Jim Kukral - Latest Comments

Re: Creating Lifetime Customers

Robert P. — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 02:59:01 -0000

Each customer is different and creating lifetime customers is really a science.

Re: The Secrets Of Facebook Marketing

reverse cellphone lookup — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:20:50 -0000

There are really so many advertisements in facebook, and the chances of it to be view and opened is very very high, moreover the advertisements are well place and are also in a regional basis.

Re: Interview With Zane Savage

WayneLiew — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 15:44:06 -0000

Hey Jim,

Thanks for the interview. As a 18 years old who is making money online, I would say that it is more than just lazyness that got most people of our age stuck. Just for an example, you will not get "normal peers" in college like everyone else did because not everyone is into the boring work work work for success thing. Say the name like Darren Rowse, Gary Vaynerchuk or even Seth Godin and everyone will go "Huh?"

Then comes college assignments, pressure from parents (like why are you online all the time but not studying) and stuffs like that.

Anyway, just to tell you that it's a great interview and will definitely help some young and aspising entrepreneurs who have the heart but not willing to sweat it to get over all the hurdles.

Wayne

Re: Interview With Zane Savage

Sire — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 05:25:28 -0000

Great interview. I reckon I have a pretty good idea why guys like Zane are on the radio, he is such a hyper guy who once he is being vocal he just can't keep still. He is definitely on the ball, always coming up with the right questions. That takes real talent.

I agree with everything you said to those wanting to be successful, but as one old guy to another, on the most part, it will be in one ear and out the next, which is a shame really. Hopefully, once they get out in the real world they will remember what you said and it might set off one of Oprah's so called 'Light Bulb' moments and they will actually say, 'Shit, that old guy was right, what the heck am I doing working here." It's never to late, but naturally it would have been better if they already had a head start.

Re: Listening Is The Key To Persuasion

recovengineer — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:31:32 -0000

Jim,

Great observations. So often we fail to listen and jump right in to "persuading." Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic.

Re: Listening Is The Key To Persuasion

stevedevane — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:19:33 -0000

Jim,

Excellent points. Listening is a key part of communication. These days it seems a lot of folks are talking at people instead of talking to them. Listening with help make the conversation civil.

Listening also allows you to open yourself up to the possibility that you may be wrong. While we all like to think we're always right, every so often we're off the mark. A wise person once told me that it's good to consider all perspectives. It will help you adjust your position if needed, and it's strengthen your position if it's correct.

Steve DeVane

Re: Follow Up: The A-List Is Still Dead

Pure Krill Oil — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:21:55 -0000

It's really too bad if the A-list died, hopefully this thing doesn'y happen again.

Re: How To Create The Perfect PR Pitch

christina — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 08:51:58 -0000

hi, nice to meet you .
I have recommended this site http://www.securityideasonline.com two months ,but the PR is still 0,I thought maybe this site which talk about the security products that nobody is interested .how should I do ?
thank you .
regards

Re: The Big 3 Auto Companies Branding Failure

justinlevy — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:51:17 -0000

I agree that it is a bad marketing/PR move to go to Congress and the public begging to bailed out after flying 3 private jets into D.C. at an approximate cost of $20,000/flight. Furthermore, I'm sure they each came in separate limos, stayed in posh expensive hotels and ate very expensive meals. I agree with all of the talk of, from a marketing and public opinion standpoint, that this is very bad for the 3 companies.

They don't need all of those expensive amenities however, what everyone seems to be overlooking in this is that the Boards for all 3 of these companies (and most of the top Fortune companies) require certain security precautions be in place. For many top companies this includes having their CEO fly in private jets and accompanied by security personnel. I know a few people who oversee security at Fortune 50 companies and these are their requirements as well. There are risks of assaults, kidnappings, and other very serious security concerns. Some of the variables when flying commercial or all together in a single plane are uncontrollable and therefore certain precautions have to be taken.

Furthermore, why was an in-person meeting required. Why couldn't they use something like the Cisco Tele-Presence system to conduct the inquiry? I think that would have done much better for public opinion to say "Hey, we understand and that's why we've decided to using technology". Of course, as I mentioned security concerns above, there are definite concerns with something like that but nothing that I think would impede its use.

Like I said, I'm not condoning it but think that we need to look at the other prospective before just hosing them for the decision.

Re: Creating Lifetime Customers

justinlevy — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 18:38:06 -0000

I really identify with this post, both as a restaurant owner and also as a consumer. At my restaurant it is very important to create lifelong customers because word-of-mouth, both positive and negative, is the life blood of a restaurant..especially when positioned in a competitive area.

As a consumer I recently had a horrible experience as a customer at a new store. I will never do business there again even if they become a huge brand with franchises all over the country. If interested, this is the story I'm referring to: http://snurl.com/6ntuc

Sometimes just doing one nice deed or stopping to talk to them for a quick minute has such a long lasting effect which can be hard to measure. It should be a core foundation of every B2C to make lifelong customers.

Re: Creating Lifetime Customers

Feedback Secrets — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 17:27:17 -0000

I had the exact opposite experience a few months back. I had just got a second-hand car from out of state and needed to get it inspected. I went to my local mechanic who I had never used before and they told me my breaks needed to be replaced.

I found this funny since the person, I had got the car from told me when they had changed to breaks. 1,500 miles is not time for new breaks. I took the car to the dealership and they measured the break pads and printed it up on a report for me. It showed that the breaks were clearly above the state mandated minimums.

I took the report back to the first mechanic and told him I would send the documents to the state if he didn't refund my inspection fee. He gave me back my cash in a flash. Since then I go out of my way to tell people to stay away from that garage.

Re: Creating Lifetime Customers

Josh — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:49:08 -0000

That is so true and when the big break down happens you will gladly take it to that shop. Plus, look at the word of mouth that you give to that business. I am sure you have referred others like yourself in that area to that same mechanic.

Re: Creating Lifetime Customers

MLDina — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:47:37 -0000

I can completely relate to that! While I'm still looking for great mechanical service (may have to drive up to your repair place), which is extremely rare, I've had excellent customer service from several other stores. It's unfortunate that we come to expect poor service for the most part. If every business treated customers the way your mechanic does, we'd all be a lot better off- from a business and relationship perspective!

Re: Creating Lifetime Customers

webdesign düsseldorf — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:17:21 -0000

das war sehr interesent und gutt.Ich danke ihnen, I m from Düsseldorf, Thank You

Re: Creating Lifetime Customers

Benny Tejeda — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:05:12 -0000

Great post Jim! I really understand where you coming from. I got to say your very lucky because I took my car for a fix and after the fix they gave me a call and told me to get a pen and paper to write down all my other problem my car was having. Well, I went to pick up my car and when i started driving my car I noticed that it wasn't balanced which was weird because my car was "wheel balanced and aligned" a couple month ago. I came to find out that he "the mechanic" took off the "wheel weight clips" off my rims.
:(

Re: Book Your Affiliate Summit Trip Now, Here’s Why

PlayGameMakeMoney — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:08:10 -0000

I really wanna join, but is too far away from where i live.

Re: Creating Lifetime Customers

mikeallen — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:00:42 -0000

I like to say that with our customers we're looking for a marriage and not just a date.

Re: The Big 3 Auto Companies Branding Failure

Geoff Karcher — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:26:50 -0000

I agree, no way should they be bailed out, we'll just be throwing good money after bad. Not to mention socializing the auto industry.

I also like the branding idea, to bad they missed that opportunity.

Anyone wonder why the Big 3 don't turn to SEO and Web Marketing rather than newspapers and TV time?

Re: The Big 3 Auto Companies Branding Failure

Dave Starr — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 02:25:09 -0000

Amen on the branding and thinking before you act issues. Of course it is only a day's drive from detroit to Washington ... they could have used the trip to show how much progress they have made on economy ... but why stop there?

If they really wanted to show innovation (surprised no other bloggers have mentioned this ... why didn't they meet via video teleconference? Hmm. Why wouldn't our Congress, supposedly trying to show leadership, have demanded it if the auto bigwigs themselevs didn't? Why didn't the news media mention using the Internet to meet?

The answer is, as Americans, we seem to be one of the most resistant countries to change in the whole world. Nobody seems to think there really _is_ any real crisis at hand.

Even well developed, easy to use, even free or almost means of holding virtualk meetings are not even considered ... why? "Because this si the way we have always done it". My poor country ... still rich in monetary terms but absolutely bankrupt in the innovations department.

Re: The Big 3 Auto Companies Branding Failure

jimkukral — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:25:46 -0000

I'm not an economist. I'm a marketer/brander. I don't know if we should bail them out. But I do know that they'd have an easier time getting the handout if they sold it better, that's all I'm saying.

Re: The Big 3 Auto Companies Branding Failure

jimkukral — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:24:38 -0000

I agree with you. The "product" I was referring to in this example was them begging. In that instance, their brand, at that moment was a huge mistake.

Re: The Big 3 Auto Companies Branding Failure

CoolpapaC — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 02:21:22 -0000

I think this has nothing to do with branding and everything to do with failed management. The leadership demonstrated by the big three has reflected the same arrogant, narrow minded and out of touch approach revealed as a market weakness decades ago. The writing was on the wall but they failed to respond with products to fit the changing market. Hopping in a hybrid and driving to DC would have a required sensitivity they are so blatantly lacking. Instead, they behave in a manner consistent with who they are... flying cross country in corporate jets, arriving hat in had without even a basic a plan to address the crisis.

No matter how good your PR, advertising, corporate message, Brooks Brothers suit or haircut... In the end, your brand is only as good as the product or service you deliver.

Re: The Big 3 Auto Companies Branding Failure

dailybragger — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 01:32:55 -0000

They should have consulted their PR agencies before they flew into Washington. (Their pitch sucks.)
I really don't think government should bailout these guys. You can give these companies billions, but it's not going to make us buy their cars. They definitely need to rebrand.

Re: Book Your Affiliate Summit Trip Now, Here’s Why

GeekMommy — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:09:13 -0000

I totally want to go to AS - but unless there's a $$ windfall or a client that wants me to go for them, I'm afraid I will be waiting until 2010.
Dang it all.

Re: Is It Ok To Tell Your Customer To F#%* Off?

Joe Tech — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:58:13 -0000

I couldn't agree more. I've had to fire clients before, but I would never do so in a manner unbecoming of a professional. Even if you don't care what that client thinks, you should always be aware of how you appear in general. Ask yourself how you'd feel if your best client heard you firing your worst client. Would they still respect you?

The scenario you described above, might be a bit unique, but it proves my point. Now, many season ticket holders (well-paying loyal customers) have been exposed to the unprofessional response and I'm sure at least one or two will cease to be customers, even if the email's recipient was begging to be told to F off.