What’s In A Name?

I am named after both of my Grandfathers - My father’s father David and Edwin, my mother’s father. I am very proud of my heritage. My father’s father, who actually went by his middle name Carl, owned Bowman Hardware in Marshall, North Carolina. I knew him as Papa Carl, and loved going to Marshall a few times a year to visit him. Though he is no longer around, the store is still there, and still bears his name. He was a proud man with a strong work ethic, and he was hands on as a business owner. My mother’s father, whom I don’t remember personally, was another great man. He died shortly after I was born. Daddy Ed, as he was known, worked as an editor for the Toledo Blade - a paper that is still considered to be exceptional. Anyway, as a result of these two great men, I was named David Edwin Bowman. So where am I going with this…

Well as fate would have it, Arthur C. Clarke, who recently passed, chose to name the main character in 2001 A Space Odyssey, David Bowman. Thus, should you choose to search for David Bowman, you will find Arthur C. Clarke first. Periodically, when I call into a customer service and give the person on the other end of the line my name, I get the reply of “Hello Dave” in the best HAL impression the sci-fi buff turned customer service agent can muster. I always play along, as I get a chuckle out of it.

Now, that is an interesting coincidence to be sure, but there is more. When I went to work as a sales representative for a small company in Cincinnati back in 2001, who was I introduced to on my first day? Dave Bowman, sales rep. This presented a problem, and for a short time I foolishly chose to use my middle name to alleviate the confusion. I never got used to that. I love my middle name, but it was meant to be in the middle. To this day there are people whom I met there that refer to me as Edwin. Fortunately, he left soon after I started, and I went back to my given first name.

Well, living in Dayton, I have tried to spend a good deal of my time networking and building the brand call “David Bowman” brand as Tom Peters might call it. It just so happens that there is a local newscaster named… you guessed it, Dave Bowman. I am convinced he used to spell it Bohman, but I can’t verify that. So, yet another of me.

There are David Bowman’s that are musicians (so am I) bloggers (so am I) and any number of other things. I can’t imagine being John Smith.

So when people wonder why the E. in the middle? The answer is mostly because I like the way it sounds, but has a little to do with differentiation too. Even that is not foolproof. I have my Google Alerts set up to let me know where David E. Bowman turns up on the web. It turns out someone who shares my first name and middle initial, was arrested in New Jersey last week. It is weird to see your name in print like that - but good to know it is somebody else.

So, what’s in a name? Arthur C. Clarke unknowingly altered my life, albeit just slightly, with his choice of names. I would guess that all the other David Bowman’s out there probably share this experience in some way too. So I suppose that names do matter - sometimes in ways that can’t even be measured. Is it any wonder that one of my favorite Dr. Seuss stories is too many Daves?

Seth’s Blog: What you can learn from Arthur C. Clarke

What’s Next in Marketing?

Check out this great slide show from Paul Isakson on the Future of Marketing and Advertising. In this series of slides, Paul captures the essence of where I believe marketing is headed. It is about listening, using insight to solve problems, and finding ways to create the remarkable. The hard part is not in identifying what to do, but is in actually doing it. I also love the use of the web based tool SlideShare for viewing the show.

[ paul isakson ]: The Future of Marketing + Advertising

The March Madness Myth

I recently read in the Dayton Business Journal that according to a recent study conducted by a Chicago based consulting firm, March Madness costs companies$1.7 Billion. Really? Does anyone really believe this to be the case. I don’t. I suppose if we all still worked on assembly lines, and then spent the day mindlessly consuming basketball instead of building widgets, this would perhaps be accurate. However, the assumption that we are still a mindless drones who would otherwise come to work, not talk about life with co-workers, and otherwise not have fun at work seems dated and flawed to me. Is March Madness a distraction? Potentially. Is it any more of a time waster than the 500 meetings you may have to sit through? Doubtful. Does it give employees something to talk about, share with one another, and potentially connect on level deeper than a shared source for a paycheck. Absolutely. March Madness, Brackets, and the fun that surrounds them are perfect for conversation - not just between employees but with Clients and strangers too. March Madness is an opportunity to connect. I wonder if that study considers just how many sales reps led off appointments this week with the question “how did your brackets hold up the weekend?” That question generally sparks discussion which builds rapport and potentially trust. People buy from people they know, like, and trust. Do the math. Is this part of the non-productive time cited in the study? For 16 days March Madness very effectively replaces discussion of “the weather,” at a time when the weather is actually interesting. Sure, people might be less productive in cranking out widgets while their favorite team or alma matter is on the court, but I want to see the study that shows how much business is helped, not hindered, by March Madness. What do you think? Is March Madness good or bad for businesses?

March Madness to cost companies $1.7B - Dayton Business Journal:

Are You Aware? Take the Test

I always thought that I had a decent sense of awareness. That is, until I got this awareness test video from my brother in law, Geoff - an avid cyclist. If you have not seen this, please watch this short video clip where you are asked to count the number of passes made by the basketball team in white uniforms. See how well you do. Geoff, for your sake I hope the people in South Carolina are more aware than I was. Please make sure to wear your helmet. Thanks for sending me this great video.
If you choose to comment, please do not give away the answer.

Bicycling: Look Out For Cyclists Test

PancakesPancakes, SuccessSuccess, ThanksThanks

Last Saturday, March 22nd, the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio put on a pancake breakfast fund raising event. It was a huge success. I was very moved by the outpouring of support I received from family, friends, and colleagues who attended, donated, and supported this. Over 170 people sacrificed their free time and hard earned money to come to F&S Harley Davidson in Dayton on a Saturday morning to eat pancakes and support the Epilepsy Foundation. Some came from as far as Kentucky, Columbus, and even Toledo. The event went off without a hitch, due to the efforts of an army of volunteers - all working together to make the day successful. We had numerous organizations donated items for raffle, supplies for the event, and cash for the cause. Kevin Tibbs, from Boston Stoker, was on sight managing the coffee he donated. Jeff Stolzenburg was there at 6:30am to let us in to set up. Travis Brewer led a jeans day at Liberty Savings Bank that raised almost $700. He and his wife Corin, also captured the day in photos, which I will soon place on the web as well. They also donated an event package from their own business, Brewer’s Memory Makers. Local photographer, Jim Crotty, donated a beautiful print for raffle. Molly Mahoney rallied her fellow teachers and students at HV Bear Elementary in Miamisburg leading to several hundred dollars in donations and countless other contributions to the event. She also went out and solicited donations from Kroger, Verizon, MaryKay, Dr. Downer, and Longaberger. Yvonne Reese, my friend and neighbor, picked up donations from SquareOne, Kettering Medical Massage, and Innovative Interchange. She also brought her family, her sisters, and their families to join in the fun. Jon Brooks, from Hafenbrack Marketing, not only designed the flyer for the event, he and his youngest son Jake joined us for pancakes too. Phil Thorn from Full Tilt Interactive donated money to the cause, and David Esrati, owner of The Next Wave, was kind enough to donate the hosting for PancakesPancakes.com. The Springdale Lions club assisted by donating food items and supplies for the event. F&S Harley provided us with an amazing location for the event. Most of the employees came back and joined us for pancakes. Best of all, they held the Easter Egg hunt right in the middle of the showroom floor. Fortunately, no motorcycles were harmed in the making of this fund raiser. I had a vision of motorcycles falling like dominoes, and liquidating the whole day in the process. Thankfully, all went well with the Egg Hunt and all went even better with the event as a whole. In total we raised almost $4,000, all while enjoying the company of friends old and new. I can not overstate how much it means to me to know that there are people out there who care, and I am lucky enough to know a lot of them. Think that people can’t change the world? I know 170 pancake eaters who might argue otherwise. Thanks again to all who contributed. My family and I are truly blessed to know so many who care so much. Considering we pulled this together in a few weeks, I am very optimistic about what we can do next year. Thanks.

PancakesPancakes.com

Voices Episode 3 - Rod Sommer

One of the sharpest practitioners of marketing I know is Rod Sommer, a partner with LJB Inc - an architectural, engineering, consulting firm headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. Rod has a no nonsense approach to marketing. He defines his philosophy as attraction based marketing. He combines an open mind about technology and its potential with a critical eye on the goal of facilitating growth through person to person contact. Rod believes that while the tools have changed over time, the fundamental principles that drive sales remain consistent. People buy from people they trust, respect, and like. Technology should serve to further this as opposed to “getting in the way.” Rod also runs the sales organization for LJB, and he has a very unique approach to sales. No salespeople. How is that for innovative? Rod also serves as the chair for LJB University, the firm’s employee development and continuing education organization. Rod talks about why employee development is so critical, especially to his business. Additionally, Rod discusses his love for public broadcasting, Marshall Goldsmith, the daily commute, UD, and personal productivity. If you are a salesperson, marketer, or are involved in business to business services in any way, take 20 minutes and listen to what Rod has to say. I know I learned a lot from listening to him, and I bet that you will too. Thanks to Rod Sommer for taking the time to speak to me. I hope you enjoy this latest edition of voices - recorded entirely on my new MacBook Pro, which cut the process down by 80%. To say I am a convert would be an enormous understatement.

LJB Inc - Innovative Facility and Infrastructure Design

Productivity, Commuting, and Cincinnati Metro

Why would I ride the bus? Why would anyone with a working automobile choose to ride the bus for that matter. The automobile offers freedom, flexibility, and autonomy - not to mention music, news, heat, and comfort. Public transit authorities have tried “save the air” as a marketing message, but that is too big a problem to sufficiently motivate most of us. It is just too tough to see an immediate impact - which is necessary to get people to change their habits. The “save money” approach has been tried too, but even gas prices over $3.00 have not been sufficient to make the save money argument very effective. The hit at the gas pump just does not resonate as a reason to give up driving. What makes this really interesting is that if you ask people what they think about the morning drive through traffic, most will say it is awful. Still we are creatures of habit. So what would be sufficient motivation for irresponsible, gas guzzling, suburbanites like me to hop on a bus? Well, Cincinnati Metro may have the answer to that question - Time. Specifically Cincinnati Metro is experimenting with adding wireless internet to buses. What that means is that I could use that new found time to get things done. What that means is that although I might add 10 to 15 minutes to my door to door time, I can recoup double or triple that in productive time. This could be a great opportunity to check email, read the news, and get prepared to deal with the real “to-do’s” that the day presents as soon as I walk through the door of the office. I am a little reluctant to sacrifice the autonomy of having my car parked a few hundred yards from the office in exchange for this extra productive time, but none the less I am very intrigued by the idea of having that extra time to focus on something that is not driving. Time is indeed the most precious commodity we have - and it is growing ever more scarce. It might be nice to give up the dance of brake pedal and gas pedal that is driven by the brake lights in my windshield for the beauty of my MacBook. It would definitely be nice to eliminate some of the work that pervades into home life by doing it on the way home in the evening. I can’t say for sure that this will work. Heck, I am not even sure if I have been sufficiently convinced yet. I do know that this idea got my attention and now at the very least I am seriously thinking about riding the bus. The fact that public transit got my attention should indicate that Cincinnati Metro is on to something. If they could put a mobile Starbucks on that bus, it would be a done deal.

As an aside, riding the bus would have the added benefit of keeping me from having to stare at those ghastly ads for the “Bodies” exhibit, which adorn the back of the Metro buses I am stuck behind every day. Regardless of the value of the exhibit, dead people staring at me down I 75 is an awful way to start the day. They don’t have those pictures on the inside of the bus do they?

Cincinnati Metro to debut wi-fi on Kings Island bus - Business Courier of Cincinnati:

Schiffler Shines at Breakfast Briefing

The Dayton Chamber Breakfast Briefing is one of the best professional events in Dayton, or anywhere for that matter. It is a permanent part of my schedule. Month after month, this series delivers the best speakers and the best audience for a great speech and a great meal. Today took it up to a whole new level, as Bob Schiffler, local businessman and developer, spoke about his efforts to revive downtown Dayton. It was fascinating. Bob was candid, honest, and thought provoking in addressing the crowd. He presented a long list of great ideas, all revolving around creativity and art, in order to breathe life into downtown. He outlined a plan that he hopes he can execute to restore the Arcade and the area that surrounds it. Still, in doing so, he made no suggestion that it was somehow a done deal - or even a deal at all. He presented ideas for murals, flower gardens, sculptures, architecture, and yes, even parking. He challenged the audience to “take ownership” of the future of Downtown and work to make change happen. God knows he has done his fair share to advance that cause. “What am I talking about?” Visit the Kuhns Building at 4th and Main. You will understand immediately. What is really interesting to me is this. Of all the plans I have heard to land new retail, new business, and new jobs in downtown, I hear nothing about how to land another Bob Schiffler. Is anyone looking for more economic development engines like him. Would it not be smarter for Dayton to spend “branding” dollars, not on studies and logos, but on talented visionaries like Bob. To be sure, he is a rare breed, but I would take him over a new Home Depot any day. Thanks to Bob for agreeing to speak, and for delivering a message that was so moving.

Google Calendar Launches Outlook Sync Tool

Finally… Outlook and GCal can play nice with each other. I love Google Calendar, but when your office uses Outlook as a way to see when you are free for meetings, it is tough to keep things straight - until now. Google has finally developed a tool to sync the Google Calendar with Outlook - allowing me to keep everything in sync. If you love the web based google calendar, but are forced to use Outlook, this is a great tool. Before giving it a whirl, back up your Outlook calendar. This is really useful as you may have problems getting the initial sync just right. I had some issues with events being duplicated and other deleted. Fortunately, I was able to get everything back in order, but just be cautious. Overall, the tool seems to work well. The best part is that this allows me to use gmail for all of my email functions. Previously the weakness of gmail was meeting invites. For Outlook to show my calendar availability correctly, I could not respond to meeting requests via Gmail. Now, I simply add the event to GCal, let it automatically sync, and I am set. This goes a long way in alleviating the hassle and stress of maintaining multiple calendars and inboxes. I pull everything to one place and streamline my activity - saving time and making sure I show up where I supposed to be.

Google Calendar Sync: Getting Started

Ideal Ideas or No Idea? Creative Class Dayton

Over on Dayton OS, Greg Hunter published a post about the 5 ideas that the Creative Class Dayton came up with following a recent 2 day meeting they held. There is also a story about it in the Dayton Daily News. The group is working with author and scholar Richard Florida to develop ways to reinvigorate Dayton. They seek ways to capitalize on area talent, tolerance, technology, and territorial assets - Florida’s 4 T’s. Here are the initial ideas the creative class came up with:

• Film Dayton: Launch a film festival in Dayton, establishing a seed fund for aspiring movie makers and leveraging the area’s 30 to 40 film professionals into a new industry. The effort would work with three film festivals already held in Dayton to create a local film scene.

• Innovation Collaborative: Bring artists and engineers together to exchange new ideas. Dayton has 50 percent more engineers and 5 percent more artists than the national average, according to an analysis by the Creative Class Group.

• Young Creatives Summit: Involve people under age 40 in more non-profit boards to include them in the area’s decision making.

• Community Pride: Raise awareness of Dayton’s diversity and assets, starting with showcasing the area better at the Dayton International Airport, the largest introduction to Dayton for visitors.

• Dayton Creative Incubator: Using the technology incubator concept, put “techies” and artists together under one roof to bring them to life.

Overall, I think these are pretty good ideas. I will be interested to see the tactical plans for launching them, as with anything, execution is key. I also am confused on the difference between the Innovative Collaborative and the Dayton Creative Incubator. I am sure that there is one, I just don’t have enough details to discern what it is. I also wonder about the exclusion of the aging boomer population. With so many boomers reaching retirement age, that would seem to me to be a key group to consider. I am not sure how this taps into that demographic, but maybe it is not supposed to. I am glad to see people trying to do something to make a change. If any one of these ideas could get off the ground, I believe it would have a definite positive impact on the city. But that is just me. What do you think? Are these the right 5 areas upon which Dayton should focus? Are these ideas sound? Cast your vote in the poll below, and leave a comment if you care to elaborate on your vote.

The Five Ideas - What Do You Think? : DaytonOS

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