Rain, automatic lights - not so much.

By I.J. Hudson

Okay, I'm all for technology.  But I'm also for responsibility.  While I really like the car commercial that shows the "smart" car braking before the driver can brake....that does take something out of the driver's control.  He/she doesn't have to think - doesn't have to be quite as vigilant. I can be persuaded either way.

But, I have little tolerance for automatic lights.  Whoaa!  Yep.  Set the car lights on automatic and it gets you what a sensor decides.  In many states, the law requires you to turn on your lights if you turn on the wiper blades (it's raining, less visibility).  However, if the lights are set on automatic, a rain shower may not trigger full lights:  perhaps driving lights if they are not disabled (easily done).

On a rainy trip back from from NC today on I-77 and I-81, I saw dozens of late-model cars with no lights on whatsoever.  Some cars were grey and were tough to see. 

My concern is that people with "automatic" lights assume that the sensor in their car knows best - no additional lights on until visibility (measured by the car) really drops.  Until then, it's okay to drive along in an almost invisible car.  I'm not responsible ---- the car is.

Please - plug yourself into the equation! 

Before automatic lights - you turned your lights on - using your own brain, your own judgement.   Save some lives.  Turn the lights on yourself.  Don't wait for the car.

Rescue from the Pews

By I.J. Hudson

Sometimes it’s the small things that remind us of  how deeply embedded gadgets are in our lives.

My wife and I attend a small church, and at last Sunday’s service the “announcements” hadn’t been printed in the order of service.  Oops.

No problem.  The announcements are submitted electronically to the church website.  So a member of the congregation produced an iPad and brought them up to be read aloud.

Once again, tablets to the rescue.

Amen.

HDMI - Aisle 12

By I.J. Hudson

My, how times have changed.  A trip to the grocery story gave me an update on what are now considered to be household items.  You expect to find light bulbs, short extension cords, perhaps a screwdriver, a small sewing kit, shoe polish  – those sorts of things.

But today I found just how far “household items” has come.  I didn’t find lint traps for the utility sink, or see a new stopper for my drain, but I did find a 3’ HDMI cable - a new item, and for only $7.95 on aisle 12.  

 

The Name Game (with apologies to Shirley Ellis)

 By I.J. Hudson

What’s in a name?  Not much, if you look at the names of businesses.

Sure, folks like Apple, Nike and others have worked hard.  But I'm talking about the people who are getting started and need every break they can get.  

If you’ve got an instantly recognizable name,  using it as the business name is just fine – if people like you and know what you do.

But if your name recognition doesn’t pin the needle, don’t call yourself the John Smith Group or John Smith & Associates.   People suspect your group is pretty small and that John Smith, the CEO, President, Founder, Chief Marketing Officer, and the guy who cleans the office (kitchen table) are one and the same person.

But the most important reason not to just use your name for the business is that it doesn’t say anything about what you do – what problems you solve – what magic you perform – what secret sauce you provide.

Full disclosure – my business (very much on the side because I have a fulltime job) is called I.J. Hudson, LLC.  In my defense, I was a television news reporter for 32 years and my name still carries a tiny bit lot of weight in certain (shrinking) circles. What do I do?  Occasional media training, messaging and what my wife tells me to do.

Think about your company name.  What does it say?  What am I going to remember when I look at your card?  Will it stand out or just fade into the background while another name grabs my attention?

I'm going through a phrase...

By I.J. Hudson

As my profile suggests, I love words – and the language those words give life to.  I’ve always found it amazing that we have so many words that mean different things.  Of course, I’ve heard that other languages may have as many as 12 words that mean different kinds of ice – BUT, I don’t know those languages. I am feintly familiar with hours. (couldn’t resist). 

I do remember my grandmother – (her mind was a steel trap until her death in 2001) – using the word, “grip” to describe a suitcase.  I looked it up and found baggage, suitcase, luggage – just to get started. Those words were just openers.Words that sound the same but mean different things are called homonyms.  Maybe there's a word that describes one phrase that means several things.  I don't know.

More recently, I noticed several meanings for the phrase, “put you down.” 

1)       Lower to the ground/floor

2)      Make disparaging remarks; e.g., “you scumbag!”

3)      Ummm – take you out, turn out the lights, etc. (Theme from “The Godfather”)

This is not a short post to remind you that words and phrases can take on different meanings, but to underscore the need to be precise in the words you’re thinking about using.  Weigh them carefully – just as potential candidates for a presidential nomination do.

----

Wait ---- please be a bit more careful than that. Choosing the wrong word is not mitt-out its risks.

Chase: Opt-In switcheroo

By I.J. Hudson

I can remember all of the talk about opt-in/opt-out – which was the “fairer” way to treat consumers?

It was kind of a no-brainer.  You shouldn’t have to change anything to keep companies from sending you stuff.  If you want to receive emails about their latest offers, new products or a newsletter you should opt-in.  Do nothing, you get nothing.

Along comes Chase.  Yes, I have a credit card with them so there’s a “relationship,” but what I received in the mail is a little disturbing, if not disingenuous.  Chase mails me a cleverly crafted form that tells me I haven’t been receiving stuff from them and they need to update what I receive.  I’m instructed to block out the circles of things I do NOT want to receive, sign it and return it in the enclosed envelope.  If I don’t do anything I may start receiving things.  I admit they did underline do not.

The letter goes on to say whatever I decide will remain in effect for five years.  After that, or if I move to a new residence, “you’ll need to renew all of your mailing options.”  I will have to renew my options!

I presume there is nothing illegal about this, but I don’t like it.  It’s certainly not following “permission-based” marketing that is supposed to connect with customers and build loyalty.  I wonder what would happen if I sent a letter to Chase that read, “unless you fill out the attached form and fill in the oval that my interest rate will not go to 0%...it will.”  Obviously nothing, but I wish I could get away with that.

I did have the option of going online to make my choices.  Oddly enough, I elected not to receive anything from Chase.

You get the picture.  Does Chase?

When a Link isn't Quite Enough

By I.J. Hudson

I’ve written before about the differences between reading a news story online and reading it in the “paper.”  I won’t bore you with a repeat, but I did notice something interesting yesterday that adds another element in the pixel v. paper arguments.

Often, people send me links to stories, or the stories are included in a “clips” format.  You just follow the link, or in the case of clips, just read them.

Earlier this week, I reached a particular story through one of the supplied links.  When you do that, all you see on the display is the story.  Pretty simple. In this case, I knew the background on the piece and when reading it by following the link, the story struck me as “reasonable.”

It wasn’t until I saw the print version that it really hit me.  This had been the lead story – the front page story in a local publication.  Following the link had eliminated the “placement” or importance the publication put on the story. 

What’s the point?  If you generally go to the homepages of news websites, you can get a sense of placement - what their editors think is important, and what people are going to see/read first.  But if you merely follow links, provided either by a friend or something like “Google Alerts” you can miss something. Not the words, but a part of the visual context others are seeing.

Just a thought.