Blog Author Mellissah Smith - Page 100

America is such an awesome place for so many reasons. People are passionate no matter where you go whether it is down to the local Walmart store, on the slopes of Vail or in the Streets of New York. Often people the world over put Americans in an unfair box; loud, abnoxious, overly-opinionated, political and entrepreneurial. Other than the latter, I tend to disagree. It doesn't help that there are so many thousands of websites out there trying to "brand" Americans as such.

Life is a long time and staying loyal to certain brands whether it's Heinz Baked Beans, Chanel No. 5 perfume, Nike, Tiffanys, Toyota, Ray Ban or Mokador Coffee - the endurance of brand loyalty can be a long, arduous path.

I am an avid skier. I love spending the day skiing and nights by a log fire talking about life, business and how I am going to change the world. One of my good friends who has kindly agreed to host me in Vail this week for 10 days skiing and a bit of business, suggested that I may like to take a look at his good friend's beautiful ski label before we head up the mountain. On the first mention, I thought 'why not', but then I took a look at their website and the jackets and pants were really nice... BUT... they are not the brand that I have been wearing since the first day I ever went skiing. No matter how nice they are, I just could not imagine wearing a jacket from another brand. I would feel disloyal.

I didn't mean to be that loyal to Spyder and Bogner (My BRANDS ), but somehow, since that first sales person sold a Spyder ski outfit to me, I have been incredibly loyal ever since. I now own every single item that you can possibly own that has the Spyder brand on it. Bogner was a later acquisition (when I had saved enough money!!!!) and is completely non- competing with my love of the Spyder brand. It's European and is more for when I want to look sophisticated and stylish rather than athletic or sporty. Bogner is also considerably more expensive and is something I only bring out for extra special occasions although I do feel totally luxurious when I am wearing it and I always feel that I should be in Val de Sere or St Moritz when I am decked head to toe in Bogner. It quite simply makes me feel beautiful.

Whereas Spyder is for everyday wear. When I put on my Spyder gear, I feel like I am wearing the best, most practical, safest, warmest attire on the slopes and that I won't have to worry about the small things like snow soaking my jacket or feeling cold as the temperature changes. I also feel like the brand is not a 'show off' brand, and more for the sporty person who loves adventure and is not fussed about the small things in life. Even if you are not a good skier, when you have Spyder on, you feel like you are going to be.

Brands are funny things. Some people will only ever drive a Toyota car. Others will only ever wear Nike when they are playing sports. For me, I will only ever wear Spyder or Bogner when I ski, and only ever play golf with Callaway. There may be better out there, but the shift to try it is too great for a brand loyalist like myself.

I AM A BRAND LOYALIST FOR LIFE...SPYDER ... YOU HAVE RUINED ME!

Marketing Consultants or Marketing Managers are being kept on their feet these days with changes in technology, the economy, corporate responsiblity and the new green ethos that surrounds most businesses large and small.

When looking at a company, whether it is large or small, it is imperative that marketing consultants (or marketing managers) are across all areas of marketing. It's no longer about the 4P's as most Gen-X marketers who now hold the senior positions in marketing have trained on, and more about social media, customer interaction, mobile marketing, podcasts, blogs, online marketing, guerilla marketing, slideshare and of course word of mouth marketing.

Yesterday, James Moran, the founder of James Moran Furniture, called to say hello. I haven't seen James for a little while as we have both been busy.

As the son of one of the most famous furniture family dynasty's in Australia (Moran Furniture), James Moran has one of the most stylish and professional showroom's in Australia and is currently selling into some of the largest retail chains select lines. Many of Toorak's great homes feature a James Moran Furniture couch and if you go down to the cinema's, chances are that in Gold Class you may be sitting in one of his designer chairs. Office fitouts for the uber trendy and professional are taken to a new level with a piece from James Moran Furniture and anyone who knows anything about furniture, can spot a James Moran Furniture piece a mile away.

Who else finds it hard to fathom that only 15 years ago, real estate agents actually believed in customer service.

How times have changed! Speaking to a real estate agent at Lemon Baxter today, I was appaulled at how little they care about customer service and their "I don't give a F***" attitudes.

He is one of the best cricketers in the world and let's face it, the most interesting. Whether you are a man who wants to be like him, or a woman who wouldn't mind trading places with Elizabeth Hurley for a night - there is a lot to admire.

Not unlike the lifecycle of a business, Shane Warne has had many ups and downs, some public and I am sure, a lot more private. He has had his haters, his supporters, his loyal fans and those who simply admire him for his achievements.

Last week, I ventured to the dentist after chipping my tooth when I was out to dinner one night.

The dentist, did his stuff and advised that a cap would need to be placed on the tooth and that the process takes a few stages. As always, I put my faith 100% in the Dentist afterall he knows his job and that is what I am paying ridiculous amounts of money for.

Then I went home. Pain. And more pain. And even more pain. Having a high threshold to pain, I tried to bare with it and as I am not a fan of taking medication of any type, I was reluctant to even take over the counter pain killers.

Eventually, I could take it no more. I was in pain. Real pain. Something I realised I had never experienced before. After ringing the Dentist several times to explain this and getting his assistant who organised some tablets from the Pharmacy for the infection, I became not only frustrated but in complete dispair. What was I to do. Then finally the Dentist rung me back and said to come in and that the pressure needed to be released (or something like that). After a visit and another hour of excruciating pain, I was given pain killers to go with my medication.

I don't even take panadol, so for me to take pain killers is a big thing. I have had 7 operations on my sinus' and not once did I take the prescribed pain killers. But this was real pain. So I took what was prescribed. I was in and out of sleep for an entire 3 days.

What this has taught me is that getting a second opinion isn't a bad option. Know your body, if you medication does work differently when in your body than what it is supposed to, talk to your practitioner. It was obvious that the painkillers were too much for my body and I could not keep my eye's open for more than an hour at any given time. There are not  enough quality magazine's at the local 7-Eleven and magazines tell 'lies'. People may not be married, having children, getting a divorce or fat - it's as simple as that.

The medical profession could mostly do with some help from marketers because they may be good at what they do, but they are lousy at communicating or being open to communicating. While I like a good doctor, it is equally as important that they can explain what is going on and be responsive when need be - particularly if you are paying them a lot of money.

Last, but not least, being sick for an entire weekend and not achieving a single thing, isn't fun. In fact, I don't want to ever spend a weekend like this again. Being healthy and proactive in ensuring that your body is functioning at its best is paramount. I would prefer to know sooner rather than later that I have an illness or that something may go wrong so I can prevent it rather than finding out when it's too late. Check out www.irismedical.com.au - they have executive health checks that thoroughly test ever imaginable illness and bodily function. I highly recommend it. If you are an executive, talk to the company you work with and see if they will help with funding it as healthy employees are essential to any business.

With more than 500 friends on facebook, I have always been reluctant to share anything to do with work with my friends.

As many of you know, I write a blog most days which is receives thousands of visitors around the globe, many loyal enough to read my blog within minutes of it being posted.

How many times have you gone onto a website to buy something, only to find that the experience is too frustrating to continue?

In my case, too many. When will e-tailers learn? If I look at buying a flight online, I have to say that the experience is simple. I put in my details, my flight gets booked and they send a confirmation to my email account. Simple.