Rockin The Vote on My Day Off

This is my favorite time of the year in Ohio, as the leaves change, jeans and sweatshirts get unpacked, football and baseball are getting interesting,  the nights are cool, and autumn is in its full glory.   Yesterday was a beautiful, and unseasonably warm day for October in Ohio, and I took the day off from work.

I spent the morning tinkering around the house, working on projects, cleaning up old messes, and trying to get a little more organized.  It always feels great to have everything in place - even if it is only for a day or two.

In the afternoon, we loaded up the kids and headed off to the board of elections to vote.  This year, Ohio is allowing early voting, something that I think is wonderful.  In a typical election, there is no way that I would be able to stand in line with my kids for hours and vote.  They can only wait so long, and would end up having a horrible experience.  In short, they would not get to see democracy in action.  Early voting changes that.

We showed up at the board of elections at 1:30, filled out some papers, and completed the whole process of voting in about 15 minutes.  There was no line, no hassle, and no problem.  Best of all, my children got to experience what it is like to vote.  My daughter has asked countless questions about the elections, and is very engaged in the idea of democracy.  It made me proud to see her be so enchanted with the voting process - which many just take for granted.

I hope that you will choose to vote this year, as I believe that it is something that every American should do - regardless of ideology.  We are blessed to live in a country where all voices can be heard.  For Ohioans, I highly recommend taking advantage of early voting.  It is too easy not to.

How Bout’ Them Apples?

As a kid, one of my favorite parts about late summer / fall in Ohio was going to an orchard to get fresh apples.  A few weekends ago I got to introduce my kids to this tradition when we visited Crossroad Orchard, located on State Route 725 just West of Miamisburg, Ohio.

We had a great time at the orchard.  The kids were amazed at the impressive sight of row after row of apple trees with branches drooping under the weight of ripening fruit.   We saw sweet apples, bitter apples, red, yellow and green apples, tart apples, big apples, and any other kind of apple that exists - it was fascinating.

We learned that the orchard inspects the apples that are for sale at the end of every day.  Those did not sell, are reevaluated and either washed and polished again or discarded.  The focus on delivering quality was apparent.

And the taste… delicious.  We have been back 3 times in the 10 days since our first visit.  My kids are eating whole apples, and asking for them as a snack.  Not only have we purchased more apples, but also home grown tomatoes, peppers, pumpkins, and the most perfect squash I have seen.  We bought a few gallons of homemade cider as well.  Wow is fresh apple cider tasty!

If you are seeking a fun and inexpensive activity for your family, take a few hours and head out to an apple orchard or farm market near you.  They are all over the place here in Ohio.  Should you live south of Dayton, check out Crossroad Orchard.

Thanks to the great people at Crossroad, who helped to make our first visit and subsequent ones so much fun.

Crossroad Orchard - Home

Fore!

Attention Dayton Area Golfers!
If you are looking for a great excuse to get out and hit the links, consider playing in the 2008 Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio Golf Scramble.

The event will be held on Monday September 29th, 2008 at Heatherwoode Golf Club in Springboro, Ohio.  Things get started at 11:30 and the fun lasts all day long.

Not a golfer, but still want to get involved?  The EFWO is also seeking volunteers to help run the event and there are still opportunities available for business sponsorships.  If you are interested, please contact the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio.

Here is a quick run-down of the day’s events:

Schedule of events
11:30 Registration and Practice
1:00 Shotgun Start to Scramble
6:00 Dinner & Speaker
6:30 Awards Ceremony
First, Second & Third Place

The Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio was founded in 1974 as a not-for-profit voluntary health organization that provides education, support, and advocacy for people with seizure disorders and their families. The Foundation also promotes understanding of epilepsy through educational programs offered in the community to schools, organizations, professional audiences, first responders, businesses, government, and the general public.

By supporting the Golf Scramble for Epilepsy, you will assist the Foundation in providing vital services and programs for residents from 11 western Ohio counties, which include Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby. With your sponsorship and participation, the Foundations can continue to offer its services to persons with epilepsy free of charge.

For more information, email the Epilepsy Foundation or download the event flyer.

Voices - Episode 7: Elizabeth Riley

Elizabeth Riley is one of the most well connected people I know.  She knows how to network; she knows people; and she knows what it takes to run a small business.  Elizabeth and her husband Michael own the West Carrollton based business, Insignia Signs.

In a time and place where the business climate is difficult at best, Elizabeth’s business is enjoying continued growth, largely due to her hard work as a sales professional and her husband’s expertise in the sign business.

In this episode of Voices, I speak with Elizabeth about her secrets for running a successful small business, her involvement in the community, some of trends in her industry, and her outlook on the future of Dayton and the Miami Valley.

Elizabeth and Michael are a great example to two young people who are making things happen in the community.  They prove everyday that “hustle” is a valid and effective strategy for growth.   Thanks to Elizabeth for taking the time to do the podcast.   It was a pleasure.

Living With Epilepsy

The September 2008 issue of Parents Magazine has a great article about a Massachusetts family and how they dealt with their son’s epilepsy.  (Unfortunately it was not posted on their web site, and did not turn up in numerous web searches.  Should you find a link please let me know)

The story centers around a young boy named Michael, who suffered from 2 types of seizures that sound very similar to those that my son experiences.  The similarities between the descriptions their lives to our day to day reality was striking.  Michael’s parents spoke about how their child suffered through hundreds of seuzures a day, and how they “got used to living in crisis mode.”

I don’t want to paint this as a negative story, as it was actually quite informative and inspiring.  As parents of a child with epilepsy, we are often asked what our family life is like.  This article really sheds light into much of what life is like for us, and I imagine what life must be like for many other families who have a child suffering through epilepsy.

Their story has a happy ending, as their son Michael has now been seizure free for some time thanks to the right medications, early detection, and a lot of luck.  I am thrilled for Michael and his family.  I imagine that having Michael seizure free must be a wonderful feeling - one I hope we might experience someday.  Reading this article helped to further that hope.

One thing that we definately share with Michael’s family is this.  Our experience, like theirs, has taught us not to sweat the small stuff in life any more.

The article also features the following facts about Epilepsy: (Taken from the Parents article)

• The Brain is made up of 100 Billion nerve cells, which communicate with each other and the rest of the body.
• A seizure is triggered by abnormal electrical activity that causes a change in sensation, movement, behavior or consciousness.
• Doctors diagnose epilepsy after a child has two or more unprovoked seizures, which means that they aren’t caused by something external, such as a fever.
• Epilepsy is actually an umbrella term covering many diseases and syndromes.
• Epilepsy affects about 3 million people in the United States, and 45,000 children are diagnosed with epilepsy each year.
• There are 30 types of seizures, which can last from a few seconds to two minutes or longer.  In rare cases, they can be fatal.
• Drugs, surgery, or a special high fat / low-carb diet are effective in about 80% of cases.  Kids may be good candidates for surgery if their seuzures - unlike Michael’s - can’t be controlled with medication and are caused in a specific area of the brain.

If you would like to learn more about epilepsy or need help dealing with epilepsy, please visit the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio at www.ohioepilepsy.org

The Epilepsy Foundation is always looking for volunteers.   If you would like to join in the fight against epilepsy, please visit the volunteer page of the EFWO site.

From Dayton to Hog Heaven…

One of the coolest stores in Dayton, Ohio is F&S Harley Davidson.  Located on North Dixie Drive, the store is family owned; run by Jeff Stolzenburg, his sister Jenny, and his parents.  F&S is a massive complex, filled with beautiful Harley Davidson motorcycles, Harley merchandise, a conference center, storage facility, repair garage, parts warehouse, and more.  They even have free coffee for guests, and I love free coffee.  One step through the front door, and you immediately begin to picture yourself out on the open road riding one of these beautiful machines.

When I worked in Dayton as an Account Executive, F&S was one of my favorite clients.  They were always fun to work with. They were not afraid to push the boundaries, and they sell an unbelievable product to a very loyal customer base.  Truly a dream account.  I still keep in touch with Jeff and the F&S crew, and they even hosted a fundraiser for the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio for free last March.  Great people, and a great place to visit if you have never done so.

With that said, this year is Harley Davidson’s 105th anniversary.  The company is pulling out all the stops to celebrate the anniversary, and Dayton will be included in the mix as several corporate executives from HD will be leading a cross country ride right through Dayton.  The group, which should be sizable, will be stopping at F&S in the afternoon on Monday, August 25th, and staying into the evening to answer questions, press the flesh, and greet the Harley faithful from the Miami Valley.  This should be a really cool event, and something that you Harley enthusiasts out there will not want to miss. When the ride leaves Dayton, the group will be headed to Wisconsin, where the company is based, to continue the celebration. Word on the street is that it is going to be legendary, with big name acts playing private shows over several days!

Part of the fun in Wisconsin will be the newly opened Harley- Davidson museum, featured in this month’s issue of Wired.  Harley fan or not, this is a great example of pulling people into the experience of the company and its devoted followers.  There are very few companies that could open a museum people would actually want to visit.  I stand in awe at the way in which Harley-Davidson has managed to cultivate such fierce loyalty amongst its customers.  If I ever find myself in that part of the county, I am going to make it a point to visit. Clearly there is a lot to learn about motorcycles and even more to learn about marketing.

New Harley-Davidson Museum Is Heaven for Hells Angels

2008 Tour d’Burg!

The 2008 Tour d’ Burg.  What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon - surrounded by family and friends, gathered in downtown Miamisburg, watching hundreds of great cyclists compete for the Ohio State Championship.  Even better we got to cheer for my brother in law Geoff, who was competing in the race - his last as a category 5 cyclist.

To our delight, Geoff finished 2nd in his race - one that saw a handful of cyclists sprint it out for the last 300 yards to the finish line.  Geoff made a late push down the final straight-away and overtook 2 others just as he crossed the line.  It was thrilling to watch.  My wife and I, and everyone else there were jumping up and down and cheering as Geoff rode past us triumphantly.  I think he had the loudest cheering section of anyone in the event. It was awesome to see him come across the finish line with such enthusiasm.  I know how much he loves cycling and how hard he has worked to get good at it.  It was a moment to remember.

This was our second Tour d’ Burg - and again it was a great day. The Miamisburg Police Department handed out free bike helmets for children, vendors handed out clickers, noise makers, and trinkets, and there was face painting, balloons, games, and food vendors galore.  The event was not overly crowded, but had enough people there to make it an exciting event.

I hope that Miamisburg will continue to put this event on, as it is quickly becoming one of my favorite summer happenings.  I also hope that Geoff will be riding in next year’s race.  Although the competition will be stronger, I know Geoff has what it takes to bring home a trophy or two for the day’s efforts.  And if he rides in a better category, that just means that our cheering section will have to step it up next year too - which of course will be fun.

Did you attend the Tour d’ Burg?  What did you think of the day?  Will you go again?

Here are some pictures of the event, courtesy of another great brother in law - Chad -  who served as the unofficial photographer for the day’s events.

Tour d’Burg 2008 | 2008 Tour d’Burg!

Thanks to Our Dirty Friends

As a member of the board of the EFWO and a parent of a child who has epilepsy, I want to say thanks to the record number of people who turned out Saturday for MUDSTOCK 08, the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio’s annual charity fundraiser event.  It was a huge success, drawing in roughly 2,400 people from the Miami Valley and beyond, and raising over $80,000 in the process.   Here are some pictures courtesy of the Dayton Daily News.

Thanks also to the long list of corporate sponsors, the hundreds of volunteers, and to everyone who was involved in making MUDSTOCK 08 successful.  Special thanks to Jim Hausfeld from ClearChannel, who served as the ringmaster for the event, and to EFWO Executive Director Janine Poppa.

The money raised will represent nearly 1/3 of the operating budget for the organization, which serves residents of Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Greene, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, and Shelby counties in Western Ohio.

If you are interested in getting involved with the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio, contact me or visit the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio home page for more information.  We are always in need of volunteers.

Volleyball players get muddy for a good cause

The Physics of Marketing - Absloute Zero

At just about -273 degrees Celsius, you reach the point at which all molecular motion ceases.  There is no heat.  None.  This is known as Absolute Zero, and it was developed in large part by Lord Kelvin.  In his honor, the Kelvin Scale, in which 0 degrees equals -273 C,  was named.  While scientists have some close to reaching absolute zero in laboratories, it may be impossible to accomplish because the act of measuring would require some level of heat be introduced.  Still, scientists have gotten really, really close to this temperature that is really, really, really cold.

There are some really “cool” things that happen to certain elements when you approach absolute zero, such as condensates - super cold liquids that can overcome adhesion and gravity to spontaneously flow out of their containers.  Needless to say, funny things happen near absolute zero.

So, from a Marketing Perspective, what is analogous to absolute zero?

I am inclined to say that the concept of the Long Tail, introduced by Chris Anderson, is analogous to this concept in some way.  The Long Tail states that, among other things, the internet empowers infinite consumer niches, and thus in a digital world where inventory is not much of an issue, there is a demand for just about everything.  So, that record you and your buddies made in the garage in 1976 might have one person out there somewhere, besides you, who is interested in it.  That record - once thought to be completely void of heat - now possesses a minuscule amount of movement.

Marketing professionals are paid to move products and services away from absolute zero - as far away as possible.  Marketing is some sense is about using resources for generating heat around a product or service, capitalizing on the Second Law of Thermodynamics (Thanks Geoff) to maximize the return on investment.   As the product life cycle would dictate, nothing lasts forever and today’s hot product becomes yesterday’s news pretty quickly.  Marketing moves on, and the product or service often loses heat until it finally dies - theoretical absolute marketing zero.

Still, the long tail being what it is, absolute zero for a product may never actually be reached.  As products or services approach this temperature, weird things happen.  Small groups of people may decide that they don’t want to let go of a product or service, and demand comes from seemingly out of nowhere to defy conventional wisdom.  That is why someone will pay $27.00 for the Shirt Tales lunch box on ebay.  Sometimes this remains isolated and sometimes the product begins to generate heat again and moves away from Absolute Zero.  Pabst Blue Ribbon comes to mind as a brand that was once near death, and then, somehow got to be trendy.  Now, bars in Columbus, Ohio can’t keep enough of it in stock to meet demand.  While this definitely differs from the absolute laws of physics, the ideas seem to be similar.

I am curious to hear from you on Absolute Zero.  How can you apply this to Marketing?  Please share your thoughts and join the discussion with your comments.

Mr. Speaker, Welcome to the Blogosphere!

Ohio’s Speaker of the House,  Jon Husted, has launched a blog (using Wordpress of course.)  I think this is great, and I hope that other public officials take note.  I have met Representative Husted a few times, and he seems to be a great person.  Jon is a young man, but carries himself with a calm that many seasoned politicians never achieve.   He is very passionate about his job, and very focused on improving the economy in Ohio, and in Dayton. Don’t be surprised to see his name mentioned as a future candidate for Governor.

While I disagree with him on some issues, I have a deep respect for his approach to the political process and his accomplishments. I have heard him actually say several nice things about Governor Strickland, who is on the opposite side of the aisle from him, and when Jon speaks he regularly talks about the need to find common ground and use common sense.

I look forward to reading his posts and watching him engage with the public in this forum.  Well done Mr. Speaker.

Jonhusted’s Weblog

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