disgust. Best targeted towards young males. Suitable for brands with a rebellious image. Should only be used intermittently to avoid unnecessary offense. Males are twice more likely to pass on messages involving disgusting humor than females.

The goal to understand the psyche of consumers has always been a goal for marketers who want influence people. Numerous studies have been conducted by academics/experts and they each give us a snapshot of how people within a specific demographic think.

But bear in mind that the few emotions mentioned in the study cannot define the parameters of each individual’s possible actions and hence, should only be taken as rough guidelines.

Human beings are far more likely to communicate ideas and information with others when they are emotionally engaged. Find the key issues that concern your audience and then inculcate them within your marketing plan to get an emotional response. But know that emotions themselves are fleeting and they can be exhausting enough to be abandoned over time.

I think the element of surprise, either pleasant or nasty, is incredibly important. It jolts people out of their habits of perception and can instantly trigger the instinct to share. This is something I’ll like to talk about more in a separate article tomorrow. Stay tuned!