mermaidcamp

mermaidcamp

Keeping current in wellness, in and out of the water

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Passionate and Determined

February 18, 2013

Feet of Culture Clown

Feet of Culture Clown

Zappos Insights

Zappos Insights

The number nine core value at Zappos is about passion and determination. This one may be the determining factor in my quest to make Floatli the official sport of Zappos. I am positive that many have, are currently, and will pursue a spot in Zappos future. In order to make my offer stand out in a giant crowd I accept the challenge of showing more passion, and ultimately more determination, than others who are vying to be the provider of the official sport of the company.

With any luck I will be the only one applying for this position.  Zappos is full of healthy employees who enjoy working and playing.  The presence of the company coach supports this balanced lifestyle.  Employees can schedule coaching sessions for work or personal reasons.  The popular program is much utilized, therefore a waiting list exists for appointments with her.  I admire this kind of development program because a passionate determined employee is a content and personally fulfilled employee.

Zappos Education Dept

Zappos Education Dept

As the most insightful capitalist venture I have ever seen, Zappos screams sport.  The minute you walk into the place the vibe is all about personal expression and fashion extravagance. The team spirit is overwhelming.   My guide, Culture Clown, told us how she and her firefighter husband enjoy Lake Meade and participation in  outdoor fitness events.  She had completed a tough mudder with Marines that impressed me greatly.  The reason Floatli is the perfect team sport for Zappos is that it is non competitive.  What gravity does, Floatli remedies.  The more you wear shoes and play tough games on land, the more you need to reverse that action.  Floatli downshifts the joints and prehabilitates the body to do more sports without risk of injury.  Summer is hot in Vegas, but they still have a big beautiful Lake Mead, as well as millions of pools.

I want the chance to to market  Floatli with Zappos.   More fun even than that would be to organize an exciting  alternative fitness program that enhances staff levels of health and satisfaction within the company.  The integrity of the company comes from taking care of the employees so they can deliver happiness to customers.  I want to deliver some happiness to the discriminating employees to give them a new way to chill and stay fit.  I am passionate and determined to get an audition.

Goldilocks in Business

January 3, 2013 3 Comments

Three Bears and Goldilocks

Three Bears and Goldilocks

My story in business since I returned to commerce now seems like Goldilocks and the Three Bears to me.  While learning inbound marketing and social media I attempted to find the right marketing partner.  I understand how this works because for years I was the marketing partner for all travel providers (travel agent) , and fancy spas sold my services as a teacher ( employee).    Commission is something I have always paid happily, even back when I was  young production potter paying a gallery to sell my pots.  It is fair, and it keeps overhead where it belongs.

My first guess about the perfect partner was focused on Watsu.  I decided that the Watsu people maintain pools which are not fully booked, therefore Floatli would give them something else to sell in their pools.  I wandered around from hot spring to hot spring looking for the right one, but this combo was not going to happen, for whatever reason.

Next, I decided that mermaids naturally combined with Floatli and were trending.  I learned about the people who are into mermaids, and organized a weekend at a hot spring for mermaids to meet water fitness enthusiasts.  This was not the match I had imagined either.  I did not suffer terribly through these experiences, mind you.  I simply found no appropriate fit for a marketing vehicle.

My digital wanderings had exposed me to Chris Brogan and Anthony Innarino who taught a workshop on sales last year.  The well presented course provided the piece that had been missing in my technique.  They carefully explained the process of qualifying customers.  I had clearly demonstrated that deciding myself that the customer needs my product was the wrong initial step to take.  Then they gave me the secret to reverse all errors made in the mama bear’s bed and the papa bear’s bed.  To qualify a potential customer you first ask if they want to have a conversation with you about whatever you are pitching.  Proceeding without taking this step is the number one way salespeople turn others off forever.  The interest as well as the ability to execute has to be there, or you are wasting time.  Thanks, Chris and Anthony, that information arrived none too soon.

My target now is Zappos, which fits perfectly because Floatli is the exact opposite of shoes, and Zappos is very sporty.  This time, however, I will proceed armed with my new information, and ask the Zapsters if they want to have a conversation about marketing Floatli.  That is why I will send this post to them in hopes of a positive response.  I believe I can show how we belong together in business, for the benefit of all sentient beings.  Gravity meets weightlessness, outside the box (but inside a Zappos box).  Please say yes, Zapsters.

Culture Clown at Zappos

Culture Clown at Zappos