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Archive for December, 2013

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10 Signs You Are A Market Researcher…

Monday, December 30th, 2013

A few weeks ago S.S. sent me a funny email that I thought I would share with you…
            
10 Signs You Are A Market Researcher

      1. You know that an IHUT is not a dwelling for Apple employees.

      2. You’ve introduced your friends as respondents.

      3. You can spell Honomichl. (Wouldn’t Jack’s Top 50 have been easier?)

      4. You’ve had to convince new acquaintances that you are not personally responsible for calling them at home during dinner.

      5. You know that a Monadic design is not a type of wallpaper.

      6. When people ask about Big Data you tell them you know everything but unfortunately you have to keep it a Big Secret.

      7. You are excited to find out what made the cover of Quirk’s this month.

      8. You’ve thought about the horrific possibility of a research civil war between the Quants and the Qualies.

      9. You can get lost in a good data book.

      10. You know that an industry as powerful and complicated as ours cannot be governed by any less than 10 associations.

    • Which one is your favorite?
    • Which one made you chuckle the hardest?
    • Do you happen to have one to add to the list?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Business, Research | Post Comments (9) »

Which State Has The Worst Drivers? Read On And You Might Be Surprised…

Friday, December 27th, 2013

A few weeks ago I was sitting on a plane and was reading USA Today. One of the articles I was reading was discussing what state has the worst drivers in it. For years I have always been told that I am a horrible driver, probably for good reason but in the same breath everyone says that the drivers in Massachusetts, New York and Pennsylvania are the worst. In fact they believe they are the worst in the country.

Well according to The CarInsuranceComparison.com report, my home state doesn’t make the top 10 worst driving states.  For its worst drivers rankings, the website compiles data on fatality rates per 100 million miles traveled, citations for failure to obey traffic signals and seat belt laws, DUI infractions, and tickets for speeding and careless driving. It collects data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the National Motorists Association and MADD.

Here are the states with the worst drivers:

1. Louisiana

2. South Carolina

3. Mississippi

4. Texas

5. Alabama

6. Florida

7. Missouri (tie)

7. North Carolina (tie)

9. Montana

10. North Dakota

I was shocked to see no states from the northeast. I would have assumed that Florida would make the list since so many people retire there and as they get a little older, their driving skills diminish. Amazing to see that Texas is number 4 – are you serious? Wow! Texas is worse than my home state of Massachusetts.

  • What do you think of the list?
  • What surprises did you see?
  • If you hadn’t seen the list, what states would you think be on the list?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Life, Travel | Post Comments (3) »

Is Success All About Intelligence?

Monday, December 23rd, 2013

Is success all about intelligence? It might be a funny question but I think it is an important one. I have a feeling if I said, “Raise your hand if you know someone who is an underachiever.” All of our hands would be raised. We probably all know smart people. In fact we probably know very smart people who aren’t as successful as they could be. Success means something different to all of us. I am not going to try and define that today (perhaps a future blog) but would rather focus on this question:

Is success all about intelligence?

For me it isn’t. In fact it is lots of other qualities. When I look at people who are successful, I see some common traits:

  • Has a great work ethic
  • Always trying to look at things a little different
  • Ask questions all the time
  • Is aware of their shortcomings
  • Has some leadership qualities

What do you think?

  • Is success all about intelligence?
  • What do you think about my list?
  • What traits do you think people need to be successful?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Business, Life | Post Comments (6) »

Are You Ready For Some Football? Join The Week 17 Merrill Dubrow Blog Football Pool.

Friday, December 20th, 2013

WOW! What a great year of football. With so many teams still fighting for playoff spots, these last two weekends should be very, very exciting. Congratulations to Cheryl Wurtzer-Zarrillo who won last week with 12 wins. Here is the list of winners this year:

WEEK
WINNER
1 Steve Kennedy
2 John Sadler
3 Karen Dawson
4 Bill Glenn
5 Alice Butler
5 Jane R.
6 Jake Hurwitz
7 Howard Fienberg
8 Chanttel Allen
9 Kelsey BBBBB
10 Justin Long
11 Steve Kennedy
12 Maddy T
13 Steven Leicht
14 Bob Edgar
15 Cheryl Wurtzer-Zarrillo

In addition, the two people who have the highest cumulative score will be given a spot in the grand prize pool along with the weekly winners. As of week 15 Steve Kennedy is leading the way with a two game lead over David Presloid. The question is… Can they hold on?

To see the current standings, click here. The results page shows this week’s current standings as well as the cumulative rankings.

REMEMBER, THE DEADLINE FOR THIS WEEKS PICKS IS Sunday, December 29 at 11:00am CST.

None of the picks will be posted until that time. We will highlight all of the people who qualify for the championship week and there will be a second tie breaker game just in case we need it to determine a winner.

In addition, there will be a winner for this week as well and that person will receive a $50 gift card.

Click here to participate in this week’s pool.

Good luck to all.

Posted in Contests, Friday Fun, Sports | Post Comments (236) »

Attention Sports Fans: Please Finish This Statement

Wednesday, December 18th, 2013

I am a pro athlete. I give everything I have and leave it all on the diamond / court / field / rink. My name is _____.

I will start the list:

    • Dick Butkus – one of the most intense football players of all time. He appeared to play hard on every single play and looked so intense. Hated to lose.
    • Derek Jeter – wants to play every inning of every game. Understands what it means to be the face of the NY Yankees. Makes everyone around him better!
    • Dirk Nowitzk – I am sure lots of people are surprised by my choice but he really is a taller version of Larry Bird. He looks like he LOVES to play basketball. Always trying to get better. Very intense, quiet player who is the ultimate professional. He is a very special player.

There are the first three.

    • Who makes your list?
    • What do you think of my choices?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (6) »

Why Do So Many People Start With A Negative?

Monday, December 16th, 2013

A few weeks ago I was at a Dallas Stars hockey game with my kids and I was speaking to the person behind the counter who was taking my order (of course all the kids are talking in my ear Dad I want this and that). I finally sorted everything out and one of the items was popcorn and the customer service person said to me, “I am sure you don’t want the commemorative box which is $3.00 more, but I have to ask.”

Of course I paused and said to myself, “What’s the point? Why even ask if you are going to present it that way?” I thought about saying, “Yes, I want it,” because I wanted to see if they would talk me out of it and even charge the right amount but I didn’t.

Lots of staff do this when they are presenting options or answering questions. I am sure this has happened to you as a buyer or seller when someone asks a question and instead of stressing the positive and a few benefits, the person stresses the long timeline of here is why you don’t want to do it that way.

I say stay positive. Stress the benefits of your product and service and never go negative first!

Believe in what you are selling and never talk someone out of buying something from you!

  • Does this happen to you?
  • Is this a trend?

  • Can you teach someone to be positive?

I look forward to reading your comments.

Posted in Business | Post Comments (7) »

Are You Ready For Some Football? Join The Week 16 Merrill Dubrow Blog Football Pool.

Friday, December 13th, 2013

Congratulations to Bob Edgar who beat out two time winner Steve Kennedy. Both had 15 wins and Bob won in a tie-breaker. Bob joins Steven Leicht, Maddy, Steve Kennedy, Justin Long, Kelsey Barrentine, Chanttel Allen, Howard Fienberg, Jake Hurwitz, Alice Butler, Jane Rosen, Bill Glenn, Karen Dawson & John Sadler who all have qualified for championship week. Bob won a $50 American Express gift card.

To see the current standings, click here. The results page shows this week’s current standings as well as the cumulative rankings.

Week fifteen had 270 participants and the winner will receive $50. Remember, the weekly winners will be given a spot in the grand prize pool and join the weekly winners for an opportunity to win $500 and of course bragging rights for the next 6 months.

In addition, the two people who have the highest cumulative score (these standings will be updated weekly) will be given a spot in the grand prize pool along with the weekly winners. As of week 13 Steve Kennedy is leading the way with a four game lead over David Presloid & Scott Wallace.

Please use the same name and email address when you enter your picks. This makes it much easier for us to track the cumulative scores.

All picks need to be in by 5:00pm (CST) on Thursday, December 19.

Click here to participate in this week’s pool.

Feel free to share the link and have friends, colleague, relatives, kids and anyone else you want join the pool.

Good luck to all.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (254) »

What Do You Think Of This Quote?

Wednesday, December 11th, 2013

Earlier in the year I used this quote during one of my monthly presentations to the M/A/R/C Research team.

“GET COMFORTABLE WITH BEING UNCOMFORTABLE.”

I really thought the quote was appropriate because business these days is so unpredictable and so much of it makes people feel very off balance.

    • What do you think about the quote?
    • What does it mean to you?
    • Do you think it describes the current business environment?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Posted in General Comments | Post Comments (4) »

The Tooth Fairy – Did/Do They Come To Your House?

Monday, December 9th, 2013

A few weeks ago my daughter was very excited to show me the new gap in her mouth and the tooth that fell from it. She was so cute, beaming with excitement that the tooth fairy was going to come that night after she had fallen asleep.

Magically that is exactly what happened after leaving the door open to the house the tooth fairy was able to go up to her room and replace the tooth with a crisp $1.00 bill.

It’s funny that everything in the world has increased in price but I recall getting the same crisp $1.00 bill when I lost a tooth decades ago.

  • Does the tooth fairy come to your house?
  • Do they leave $1.00 or more?
  • Do they leave something other than money?
  • When does the tooth fairy not stop by anymore?

I look forward to reading your thoughts.

Posted in Life | Post Comments (14) »

Are You Ready For Some Football? Join The Week 15 Merrill Dubrow Blog Football Pool.

Friday, December 6th, 2013

Another week, more difficult games to pick and another winner in the pool. Congratulations to Steven Leicht who correctly picked 15 games. Steven joins Maddy, two time winner Steve Kennedy, Justin Long, Kelsey Barrentine, Chanttel Allen, Howard Fienberg, Jake Hurwitz, Alice Butler, Jane Rosen, Bill Glenn, Karen Dawson & John Sadler who all have qualified for championship week. Steven won a $50 American Express gift card.

To see the current standings, click here. The results page shows this week’s current standings as well as the cumulative rankings.

Week thirteen had 276 participants and the winner will receive $50. Remember, the weekly winners will be given a spot in the grand prize pool and join the weekly winners for an opportunity to win $500 and of course bragging rights for the next 6 months.

In addition, the two people who have the highest cumulative score (these standings will be updated weekly) will be given a spot in the grand prize pool along with the weekly winners. As of week 13 Steve Kennedy is leading the way followed by David Presloid.

Please use the same name and email address when you enter your picks. This makes it much easier for us to track the cumulative scores.

All picks need to be in by 5:00pm (CST) on Thursday, December 12.

Click here to participate in this week’s pool.

Feel free to share the link and have friends, colleague, relatives, kids and anyone else you want join the pool.

Good luck to all.

Posted in Sports | Post Comments (271) »

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