| Hello: Here’s the latest edition of MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-up. We’ll kick off every week with this quick collection of tips, recommendations, observations and other interesting, valuable stuff. – Tom |
| Monday, May 14, 2018 MarketVolt’s Monday Mash-Up Grateful to Serve I started jury duty in the City of St. Louis, Missouri this morning. Lots of grumbling among my fellow citizens as we stood in line to check in. So it goes when you’re summoned away from your job or your leisure time or whatever it is you’d rather be doing. I have to admit, I’ve had my moments when I’ve grumbled. But then I remind myself… We are lucky to be Americans. We are lucky to live in a country where trial by jury is a constitutional right. Our justice system is not perfect, but it’s better than so many of the alternatives. And as citizens, we have a responsibility to serve. The system depends on us. I’m grateful for the system, and I’m grateful to serve. Here’s an article that expresses well The Joy of Jury Duty. I’m Re-Reading The Boron Letters Many marketers consider Gary Halbert to be the greatest copywriter who ever lived. The Boron Letters is a collection of letters — about marketing and life — that he wrote to his son. After Halbert’s death, the letters were released as a book, with commentary from his son Bond (also a great copywriter). This is one of my read-yearly books. An excellent resource full of priceless lessons regarding marketing, copywriting and life. Brain-Fart of the Week Time to make fun of myself… Last week, I told you I was listening to George Harrison — which was true. I listened to him on my drive to the office, singing along to the lyrics (yep, I do that): “I look at the world and I notice it’s turning While my guitar gently weeps – With every mistake we must surely be learning Still my guitar gently weeps.” I parked my car. Walked into my office. And wrote the email that mentioned Harrison and his great song “While My Guitar Gently Sleeps.” D’Oh! This wasn’t a case of misheard lyrics. But it got me thinking about songs with lyrics we flub… So in the spirit of mocking myself, here’s a list of 40 popular songs with often-misheard lyrics. Have any misheard lyrics stories you want to share? Bring ’em on by replying to this email. (p.s. Thanks to MarketVolt client and Beatles fan Peggy D. for alerting me to my dumb mistake). Bike-Sharing — An Interesting Business Case Will bike-sharing businesses change the way we move around cities? I’ve been wondering since seeing two new dockless bike-sharing businesses take root here in St. Louis — Lime Bike and Ofo. I rode a Lime Bike from my office to pick up a carry-out order from one of my favorite lunch places last week. The ride cost me $1 and took me about 15 minutes, round-trip. Had I driven, it would have taken me just a few minutes less — assuming I found a parking place quickly. I would have paid $0.50 to park. I would have burned some gasoline. And I would have gotten no exercise. I found the bike outside my office building, and I left it in the same spot when I returned. Pretty easy. Pretty cool. Here are two takes on bike sharing. I agree with the the more positive view. Bike-Sharing is Doomed To Fail Dock-Less Bike-Share is Ready to Take Over US Cities What do you think? Reply to this email to let me know. Thanks. Quotable… “As people get older, they start to decide whether they like stuff based on their first experience. Maybe you can’t teach an old dog new tricks simply because, if he doesn’t get it the first time, he gives up. Everyone wants to climb the mountain, but the difference between those at the top and those still on the bottom is simply a matter of showing up tomorrow to give it just one more shot.” – Bond Halbert (in his commentary for The Boron Letters). *** Any reading, listening, quoting, resourcing that you think we should share? Send us a tip. Until next time, enjoy the rest of this week and the weekend. Tom |
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