Absolute Steve

What JC Penny and Sears can learn from the Rolling Stones

I was coming to work today with the radio on when I came across the old Rolling Stones song Start me Up.  After parking the car I let the song play out before getting out of the car.  When you think of the Rolling Stones what do you think of?

For me its always been Mick Jagger, but as I sat there it dawned on me that the whole of the Rolling Stones Sound is what makes them who they are. It's the signature sound of the Stones that sets them apart from their contemporaries and its what keeps them on the road even to this day 40 years after starting.  The drums have the Stones sound as do the rhythm section, the guitars are always the same sound.  And together with Mick they have sold out concert halls and made the stones very wealthy musicians long after their contemporaries hung up their axes.

So what can JC Penny and Sears learn from the Rolling Stones?  Well for one thing, they should get a handle on what it is that makes them who they are.  Unlike the stones they have become older well worn brands which have lost the luster they once held in the eyes of the American public.  These two venerable retail giants are cut  out of the same cloth,  both operate department stores both operated catalogs and both cater to middle class america. 

Where as JC Penny offered numerous name branded wearables and beyond, Sears ventured into everything from branded bicycles (even motorcycles at one time) to their beloved Kenmore appliance line and Craftsman branded tools.   Yet today they are slipping in sales to the newer giants among mass marketers namely Target (though target began as Dayton department stores near the time Sears started out), Wall Mart and Costco.  Today Target is seen as the hipster hangout, Wall Mart is middle class Americana and Costco is upscale  warehouse chic.  All three know who they cater to and they are doing a better job than Sears and JC Penny at their own game.

So going back to the Stones who also at times faced lagging record sales namely early seventies and at other points. What did they do?  They just became better at what they already did well at which meant be who they are.  The Stones don't sound like Beattles nor the Who nor any contemporary band of the day instead they stuck with who they have always been.   They didn't change up their sound to meet each new generation thoughts on what music should sound like they have just made Stones music.  Hence they've never changed over the decades and that's what people want to hear and see in concert. Thats the signature sound of the Stones.

My question then is this.  What is the signature Sears brand? What is the signature JC Penny's brand?  In my opinion, they have to sit down and spend time and do some historical reviewingto see where they've come from and where they need to be tomorrow.  That is if they want to be around for another 50 years.

Here's to finding your signature sound.   Once you do, don't lose it or mess with it, because that's who you need to be.  The old saying you can't be all things to all people still rings true in both music and in business.

Are Educational Games effective use of Classroom Learning

Are Educational Games an Effective use of Classroom Learning?  One parent’s view of educational games used to assist children with learning.

    Recently I was requested to write a blurb on game based learning.   So, instead of keeping this article to my self, I thought I would publish it and get your response. 

    Interestingly enough, after I wrote this article, I read an article in a magazine I subscribe to which covered the role game based advertising plays in todays media mix and the way they are being used to engage prospects who visit various websites.  The survey pointed out a huge increase in engagement by site visitors and even an up tic in sales, tied to game playing.  So is it any wonder game based learning could also be used to engage students? 

    As a father of three boys I’m very aware the draw video games have on my sons.  They fight over which game to play and which platform to play it on. They enjoy the challenge of killing, building and exploring.  What I’ve noticed is that all these games are designed to offer stepped up challenges and quick rewards based on achievements. The games are designed by fellow gamers who understand the challenge to reward, learning to mastery ratio. They are designed around intuitive learning.

    It’s no wonder then this type of thinking would be introduced into children’s learning games.  Children’s learning games incorporate the same principles found in the games kids and adults play. In learning games, there is an achievement component not found in the normal class setting, the rewards come much quicker.

    My youngest son is currently using a couple online learning based games to brush up on his Math and English (both recommended by his teacher).  He enjoys learning without thinking he is learning.  The built in challenges and immediate gratification keep his interest levels high.

Hands on learning

    In our everyday life many of us learn by doing not hearing. For example, when you buy a new piece of book keeping software you learn just enough to begin to balance your check book then go on to learn more ways to use it.

    If you want to learn how to plumb, you watch and you do, until you can plumb a house. Hands on learning, is as old as human kind. Game based learning takes advantage of this style of learning just supercharging it with intuitive learning and rewards. 

Rewards based learning

    The challenge in learning something new without having an immediate reward attached to it, can lead to getting board, losing interest or getting frustrated and stopping altogether.  This is one likely reason so many kids drop out of school, not the lack of ability.

    You wouldn’t work for your boss if you didn’t get the reward of a paycheck so why would it be any different for students?

More teacher per student time

    A big plus in game based learning models is that teachers are freed up to walk around the class room and offer one to one instruction tailored to each student’s need. In the gaming scenario the teacher is seen as an “expert” not the authoritarian teacher figure. 

We live in a connected world

    As a nation we’ve shifted away from an industrialized culture and now live in the connected age. Every kid alive today will be using a computer and the associated software to do their jobs.  From machinist’s who program computerized manufacturing machines to the engineers and nurses and auto technicians.

    When people want to know something they use online based tools.  Our brains are being rewired by the thousands of hours we engage in the digital world. Thus using the platform we work and play in to learn is just a natural evolution.

Old World verses New World

    The only reason a school system wouldn’t wish to try such an approach has more to do with policy making and less to do with what’s best for the kids.  The one size fits all model of the past 100 years isn’t working.  The drop out rate is far too high and the major reason I believe is the rigid one size fits all system of learning, which keeps the status quo in place and those who benefit from it.

    Those whose careers are tied to this antiquated system will push hard against the introduction of games based learning systems within the classroom. Yet if America wishes to be the number one provider of public education, we better quit with the self serving antiquated systems and open our arms to whatever works to engage and educate our children including Educational Games used in Classrooms.

    Educational games can be a wonderful way to educate students whose learning styles need more hands on engagement and immediate rewards tied to it.    No it’s not the only way but just one more way to engage and capture the hearts and minds of today’s students.

Hostess Brands an American Icon facing hard times

Recently I read in the Wall Street Journal about the possible bankruptcy of Hostess Brands, an american icon who is facing hard times.

I was a bit crest fallen when I read about this privately held company who has been producing tasty treats for over 80 years.  From what I've read, Hostess has millions of dollars worth of debt they can't pay for such things as "llegacy pension and medical fees" guaranteed to the present and past workforce.  They also site the increased cost of doing business thanks to increases in raw materials and fuel costs.

What is the answer?  After taking a gander at their webpage I discovered Hostes Brands also offers a number of other Branded product lines beyond their core products.

A shift in tastes  

In my household we have never bought Wonder Bread much less white bread. We enjoy brown bread as in whole wheat and whole grain breads.  The store shelves are also filled with more and more of these types of mass market brown breads.  Specialty breads have also become much more popular as in Panera Bread styles of breads.  The taste buds of Americans has been slowly shifting away from tasteless white bread to more flavorful healthier bread types. 

Shifting tastes have also shifted in other sectors.  Not all that long ago, Americans were happy to wake up with a Folgers coffee in their collective coffee cups, but that has changed thanks to Starbucks who changed what good coffee is supposed to taste like.  Beer has also undergone a shift in tastes with half of all shelf space now dedicated to smaller Micro Brews verses the old mainstream standbys of yesteryear.

In my book, Hostess has to shift more of its emphasis to more healthful options such as their Natures Pride.  Maybe they can also begin creating a specialty bread line such a Penerra Style breads.   Hey they could also start a line of Craft Wheat Beer line.  Ok, now that's really stepping outside the bread box, but hey, it's worth a thought.  

So as I said before, I don't pretend to understand the financials but I do know a bit about the world of branding and Hostess is a great Brand in the world of ttasty treats.  My hope is Hostess Brands will get through this and they can be saved. 

Hostess conjures up great memories in my mind such as: eating hostess cupcakes at lunch time while out on the berry fields as a kid, getting a tiger tail in my lunch box durring middle school or trips to the Hostess outlet store on Saturday grocery days as a kid.  Lastly, lets not forget all those midnight munchie attacks only satisfied by a box of Ding Dongs. 

Here's to Hostess may you get things right, so you can be around for many more years to come.

How to create a TV show Part 5

Well this past weekend we did two more segments of the show.  We were planning on three segments but due to snow coming down we were relegated to two inside shots.  This went very well and we all felt very good about the interior shots.

We have one more segment possibly a second with the primary characters, then its on to the other two segments featuring secondary characters.  We are still working to find an inexpensive set for one of the sets and we think we have the second location in position.  When you are creating a show on a razor thin budget you do all you can to locate free sets and locations where we can shoot segments without being charged for access.  Fortunately we have a great team all interested in locating best locations for our shoots, so I have no doubt we will locate the sets we need.

Boy I am feeling a lot more comfortable with my acting/learning my lines and doing what I am supposed to do.  It's one thing to write, plan and plot its another thing to actually memorize your parts and pull off the shooting.  A real learning experience, one well worth going through.

I will be talking about the heads of production and see how much I can begin explaining what we are doing - overall show and whats its about, so stand by.  We still need some shots of cast but that is down the road. 

So stay tuned.

By the way more news regarding Kraft letting off 1600 employees and other companies laying off workers.  We have a long way to go before we see a turn around, so hold on as we continue to go through a season of economical belt tightening.

Big Websites decide to shut down for a protest.  Well all the news is abuzz about Wiki and other sites shutting down for a few hours to 24 hours in protest of a new bill coming down the pike which states sites will need to pay royalties for properties that are copyrighted.  As a person who is very acquainted with this subject having co-owned an online radio station I feel for both parties.  here is how i see it. If all the royalty money went to the creators then I am for it. If one the other hand if its the way music industry is run (artists never see a penny only the holding company i.e. record company sees the money then I support wiki and others).  I could spend an hour on this subject suffice it to say the recording industry is run like the mafia and they are lawyer central who do nothing but expunge profits off everyone and the artists are left to hang out to dry.

Best

Making a TV show Part 4 Filming begins

Making a TV show Part 4.

Well we have finalized the script, rehearsed and staked out the spots now the shooting begins!

Saturday January 7th and Sunday January 8th we will be doing our first "Live shoots".  We will be shooting two parts at one location and a third part at another location, in all a lot of work, for a few minutes worth of TV time. 

We will have to do multiple takes of each portion, be they long shots or close up shots. Also because I'm not a pro, redo's for yours trulywill be in-line for the day. I will most likely have to do my lines several times per take in order to nail them just right.

I have so much respect for any actor who works to learn theirlines and then also works with the filming crew to make their character come off believable - from the TV anchorto the scripted soap opras they all have to work hard to nail their parts.  I have a deep respect for those who take the stage, when on a Live stage you are on the razors edge.  When in front of a live audience you have no safety net to fall into, should you forget your lines. Unlike film where you can do another take. Nope, you are bare to the world and when you goof you goof and you you pick yourself upand move on. Those who nail it have my utter appreciation be they school kids or adults.  Acting is not an easy art form, its done in front of real life people, unlike a painter or writer who slaves away behind closed doors, acting is full frontal exposure. So is comedy and playing music but you  have a bit more leeway you can improvise a tad more but scripted plays offers no room for improving your lines. 

I suspect as time goes along I will get better, especially when and if the show sells itself to a network entity.  Until then Iwill most likely continue to lose sleep, be on edge and not very hungry until the filming is out of the way.  I get butterflies every time we are getting ready to shoot but once the shooting begins I am doing all Ican to deliver my lines in a believable way the butterflies go away then its just toughing your way through it until you get it right, no corner cutting.

Thanks to a great crew, I know I will do ok but a lot of prayers are being sent up under my breath as I work to become the actor I know myself to be.  I also know the show in of itself, is an excellent concept and well worth puting on TV so with that in mind  I will move through the discomfort and just do what needs to be done to make it all come together.

Stay tune as I'll be back to share with you what it was like after the weekendshoot. Until then thanks for reading and please share this with all your friends.

Best regards,  Steve Johann

How to make a TV show Part 3

How to make a TV show Part 3 a continous story of how I am creating a TV Pilot to pitch to a TV Network. 

We are now well into rehearsals.  This past Saturday Sophia and I met up with the crew and we ran through our parts for a few hours.  I have my parts down pretty well but she is learning hers.  I have an advantage since I have an intimate knowledge of my parts being one of the writers.

Speaking of writing, I wear three hats: Creative Director, Writer and Actor.  It's hard to work as a  split personality but thats what I have to do.  As the CD I review and put in my 2 cents worth in the overall direction of the show.  As the Writer I wrote the original story and also help re-write the script. As the Actor I have my part to make the character believable and come alive.

We have a complete crew made up of individuals who are also wearing multiple hats.  We are after all working on a very extreme budget and we are all volunteering our time and talents to make this thing come off as a Hit!  Everyone with exception of the two actors and directors girl friend are students at the Seattle Art Institute and see this as a final project they will get credit for and a portfolio piece to share with future employers.  On the other hand, I want it to fly and to be picked up so I can pursue my goal of creating an excellent TV show for at least one season and possibly more. 

Together we are all working very hard between our normal jobs and schooling to make this show.  I am extremely happy with every ones input and am very grateful to be working with some great easy to work with people.

This reminds me a lot of the days as a musician playing in original music groups.  No one was paid we all did it for the love of creating and the songs that were written were always best when everyone took ownership and made it theirs. 

Wood-shedding being a term used by musicians to practice and that's what I am doing a lot of. Every night I run through my lines,memorizing the parts and working on my character development.  It's a lot of work but like music its rewarding work.

We still need a couple sets and we are working on this so things are far from nailed down but the schedule is up and we are working off it.  We are taking a bit of time off as everyone spends time with family during the Christmas week but will be hard at it once New Years is past.

Collaboration is a powerful thing be it making music, TV show or building a business or playing as a team.  When everyone is working together great things get done.

best.

How to make a TV Show Part 2. Hurray we found an actress!

    Hurray we found an actress! 

After having 12 to 15 actresses try out for position of co-host the previous week, we decided we needed to recall 3 of them.  So on Saturday the 10th we had 3 actresses return for a second tryout.   Four hours later we arrived at a unanimous choice of actress who will play the co-host part.    So now its onto wardrobe, rehearsals and more rewriting of the script.  (Note, I will be posting pictures as we go along, so stay tuned.)

    Speaking of script, we are still working over the final script which will most likely take place up to and even through shooting.  Funny how what starts out as a script becomes a living document which is open for modifications along the way.

    When I first read about script writing and the concept of submitting a completed script to a studio or a program for acceptance, the author of the book stated that many times once a studio buys the rights to a script they would re-write it.  They would even place multiple names on script. At first I didn't get it, but now I do having written an original script/outline and having it modified by my production crew. 

    The reason is very simple and it goes back to my days as a muscian working in a band.  When everyone had a part in the writing or modifying of a song it always sounded much better than the original song idea brought in by an individual member.   The old saying the sum is greater than the parts is very true both in song writing and script writing. Because in the end both are very collaborative in nature.

    One reason is we are still modifying the show as we go along (Note not the show itself we all agree to this just the finer points of character development) once the characters are cast in stone then it will be much easier to write scripts for ongoing episodes should we get picked up.

    The reality is, a lot of work goes into all aspects of TV show from pre-production to post- production. I can tell you, it's well worth spending time getting everything right, before filming begins.

So, stay tuned for the next update

What it takes to make a TV show Part 1

For my faithful readers I have not been very active with keeping up with this blog as of late and now you will have the reason.

On top of running my business Sound Image Solutions. Producing the Hog Radio show I have been involved with creating a TV Pilot which we plan to market to the networks by early spring before sweeps week.

Yep, I'm making a TV show well TV show Pilot. The difference is we get no money to create our 22 min show to be used to market the show to networks.  The reason for doing so is: We have no real track record so its best to create a show out of sweat equity for the purposes of selling it to network. 

If we were a known commodity we could most likely get away with a treatise but we aren't so a final product is needed. Thus I am hard at work creating a TV Show Pilot and am I ever loving it! 

What it takes to make a TV show is going to be an ongoing series of blogs which will take you week by week into the day to day of the inner workings of creating a TV show Pilot.

But a little back ground first.  How did I get involved with the making of a TV Pilot?  Great question and here is the short answer.

1. It started out as an idea for a book I began writing.

2. The need for a video to promote the book (books require marketing a video highlighting various points from the book is a great vehicle).

3. Call to a friend who is in Video Production.

4. The idea for a marketing video becomes the foundation for a TV Show.

5.  The idea is transferred into an outline

6. We bring in the first person to assist with the concept he likes it now there are 3 of us.

7. We meet for many months with the addition of 4th person.

8. We set dates and I go to work with Real script

9. A dozen or more rewrites the script is almost ready, then the team goes to work to refine and make it work.

10. We begin casting calls for co-host

11. This is where we are right now 12/09/11 so follow along as I lead you through the real world of creating a TV show Pilot.

Note I will give you details of show and how you can even participate by assisting us with funding, but that's for the next group of blogs.

Best,

Steve Johann

 

REM a Brand to be Proud Of

I just learned the band REM decided to retire as a Musical unit.   They have spent 30 plus years creating music they wanted to play.  Many millions of fans have enjoyed growing right alongside them.  As a musical act they have always maintain a small but deeply loyal audiance, though not that small when you consider they played their fair share of 20,000 seat auditoriums. 

REM known by many for such mainstays as Losing my Religion and Man on the Moon were one of the new avaunt guard bands who came out in 1980. They had hopes to last a few years tops according to Mike one of the founders.  But much to his surprise they lasted 31 years.  He said on an interview on NPR that they enjoyed growing and having their fans come along for the ride.  After 80 plus million records sold they are indeed a Brand worthy of respect. 

In the world of music very few bands last 5 to 10 years much less 30 years.  Unlike many of their contemporaries: think Duran Duran, Pretty in Pink, Boy George, Nirvana, Great White they lasted long after the rest were relegated to Casino circuit status.  U2 would be a great comparison of another band with longevity who came out around the same time.

What can be learned here?  Do what you love, be open to grow, be open and transparent and by all means have a heck of a lot of luck on your side.  Yep luck struck when REM came out. There was a need for their brand of music by the new generation who embraced them.  What is today's generation embracing?  My son 16 likes metal but of the bands he enjoys listening to, very few will most likely last past the ten year mark.  Many of today's hottest pop stars will go the way of Bobby Sherman, Andy Gibb and The Archies.

So just like REM the businesses who will continue to grow are the ones who hit a wave and ride it for all its worth.  Unlike the New wave bands who have gone the way of parachute pants REM retained their own identity and that's what set them apart from many of their contemporaries in the music world.  You must stay clearly focused on being who you are not what others want you to be well ok someone has to see a need for your services but don't be just another company instead carve out a niche for yourself and then stay loyal to that niche.

Truly REM is a brand to be proud of. Good luck and best of life to the former members of REM!

What sets your company apart from everyone else?

What sets your company apart from everyone else?

This past Saturday, I did an interview for the radio show I produce called The Hog Radio Show. I talked with Rick Fairless owner of Strokers Dallas a one of a kind motorcycle shop in Dallas, TX.

Rick said you can buy burgers, tatoos and bikes anywhere but you can only buy Rick Fairless in one place and that’s at Strokers Dallas. He stated he trains all his staff to become replicas of himself and tells each of them all they have to sell is themselves, they have to belive in the company and the attitude of the owner or they won't last very long. By doing this he sets the company apart from everyone else.

What great words of business wisdom we can all apply to our own companies. How can you apply this same strategy toward your enterprise?

I will be uploading the interview in a week just go to hogradio.net to watch for it.

The Legacy of Steve Jobs Co-Founder of Apple

The Legacy of Steve Jobs Co-Founder of Apple

The world now knows that a man by the name of Steve Jobs has passed away.  In the following days and weeks we will be reading and hearing citation after citation of the great works Steve did during his lifetime. Having never met the man, I can only write from what I do know of him.

Steve Jobs was a true game changer, an iconoclast, maverick, trend setter, brilliant strategist and extremely talented person. His company Apple changed the world. If Steve Jobs had not been born the world of computing, music, entertainment and communications would be far different place than what it is today. His legacy will be felt for many years and decades to come.

Steve Jobs turned Apple into a true lifestyle brand with a world wide loyal following.  Apple’s marketing took a page out of Harley-Davidsons marketing playbook when they began selling a lifestyle rather than a computer.  They like Harley developed a cult following of die hard fans. Even if you don’t own an Apple product you darn well know who they are.  This is an envious position to be in that very few companies ever achieve.

Yet with all this to his name Steve Jobs will also be known for another thing, the way he treated people. His legacy will be known as either a positive one or a negative one.  He will be known as one who encouraged, supported and uplifted those around him or one who belittled, downplayed or used people.  Only those who knew him can tell you which they remember him for.

Legacies highlight more than our public work, they highlight our private lives too. It reveals the true character of the person we thought we knew. Character is found in the everyday interactions of how we treat people.  Do our lives add to or take away from the lives of those around us. Many mistakenly believe our legacy is the positive press we put out about our self, not the negative pres we make for our self by how we treat those closest to us.  Our business accomplishments will fade away much faster than our private interactions with the people we spent time with.

You see our legacy cuts both ways, we leave a public legacy and a private legacy. It’s been said, death is the great equalizer. When we die its then we will be most remembered. The question then is this. What type of legacy do you want to leave behind?  Steve Jobs was the heart and soul of Apple and he will be sorely missed by many. 

Will you be missed when you pass from this world?

SABMiller wins support to buy Fosters Group Australia's largest brewer

SABMillerwins support to buy Fosters Group Australia's largest brewer according to the LA Times article.  According to what I have read it was a bit of a hard sell, but in the end it looks like it may go through as planned. If it does, SAB Miller will now have access to half of Australians beer distribution. 

Having spent time in Australia back in 1984, I can tell you at that time they had a law which restricted beer sellers from selling beer made in one province being sold in another.  Australia has 7 provinces or states. If things haven't changed then that's why Fosters will give SABMiller access to half of the Australian beer market.

So just why does a mega company like SAB Miller wish to buy out another rival beer company?  Aren't they satisfied with what they already own and manage? Nope they aren't, its called world dominance.  By owning half of the Ausi market SAB will have a chance to bring in their own products into the distribution chain to sell to current and potential beer drinkers. 

More selection more sales is one reason companies buy out their competitor. The other less obvious is access to their former competitors distribution channels, which in some cases are more valuable than the products being sold through them.

Distribution is a huge topic which requires another treatment, lets just say one of the biggest reasons why corps buy out other corps is because of the valuable infrastructure they gain not just the brand name everyone recognizes. Thats called being shrewd. 

Something we can all tip a cold one over.

911 Transformed our Lives

911 transformed our lives here in the United states and abroad.  We will never be able to go back in time. 

I like watching old TV shows especially cop shows.  In those pre 911 shows sans cell phones and airport security everyone had to use a pay phone to make a call.  In those shows the cops could chase the bad guys through the airport without worry of being stopped by security.  Remember the OJ ads ofhim running through the airport? You couldn't do that type of ad today.

Life was different pre 911.  There was hardly any joint ventures between law enforcement, each city saw their turf as theirturf.  Feds didn't work with locals and CIA didn't work with FBI and the like.  Today we have joint ventures and sharing of vital information all of which have made us a bit safer but also a bit more paranoid.

10 years and we still have brave men and women in the Middle East fighting against Islamic extremists who terrorize those who don't support their world views.  The very same type of individuals who flew planes into the World Towers and Pentagon and were heading for the White House but were stopped mid air by brave people who did what they had to do to stop them from more destruction.

Trillions of dollars are spent world wide on counter terror procedures and will continue to be spent in the foreseeable future.  Money that could have been spent elsewhere.  Indeed 911 transformed our lives and continues to transform our lives. 

Labor Day a celebration of Work

Labor Day a celebration of Work

Today is Labor Day a day set aside to remember the importance work plays in our daily lives and the life of our country. Without labor we wouldn't have a country worth living in. We wouldn't have food, drink and shelter much less clothing and transportation that we depend on as our right.

Labor Day is one of the big brands in Holidays, set aside by our goverment as a means of thanking everyone who serves the greater good by working for a living.  Indeed even those who decide to game the system and not work, benefit from those of us who do labor.

Labor is any endeavor in which you work to make a buck or two.  Your labor can be as a miner a marketer a mayor or as a minimum wage McDDonald's worker, we need all of them to make our great country what it is. 

Labor is a gift from God just read the first few chapters of the Old Testament and you'll quickly see that God intended mankind to till and subdue their surroundings.  This has been part of our DNA ever since.

So as you work, give thanks you can work, because there are many this day, who wish they could but have had a hard time finding work due to the poor economy. 

Here's to Labor Day a celebration of Work!