Based on the fact that the large majority of our population has never been schooled in the fine art of dealing with change, we created a program that focused on this very need. “Productive Chaos: Riding the Wave of Change” has been shared with tens of thousands of people from coast to coast, revealing critical tips, tools and strategies for individuals and organizations as they deal with the growing challenge of constant change.

In an attempt to enlighten our clients and readers to this rapid pace of continuous change, we’ve been sharing numerous examples on our blog page. Some are indeed serious while many fall into the humorous and sometimes even unbelievable categories. I’m not sure about today’s example. I’ll let you decide on this one.

Times Have Changed

Toothpaste is certainly something we all take for granted. It’s been in our lives forever. So has the advertising, marketing and promotion of this very necessary product. When I was a young child, I was captivated by a very enthusiastic singing beaver named “Bucky” who marched back and forth across my TV screen singing “Brusha, Brusha, Brusha.” That was enough to convince me to encourage my parents to buy the toothpaste Bucky was promoting … which happened to be IPANA. I know, it didn’t take much, did it? A singing beaver.

Times have changed. Today, the combination of competition and technology has created a greater challenge for those promoting this rather common product. Here’s how one major brand, Colgate, is dealing with this challenge.

Toothbrushes Change

A recent report claims Colgate has applied for patents to introduce a caffeinated toothbrush to help kick start mornings. Recently released patent applications reveal that Colgate-Palmotive is at least tinkering with the idea of embedding slow-release chemicals, including caffeine, into the heads of its toothbrushes. But it doesn’t stop with caffeine either.

The caffeine would exist inside of a tongue scratcher on the back of the toothbrush’s head. The application indicates that a three-month supply of caffeine could be put into each brush, though it doesn’t say how much caffeine might be released during each brushing session.

The new toothbrushes could theoretically have all sorts of chemicals. The patent application expressly states that Colgate is interested in putting appetite suppressants on the scratchers. A diet toothbrush, in other words.

The rush to insert a buzz into your morning brush won’t come without some regulatory hurdles, however. A few weeks ago, the Food and Drug Administration issued a statement saying that the agency would soon be investigating the safety of caffeine-additives. Its remarks came shortly after Wrigley announced it was introducing a caffeinated chewing gum.

Yet, Colgate seems to think caffeine could be marketed as a healthy alternative too. In January of this year, it touted a study by the American Cancer Society that showed that heavy caffeine consumption cut in half the risk of death from some throat and mouth cancers.

Who knows what the future may hold for toothpaste, chewing gum, or, for that matter, any industry in today’s marketplace? One thing is certain. You can expect to see rapid and radical changes take place in order to improve, market, and compete for the consumer dollar.

These changes present crucial challenges to both individuals and organizations who hope to strive for growth and success. Are you prepared to deal with those challenges and cope with the changes which await you? Give us a call at 1-800-886-2629 to learn more about our program: “Productive Chaos: Riding the Wave of Change.”

The post Change in the Strangest Places appeared first on the AchieveMax® Blog.

I make this trip to NYC quite often, but this week is because I get to see the “One World Trade Center,” which was recently completed after years of construction by thousands of proud, dedicated and determined New York professionals.

The World Trade Center’s rebirth has long revolved around creating a centerpiece of unsparing symbolism: a skyscraper 1,776 feet tall, its height an homage and a bold statement reflecting our past while looking forward.

A few weeks ago the final two sections of the 408-foot, 758-ton spire were installed. Now keep in mind, we’re talking the spire alone! … 408 feet tall and weighing 758 TONS! What a tremendous milestone for New Yorkers and tourists from around the world as well.

The impressive skyscraper is expected to be open next year but has already been viewed by millions of locals and tourists alike who simply couldn’t wait.

A local newspaper article stated that architect Daniel Libeskind envisioned the tower “restoring the spiritual peak of the city, creating an icon that speaks to our vitality in the face of danger and our optimism in the aftermath of tragedy.” His vision more than met expectations.

With its spire reaching 1,776 feet, an echo of the nation’s founding year, it is the tallest skyscraper in the U.S. and third-tallest in the world. The spire at One World Trade Center will serve as a television and radio antenna, and it will feature an LED-powered light that will be visible from tens of miles away. The light, which will change colors, is to be activated in the next few months.

I very seldom find myself at a loss for words, but standing at the base of this magnificent structure, all I could muster was a tear in my ear and a frog in my throat! During my regular visits to this site over the past 12 years, I’ve witnessed a true miracle emerge from the site of a devastating disaster! You simply can’t stand there without experiencing great respect for the past, tremendous pride in the present and renewed hope for the future!

If you get an opportunity to visit “The Big Apple,” make it a point to visit One World Trade Center … you’ll never regret it!

The post One World Trade Center Finally Completed, Becoming Nation’s Tallest Skyscraper appeared first on the AchieveMax® Blog.

I was reminded of that famous phrase recently after reading a magazine article about the rapid demise of so many things we once considered as a part of our daily life. That list included record stores, hand-written letters, VCR tapes, phone booths, newspapers, zip drives, book stores, bank branches, libraries ….WAIT! Libraries? I beg to differ!

I can understand the current plight of major bookstore chains. So many chains have already closed their doors: Waldenbooks, B. Dalton, Borders, Crown, Tower, Encore, and many others. Barnes and Nobel is currently the largest book retailer in the U.S. with 690 brick and mortar locations after having closed more than 50% of its stores.

I can see where one might assume that libraries would obviously follow the fate of bookstores. However, that isn’t the case. I’ve had the privilege to work with a large number of libraries across the country. In doing so, I’ve had the opportunity to witness, first hand, many of the reasons why libraries are enjoying a “re-birth” as they continue to grow, prosper, and serve dedicated patrons from coast to coast. In fact, I’m scheduled to work with a major library consortium in southern Ohio next week. The very fact that they’ve scheduled a session focusing on the many aspects of change explains their success in surviving and thriving in today’s chaotic business environment.

The answer is quite simple while the execution is a bit more challenging. Libraries have made the critical decision to utilize change strategies in their pursuit of customer satisfaction, loyalty and longevity. They continually strive to discover the needs and desires of those they serve and then proceed to create services to better serve those customers.

If you were to visit a progressive library today, you might be surprised at what you find. The list of services is not only impressive but probably much different than you might expect. Of course, that list differs from location to location so you’ll want to visit your local library for more details.

I don’t want to spoil your surprise, so I’m going to share just a few of the new, unique services you may find during your visit. I hope this short list will whet your appetite, enticing you to schedule that visit to your own local library.

Baby Boomers seem to have forged a strong relationship with today’s libraries as well. Due to the constant growth of technology today, many Boomers are overwhelmed at the choices and challenges available to them. Well-trained staff members offer a variety of services and assistance in this area, creating a much-appreciated comfort zone for so many.

This staff is still another tremendous asset adding great value for you. You’re going to find a very friendly, educated, and dedicated staff that is focused on meeting your every need. Libraries attract unusual staff members … those dedicated to personal growth, education, books, resources, and total satisfaction for those they serve. That staff is still another reason you’ll want to return again and again.

The Library is no longer just a lot of books —today it’s Community! Do yourself a favor and schedule a visit to your local library for you and your children and/or grandchildren. There’s something there for everyone, and you certainly won’t regret it. I’m guessing it’ll be a start to a great tradition!

The post Death Reports Have Been Greatly Exaggerated! Libraries Are Alive and Well! appeared first on the AchieveMax® Blog.

JC Penney offers a unique history which may very well explain its comfort with constant change.

• It once housed several leased departments such as Sephora, Seattle’s Best Coffee, optical centers, portrait studios, jewelry repair and firearms. It also had hardware and automotive departments as well as auto repair shops.
• It was once the largest catalog retailer in the U.S.
• In 1940, Sam Walton began working at a JC Penney in Des Moines, Iowa. Walton later went on to found future retailer Walmart in 1962.
• In 1962, JC Penney entered discount merchandising with the acquisition of General Merchandise Company which gave them “The Treasury” stores which shuttered its doors in 1982.
• In 1973, JC Penney reached its peak number of stores with 2,053 stores. It now has just over 1,100.
• In 1984, JC Penney acquired the First National Bank of Harrington, Delaware and renamed it JC Penney National Bank. With the bank, the company became able to issue its own MasterCard and Visa cards.
• After several years of development, the JC Penney Television Shopping Channel appeared on cable systems beginning in 1989.
• In 2004, the company exited the drug store division after 35 years, with the sale of its Eckerd division, which was later taken over by Rite Aid.

If you happened to read my previous blog articles about JC Penney, you’re aware of the fact that it has been trying some new and creative approaches in hopes of increasing sales, profits, and customer count after several years of declining performance.

While many call its recent efforts creative, others call them radical. I shared many of them in my previous articles, and they certainly do approach “radical”! This strategy began in November 2011 when it hired the former Apple retail head, Ron Johnson, as its new CEO. In an effort to overcome a certain dowdiness in its stores, marketing, advertising and culture, Johnson made too many changes far to fast for both employees and customers.

Sales and stock value fell regularly for a year and a half, and something had to be done. Customers were staying away in droves. In early April of this year, it was announced that CEO Johnson had been fired. It was then announced that the retailer’s former CEO will be his interim replacement. I questioned that decision in my last article.

However, JC Penney quickly made another decision that I find myself questioning even more. Maybe you’ve seen it on TV. It released an ad campaign begging its customers to return, implying very strongly that previous CEO Ron Johnson messed up. JC Penney said its many problems were caused by the man with the weird ideas it had hired from Apple. He made them do all those things that drove customers away all over the country.

The ad basically said:

“So now that he’s gone, please come back. We beg you. We’ll be the old JC Penney. The one you all loved. Although maybe you didn’t all love it enough to keep shopping there, which is why we hired the man with weird ideas from Apple. But we were wrong. You were right. Well, many of you. We think. What matters with mistakes is what we learned,” whispers the contrite female voiceover. She continues: “We learned a very simple thing: to listen to you.”

Now we’ll see if that approach was tremendously courageous and creative or total stupidity. YOU will make that decision. It’s rare for an advertiser to so boldly go down upon both knees to beg its customers to come back, implying rather strongly that the previous CEO was a little too high-fallutin’ for the common retail customer.

Personally, I think JC Penney failed to listen to its customers, it made too many mistakes in a very short period of time, and today’s customers have too little patience and too many other choices at their beck and call. We’ll soon see.

Take a look at the TV commercial and see what you think.

More importantly, learn something from JC Penney’s situation in hopes of avoiding such challenges.

The post JC Penney – It’s Bac-c-c-k! … Or Is It? appeared first on the AchieveMax® Blog.

Pause for just a moment and focus on the City of Boston as you once knew it. Just about anyone who has ever attended school has a certain degree of familiarity with that historic city. Some have studied the history of Boston, some have visited there regularly, others have adopted one of their famed sports teams. We’ve all been exposed to Boston in one way or another prior to the recent tragedy which captivated headlines around the world.

Have you ever considered the number of reasons people had to think about Boston prior to the horrific bombing? You might be surprised. Of course, answers will vary based on age, location, travel, background, etc. but consider a few of the many possibilities:

Boston Red Sox, Celtics, & Patriots / Irish immigrants / Harvard, Boston College & M.I.T. / the Boston Tea Party & Battle of Bunker Hill / the T.V. show “Cheers” / New Kids on the Block / the Kennedy family / the Subway System & the “Big Dig” / North Church & Paul Revere / Fenway Park & Boston Gardens / The Constitution (ship) / famed medical and research hospitals / Boston Harbor & Boston Commons / and, of course, the Boston Marathon. I’m sure others have many additional memories which would ordinarily come to mind at the mention of “BOSTON.”

Sadly, that will seldom happen in the future. Most all dominant thoughts will be replaced with any number of visions of terrorism, death and horrendous injuries. That is so sad and unfair for so many reasons. Speaking for myself, I refuse to allow that to happen. I’ve had the privilege and opportunity to work in the Boston area a great number of times over the years in my role as a trainer, consultant and keynote speaker. I’ve learned to know and love the people and the culture of Boston. I won’t be able to totally forget the horrendous events surrounding the Marathon. I doubt if anyone will. However, I can choose to replace those events by focusing on more positive actions which arose as the result of so many unsung heroes who surfaced during this tragedy and the days to follow.

There were so many first responders, citizens, fans, police officers, fire personnel, hospital staff, etc. who immediately surfaced to assist those in need. Another impressive group could be classified as fellow Americans all over the country. Let me share one memory that will always stick with me.

I don’t know if you’re aware of the long-standing rivalry between New York City and Boston when it comes to sports of any kind. It’s serious business. The teams’ rivalry, which has reared its ugly head in bench-clearing brawls and fan assaults over the years is unequaled in its intensity and long history. The word “hatred” is often used to describe the feelings that fans from both cities feel for the other.

Due to the intense rivalry, every form of media, here and abroad made it a point to cover fan reactions to the Boston tragedy. The rivalry was set aside and support for fellow Americans emerged as the immediate response to initial news reports. The New York Yankees played a home baseball game the night following the bombing. TV screens around the world focused on Yankee fans wearing Red Sox hats, shirts, and jackets while flying banners and flags supporting Boston.

For over ten years now the Boston Red Sox have enjoyed a tradition of pausing in the eighth inning to pump Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline” through their Fenway Park speakers. Everyone in the audience stands up and sways back and forth with their fellow fans in a show of camaraderie and team support. No one is certain how or why this tradition got started but Bostonians seem to love it.

The night following the bombing a few weeks ago, a stadium full of Yankees fans stood arm in arm at the bottom of the third inning in the Bronx, singing along to “Sweet Caroline,” the Boston Red Sox anthem. Irony and sarcasm were absent. During a moment of silence at the start of the game, a large commemorative ribbon with logos from the two teams was shown on the electronic board atop the ballpark. Sincerity was the mood of the night. Hard-boiled New Yorkers knew what the good folks of Boston were going through. It was touching and so representative of how Americans support one another in time of need!

In fact, if you looked around New York the past few weeks, you’d have seen nothing but love for Boston and that is, indeed, a rarity!

In what city officials said was a first, the bright-blue Boston city flag flew at half-staff at New York’s City Hall, on the orders of Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

An Occupy Wall Street group, the Illuminator, on Monday night projected the two teams’ logos in large lights on the walls of the Brooklyn Academy of Music. A heart was inserted between the logos, to read “NY(heart)B.” The image has gone viral.

“Sweet Caroline” also was played by the Chicago Cubs, L.A. Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Atlanta Braves, Oakland Athletics, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, and the Cleveland Indians.

Interesting footnote: Shortly after the 9-11 attacks on New York’s Twin Towers, everyone in Boston’s Fenway Park stood in unison and sang “New York, New York” accompanied by tears and prayers for the victims of that horrible tragedy. That’s the United States I know, love, and have faith in.

If my previous dominant thoughts of Boston and New York are going to be replaced as a result of terrorism, I’m going to replace them with examples such as those noted above. That’s MY choice and I’ve already made it!

The post What’s Your Dominant Thought About the Boston Bombings? appeared first on the AchieveMax® Blog.