Can we kick it?

Christmas Open House

2012-01-26T09:17:00.006-05:00

Before Christmas CCI Studios hosted an open house to spread good times and wish our friends, family and clients a Merry Christmas.

Part of our event included collecting presents and food for a deserving family in our community. Our invitation to the event outlined some items that were needed and if our guests would like to take part by bringing an item to the party, it would be greatly appreciated.

Our event went off without a hitch. The people, food, conversation and laughs were great. At the end of the day we had a Christmas tree with a pile of gifts for our family. We were overwhelmed by the giving spirits of those in our network.

We had hoped to fill a laundry hamper and we were delivering a pick up truck full of gifts to our family.

This huge delivery of Christmas gifts was the result of the greatness that can take place when we come together and we each contribute a little.

Thank you to everyone who took part in our event, we are lucky to work and play with all of you.

Word Case Study: Consumption

2011-09-21T15:39:00.015-04:00

Consumption. This word has far too many definitions. Whether the word is used in the context pertaining to the things we eat and actually digest or the things we watch, read, and learn about each day. I've heard the word used to describe how a fire engulfs a building; I've heard it used as an old term for wasting away of the body, particularly from Tuberculosis (TB). Someone who had tuberculosis seemed literally to be consumed by the disease. In economics, consumption is defined in its comparison to production. Then there's the common "consumption of alcohol" that may be one of the most common uses of the word which correlates with the digestion of food/beverages. As I continued to crunch on this word and its many uses in our language, I, of course, had nowhere to turn but Google, who provided me with the below 6 definitions for theword consumption:

1.The using up of a resource

industrialized countries should reduce their energy consumption

2.The eating, drinking, or ingesting of something

liquor is sold for consumption off the premises

3.An amount of something that is used up or ingested

a daily consumption of 15 cigarettes

4.The purchase and use of goods and services by the public

an article for mass consumption

5.The reception of information or entertainment, esp. by a mass audience

his confidential speech was not meant for public consumption

6.A wasting disease, esp. pulmonary tuberculosis

Why is it that it is so common to view this word in a negative context? Most definitely consumption, in its many forms, is a vital part of our lives on this planet. However, if we consider the definitions above, some types are more vital than others. As I continued to ponder the wordand its many uses, I moved from a "definition" search on Google to an "image" search. Some ofthe most interesting images that popped up in the search results are posted below:

It was very interesting how difficult it was to find an image that reflected any sort of positive perception of consumption. I have only known the word to have negative connotations. Is there a positive way to consume? OR is the only positive way to consume done "in moderation"? Moderation entails the opposite of the definition of consumption that we have come to understand. After pondering our cultures overuse of this word this afternoon, I have come to the conclusion that the only way to consume in a culture that is guilty of over consumption is to back it off from an 11, and dial it down to maybe, let's say a 4.5. I's necessary to consciously make the decision to consume less. That's going to mean, smaller portions at mealtime, being selective about the content that I spend time reading/watching online (news, blogs, information, videos, social media etc.); spending less money at fewer places, and using fewer resources; moderating consumption!

My Theatre Experience

2011-08-03T13:42:00.005-04:00

I remember standing behind the curtain backstage whispering to myself and collecting my thoughts. My heart would be racing and my stomach would be filled with excitement, it was such a thrilling adventure. This was my experience twice a year as a member of a community musical theatre group.

I spent most of my free time as a child in a rehearsal hall. Three nights a week my mom, sisters and I would attend rehearsals for our spring or winter production. I loved practicing for each production whether I was the lead or a member of the chorus. I knew all of my hard work would pay off when I stepped onto the stage at the Imperial Theatre and my stomach would fill with that familiar excitement.

This theatre group and particularly my time spent in the Theatre, taught me so much. I had a sense of belonging because all these people I spent so much time with had the same passion as I did. I felt confident in myself and wasn't afraid to be a little different. Most of all, the Theatre taught me about hard work. You need to practice, practice and practice once more because you only have one chance to get it right.

I have carried all of these experiences into my adult life but particularly practicing something until I get it right. We only get one opportunity to live our lives. Often like missing a line on stage, it's all about how I recover from my mistakes. I still work my very hardest to try and get it right the first time.

I have so much love for the Theatre because these experiences are part of who I am.

The reason I am telling this story right now is because CCI Studios is currently working on the development of the Theatre Sarnia 2011 - 2012 Season Theme and Program and so many memories have been coming to the forefront of my mind as I work on this project. I was unaware until recently, that Theatre Sarnia is the second longest running theatre group in Canada. This makes me so proud not only to be a member of the Sarnia, Lambton community but also a member of the theatre community in Sarnia.

The theatre has impacted my life in ways I am still realizing and I hope that it is around for the next 85 years to continue its positive impact on our community. To learn how you can support the Theatre in their 85th season, please call CCI Studios.

It takes a village to raise a child.

2011-07-21T09:16:00.002-04:00

My wedding is quickly approaching and the events that take place prior to the wedding have begun! I am starting to get so excited about our wedding and marrying Tyler (I am one lucky lady). Our stag and doe kicked off these events a few weeks ago and we had a blast.

The planning of a stag and doe was a little overwhelming at times but thankfully, I have wonderful people in my life who wanted to help with all the details. Our family members, friends and wedding party pulled through in so many ways, it made us feel so blessed.

Even through the 10 days prior to the event were stressful, we put together a fun night with music, games, prizes and of course a few frosty drinks and because we have such an amazing bridal party, Tyler and I had fun because we didn't need to worry about a thing.

What was most surprising about the evening was how overwhelmed I was by the love we received from the people who attended. It wasn't that everyone was actually saying "we love you guys so much", it was the fact that people cared enough to take time out of their busy lives to show up, celebrate and help out.

I understand that we all lead busy lives and specifically in the summer months our weekends are jam packed with all sorts of events. There were a handful of people who were unable to attend but even they made an effort to get in touch and wish us a great night.

When I think about the night one quote keeps coming to mind "It takes a village to raise a child". Milestone events in life like a wedding could not take place without "the village" and it definitely would not be as fun. The love we felt from our community that night was overwhelming and encouraging. Tyler and I have attended many stag and does and other events leading up to a friend or family members wedding and we always enjoy taking part in these important moments. Being on the receiving end is wonderful!

We felt a lot of love that night and we are so grateful to live in the community we do, with amazing friends and family all around us.

Thank you to everyone who attended, we feel so much support as we move into the next chapter of our lives as a married couple.

Absolutely, Positively, Negative?

2011-06-15T14:39:00.030-04:00

If you've been in Ontario this "spring", I think you would agree with me that this has been one of the most ridiculous springs ever!? Not only did we get blasted with tons and tons of snow this winter; we've also got more rain in a few weeks of May than we would usually get during the whole spring season. It has also been impressively chilly during the early spring months. Do I sound negative? Well, having lots of time to invest in analyzing how the weather affects my mood this season, I came to the realization that I struggle to stay positive when the weather shows no signs of hope!

Have you ever wondered how and why the weather affects our moods and ultimately our actions and habits? Why is it so much easier to wake up in the morning when the sun is shining through the bedroom window? We all know that rainy days go hand in hand with movie marathons and afternoon naps, and winters scream the word "hibernation". As the weather warms up after the long, dark, cold winter, it really does seem like everyone comes out of hiding with a little more jump in their step. Does the sunshine and warmth change something within us to encourage us to action?

I have always believed that the ability to positively affect myself and those around me comes from within. By committing to manage my own positive, motivating thoughts, I can affect not only myself positively, but those around me. Positivity is contagious and it can catch on very easily. Unfortunately, negativity mirrors the same pattern of contagiousness and has the potential to be just as "viral". Positivity can be passed on as if it were the latest viral video to hit YouTube (everyone repeat after me: Friday, Friday).

However, it is often easier to take ownership of our negative feelings and feel entitled to them, rather than dwelling on our positive feelings/experiences. One of the great challenges of spreading positivity is the fact that negativity spreads in a very similar way.

I know there have been times in my life where it felt as though I couldn't muster up a positive thought if I put all my energy into finding one. However, I've learned that staying committed to this positivity is one of the great challenges of persistence in my life. Of course when everything is lining up and things are going well; it is much easier to keep a positive outlook on life. When things are not going our way or there are some struggles in our lives, it is common to pass the blame on to others - OR - find some "well-deserved" sympathy from those who are closest to us. . I know there have been times throughout my life where I have contributed to a negative influence and that negativity dissipated any and all positivity that was near me.

The best way that I have learned to deal with this (and still work it out day in and day out) is to dwell longer on the good times, and shorter on the struggles. The problem with that is when I am down, I feel entitled to feeling down and focus on why I deserve to feel that way. This is a direct example of dwelling on the negative, rather than focusing in on the positive. Maybe there was that one amazing day where the sun was up all day long and you were able to accomplish everything that you could want to do on a beautiful spring day: gardening, wash the cars, play some golf, go for a roller blade,enjoy the bridge, swim, bike, walk, jog, etc.

We have all met that person that somehow still smiles through the storm of life. They somehow find the good in every situation even if it is clearly bad.It is up to us to choose the way we react to the events that take place in our lives. "Living the good life" is all about perspective! If we dwell on the bad times, it will be much easier to feel entitled to negativity and hope that we can find someone to give us the sympathy we feel we deserve. However, if we dwell on the good times, more of those times will come, because we will turn our negative experiences into positive ones, just by changing our perspective. It is one of my life goals to be a person that inspires others to enjoy their lives and to encourage positivity in all circumstances in my life.

Good Times,

Good Times.

2011-05-31T12:42:00.004-04:00

In addition to Website Design and Marketing Stuff, CCI Studios is all about Good Times. As a tribute to CCI Studios Birthday, I would like to share with you what Good Times at CCI Studios means to me.

Getting it done.

Coffee, lattes, Monster energy drinks, jugs of water.

Friday mornings.

Early Friday afternoons.

Late Friday nights chatting about the week.

Clients stopping by the office.

Clients stopping by the office to drop off a putting hole.

Challenges.

Inspiration to overcome challenges.

Satisfied clients.

Excited clients.

Cold beers.

Funny YouTube videos.

The Friday song.

Working with people who love what they do.

Working with people who are passionate.

Working together to build something big.

Doing something different.

Doing something good when no one is watching.

Teaching someone something new.

Creating successes.

Preparing for presentations.

Practical jokes.

Helping people achieve their goals.

Celebrating milestones with a champagne toast!

These are just the first things that came to mind, I could write for quite awhile. There is a lot of Good Times going on at CCI Studios and I thought I would just share a few with you. Happy Birthday CCI!

The Dress

2011-05-11T13:32:00.001-04:00

I am engaged and have been for almost a year now. I was so trilled when by boyfriend of four and half years popped the question. We took a few months to decide what kind of wedding we wanted and what season we would like to have our wedding. I have had all of the "major" items booked for about a year now and haven't done much wedding planning recently, until last weekend.

Now don't get me wrong, I am over the moon excited to become Mrs. Lapier but until recently I was not to fond of the idea of wedding planning. Every time I tried to sit down and check a few items off my to do list I was distracted by other tasks. I was starting to feel a little stressed about the entire situation as I have girlfriends who were engaged over Christmas and were scheduling dates for showers and other important events.

Being the procrastinator that I am, I continued to ignore my stress until I cam face to face with the most beautiful white creation I have ever seen. It was destiny that brought us together at that moment in time. I had shopped at a few other stores and tried on lots of dresses and was even beginning to feel hopeless about finding a dress that I would truly love.

I wasn't planning on dress shopping but I had time to kill before I hit the gym so I went into Elegance Bridal on Front Street. I was greeted by Maryanne who was very helpful, kind and honest. She assisted me with finding a dress that would suite my personal style as well as my body shape. It wasn't exactly how I pictured purchasing my wedding dress (I thought I would have my mom or a friend with me) but it was much easier to make the decision when I was the only person who needed to be satisfied with my choice.

The dress was off the rack so I got to leave with it (amazing for me, a very impatient person). I left the store on cloud nine, I was so excited I sat in my car and made three key phone calls before driving to the gym. I called my mom, Tyler's mom and my maid of honour.

After the gym I went strait to Tyler's parents house where my dress currently resides until I find a tailor for her. Next I was onto the location where I booked the stag and doe. This week I have also picked up invitations for the bachelorette party (which I plan on completing before the end of the week), reworked my guest list, delegated tasks and created and extensive to do list for things that need to get done in the near future.

This wedding planning thing is looking up all because I can visualize myself walking down the isle in my dress. I am glad to share these details leading up to my wedding day and I will be sharing much more when my wedding website launches in the near future.

I will keep you posted on all the wedding details, I am sure its going to get interesting!

Spring Fever

2011-03-18T14:21:00.003-04:00

Spring has arrived! I feel a little lighter, less sleepy and excited. That's right I have a bad case of Spring Fever. I even Goggled my symptoms and as far as Wikipedia is concerned, I have the Fever. I have been thinking over the past few days "How should I cure such an illness?" and a few activities have come to mind.

Not requiring as much sleep and feeling more energised has encouraged me to get back into my gym routine. I have been able to get up a little earlier a few days this week and hit the gym. This feels great and I think its adding to my good mood and high energy levels.

I have also thought "Hey, I haven't seen so in so for awhile, we need to get together." This great weather brings me out of "hermit mode"; I feel a need to get out with friends I may not have seen because of my past few months of hibernation. St. Patrick's Day is a great day to kick off this fresh social mindset.

Shedding a few layers is another way to deal with the Fever (i.e. heavy coats, hats, gloves etc.). Now, by no means am I about to pack away my winter gear yet because you know as soon as I do that we will be hit with a major snowstorm. I have pulled out my Spring jacket and paired down on the layers a bit and it feels great.

The most problematic symptom that currently ales me; is the need to shop. I first recognize this symptom when I begin to see the fresh Spring colours in the stores. Then I start to put outfits together in my head that are just missing one piece, that new piece would make the outfit perfect for the current season. (Ok, I have a shopping problem that is amplified in the Spring and Fall.) From past experience, if this symptom is not taken care of with a good dose of shopping, the aftermath can be devastating.

I know that there are other people out there that are also suffering from Spring Fever. I have seen them out walking their dogs, riding bikes and there are even those extremists who have pulled out the flip flops and shorts.

I am going to spend my weekend curing my Spring Fever, how are you going to celebrate this new season and enjoy your weekend?

What is wrong with people?

2010-11-25T09:21:00.004-05:00

The following is a blog post from Vice President of NATIONAL Public Relations (www.national.ca), Marlo Taylor, who is also someone CCI Studios happens to be a big fan of. Mrs. Taylor is a kind and compassionate individual...who also happens to not take any sh*t from anyone...and we think that's pretty cool.

Originally posted on November 24, 2010 at http://marsamom.wordpress.com/2010/11/24/what-is-wrong-with-people/

This post has been bubbling in my head for some time. Last week, a third person was accused of faking cancer and defrauding his supporters out of thousands of dollars.

What is wrong with people? Are you that desperate for attention/money/infamy that you will stoop to pretending to have a disease that continues to ravage the lives of thousands of Canadians and their families every day?

I’ve had cancer and news flash: you don’t want it.

You know what you were pretending, Mr. Oh So Clever Schemer?

You were pretending you walked into the doctor’s office one day and in one fell swoop the wind was knocked out of you and that you were now in for the fight of your life.

You were pretending that everything you love was potentially going to be taken away from you and, unless the miracles of science and God were on your side, there was nothing you could do about it.

You were pretending that the future you can imagine goes not one step further then the end of some hellish treatment, where you will wait again to hear where the journey will take you next.

You were pretending that you spent hours being infused with drugs the nurses won’t touch. Yeah, that’s right, they won’t touch them without gloves but they’re going to infuse them into your veins hoping that it will be enough.

You were pretending that it doesn’t matter that your hair fell out and that you were trying to be brave when you suddenly found yourself standing in a pile of it one morning after what should have been just a regular shower.

You were pretending that there will be other Christmases to make up for the one you missed throwing up after your last round of chemo.

You were pretending that you have one friggin’ clue about what you’re talking about and what it means to fight this bastard of a disease.

You were pretending you have a soul; cuz frankly, if you are capable of this, I highly doubt it.

I don’t even wish cancer on you cuz it sucks that much. How dare you.

Impact

2010-10-18T16:54:00.002-04:00

I was in a situation at work the other day and I was unsure how to come to a resolve, when I remembered something from my very first job that I had learned from my first boss. You never know when a lesson learned years ago will come in handy today.

I consider myself pretty lucky to have always had people in my life that I look up to. As I get older and start to figure out whom I want to be and the things that I value, I realize more and more the large role these different people have played in shaping who I am.

Our first role models in life are our parents or other family members like grandparents, aunts or uncles and older siblings. These people have influenced my beliefs and personality characteristics. Over the last year or so I have had a few moments where I think “Oh my gosh I am turning into my mother”. Not that this is a bad thing because I love my mother very much and I would be happy to be like her (for the most part). It’s just very interesting that it has taken me 25 years to realize this.

The first women I worked for taught me about professionalism, work ethics and the value of excellent customer service. I still call on these fist work experiences in my current career. She also trusted me with responsibilities which allowed me to figure out for myself what I was capable of. I did not sail through every challenge with grace but falling flat on your face is part of the learning curve so I am thankful that she allowed me to do so.

I have a friend who has taught me a lot simply through example. She has faced some challenges in her life that many people would not handle with the grace that she has. Being a friend, this woman is not afraid to share parts of her life with me, the good parts and the bad parts. By doing so I have learned that sometimes crappy things happen to good people but even in the face of sadness, grief and fear there is always something to be grateful for.

These are just a few examples of the people who have influenced my life and I continue to be surrounded by people who challenge me in new ways. I don’t know if these people realize the impact they have had on my personal and professional life but I am grateful.

This also makes me aware of the fact, that weather I like it or not, I am impacting the lives of the people around me. This can be a scary thought because I am not perfect and I’m sure sometimes it’s not a positive impact that I am having on others. This thought has at least made me aware of the ripple effect that we all have on each other and it’s defiantly encouraging me to think a little more about my actions.

Night On The Town

2010-08-20T11:42:00.004-04:00

The other night I was hanging out with my little sister and I had planned a night of fun, inexpensive activities for us to do. Being a big sister and having to plan weekly activities has really made me take a detailed look at all the great things that Sarnia, Lambton has to offer. I am finding that during the summer there are lots festivals, shows and out door eateries available, you sometimes just need to look a little closer to find them.

So I have recently been visiting the County of Lambton Website, The Sarnia Tourism Website and even the local radio station website, to see what I can find for me and my little sister to enjoy for little to no cost. Last week I had planned for us to have dinner at Purdy’s Fisheries, a walk through the Gallery Lambton and then a stroll down to the Library on Christina Street to pick up some carefree summer reads.

I had never been to Purdy’s and I find it exciting to try new restaurants. The fish was awesome! We ordered perch and pickerel and shared so we could try both kinds of fish. The weather was wonderful that night and we were lucky enough to get a seat right next to the water. There was lots of traffic on the river; I never sees to be amazed by the gargantuan size of the ships that travel the St. Clair river.

Next we were headed to Gallery Lambton. On our way there, we noticed the antique car show going on in Centennial Park so we decided to take a walk through the park. Arriving at the art gallery we found our selves alone to enjoy the art. A Gallery Lambton employee joined us shortly after we went in. He asked if we would like him to tell us about some of the art.

The man explained that the current show was a display of art work owned by Gallery Lambton and that what we were seeing was only a small portion of art owned by the Gallery. He toured us around the art gallery explaining how some of the art work had come to be part of this collection.

There was art from the Group of Seven, new art from local artists and pieces that had found themselves in the possession of Gallery Lambton without any records.

I thoroughly enjoyed hearing the history of the artwork and the stories of its purchasers. When the man left me and Belinda to walk around on our own, we took turns guessing what some of the abstract art was.

Shamefully I will admit this was only my second visit to Gallery Lambton. Learning the history of the art work gave me a greater appreciation for how important the Gallery Lambton is to the heritage of Sarnia, Lambton. I am going to make an honest effort to visit more frequently.

Lastly we found ourselves at the library. I love the library! I love the smell of the books and I like the quiet noise. My little sister and I set off into our desired library sections and began the hunt for our next great read. I found Tori Spelling’s new book “Uncharted TerrriTori” and my little sister found a few vampire mysteries. We spent some time just hanging out reading the beginning of our books until they announced that the Library would be closing.

As we walked down Christina Street on the way back to my car I reminisced about the events of our night. I couldn’t help but think that I don’t really savor all that Sarnia Lambton has to offer. I am going to start now though. I think part of the reason is because, this is where I live and I drive by the same things every day. I don’t always SEE what’s around me but from now on I am going to start looking a little harder.

Away with Me

2010-08-10T12:16:00.004-04:00

Well...I'm slacking (again).

The (unfortunate) but inevitable end of the summer has brought me to a date I have been looking forward to for months. On Tuesday, August 17, 2010, I will be embarking on a three-week ~~odyssey~~ hiking trip across the majority of the Western United States.

The reason for the trip is simple - it's vacation time and I want to do something different. That, and a good friend of mine has a chunk of time off, so we figured a road trip was the best thing to fill in the gaps.

So, on the 17th, I set out from Sarnia and will head to Notre Dame, Indiana. From there, on the morning of the 18th, we head west - and what happens after that, no one knows. Our path involves hitting as many great hikes as possible at as many amazing places as possible - and the order (as shown in the image below) goes like this:

A) Aspen, Colorado

B) Grand Canyon, Arizona

C) Las Vegas, Nevada (ok, there's not too much hiking happening there)

D) Yosemite National Park, California

E) Lake Tahoe, Californa

F) Park City, Utah

It is certainly not an unambitious trip, but what fun is a road trip if you don't take a few chances?

More or less, the point of the trip is to spend three weeks wreaking havoc on the trails and mountains of the Western US, have a boat-load of laughs and try to remember a time when people enjoyed things without having to be plugged in 24/7.

As I get ready to head out on this trip I can already feel my apprehension growing. I have no doubt that the Team will hold down the fort, but I am actually uptight about "unplugging"! I know, I know -I should relish the opportunity to turn the cell off and not worry about things for a few weeks. I think that is the first realization that has come from a trip I haven't even left for yet - that I (and I'm sure many people in the world) am so COMPLETELY dependent being 'connected'.

I don't know if it's funny - or just plain sad! - that I am mildly worried about this. Whether it is the office phone, cell phone, email, messenger, Facebook, Twitter, the blog (that I am ironically using to tell you all of this) or any other mode of connectivity, it honestly makes me wonder what we did before the internet was as big a part of our lives as it's become. I mean, we are only talking about mainstream internet usage for the past, what, 10-12 years?! Yet, you would think that we were just shaping the wheel and doing nothing more than grunting as of 1995.

Thankfully, we did a lot more before the Information Age, and I am beginning to see that it is not only a wanted break - but a needed one. Being outside as much as possible, not worrying about the number of bars on my phone is something that I'm looking forward to - and maybe we should all remember to do every now and then.

Peace,

Scott

Hello, World!

2010-07-15T10:29:00.002-04:00

Hello Blog World,

My name is Heather and I am the sales manager at CCI Studios. My role is to connect with/consult prospective clients on the marketing services we offer and which will assist them in best growing their business. I truly enjoy my career choice of working in sales and I am not sure what else I would do. Just a few days ago someone asked me “Would it matter what I sold or if I would like to sell something else, what would it be? I pondered for a second; fashion would be great because I would always have the latest fashion trends, insurance would be nice because you are advising people how to protect what is most valuable to them, buying a home is a very special time in a persons life, having an opportunity to be a part of that through real estate sales would be neat.

Then I thought about all the interesting and rewarding things that come with working at a marketing firm and not just any Marketing Firm, CCI Studios. I get to interact with people who have careers in all sorts of lines of work and learn about those businesses. I have an opportunity to work with entrepreneurs who are starting a new business and assist them in creating an image to represent their business. These entrepreneurs have such passion for their products and services, their drive becomes infectious. Working with non profit organizations is a wonderful experience, I know that the marketing we are creating is working to promote awareness and raise funds for a cause. I also have an opportunity at CCI Studios, to donate a marketing project to a charity or organization of my choice each year.

Marketing in general (which it is anything but) is fascinating to me because it is so directly related to sales. Working with clients to build their marketing, deciding how to best promote that marketing and directing the finished product toward the clients target market, I am basically working side by side with our clients to help them sell their products and services.

So I guess, in some ways, I do sell a lot of different products and services. Because I am working with so many different businesses, I am always learning, which I love! All in all I think I could sell anything but I definitely love what I am selling at CCI and I think that it’s a great sales environment to be in.

I look forward to making new working relationships at CCI Studios and helping those clients turn their ideas and dreams not only into a reality but into a great success.

Until next time,
Heather

Away We Go

2010-06-23T13:00:00.002-04:00

Greetings Blogosphere!

We are back!

I realize I am probably the only person truly excited about this seeing as myself (and maybe sometimes my Mom) read this blog. But, after taking almost a FULL YEAR off from writing the 'Can we kick it?' blog - we are back up and running.

I suppose one thing I should do is bring you guys up to speed on what has been happening in the past year since I logged in and banged out some sometimes-not-unfunny sentences.

Being that this blog is ensconced in all things CCI Studios, that is where I should probably start. CCI is growing! Onward and upward has been the vibe around the office the past year. Speaking of offices - we have upgraded and moved into a new one :) It's a great spot that has an open-concept feel and as much natural light as we can pour into it. In addition to that, we have brought on our new Sales Manager, Heather Brown and we have had two new graphic designers bringing our clients ideas to life. So, all-in-all, CCI's looking pretty good and we're all having a good time watching it grow.

Oh, and, one other cool thing did happen - we won an OBA. That's 'Outstanding Business Achievement' Award. It was a big black tie gala event, with awards, entertainment and us having the ability to get our named called and receive a pretty cool award for 'Excellence in Marketing & Promotions'. Very cool stuff :)

Beyond that, life is good. There have been marriages, babies, celebrations, sadness, long days, longer nights, belly laughs, rounds of golf and everything else that comes in one's way in the course of a year - we are doing well.

The question that I'm sure has been plaguing everyone since you landed on our new-look page is undoubtedly ~~"Why did you decide to re-start this weak blog"~~ Why haven't you written in so long?"

To be entirely honest, I have no good reason as to why I haven't written. I like writing. I like the internet. Put those two together and I should be blogging 'til my hearts content, but alas, that has not been the case. But, I figured that with a new website, a little tweak in our marketing efforts - and the fact that I dig on typing things that maybe 7 and a half other people find amusing, then it was time to dust off the old keyboard and let things ride.

So, here we are. Back writing a thing or fifteen once, maybe twice (if I'm feel particularly verbose) a week. Hopefully it'll be funny and hopefully it'll be interesting. Hopefully, it just doesn't suck.

It's good to back.

Peace,
SP

"Good Times" - Defined

2009-07-13T08:31:00.004-04:00

Oh, hello.

Yes, it has been a while since I have written - and a lot has happened. Iran had a "legit" presidential election, The King of Pop died (and millions of people became obsessed with following every second of the story on every digital medium imaginable) and Jon and Kate both need a date (groan, I know).

Yet, the most important thing that has happened (in my eyes at least) in the re-branding of my company, CCI Studios.

On May 30th, CCI Celebrated its 6th Birthday. Being that we were about to enter our 7th year of operations, we felt it was time to show the world who we are and why...well...we are awesome.

Part of our new feel is the tagline "Website Design. Marketing Stuff. Good Times".

The first two parts of that tag line are fairly self-explanatory, but it is the third part - the "Good Times" part that I want to make sure people understand.

In our ads, Good Times is defined as being fun, professional, laid back, top-quality, creative, old school and, of course, "not against taking Friday afternoons off to golfing".

Good Times is not just a marketing ploy - it is a way of life. Not just for CCI Studios, but for myself and for our Staff and clients.

In a day and age when ponzi schemes are running rampant, you can face litigation for not looking at someone the proper way, accountability has gone the way of horse and buggy and "successfully" completing a project is when you are beyond deadline and over budget, Good Times is itself a mentality. It is a way of doing business...good business. VERY good business.

To be my Uncle Frank, I am pissed off at the laziness and arrogance with which companies today operate. Too often it takes days to get a response from a business (if I get one at all), or people are rude, disrespectful, condescending and narcissistic. Businesses believe that the clients exist for them - rather than the business existing for the client. Good Times is not some simpleton slang term, it is a dedication to doing business that will make our clients happy. We will not JUST provide phenomenal products, but we will do so with service that is top-notch and an attention to detail not seen since before we all forgot how important the small things were (i.e. pre-computer).

Don't get me wrong - the client does not get off easy. We have expectations of our clients - that they will treat us with respect and will work within the process we have established so as to keep everyone on the same page. Yes, we will charge money for the services we provide and we expect prompt payment, but those charges will be fair and equal for the job being done.

Good Times can be any number of things - but it is a philosophy.

Good Times is...

...Staff discussions about the better TV show - LOST or 24?
...Answering the telephone with a smile so our clients can sense our attitude.
...Responding to emails and phone calls within a maximum of 24 hours.
...Being honest with our clients.
...Holding ourselves accountable for the quality of our work.
...Expecting the best from ourselves before we expect anything of anyone else.
...Casual Fridays.
...Having integrity in everything we do.
...Working at being the best damn company to work with on the planet. Period.

It is time to break the mold of doing business the way everyone else does it - because in all honestly - too often businesses do garbage business.

We will lead if others will follow. Let's all expect a little more from ourselves and, in turn, produce better results from that which we get - and that which we give.

THAT is Good Times.

Peace,
SP

Baptismal Lessons

2009-04-28T15:40:00.005-04:00

So, my nephew was baptized a week ago.

It was a great family event - with my sister Marlo and my Brother-in-Law Dean being phenomenal hosts (yet again).

Despite the great after-party and celebration, the best part of the day was when I was able to hold my nephew (who I was honoured to be asked to be Godfather to) when he was being anointed. Now, having three nieces, I have become quite comfortable with kids and holding them and whatnot. Yet, being able to hold my nephew during this was something that filled with me with an immense amount of pride. There was a time four years ago, when I was asked to be my niece Hannah's Godfather, that I held a child like an ancient Roman would hold a cell phone - I didn't hate it, but I just didn't get it. Many visits, time spent doing puzzles, playing hide-and-seek, watching Thomas the Tank Engine DVDs and visits to Walmart have happened since that time that allowed me to play a better role in this Baptism.

Granted, the little guy slept through the ENTIRE thing (with the exception of a brief, almost-annoyed, expression when the water was poured over his noodle), but it was an experience that left me on a mini-high and is something I will always take from the day.

In addition to the reward of being physically involved in the ceremony, this event gave me a greater sense of responsibility towards my nieces and nephews. Experiencing an event when the entire family is present, as part of a greater community, reminds me of how the the village truly raises the child. This gives me a greater motivation to be a better example, to live a little bit better and to always be an uncle my nieces and nephews can be proud of. I do not want to inadvertently say or do something that they may pick up on. I want to be aware of my actions and words - so that I can positive shape their future. It is obviously not my entire responsibility to shape the moral foundation of my nieces and nephews, but I can do my part - and last week reminded me that I can always do it a little bit better.

So, all-in-all, it was a great day - and I was proud to have been a part of it. Here are some pics:

Peace,
SP

Down-Then-Up

2009-04-03T13:04:00.003-04:00

When was the last time you greeted someone without a handshake?

Maybe it was when you were out for a walk yesterday. Maybe it was on our way to work this morning. Maybe it was while thanking the person behind the counter who carefully prepared your latte. Regardless of who it was - it happened.

Nodding is a major part of what we do - and we don't even give it enough thought.

Right now you are most likely asking yourself "Why in the world would this guy write about a gesture as simple as a nod?

Good question.

But...not really.

See, day in and day out, we do things - tiny, little, seemingly insignificant, miniscule things - that actually do affect people in ways we never see.

The nod is one of them.

Think about it - the nod represents countless sentiments and emotions. It is most universally known as an affirmation. The physical gesture representing three simple letters, "yes". It never even crosses our mind - but the nod is the most basic motion we make with the most vital part of our bodies - our noodle. It houses our most important component, and serves as the home base of our senses and is the focal point for some of the best things we do in a day - hearing one of our favourite songs, smelling one of our favourite smells and even kissing one of our favourite people. So, nodding may just be one of the most underrated actions we perform.

But, when we do nod, it has the ability to serve as a catalyst for a wide-range of emotions in the person receiving the gesture. The two most fundamental nods are the Up-First and the Down-Then-Up. The Up-First is a subtle movement...almost as if to say, I recognize the person/situation I am nodding at - but it may not be worthy of any great exertion of effort. The Down-Then-Up is a full-fledged gesture that is an overt understanding of the person/situation that calls for it. Each of these sends out varying signals - one more positive than the other.

For one of the most classic examples of Up-First and Down-Then-Up nodding, check out this clip of the final scene in The Karate Kid. Mr. Miyagi (arguable the hardest "mentor" character in film history) gives us a taste of both. Fast forward to 3:50 to see the Up-First Nod. Daniel has just finished getting his ass handed to him and it's time to make a move. The proud, righteous, self-respecting Miyags won't back down from anyone and he goes Up-First to let the Cobras know he won't back down - but he's a bit nervous. Then, at 4:10, Miyags gives us the Down-Then-Up because he knows the Crane Kick is in full effect. This is a confident, definitive affirmation that the Cobra is about to get beat by the skinniest white-boy in history. Check it out:

The point here is that the Up-First can be a confrontational, disrespectful, sometimes even boastful and arrogant nod. Now, in Miyags case, he had to stand up for his pupil - so it was called for - but that does not change the tone. When he goes for the Down-Then-Up, it's a definitively confident gesture that shows faith, support, affirmation and belief.

To further my point, use the following as a litmus test:

Next time you are out somewhere and you get introduced to someone see how they react. Someone who really doesn't give a rip to meet you and/or remember you, will give you an Up-First and probably not extend their hand. Oppositely, someone who is engaging and is interested to meet you, will give you the Down-Then-Up and even extend their hand and be grateful to meet a new acquaintance.

You do not even know it, but you have definitely found yourself in a position where you subconsciously had to choose between the two. Maybe you saw someone you are not all that fond of - you definitely gave the Up-First. You're still a wicked person, don't worry, we're all guilty of it. On the contrary, think about the last time you ran into a neighbour or an acquaintance of had good service, you inevitably gave that person the Down-Then-Up and, without even knowing it, made them feel good in the process.

Like anything in life, once you know, you can't not know.

So, think about how you use your nods. We make the gesture all the time - but don't realize the impact on others.

Give it some thought, Down-Then-Up and maybe even add a smile.

Works wonders.

Peace,
SP

Where'd all the good movies go?

2009-03-10T09:34:00.002-04:00

Here's the thing - when was the last time you saw a GOOD movie?

No, I'm not talking about The Watchmen or The Dark Knight or anything else that was chalk-full of massive explosions and mind blowing special effects.

I am talking about a really good film...a film that when it was over, had you walking out of the theater or getting off your couch and feeling some emotion that was not there 100 minutes prior.

One of the best films I've ever watched is Dead Poets Society with Robin Williams. Maybe you have seen it, maybe you haven't. If you haven't, the next clip will not mean the slightest thing to you - but if you have seen it, this final scene is the type of ending that serves as a catalyst for emotion translating from screen to self:

The whole purpose of the film is to talk about seizing the day - Carpe Diem - and living for the things that matter. THAT is the premise of a good film.

Yet, these types of films rarely exist anymore. Or, the studios who have the opportunities to make them choose not to because you can't make an English teacher action figure as part of a Happy Meal at McDonalds.

Maybe part of the reason is that we, as the audience, have stopped asking for these types of films. We do not demand responsibility from the studios who feed us these films - so they are making exactly what we are asking for. Then why don't we ask for something better? Are we so detached, so digitized, so Facebook-ed that we need to have EVERYTHING spoon fed to us because we have become too lazy to think for ourselves and actually spend time watching something that may have an emotional impact on us?

Now, I'm not saying that entertainment does not have its value, but with our and Hollywood's overindulgence in bigger, faster, louder over the past 20 years...is it possible that we are just making ourselves slightly more detached? Sure, everyone loves to read a book or watch a movie to "escape" for a little bit - but when those escapes are over, reality inevitably is waiting outside the doors of the cinema.

So, why would we not crave a better connection between the two? Why would we not want to experience a film that does not get left on the screen after the final credit rolls? Should the cinematic medium serve more as a means for social responsibility than simply a fix of visually stimulative gluttony? I can't transform like Optimus Prime and I do not have a secret lair like Batman. But, I do live, laugh, love, hurt, work, learn and bleed like a real human being. Why have we become so scared of ourselves that we depend on these made-up realities as opposed to indulging in something that matters - and telling stories with lessons?

Maybe, just maybe, there are a few good films still out there - and we shall see them one day soon. And, hey, with a little luck, their message will not lost in the brightened lights and on the popcorn littered floors of the theater.

Peace,
SP

Hello, Charlie

2009-02-26T12:56:00.012-05:00

Well...we have a new Palko.

That is right, Charlie John Joseph Taylor was born yesterday, February 25th, 2009 at 5:21pm, weighing in at 8lbs 13oz.

He is a charming, intelligent, thoughtful, chivalrous and considerate young lad. Or, at least I am pretty sure those traits can be seen in his little tiny eyes.

What can I say?! I'm a very proud uncle and am completely abusing this blog to swell with pride over my nephew. I have three incredible nieces (Hi Hannah, Emily and Keelan!)...but this is my first nephew, so it means that I can take a break from Dora the Explorer toys and buy him a Nerf Football.

And a little mini tux. Why does a little kid need a tux? I have no idea, but he's getting one because little guys in tuxes is funny.

So, in case any of you would like to see some pics of Charlie - here are a few hot off the press:

Now, does that not look like a future Notre Dame quarterback?!

Ok, ok...no pressure on the poor little guy, but I'm just sayin'.

So, here it is. In the spirit of countless other people who have ever done this for their own children/nieces/nephews/grandchildren/etc. I would like to take a second to offer you, Charlie, a few insights that hopefully one day will provide the slightest ray of clarity, when needed:

(in no particular order):

- Hold doors open for people
- Pray
- Keep your word
- Play sports
- Don't play so many video games
- Call your Mom...she's already worried about you
- Unless you're in jail...call one of your Uncles
- Don't get put in jail
- Be protective of your older sister because even though she won't show it all the time, she's always looking out for you
- No matter how much time you spend on Facebook, your cell phone, the internet, etc...learn how to speak with people. Technology makes people lonely - people make people feel accepted.
- Play an instrument
- Never hit your mother. Ever.
- Be good with yourself...the rest will follow
- Do what you love
- You are one piece of this planet and you can do ANYTHING. But, the world does not revolve around you, so you have to look out for others.
- Travel
- Be honest
- Go to Church
- Tell your Mom and Dad and Sister you love them. Because, they love you.

Welcome to the family, Charlie. It's great to have you.

Peace,
Uncle Flow

Backyard Longing

2009-02-05T14:44:00.005-05:00

I haven't seen my backyard since the end of October.

I mean, I look out my window and there is a space - a solid, earth-filled, lot-size calculable yard. But, for the past four months it hasn't been itself. Like Oreos with strawberry filling, Hendrix on the accordion, or the Godfather Part III - the heart of the natural genius still exists, but it is alive in a form that is just a bit off.

In this case, my backyard has been the Snow-zen Tundra of Brights Grove for too long and it is time that Mr. Sun wakes the hell up, melts my fine friend 'Frozen Precipitation' away and lets my backyard return to me again.

This past Sunday was the Super Bowl - and what do guys do on Super Bowl? They eat. I mean, sure we intake sustenance on a daily basis, but on this annual event, we REALLY eat. Chili, pizza, dogs and sweets are our temporary four food groups from 2pm until after the game. That being said - and considering I was hosting a few good buddies for the big game - what better idea could I have than to crack open the barbecue and surprise these gents with some middle-of-the-summer, open-flame, goodness?

Then it hit me - I also have not seen my barbecue since October. That poor, suffering, phenomenal tool of deliciousness has been engulfed by the same snow that I enjoyed the novelty of in November, became annoyed at December, cursed at in January, and to which I'm now admitting defeat in February. No, barbecued meat was not be had for the Super Bowl this year because getting to the most important cooking utensil of all would have required a week's worth of training and having a rescue team on standby should I fail in my attempt.

The silver lining is that February is, indeed, here. That means the days do get slightly longer - and I can actually see my shell of a backyard until later in the evening. I can peer out the windows staring at the place I used to sit on the patio, enjoying a drink with friends after an ultra-low round of golf - all for an extra hour because it is not pitch black at 5pm anymore. The tide is turning our way and shortly, our land will once again be reclaimed. Sure, that little Groundhog SOB predicted six more weeks of winter, but hey, if I knew I could jump back into a cozy little abode and get forty-or-so more days of shuteye, I'd make that declaration, too. But, such is not the case for us humans - we have to break out our shovels, scrape our windshields, knock the excess off our shoes and hope that tomorrow will bring brighter hopes and suns rays.

So, to all of you who miss your backyards - I say this: Keep your heads high, your feet warm and your BBQ lighters ready...Oreos were never meant to be pink forever and your backyard shall be yours again.

Peace,
SP

History

2009-01-21T14:06:00.007-05:00

Well...it came and it went.

The primaries, the conventions, the nominations, the campaigning, the election - and yesterday - the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States of America - Barack Obama.

I have no idea if you like President Obama or not. You may disagree with some of his politics, or his faith views, or anything else...so, thankfully, this post is not about him as a member of government.

No, today's post is simple - I will support him because he hopes. Not only does he hope, but he realizes that action is the heat necessary to bake that hope into golden brown change. An idealist? Maybe he is. Yet, I believe his actions will speak volumes as I feel he has no laurels to be rested on and no desire to back-slap beyond the last dance at the last ball yesterday evening.

Did you see the Inauguration? Did you see the people? 2 million. And...not a SINGLE arrest. As CCI Programmer, Jon Bennett, said "all they had to clean up was the garbage". Seriously - TWO MILLION people?! And, when you really think about it - the vast majority of them traveled from all over the country just to catch a glimpse of their new President - ON A SCREEN.

THAT kind of active participation in government...and in the US...is something the world should welcome. The presence of a man who seemingly wants to choose good. Will he always make the right decisions? Maybe not. Will he falter? It would be hard for anyone to meet the expectations placed on him. Yet, that has not stopped him from wanting to make changes and creating a US its citizens can be proud of - and the world can be honoured to call an ally.

The presence of this type of hope - the type that inspires people of all walks of life to believe in the goodness in the world - is something I will cheer vigorously for.

I can use all of the words I want to try to explain why I believe in this man, but I think he did it best in his Inaugural Address, yesterday (in two parts):

I have no idea if President Obama will follow through on his promises. No one knows if he will even be a good Commander in Chief. But, people believe in him. They believe in his goals, in his conviction, in his character, and in his hopes.

It might take a long time to bake...but I can only imagine what that hope - in the US and around the world - will smell like once it comes out of that oven, as change.

Peace,
SP

It's your cycle...

2009-01-07T11:52:00.007-05:00

Happy Twenty-Oh-Nine as my best friend Scotty says.

That's right - the month of January is upon us, which means the sunlight begins to linger a touch longer and the waistlines start to shrink in recovery from the Holidays and preparation for the coming Summer.

Being that we are seven cards into the deck of 365 that make up this year, I figure it is the ideal time to talk about one thing - opportunity. No, I'm not about to go on some long diatribe about how to be better and how to do things better and how to make 2009 the greatest year ever. Those are things I say to myself when I am looking in the mirror in the morning.

Technically speaking, January 1st is simply a day. A 24 hour period of time that brings lists, tasks, actions, inaction, and any number of other 'things'. Yet, on this particular day, of this particular month, every 365 days or so, we all get an undefined fresh start.

It's the cycle beginning anew. A new set of months, a new set of seasons, even a new set of holidays. It's our one opportunity to look at all that has been in the recent past and see if we can make better (or worse if really really want to) during the year-long hand you are about to play.

The irony is - we are given this very cycle every single day - a new set of hours, a new sunrise and sunset, a chance to be better - but the January cycle strikes as being more significant because it represents a chunk of our life. Everything is measured in years - our age, our classification in life (newborn, child, adolescent, teenager, young adult, adult), our seniority, our sports seasons - even the make of our cars. So, when you reflect on the collective experience of one of these cycles - you view the big picture of the entire year.

So, after that clock strikes midnight on January 1 every year, each of us knows, deep down, that we have a brand new opportunity in front of us. Forget that diet you didn't follow last year or the friend you never called. Don't lose sleep over the hobby you gave up after a week or the trip you promised yourself you would take but have not booked. January 1st IS the next opportunity. It is a 1st down in football, the start of a new inning in baseball, the beginning of a new political term or outset of a road trip. What was done previously cannot be changed - the only certainty is the new opportunity you have and that it is your responsibility to make the most of it. You are not really sure what is going to happen - but you know it could be awesome.

So, get to it. Yes, this means you. There is no time like the now. And you know what the best part will be? When you exploit your opportunity for the entire year. You play the game - and you take down the house by spending next December 31st looking at what you did during your fresh set of downs. That is not reflecting on broken promises or unkept goals...that is making the next go 'round even better than the last.

So stop reading this - and go do it...whatever 'it' is.

Hurry up...and don't let years also be the measure for opportunities lost.

Happy New Year.

Peace,
SP

Christmas...it's in the music

2008-12-17T18:06:00.004-05:00

It is Christmas time.

Snow, trees, gifts, lights, food, family, friends, invitations, salutations, no complications.

I love it - all of it. I will be the first to admit, I have been too damn busy for my own good to actually sit back and take it all in this year - but I love every second of it nonetheless.

But, you know what is my favourite part?

Home cooking?
No.

Gifts?
Nope.

Time around the Christmas tree?
Phenomenally relaxing...but still not it.

Time with family and friends?
Great - but not quite.

My favourite thing about Christmas...is the music.

Oh sure, that sounds incredibly weak - but it is completely true. Have you ever REALLY listened to and/or read the lyrics to almost EVERY Christmas song ever written?

I mean people do nothing but sing about everything that is good in the world. For one time of the entire year, it is COMPLETELY acceptable to talk/sing/converse about peace, joy, good tidings, family and kindness, just to name a few.

COME ON, even Run DMC made a Christmas rap:

"I'd never steal from Santa 'cuz that ain't right".

Hell no it isn't!

The music of Christmas makes the mood. Do you see people going around singing Halloween Carols? No, of course you don't. Singing a song - whether it is around a tree, at your church, or by yourself (hey, it happens!) is something that makes us feel good about ourselves - and the world. People singing in unison songs about making the world a better place makes us believe - if only for a few moments - that the words in the music can be brought to life.

My Dad, Joe, makes a Palko Family Christmas Album every year. He begins working on it in January, he hand picks every song (with recommendations that may or may not make the cut from the family), he designs and prints the CD case and I just picked my 2008 copies up yesterday. Not everyone likes every single song put on there - but everyone listens to it - because every song represents something good...just like the Christmas Season itself. Those songs and that music are a massive part of the Palko Christmas because every note serves as a reminder of what was, what is - and with our own efforts - what can be.

Have you ever really read the lyrics to most Christmas songs? For instance, take 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' :

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Let your heart be light
From now on, our troubles will be out of sight

Have yourself a merry little Christmas
Make the Yuletide gay
From now on, our troubles will be miles away

Here we are, as in olden days
Happy golden days of yore
Faithful friends who are dear to us
Gather near to us
Once more

Through the years, we all will be together
If the fates allow
Hang a shining star above the highest bough
And have yourself a merry little Christmas now

Who doesn't want to have themselves a merry little Christmas?! I do!

In case you really want to listen to a version now, here is Coldplay's:

After listening to that, do you really not feel like just enjoying yourself - and maybe listening to a few other Christmas songs?! Of course you do.

So, this Christmas - sing loud, sing quietly, do not sing at all - it does not matter, but hear the music - and experience Christmas through your ears.

As our good friend Tiny Tim said, "God bless us everyone".

Merry Christmas,
SP

The Heavenly Point

2008-11-20T10:31:00.008-05:00

Here is the thing...God is busy.

He's got a world to watch over, eternity to oversee and upkeep to perform on Heaven, etc.

That being the case, it is safe to say - the Notorious G-O-D is not reaching down, touching a bat, blessing an arm or nodding at an acting performance in hopes of blessing someone to succeed by crushing a home run, throwing a touchdown pass or winning an award.

To prove this point, I defer to my best friend, Scotty (yes, his name is Scott too). Here is an excerpt from an email I received from him after the Cleveland Browns/Buffalo Bills Monday Night Football game this past week (he = Bills fan, me = HUGE Brady Quinn fan):

"Hey Brady, how about you point to the heavens one more time. Hey, it’s snowing this morning...point to the heavens!

People that point to the heavens/thank God for the most ridiculous things bother me. Here’s some examples:
-winning an award ie. Oscar, Emmy, etc.
-throwing a touchdown pass ie. Brady Quinn.
-bloodying someone in the Octagon
-winning a sportsinteraction bet

Accepted examples are:
-surviving a plane crash
-waking up in the morning/going to bed
-having a baby
-walking safely across a country"

I have to say, that he has a VERY good point. There are only SPECIFIC instances in life when a Heavenly Point is acceptable. The reasons mentioned above and maybe a couple of others (if you have any ideas, post a comment below and we will start a list). I mean, does someone actually think that The Man Upstairs is, at the exact moment someone crosses home plate, staring back with a wink in His eye and giving a return point with a 'I gots yo back [insert athlete name]'? No...for instance...

Who the hell are you pointing at, Barry? Did the Big Guy reach down and bless the "cream" from BALCO? Did you double point because you knew your secret was just between the two of you?

This email sparked a question from my brother who wrote:

"The big question: Does holing out from the 18th fairway to win the Masters constitute a Heavenly point?"

This is a valid question...really, are there any circumstances in which a Heavenly Point IS unconditionally acceptable? Go ahead, play this game with your friends - and think of a situation where this is ok.

My response to my bro's question was:

"Though it would be one of the most amazing things EVER…I do not think it constitutes a Heavenly Point because there are two types of people in the world – winners and losers. If a winner (for example, Tiger Woods) were to hole out from the fairway to win – he would be very well aware that there was a great deal of luck involved – and it would not escape him that his play was not good enough to win without making an almost-impossible shot. For instance, when he holed out from a greenside bunker at the US Open this year on #17 of Saturday’s round – a shot that had no business going in – he didn’t point, he simply smiled a coy grin because he knew he got away with one. But, he did not point to the sky acknowledging the Notorious G-O-D because Yahweh had his back. No, that is ridiculous. So, should he hit that shot at The Masters – being the winner he is – I would suspect he would not choose to do it then.

Now, if a loser – let’s say [PGA TOUR Player] for example – made that hole out, I would suspect he would give a Heavenly Point – much like his phenomenally un-heterosexual dance after he lucked into the PGA Championship five years ago. And, like his incredibly non-straight dance, the Heavenly Point would be inappropriate and goofy – thus, making him an even larger goof. He knows he would have had no business being in – let alone winning – the tournament, so the mere idea of him thinking The Big Guy handpicked him to win that tourney with a crazy shot would just enrage me – much like Scotty and his viewing of bloodyings in the Octagon.

So, no, it does not constitute it."

Look the Heavenly Point does not work - in most any situation. Not for winning an Oscar, the Triple Crown, or getting an A on an exam. If the people on LOST get rescued - MAYBE they can think about it. If your proposal is accepted, you can possibly give one - behind closed doors when no one else can see. But, short of that and a few of things mentioned above...the Heavenly Point should be outlawed.

The point is...don't Heavenly Point.

Peace,
SP

2hrs 1min

2008-10-22T15:30:00.011-04:00

Done and done.

That's right - this past Sunday, after a long build-up, I finally ran my first half-marathon at the GoodLife Fitness Toronto Half Marathon.

What can I say? It was...AWESOME.

For about a billion reasons - the race was everything I could have hoped for and more. The day started with a ridiculously cold morning - yet I resisted the temptation to layer like mad man, realizing that at some point in time, I would warm up from that whole 'running 22K' thing.

But, this left me and my yum-yums feeling colder than 0 degrees Kelvin and wishing to God I could just be home, in bed, with the fresh smell of coffee hitting my nostrils. Speaking of coffee - it absolutely BLEW MY MIND how many runners were drinking the stuff before the race! I am not joking that I was in awe of the lineups at Starbucks only 15 minutes before these people were about to run a half marathon. I mean, I am no Steve Prefontaine, but that cannot be good race prep.

Anyway, the saving grace of this painfully cold beginning was that my sister, Corrie, was there to take it all in with me as we helped one another along with as many laughs as we could find. She was my inspiration for running this race, as it has been a lifelong goal of hers to run a half marathon and I told her if she did it, I'd do it. For the fifteen minutes before we finally started, being a supportive brother was the reason for me wondering if I would ever be warm again.

Nonetheless, upon being dropped off at the starting area by my brother-in-law and getting both warm wishes and confused stares from two of my nieces wondering why Mom and Uncle Flow were getting out of the car, we walked to our spots and waited for the gun.

Then, it began.

To be entirely honest, it is not that great of a story for the race itself. I trained to run at a 6KM/hour pace - and that is exactly what I did. I did not jump out the gate and I did not slow at the end - as I just ran my pace and eventually, the Finish Line found me. At one point, the sun finally came up and the game plan of not wearing my parka definitely paid off. It was as perfect of a morning as you could as for in mid-October - and made the entire race experience that much sweeter.

As you can tell by the title, my official time was 2hrs 1min 34sec. Seeing as I hoped to hit 2:15, this was a much better time than I anticipated. I will not be running in the Olympics anytime soon, but hey, for a first time - this was all about crossing the finish line.

And, let me tell you, crossing the finish line was EVERYTHING I thought it would be. It was not about the time or the big dramatic hugging of people - I actually could not find Corrie or our entourage for about 30 minutes after I finished - it was just about doing something you set out to do. I have been on a high since that finish line because it was a complete reminder that the only person who can tell you, you can't...is you. Sure, that is a bit cheesy, but who cares?! That finish line actually served as a starting point for my goal of a full marathon. Since my foot crossed that line, I have had the itch to run, train, and get out there and do it all again.

I do want to say a couple of BIG thank yous: first to my sister Corrie for having such high goals for herself that I was able to simply ride her ambition during this training, second to my sister Marlo for being extremely supportive both the day of by snapping tons of pics and cheering both Corrie and I on at different points along the route and for calming me down the night before and helping my nerves! and last but not least to Eric, David and Hannah and Emily for weathering the cold. There is also my parents, Billy, Q, Frigs, Taryn, The Lasenbys, The Gervais', and the Bowens for all of their support.

Few things feel as good as accomplishing something you have worked hard for and more than feel accomplished, this race made me want to go and do more - more miles, more work, more good deeds, more of everything - because the more you try, the more you succeed.

Here is to goals...and effort...and accomplishments...and knowing anything really is possible.

Peace,
SP

The Office

2008-10-14T16:21:00.002-04:00

Busy week this week!

Half marathon on Sunday, work to be done during the day - oh, and that little 'birthday' thing on Thursday.

So, being that I needed a good laugh today, I found this collection of clips from NBC's 'The Office'.

For any of you who have worked in a corporate environment, or been around a boss even somewhat like Michael Scott, Steve Carrell does a masterful job of being equal parts awkward, ridiculous, endearing and likable all at the same time.

Anywho, this is me cutting a corner this week - and giving you something to laugh at:

I'm out.

Wish me luck on the run - and you will hear all about it next week.

Peace,
SP

Two and a Half Weeks...

2008-10-02T09:24:00.002-04:00

That's right - only 17 days until the big half marathon.

Yup, approximately 408 hours from this exact moment I will be trudging myself along the GoodLife Fitness Toronto Half Marathon course.

Am I ready?

Well, 'ready' is a relative term. Yes, I am ready. I am feeling pretty good about this race - only because the goal here is not to win it this year, but to have a good showing and then after a bit celebratory bubbly, it will be back to the pavement/trail/road again to start training for bigger and better things next year.

I am not quite there yet, but already the training process has taught me more about both running and myself than I would have ever thought. The funny part is - there is a point where you are running and the only thing you have to get you through that last leg is the thoughts in your own head. The music on your iPod gets zoned out, the sound of your breathing stops being hear, your own footsteps are completely natural - but you need to find that one thing, that single thought that will push mind over body and bring you across the finish line.

What is my thought? Ha...well I am not going to divulge ALL my secrets on this blog, so the answer to that will have to wait.

Until then, whenever I have a morning where I do NOT want to get up and run (especially as the mornings get darker and colder) there is always one thing that will get my butt moving, and that, I will happily share with you:

"No pain. No Pain. No Pain".

Brilliant.

I love that montage - and if that does not help you get off your butt, then I'm not sure what will.

Two and a half more weeks - and then it is go time.

I gotta go for a run.

Peace,
SP

Is This THAT Hard?

2008-09-15T19:03:00.003-04:00

So, it's election time.

That's right - both countries that make up the wonderful continent of North America are going to the polls within the next two months to elect respective governments.

On one hand, we have our good friends the United States - whose election process is about as long as a term in office - and one the other, we have our great country of Canada - whose leader seemingly only has to hand a Post-It note to the Governor General in order to dissolve our government and call an election for last week. Two vastly different approaches to the electoral system, yet two democratic processes designed to give the power to the people.

There are any number of aspects of either of the current elections that I could go on about this week, but one idea in particular is that of the right to vote. Too often people are vocal about their inability to be heard. Either one group's rights are not being upheld or another faction is being affected by a particular policy. Every so often, an opportunity is presented to each and every one of us to be counted - and that opportunity is on our country's respective election day.

This point is made perfectly by Late Late Show host Craig Ferguson in his monologue from his September 10, 2008 show, which can be seen here:

I realize he is addressing specifically young people in the US, but the truth is - it is our duty in either country to get off our butts and exercise a right many have sacrificed to provide.

In a day and age when there is EVERY opportunity to complain about not being able to make a difference and how things are moving too fast around us - one constant remains...and that is our democratic right to freely elect our leadership. Do not just talk about doing something - actually do it.

So, if you are in the US or if you are in Canada - you are about to have the opportunity to participate in two historical elections that could help shape the future of these nations. It's a pain, it's inconvenient, it takes time - but it is necessary.

Do not misunderstand - I am not 'voting activist', I have never publicly spoken about my political beliefs, but at the end of the day, I am also someone who would rather be a member of the active majority as opposed to the vocal minority.

So...vote.

Peace,
SP

Is Good Business Dead?

2008-09-03T11:52:00.002-04:00

The title of this week's blog may seem a bit overboard to some people - but it is an incredibly relevant proposition.

Is Good Business Dead?

Well, the obvious question is, "What is good business?"

Certainly high profits, low costs, "green" organizations, being on the cutting edge of innovation and longevity are all characteristics Business Owners the world over want to check off their 'To Accomplish' list. Yet, that is not the type of 'good business' I am referring to. I am referring to old school, throwback, respectful, moral business actions.

I cannot even begin to tell you how many clients, friends, family members, associates, and business partners of CCI Studios struggle to define exactly what our business is, but they ALL remember the experience they had with us. They remember prompt responses, friendly service, being treated like they were the only client we have. The point is - good business is now what you do, it is how you do it.

Only - people do not give a rip anymore. The Baby Boomers have their whole bodies out the door and the generation of 'Millenials' are making the world a lazier, increasingly disrespectful and blatantly narcissistic place. People return phone calls and emails when they feel like it - not when they should. Workers operate entirely on a 'whats-in-it-for-me' level and if you stop and look around, the world is being dominated by people doing unbelievably bad business.

Gone in so many ways are the days of handshakes, taking people at their word, giving people the benefit of the doubt, and simply trusting those you enter into business with. Even things such as ignored correspondence, condescending conversations, and flat-out rude personalities are becoming commonplace and borderline accepted in the professional environment.

On this note, my sister forwarded me this article that addresses this very same topic, and Mr. Healy articulates exactly what I am referring to, so if you have minute - definitely take a second and read this article:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080609.wsb-healycolumn0609/BNStory/incubator/home

Do not get me wrong, there are some people out there still fighting for good business. This is in no way a shot at those people - it is just the question that asks with SO many people doing such brutal business, how do these people stay afloat? Even further - how the hell do these people succeed?! It is because you get other people doing bad business and ignorance is bliss so they all feed off one another! Unreal.

It is frustrating to say the least - as I have always had visions of grandeur where my company was the most efficient, service-based, friendly place to work and deal with on the planet. I am still working toward that goal, but that dream for anyone else out there reading this does come with one caveat - it is an uphill climb, but do not let bad business seep into your organizations. There is a good way to do things - you just have to dig deep and realize ahead of time that good business is good - it's not just a clever name.

Peace,
SP

Olympics and such...

2008-08-18T18:40:00.002-04:00

The Olympics are awesome.

Yes, that is an un-small understatement - but, it is true.

Seriously - every four years (well, two - technically) the world joins up for two weeks of celebration, peace and unity via sport.

Whether you are a sports enthusiast or not - there is just something that brings people together to cheer on sports they do not even think are being participated in until these two weeks roll around. Seriously - did I know Canada was a haven for women's wrestlers? Nope. Did I even know that 'Trampoline' was an Olympic sport? Probably not. But, would I actually get choked up if someone from the true north strong and free won a gold medal in Archery and I was able to watch them stand proudly as our flag was raised and our anthem played? You bet your sweet sugar buns I would.

The Olympics represent an ideal - and every act of sportsmanship or patriotism is a manifestation of a belief in simple, pure, united existence. I know, I know - that is as altruistic as things come, but it is true. You do not see players storming the stands to fight with spectators. You do not see bench-clearing brawls. You do not have to worry about contract negotiations, greed, international treaties or even wars - as for two weeks, the world stops and actually enjoys one another - with little regard for race, nationality, or religion.

Even corporations promote the ideal of the Olympics - such as Coke with this ad:

The Olympics are wicked. There is just no other way for it to be said. In a world of advancing technology and increasing self-satisfaction, the Olympics are a celebration of human interaction, bodily sacrifice and physical achievement.

Let's hope it stays that way.

Peace,
SP

Everyone has a 'thing'...

2008-08-07T11:54:00.005-04:00

Let's be honest, everyone has 'their thing'. Some guys are into cars, or poker, or chicken wings, or baseball. Some girls are into shoes, or shopping, or reading, or lattes. Whatever 'that thing' is that people consider to be their one vice or their one weakness, I believe everyone has it. Mine...is college football.

I do not know why exactly college football is my 'thing'. I consider myself to be a relatively cultured man - I read, keep up to date on current events, travel, try different foods, but for some reason, fall is a sacred time of year.

It could be having experienced fall football Saturdays for four years at university - but even before then - there was something about waiting all year, prepping, working, training and practicing for 12 opportunities - 12 shots to win. For the most part, if you lose...you are out. No do-overs, no second chances, no regrets.

Be perfect for 12 games and you will earn the chance to play for the title.

Add that to the electricity in college football - legions of fans packing 100,000 person stadiums, decked out in their school's colours, ready to sweat and bleed for their team to beat their rival on the other side of the ball. That sounds a little too cheesy, I know, but there is truth - albeit hyperbolized - in cheese. These games are considered legalized war as these teams are truly manifestations of educational institutions and traditions going to battle. There is something pure in that - somewhere - and perhaps that is why college football is my thing.

I do not play fantasy football, I do not bet on games, I do not follow every stat of every game - yet, I simply cannot get over the amount of importance placed on two teams, two groups of athletes, playing a simple game - yet having so much riding on it - from perfection to history.

The irony is, the college football season has not been kind to my alma mater or team as of late. No, the Fighting Irish of my beloved Notre Dame have had their asses handed to them most weekends the past few years and have not sniffed a bowl win since Charles was still In Charge. Yet, until that ball is snapped, we are undefeated and as much a national championship contender as Southwest Missouri State.

So, it is August - the preview magazines and blogs and online articles are swelling with guesses, analysis and presumptions about how the season will go. The only way to really know is to wait for kickoff - but one thing is certain - weekends are about to get a whole lot more exciting over the next five months.

My 'thing' is back for another season.

Peace,
SP

What finish line?

2008-07-24T11:52:00.004-04:00

"Runners just do it - they run for the finish line even if someone else has reached it first." -Anonymous

Well...it's almost exactly two months until I will run my first half-marathon - on September 28th, 2008 in the great city of Toronto. The funny thing is - it is not the anticipation of the race that has me the most excited...it is the training.

I realize there are some people in the world who think of running as perpetually kicking themselves in face for X amount of time, but I am not one of those people. Oh sure, I'd like to introduce my alarm clock to some C4 in the middle of a deserted field most days, but once the initial realization that I will get no more sleep sinks in, I am actually excited to strap on my shoes and find a perfect mix of songs on my iPod to run to. I know...I must be sick.

Not that running the race won't be a wicked experience, but I think there is something to be said for having a purpose to train - or focus - on just about anything. I mean, I have not played competitive sports since University and other than the odd competition (which, let's be honest, is usually my buddies and I playing pickup basketball or making up a competition out of some asinine challenge) - the adrenaline is more of a drip than a rush as of late. So, to have a goal, a focus, and to have it count - with real timers, real goals and official results - provides for the training itch to be scratched because IT MATTERS.

Don't get me wrong - I am no Steve Prefontaine, but no matter where I finish, I will train as hard as anyone else out there, and THAT is a rush.

Here is one of my favourite commercials of all-time - it is Lance Armstrong on his bike during his training. There is nothing crazy about the video - but it is a perfect example of that feeling of preparing and working and getting it done whether it is in the morning before the world is awake or at night when the world is tucked in bed:

So...the next couple of months are going to be filled with great runs, early mornings and days when I would rather have an un-drugged root canal than go running. But, the mental side of the challenge - the foresight to see when the run is done, the day is started and your body is thanking you - that will have to push my butt out the door and onto the waiting road.

No matter what place I finish in Toronto or how long it takes - it doesn't matter. All that matters is preparing, running, finishing - and looking ahead to whenever the next one is.

Peace,
SP

Big girls don't...put on garbage concerts

2008-07-13T14:35:00.004-04:00

It has been a long time since I have seen a good concert. I have seen some decent shows lately - but in truth - I had begun to think that the days of bands playing until their fingers hurt and enjoying a jam session with thousands of their un-closest friends were all but over.

Then, the other night...I went and saw Fergie in concert.

There - we are all MUCH better friends now that I have admitted that.

This year the Rogers Bayfest lineup included the Black Eyed Peas starlet - and thanks to my best friend (thanks again, B!) - I was given a couple of tickets. Now, I will be honest, I was not all that stoked to go see her. Sure, there are the 'assets' many people refer to that one could consider a check under the 'Pros' column for going to see this show, but to be honest, being one of probably thousands of guys at this event pouring a drink through my nose because I could not take my eyes of Fergie's perfectly formed rear makes me feel like a goof, so that reason does not do it for me.

Regardless of whether I was excited to go or not - there I was. And you know, what? It was a great show. Honestly - I am not even a huge Fergie fan (which may disgust the gentleman in front of us who was proudly sporting his t-shirt with 'Fergalicious' in eye-catching sparkled letters), but I do have respect for an artist who puts on a good show - and that she did.

I have been to my fair share of concerts where the artists make the crowd feel like they are lucky to be there. They act as if they are owed something for giving their time to play that evening. They conveniently forget that the [insert ticket price here] goes to feed their non-un-extravagant lifestyle. It always rubs me the wrong way that performers seem bored and/or annoyed that thousands of people would actually like to see them do the very thing they have a talent for.

Thankfully, Fergie was the opposite. She engaged the crowd, had some fun, seemed to be enjoying herself and - gasp! - actually smiled throughout the entire show.

Why the hell am I writing about this, you ask? Well, I guess in my eyes it is incredibly apparent when you witness someone doing something they actually enjoy. Part of me figured Fergie might just mail it in for a performance, collect her money, and move on to the next stop. That was not the case at all - and I have to admit that I had jumped to the conclusion that most, if not all, performers, went through the motions. I was wrong...there, I came clean.

I may not be seeing her again anytime soon, but I will definitely get back on the live music train due to having actually enjoyed a show for the first time in a long time.

Now, if only I had picked up my own sparkled tee as a souvenir.

Peace,
SP

It's gotta be the music...

2008-06-26T10:57:00.005-04:00

I'd like to think I'm a fairly productive guy.

I try to maximize my day, work efficiently, and try to spend less time thinking about the tasks I need to accomplish, and more time actually accomplishing them.

But, the fact of the matter is - I have a secret weapon...

...music.

Ok, so it's not revolutionary in ANY way, but having music going most of my waking hours helps get me in the right mood to tackle the challenges of the day. Sometimes the mood calls for low-key, acoustically dominated tracks to get my head in the right speaking/thinking mood (how are you doing today, Coldplay?) and other times creativity runs rampant with the blaring of some bounce inducing hip-hop (hello, Beastie Boys) and/or fist clenching guitar riffs (top of the morning, Metallica). As you can tell, eclectic tastes abound.

I am a bit embarrassed to admit that there have been one or twelve times where impromptu karaoke has broken out at the office and/or musically themed (like '80s cheese songs', 'inspirational stuff', and 'stuff-on-our-mixed-tapes-when-we-were-teens' samples) days sprang up out of nowhere. I mean, come on, what stirs creativity more than "How Do You Talk To An Angel" by The Heights?!

Yes, I just admitted that.

So, what is the point, you ask? Music is good. Especially at work. Even more especially when the song fits the mood.

It is true - I just wrote an entire blog reaching a simple conclusion that our species has known since the first beat was busted from tree branch to stone drum.

Turn up the volume and let the work happen.

Peace,
SP

Can we kick it?

2008-06-08T11:21:00.004-04:00

Yes we can.

What's the good word, CCI Studios fans (or non-fans, whatever your cup 'o tea is)?

Welcome to the new CCI Studios blog. Yes, it is a new format, new content and new everything. The goal for this blog is to keep things simple. Simple layout, simple concept, simple enjoyment. The concept is to switch away from subjects based solely on marketing and give people a sense of who we are at CCI Studios - starting with the mean boss :) Just kidding...I'm kind of nice.

I am going to write once a week - or more or less dependent on how I am feeling - about whatever the heck I feel like. This is not longer simply a marketing blog - it is a thoughts blog. It is an ideas blog. It is a non-garbage blog.

Do not get me wrong - I am not arrogant enough to believe that anyone is THAT interested in reading my thoughts...but the hope for this new blog is to give people, be they clients, friends, fans, competitors or stumblers onto this blog, a change to read about whatever is going on in around the world/CCI Studios/my head. The hope is to generate some thought, perhaps some conversation, and ideally - even some action.

You may agree, you may not. You may laugh, you may curse me - all reactions are welcome - because if ANYTHING I type stirs any sort of emotion in you, then I've done something un-wrong.

So, feel free to read away...comment back to us...and let us know what you're thinking. All ideas are good ideas and no idea should go unsaid.

Welcome to the new blog - enjoy.

Peace,
SP

Judging Talent

2008-05-25T18:24:00.002-04:00

What's the good word, blog readers?!

This week's lesson is simple - be a good judge of talent. When it comes to hiring a Designer, Programmer, Manager, whoever, be sure to take your time.

Adding a new member to your team is a major process and a big deal. A new mind means new ideas and a new personality, but it also means a new team dynamic and a new experience clients will have with your firm.

So, when undergoing a search for the next piece of your firm's puzzle, do not hesitate to take your time and be sure to choose someone who has both the creative/technical skills, but who will also add to the vibe in the office and not be a detriment to it.

Great people are what make great firms.

Keep Practicing,
CCI Studios

***Point of note - over the next few weeks, the CCI Studios blog will be undergoing some major changes. The layout and format are going to be upgraded so as to provide you with a better blogging experience. This is just a head's up :) ***

Shock Value

2008-05-08T09:06:00.002-04:00

Quickie...but goodie this week...

Do you know what drives me absolutely crazy?

Shock value.

People who say or do things JUST for sake of being different - but they do not take a single moment to consider how preposterous their actions truly are. They do not even entertain the possibility that maybe - juuuuuust maybe - if they did not ruffle feathers just to make a messy chicken...they would see there is a reason why things are not being done the way they are doing them.

Essentially, this is my long-winded way of saying - DO NOT DO THIS AS A CONSULTANT. Nothing...and I mean NOTHING...makes me more upset than when a consultant at an outside agency, or right here at CCI Studios, makes a suggestion or creates a strategy just for the sake of being different. It is not our jobs to create turmoil for the purpose of being "daring".

If you walk through the doors of an organization and they are the smoothest running, most innovative, on the ball company you have ever seen - tell them. Do not mix it up because you have nothing better to do. Will this happen often - probably not - there is a reason people look for external input...but that does not mean you have to reinvent their wheel.

Now, get out there are do some marketing.

Keep practicing.
Peace,
CCI

Don't fix what isn't broken

2008-04-29T12:04:00.005-04:00

G'day Marketing Savants,

Today's lesson is simple:

If a marketing practice for your organization is working - why change it?!

In our line of work, people often think that offering a new marketing strategy means having to do something completely new and off-the-wall, without analyzing if there is value to what is currently being done.

A perfect example of this is the video below. In the top frame is the trailer for the original 'Batman' movie and the bottom frame is the trailer for the new 'Dark Knight' film due out this summer:

As you can see - almost shot-for-shot - the two mimic one another. This is not coincidence - what has worked in the past still works now, just with updated content. That sequence or strategy of presenting images and telling the short story of the movie is what is MOST effective when drawing an audience.

So, although the content has changed, the plan has not - and the impact will be that of effective conveying of the story being told.

Thanks for stopping by.

Keep practicing.
Peace,
CCI

The Competitive Elephant

2008-04-16T10:30:00.003-04:00

What is the good word, CCI fans?

Today's lesson is simple - it's the competitive elephant.

We all have competition. It's a fact of business life. Our clients have competitors, their clients have competitors - competition is the essence of economics.

Yet, from a marketing perspective - you do not have to walk around the elephant in the room. Often times clever marketing actually includes the use of a firm's competitors in their own marketing. This can accomplish two things: It helps you stand out as the best of the best in the industry as it seems as if there are really ONLY a few competitors, thus generating elite brand value among customers. It also helps you or your clients say what you want to say, without having to implicitly mention your competitors - this is as explicit as it comes.

Here are two great examples:

The first is done by Pepsi:

And, of course, the popular 'Mac and PC' commercials:

Do not be afraid to talk about/show/market that competitive elephant - there is brand value to be had by doing so.

Until next week...keep practicing.

Peace,
CCI

Embed Yourself

2008-04-07T13:55:00.002-04:00

Greetings CCI'zers,

Hopefully this blog finds you well-rested after a good weekend and ready to attack the week with undaunted enthusiasm.

Wow, how's that for ultra-positive?!

This week, we are going to discuss as simple means of marketing - digital video.

We live and operate in a YouTube generation and utilizing that medium for yourself and your clients is a resource that is invaluable. Millions of people peruse YouTube every hour of every day - so why would you not take advantage of that?!

Things such as creating a profile, or your own channel, and developing simple, yet creative videos, will give your organization or the business who depend on your intellect to reach an audience they otherwise would not have access to.

What is more, is that digital video creation can be beneficial on your own website. By developing a short introductory video and embedding it on your site, you give your web users a graphical representation of you and your firm - which is more than a text/image based impression.

The YouTube video player has, in itself, become such a recognized brand, that is almost portrays a sense of technical know-how and understanding for anyone who has that content on their site. So, in addition to the message you can convey with the video content, simply embedding a YouTube video in your own site lends credibility and digital respect among potential clients.

Hey, it's simple - but it works.

Keep reading...and practicing.

Peace,
CCI

Unlimited Creativity

2008-03-25T12:01:00.002-04:00

Top of the morning, Marketeers,

This week we have a ridiculously simple and to the point lesson:

NEVER LIMIT CREATIVITY.

When you are in a brainstorming session ANY idea is a good idea. If someone is inspired by a picture of a duck at their desk - let them have it there.

The absolute best ideas, thoughts, innovations and strategies may not come from something right off the top of your team's head, but it may be a derivative of an idea that passes through multiple stages of refinement.

Too often we become structured in what we say because we are afraid of how off-the-wall ideas will be received or reacted to. No idea is too crazy, no notion too 'out-there'. If you limit these creative outlets with on-the-spot rejections, you are not only killing creative momentum at that moment, but you are eliminating the possibility of creative ideas in the future due to producing a trained condition based on past experiences of negative feedback.

Let the ideas flow, allow creativity to flourish - and your campaigns will follow.

Until next week...keep practicing.

CCI

Consistency

2008-03-13T09:35:00.002-04:00

Shibby,

What's the fine word this week, fellow marketeers?

That is simple...the word is "consistency".

Once you have determined what your underlying purpose is to your marketing initiatives, the only way to make that purpose count is to have it ooze from EVERYTHING you do and everywhere you appear.

This may seem like a simple lesson - but the truth is, SO many organizations drop the ball when fulfilling this part of their marketing plan.

The underlying reason for this failure is that businesses believe they have covered off this need when they create a logo and plaster it on everything they do. This is a large part of the process, but this is the EASY part. 'Easy Consistency' is comprised of the following:

1) Business cards
2) Letterhead
3) Fax Sheet
4) Email Signatures
5) Envelopes
6) Labels
7) CD Covers
8) Brochures
9) Flyers
10) Pretty much ANY print material related to your company.

This level of consistency is ESSENTIAL, but it is the easy stuff. It should be made up of the same logo, the same font, the same business name, etc. - across the board on everything.

But, once this is done, business tend to forget the next level - the 'Hard Consistency'. Hard consistency is having your pre-determined purpose emanate from EVERYTHING your business does. Some 'Hard Consistency' areas are:

1) The words/tone used by everyone to answer the phone in your office
2) Keywords utilized in emails/letters to potential clients/existing customers
3) Dress/Appearance during business meetings
4) Articulation during face-to-face meetings and phone conferences
5) The way co-workers in your own company interact with one another

This is just a short list, but it is these things that serve as the meat to the potatoes...the easy consistency is the first impression - the hard consistency is the depth of your company.

Eat, drink and market merry.

Keep practicing,
CCI

Socially Conscious Marketing

2008-03-03T09:44:00.005-05:00

Top of the morning (or afternoon or evening depending on when you're reading this),

Today's point is simple:

Market with a social conscious.

That may seem like an over-simplified purpose - as there are degrees, classes, seminars and theses spent on analyzing this exact concept - but perhaps that is the problem...we convolute social awareness in the capitalist markets. As our good friend K-os said "It seems complicated 'cuz it's really so simple".

Actually being - and not just seeming like - a socially conscious organization, shows your clients and peers that you are a leader in your respective market, but you are not bigger than the market itself. Promoting events, milestones, holidays, etc. shows that your company has a place within the big picture, but is not arrogant enough to think you are the big picture yourself.

A perfect example of this is the Budweiser ad for the troops in Iraq:

This has nothing to do with beer - but it is the right thing to promote - appreciation for the men and women who perpetuate the rights and freedoms Americans enjoy every day.

It is a fine line to toe when companies begin to market products in an irresponsible way. Sure, crazy ideas and creative hooks can sell more of a product - and this our underlying purpose, right? - but, it is more than Even beer producers include disclaimers that remind people to not drink and drive and to drink responsibly.

There is power in promoting an ideal - be it hope, inspiration, gratitude, etc. - in such a way that it has nothing to do with the actual product or service you are pushing. You are pushing responsibility and honor and purpose - and those are the most powerful sell points of all.

Be socially conscious - it is the right thing to do.

Keep practicing.
Peace,
CCI

Marketing with a Purpose

2008-02-18T16:54:00.000-05:00

Hey-o,

Well, today we want to talk about something very simple - having purpose. It is the title of the blog, so we might want to address it.

The concept is simple - market with a purpose.

The one question you may ask is "What do you define as a 'purpose'?" Great question - your purpose is the underlying point you want to convey to your audience. Before you put pen to paper to ink a logo, mouse to mouse pad to design a single material, or say 'action' on your commercial, ask yourself what EXACTLY are you trying to say? What word, feeling, term, characteristic, trait, etc. is ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL for you to explain about your company to your market? Once you define what that purpose is - every single action from there on out MUST fit within that purpose.

Marketing with a purpose serves three ultimate goals:

1) This gives you definitive end to strive for. You will never know how far you have come if you never determine where you are trying to be - and articulating your purpose for your marketing will serve as the most basic, foundational metric for measuring your success or failure.

2) It helps you know when you have done good enough. If you define what your purpose is, you will know when your efforts are of a high enough quality because they will perfectly convey what you originally defined in your purpose. If your materials do not permeate with EXACTLY what you stipulate in your purpose - they are not good enough and need to be be better.

3) It is a guideline for ALL marketing decisions. A certain promotion, advertisement, logo, or marketing initiative will either fit into your purpose, or it will not. If it does not, it does not ever see the light of day.

Your purpose is your blueprint. No building is constructed without a drawing, no game won without a strategy, no life successful without meaning - as no marketing plan can be successful without a purpose.

Keep practicing.
Peace.

Super Bowl B-ad Larrysl

2008-02-04T14:06:00.000-05:00

So, pretty much EVERYONE watched the Giants upset the Pats in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday in Arizona.

To be honest, we were a little upset the Pats lost. We are huge football fans - and we even tend to enjoy watching the Giants play. So, it's not like we were cheering against them, but we history is history and we would have enjoyed watching an undefeated season be written in stone. But, that's why they play the games. Anyway, we are certain you are not reading this for a sports writers analysis of the game - and if you want one there are probably 8,387,907 all over the internet.

Nope - we are here to discuss the Super Bowl ads. Not so much the ads themselves - but more importantly - what it means TO advertise in the Super Bowl. It is a remarkable thing that Super Bowl commercials have seemingly taken on a life of their own. To many, the ads are as exciting - if not more so - than the game itself.

We believe that Super Bowl commercials are the ultimate example of 'Status Marketing'. It is an exorbitant marketing effort that not only conveys your brand to a market - but does so in such a way that consumers view your brand as being at a level above the competition. Yet, this 'level' is not based on product quality, or user-friendliness, or customer service - it is based on being one of - or the only - brand in your industry who participates in such events. Bud and Bud Light continuously produce Super Bowl commercials - when no other beer does. That will make them seem elite in the eyes of a consumer because Super Bowl commercials are so expensive and are reserved for only the highest bidders.

What is more are events that promote Status Marketing. For instance, Playboy continuously hosts the best Super Bowl party year-in and year-out. They spare no expense, leave no detail unturned and the biggest celebrities flock to the evening - leaving countless men around the world wishing they could get a ticket in. This has nothing directly to do with selling magazines, but the image of the Playboy brand is one of elite status. Seemingly, Playboy does not just offer you a magazine to read - it offers you a lifestyle of bachelor existence that necessitates enjoying the finest things the world offers.

True, Status Marketing is somewhat reserved for those already swimming in riches - as it requires resources to promote this type of brand. Yet, this is a form of marketing that ingrains the importance of a brand into the consumers heads - without them even knowing it. When customers positively view your product as one that is elite - based on criteria definitively NOT related to characteristics of the product itself - you have achieved a very high level of Status Marketing.

And...you may have just enjoyed a very good party.

Until next week...keep practicing.
Peace.

Off and Running...

2008-01-17T14:51:00.001-05:00

Greetings Marketing Savants (or people just looking for something clever to read)!

Welcome to our very first posting of 'Practicing Our Purpose'. This blog is CCI Studios' footloose and fancy-free way of just calling it like we see it when it comes to marketing and communications.

The purpose of this area is to share with you ideas, thoughts, views, perspectives, lessons and pretty much anything else of use in our field of expertise - and pretty much business in general.

So, sit back, read away, and enjoy our newest feature on ccistudios.com - Practicing Our Purpose.

Being that this is our first shot at this blog, the format you see today may not be the format that exists tomorrow. But, for our first post, we are going to bring back a classic ad, which we happen to think is pure genius. Terrible Terry Tate stars in the 'Office Linebacker' commercial that Reebok put out a few years ago. Brilliant on many levels, these ads combine football and the office environment, and do so in such a way that they are a satire on the modern athlete as well as means to show how certain fundamental principles can span any discipline. Plus, with lines like 'You kill the 'jo, you make some 'mo' - how do you NOT love this?

So, here is the original ad...enjoy, and keep practicing.