Author: admin

Choices

Today’s blog post on Automotive Digital Marketing:

 

So, here’s my dilemma. I get to replace my smartphone in the next month or two.

I am an internet sales manager.  I take calls, I take photos, I check email and, of course, I have a mobile CRM tool.

I use a few apps, too.  Like vAuto, and the Chevy mobile workbench.

I manage social media channels.

I use the maps and navigation.  I’d do my walk-around videos with it too, if the audio was better.  I’m using a Flip camera competitor, instead.

You know what I do.  You’re probably an internet sales manager, too.

I don’t think the choices are as easy as in the days of PC vs. Mac.  (Was that ad campaign with Jon Hodgman and Justin Long not the greatest?)  Both Androids and the iPhones are easy to use, intuitively functional.  I’ve had an Android for the past three years, actually, but I’ve been an Apple guy since… forever.  I still own a fully functioning Mac Classic that I bought in 1991 (and I put to use laying out direct mail pieces as late ’02 or ’03), and I’ve been keeping an iBook clam-shell booted up and running for 10-11 years, I guess, although I haven’t used it in about five.  I just can’t bear to shut it off.

I didn’t have the same warm and fuzzy feeling about the iPhone, at the time I got my current smartphone.  And I had an early Blackberry that I really liked for emailing, before that.  Anyway, we’re with Verizon, and I got my HTC Incredible back before you could get an iPhone on Verizon (and it was true what they used to say about AT&T’s spotty coverage back in the day).

Now I have the choice, and I’ve got equal interest in the new Apple iPhone 5, in stores Friday, and the even newer Motorola Razr Maxx HD, coming soon.  A Verizon Wireless in-store visit hasn’t helped.  Product reviews online aren’t pointing me in one direction or the other, either.

ADM community, help me choose.

You, the internet sales folks reading this, you’re perfectly qualified to advise me.  Anyway, here’s what I’m mulling over:

The most important function I use a phone for is plain, old-fashioned phoning.  Actual talking.  And listening.  Don’t get me started on the sound quality we take for granted on phones today (or lack of). My hearing ability reflects about 10 solid years of arena rock and hardcore mosh-pit abuse, 1975 to 1985.  It’s half gone now, and it isn’t coming back.

Then there’s battery life — who’s got the edge there?  I work loonnnngggg hours.

I do a lot of web browsing throughout the day.  And typing on the screen.  Is the iPhone’s Retina display or the larger-screened Razr a better bet?  Btw, I can’t see much better than I can hear.

The first and only negative report about the iPhone 5 (iOS 6) is the Apple-built map and navigation.  I take it Google is better.

Photos — the iPhone does take better photos, right?  And other social media functions for an internet manager, like managing the Facebook business page run better on the iPhone, right?

Which phone do you use now?  If you were choosing a smartphone in the next month or two, which would you choose?

 

by Joshua Michael Friedman

16x + 24x + 100x + 100x etc.

Turns out I injured my left foot during the Marine Corps Half Marathon.  So… after a painful foot-ache and rehab over the past month (posterior tibial tendon strain), I have decided to do more conditioning and less event running.  I’ve also got some nifty foot-strength exercises prescribed by my physical therapist.  I continue to do the Adrenaline group training.  Here’s what we did this morning:

a.) Warm up with a half-mile jog (distances approximate)

b.) Circuit work with

1.) High-knee run in place (60 reps)

2.) 20-meter side shuffle

3.) 20-meter side shuffle (other side)

4.) 20-meter forward jumping jacks

5.) 10-meter Rockette kicks

6.) High steps over cones

7.) 25 plank/legs in-out

8.) 25 push-ups

9.) 60-meter run

10.) steps 1-9 but in reverse order, 60-meter run backwards, 20-meter jumping jacks backwards

I remember doing this circuit, forward and back, twice, possibly three times, but I cannot recall clearly.  I do know that the reps were broken up in approximately the middle by

c.) 8 minutes of 20-meter sprints, up and back, the first four minutes in 15-second intervals, and the last four minutes in 10-second intervals, with stops to skip intervals as needed to rejoin the group on pace.  Each person’s stops varied; only one actually ran each one.  Although it is a group experience, everyone has differing abilities, and each person is challenged to improve and develop.

As always, it’s one intense hour, and it builds both the strength, the conditioning and the proper form that should prevent further injury.  Now that it’s summer time, I’ll be out here doing this kind of session (every one is different) at a twice-weekly pace.

by Joshua Michael Friedman

3:18 > 3:00

So, the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon proved to be the challenge I thought it would, and, once again, I didn’t run the race I thought I could.  Funny thing, though.  Whatever my shortcomings, the accomplishment that I am most proud of is the speed of my post-race recovery, and by that measure, it’s the best race I’ve run.  Yes, it took me three hours to finish.  My feet were aching, as always.  Here’s what really worked well.  No cramps, no stiffness and not even any chafing.  I’ll figure out the foot issues in due time.  Any way, I’ve got a new pair of Nikes that should help me in future races, and I’m looking ahead to more 13.1-mile challenges.

Renee Stuart’s Reputation Revenue has been a powerful and positive new influence on me.  Sometimes it’s hard to see myself even when I take a good look in the mirror, without help.  But there’s a lot more to her style of coaching than just that:

http://www.reputationrevenue.com/personal-brand-coaching/success-stories/joshua-friedman.html

Before you started working with your coach…

Q:  How was your overall performance at work?

Josh:  I typically had been performing at a high level.

Q:  In what ways were you experiencing conflict and challenges while performing your job?

Josh:  Upon reaching a consistent production level, a second internet department sales person was added, and I had to either “grow” the department, or adjust to less personal income.

Q:  How would you best describe your overall level of self-confidence?

Josh:  Mixed.

Q:  In what ways were you leveraging your own personal values, strengths, skills and goals in your job?

Josh:  I already knew from past experiences that having a high energy level is the key to success.  I learned that from an excellent car guy who was my dealer during my first 11 year in this business, but I did not know how to make the most of that online.

Q:  What inspired you to take action and begin working with a coach?

Josh:  I usually look to others, to learn and grow.  I recognized the opportunity when it came along.

While working with your coach…

Q:  How helpful was it for you to receive non-bias (objective) insight from your coach?

Josh:  Very helpful, and it wasn’t just from my coach.  The process began with an honest 360 assessment from the people who know me best.

Q:  In what way did your coach hold you accountable to your commitments?

Josh:  The course is structured and mapped out from day one. Renee is very professional when it comes to following a plan.

Q:  How would you best describe the client/coaching relationship?

Josh:  Good insight from someone I can trust.

Q:  In your journey of self-discovery, what experience liberated and excited you most?

Josh:  The overriding idea is that you build solely on your strengths.

Q:  In what ways did you celebrate your wins and professional achievements?

Josh:  It was more subtle than an out-and-out celebration, but equally satisfying – I chose to approach nearly every work situation with overwhelming confidence.  As stated by the Harbaugh’s “with an enthusiasm unknown to mankind.”

After working with your coach…

Q:  What was your greatest achievement from clarify your goals and creating your own personal brand strategy?

Josh:  The inner confidence I bring to the table, every day, from this day forward.

Q:  In what way did the coaching process contribute to your current career success?

Josh:  It’s another step in the process.

Q:  How would you best describe your level of self-confidence today?

Josh: Healthy and high.

Q:  What experiences have you had where you “stood in your own power” and executed improved communication skills?

Josh:   I blog regularly on Automotive sites like ADM, and my own blog, http://www.JoshuaMichaelFriedman.com.  Dale Pollak has interviewed me for his next book, but at the moment there is no way to know if that will make the final edit.

Q:  What advice would you give to other automotive professionals seeking ways to develop flexibility and resiliency in meeting their goals and improving their quality of life?

Josh:  Be yourself.

by Joshua Michael Friedman

Jalopnik!

I got a call early Wednesday morning.  It was Benjamin Preston, from Gawker Media, asking if we could sell him a Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle that we have in stock.  It’s fleet-only availability, as a matter of fact, hence the angle of his article:

“No, you still can’t buy a new Chevy Caprice”

I have been spending the past three days at Google headquarters in Mountain View, California, at a educational seminar on digital marketing.  And I got to run a few miles through the pristine campus of Stanford University.  7 miles on Monday and 2 miles Wednesday morning.

by Joshua Michael Friedman

3:00+

Yesterday, April 7, 2012, I ran the Charlottesville Half Marathon for the second time.  Although I felt stronger this year, my finishing time did not reflect it.  In fact, with an unplanned port-a-potty queue of five minutes, it was actually worse.  Here I am about 45 minutes after finishing, none too pleased.  In fact, it was a beautiful day and a challenging course.   My post-race recovery was a lot better than it’s been in past half marathons.  It took me about a day to get over my initial disappointment, and I stand by today’s tweet: “no beginners like me here, but I’d much rather be surrounded by those who excel at the sport than the alternative.”

by Joshua Michael Friedman

re:

I am an internet sales manager, which means I have a non-traditional role to play in the traditional business of selling cars.  Here are several commentaries I have added to the blogisphere, to explain where I am coming from:

Where the women are strong, the men are good-looking and every child is above-average.

ZAG… USAA… What’s it all about, anyway?

Transparency, what a concept!

Analyze… This!

response to Dale Pollack’s Velocity 2.0 blog post, Why Don’t Online Auction Proxy Bids Work Better For Dealers?

Now what?

Autoextremist!

by Joshua Michael Friedman

204.5

I actually don’t train by distance running all that much. I train between events with Adrenaline Sports, a group led by Paul Caminiti, a very talented coach and conditioning instructor, who puts us through a broad-based regimen for cardio strength, speed, flexibility, core strength, muscular endurance, mental endurance and balance.  Every session is done out of doors, all year round.  Today, we warmed up with a half-mile jog and other warm-up movements, did six 50-meter sprints of increasing intensity, a one-minute push-up hold, followed by 10 very slow push-ups over a two-minute period, a 90-second step-up/step-down on the curb, and five uphill 150-meter sprints.  And then a half-mile jog back to the start.  Each session is different, but with common benefits, not the least being injury-free running ability, not to mention an unbeatable sense of overall well-being as well as renewed energy for personal and professional pursuits.   An influential mover and shaker in my own field, Brian Pasch, hosted the 2012 Digital Marketing Strategies Conference last week, where the emphasis was on the professional benefits of energy, alertness and endurance, with three world-class fitness leaders speaking and leading hands-on workshops, in collaboration with leading advocates in internet marketing and online communications.  (photo by Linda Holt, Facebook)

RT

 

So true I just have to re-post: Don Peppers, Fast Company Expert Blogger, January 19, 2012 http://www.fastcompany.com/1809038/the-only-lasting-competitive-advantage-trust?partner=rss&utm_source=pulsenews&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Feed:+fastcompany/headlines+%28Fast+Company+Headlines%29

“As technology generates more transparency, consumers will hold businesses to higher standards, with no room for flimflammery or deceit. Being proactively trustworthy requires you to watch out for your customer’s interest even when your customer isn’t paying attention. ”

by Joshua Michael Friedman