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Revelation.
2008-04-01 23:06:00
I've had a revelation about life and everything else. When I can't see a possible negative coming up ahead, the moment I'm in is not as much of a concernWhen I'm driving and see a car wreck, for some reason I slow down (I wasn't thinking about that a second ago).When I run out of money, at that moment, I work frantically to earn as much as possible (I wasn't planning on saving until I looked at my checking account).Why is that?Would I want to live that way all of the time?Is it possible to avoid the negative situations?If I could follow rules to avoid these negatives, who's rules would I follow?Do I want to avoid these negatives in my life?Maybe it's not "possible negatives ahead", maybe, it's just a dramatic change.
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Random Thoughts...
2007-11-03 06:41:00
Preface: (In no way will this blog post help you in business or life, it is literally just random thoughts. Don't read this post if you don't want to waste your time.) My friend Mike Nyfeler just gave me a cd with some music he thought I should listen to. I put the cd in, opened the tracks up in iTunes and started listening to an artist M83. AMAZING!!! I love how fluid and melodic they sound. I get interested in the actual artist name (M83), interesting...Curiosity gets the best of me and I have to research what it means. I went to google and typed in M83 and clicked on the wikipedia link. This link gives a description about this band...ah ha, there is a link to what the band is named after, so I click on it. When I click on this link it takes me to the galaxy Messier 83.I start reading about this galaxy and it says that it is 15 Million light years (measurement of time) away...uhhhhhhh....What? My mind can grasp the greatness of that distance so I need to do some figuring. I loo...
More About: Random Thoughts , Random , Thoughts

Face book marketing...
2007-10-30 03:13:00
Marketing on facebook is an interesting thing. It can be very successful if it is not used or abused.Now I need to clarify the word marketing, for a lot of people that aren't 100% familiar with the term it can relate to 100's of different ideas and strategies to get a specific word out to the masses. This is not a Webster's definition!We did marketing on facebook a couple of days ago. It consisted of sending a message to friends that care about me and any business I might own, start, or are running. The message was in a light hearted manor, with a free prize (or in this case, prizes) for the winner of a small contest to get people involved in our business 3vine. So far it has gone really well!I really appreciate friends that take interest in any business Three Dot, Inc., might have. It means a lot to me personally. We did find some things that we could modify along the way, but it isn't anything huge.I guess what I am saying is, if you have a trusting friend base over a socia...
More About: Marketing , Book , Face

www.3vine.com
2007-10-16 20:18:00
We just launched www.3vine.com today and we want your criticism. Please look at our site, tell us if something could look better, if something should be different, it something is spelled wrong, etc. We want to know your thoughts. If you go to our contact us form and fill out any info you would suggest (positive or negative) we would really appreciate it.Thank you,~Three Dot, Inc.

Following up on... Creating a Fad or a Trend.
2007-10-14 21:41:00
My business Partner David Lano and I, are trying to make something that is not currently popular, popular again. We are trying to change the status and symbol of what hemp jewelry is known for (necklaces that pot smokers make in their spare time) to what it will be (a clean, alternative fashion accessory and symbol that goes with just about anything).To do this we developed a couple of few ideas of how this can be accomplished. First is to create a brand worth buying, because of what it stands for or what it makes you feel. Second is to allow the product not just to aim at a certain audience, but to open it up to a wide range of people. Third is to create a free prize (or a few of them if needed) to allow any potential customer to get something for their time and money. Here is what we did:The Challenge: Make Hemp jewelry a popular item again, even after the fad and trend has run its course.Where we are currently: We've created a Brand that makes and sells its own jewelry with the ...
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Distress is Bad, Eustress is Good...
2007-10-09 22:21:00
Below (which I found to be amazing...) is from the book, The 4-Hour Work Week."Unbeknownst to most fun-loving bipeds, not all stress is bad....There are two separate types of stress, each as different as euphoria and its seldom-mentioned opposite, dysphoria. Distress refers to harmful stimuli that make you weaker less confident, and less able. Destructive criticism, abusive bosses, and smashing your face on a curb are examples of this. These are things we want to avoid. Eustress, on the other hand, is a word most of you have probably never heard. Eu-, a Greek prefix for "healthy", is used in the same sense in the word "euphoria." Role models who push us to exceed our limits, physical training that removes our spare tires, and risks that expand our sphere of comfortable action are all examples of eustress--stress that is healthful and the stimulus for growth. People who avoid all criticism fail. It's destructive criticism we need to avoid, not criticism in all forms. Similar...
More About: Good

It's A Place To Start...
2007-10-08 17:36:00
Challenge your self always!Take a look at Thomas, he took a silly challenge with a friend and decided to get a life lesson from it. If we could all think like this, we might have some more self dependent people in our society (I'm leaving that open so you can think of what type of person might fit in the Opposite category. If you'd like me to elaborate, I would love to.)~Chais
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Selling ideas on Ebay...
2007-10-05 20:19:00
We did it!We sold our first business idea on Ebay !Oh, you better believe that we are so well known that we can sell our ideas for money to a random person we've never met before. This is an amazing feat, starting us on a path of riches and glory. Do you think it matters that we only sold our idea for $3.25 before any expenses were taken out? No...I think it is a starting place to a new type of industry...Maybe.We will definitely try it again after we finish spending the time to complete the idea that winner chose, and we think of additional ideas.Very Interesting Starting Place...`Three Dot
More About: Ideas , Selling

PMBA...
2007-10-01 22:12:00
We are working on the PMBA list and our goal is to have all of the PMBA books read in 2 1/2 years or less. Here is a list of books from the PMBA that we have purchased to read, are reading, or have read. We will update you with our progress as we continue.`Three Dot...1. How to Read a Financial Report: Wringing Vital Signs Out of the Numbers (How to Read a Financial Report)2. The Bootstrapper's Bible: How to Start and Build a Business With a Great Idea and (Almost) No Money3. The Goal4. The Dip: A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)5. The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich6. How to Win Friends & Influence People

Marketing (in the form of advertising) affects who it affects...
2007-10-01 18:10:00
Words following this statement might be something like this:Duh...No, Really...Wow, That's deep (with a hint of sarcasm)...But it is so true and simple that we (especially myself) forget about it.I was with my mom watching television last week and we saw an Alltel (cell provider) commercial that has the 4 guys (they represent the other cell phone companies) and "Chad" (from Alltel). The four guys always do something silly or stupid to make Alltel look like a better company. My mom loves these commercials (absolutely loves them...) and I...not so much.So, I think to myself that this commercial is a waste of time and money and that if I were to do it, I would do them it a different way (I don't everything about commercials, but I know my own tastes and what effects me). The interesting part is that my mom loves it the way it is, maybe my way wouldn't effect the people that it currently does in a positive way.Using myself and my views as a basis to judge whether all marketing is goo...
More About: Marketing , Advertising , Form , Vert

Selling Ideas...Developing a different business model...
2007-09-28 21:20:00
Is it possible that people want success so bad, that they will buy an idea from someone they don't know on ebay?We wanted to find out, take a look at our Ebay Listing.Tell us your thoughts on this...Is it worth while?Is it wrong/right?Could this be a profession?Would you need to establish credibility with ebay members before you could become successful?Could this be a new type of service?Will ebay leave it as a listing, or will they remove it?
More About: Ideas , Business , Selling , Model , Sine

Mandatory & definitions?
2007-09-27 05:54:00
"Mandatory"What does this word mean anymore?Main Entry: 1man·da·to·ryPronunciation: 'man-d&-"tor-EFunction: adjective1 : containing or constituting a command OK...That is a nice definition, but what is a mandatory? Is it something that is an absolute, or else? Is someone going to fire me if I don't go to a "Mandatory" meeting? What if I'm sick, is that acceptable or grounds for termination? Or is mandatory a word that just means "more than important"?I challenge the word mandatory, I challenge the idea of what it means pushes in business. To me, it means that someone will reign down fire "On Me'' if I don't do something that is mandatory. Is that how you see it? Should we have a word like that in business or can we successfully get by without it? Even though we have such a nice definition up top, we all make up or skew words to mean what we want. That's all words are in the first place aliases to emotions, feelings, and ideas. We need to have proper (and common) definiti...
More About: Definitions , Challenge , Tory

Reward the front line...
2007-09-25 01:39:00
The majority of time in business, the main people that get the big rewards, are the people in charge. While this philosophy has its advantages for the Boys in charge...it really sucks for the little guys.If you have worked in retail, the food industry, at a local swimming pool, or a manufacturing plant, you have probably had the thought "what would they do without me". That thought is more valid than you probably realize. You are the front line people, and some of the most important people in your organization. You decide whether the company makes it or breaks it. You decide whether the company excels or is average. Whoever your boss is, he/she needs to be taking notice of this fact and thinking about what they can be doing to make sure you have the things you need to do your best.I'm not saying that if you feel like your bosses aren't respecting you that you should curse the customers away or poison the food at the local diner. I am saying that you (the employees as a whole) have...
More About: Customer Service , Front , Line , The Front Line , Reward

I'm keeping track of it...and I LOVE it!
2007-09-20 18:32:00
It is amazing, I purchased a little memo book. No, really it actually has the word "MEMO" in gold foil on black vinyl. I purchased it for an outlet of any idea I might have, and it works. I put it in my back pocket and whenever I think of something I want to write down, I do. Later, I look at it and I remember what I was thinking and I expand upon the ideas. Who would've guessed that something so simple could make my life so much easier and allow me to be more creative? Probably, anyone else that owns a memo pad.That is why I'm blogging about this. Learn from my experience, buy a memo pad if you want to remember creative things, write down blog ideas, make doodles, or get someones email address, etc. Now the fun part is trying to remember to carry a pen...Have fun memoing...
More About: Love , Love it , Track

I'm Excited about Real Estate...
2007-09-16 20:55:00
Three Dot has just set a 5 year goal for Items we want to invest in. Real Estate (residential and commercial) is going to be a big part of our corporation Three Dot, and where it wants to be financially in 5 - 10 years. I have been doing more and more research on strategies for buying, selling, and misc., and I have found a lot of information. A lot of this information comes from one of my favorite financial men Robert Kiyosaki. Now, I knew that he has been in real estate and other investments for a long time, but I had no idea how well his wife is doing. Here is a video I found with Robert Kiyosaki's wife, Kim Kiyosaki: I think it is amazing that an average woman, if she so desires, can become a financial, real estate, and industrial leader in an industry that has been stereotypically focused on men.Here is a link to her book Rich Woman, I am going to purchase it for my wife, just in case she would ever want to read it. :) It hasn't been just a man's world for a long time, b...
More About: Real Estate , Excite

Keep Innovating...
2007-09-13 04:57:00
Have you ever thought of a great idea, service, product revision, a new way to thank your customers, or things that could make your business grow? You might have been on your way to the coffee shop before work, or sitting around your kitchen table in the morning and it hits you... You just came up with an idea, that if implemented, might bring a revival to your job or current company your with. You rush into work or pick up the phone just to talk to someone from your organization that might care and help with the initiative. You spill it all out on the table, every little detail... ...and you ask, So, What do you think?... You give a long blink as if you know what you are already going to hear. And here it comes... ...That is an interesting idea, but... But What? Why does there always have to be that "but"? Why are "the people in charge" the ones that are scared of change and growth? Was it in our presentation? Did they not see the benefit and the little sacrifice that it would ta...
More About: Challenge , Inno

Do your best right now...
2007-09-10 23:53:00
Whether you are a lawyer, pilot, gardener, plumber, or beautician, it's okay to do your best. I know that some people feel like they should only work as hard as they are paid, this mentality puts us in a catch 22. We aren't going to get recognized as a better employee, manager, CEO, or part-timer, unless we actually become better. I am challenging myself to be better, it is very difficult to push all of the time, but why not. It will improve our lives in every other aspect.`chais
More About: Challenge , Right Now

Share of Mind
2007-09-10 16:27:00
What's the first thought that comes to mind when you think of a computer, an automobile, or can of soda? More than likely its a brand name or a particular feeling towards a company and its product. For example, when I think of a computer I think of Apple. When I think of an automobile I think of Ford. When I think of a can of soda I think of Coke. In addition, I tend to associate each company name or product with a feeling: Apple = Sweet Design; Ford = "Fix or Repair Daily" + Cheap; Coke = Refreshing + Classic + Color Red + etc.Notice, not all of the examples I mentioned above have a positive description or feeling associated to the company name, products, or services. Is this a problem? An opportunity? How do these direct relationships between general product categories and company branding occur? How do these companies embed their product branding in ones mind and synchronize their look and feel with ones perspective on common goods and services? Its called "Share of Mi...
More About: Marketing , Mind , Challenge

If you don't like it, do something...
2007-09-07 15:47:00
Yesterday, I picked up a book from the public library (I like to read them first, if they are worth buying, I will) by Seth Godin, titled "Free Prize Inside!" (It is worth buying, so I will). It's a book explaining how everyone in your company, is in the marketing department.This is not the standard thought within the majority of organizations. Many organizations and businesses believe that marketing can and should only be done by one person, "the marketer". This is a false statement, and if you were to ask a true marketer if they would appreciate any help or outside input, you would most likely here a unanimous yes. We are all able to think of great ideas for the companies we're involved with, so don't put the blame of your company's bad advertising, bad storefront, bad logos, or bad Marketing on one person or group. If you feel like something should change within your organization, make it change by giving your ideas and input.If your ideas are not valued, or not given constr...
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Telemarketers...
2007-09-06 00:01:00
Has anyone heard of a successful telemarketer? I've always wondered if that was a way to make a career.I'm not sure, but I can think of a couple of things that would most likely help their cause...1. Practice, Practice, Practice... If I am a telemarketer, and I am calling someone I have never called before, I would practice saying their name before I dialed their #. This would probably be a starting place anyway.2. Memorize the script before call your potential client. Seriously, how hard is it to know what you are going to say in a round about way instead of reading every word off of a script.3. Ask for the person your calling by their first name. Why would you ask for the person you are calling by their full name? When I call a buddy (which is probably what you want to sound like your doing), I ask for him by his first name. Because we are on a first name basis, not strangers, wouldn't they want that impression also?4. When you do finally get me on the phone, use salesman ship...
More About: Telemar , Marketers , Marketer , Telemarketer

Take away what you can, from any situation...
2007-09-03 18:29:00
Yesterday, I walked into the local 4 plex theater (hilltop 4 theaters) in Kearney, Nebraska . My wife and I were going to go see Borne Ultimatum, the latest in the Borne series. We get to the theater at 1:30PM and pay our $11.00 for our admission (it is a matinée, so it is a little cheaper than normal). We stroll over to the concessions line preparing ourselves for the $7 feast of a medium popcorn, and a large soda. While we are waiting for our refreshments to come, I look around at this "fine" establishment trying to notice the things they have in the lobby that might be the reason they can charge $20 for 2 people to see a movie (with refreshments of course). ...what, I don't see a video arcade area, I don't see nice comfy and clean waiting benches, I don't see clean flooring that looks they just cleaned it for me... How can they do this? How can this establishment be worth $20 a couple (during matinée pricing)?We go and take our seats, and prepare our selves for a sweet actio...
More About: Books , Situation

A weekend of camping means no blogging...
2007-09-02 19:46:00
We'll be back in front of a computer and internet on Monday September, 3rd.`chais
More About: Blogging , Weekend , Camping

Financial IQ #12
2007-08-31 16:05:00
depreciation Definition 1 A noncash expense that reduces the value of an asset as a result of wear and tear, age, or obsolescence. Most assets lose their value over time (in other words, they depreciate), and must be replaced once the end of their useful life is reached. There are several accounting methods that are used in order to write off an asset's depreciation cost over the period of its useful life. Because it is a non-cash expense, depreciation lowers the company's reported earnings while increasing free cash flow.Definition 2 A decline in the value of a given currency in comparison with other currencies. For instance, if the U.S. dollar depreciates against the Euro, buyers would have to pay more dollars in order to obtain the original amount of euros before depreciation occurred.
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buy me a chai tea, I'll do more...
2007-08-30 05:18:00
If a manager or leader in charge, asked their employees what made them more motivated during the day, and fulfilled those things (within reason...), would it be worth the expense?If a boss asked me that question, I would say, "I am more motivated and productive when I have my morning chai tea", which is $4.01 with tax. It would more than pay for itself in my productivity, for me it's the surge of caffeine in the morning that I need, and my day is golden and on track.If they only knew to ask...
More About: Chai

Financial IQ #11
2007-08-30 05:10:00
cash flow DefinitionA measure of a company's financial health. Equals cash receipts minus cash payments over a given period of time; or equivalently, net profit plus amounts charged off for depreciation, depletion, and amortization.
More About: Financial , Fina

Money is not real...
2007-08-29 20:57:00
We are chasing an imaginary item.... ...losing hours of our lives (never to be found again), missing out on precious moments, choosing "the green bill" over family....If you are living for money, you will one day wake up and realize your life has passed you by, and all you have to show for it is a huge pile of green fibrous paper, that is supposed to be worth something.Think about this:What would happen if everyone were to trade from business to business in our towns, trade goods, services, labor, etc. We would have much less total income, expenses, and of course taxes; On paper it would look like less coming in, but in reality we would have much more than before, and probably better and closer friends and family relationships.
More About: Money , Real

Financial IQ #10
2007-08-29 05:43:00
dividend DefinitionA taxable payment declared by a company's board of directors and given to its shareholders out of the company's current or retained earnings, usually quarterly. Dividends are usually given as cash (cash dividend)but they can also take the form of stock (stock dividend) or other property. Dividends provide an incentive to own stock in stable companies even if they are not experiencing much growth. Companies are not required to pay dividends. The companies that offer dividends are most often companies that have progressed beyond the growth phase, and no longer benefit sufficiently by reinvesting their profits, so they usually choose to pay them out to their shareholders. also called payout.
More About: Financial , Fina

Financial IQ #9
2007-08-27 20:12:00
gross sales DefinitionTotal invoice value of sales, before deducting for customer discounts, allowances, or returns.
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Find the Balance...
2007-08-26 20:39:00
One of the hardest things for myself is finding the balance between professional life and personal life. It is very challenging because parts of both blend in to each other in a few different areas.When I am working professionally, I do it to support my family (now and for the future), to grow myself and my companies in business knowledge and successes, to grow business contacts and friends, and to look for the next opportunity that might just get me where I want to be just a little bit faster. I enjoy the professional side of my life, I enjoy having more knowledge and meeting more people. One thing I don't look forward to, is the business crossover (when business starts to effect your personal life). If I am to be dedicated to creativity and growth in business, I have to let my mind stay open all of the time. I end up letting the "crossover" take control and effect the things that I hold dear (family, friendships, pets, and hobbies).Don't get me wrong, I know it is a choice to l...
More About: Find , Balance , Balan

Now what am I doing with 10,000 pieces of hemp jewelry? That is a different
2007-08-26 02:02:00
What determines a fad or trend (F/T)?This thought comes to me when I am sitting in my office starring at almost 10,000 pieces of hemp jewelry. Hemp is not the "hot" or the "in" thing right now, it's not a current F/T. It's position is back to where it originally started (for a select group). I start thinking to myself about how to change it, how to make people see it differently. It is no different than how everyone instantly started loving the color pink (yes, even males). How can I make that impact? Is it possible to change society's view on a current product?I think very few people know what determines or starts a F/T. F/T's can last weeks or years, but what and who decides that? My thought (which in no way am I a professional thinker), is that anyone or any business, anywhere in the country can make it start.If it happens to be an individual that starts the snowball, they have to have something about them personally that will make the F/T contagious, or relationships with ...
More About: Jewelry , Challenge , Pieces , Doing