Hooked!!!
I am certain there are bigger Apple fans than I am, but I’d bet that most of them are more knowledgeable about the technology than I am. Once I got my first iPhone I was hooked on the brand.

Aiport Extreme
Today I have the latest iPhone4 as well as the new MacBook Air and Airport Extreme sending WIFI throughout the house.

Recently I bought the new $149 Beatles package, and am loving it. The documentaries are fabulous and there are songs in there that I have never heard before.

Airport Express
My latest Apple “discovery” was the Airport Express where I was told that I could stream my iTunes and Pandora music wirelessly from my computer or iPhone through my Bose stereo system throughout the house for a mere $99.
I went to the Waikiki Apple store and asked one of the “experts” to tell me all about it and what I needed to make this magic happen. He said that since I already have the Extreme, that all I need is the Express hardware and a cable. I asked about installation and he said, “Just plug it in and go.” I repeated, “That’s all?” he nodded and said, “Yep, that’s all.” I handed him my VISA card and said, “Sold!”

“#!~&*!”
I rushed home and enthusiastically opened up the two boxes, plugged it in, and NOTHING! All I saw was a blinking yellow light on the Express. I tried again and again; NOTHING!!!
So I packed it all up and decided to return it to Apple Waikiki. However, I found myself in Ala Moana that same day with a few minutes to spare, so I strolled into the Apple store and asked a different “expert” what I was doing wrong. That’s when I learned that there is an extensive “one time only configuration process” I need to do so that the Express will be recognized by the Extreme. He showed me the process and I screamed, “Over my head.” He suggested I sign up for Apple Care; Tech Support Hot Line and they will walk me though it over the phone. Cost; $250.
Instead, I contacted my personal geek and he informed me further that all I could stream is what I have on my iTunes, not Pandora. However there is a software called Airfoil that I can download, and it will allow me to play anything. He sent me a link to that software saying, “I suggest you do it.” I emailed back saying, “You get over here and do it.” he said, “Sure thing.”

Worth It All
One of my all time favorite Einstein quotes is, “I’m no smarter than anyone else, I just stick with the problem longer.” Now that’s pretty smart!

Here Today; Gone Tomorrow
It seems like only yesterday that I read Jim Collin’s book GOOD TO GREAT. He followed companies from 1965 to 1995, and made a list of those which had gone from “good” to “great” in that time. They were:

Abbot Laboratories
Circuit City
Fannie Mae
Gillette
Kimberly-Clark
Kroger
Nucor
Philip Morris
Pitney Bowes
Walgreens
Wells Fargo

A look at that list 14 years later shows some big changes. 

Like This One
Circuit City apparently found reverse gear somewhere along the way. CNN just announced that Circuit City’s will close 567 U.S. stores employing 34,000 employees. They plan to launch a liquidation sale immediately and run it through March 31, providing they get court approval. They will shut down their website and call center on January, 18. I found it odd that they plan to continue to operate their Canadian operations, which employ 3,000 workers.
The most significant comment in the article (to me) was citing a decision to “get rid of salespeople” as one of the reasons for their downfall. My thought was, “Duh!” This is what happens when the importance of good salespeople is underestimated. We certainly saw that during the demise of CompUSA here in Honolulu. The person who is face-to-face with the customer is the most important person in the company.

Big Bump
While flying from Maui to Oahu on Monday we hit a huge air pocket. For the first time I really appreciated having a seat belt on. Everything not tied down went airborne, including my precious MacBook Air. It did a flip and landed on my lap.  All seemed to be okay, so I just kept on working.
When I got to my office I noticed this damaged hinge and I felt sick to my stomach. I sent the photo above to Rolf (Da MacMan) at MacMouse.com. Rolf e-mailed back saying that they can fix it, and it may take a week or so.
Coincidentally I had just received an announcement from Apple that there was an all new MacBook Air just released.

Do It Now!
Not being one known for patience I went to the Apple Store and bought a brand new MacBook Air; lighter, faster, sharper screen, more ports and about $700 less than the one I bought two years ago.

Data Migration
Next was getting all of the data into the new computer. This part is way over my head; actually a bit scary in fact, so I went straight to MacMouse.com to see Rolf.

Early Christmas
As Rolf unpacked my new computer it felt like Christmas morning.

MacMouse Staff
As Rolf did his magic, the staff at MacMouse.com watched on as though this was something they had seen before.

Migration
It was amazing to see the data flowing from the damaged MacBook Air into the new one while we watched the World Series.

DONE!
By the time the game was over the migration was complete and everything looked and worked exactly as it did on the “old” computer.

Should I, or Shouldn’t I?
Next is deciding what to do with this $2,400 computer which works perfectly, but has a deformed hinge. My temptation was to trash it, but instead Rolf and company are going to repair it and Masae will get another hand-me-down electronic goodie to go along with the iPhone 3G she inherited when I got the iPhone 4. All is well.
If you ever need anything done with your Mac, or are just ready to go Mac; call Rolf at MacMouse.com. He’s the best.

Hawaiian Air - Saving Money the Right Way
Many businesses are looking to save money by cutting in areas that will negativly impact their service level. We have all seen enough adding of fees for food, checking bags, and anything else thay can think of to add revenue without appearing to raise ticket prices. These forms of not so subtle gouging have led to major dissatisfaction with the airline industry.

Clean Mo Bettah
Hawaiian Air has found some creative, if not revolutionary changes that we as passengers will barely (if at all) notice.
For example, they are power washing their jet engines more frequently, reducing the cruising speed on long-haul flights, and towing planes to the airport runways instead of using the jet engines. Hawaiian said these fuel conservation efforts save about $4 million this year. While that’s a small portion of their revenue, it is still a lot of money.
Hawaiian reportedly spent $291.6 million on fuel last year, so some may call this just a “drop in the bucket.”

Cool Looking Too!
The airline has invested $10 million to purchase eight winglets for its long-haul aircraft, in a move that saves more than 2 million gallons of jet fuel each year. The 11-foot-tall fin-like attachments will pay for themselves in four years, the airline said.
They are ordering lighter seats at a cost of about $1.5 million, which they say will pay for themselves in less than two years.
They have also purchased portable air-conditioning units for the interisland gates to cool planes in between flights. These will be used instead of the plane’s internal AC system, which is powered by the aircraft’s engines.

“Those who know how to think need no teachers.”
-Mahatma Gandhi

Pretty Geeky
I once claimed that I would never use a computer personally. I realized how much that goal has  changed this morning when I was “caught” doing three different “computer things” at once; checking e-mail on my desk top, tweeting on my iPhone4 and watching Steve Jobs give a press  conference on my MacBook Air.

“We Have Come a Long Way Baby”
While it was my intention to never “personally” use a computer, I have owned them since the 60’s. We had a computer room that looked much like the photo above. My iPhone4 does more in the palm of my hand than all of those computers (and a few employees) could.
What a World! What’s Next?

GROWING YOUR BUSINESS
My specialties are Sales and Motivation, and I have been at it for more than 40 years. I read a quote long ago that stuck with me. It was, “You learn the most after you think you know it all.” I don’t recall who said that, but the concept makes a lot of sense. As someone who makes a living giving selling advice to retailers, I recently discovered that I had a lot to learn about some other important aspects of retailing. It happened when I read The Retail Doctor’s Guide to Growing Your Business, and it didn’t take long. Before finishing the first few chapters I started handing out copies to my clients.

Bob Phibbs
Bob got my attention right at the start by making the point that revenue isn’t necessarily profit. As mundane as that sounds, I realized that many of my own clients are making the mistake of marking down merchandise to get rid of it, or having needless, non-profitable sales that attract the wrong customers.
Then came lessons on the store layout, traffic patterns and case merchandising. These are also areas of retail where I claim no expertise. I now find myself looking at these things differently. Discovering how and where to put what you prefer to sell is vital.
I do possess deep experience when it comes to recruiting and interviewing salespeople, but here again I got my eyes opened up to several new (to me) approaches and philosophies to use. For example, I hate “Help Wanted” signs in store windows, but Bob shows a way to word and use them effectively, and points out who the target audience is.
“Aha Moments” continued for me throughout the book and I feel certain they will for you as well. So rather than try to learn from my sketchy review here, get down to your favorite bookstore or Amazon and get a few copies. I am certain you will want to share what you read.

Good Cause
Do you ever wonder what to do with your old phone when you get a new one? Each of these phones was “the best yet” when I got it. I have kept them in a drawer thinking that I might someday use them again. There have been several others that I just threw away. Well, I just discovered a new service called “Cell Phones for Soldiers.” They will recycle your old cell phone, and use the proceeds to provide pre-paid calling cards and cell phones to troops serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. That’s where these are going.

“You’ve Come a Long Way Baby”
When I got “The Brick” 20 or so short years ago I thought it was the coolest thing yet. The idea of making phone calls without looking for a phone booth was revolutionary. I also remember my $1,000 monthly phone bills that I somehow justified. When I compare The Brick to my new iPhone4 I am amazed. I also wonder what’s just around the corner.

Who Should it Be?

As we go into this special local election the people of Hawaii are deciding who to send to congress. I love to watch the posturing, hear the attacks and in general enjoy the show. But when it comes down to an opinion, I am reminded of something my wise Daddy told me, “In business, never talk about religion or politics.” So, with that advice in mind, I will stop right here!

“General Growth’s Bankruptcy Spooks Its Hawaii Tenants”
This headline in the Honolulu Star Bulletin is scarier than the bankruptcy itself is. The United States offers what is called “Bankruptcy Protection” under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code to essentially “Protect” troubled companies from thier creditors, allowing them time to re-organize and become profitable again, and hopefully pay off those creditors.
A chapter 7 Bankruptcy is quite different. That’s when the company throws in the towel and the creditors are hung out to dry. They may get something, someday, but not soon and not much.

Focus on Results
While nobody likes to think about bankruptcy, those forced into it are more respectable for going 11 than 7. We need to wish them well and give them the time they need to get things going back in the right direction. A company (or country) in financial trouble didn’t get there overnight. Change takes time.

Better Times
General Growth is not the first company with a huge stake in Hawaii to seek Chapter 11 protection. On March 21, 2003, Hawaiian Airlines, Inc. filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition for reorganization. Fortunately for us all, their creditors, employees and customers stuck with them, and today, in spite of the current challenging times, they are one of very few airlines that are profitable, and proudly post the best on-time record in the industry. It took some time, but they did it and did it well.
By contrast, when faced with the same challenges, Aloha Airlines was not willing to spend the time and money needed to fix things, they shut down virtually over night stranding their employees, creditors and customers.

Ala Moana Shopping Center
General Growth owns Ala Moana Center, Ward Centers, Whaler’s Village and several other properties in Hawaii. They reported $29.6 billion in assets and $27.3 billion in debts. Those are some ptretty hefty numbers, and turning things around will be a pretty hefty challenge, but I think they deserve our support and patience as they seek to make things better for everyone.

Steve Hofer
20 years ago I had the opportunity to teach my Pro-Active, No Pressure Selling System to Steve Hofer while at his first job after college.
Steve has been successfully applying these concepts throughout his career. Steve founded and operated four businesses, including jewelry, cellular phones, software and outsourced services. His experience in retail sales and operations management, local Business to business and national corporate sales as well as franchise operations brought valuable insights and a consistent ability to organize and drive sales.
Steve has consistently risen to the challenges he faced throughout his career. He increased sales 50% after a major earthquake in San Francisco, become a #1 cellular dealer within 9 months, grew a startup from $0 to $2M revenue in 2 years and doubled sales providing services to homebuilders in the current housing market. He thrives on turning challenging issues into success stories.
I am very excited with the opportunity to have him working with me again. Steve will bring an added dimension to the things we have to offer our clients.

Pamala Alualu
Pamela is a retail sales consultant who has joined Team Success Dynamics. Pamela graduated from the University of Hawaii with a degree in counseling psychology. She recently moved back to Hawaii after spending 12 years on the mainland managing and consulting in the retail industry. During Pamela’s time on the mainland she became an expert at coaching, marketing, advertising, customer service training, merchandising, display presentation, sales and management training, as well as recruiting, hiring, interviewing, relationship selling and much more. She spent three years as a franchise owner of USA Baby and Child Space in Sacramento, California. 
Pamela’s entrepreneurial spirit led her career into the consulting business. Her most recent client, the owner of three large Ashley Furniture Home Stores in New Jersey; is a testament to her ability to teach and implemented a proven selling and management system. I am as excited as Pamela is to see her meet Hawaii’s business owners and introduce them to our coaching services and The Morning Report.