Monthly Archives: October 2010

Google Brings Merlin to Email

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Can Google do any wrong, seriously? It’s like they have these rooms —filled with really smart people somewhere, just sitting around a table coming up with great ideas to make your life easier. While cheerful gnomes massage their feet, feed them magical grapes and sing carols. Wait, that’s what happens actually doesn’t it? (minus the gnomes probably)

Announcing Email Oracle, a browser plug-in, which allows you track a bunch of different aspects of your email accounts. Wonder who’s opening your emails? How long it’s been since someone responded? Want to set a reminder for yourself to get back to them? Get analytics on all your communication? Ummm yes please!

Check out the video tour below:

Oh yes, and of course it’s FREE. Three cheers to Google…again.

Jay Kubassek-

Oh Canada…my home and native land…

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As you know, I’m Canadian. The grand land of Gretzky and Bullwinkle. Molson Ice and Keanu. Well, maybe we could do without Keanu. We’re a country of rather warm and engaging people. Travel anywhere in the world —  if you see a few people having a good time, and they invite you to join in, chances are they’re Canadian!

True to the spirit of the good humored Canadian disposition — comes what may be the coolest entrepreneurial idea ever — FLATTER ME CALLS. Flatter Me (http://www.flatterme.ca/), started by two guys in Montreal, is a service that lets you sign up for a friend or colleague to receive a phone call with these guys complimenting them!

Three amazing things here:
1. No idea is too outrageous to become a business if your intentions are rooted in the right place. These guys wanted to prove to themselves, and the world, that you could make money doing something to make other people feel good about themselves.
2. It’s only 5 bucks
3. Canadians rock.

Here’s a few things this great service could be used for:
1) Employee Motivation Phone Calls. Did someone do something great at work? This is new way to encourage a job well done.
2) Cheer Me Up Phone Calls. Know someone that is having a bad day? Feeling helpless? We can help.
3) Happy Birthday Phone Calls. Happy Valentine’s Day. Happy Anniversary. Happy Father’s Day. We do it all!
4) Appreciation Phone Calls. Mom’s overworked? Wanna make someone feel appreciated. We won’t let them forget how valuable they are!
5) You Can Do It Phone Calls. Know someone that has a goal? Training for a marathon?

I think the service is great, and the idea is even better. “Pay it Forward.”

Have a great weekend everyone.

All the best,

jay_signature_email

Jay Kubassek

You Only Get One Shot At a First impression

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In this corner, weighing in at 700 grams (or 25 ounces if you prefer), hailing frommmm…the minds of some really really smart people in Cupertino, California we have theeeee iPad!!!

The iPad was released in April; they sold 3 million in 80 days. 3 million. An accident? Not likely.

The marketing genius behind Apple is no secret. For the most part their advertisements are clear and straightforward; the features of the product, what it looks like, how to use it etc. Of course, they also have a tendency to show those features with a famous soundtrack in the background in the midst of a something emotionally stirring; usually involving babies or puppies, or both.

But…what Apple is secretive about, is how their products are debuted. Whether it’s a major tech conference, an elaborately orchestrated “leaked phone” story, or during the Oscars (as Jobs famously did with the iPad while sitting in the audience no less!) Jobs and the Apple team know you only get one chance at a first impression, and it’s got to be your best. Every market is competitive, people have choices. How you separate yourself from the herd at first impression is the razor’s edge between the good and the great.

The good ones put their product or brand forward, and hope that if they don’t attract the consumers attention the first time — they’ll catch them the second or third. In today’s environment, you’re lucky if someone gives you a second look. A third? Psshhhhh. No way. Your message has to be their solution, your product needs to show it services their need.

The next time your getting ready to launch something, send an email, revamp your blog, sales page or letter, ask yourself a couple of things. If my audience only sees this once — does it say everything I want it to say? Does it look how I want it look? Does it convey that my product is the solution to the prospects problem?

Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.

All the best,

jay_signature_email

Jay Kubassek

Khan Wins!

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A little over two years ago Google announced the 10^100 project. Where people all over the world could submit ideas in competition for millions in funding. It began with two simple questions: What would help? And help most?

2 years later, and over 150,000 ideas submitted, Google announced their 5 winners. I’m pleased, but by no means surprised, to find that The Khan Academy (www.khanacademy.org) is amongst the winners. Awarded 2 million dollars to help the organization create more courses and translate them into multiple languages, the Khan Academies meteoric rise is just another testament to the power education and philanthropy combined.

As for the other 4 winners…well let’s just say I think I might have come up with a couple things a little cooler (monorail capsule bicycles?). What do you think?
Read More: Click here to check out the other winners.

All the best,

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Jay Kubassek