I was introduced to the First Tee program about five years ago. It is an amazing program that gives kids positive reinforcement through role models and life-enhancing values through the game of golf. Alot of these kids are from low income areas that cannot afford to be a part of a sports program. They teach the game of golf and play by all the rules. If you don't play by the rules (where it be to stay in good standings at the school, respect of others or attitude), they do not tolerate you being a part of their program. Their Nine Core Values are:

1. Honesty

2. Integrity

3. Sportsmanship

4. Respect

5. Confidence

6. Responsibility

7. Perseverence

8. Courtesy

9. Judgement

Why I bring up the First Tee Program is that I have a second cousin, Joanne (once or twice removed - I really don't understand all that dialect). Steve Koenig married my cousin Joanne Cormier and I have really only gotten to know him at my family reunions. He is semi-retired and volunteers for the First Tee program in Seattle, WA. It is a great deal for him because he loves to golf and gets to be on a course everyday with these kids. We always hit it off when we talk about golf. He invited me to Seattle to go with him to the 2010 Boeing Classic (PGA Champions Tour) that was held at TPC Snoqualmie Ridge this last summer.

I had a great time and was treated like royalty in these sponsors tents. We met some of his kids that were in his First Tee program and hobnobbed with all the big wigs. Very impressive!

I spent our ride up to the golf event learning all about his past history. I have to tell you that I learned quite a lot in that interview. It is important to take some time to really understand people and their history. It all can be relevant to your relationship with them!

Steve taught me a couple of things:

1. To help learn the names of individuals when in a group environment is to ask them if they have a nickname that special family members or friends call them. That was a huge one for me because I am terrible with names. I spend a lot of time asking my daughter names of players on our basketball team and she hates to tell me.

2. He showed me some golf professional trading cards that he has the pros sign and then he uses them as rewards for the golfers in his program. That would be a huge deal to me if I were a student and got a momento like that. I began to brainstorm on how I could do something like that for my clients. hmmmm?

It was a great weekend and I had a very memorable experience that I will never forget. Steve has one of those unforgettable personalities and will always be a great inspiration to me.

© 2010 Michael Johnson - Inkspot Graphics. All rights reserved.

I love watching Fox Sports on Sunday Morning!

Have you ever watched the football analysis on Fox Sports? They have four football legends give their thoughts and projects throughout the football season. Curt Menefee (Sportscaster), Terry Bradshaw (pro quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers - 14 years), Howie Long (pro defensive end for the Oakland Raiders - 13 years), Michael Strahan (pro defensive end for the NY Giants - 14 years), Jimmy Johnson (Pro football coach for the Dallas Cowboys & the Miami Dolphins - 10 years). There is a lot of male machoism and guys just having the time of their life, telling stories of the real sport that they love. It is camaraderie at it best!

You ask what does Fox Sports have to do with marketing?

Well, I was in to visit my dentist the other day and I picked up the latest issue of the Sporting News. In it there was an article about Jim Kelly telling the story of who his idol was and is to this day (as told by Mat Crossman). He tells as a kid that he admired the Steeler's quarterback for his toughness and arm strength. And when he met him personally he was really impressed with Terry's attitude of "telling it like it is". "He doesn't sugarcoat anything. He says what's on his mind."

There are plenty of people that may disagree with what Terry says in public but he is not afraid of the critics. That is probably why he has been married a couple of times and is often the butt of every joke. But you know that he takes it with great assault.

I like to describe my personality like Terry's jovial persona. He is very laid back, gives these Southern analogies and has lots of people that love him. He is able to laugh at himself and recognize that life is not that serious. I have been found on many occasions to say silly dumb things that usually come out very wrong. But like my father-in-law says, "That is Mike and he would never intentionally say anything to hurt the ones that he loves".

The clients that have been with me the longest know that I will tell them what I actually feel about their marketing questions and I am not there to take advantage of them. I will bend over backwards to show them that I really believe in them and how they can grow their business.

I don't mind having some of the same qualities as Terry Bradshaw. I am memorable, my clients won't forget me. Sometimes I think that my personality is the best part of Inkspot Graphics!

© 2010 Michael Johnson - Inkspot Graphics. All rights reserved.

Unfortunately, the Seattle Mariner's baseball team is not doing so well as told by the Seattle Business Journal.

Here were my suggestions:

1. They could create a package deal with AmTrak train, a couple local Seattle restaurants and a hotel with close accomodations to the ballpark. Make the package plan customizable so that the clients could choose their personal preference. Let them get a chance to talk about the experience to friends & family. What a great marketing idea when your club is not having a great year! I am sure that the other businesses would like the opportunity to collectively advertise with other established businesses. The other option is that they could cater it toward different groups. Can you imagine a whole train full of crazy Mariner rooters from Southwest Washington and Oregon (Nike, Adidas, Fred Meyers, etc). Then when they get to the park they are treated like royalty. Signs, ballcaps, jerseys & momentos.

2. Have a marketing contest with your Mariner fans. On their blog have them decide what would be the greatest marketing idea ever. The winner would get season tickets and bragging rights about how they helped the Mariner's bring in a bigger audience.

3. Think Guerilla Marketing!

© 2010 Michael Johnson - Inkspot Graphics. All rights reserved.

To help Joe create his personal brand and identity. I researched Joe's competitors and their websites. After we established his corporate logo I began to design and layout his business cards. I thought about a different direction that would make his clients remember him and his company because nothing really stuck out (company is Hall Manufacturing Solutions). But then, I thought what is so different about Joe?

Joe is a skilled woodworker (he created custom furniture for his home in Fairview) and a knowledgeable salesperson with large woodworking machinery. Beyond all that, he enters Ironman Triathlons. One of his friends is Ken Wheeler who has a company, Renovobikes, here in Portland, OR. Ken's company produces these award winning, beautiful frames from various imported hardwoods.

When Joe makes a sales call he tells his clients about these incredible wooden frames that are all made with the CNC machines that he sells. Joe's clients are all in disbelief until he takes them out into the parking lot and pulls out a wooden bike and lets them ride it. I said, "Joe that is it, we have to put that on your marketing material because you have left them with a story that they won't forget. Can you think of any other salesperson that has a story as unique as this? This is not an ego thing…it is a great story!"

Joe thought about it and we finally made two sets of business cards, one generic and the other with his photo holding his wooden bike. I love this story and I have told many of my new clients.

Can you possibly think of something unique about yourself or your business?