Liz, Author at Successful Blog Page

Net Neutrality 7-22-2006

July 22, 2006 by Liz

Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

Wiretapping, Net Neutrality and Mergers: PhoneCo Power Grabs

In 1974 the US Justice Department initiated a historic lawsuit against what was then commonly known as “The Phone Company.” Eight years later AT&T was forced to divest itself of local phone businesses which were transformed into 7 regional “Baby Bells.” AT&T then focused on long distance services with two new competitors: Sprint and MCI. Today that trend is on the way to reversing itself.

Recent and pending phone industry mergers are threatening to hurt consumers and bring us back to the monopolistic pre-1974 days (see diary below). In addition, the phone companies are allowing the Bush administration to spy on Americans and we’ve seen them team up to claim such efforts are beyond judicial control. Finally big corporations and the phone companies are trying to grab corporate control of the Internet by eliminating Net Neutrality and making it into the modern day equivalent of television.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Bad Boys: You’re Losing Your Memory

July 21, 2006 by Liz

What Was I Going to Say?

I’m ready to write something and as I sit at the keys, it’s gone. It was a spectacular idea. I know it was. Damn. It’s the second time this week, or is it the third? Suddenly I’m forgetting things — things that I’ve never forgotten before.

I used to be known for this memory of mine. Some folks even steered clear of it, feared it. They knew it could track details for decades and offer them back at lightning speed. Now what? A brain of mush has moved in where the razor sharp memory was. . . .

-Stop-

That’s the voice of a Bad Boy of Business. Bad Boys are negative messages, bad tape recordings, in our heads. Bad boys are ideas that we tell ourselves that undercut our success and productivity.

The bad boy here is “You’re losing you’re memory.”

What’s happening? [Read more…]

SOB Business Cafe 7-21-2006

July 21, 2006 by Liz

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the title shots to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

Creating Passionate Users makes the point that if you’re not having fun, you’re just not doing it right somehow.

Solo Marketing offers some advice on how to deal with spousal distractions. These aren’t just tips for holidays.

Symplebyte shows us how to make smaller PowerPoint files in five easy steps. Maybe then we can actually send them to clients via email.

Service Unlimited has some customer service tips for freelancers. They really apply to any business that has clients.

Related ala carte selections include

Scrappy Marketing Solutions reminds of the qualities that make an effective business blog.

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like.
No tips required. Comments appreciated.

Have a great weekend!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Net Neutrality 7-21-2006

July 21, 2006 by Liz

Net Neutrality Links

I’m adding this link to the Net Neutrality Page.

How Washington will shape the Internet

In the end, itÃ¢â¬â¢s really an argument about who will bear the costs of building out the robust networks that weÃ¢â¬â¢ll all use in the future. And while net neutrality has received the most press, in the end it may not change the status quo as much as either side fears or hopes. If the networks win, the government will probably intervene if it sees unfair discrimination against competitors or censorship. If the Googles of the world win, the network owners will undoubtedly figure out some other way to raise prices.

No matter which way it goes, it means a new element of government regulation. And as far as who pays to build out the networks Ã¢â¬â in the end, one way or another, most of the costs will still be passed on to the consumer.

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Related
NET NEUTRALITY PAGE

Editorial Makeover 1: Don’t Tell Me, Show Me

July 20, 2006 by Liz

Three Paragraphs

Dear Liz,

What a fantastic idea! In one of my grad school classes we spent more than 30 minutes editing just a couple paragraphs. Some students found the exercise defeating and excessive, but to me it was a valuable lesson about cutting through jargon and getting to the point. Needless to say, I’m still learning.

I’m submitting three paragraphs from a recent post on my website. I’m researching Muslim immigrants in Berlin, and the following is from a recent post on language flubs. I’d be delighted if you gave my writing a makeover!

Thanks for your time and generosity!
Jim

Dear Jim,
You’ve got a great story here. I thought what might make it more fun would be to let the reader “see,” rather than just read about it. So I edited in a little dialogue to give your story more personality

Hope this helps you see the difference when you show readers what’s happening, rather than just telling us.

Remember this is just one way to do it! Every editor edits differently.

Smiles,
Liz

Turn the page for the editorial makeover. It’s called, “Don’t Tell Me, Show Me.” [Read more…]

Service with a Smile

July 20, 2006 by Liz

It Was Fun to Buy There

I stopped the bookstore at O’Hare. I figured some business books were in order. I thought they might help spur some ideas for the project I was traveling to work for. I picked out a few and went to the counter. There I was greeted by a smiling young man.

He noticed I was eyeing the books on the counter.

“Still looking?” he said still smiling.

“Nah, I have to save some books to buy on way back,” I smiled too.

“Because you bought more than 3 books, I get to give you this fabulous and useful tote bag. Would you like me to put these fabulous books inside this fabulous and useful totebag?”

“No, I think I’ll put the books in my carryon.” I partially opened my bag and stuffed the books in as best I could, but one book and the tote wouldn’t cooperate. The man behind the counter enjoyed watching my book packing adventure.

“Looks like you’ll be putting the totebag inside your other totebag.” he said.

“Yep, I’ll be totally toting, the totebags. There! That works. See you on the way back.”

“I hope so.”

What Customers Want

That young man made my morning. He turned a chain bookstore into a conversation with a friend. It wasn’t about how much I was spending. I about the experience. The brand was the young man’s great disposition. He’s a guy who likes his customers.

He does things I value.

He talked to me as an intelligent person worth knowing.
He made the experience pleasant — fun.
He left me with a story to tell.

You can bet that I’ll be back in that book store. I need to tell him how great the books are.

Have you had a great customer experience lately?

–ME “Liz” Strauss