I am proud to announce that Dunkirk Systems, LLC yesterday launched the Active Travels blog and forum!

If you are looking for more than a stroll down Main Street at Disneyland, Active Travels is for you. Steve Jermanok is a travel journalist and has written several book and has contributed to the Boston Globe, Men’s Journal and Outside among other publications. Through Active Travels he shares his experiences over the years with unique travel destinations throughout the world on his blog. The forum, aptly named Go Play!, will “fill in the blanks” as he calls it and allows people to discuss destinations and activities. Simply browse the conversations and register to participate.

You can subscribe to Active Travels by RSS feed or by email or visit the site at activetravels.com. Though launched yesterday, it has had a soft launch over the last several weeks and there is already a wealth of travel information and destinations to read about. I think I found my summer getaway already, maybe you are next?

Did you enjoy reading this? You are welcome to subscribe to The Hot Iron by RSS feed or by email.

Announcements • Business • Technology • (2) Comments • Permalink

The next likemind will be Friday, July 17, 2009 in dozens of cities around the world.

In Chicago, it will be at Argo Tea, 140 S Dearborn St. at the corner of Adams and Dearborn Streets in the Loop from 8:00 am to 10 am.

I call likemind a gathering of creative-minded people, from various disciplines including Internet, advertising, art, social media, et. al. For more information on likemind, you can read this great article on likemind from the New York Times.

No RSVP is required. You are also welcome to join the likemind Chicago Facebook group.

Did you enjoy reading this? You are welcome to subscribe to The Hot Iron by RSS feed or by email.

Announcements • Business • Technology • (0) Comments • Permalink

As I was writing this blog post in my head while at the same time scurrying down concourse D at LaGuardia airport in New York a couple of days ago, the working title for it was, “F&$# You LaGuardia.” After realizing I had to leave security and re-enter just to (barely) make my connecting flight on the same airline (American), I was less than pleased.

Then I saw it, just by my gate - D10 - all the way at the end of the aging concourse - the Sam Adams beer stand. Not only did it serve one of my favorite microbrews, but it was how it was served, by the friendliest employee at the airport too! Oh, and they also had hot dogs too.

It was a true oasis in the madness of this flight, which was compounded by delays in our departure. The man pouring and serving dogs knew he was serving more than just that, and it showed in his enthusiasm. And it worked - not only did I write this but I snapped a photo of the booth.

After paying to redeem miles for my flight and to check luggage, the best value I got on my return trip was the cost of the beer and dogs and the tip I left for the beer man.

Next time I’ll probably fly direct on Southwest or AirTran home, but if I have to go to LGA, I’ll be heading down to gate D10 no matter my flight.

Did you enjoy reading this? You are welcome to subscribe to The Hot Iron by RSS feed or by email.

Diversions • (0) Comments • Permalink

Tomorrow, July 4, marks the 233rd anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking the start of the United States of America.

As I think about Independence Day, something that comes to mind is the polarity in politics today. I say that as people have always had differing opinions – even in 1776. It’s easy to blame the 24/7 media world we live in, but in order for us to come together, we need to do so in person, and not through our chosen medium.

Maybe that’s why the picnic is such a big part of celebrating the Fourth of July? To all my friends and readers in the US, not to forget those who are defending the freedoms stated in the Declaration here and around the world, a safe and happy holiday!

Photo of US flag on the Wrigley Building, Chicago by Mike Maddaloni

Did you enjoy reading this? You are welcome to subscribe to The Hot Iron by RSS feed or by email.

Diversions • (0) Comments • Permalink

You get those offers in the mail all the time - open a new bank account with us and get X dollars, where can be anything from US$50 to US$150. As enticing of an offer it is - who doesn't want free money - it does not take into consideration the total costs of switching over to this new bank.

Allow me to introduce what I call TCS - the total cost of switching.

Taking the bank example above, some of the activities involved in switching bank accounts include the time to actually open the new account, balancing 2 accounts until you close the original account, switching auto deposits and debits to the new account (if switching a payroll check, add the hassle of getting a paper check in the middle of the switch), the cost of new checks, and learning the processes of a new bank. And these are just a few things that come to mind. When you consider paying somebody to perform these tasks, their salary negates any "free money" from the bank.

Of those, learning the processes has the longest lasting impact. When things work, everything is OK. When it is not, the first time going through the process is truly a leaning experience. Unfortunately this is nothing you can find out for yourself until it happens to you or your business personally.

Poor Service Always a Catalyst to Switch

One factor that outweighs switching cost is poor service. The opportunity cost of dealing with poor service from a vendor is huge, especially if their products or services are in turn offered to your clients or customers. This is something that has unfortunately happened to me one time too many! It not only cost me time in the interim dealing with the vendor but setting up with a new vendor, accommodating my client and not to mention stewing over it.

Plan Ahead with Backup Vendors

If you do need to switch, it is good to already have a vendor lined up and some form of working relationship with them. Even a list of names and emails is better than nothing, and names and mobile numbers are the best. Depending on the service, doing some amount of business with them will help mitigate risk. The cost of spreading business around may be more upfront, but it can help preserve client relationships and revenues - not to mention brain cells - in the long term.

Did you enjoy reading this? You are welcome to subscribe to The Hot Iron by RSS feed or by email.

Business • (0) Comments • Permalink