I work in marketing. It’s what I do. A long time ago, I realized that I’m pretty good at “reading” people, figuring out what motivates them, and being able to focus that understanding toward promoting a product or idea. Ultimately, that’s what marketing is. And as such, a lot of it is a very “soft science.” Certain jobs have very specific skill sets that...
But what’s it actually worth?
This morning, I had breakfast at a local diner. My brain doesn’t really move too fast in the morning, and the slow act of reading a newspaper, sipping my coffee, and having a couple eggs ‘n’ toast seems to ease the pain of transition. Picking up my copy of the Herald (hey, slow transition…), I noticed that it was now 75 cents. News that’s free on the Internet (and...
Finally …
MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — Ben & Jerry’s has done it again: Hoping to honor rocker Elton John before his first-ever Vermont performance, Vermont’s crazy-cool confectioner has whipped up a flavor just for him — “Goodbye Yellow Brickle Road.” The limited-batch ice cream, made from “an outrageous symphony of decadent chocolate ice cream, peanut butter cookie...
Stand Up Philosophers …
For your consideration, the following classic exchange: Unemployment Office Person: “Name and occupation?” Comicus: “Comicus, Stand-up Philosopher.” Unemployment Office Person: “A what?” Comicus: “A Stand-up Philosopher. I coalesce the vapors of daily life and produce anecdotes that have synonymous meaning with various people.” Unemployment Office...
Sign it up, yo …
The Good Guy Network
It’s a pretty simple concept, and one I alluded to before, good guys do things for good guys. Nothing more, nothing less. Somehow though, this basic tenet of doing business has become lost in the current state of the music industry. I worked with a company that was dead-set on utilizing me for the talents that I bring to the table. Sunshiny optimism and empty promises led to a position that...
Conscience matters – who knew … ?
About a month ago, I decided that it was time to test the independent waters. Instead of just going after another job, with another company, where invariably I was a mid-sized cog on the corporate wheel, I was going to use my powers for good. Or something like that … The folks at Hypebot (Bruce Houghton … you’re a good man!) posted a link to this site and blog, and I sat back to...
Thornton Mellon anyone …?
There’s an old expression: “Those who can – do. Those who can’t – teach.” I’m not entirely sure how true it is, but I’m noticing a rather alarming trend. It seems like people used to want to see a college degree on your resume. Now the standard is becoming a graduate degree. In a way, it seems like HR departments are almost discounting experience...
Desperation time…?
To paraphrase Mr Lennon, “I’m sick and tired of hearing things/From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocritics/All I want is the truth…” There are SO many companies trying to “help” musicians today, that’s just sickening. When you did a little deeper into all of their business models, they’re ultimately trying to make money for themselves...
Ethics Shmethics.
Today is a day that Bostonians have been waiting 20 years for: Celtics/Lakers tickets go on sale for the 2008 NBA Finals. At 2 PM, fans everywhere queued up online, at ticket sellers, and on the phone to witness history. Within minutes, all tickets were gone. The only choice for tickets now is to turn to a secondary market: eBay, Craigslist, or places like StubHub. Locally, Ace Ticket is the...