What I've Already Learned from iOS7

Like many Apple product users, I've watched the iOS7 video demonstrations; I've read countless articles uncovering some myths while reinforcing some much deserving hype. I'm no different than any other consumer out there: I like shiny, I like new, and I like it right away. But today's experience has left me feeling like a kid on Christmas Eve that just discovered Santa Claus didn't exist. Not only do I not get the shiny new present that I was promised, but I'm sort of afraid that I may never get it.

For the past 35 minutes, I've watched the hashtag stream #iOS7, and an overwhelming majority of tweets are of disgruntled users not happy owners wielding the new features of the OS. Maybe it's been lost in the shuffle, but I'm not seeing much response out of Apple, but then again, I'm sitting at an open air restaurant in Charleston, SC and it's easy to become distracted. But I'm convinced someone at Apple could be stemming the social media carnage here, and I just don't know why they're doing nothing about it. I feel like this is their 2 AM phone call and there is no one around to answer.

Conversely, I checked in on FourSquare at the new Whole Foods in Marietta, GA last week, and within 5 minutes of being there, the official Whole Foods responded to my posting. 

I'll go back to Whole Foods again even though I've only been an infrequent customer at best because they made me feel special.  However, I've been a champion of the Apple brand for nearly a decade, but today's debacle has me reconsidering my loyalty. 

Moral of the story, no matter how grand or minuscule a promise is, live up to it. This goes for business and life in general. If you have dinner plans, arrive on time. If you're going to call someone back, don't wait until tomorrow. And if you're going to give me the first radically innovative phone experience that I've had since I became an iPhone user in 2007, just do it.

Act of Valor

Unlike most weekends that find me working tirelessly during the day and reminding myself of my fleeting 20's at night, I took a respite to allow my body and mind a chance to recharge this past weekend. A spring cleaning (sorry folks in the NE that just suffered through Nemo but it was in the mid 60's in Charleston, SC) of the spirit of sorts. After some light reading, bathroom tile scrubbing, food burning, and channel changing, I landed on the recently released movie, Act of Valor. 

The movie wasn't cast with Hollywood A-listers rather with actual active duty Navy SEALS. Although, at times, the delivery of lines falls a bit short of perfection, the story is not only topical and relevant but timeless as well. It speaks not simply to the heroism and bravery of this country's finest but to the primal battle each man and woman wages against his or herself in order to relinquish the restraint of personal demons and live a full life. While our missions are civil in nature, the adherence to them is equally as important as it is to SEAL Teams. Deviating from the orders that we give ourselves will often if not always result in a failed mission and a less fulfilled life.

The essence of entrepreneurship is no different, and those that succeed must also act valiantly in pursuit of their ambitions with neither fear of failure nor doubt of ability. At times setbacks become the norm and hope seems but the mirage of a former dream, but without hope of success, without the belief in our own capacity, without the courage to act valiantly and stay the course, we will forever remain impotent rulers as the kingdom of our own life erodes from beneath us.

Irony has it that a movie extolling the virtues of American Heroism would have a poem authored by one of its staunchest adversaries woven throughout; however, his words are timeless and embody much of what was once thought of as the American Dream, and with entrepreneurship on the rise, maybe one day it will again. The words of Chief Tecumseh

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart. Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their view, and demand that they respect yours. Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people. Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide. Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place. Show respect to all people and grovel to none.
When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself. Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision. When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.

Very Pleased...

For years, we have been extolling the energy saving benefits of our revolutionary Eco-Transport Coating, but often charts and technical data fall short to fully articulate the product's potential. While the bottom line increases seen by many food distribution companies as a result of Eco-Transport Coating's application are impressive (average 18% decrease in diesel fuel consumption), corporations' enthusiasm over results can often be understated, which is why we are so happy to share a product testimonial that reaches beyond raw data points and paints a picture of how our products do more than just add to a bottom line; they help improve lives, and we are very proud to play a small role in the growing RV communities around this nation. 

The title to the email that arrived in my inbox earlier this morning was Very Pleased, but allow me to say to the Browns that WE are the ones who are very pleased to have your family as loyal customers. Businesses are nothing if not taking care of the people and communities they serve. As a small business, we are fortunate to know our customers' faces and a bit of their stories. Below are excerpts and pictures from one such story. 

[On August 11, 2012] we finally got to install the [Eco-Transport] Coating and it's AWESOME!!  We [applied] it in Oklahoma in a friend's workshop, so we were out of direct sunlight.  The original roof was bare aluminum, so it would get HOT in the sun.  

When we pulled the rig out of the shop, after several hours of dry time, it was 104 outside.  We have an infrared surface thermometer and boy did we have fun!  The surfboard carriers, on the edges where we did not apply the coating, reached a surface temp of 147.  The coated portion remained within 5 degrees of the ambient air temperature.  Amazing.  We immediately noticed a difference in the rig's ability to stay cooler on the inside.  We are now in Barstow, CA where it's been averaging right at 100 each day.  It is such an incredible product!  We normally would run our generator from sun rise to sunset out here, but with the coating we are only cooling the truck off in the hottest part of the day.

We are totally satisfied and are spreading the word to all of our trucking and RV friends.  The other plus that we weren't expecting is that the coating does not collect dirt.  Usually when we wash the truck we have to wipe down the roof first, which is not pleasant when it's so hot up there.  Washing the rig today, not only was it pleasant to be up top, but we just spot cleaned a few areas on top, instead of washing the entire top surface.

Thanks so much!!
Here are some pictures for you.
Thanks,
The Browns

Pre - Application

Post-Application

Post-Application on the Road

From my own personal experience, I can recount numerous times when I was moved to notify a company of my overall satisfaction with their product or service; however, when time came to initiate the communication, I balked. Dissatisfied customers will overwhelmingly outnumber satisfied customers in sharing their feedback, and it is for that reason that we are extremely flattered and grateful for today's email. I sincerely thank the Browns for not only their business but also for taking time to share their story with us.

For more information about Eco-Transport Coating, please, visit http://ecoprotectiveproducts.com/transportation_coatings.html.