April 29th at the WA State Convention Center 11:40 -12:40

Stone Korean Restaurant-Redmond

Stumbled upon this place yesterday in the rain in Redmond...had a really nice lunch. Was brought the 8 small bowls first, all manner of pickled and marinated condiments.  Since I love sour things, this would have been wonderful enough. Then, came the rice, in a hot stone bowl and the hotpot, tofu preparation, in another. It is a former restaurant location, taken over about 3-4 months ago. Looks pretty clean and taken care of. I happened to sit in a booth where there was something uncomfortable under my seat, so you might want to do the "princess in the pea" thing to find a good seat.    I will go again...according to YELP their website, I guess their fried chicken is a winner.      

Quick Trip to WSU-Late Winter & Ed @ Ferdinand's

Escaped to the other side of the mountains, it was sunny and it seemed like a great March morning for brunch consisting of coffee and ice cream. We also got some Cougar Gold Cheese while we were there. They were busy, lots of other dairy lovers, in and out. This was the friendly guy, serving us inside the store...when I saw him come down to make a phone call, I asked him for a photo in front of the truck. He told me they are busy year around and have people come from the world over to buy the products made by the school's students who are learning to make cheese.        

How to explore working with a consultant?

How does the process begin and move forward?  

•       Consultant conducts initial audit of marketing functions with business owner.

•       Results are analyzed; tactics to reach desired goals are established.

•       Custom month by month (2 page) Marketing Plan is put into place, scope of work, fees, contract partners and duration of contact are clearly established.    

•       Contract is finalized and working relationship is begins. Weekly meeting/communications schedule is set up for the life of formal relationship. Preferred method (s) of communications are established.

•       Client’s Marketing Plan progress and effectiveness is monitored. Modify short term and long term strategies/tactics daily. 

When is it time to think about hiring outside marketing help?

People ask and here is a check list that answer's the question:

Lack of overview or understanding: what strategies can be implemented and how they connect to one another?

You don’t know what to say : “what would people find interesting about what I am doing?”

Consistency of branding/messaging, from platform to platform.

You and your business has a “story” that no one but you really knows. It is on-going, always evolving.

There is no written marketing plan; just shooting from the hip.

The written marketing plan hasn’t been referred to since it was submitted to the landlord pre-occupancy.

Your employees don’t know what the company mission is and how to communicate it day in and out.

Customers are not informed to all aspects of what you offer or your capabilities.

The businesses and residents in your immediate radius don’t have a relationship with you.

For an outsider's perspective, void of preconceived notions.

Beer from Zoller Brau-the family brewery in Germany

A mini keg brought back from the old country in December 2012, Zoller-Hof Brau

The moon over Isla Mujeres-

Scott decides to get artistic and it works...