#98 – “TSA Trouble, Productivity tips, How to Improve Your Copywriting, and a Big Marketing Lesson from Heinz.”
March 9, 2010 14 Comments... (Click to add yours!)Episode #98 – “I love cats, I just can’t eat a whole one by myself… 
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March 9th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
btw, I wanted to add that my annoyance with the TSA is certainly not limited to the U.S. In the UK it’s just as bad with the security screening there, it’s just that I now travel mainly within the USA, so I’m witnessing the confusion and frustration on an almost weekly basis. Can you relate?
Regards
Andrew
March 9th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
Hi Andrew. FYI: The Dump is alive and well – in Phoenix anyway. Love your show!
March 9th, 2010 at 11:45 pm
I love the comment about observing how your product is being used…I think (too) many companies use the “create and release” technique, never looking back to monitor their creation, let alone to gather valuable feedback about it.
Thanks Andrew.
March 10th, 2010 at 2:18 am
I don’t mind some of the added security at the airports but it does seem like it is getting a little out of hand. Especially when you consider how ridiculous it is to not let an 8 year old board a plane because of his name. Isn’t it common sense that he is not a terrorist and that he just happens to have the same name? There has to be a better way for TSA to screen passengers so we all can avoid hassles like that.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:00 am
I’d like to see if the lad goes through the frisking, etc if his Dad’s not with him… since they share teh same name.
I think the Dad is getting pulled as being an adult he *could* be a terrorist, and the lad is goign through the same since they’ve pulled the Dad… if that makes sense?
Also, I’d change his name by Deed Poll.
Less Hassle.
As for the perfume bottles, yeah I’d reduce stock, and hand-number them to give an air of exclusivity.
Also, they could break the varieties into groups, and under the group name on the label have 10 or 20 variants, and a checkbox next to the names. Then you only need a smaller range of labels and just a dot or check would indicate the correct scent.
As an afterthought, if they’re making the scents BESPOKE from the 700 options and do not keep 700 in stock, then they could use a service like moo.com that prints business cards/mini cards where each card is different. and then they could hole-punch one and put it round its neck. This would save having hundreds of each 700 labels printed. Just a thought, hope that helps
Tony.
March 10th, 2010 at 3:05 am
ooh, also somethign the scent people could do – make a dual-pack of scents that complement each other, and the amount of each applied makes a new, third variant.
That way it’s always changing from application to application.
That would make them very unique and stand out in the market.
LYNX bodyspray in the UK (AXE in the rest of the world, I believe), have launched a 2-in-1 can that youtwist the top to deliver a different amount of each scent.
Again, hope that helps
Tony.
March 10th, 2010 at 4:25 am
Andrew,
The TSA section was great, it shows you how radiculous they are. I think it really comes down to common sense, obviously the kid is not a terrorist. The TSA needs to hire people that actually think versus people who are just robots following protocal. Thanks again for a great show.
Todd P. Sulllivan, DC
March 10th, 2010 at 6:09 am
Perfumes:
take a history look at what has been the best sellers and take the top 50 and print labels for those only. By doing this you’re reducing costs and defining your market. If you are not tracking how do you know what sells? It is all about the numbers and establishing systems. All the best.
Tim
March 10th, 2010 at 6:11 am
Typical government bureaucracy Andrew, and they want to control HEALTHCARE too! Can you imagine the nightmare of going to a clinic?
March 10th, 2010 at 8:16 am
Andrew,
Great show.
TSA – I think that kid should be on the watch list … I mean he looked a little shady !! HAHHAHA It is ludicrous that he is stopped regularly. This makes as much sense as some of the other “Far reaching” rules the TSA has.
Perfume – Agree with you Andrew the labels are the way to go. I know someone else above talked about labeling your top 50, but I would do all of your store to create a consistent brand. I might even take and create a label that is a “reserve” or “special” label to feature a line or a few items each month. This will keep it fresh and new. Just make sure your customers can find the same fragrance every time they stop in the store.
The Dump – bad name, but you are talking about it !!!
Cheers.
Russ Faulkner
Principal | Your Training Team, LLC
March 10th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Andrew
Always enjoy your show I never miss an episode.
The Dump is one of the more succesful retailers in the furniture business. They have locations in multiple states and offer products purchased from manufacturers that have over stock and discontinued inventory. The Dump seems to have a business model that works for them in slow economic times when traditional furniture stores are still suffering. They continue to tweek their model and closing locations that don’t work and opening new ones in better markets. My opinion is the name is good marketing if you are aware of their strategy and advertising.
Jack Wells
March 10th, 2010 at 10:53 am
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March 10th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Andrew I Love your shows
but the TSA story is not why.
It does not belong on this format in my opinion.
But it is your show after all.
March 10th, 2010 at 9:34 pm
Andrew, love that shirt and as for anyone at the TSA using common sense? Common sense left the us right about the time Ronald Reagan was elected.
But then again, it could be worse. The Bureau of the Census are using ex-felons as census takers. You’re right, you can’t make this stuff up.