ktoddstorch @ business thoughts

Google Changes Everything for Radio

File this one under "why didn't I finish and post it"?  I saved this draft on 12/31/05 at 7:12am.

I'm sure you have to have heard about Google's acquisition of dMarc Broadcasting on 1/17/06.  I truly believe that this is just the start of even more changes in the broadcasting industry.  Be prepared for big, organizational and operational changes.  I purposely left the post unfinished so you could see where I left off...shame on me!

**original draft post below

I believe that Google is one of the biggest threats/opportunities to/for Radio.  Google is keen.  Google is local.  Google is global.  Google is omnipresent.

Ok, what the heck am I talking about?

Google can provide a way to:
1)  cut costs drastically
2)  market/advertise a station very inexpensively

There are many directions and thoughts that I can go on this post, but I'm going to limit it to just a few thoughts.  Let me start from #1 above.

Cut costs drastically
Now, this is a threat to those that work in radio (like me!), but a huge opportunity for a radio station and company.

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tags:  google | dMarc

Verizon FIOS is Installed

FIOS is officially installed in my house (the Quest is complete!).  After issues with the installation team actually showing up, the mission is complete.

I'm getting speeds of around 4.5Mbs downloads vs. the 5Mb down/2Mb up stated speeds.

It took about 3 hours for the installation to be completed.  First, they had to install a battery backup in the garage.  Then, they ran CAT5 wiring from the unit to my office.  From there, they connect to a router and then my computer.

I went back and rerouted into my wireless router for the home network and voila!  I'm up and running.

Side note:  Verizon; you have to get your act together with the installation company.  After completely missing the day and time of the first installation, with no phone call that they weren't going to make it...I had to call myself and gripe out your company to get someone to install it during the window of time you promised me on the rescheduled day.  Just unacceptable.

In fact, this has happened to 2 other residents that I know that have decided to switch as well.

Believe me, I will be requesting a free month's service and expecting it.

www.flickr.com More of K. Todd Storch's photos tagged with verizonfios

 

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tags:  verizon | fiber optic | verizon fios

The Quest for Verizon FIOS

Verizon FIOS is now available in my neighborhood!  Now, the only reason I know this is because I've repeatedly checked their website and made phone calls to the company.  What did they do with my email address that I gave them to "let me know when the service was available in my area"?

After numerous phone calls to Verizon, I finally got a person on the phone to order the product.  I needed to speak with someone, because I have local phone service with them and I was one of the first DSL customers in my city.  I wanted to negotiate a bundle package with them that wasn't available on-line.

Without even asking for a price quote, they said it would be $29.95 a month.  Now, this 5Mb/2Mb service is nearly $5 cheaper than I'm currently paying for 768k/128k DSL.  I also got my local service down over $15 a month as well.

Of course, they can't come and install the "battery backup" in my garage until December 12th, but I believe it will be worth the wait.

It really is amazing how inexpensive these services have become.  When WiMax arrives, what is going to keep from a few people getting this type of service and having it open for many to use in the neighborhood/city? 

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tags:  verizon | fiber optic | verizon fios

97 Cents in Change is Stupid

I've never understood why a single purchased product would generate a pocket full of change.  You know...those stops for a coffee or bagel and the clerk rings up $2.03.

Oh my. 

Just what I needed. 

97 cents of change rattling around in my pocket.  In fact, I'd rather the price be $2.99.  Seriously, put the penny in the "Take a Penny" holder and thank you very much.

Seth Godin agrees and has a post that is written much better than mine...as always!

[link] to Keep the change...

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tags:  coins | customer service

Apple/iTunes Everywhere!

Get ready for even more press surrounding Apple and iTunes today.  Apple has a major announcement today that everyone seems to believe will a new Cingular phone made by Motorola with integrated iTunes.

Apple got a 5% bump in their stock price today just in the frenzy.

The race for "ear time" is at an all time high!  Read my "ear time" posts from January and April here, here and here.

**UPDATE**
Apple announces the ROKR ("Rocker") iTunes phone with Cingular and a suprise new iPod called the "nano".  The nano looks like a pretty cool extention of the iPod line with a small size, color screen and options of 2GB or 4GB.  The nano fits in between the 1GB Shuffle and the 5GB Mini, which has now been discontinued.

Apple also announce a new version of iTunes, 5.0.

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tags:  apple | iTunes | cingular | rokr | nano

Warning! Do Not Read...

the latest issue (Sept '05) of Wired magazine if you believe:

• television and its industry is right where it needs to be
• Jon Stewart, host of The Daily Show, is just a talking head comedian
• Yahoo! doesn't have a clue on how to compete against Google or Hollywood
• ESPN is just a TV network and group of radio stations
• no company in there right mind would custom make products for one person

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tags:  wired magazine | yahoo | espn

Hotel Zaza: Ubercool

Tara and I celebrated our 12 year anniversary at this very hip and cool hotel in Dallas.

Michael Tchong would be proud to stay here.

[photos] of weekend

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tags:  hotel zaza | michael tchong | ubercool

Do You Trust the Gas Pump?

I'm not talking about the price of gas, but how the gas gets from the tank in the ground into your car.

Noticing that most of the gas pumps nowadays only have one hose, how does it change the flow of gas when you want "Plus" or "Premium" octane gas?

Only one nozzle that the gas comes to the handle
3 choices of Unleaded gas that all come down the same hose...

Just got me thinking...anyone out there that can help?

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tags:  gas pumps

Camera Phone: Are You Using One?

It sure seems like everyone wants a camera in their cell phone, but I don't really ever see anyone using one.  On a very rare occasion I'll see a couple of teenagers photographing themselves, but even this Summer where I saw a lot of teens around town, I didn't see them using camera phones.

Personally, I've been using the one in my new RAZR quite a bit.  Tried it on vacation and have been using it for capturing thoughts for the blog.

I recently took this photograph in a store parking lot to share with my staff.  I sent it to them as a sales lead and idea on how to use technology with everyday prospecting.

What about you?  Send me an email at todd [dot] storch [at] gmail or leave a comment.

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tags:  camera phones

Quit with the Excuses

On our vacation, we had 2 bad experiences with restaurants.  Both restaurants couldn't get the orders right and the service was extremely slow (nearly an hour to get food...).

What amazed me was how the situations were handled, not only by our wait staff, but the management on duty. 

Here's a few examples of what we were told:

• 'I'm sorry, but the chef has a really small grill and it takes him a long time to make the food'
• 'Our salads usually don't have wilted lettuce.  Do you want another one?'
• 'You are the first people that have ever had bad service with us.'
• 'Do you know if your waitress turned in your order?'

Please, stop with the excuses and ridiculous comments.  If the service is bad, just try to make the situation better with a simple explanation and find out what can be done to make the experience better.  Both times we spoke to the manager on duty and there was no ownership of the issue, just excuses as to why things were bad.  No solutions offered until we had to tell them that either 1) we weren't going to pay full price or 2) asked them if they realized 'how bad' the service was (basically a "hey, wake up").

There are just too many choices of places to eat and word of mouth travels very fast to not have a well trained staff on how to handle problems.

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tags:  customer service | restaurants