I heard a funny argument of sort today. Well, it was mostly friendly anyways. Basically, there was a person who has owned and operated a business for a long time where they obviously started way back and as a result you see them with things like these old stone age fax machines that they keep and also revolve their business around even though mot people would rather use things like an e-mail. This then started a conversation as one of their friends was telling them to get rid of the thing to reduce clutter and that it will probably make their business more efficient too if they got rid of it.

However, they were insisted in keeping it as to them it reminded them on where they were and how they started. This then started some conversations about how this is a business and it’s not like it is a relationship and the fact that it is just an old and outdated machine. But, it got no where as they were pretty keen in keeping it there for sentimental reasons. Is there really no room in a business environment for sentimental items like these?

I always think it is interesting when people have ancient items and equipment for sentimental values in a business as usually I assume there is an interesting story behind it. You most commonly see these types of things in restaurants to demonstrate how a business has grown through various generations. Of course I think the fine line here is if you are insistent in using items for sentimental reasons where it is hindering your ability to compete with others in an ever evolving market/industry then something needs changing I would think.

This was interesting I thought as today I saw this person selling various inexpensive items like charms that you could find anywhere. However, the twist was he was reselling it on a rack that dubbed these things as “Lucky.” It was also mixed in with other items like coins and fake four leaf clovers.

It was kind of mind boggling that he jacked up the prices of these items by like 300% as the only difference was he was marketing them as being lucky. Evidently, people bought them too. It’s like there is so much profits to be made when it comes to marketing to people’s superstitions in life. Waiting for the day people start marketing things like a lucky credit card.

Today I was hearing about how someone was trying to educate themselves in a topic and of course they were encouraged to search the Internet for some tips and advice using a search engine. While this is pretty common nowadays, it was interesting I thought as people were telling her that she should “Google” it. Basically, in a new person’s mind they would think the term “Google” is basically “Search Engine” to the point where they think that would be their only choice and hence becoming dependent on the brand.

This almost reminds me of when Internet service providers were still rising and AOL was pretty much the largest dial-up provider. It was almost the same thing as when people asked what was the Internet the answer they would get is AOL and so everyone was oblivious about Internet access from a generic point of view as in their dictionary Internet access was AOL. I usually try to avoid explaining things as if the brand is the item/service as for the less knowledgeable it can usually cause them to spend more. A more common everyday item are bandages where there is a brand called Band-Aid and many times people are told to buy that brand and so people become accustomed to thinking that is the only option.

I guess it’s good if you are the business itself. But, it might be better to educate people from the start so that they are more aware of all of their options.

I saw a funny situation today where a person was saying how he bought a new computer that has a lot of high end software such as Adobe Photoshop as he expressed it was a good deal and figured it was better than the lesser powerful options that was available. Not surprisingly, he couldn’t really figure out how to use it as isn’t exactly meant for the average consumer. So while granted the software was a lot more powerful, buying the lesser powerful version that was designed more as a pick up and go type of solution would have been probably better.

This reminds me of things like cameras too where people buy based on what they read on paper in terms of which one is more powerful and has more features yet they neglect to think first if the item itself may be too complicated for what they need and do. It doesn’t hurt too I’d say to simply try and find a way to test things out first to see if it suits you. At worst you can probably find a lot of video reviews too in order to get a feel if the item is way over your head or not. Better than spending a thousand dollars for example on something that will either end up in the closet or having to spend another thousand dollars to learn how to use it when something more simple would do.

I was just going through some boxes in an attempt to organize thins a little better and it amazes me at how much swag that I keep from events and previous activities. For example, I still have a ton of unopened collector pin packages from back when I worked at this Winter Olympics game dome back during the Vancouver 2010 Olympic event area. As well, things like pens and dog tags from conventions that I attended.

I know a lot of people would love these too and it makes me think if I should just keep it in the box or find some way to trade it in for items that I would personally find use for. I was thinking of a crazy idea just because I never done anything like it before which was to give one item to a pawn shop and then see how well they do in selling the item and for how much.