I will be at Naturally Boulder’s Spring Fling event this Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Posts

• Is it better to start with low prices and increase them later on, or start high and lower them?
• Update on spring house projects

Links

Consumer Products

• RT @haxlr8r: 24 hours left on the Pebble kickstarter funding – amazing the amount raised for this product: kickstarter.com/projects/59750…
• This looks like a nice tool for creating a more efficient marketplace of local food producers and buyers.: ow.ly/aXV3X
• RT @goodfoodmedia: Why are we fat? Blame the#farmbill, which made potato chips cheaper than apples.
• RT @RethinkRetail: P-O-P Vital as More Shoppers Decide in Store: Study | 76% of purchase decisions made in store chiefmarketer.com/promotional-ma……
• RT @retail_sails: For U.S. Consumers, Different Stores Mean Different Smartphone Shopping Behavior bit.ly/L3ELbZ #mobile #retail
• Why Successful Branding Still Happens Offline:ow.ly/aWa2p Great article
• RT @haxlr8r: How Kickstarter Is Saving Hardware Innovation mashable.com/2012/05/14/kic… via @mashable HAXLR8R does that a little too
• TV loyalty apps and second screen marketing.ow.ly/aW005
• The power of TV as an ad channel is still significant ow.ly/aUAai

Miscellaneous

• What if Your Life Could be More Engaging Than Television? ow.ly/b1uir Great friggin’ post by one of my favorite writers.
• Our extremely low snowpack in Colorado – 11% of normal statewide. Click link to see image:ow.ly/aXTdF

Recent picture with my lovely wife

• Qualified Market of Retailers for Organic/Natural Foods (subscribers)
• A few ways to provide a brand experience at retail (open)

Links

General-Uncategorized

• Nice presentation tips here: ow.ly/90x9b
• Top Executive Recruiters Agree There Are Only 3 True Interview Questions: ow.ly/90JNV Tips here for interviewees & interviewers
• RT @RethinkRetail: How Barnes & Noble Can Save Itself From Becoming A Kodak Moment | Must offer something others can’t…
• RT @dhgisme: Make Money as an Urban Farmer: the on-line courseht.ly/1FDT4U #foodtech
• http://images.4channel.org/f/src/589217_scale_of_universe_enhanced.swf:  fascinating way to view our universe and its scale

Retail/CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods)

• RT @i2packaging: Do your fruits & veggies not stay fresh long enough? @tesco hopes to solve that problem: goo.gl/qxAKq
• Hybrid German snowshoe can glide downhill: ow.ly/8WdcE A bit of a hybrid form of AT/Randonee – intriguing.
• RT @retail_sails: Amazon Reportedly Plans To Open #Retail Store In Seattle onforb.es/zSHzmR $AMZN
• RT @Retail Prophet Why Amazon Needs Stores bit.ly/yyAx8z #retail#trends $AMZN
• Walmart Introducing Healthy Food Seal : ow.ly/8VlHl via @retailwire
• Costco best in shopper satisfaction: ow.ly/8VlrK
• RT @dhgisme: Great post from Aardvark co-founder @robsp on how tech is accelerating food’s shift to services economy bit.ly/xedMDl

Training (run, ride, hike,  alpine-telemark-XC ski, shooting, weightlifting, rock climb)/Outdoors/Health/Food/Weather/GPS

• RT @tedmahon: Amazing footage of headcam snowmobiler caught in avalanche. Pulled airbag to stay on top; ow.ly/8XFYe
• Hybrid German snowshoe can glide downhill: ow.ly/8WdcE A bit of a hybrid form of AT/Randonee – intriguing.

Great image making the rounds on Google+ last week:

• How small food start-ups can do business with Costco (subscribers only)
• The importance of knowing where a consumer category is going
• Recent data shows importance of online presence for CPG brands

Links

Retail/CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods)

• Supermarket tricks that make us spend moreeasttexasreview.com/2012/01/superm… #shoppermarketing #retail
• Study Shows Direct Correlation Between #CPG #Brand Website Usage and In-Store Purchase Behavior bit.ly/yGVRk1 #retail #ecommerce
• RT @focusonretail: Top Retail Trends 2012 – Who Do Your Customers Trust? The Surprising Answer bit.ly/wBHzn9 #Retail #Marketing
• Endorse raises $ 4.25 mm; solution for tracking offline purchases:ow.ly/8Lrq1 via @keith_rng
• Colorado is finally getting a Trader Joe’s: ow.ly/8LdWm

Training (run, ride, hike, alpine-telemark-XC ski, shooting, weightlifting, rock climb)/Outdoors/Health/Food/Weather/GPS

• Carbs are Killing You [Infographic]: ow.ly/8RN7h via@foodtechconnect Nice graphic.
• Lots of snow today for us – around 15 inches. Avalanche danger along Front Range is high. See danger rose image: ow.ly/i/rwLo
• Ramen Data: Mouth to Anus | Food+Tech Connect: http://www.foodandtechconnect.com/site/2012/02/01/ramen-data-from-mouth-to-anus-m2a-smartpill/
• Sled dog race from Wyo. to Utah under way: http://www.standard.net/stories/2012/01/30/sled-dog-race-wyo-utah-under-way - something I want to try

Channel Conflict

General-Uncategorized and Public

• RT @dhgisme: 5 Online Sources for Local, Organic Food Delivery- Great list on @TreeHugger bit.ly/xxsJXx #foodtech
• Food-delivery startup offers hot deal- charges restaurants just $.10/ delivery bit.ly/xplGFp#foodtech #restaurant #nyctech
• RF-enabled app locates lost objects or children

Retail/CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods)

• Discussion around discounters here:ow.ly/8IKcI Delhaize, Save-A-Lot, Aldi
• RT @brandchannelhub: Brands Risk Consumer Fallout From Green Logo Overload:bit.ly/zFeToW Agreed
• RT @hayesminor: More local efforts to drive shopper traffic and build loyalty: Meijer’s in Michigan to offer local bit.ly/wj3GkL
• RT @i2packaging: Emphasis on ‘pure’, #green#labels and information on product origin in U.S. chocolate. industry. goo.gl/yXJYz
• Fancy Food show wrap-up article…so many small natural/organic food start-ups everywhere.ow.ly/8EKgj
• Great disccusion/comments on Target’s “Poor me…help!” letter to vendors:retailwire.com/discussion/157…via@retailwire
• RT @keith_rng: 7 Thing You Need to Know to Start Your Weekconnected.retailnetgroup.com/index.php/2012
• Showdown Over ‘Showrooming’: ow.ly/8D0EiRetailer vs Amazon…what would you do if you were a retailer? via@retailwire.

Training (run, ride, hike, alpine-telemark-XC ski, shooting, weightlifting, rock climb)/Outdoors/Health/Food/Weather/GPS

• Another Google Offer for lodging/lift tickets to Keystone…they must be hurting – lack of snow. in Colo. this year ow.ly/8IFV8
• RT @InStoreTrends: Competing with Amazonshar.es/fHNS9 #amazon #digital #retail#trends #connected cc: @keith_rng #li
• Google Offer: 50% off night skiing at Echo Mtn. Dunno if this is good deal – never skied at Echo, but close to Denver: ow.ly/8HfH0
• For those who get into the backcountry in Colorado, nice map of Berthoud Pass ski area in Colorado (closed). ow.ly/8EA7A
• Northern states of lower 48 have chance to see Aurora displays from recent solar flares:ow.ly/8DRiU
• High avalanche danger in all Colorado mtns but South San Juans: ow.ly/8C3o9 In backcountry? Be careful! (Inbounds ski resorts OK)
• Tree Wells: the Skier’s Deathtrap You’ve Never Heard Of

General Uncategorized

• This is interesting. 10 Words That Will Increase (or Decrease) Your Twitter CTR: ow.ly/7vGRMvia @mediatwit
• RT @i2packaging: RT @i2forestprod USPS ends 2011 w/ loss of $5.1B: bit.ly/t2J7jd How can you lose 5.1B?

Retail/Consumer Packaged Goods

• To all retail tweeps, I am looking for brokers/reps for convenience stores. Would appreciate any referrals. Thx.
• RT @dhgisme: Square launches app that allows smartphones to ‘talk’ to cashier while in your pocket bit.ly/ue5Qks Great idea.

Training/Outdoors/Health/Food/Weather/GPS

• For weather geeks (like me): ow.ly/7wQlAPost here about strong winds in Colorado last week.
• 113 mph wind gust…serious wind in Colorado on Saturday night. See image for highest recorded wind gusts. ow.ly/i/ldG4

Here’s the results:

• Rain:  9.41 inches
• Snow:  47.75 inches
• Total precipitation/water equivalent:  13.3 inches
• Average for Sedalia, CO:  18.25

We were only at around 72% of average, which actually is better than I thought because it seemed like it was a dryer year.  If you go 30 miles west of us, the mountains received record precipitation for the year due to the La Nina event.  And, if you go 50 miles north of us, they too, received above average precipitation.  We seemed to be just south of the dividing line for that above average moisture.

With La Nina returning this year, although not as strong as last year, according to early forecasts, we might have another dry year, but you never know.

Below are data graphs I’ve included.

• First, undo things in your life before you can serve God: 1 Peter 4:1-2:

Links and Social Stream Activity

General Uncategorized

• Email Marketing Content Ideas: http://j.mp/q6gQdh Some good ideas here.
• RT @RetailProphet: RT @Mgconslts: @RetailProphet My latest blog on 103 Ways to Use QR Codes http://bit.ly/nnsbZt #QR Nice list.
• Looks like a great app.  Official Google Blog: Start the conversation with Google Translate for Android
• These are some interesting ideas, but don’t see anyway they can be implemented given that certain special interest groups would not allow it. Good thoughts, though.  My Soapbox Advice to the OWS Movement and then some « blog maverick
• Highly recommended. Very customizable.  WordPress › Fast Secure Contact Form « WordPress Plugins

Retail/Consumer Packaged Goods

• RT @hayesminor: 73% of shoppers prefer to use their phone vs. asking an employee for help. Me: because you often can’t find an employee
• RT @InStoreTrends: Photos: In-Store Disruption Strategies #retail #trends #disruption #instore #shoppermarketing #lihttp://shar.es/b77vp
• RT @hayesminor: 60% of store traffic passes thru the produce section of retail @retailecologist #shopperexpo
• RT @RethinkRetail: Downsizing is inevitable in retail – But new opportunities emerge as retailers compete for loyaltyhttp://www.insideretailing.com.au/IR/IRNews/Downsizing-is-inevitable-in-retail-2805.aspx
•  Twenty Five Ways to Show Your Loyalty to Your Customers: http://j.mp/oLzAva Great list. Don’t remember show shared with me,but not my find  Twenty Five Ways to Show Your Loyalty to Your Customers | Wired and Dangerous

Books/E-Books/Publishing/Blogging

• Web-based Kindle format good for comics, kids’ books http://j.mp/qjltvU
• How Well Is My Book Selling? Now Authors Have More Answershttp://zite.to/oxmru2

Dogs

• RT @DawgBlogger: Must watch: The Hidden Inflammatory Condition That Threatens Your Pet’s Well-Being http://bit.ly/nAxzUyvia @drkarenbecker
• Alcohol Poisoning in Dogs: http://j.mp/ne17h1 It may not be from ingesting liquor.
• Is your dog suddenly afraid of familiar things? http://j.mp/nhF4QQ My latest post.
• Canine Supplements: Do Dogs Need Food Supplements?
• Home remedies for fleas on dogs
• Puppy mills leave lasting emotional scars, study finds

Training/Outdoors/Health/Food/Weather/GPS

• “Just say no” to 15 day forecasts (Tuesday, 10/18/2011)
• Great maps comparing La Nina, El Nino and normal flow patterns:  https://plus.google.com/113284824893630591242/posts/hdX11Srh2oz
• I thought this was interesting. However, you don’t know the validity of the data collection – are they looking at natural disasters differently, are natural disasters being reported differently, etc. Natural Disasters in the United States, 1980 – 2011 | The Big Picture
•  I’m sick of seeing all those ski vids where people get good air, good lines and stick landings – do the rest of us ski like that? I don’t think so. This video is more my style…taking hard diggers, sometimes spending more time sliding down a slope on your butt and certainly not doing it with any elegance.  Mt. Baker Blocks Webisode “Crash Reel” Episode 2
• In Colorado, Arapahoe Basin ski resort opened today and Loveland opens tomorrow. Wolf Creek is open on weekends. Best deal I’ve seen, other than a season pass (like the Epic pass – if you plan to ski a fair amount) is the 4 ticket deal at Loveland for $130 – no restrictions.
• Interesting article. I use to take lots of vitamins but then developed sensitivities to almost every vitamin supplement. I now only take code liver oil and magnesium and eat really well.  More Evidence Against Vitamin Use

Jesus Christ/Christianity

None posted

My Posts

• Snow Mountain Trail Hike
• A simple and elegant way to figuring out how to succeed in a business
• Do what is in your heart – my take on Romans 12:2-3
• Is that what I really want from God? Luke 8:36-37

Links and Social Stream Activity

General Uncategorized

• RT @HarvardBiz: Where Top-Line Growth Really Comes Fromhttp://s.hbr.org/mQ2B79

Retail/Consumer Packaged Goods

• I’ve made plans for Naturally Boulder Networking Eventhttp://planca.st/14c3
  

Books/E-Books/Publishing/Blogging

• None posted
  

Dogs

• None posted

Training/Outdoors/Health/Food/Weather/GPS

• I see that Wolf Creek Pass in southwestern Colorado received 36 inches and is opening tomorrow. See webcams at link below.  Web Cam – Wolf Creek Ski Area

Jesus Christ/Christianity

• None posted

• Naming your product: some guidelines I used from doing this recently: http://bit.ly/nQFuhT
• 25 start-ups present at #PitchSlam-my summary and winners:http://bit.ly/njvOUt #G
• Recent Ride, Hike and Barn Teardown

Links and Social Stream Activity

General Uncategorized

• RT @gratzo: What a night in Boulder! Here’s what you missed (pics): http://ow.ly/6ztke
• RT @donmilleris: RT @MichaelHyatt: Must read: “Fact Check: Are rich taxed less than secretaries?” | http://mhyatt.us/pGlabz (via Forbes)
• Some pretty impressive new G+ handout features rolled out:http://bit.ly/riBfWk #G+NC
• RT @netgarden: Moral Compass, Anyone? “The Great Bank Robbery” by Nassim Nicholas Taleb,Mark Spitznagelhttp://bit.ly/r3ywFO #G+NC
• Awesome pic here. New Aurora Pictures: Sun Storms Trigger Sky Shows: http://bit.ly/ojcL3H
• Resources for Using G+:  https://plus.google.com/113284824893630591242/posts/d281XpW1zNa
• I drive a 1994 Ford Explorer that is in great shape and it turned 200,000 miles on Sunday. https://plus.google.com/113284824893630591242/posts/LkmKFgm1Gn2

Retail/Consumer Packaged Goods

• RT @RetailProphet: mobile/retail collision. http://bit.ly/mZ5QhY I have not listened to this yet, but sounds interesting.
• RT @brandchannelhub: Starbucks Plots Global Grocery Domination http://bit.ly/qsR7vB Makes sense given huge retail footprint

Books/E-Books/Publishing/Blogging
None at this time

Dogs

• What causes our strong connection to dogs? 
• My wife saw this. My wife is not this bad, but she’s in the ballpark: All dog lovers will understand-http://bit.ly/ntRllb #Dogs

Training/Outdoors/Health/Food/Weather/GPS

• RT @outsidemagazine: What’s the best #survival food for cold weather? http://bit.ly/rgJYsM

Jesus Christ/Christianity

• Great sermon by Lee Strobel on the proof of Jesus’ resurrection at@rockchurchco: Download from this page: http://bit.ly/oaqLyu#Christ
• Great truth. RT @LeadingTheWay: Whenever God calls us to a task, He will equip us and enable us to complete that task.

Here’s a slideshow from a recent hike we did at Snow Mountain Ranch, Tabernash, CO



No posts this week

Links and Social Stream Activity

No Category/General Posts

• RT @richmeyer: Generation X: Reality Bites – Businessweek:http://me.lt/8I4eS
• If you have funds exposed to Europe debt (could include money market funds), you might want to move your money. Things are getting ugly.
• Looks likely that La Nina is returning this winter – means more snow for us in central & northern Colorado mountains: http://j.mp/qAQhda
• People do not care about your brand: http://j.mp/oKxriH. This article is very true, in my experience.
• Own a domain? Pre-register your company names/brands to block someone from registering it for use on the XXX domain
• G+ re-share  metric tool:  https://plus.google.com/113284824893630591242/posts/hLbjoJAxXx5
• Google Maps +snippets feature:  https://plus.google.com/113284824893630591242/posts/jHmB6YEp8fV
• Image of the Aurora Australis – the southern lights:  https://plus.google.com/113284824893630591242/posts/7MbzczoRL2s
• Google+ Circle Policy:  https://plus.google.com/113284824893630591242/posts/9sw54drpMct

Retail/CPG

• #FF - For CPG/Retail: @InStoreTrends, @brandchannelhub,@RetailProphet, @keith_rng, @retailigence
• Investing In Sustainable Food & Agriculture: http://j.mp/oqolrW Decent article worth re-posting. My comment in here as well.
• Nice summary article about food prices: http://j.mp/nVfbUK CPG’s I work with have not passed on price increases, yet.

Books, E-Books and Publishing

No links

Dogs

• Is my dog being “dominant”? https://plus.google.com/113284824893630591242/posts/UTwsvq3Fkfs
• Evolution Explains: Why Dogs Eat Poop:  https://plus.google.com/113284824893630591242/posts/gBwhNCm3DBe
• Your pet?s bad breath may be sign of dental disease:  https://plus.google.com/113284824893630591242/posts/H9J1Cc7KdCD

Activities and Other Personal Interests

• Attending event 9/29 at American Mountaineering Museum-mainly to see Solitaire ski film, which is suppose to be good:http://bit.ly/qvw3pq
• Great outdoor sports videos here: http://j.mp/oHm2Vr. I caught up on some of my online video entertainment last night
• Hotspots and Blisters: Foot Care Tips for the Trail:  https://plus.google.com/113284824893630591242/posts/cu2H7BZSpyD

Jesus

• I recommend two sermons I heard at my church. http://j.mp/pC0qVNLife in 4G Part 2 talks about money and wealth; Part 3 talks about trials.