1935-2011 RIP
Art Parent and I worked together creating and building a million dollar company from the early 60’s to the early 80’s.

Visionary
Art could be as ferocious as a lion and as charming as a kitten. He was the true visionary in our company, I was the mass communicator of our mission.

On A Mission
During those years we raised our families, lived together in my house, worked together in his garage, played together all over the country and laughed together in our offices.

Industry Recognition
As a home party jewelry company we were innovators and looked up to by large companies in the Direct Selling Industry. Big companies like Mary Kay Cosmetics, Encyclopedia Britannica and others sought us out and picked our brains on how we used 3/4 video tape to train and motivate our thousands of “jewelers” across the nation.

“Aloha to Empress”
In 1981 Art bought me out, allowing me to move to Hawaii to Surf, Run and Play the rest of my life. Not a day has gone by that I didn’t think of the times we spent at Empress Pearls.

“Aloha Art”

I bid farewell to a good friend and dynamic business partner. May he Rest In Peace.

Are YOU Hip?
QR Coding has been around for a while, especially in Japan. Anyone with a smart phone can aim it at a QR Code and be sent to a website, YouTube or other presentation. It’s easy to create your own QR Code to add to your print ads, window displays or just about anything. You will soon be seeing QR Codes everywhere. In the size of a postage stamp you can present anything and everything that is web based. I envision QR Codes on coffee cups which will show a tour of the farm and roasting process; on price tags in retail stores with a video telling you more about the product than the salesperson is likely to. The list of possibilities is endless.
To see an example of how QR Codes can aid a business; CLICK HERE:

To create your own QR Codes; CLICH HERE:

And, best of all; it’s all FREE! Give it a shot.

Looks Aren’t Everything

I have heard that many people are not buying the new iPhone4S because there is virtually no difference in the appearance than the iPhone4. I guess this means that people will not know that they have spent a few hundred extra bucks to get the latest Apple has to offer. I say, “So What?”

It’s what’s on the inside that matters. I have had every iPhone that has come down the pike, and without exception each one was a major improvement over the former model. The iPhone4S is no different, it just looks the same. Put your ego aside and begin to enjoy Siri, a much better camera, twice the web speed and much more. If you are waiting for the iPhone5, you may be waiting a very long time, and with Steve gone it may never happen at all. Get upgraded today; you will be glad you did.

To See It, CLICK HERE: 

Be Amazed!!!

How Did THIS Happen?
10 short (very short) years ago I had yet to ever touch a keyboard of any kind. In my day, boys didn’t take typing in high school, and I still cannot type. When “retiring” to Hawaii 30 short (very short) years ago I was determined to stay that way. When my first employee brought a desk top computer to work in about 1986, I told him to take it home; that this was no place for games.
In the past 10 years I have had no less than five different desk top computers, about the same number of lap tops, and three or four Palm Pilots. Somewhere along the line I went from PC to MAC, starting with iPhones 2, 3 and 4, then MacBook Air laptop and recently the iPad2.
This week my 27″ MAC Solid State desk top computer arrived, and on October 7th I will be ordering my iPhone 4S. This phone has a feature called Siri where you can ask questions verbally and get answers all without typing. YEAH! To see this amazing phone and what you can say to Siri; CLICK HERE:
At least I don’t have to wonder what I’m going to be to doing during my next “retirement.”

It’s Here!
Like it or not, the cyber revolution is upon us.

Embrace It!
You cannot outrun technology; it’s too big, it’s moving too fast.

Big, expensive and Cool
I had computers like this in the 60’s and 70’s, but the technology was so complicated that I didn’t even try to touch them.

Early Geeks
We hired people much different than us to move those big discs around. They were very smart; what they did was a mystery, and they intimidated the rest of us with their knowledge. As I look back on it, those computers didn’t do near as much as your cell phone does today.

Mo Betta!
In the 80’s I hung it up for a simpler life, surfing in Hawaii. All I had to think about every day was if to surf at Queens or Canoes; both in Waikiki. I was determined to never touch a computer. After all, I didn’t even know how to type.

My Phobia
The truth was that I was afraid of the fast moving technolgy. As I ventured into the business world in Hawaii I continued to shy away from what was “the future.”

Mobile To Da Max
The first time an emplyee brought a PC to work I accused him of playing games in his office. Soon we won’t even have brick and mortar offices. Today you can work from anywhere, all because of technology. So, if you are not “with it” yet, get with it NOW!

3-11-2011
In spite of a Tsunami warning and poor economy claims, people lined up early Friday morning at Ala Moana Shopping Center for the 5 PM release of Apple’s iPad2. The first people in line got there when the mall opened at 8 AM. 
They would have been earlier had the mall not been closed due to the Tsunami warning. No, I was not in the line, but was there to capture Apple’s latest success story and post it on YouTube.
To see the “calm frenzy” just CLICK HERE:

Steve Jobs
I find myself impressed again and again by Apple’s leader Steve Jobs and his team of creative experts. Apple does things like nobody else. They have the busiest store at Ala Moana Shopping Center, yet there is always someone there to greet you. They overstaff to be sure that no customer is left unattended. You are welcome to come in and “play with” their products hassle free. Surf the net, check your e-mail, ask questions; do whatever you please. 
In doing so people discover the intuitive nature of Apple products and ultimately become converts.

The Genius Bar
If you are having a problem or need help with your machine, simply schedule a free appointment at the Genius Bar and someone will fix it for you; FREE! And when you buy something they will process your purchase on a handheld device like the iPhone and your receipt is e-mailed to you before you leave the store; NO CASH REGISTERS!

“Sleepy” No More!
I took this photo recently at the once sleepy little Island Air terminal. Thanks to Aloha Airlines it’s not so sleepy any more.

When I first moved to Hawaii an executive said, “Never fly Aloha, it means “Good Bye.” Of course he was joking, but I remembered that and always flew Hawaiian Air.

Actually, my favorite was Royal Hawaiian Airlines; a plane small enough that one passenger (usually me) got to sit in the co-pilot’s seat. I was saddened to see them leave.

When Aloha Airlines said, “Aloha,”  their employees made an impassioned plea to the people of Hawaii to NOT fly go! Airlines. It Didn’t work; a good 90% of the people you see in this photo are flying go! today. This is due to the poor management, and eventual demise of Aloha Airlines. There is always someone in the wings ready to take your place.

No More Phone Books
Not only do I agree with hotels eliminating Phone Books from the room, but I’d like to see them stop stackng them at my front door as well.
I stopped using the Phone Book when 411 came about, and I stopped using that when I discovered Google.
Hyatt Hotels, Hyatt Place, Kimpton Hotels, and several chains operated by Starwood Hotels — Westin, Sheraton, Aloft and Element — no longer put phone books in the rooms. Hilton and InterContinental Hotels leave it up to individual hotel owners to decide if to use them. I would like that same option. I cannot help but wonder how many trees are wasted annually to print these monsters.

Because It’s the Future Today

They Get It!
When Starbucks announced that they were going to provide free WIFI at all company owned locations they raised the bar for their competition. Not only did they provide it for free, but they made it simple and easy to access with just one click; no registration, no passwords, no humbug, just click and get on line; anyone - anytime. SMART MOVE.
I don’t like Starbucks coffee as much as I do some other brands, but must admit that it is now my preference when in a mall or somewhere in Waikiki and I want to check my e-mail or do some work on the go. They have never said anything the few times that I have stood outside and worked on my iPhone or sat down for a brief e-mail check on my laptop without ordering any coffee, but those times are rare. I am much more likely to order coffee and more when using the “free” WIFI. Sure, some people take advantage of this generosity, but Starbucks chooses to see the big picture and are winning the coffee game as a result.

City Wide is Next
It’s just a matter of time before cities across the country will be offering free city wide WIFI as Miami and some other places already do. I would never move somewhere because of it, but I would travel a few extra miles to shop at one that does, and I’m certain that I wouldn’t be alone.

Blue Hawaii Lifestyle
Many much smaller, but very smart local businesses have begun offering free WIFI as well. Blue Hawaii Lifestyle at Ala Moana doesn’t even require a “click” to get on line, just open up your computer or smart phone and there it is. I am certain that’s one of the reasons they are enjoying the great success they are.
I saw a big banner out in front of McCully Shopping Center last week advertising free WIFI anywhere on the property, and I was just told today that Ward Warehouse has WIFI as well. A friend discovered it accidentally. I think it’s something to be advertised. Most businesses already have an Internet connection, all they need beyond that is an inexpensive router and they can offer WIFI to their customers. I suggest that we give our business to those that offer this value added service to encourage others to do the same.

This comment was sent from Michael Zhang, owner of Blue Hawaii Lifestyle:

“We started our free-WIFI when we opened the store almost 3 years ago, we are the only store doing that in Ala Moana center, we do see some customers just sitting outside our store using free WIFI without buying anything, but I feel that is great customer service for them, if they don’t buy today or tomorrow, one day they will.
I am glad that Starbucks finally followed us, we feel whatever helps customers, will also help grow our business.”

Mahalo Michael; I agree with you completely. - Ron

Who Doesn’t?
Daniel Balsam in San Francisco decided to do something about it. He quit his job, became a lawyer and is now making a living suing Spammers. He has racked up well in excess of $1 million in court judgments and lawsuit settlements with companies accused of sending illegal spam.

Daniel Balsam
One person can make a difference. I’m apparently not the only one who has noticed a big drop in Spam coming my way; have you too?
THIS ARTICLE tells Balsam’s story and THIS ONE reports on the Spam drop globally. The article says that it’s a mystery why it has dropped off. I think it’s Balsam’s work, and I salute him. What if we all took such action?