being creative; mobile queen anne advertising, 1956 cushman truckster

just starting to enjoy the work of my hands, as we get our 1956 Cushman Truckster motor scooter out into the public eye.  During the day we park it on main street and at night we light up the sign with an onboard generator.  And I must say, it is beautiful and unique.  We are hoping to attract some tourist business this year as traditional business continues to be slow.  There is something special in being creative and seeing the results, even if they are only beautiful to yourself.

our summer window light show will begin 6/1/11 and it will be awesome as usual, very charming for veranda dining.

al

Free Will/Time of the Year; Founding Fathers Wisdom

This weekend celebrates one perspective of faith; the christianity view of a plan and completion of that plan.
It doesn’t and was never meant to be the only answer for all of mankind as we do have “free will,” the ability to accept or reject any form of faith.
I am so thankful for free will, if it were not for it I am afraid there are zealots in all areas of faith that would demand their way is right and take away others rights.
This time of the year I am reminded of the wisdom of our founding fathers as they formed this country to be a nation of freedom’s, including religion. Somewhere along the line there have been those who have taken that freedom to mean it is their way or the highway.
If there was a group of people who understood free will and religious freedom it was the founding fathers, and I am so glad for them.
For those who accept this time of year is important I am glad to share that view, however, for those who do not; for any reason whatsoever, I am glad you stand for something. I have never been afraid of those who disagree with the majority, I understand them; I have always been afraid of those that are so sure their way is the only way; they lead to revolution and dis-respect of others.
We celebrate our 3rd Annual Easter Buffet, tomorrow, two seatings, 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., Linda has toiled over a wonderful selection of foods, treats and we hope these times will bring joy and hope to those who have reservations. And, we open our door everyday, understanding that many enter with multiple faiths, we just hope they feel free will/freedom while they are here.
Blessings,
Al, Linda
www.thecanoncityqueenanne.com
(719) 275-5354
reservations@thecanoncityqueenanne.com

creating another light show...

here's the deal, we have the most beautiful window light show in canon city, co (oops, we have the only one,) however, we are not on highway 50 or main street, so, what is a person to do.  http://www.thecanoncityqueenanne.com/windowlightshow.html

awh haw, building a rolling display with lights.  take one 1956 cushman truckster scooter, build a lighted display, place generator in bed of scooter, light up display and park in front of motels, tourists businesses.  more to follow, stay tuned.

who's the genius now, charlie sheen/you troll.

Reservations: 719 275-5354, reservations@thecanoncityqueenanne.com

3/30/11, 30 days and 65 arrives... yeah

many were convinced that i would not make it to 25, 35, 45, 55, and most were convinced i would not make it to 65, however, just 30 days from now i will cross that threshold which some believe is a right to become opinionated, grumpy and pessimistic.

i refuse to believe things are worse today than they were in earlier years, i think that is a pipe dream and not reality.
i refuse to accept that growing old makes a person more willing to follow silly causes like tea party agendas.

i do believe life is tough at all stages and 65 will more difficult emotionally, mentally and physically.
i anticipate the future will have challenges, however, that is what maturity prepares us for, the future.

now, the key is pass the medicare physical for becoming a member; mine is 4/6, blood work is 4/1, so the prayer is a clean bill of health, other than loosing weight and getting more rest.

hard to believe that i have read 180 issues/15 years of AARP magazine and still haven't bought one of their services.  :)

The Art of "Everything Chocolate," by Linda Ballard

Once again, my dear, talented wife, Linda, put on another educating baking/cooking demonstration, http://www.thecanoncityqueenanne.com/326chocolatedemo.html  The ladies and one young man were taught techniques in melting, tempering chocolate and how to make things like truffles, chocolate pie.

I am very proud of Linda and her childhood living with a school teacher was evident as she planned and presented an easily understood topic, "everything chocolate."

Now, I need to get busy on our tourist capture program for '11.  With over 300,000 tourists traveling through this little town, Canon City, CO, we need to get a few of them to realize what a treat it will be for a Afternoon/Lunch or High/5 course Dinner tea at http://www.thecanoncityqueenanne.com/

3/22/11, Valuing the unknown in marketing, selling to the new generation/future

Just got off the phone with a friend who begins a new journey in microsoft customer relational marketing software (crm) and the company he is going to work for has a client base that they have done accounting software which has led them to create a new crm targeted at those exisiting customers.

My friends great fear is those past customers will view crm in the same manner as the bean counting accountant software programs with data in and results out, "wrong."

The unknown of today will only be increased with a larger unknown for tomorrow or the next day, week, month, year.

Valuing the unknown in marketing and selling is a role for the courageous and determined executives and managers.  When there are failures in their forecasted goals, objectives, it isn't a time to drop the ball and quit; it is a time to get vision for why something did not work and to move on to a new and fresh approach to customer needs, wants and desires. 

Example: I was a Sprint mobile phone customer for a decade and I watched them try to find competitive options, time after time, finding poor quality hardware or inferior software and terrible customer service.  Then, along comes the iphone and their world is accerated to get competitive, trying to copy and promoting a faster network, which was foolish.  Apple plugs along with new marketing and selling techniques based upon valuing the unknown and then allowing their staff to create for the future.  Can someone catch them, absolutely not; they own the market in valuing the unknown and building towards things that the competitors can't even dream about; as they try to catch up.

CRM, the opportunity to become a company to value the unknown and build towards what others can't see.

How does one create an identity in a world of information overload...

As I begin to re-connect with the business world it has become clear that products and services who use to be promoted as "retention," offerings can't even begin to compete with a new generation that only pays attention to the latest tweet, facebook, email, text or phone message.  So, what does one do?  Become a human again; taking off the flash and putting on the ability to be trusted with good counsel, information.  I had that in my corporate experience and no flash pricing scheme or short term incentive would ever drive an opportunity away.  Now, who can you trust, ie phones, i phone/it works and others will never be able to match the trust that others have in it... way to go Apple; you accomplished something that has no down side.  If you aren't Apple how do you compete; forget spouting your features, learn to become a loyal, trusted partner with a real identity (Sprint, you are lost....hee, hee.)

3/16/11 what's in a proposal?

Just finished presentation to our local chamber of commerce committee, on the topic of members to members services, retention and new member recruitment.  Reminded me that what is in the written proposal is only as good as the presentation to others, who will most likely skim or not read the total proposal.  So, while a consultant toils over the proposal details and then limits presentation techniques, enthusiasm, encouragement or asking for the sale, I can only say,
"call me, I have the ability to show you how to be successful or even present your proposal."

Who is this guy, Al Ballard of Canon City, Colorado

In reading the latest AARP magazine it has become apparent that the last three years I have only worked hard as a webmaster, marketeer and blogger for the Canon City Queen Anne Tea House and Special Events Center (a fine dining restaurant located southwest of Colorado Springs, CO and west of Pueblo, CO,) creating a "Digitally Distinct" rating on the onlineidcalculator.com, for al@thecanoncityqueenanne.com, however, no real personality as an individual. 

Apparently if I am to find future employment I will need to create an identity as an individual and not part of our business. So this blog has been created.  I will continue to business blog at http://teahousefinediningcolorado.com/blog/ and keep http://www.thecanoncityqueenanne.com/ website current.

Prior to entering the Queen Anne phase of life, ie the last nine years, I worked in the energy industry as a business developer for a small energy consulting firm, who served industrial manufacturers and three decades in the investor owned utility industry.  In each of these roles I was challenged to find solutions in marketing services or sales of specific energies.
I found favor in each of these endeavors as being a visionary has come easy, sometimes frightening in being able to see where the needs are and how to match needs with business goals.

A large part of my employment history and success has been due to my being a level headed optimist (my term,) where in most cases I motivate others to find positive solutions.  While the world has become more complex the ability to see a portion of the future is a gift and not taken lightly.  Example: Facebook is a means for confession, as well as social media; meaning there is a lot to be learned from those who move from activity sharing to needs; what will this bring to future marketing needs for the new generation?

Currently I will seek a part time role in a small to medium sized company who has unique products, services, which need to be developed into online offerings.

Who is this guy, Al Ballard of Canon City, Colorado?  He is a gifted man in being able to see and package opportunities...