Few Wee Things on My Mind

City slogans - do they work?

Seattle recently adopted the new slogan, "Metronatural." Hey, I think it sounds just fine. I can dig it.

I like Albuquerque's even better - "Keep it Querque." This slogan is supposed to remind ABQers to buy local. I think it is a clever use of the city name (and to be fair, it's not the city's official slogan, it was created by the alliance of local businesses, but I still like it).

Of course, people don't really think the slogans make a difference on their own - it's the PR that announcing these slogans bring that mike affect people.

What's your slogan?

Boston Hotel sinks to a new low...

Bill just got back from Boston where he stayed at the Park Plaza Hotel. A pretty nice place. He noticed that there was fine printing on his key card. After straining to read it, he found that it said that by using this key, he agrees to being billed 75 cents per day for a copy of the USA Today and that if he does not want to pay this charge he needs to call the desk and let them know and they will cancel his paper delivery. (I am paraphrasing here, but basically it was the only place he found any mention of this charge, in the teeny tiny print on his key card.)

Can you believe this?

1. They MUST know that this slimly approach is going to backfire on them.
2. Do they have NO imagination? There are many ways to recoup the costs of the paper, why do something that has the potential to make people feel used? You can bet that all the other hotels include the costs of the paper in the room charge and we don't care.

This is the only hotel I know that does this. Have you heard of such a thing?

The Secret We All Know But Often Ignore

I saw the movie "The Secret" which basically talks about the power of positive visualization (the Law of Attraction - we attract what we think about and feel), thoughts and feelings in bringing about reality. Nothing we don't already know, but good to remind myself of it. I liked that I could pay $4.95 and watch it instantly on my iMac screen - no hopping in the car to a video store.

I am visualizing and thinking about a few things several times every day (and keeping my thoughts relative to these topics positive): 1. Living in a great place in New Mexico and someone or some company paying us to come back and live there. 2. I am visualizing being trim and fit, with nice sculpted shoulders and a teeny tiny waist, and feeling great. 3. And I am visualizing writing a manuscript that is amazing - colorful, funny, provocative, and fresh - AND that makes a difference for others.

If you could use an adrenaline boost, check it out.

Comments

[Jodee Bock]

There are always so many great things to think and comment about that I never really know where to begin, so I'll just jump in!

I am a HUGE fan of The Secret and am seeing so many thing manifest in my life since I first watched it late last spring. Coincidence? Maybe, but how can you go wrong when you concentrate your thoughts on what you DO want, not on what you DON'T want? Love your visualizations, Lisa!

And thanks for continuing to give me such great FOOD for thought (ah, yet another interesting metaphor, isn't it? :) ) I always leave with so much great brain material and I just want you to know how much I appreciate it.

I can't wait for your next book!!!!

[Lisa Haneberg]

Thanks Jodee, it's super that you have put the power of the "secret" to work. What I like about it is that it does not matter what's true - if it's the placebo effect, who cares, it works.

[JennieC]

My understanding is that in order for the USAT copies to count as paid circulation for ABC audit purposes, guests must have the option to not get it and not pay for it. Most hotels have it someplace in the fine print and most guests overlook it, which might be why you nevr noticed it.

[Lisa Haneberg]

Jennie - well that's certainly an interesting twist on things, thanks for the information. I still think the hotel could do a much better job with it.