MTV Video Awards

It is like a damn car accident. I want to turn it off, but I keep on looking.

A few things I am amazed by...I know, I shouldn't be surprised...

1. Lip syncing
2. Everyone is selling something...new album, movie...whateva
3. ...Ads about MTV's reality shows...what happened to the, eh...videos?

Hm, how much advertising can one take? So far, 1.75 hours...1.25 more to go...

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, MTV, Advertising

One Step Forward

The Star reported today that the FDA proposed a ban on over-the-counter sales of skin-lightening products, saying possible health risks cannot justify their being sold without a prescription.

Although I am not a scientist and do not like skin whitening creams for that reason...heck, it is still a step forward in my eyes. All the more reason to ban it. I even put it On Notice!

Read more of my posts on this topic here and here.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, skin, pale asians, FDA

MyMicroISV

Bob Walsh, author of Micro-ISV: From Vision to Reality, invited me to write a guest post on his new blog MyMicroISV.

You can read it here. I wrote about building one's community through marketing. Check, check it out.

For those of you who don't know Bob, besides being an author he also co-moderates a rather large forum, Joel on Software's Business of Software; and is the founder and chief bottle washer of a micro-ISV, Safari Software, Inc.

Thanks Bob!

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Bob Walsh, community, ISV

iBegin Donation Drive

Ahmed Farooq sent me a line to take a look at iBegin's new donation drive.

The site is still very new and requires a lot of content. Thus, the Donation Drive. For every review and picture, iBegin will donate .50 to the Assaulted Women's Health Line.

From a marketing point of view - I do like how they are encouraging participation by donating $ to a charity. I believe in such causes so posted the flag on this blog (upper left corner)...but more is needed to engage the community.

From a content point of view, I am not sure if iBegin can compete against the likes of Toronto.com or Martini Boys. Both have also loaded upcoming.org events on their sites and have a city following.

Actually, I took a look at the restaurants section and am deeply afraid of the future it holds. yikes! Red Lobster, Mr. Greenjeans and Spring Rolls listed as favourites or top rated!?! My fellow chowhounders will be disgusted and will most likely look away...um, well, maybe they will be do disappointed, they will come to the rescue. Please do!

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, iBegin

Direct Marketing Gone Wrong

Mark received a very nicely designed Aeroplan newsletter in the mail the other day. The weird thing was, it was addressed: "TO THE PARENT(S) OF" Mr. Mark....

Inside the newsletter, on the 2nd page, there is a letter addressed again to "To the parent(s) of Mark," from the VP of Marketing.

Now, I know how important direct mail...personalization is. I, an email and web junkie still think it is key in many industries. Albeit not this one, but still key. However, in order for direct mail/personalization to work...it has to be correct. (It's a good thing they spelt his name right).

I have been looking at this newsletter for a few days now and am racking my brain as to why they would address to as such. 1. Mark's parents have never lived in Toronto, as far as I know. 2. Mark is very grown up and had not lived with his parents for years!

I have been so annoyed by the 'so-called' mistake in this newsletter that I can't get myself to read it...go beyond page 2. As a matter of fact, I am putting it in the trash right now.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, aeroplan

CASE: Does Telus Rule?

I got a free ruler in the mail from Telus. They are promoting their back-to-school specials. I can see why we got this. We live in Y&E, an area dominated by pretty snobalicious kids who do carry mobiles alongside their iPods. However I am pretty disappointed that I, a Telus subscriber for over 7 years had received no promotional material targetted to me, no upselling, no nothin'. As a matter of fact, I have been so distant from the company that I am considering leaving.

I don't like it when I am not rewarded for my patronage. Kiehl's has a 'buy 10 products receive $50 off' patron program. Heck, my neighbourhood Thai restaurant will give me free spring rolls when I take-out over $25 (and when I don't quite make it, they give it to me anyway).

Yes, it is important to market to potential customers. However, it is extremely important to keep current customers happy.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, Telus

One or several things made really good that you want to spread the word about?

It is time restaurants start paying attention to Chowhound (excuse me if you already are).

The title of this post says it all "One or several things made really good that you want to spread the word about?" Oh, what you can learn about WOM, buzz and...BAD WOM can do to you. Listen, listen, listen and learn.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, WOM, buzz

La Vecchia Delivers The Old World

Check it out. My first post on blogTO...more to come...get the RSS feed or bookmark the site.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, blogTO, Toronto, La Vecchia, food, italian

Crowdstorm

I learned about Crowdstorm while reviewing the latest on Original Signal. If you haven't already, you should bookmark that site.

The concept sounds great for WOM and Buzz-crazy marketers like myself. Read the Solution Watch review. Here is a quick excerpt from their post that sums up why I am really excited about this.

"In an interview with Philip Wilkinson, owner of Crowdstorm, Philip mentions how the “power of crowds” brings many possibilities to the online shopping world and can make all the difference when searching for a product. He also mentions how many large scale sites still largely rely on price comparison to get one to purchase a product. He sees this as being unhelpful and would prefer learning what product is most talked about or “buzzy” and what his trusted friends have to say about the product."

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Crowdstorm, WOM, buzz

September Events

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, AIMS, meetup

CASE: Small Steps

A few weeks ago, while paying for a shirt at EightClothing at Y&E, I noticed a pile of 50% OFF haircut and blowdry flyers for Evoke Salon. I grabbed one. I hadn't cut my hair in awhile...it was time.

When I arrived at the salon (I have never been before), I was greeted by a sweet girl, was given a quick form to fill out and was offered a bevie. YUP! A glass of water, juice, coffee, tea or vino. Nice.

I sat down in their waiting area and was expecting to look at magazines from 2005, hair booklets and promotional pamphlets...but what I found was August 2006 magazines, many of them high-end fashion (no trash) and a good selection of men's mags too. Nice.

The hairdresser was also very sweet. Listening to what I wanted (nothing crazy), and delivering. Not forcing me into any other type of style, but giving me the cut I asked for. Nice.

Two weeks later...I received an Evoke postcard...Thanking me for coming and giving me a gift card of $10 off the next visit.

With over 10 hairdressers within 1 km of each other, it can be hard to compete. I think Evoke did a good job of capturing my attention, making me happy with the experience and prompting me to come back. Although the steps seem small, to me, they all added up to be a great experience I would return to and recommend to others.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, Evoke, hairdresser

My Tdot Resty Reviews

I am the new Food/Restaurant blogger at Blogto.com.

About Blogto.com

"blogTO is a web site about Toronto written by a group of obsessed artists, musicians, photographers, politicos, advertising and media types, dancers, tech geeks, food lovers, aspiring film directors, fashionistas and people for the ethical treatment of animals. We hope you like us. We really hope you like us."

So check out the site, I will start posting next week! YUM!

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Blogto, Toronto, restaurant

Pluto is no longer a planet?

Watching CNN's American Morning. I didn't even know this was up for debate. What the? I guess I will have to throw away all of my astonomy books. Shucks.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Pluto

REVIEW: Dave Chappelle

I cannot stand it when I am at a concert and people yell out a song title to the band, hoping that they will play it. Let them play, what they were here to play! Damn!

So was the same at the Dave Chappelle show at Massey last night. Rick James! What?! Seriously. If you want to see Dave Chappelle doing his show...watch the DVD's...

Other than that, the crowd, mainly caucasian (I am surprised by this) was pretty up beat through the opener (sorry, didn't get his name). Standing ovation for Dave as he entered the stage to the sold-out crowd.

The focus of the show was on why he walked away from $50 million. It was funny...stomach hurting funny. There was also great laughs about cheating, drugs and politics.

The act ended with the reason why Dave left his popular Comedy Central show...he said it was because of the lesson learned from the book he read about Iceberg Slim. The story of a pimp and his bottom bitch. Makes you wanna go hmm.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Massey Hall, Toronto, Dave Chappelle

TIFF 2006

Yesterday was the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) press conference, held at Nathan Phillips Square. Media...media...and more media.

I was there with Mr. Lan - Cinema Publicist Extraordinaire...hired as an outside publicist for the movies he is rep'ing.

Here is the line-up of the work we are taking on:

I Don't Want To Sleep Alone
Syndromes and a Century
Summer '04
Khadak
The Bothersome Man
Slumming

Blogging, family and such

Most of my marketing posts/examples come from my family and friends. Why? Because they are living case studies of what works and what doesn't...just listen to their conversations...

Here are some of the latest:

My bro - Where can I get the best and cheapest flatscreen monitor?
My sis - I called her to find the best burrito joint near her office
Mark - He is always sending me what is HOT on break.com
Mr. Lan - You gotta check this movie, but they only carry it here.
Gals - bevie bar of choice? XX bar was great last week, lets check it out again.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing

Happy 65th Norma!

I love a birthday. It means - yummy food, cake, friends, family and fun. What more can you want?

Happy 65th Birthday Norma!

Hiccup

I don't follow the US election races too closely. But can't help but post this (sent to me earlier today). A great example of how a hiccup can spread like wildfire. Oh, the power of WOM through the internet...forget about TV (that ol' thang)...



Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Tramm Hudson, Florida, WOM

CASE: Fluevog, Oh Fluevog

John Fluevog, my favourite shoe designer. Yup, I flaunt his gear and proudly claim it's "A Fluevog" when asked about any of the many pairs I own (and I am often asked...seriously).

For as long as I can remember, there has been BUZZ around his product, designs...since I was in high school...I had, had to have his stuff..saving weeks, months worth of babysitting $ just to claim a pair.

Check out some of his great marketing tactics:
- Celebrities love the goods.
- A proud relationship with their factories.
- Producing a vegetarian line.
- Open source footwear
- Tonnes of contests - check out the Gnarls Barkley, Goldfrapp Gibson and Scissor Sisters contests
- Check out all the PR too...

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, Fluevog

Snakes on a Motha F&$*in' Plane

Yup, after all the WOM, fancy marketing, phone calls and such...I HAD, had to go see Snakes of a Plane.

...and it was worth every penny.

The crowd was totally into it...cheering when SLJ's name appeared on the screen, holla'd when the title came up and hissed as the snakes started to move.

PS. New Line Cinema rep was outside distributing movie survey's...

Here were the questions (or so I remember):
1. Did you enjoy the movie?
2. Would you recommend the movie?
3. Age Group
4. Male/Female
5. How did you hear about the movie?

However, #5 was missing...blog, web, phone...Come On!

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, snakesonaplane, Toronto

Shoplifters of the world UNITE!

When Dave Forde told me about Wal-Mart's new Shoplifting Policy...this immediately came into my head...Oh, what are we teaching our kids?



You gotta love The Smith's...heck love that hip action!

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, walmart, Shoplifting, Steal

Tracking the Steelers

Mark turned me into a hardcore Steelers fan at the beginning of last year's season. And now that the season is about to start, I gots to turn to the blogosphere to see what is going on for the 2006 season. Cannot wait.

My Favs:
Big Ben's Blog
YinzLuvSteelers - staulker like news
Out of Town Steeler Fan - They have a crazy fan base outside of Pits.

PS. If they are playing Monday night football, I will not be answering the phone, email or knocks to the door. Please don't take it personally.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Steelers, Football, Roethlisberger

The TOP of the Web

Still new to the world of Web 2.0? Check out Seth Godin's Web 2.0 Traffic Watch List. If not, check it out anyway...

No surprise that myspace, ebay and youtube take up the top 3 spots.

Surprised to see Openbc, well below LinkedIn.

Happy to see Squidoo rising, despite the bad criticism it has received. BTW, have you checked out my squidoo lens? It is a work in progress. Be sure to tell me your favourite Tdot restaurant.

...Podcast fan? Check out the People's Choice 2006 PodCast Award Nominees.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Web2.0, awards

Waking City

Found a great game listed in my upcoming.org RSS feed.

TorGame: Waking City, an urban game combining new and old ways of connecting, puzzle hunts...and urban crawl. FUN! This all takes place over two weeks and at your own schedule. Serious gamer? I would stay tuned to their blog.

I do want to know how this game is different from the Bell City Chase...starting in a few days as well. The one thing that sticks out is that their is no product placement.

Registration for Waking City is $27.80 per person. Teams of 4-6.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, Waking City, TorGame

On Notice

CASE: LCBO 8-Pack

The LCBO has had the 8-pack pick-your-own-beer package for awhile now. However, I am still going to write about it.

Good Packaging = Good Marketing:
1. It supports their Environmental Strategy (or so I think)
2. Try more than just 6 of their 330 beers from 40 different countries! (Their current promotion)
3. Carry your beer with care...no need for a bag whose handle is likely to break anyway. This heavy cardboard is durable, strong and secure.
4. 2 extra beers means more profit for the LCBO.
5. No fancy print on the package, means production speed is higher. It makes sense in this case, the LCBO is selling its beer, not its name.
6. The package is easy to fill. No need for extra set-up of the package. The consumer just pops open the case and away you go.

In our 8-pack: Staropramen, San Miguel, Kingfisher and Grolsch

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, Packaging, LCBO

Hotel Restaurant, Hotel Meetings

I don't get it. Why are there so many hotels that offer great food in their restaurant and provide such tasteless meals in their meeting and event rooms?

I came across this chowhound posting this morning...and had complete deja vu. As an event marketer for several years, I too had experienced this situation one too many times.

Here is typical scenario of an in-town event attendee:

1. They park their car and make their way to the conference room. Stomach probably grumbling...
2. They grab a quick bagel, muffin and coffee from the breakfast buffet...oh, and maybe some fruit...
3. Break. More coffee. Hope it has been refreshed.
4. Lunchtime. Sitdown meal with soup or salad, some meat dish and a dessert.
5. Another Break. More coffee. Maybe they will have some cookies or ice cream?

If at any point during their meal, if their breakfast or lunch is below par...do you think they would come back for dinner at the hotel? Or stay for dinner? How about recommending someone to meet them for a drink after their event?

The customer experience extends well beyond what you may believe your #1 service may be. In this case 'sleep.' Are you missing out on another revenue stream? A blue ocean? Where are potential customers coming from? How can you get them to return?

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, hotel food, WOM

Let's get together and feel all right

I really, really like the idea behind Kindfish. As a j-school graduate, the idea of creating a channel all on one topic, event, party is tres coolio. Different, authentic perspectives.

How many times have you said, "ya, email me the link to your photo's from today and I will pass it along to joe smith and jane adams." I have also been to many a weddings that provide blank CD's with return envelopes to make sure all the photo's taken by their guests are received...but many times not shared with the rest of the guests...hey! How about the videos? Not that I am in love with them and want to spend 3 hours of my life reliving the moment, but would be nice to see one or two short clips.

From a marketing point of view, check out the KCCN FM100 Birthday Bash. A great way to extend your marketing beyond the event and spread virally afterwards...I would start the channel early and include vids and pics of the preparation etc...to get the excitement rolling.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, kindfish, social networking

myLastEmail.com

I am strangely attracted to the services of myLastEmail, a company that offers online memorial and obituary services.

Heck, people develop websites for their weddings, their new babies...why not one for a death. I think I would be more interested in reading a letter from a recently deceased person, than the flavour of cake at your reception.

If I had a 'last email,' I would probably include usernames and passwords to all my accounts and the location of my secret stash of Valrhona chocolate...I would request my obituary to include things you hated about me and the restaurant you wished you took me to. I wouldn't mind links or some type of widget to my favourite non-profit organization's where you can donate $ on my behalf.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, mylastemail, death, obituary, funeral

The Effects of WOM on Buying a Car

For those of you who visit this blog regularly, you know how much I dislike BMW's customer service, enough to never purchase a bimmer again. You may also know that Mark and I have been eyeing the Acura RDX. The Subaru Forester is also on that list of next car's...

How WOM has been influencing the purchase:
1. Trust - We have received a lot of good feedback from Subaru drivers. The #1 reason why they recommend the car..."They have great customer service."
2. Community - Great reviews from online communities, like the Acura RDX Community.
3. Visibility - We noticed there are about 6 other Subaru Foresters on our street.

Coming soon...my review of the car dealership. This can really, really be a make or break.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, acura rdx, subaru forester, WOM

REVIEW: Shakespeare in the Park

My pals and I ventured into High Park to watch the pay-what-you-can CanStage production of the Comedy of Errors.

It took a while to get used to the Shakespearean dialogue...but once we overcame that...it was smooth sailing. The acting and stage production/lighting was great, the packed, open air venue, gorgeous.

If you have never been before, I highly recommend you go and try it before the season is over. Grab a blanket, sweater and some grub, show up about 45 minutes to show time and you are sure to have a swell time.

PS. There were some Oil of Olay samplers giving away their latest anti-aging cream away. Heck, it was a great place to be. The age demographic was definitely 30ish and older...just the audience I suspect they want to hit.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, Shakespeare

REVIEW: Taste of the Danforth

Mmmm, Taste of the Danforth.

Alanna and I went to check out the annual street festival, held in Greektown...and it was filling.

We started off at Chester and made it all the way to Jones Ave. and back. To start, chicken and pork souvlaki on a pita from Kokkino. Delicious. Spanakopita, Baklava and beers. Delicious. Corn on the Cob. Delicious. Honey Balls. Delicious.

What made the festival so great was that the vendors seemed to be very organized, the lines for food weren't too long, the street wasn't so packed that you couldn't enjoy what you were eating while you were walking...and, everyone just seemed to be in a great mood.

As a chowhound, I did notice that the restaurants highly regarded on the board were busier than others. Those that offered something different (even one item), and/or displayed enthusiasm...were generally busier.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, danforth, Toronto, Greek

Time, Temperature and a Funeral

Why do so many funeral homes have display boards that show just the time and the temperature? If you know, please do tell me.

I am also interested to know if funeral homes use online marketing tactics. Do they practice SEO, blog or provide RSS feeds?

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, funeral

Goderich...cashing in on wind

Yesterday, I went to Canada's prettiest town, Goderich, ON. It was quite pretty too. But that didn't surprise me, the biggest surprise was the amount of wind turbines throughout farmland. I immediately thought, what a brilliant idea, considering the looming energy crisis. It was great to hear that the farmers are cashin' in too.

...now, how can we incorporate more of these into the GTA?

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Goderich, Toronto, wind, turbine

CASE: When a Special...isn't a special

Mark and I ate at The Miller Tavern yesterday...and there is something that always, ALWAYS boggles my mind about restaurants, and they seem to be these steak joints...why, WHY do you always have a "SPECIALS" menu that is exactly the same as the regular menu. Prices are the same too.

quesadilla's, quesadilla's...tenderloin, tenderloin. I think it shows a lackof creativity in the kitchen.

Enough of that, here is my review:

After a bad start, trying to find parking in their oh-so small parking lot...we managed to score a table on their talked about summer patio. One of the nicer ones in the city. It was packed with white collar soldiers after a hard days of work (I will assume it was a hard one considering the amount of alkie at some tables..oh, and the breaking of glasses).

The service was not too bad. But also nothing to remember. For a joint like that, I expected our server to ask if we wanted water, but she didn't. Heck, it is summer day afterall. Jerk quesadilla's are nothing great...in fact, the exotic menu description tasted a lot better.

Mark and I both ordered beef tenderloin...med-rare (more on the rare side)...it was med-well done...more on the well done side. But I was starving, so I scarfed it down anyway. It wasn't bad. My potatoes were lumpy (but that is the way I like them), and Mark's potato fritter's were perfect.

It was an expensive dinner...Would I go back?...um, er, um...

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, Miller Tavern

2 Different Honks

What do you think about a car having 2 different 'honks'.

1. A 'calm' honk to be used to remind people that the light is green and they should go (after a few seconds of idling), or to notify a car that you are approaching so do not back out of the driveway...
2. The 'regular' honk to be used to 'scream' at another car that they are about to hit you, or to be used, as some people do, when they are drastically cut-off.

Mark brought this idea to my attention a few weeks ago and I, for some strange reason, cannot for the life of me get it out of my head. I personnally don't think it is a great idea. I actually already think there is an overusage of the honk...in Toronto.

Post a comment and tell me what you think.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, traffic, car, honk

FREE Outdoor Movies in the City

Some of you have asked me about free outdoor movies...here is a listing of some that I know of. If you know more, please email me or post a comment.

Yonge-Dundas Square
Every Tuesday - Check Calendar for films and times.

Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation
August 15 - Jaws
August 17 - Pirates of the Caribbean
Concert Stage, 8:45

U of T
August 17 - Mean Girls
Back Field of St. George Campus,8:00

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, movies, Toronto

CASE: Tdot Mayoral Websites Reviewed

Was playing with The Star's interactive GTA-wide election map (a google mash-up). Out of the 20 listed mayoral candidates, only three had a website link. Kudos to you three! Now, where are the other 17?

It matters a lot what a website looks, use and feels like...here are my reviews.

David Miller - www.millerformayor.com

Pros:
- I like the layout (although it reminds me of Nike Runto). I find it clean, easy-to-use. I can easily find the information I am looking for.
- I really like the idea of the Citizen-to-Citizen campaign. It encourages word-of-mouth and there are nice widgets to show how close you are to meeting your goal.
Cons:
- Message is unclear to me? Where are you going to take this city?
- Where is the blog? Forum? How can Miller supporters gather and chat?
- Event calendar? Where can I find you? Tell people when you will be in the 'hood? RSS of your events would be nice...
- Newspaper articles - the good and the bad. Heck, have them linked to your accomplishments.

Jane Pitfield - www.janepitfieldformayor.com

Pros:
- Easy to navigate
- Yes! She has a blog!
Cons:
- No! Can't I comment on your blog? Don't you care about what I have to say?
- I have the feeling that Donating, Volunteering and Spreading the message are more important to her than me understanding why I should vote for her. Check out the top navigation bar.


Nicholas Brooks - http://ca.geocities.com/nickformayor/

Pros:
- Yes! A blog that I could comment on! With RSS!
Cons:
- Not the best design.
- More content please.
- What are your accomplishments?

Overall:
- I wish there were hard stats on accomplishments, reasoning for choosing certain goals over others.
- Promises. Are you making any?
- Goals seems to be so vague. What are they?!?
- How are you going to accomplish your goals? When?

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, David Miller, Jane Pitfield, Nicholas Brooks, mayor

I click my heels and I'm there

Is everything better underground?

The 'Underground' thing is just an observation that if you don't have any friends and you're kind of a geek, there's something you can do about it. You can just put a nose ring in and you have instant friends. It's its own culture. There are rules to the subculture and alternative cultures, and if you abide by them, they'll let you in. It's a good thing...

Ben Folds

Finally!

PaulMcCobb
Originally uploaded by **MISH**.

After months of searching, Mark and I finally found a table! A circa 1950's Paul McCobb found at Zig Zag in Leslieville.

This has been long awaited. After searching through most of Toronto's uppity furniture stores (they just don't design for the urban lifestyle...no matter what they say or advertise) and combing through the world wide web (why don't U.S. companies ship to Canada?)...we didn't think we would find what we wanted...until one sunny Saturday afternoon...


Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Zig Zag, Toronto, McCobb, furniture

Shel Holtz is coming to AIMS on September 20th

Bookmark the date and time (3pm). Details are still being confirmed...registration begins late next week. Stay tuned here.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, AIMS, Holtz

Chapelle

Love surprises...and got a big fat one today...

Mark scored tix to see Dave Chapelle at Massey Hall on August 22 @ 10:30 PM. I was a big fan of his show so was actually quite sad when it ended.

Whoo-hoo-hoo...whoo-hoo!!!!

Kudos is Mark's colleague who scored tix and thought of us!

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Chapelle, Toronto, Massey

Team Selling

I just finished moderating a SMEI teleconference (yup, they do still take place) on Team Selling. The presenter was Steve Waterhouse of Waterhouse Group.

Lessons Learned:

Team selling helps you build your reputation with your prospect. When you build multiple connections between your company and your prospects, you are encouraging communications among all levels (this will help you gain more knowledge of your prospect and can also affect your company's products and services for innovation). Those connections will be hard to break (if a competitor comes in).

Your sales process is seen as the owning process.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Waterhouse Group, SMEI, team selling

Ambiance Matters

After a delicious dinner at Doku15, the girls and I headed along Adelaide to see what was happening in that area. We wanted one more drink to close the night. The usual please...gin and tonics and gin martini's.

We took a peak into Reds, it was pretty dead, but that is okay...but, we decided to check out The Duke of Westminster, just below Reds. A little bit busier but the ambiance was...let me say...stale. No music, no welcome, bright lights, weird smell.

We sat down, got back up...and walked out. Back to Reds.

Oh, how important the customer experience matters.

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto

Talk to me, Come talk to me

I added the Meebome widget to this blog, just in case you have an urging sensation to chat with me...I gotta be online though...which will probably be at night or on the weekend. Occassionally during the day, but a girl's gotta work.

If you have any other questions, feel free to email or skype me.

Hope to chat with ya soon!

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Meebo

I am a Loner

According to Statistics Canada, I am a Loner.

As The Star reports:

Statistics Canada says it found that heavy Net users spent less time to socializing with their spouse or partner, or their children and friends.

And they tended to stay at home, showing less interest in outdoor activities than non-users.

Hm...I will have to discuss this more with my fellow yogis, co-workers, where I volunteer at; AIMS and SMEI, oh...and Mark, JB, Ren, Mr. Lan...

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, internet, Toronto

Two Way

Have you checked out the AIMS Canada blog yet?

View and comment on my latest entry on two-way conversations. Your feedback would really help. ;)

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto, AIMS

The Dirty Monorail

This morning, I was on the bobo version of Walt Disney World's Monorail - The Scarborough RT.

I typically stick to the Yonge/University Line, most of which is underground. But to be above ground...what another world. I mean, the sights...the view...sunny industrial Scarberia here I come...

Oh right, let me also mention how small the train is...families had a lovely time entering and fitting in the train with a stroller...forget it if you are on a wheelchair and the train is slightly busier than normal. Oh, and those big windows are helpful too - you will need them to look out for your stop...no sound system here (or at least ours wasn't working).

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, TTC, Toronto

REVIEW II: Masala Mehndi Masti

I wrote a post a few days ago on Masala Mehndi Masti. I am very impressed that Jyoti, one of the festival directors commented back. Here is the comment:

hey there... this is jyoti - one fo the festival directors. i totally agree that the festival needs some fine tuning in our new venue.. but that's only because it is a brand new venue after all! we had hit the highest peak possible at HFC and couldn't make the festival any better there. We also completely outgrew the venue. So this year was kinda like doing it again for the first time. If you have any ideas (I am fully aware about the directional signage issue - that was unfortunately an Exhibition Place fiasco) then plesae let us know about it. And Renita, do tell your aunts to give the festival a second chance - after 5 brilliant years - we moved to a new venue to grow into it - only you all can help us do that! ;) See you soon. jrana@satyaarts.com

I really do like how Jyoti is getting involved with the community. Heck, I am not even east asian and yet, my attendance is still important...the festival is for EVERYONE...me included. And you know what, damn straight I will go back next year. In fact, I will probably spread the news of how important the attendance, a happy attendance, is to the festival directors. So much so, that you will search out the blogosphere and see what people are saying...

Tags: Mish's Playground, Tampoya, Marketing, Toronto