Thursday, May 24, 2012    

Not The Target Market

Wednesday, July 29th, 2009

I got an email yesterday that is either funny or not funny at all…I am pretty sure that I am not the intended target market for this product.

Here’s the subject line of the email: “You may qualify for an electric wheelchair at little or no cost.”

Here’s the body of the email:

orbit

There are two things wrong with this ad:

  1. I am not the right target market (at least I hope I’m not…maybe they know something I don’t know?). I have no idea how they got my email address…first time something like this has come to my inbox.
  2. Ed McMahon passed away over a month ago (June 23rd to be exact). Is he really the spokesperson you want for the actual intended target market? you’d think you wouldn’t want that kind of reminder going out in your marketing campaign. I’m just sayin’.

This did serve as a reminder for me that we need to ensure that our message is reaching the intended market in a way that they will understand and relate to. Otherwise we simply miss the mark and go unheard..right into the recycle bin like this email is headed towards.

Can I Borrow $25?

Tuesday, September 2nd, 2008

It has been awhile since I blogged…needless to say it has been a busy week. I am in the last week of my current class and life in general has just been busier than usual (which is usually pretty busy). So blogging has been the odd man out, but I haven’t gone anywhere and things should settle back down after this week.

That said, I did get an email this week that I thought I would share. I assume this isn’t true, but the lesson here is still valid and critical for all parents (moms and dads). I dare you not to take this to heart of you are a parent…

Can I Borrow $25?

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: ‘Daddy, may I ask you a question?’
DAD: ‘Yeah sure, what it is?’ replied the man.
SON: ‘Daddy, how much do you make an hour?’
DAD: ‘That’s none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?’ the man said angrily.
SON: ‘I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?’
DAD: ‘If you must know, I make $50 an hour.’
SON: ‘Oh,’ the little boy replied, with his head down.
SON: ‘Daddy, may I please borrow $25?’

The father was furious, ‘If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I don’t work hard every day for such childish frivolities.’ The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy’s questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money? After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down , and  started to think: Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $25 and he really didn’t ask for money very often. The man went to the door of the little boy’s room and opened the door. ‘Are you asleep, son?’ He asked.

‘No daddy, I’m awake,’ replied the boy.
‘I’ve been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier’ said the man ‘It’s been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here’s the $25 you asked for.’

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. ‘Oh, thank you daddy!’ He yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills. The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father. ‘Why do you want more money if you already have some?’ the father grumbled.

Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do,’ the little boy replied. ’Daddy, I have $50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.’

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness. It’s just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $50 worth of your time with someone you love.

If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of hours. But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. 

Something for all of us to think about…

NM Chili Cook Off

Friday, May 23rd, 2008

This is one of those email chains we all get and usually throw in the trash, but this one is hilarious (in the same vein as one of the most popular posts on my blog: The Taser). If you’re ever feeling depressed just read either one of these posts and you’ll be laughing in no time. We are off to Como, CO for the rest of the weekend camping so no posts for the next few days, but plenty of pictures and tales of our adventures when we get back. Happy Memorial Weekend!! Enjoy the laughs …

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Please take time to read this slowly. If you pay attention to the first two judges, the reaction of the third judge is even better. For those of you who have lived in NM, you know how true this is. They actually have a Chili Cook Off about the time Halloween comes around. It takes up a major portion of a parking lot near the fairgrounds. Judge #3 was an inexperienced Chili Taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL.

Frank: ‘Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a chili cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge’s table asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native New Mexicans) that the chili wouldn’t be all that spicy and besides they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted.’

Here are the scorecard notes from the event:
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CHILI #1 MIKE’S MANIAC MONSTER CHILI…

Judge #1 – A little too heavy on the tomato. Am using kick.

Judge #2 – Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.

Judge #3 (Frank) – Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that’s the worst one. These New Mexicans are crazy.

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CHILI #2 AUSTIN ‘S AFTERBURNER CHILI…

Judge #1 – Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.

Judge #2 – Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.

Judge #3 – Keep this out of the reach of children. I’m not sure what I’m supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.

*****************************************************
CHILI #3 – FRED’S BURN DOWN THE BARN CHILI…

 Judge #1 – Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick.

Judge #2 – A bit salty, good use of peppers.

Judge #3 – Call the EPA. I’ve located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. Barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I’m getting drunk from all of the beer.

*****************************************************
CHILI #4 BUBBA’S BLACK MAGIC…

Judge #1 – Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.

Judge #2 – Hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods not much of a chili.

Judge #3 – I felt something scraping across my tongue, but was unable to taste it. Is it possible to burn out taste buds? Sally, the beer maid, was standing behind me with fresh refills. That 300-LB woman is starting to look HOT. Just like this nuclear waste I’m eating! Is chili an aphrodisiac?

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CHILI #5 LISA’S LEGAL LIP REMOVER…

Judge #1 – Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.

Judge #2 – Chili using shredded beef, could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

Judge #3 – My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I’m burning my lips off. It really ticks me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming.

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CHILI #6 VERA’S VERY VEGETARIAN VARIETY…

Judge #1 – Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance ofspices and peppers.

Judge #2 – The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic.  Superb.

Judge #3 – My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I pooped on myself when I farted and I’m worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. Can’t feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my rear end with a snow cone.

*****************************************************
CHILI #7 SUSAN’S SCREAMING SENSATION CHILI…

Judge #1 – A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.

Judge #2 – Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment.
**I should take note that I am worried about Judge #3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.

Judge #3 – You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn’t feel a thing. I’ve lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they’ll know what killed me. I’ve decided to stop breathing its too painful. I’m not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I’ll just suck it in through the 4-inch hole in my stomach.

 **************** ****** *******************************
CHILI #8 BIG TOM’S TOENAIL CURLING CHILI…

Judge #1 – The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.

Judge #2 – This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he’s going to make it. Poor feller, wonder how he’d have reacted to really hot chili?

 Judge #3 – No Report

More About Me…

Thursday, April 24th, 2008

Anita got an email this week from a friend of hers with a list of 50 odd questions and answers. It’s one of those things you’re supposed to answer and then forward to all your friends…who are then supposed to answer and send them back to you (makes my head hurt). Anyway, the list had some fun questions and I’ve been looking for a way to “spice up” my About Me page so I took 32 of the questions and added them there.

I won’t copy the entire list here…but check out the About Me page and take a look. Feeling adventurous? Copy the list and answer them yourself…kind of fun.