The Lions 0-16 season can’t make the cover of SI, then at least one of our local writers can, Mitch Albom. Albom wrote a great story about Detroit in the current issue and used his famous writing style to engage the reader. His devious method this time was

As if

He was angry about the way the media, politicians and folks outside the Midwest treat Michigan and its residents. He wrote about the Southern senators lambasting the Big 3; Detroit inventing the auto but now autos are poison; Detroit sports that have done well and Detroit sports that have disappointed; the homeless who still have hope and still have hope the Lions will win; and that Michigan is not gum underneath the shoe.

As if

No one knew these things about Detroit and Michigan. I was working out this morning when one of the members stated that he was in Vancouver over the weekend and the weather was -25F. He went on to say how could anyone live in Vancouver with it being so cold in the winter. I replied back that’s how people in Florida think about us here in Michigan. Fact is, we are one country in which Obama will take over next week. But each region is unique and most regions really don’t care about one another.

As if

Michigan is going to truly re-innovate itself, it’s going to take more than talking about the past-it’s over, it’s done, we’ve been there-now where are we going? One of things Albom forgot to mention was all the retailers that have gone bust in Michigan. I remember Crowley’s, Harmony House, Highland Appliance, Fretter’s, Sanders, Jacobson’s, Korvette’s, Arbor (OK, they were bought out), Hudson’s, Arlan’s, Gantos, F&M, and the list goes on. With Border’s near extinction, what’s the answer for retail?

As if

2009 is going to be any better. Listen, we all want 2009 to be better but it’s going to take a seismic shift to make it happen. Last night we held our annual Celebration of Life dinner for our Kemon Owner Circle members. I spoke with salon owners who know the gritty part of running a business and being responsive to their clients needs. They are optimistic because they know something most others don’t: Working smarter, not harder, brings results. These salon owners some in the business for more than 25 years learned that Kemon and tng worldwide are responsible for their success in the fact that they were given the tools to move forward. They already had the will, the resolve and the determination.

As if

We don’t know the answer. The answer lies in leadership. I’ve said it time and time again. Mitch, I love your writing and love what you do. Perhaps it’s time for your to run for public office. Forget sports, politics is where the action is. And you will no longer have to cover the Detroit Lions.

Happy Monday!

I remember when the first McDonald’s opened up. I’m not sure if Ronald was around at that time, but I do remember the golden arches. Fries, burgers and soda were a dime apiece. The place was packed and the food was to die for.

I remember when Burger King first opened up. I was around 16 and the line was around the building to experience the Whopper. After waiting 40 minutes, I ordered 2 of them (they were $.49 each), large fries and Diet Coke. They were the best burgers ever.

I remember when the first Wendy’s opened up. David wasn’t there to greet us but his Frosty’s and Singles were amazing.

And I can surely remember when the first Arby’s opened up. What was better than the Mocha shake and roast beef sandwich with lots of Arby’s Sauce (both red and white)!

Over the years, each of the restaurants opened next to each other. The competition was fierce. McDonald’s always the leader, became complacent and then decided to change their kitchens which decreased the quality of their food. The competition ate their lunch. The stock dove.

Then the new CEO tore out the kitchens, put innovation back in place and the rest is history. McDonald’s owns breakfast, owns the snack business and soon will own coffee. Oh yeah, they own burgers too. Their sales are up over last year and they are crushing the competition.

For McDonald’s, it’s not business as usual. Even Starbuck’s is wondering what happened and while Starbuck’s tried breakfast, they flopped. Now Starbuck’s has to figure out how to find themselves again before it’s too late.

Salons and spas have to rethink their business model. Supplies account for less than 10% of overall costs and we are doing everything we can do to minimize those. It’s all about the talent and customer relationship and maximizing every dollar potential.

Now is the time to throw ideas out there that make sense. I would love to hear some of your ideas.

Happy Friday!

As we complete our transition from The Nailco Group to tng worldwide, it is both shocking and amazing what one finds when massive updates need to be made all at the same time.

It reminds me when we move to a new dwelling. First, we access all our stuff and wonder how we acquired all our stuff and what we are going to do with all our stuff. When we moved a few years ago, there was stuff from my 20’s, 30’s and 40’s. There was stuff from when the business was born. Who needs all this stuff?

I’m not a collector. My motto is that if I haven’t used it in a year, it goes into my favorite file cabinet of all-the dumpster. I know for sure when I die that none of my kids are going to want to go through my stuff and be sentimental about any of it. In fact, photos and videos aren’t even as important as they used to be.

During Thanksgiving, I took out a few photo albums that I spent hours and hours putting together. I figured, hey, the kids are here and they can look back at vacation, wedding, birthday and general photos and see what they looked like back then. After 30 seconds, they lost interest and the albums went back to the basement next to my albums from college…..

The great thing about moving is that you have to decide what stuff to take with you. Then you have to get boxes and box it all up. Only when it is packed into the box does the stuff mean something. And even when it gets to its new home, some of the stuff doesn’t make it into the closet or drawers.

Transitioning a company name is no different. We had to update our catalog, magazine, website’s, business cards, stationary, signs, key tags, I.D. cards, stores, showrooms, invoices, boxes and the list goes on.

What is great about transitioning is that you not only do you get to update everything but you decide what stuff is important and what stuff isn’t important.

For instance, we decided that our in-box survey cards were no longer important as more of our customers have email and get their invoices sent to them. Our online survey is quick, convenient and instant.

Ultimately, change is good because you get to sort out your old stuff and create new stuff. Let me tell you, I love our new stuff and everything is fresh, the colors are brilliant and the enthusiasm is overflowing.

Check out your desk, your office, your home, your closet, your car. What changes can you make now that will help make 2009 and tomorrow better? What can you transition that will bring great change?

I know one thing for sure: I love the new tng worldwide. I hope you do to.

Happy Thursday!

I have to admit I was pretty lucky growing up–I never needed glasses or contacts. Both my parents always wore glasses so I have idea how I slipped by.

My mother would forget her glasses when she left the house so she would wear sunglasses indoors. It came to the point that she wouldn’t even know she was wearing sunglasses. I never wanted to be that person!

And the thing about having multiple pairs around the house is such a pain in the you know what. But alas, the computer generation and age caught up to me and while I need glasses for computers and reading, I am still glass free otherwise.

Not being able to read without glasses provides challenges and many businesses aren’t even aware of them. The biggest challenge of all? Restaurants. I love going to a restaurant for dinner where the lights are dim, candles are flickering and then they hand me the menu. I take one look at it and the writing is so small that even if I was 20 years old in broad daylight I would have troubles reading it.

I have found 3 solutions for this. One, have the menu read to me. Believe it or not, it is a bunch of fun especially with a good glass of cab. Second, have the waiter recommend wine and the entree and go with it. And finally, use a lighted magnifying glass. This option is rather cool if you remember to bring the blasted thing with you.

Oh, there is a fourth solution: Bring a pair of glasses to dinner with you. Hence, the boom of reading glasses. Unlike prescription glasses, readers come in fixed diopters and depending on how blind you are depends on which diopters you need.

Readers are available at many retailers. But the thing about Readers is that you never know when you need a pair (or several). They are a tremendous impulse item because we are always breaking, losing or misplacing them. So we need a pair for each room of the house, each car and every office.

My Readers is the perfect solution for salons and spas to reach out to their customers by offering them very cool, very affordable Readers.

Up next: My Reminders. The newest and latest gadget to remind you to do things so you won’t forget.

Happy Wednesday!

One of the most exciting product launches of 2009 is about to take place. There will be no fireworks, no models wearing skimpy bikinis, no coupons or full page ads in Vogue, Allure or Glamour. And no pre packs or shelf talkers.

That’s because Ginger Lily Farms doesn’t need any of the typical tools marketers such as Procter & Gamble and L’Oreal use in supermarkets, drug stores, and let’s not forget, WalMart.

Ginger Lily Farms is the first pro line of shampoos and conditioners that retail for $2.99. Available in two formulas-moisturizing for all hair types and color treated, and in two sizes-8 oz. and 32 oz. ($8.99 retail).

Finally salons can compete with mass retailers. However the best part about Ginger Lily Farms is that the products are amazing. All products contain Awapuhi, a derivative of the Ginger Lily (hence the name of the product). Awapuhi is a natural cleanser and has been used for thousands of years.

The fragrance is incredible. Imagine the scent of a ginger lily-tropical, luscious and intoxicating-that is what the product smells like. The shampoo lathers and the conditioner conditions. Consumers will love it.

Our first shipment of 5000 cases arrives late next week. Based on early sentiment, it won’t last long. That’s OK, we’ll make more. However, one thing is for certain: Ginger Lily Farms will not be sold in supermarkets, drug stores or WalMart. Only pro salons can buy and sell it.

You finally have a product that’s all yours and a product that consumers are looking for. Welcome to Ginger Lily Farms!

Happy Tuesday!

Whew! 2008 is finally over and I have never been happier to see the first Monday of the new year. The only problem is, who knows what 2009 has in store for us. But at least for today, 2008 is history.

Today is the official day that we change our company name to tng worldwide. After nearly 25 years in business, this is one of the most exciting days for us. It’s a whole new way of doing business while maintaining our mission of 100% Customer Success.

All new is thebeautybook 2009 edition. I received mine in the mail on Saturday so that means you should receive yours shortly if not already. WOW is the only word to describe it. New design, new look, hundreds of new products and something I know you are going to love:

Nailco Gold

Nailco Gold is our all new loyalty program for our best customers. Membership is free online at tngworldwide.com/shop. Just some of the benefits include:

Free shipping on orders $150 or more!

Free subscription to tng worldwide magazine, $24.95 value

Valuable coupons and e-deals

Monthly newsletter

We have also adjusted our shipping rates for all orders under $150. You now pay only $5.00 for orders under $50 and $8.00 for all orders $50.00 and over.

Nailco Gold, thebeautybook and our name change to tng worldwide are the beginnings of a brand new year and a jump start to the new decade. 2009 isn’t going to be the best year for the U.S. but we will do everything we can to make it your best.

Happy New Year and Happy Monday 2009!