Swimming with Goldfish

I would imagine that many of you are already familiar with Stan Phelps of 9 INCH marketing and the good work that he shares on the importance of delivering an outstanding customer experience. Stan is also the author of the #Goldfish trilogy which are three books that, through great #storytelling, provide insight on customer and employee retention in an easy to apply way. Stan and I had the opportunity to meet a few years back on one of his trips to Portland and have since become good friends and a colleague to exchange ideas with. 
  

Stan's latest book is the Golden Goldfish, which focuses on the 80/20 rule and how your best 20% customers and employees typically account for 80% of profitability and 80% of referrals for your business (that is the #Gold of your business). 

I just started reading it today and it looks to be a great reference just like his other books. For me they really do a great job of communicating the #simplealwayswins philosophy of putting your customer and employees first and the clear benefit of this approach to business.

The good news is that Stan has made all three books available as free downloads on Amazon. They will all make great summer reads as you load up your Kindle or mobile.  Here are the links to all three so you can be #SwimmingwithGoldfish:

1. Golden Goldfish
2. Purple Goldfish
3. Green Goldfish

I sure that you will enjoy #SwimmingwithGoldfish and please take the opportunity to share this with others. Let me know what you think of the stories that Stan shares and make sure you tell Stan also. He's quick to reply via email and twitter @9inchmarketing too.

#IAMYOURFANSTAN

@gurnick

-30-

MLS 2014 Preview - The Bump Season

It's time to fill the role of prognosticator as another Major League Soccer season is upon us.  Later today,I'll be standing and chanting in the Timbers Army among the Portland Timbers faithful as we raise the curtain on another season. This season, Release 19.0 is a "bump season" as the league expects an increase (or bump) in attendance (and hopefully television ratings) due to World Cup 2014 in Brazil occurring and raising interest as the world focus is on soccer for a month.

Already a Bump
There already seems to be an overall positive trend for MLS these days.  MLS is gaining traction over MLB according to a recent #ESPNFC poll among the valued 12-17 year old demographic. There's also talk of the sport breaking the Big Four for US Sports (you can see and take the ESPN SportsNation poll here) as more kids are exposed to the sport.  The league's footprint will be expanding next year with New York City area getting their second franchise along with much needed franchise in the south with Orlando coming on board.

The season ahead
For now the focus ahead is the season ahead.  All the teams have unveiled their new kits as part of Jersey Week and they are ready to take the pitch.  Wins will matter the most in the standings this year.  Having said that, I think my hometown Portland Timbers will be able to convert their 15 ties from their 2013 campaign to enough wins to take the West again. In the East, I can't find a good reason to pick against returning champion Sporting Kansas City and think Real Salt Lake will drop a notch without the leadership of Jason Kreis.  Who wins the MLS Cup final is anyone's guess so I am going with my Timbers, especially if it as home.  Below is the predicted order of finish for each conference - Enjoy the matches and let me know who do you like and why?

Eastern Conference

1. Kansas City
2. New York
3. Columbus
4. Chicago
5. Toronto
6. Houston
7. New England
8. Montreal
9. Philadelphia
10. DC

Western Conference

1. Portland
2. Los Angeles
3. San Jose
4. Real Salt Lake
5. Seattle
6. Vancouver
7. Dallas
8. Colorado
9. Chivas USA

@gurnick

-30-