Loading ...

Even after publishing catalogs for more than 25 years, it’s still very exciting when the new one gets through design, editing, proofing and sent to the printer. thebeautybook Fall 2010 Edition hit the streets over the weekend and as I blogged earlier, it’s the debut of our Hospitality division.

The Fall book is 30 pages bigger than the Spring book. Besides Hospitality, there are a lot of other new and fun items to peruse.

• Combs, combs and more combs. Is there any item in professional hair care that gets so little attention? Perhaps it’s time to bring the comb back and into the spotlight! Not only do we now have combs in many colors, styles, but we can add your logo, individually wrap and even come up with a custom color. Combs are also available case pack to pricing is amazing. All from American Comb.
• FHI irons and dryers are back after a brief absence. FHI is rated among the leaders in high end, quality-driven appliances.
• CHI ceramic nail lacquers contain silk and nano silver technology to deliver results. The Industry Source is the exclusive USA distributor.
• Epillyss has been expanded and now includes their ultra hot Novatherm Hard Wax.
• I love the new Black Granite and Stainless Steel pedicure bowls by Pedicure Bowls.
• Mentioned earlier, the new ProLinc Spa Gel Toe Separators can be cooled or heated for ultimate comfort.
• Jessie Steele has a new lineup of smart aprons and capes.

Even with the Internet, people still love catalogs they can hold in their hands and relax with. This one I am sure will be one you spend many hours with. Enjoy.

Happy Monday!

 Loading ...

What was Dan Gilbert thinking?

Back in my 20’s and perhaps 30’s, I would have rattled off something similar. But experience teaches you that when you open your mouth under stress, bad things can happen.

Whatever Dan Gilbert was thinking, it certainly wasn’t Big Picture Thinking.

Coincidentally, both Gilbert and I experienced similar events. Gilbert was loyal to James to a fault building a new area, new training area, new this and new that. In the end, there was no loyalty.

For me as you know, we were loyal to TIGI to a fault in everything we did. Like James, TIGI bolted, there was no loyalty.

But that’s business, that’s life, and that’s why Big Picture Thinking is so critical not only in these trying times, but at all times.

Experience has taught me in my 40’s and now 50’s that strategic thinking and competitive intuition are much more powerful weapons than opening your mouth. On Monday, we will be making a very important announcement that has me giddy all over. That is what Big Picture Thinking will do to you.

So what is Big Picture Thinking anyway? It’s not in any textbook I know of but I have learned the context from our illustrious and very strategic GM, Kym Riffel. Only because it’s Friday and I am pre-giddy for Monday am I sharing her thoughts on Big Picture Thinking. Here goes:

“In changing times we need to step back and think about the BIG Picture – it brings perspective.

It’s like using your magnifying icon on your computer expanding what you can see and what you’re able to do!!!!

If you’re a Big Picture Thinker:

· You’re never satisfied with what you already know – you’re a lifelong learner!!!!

· Listen to someone who has experience in an area where you don’t!!!

· Make an effort to get outside of themselves and see other people’s worlds through their eyes!!!

· See many components involved in any given situation:  issues, people, relationships, timing, and values!!!

BIG PICTURE THINKING:

· Allows YOU to Lead

· See the VISION before your competition does

· Size up situations, taking into account many variables

· Connect your Future with your Past to make your journey more meaningful

· ALLOWS YOU TO ENJOY MORE SUCCESS!!!!!!!!!!

Finally,

Big Picture Thinkers Learn from every experience and give themselves permission to grow!!!!

I can say I learned from our experience and I’m fired up to MOVE FORWARD!!!!

I can’t wait for you to hear the announcement on Monday!!!!”

Happy Friday!

 Loading ...

It’s so hot.

It’s so hot that:

• After running 6 miles and jumping into the pool, steam comes out
• Speaking of swimming, it’s like swimming in a whirlpool. In Florida, some resorts actually add ice cubes to cool down the pool
• Baskin-Robbins dropped ice cream cones and now sells milkshake cones
• A/C no matter how high you set it doesn’t get your bedroom below 70
• You don’t need a fire to roast marshmallows
• Dogs no longer stick their heads out of car windows
• You have to add ice cubes to beer to keep it cold
• You can cook hot dogs on your grill without firing it up
• LeBron James can’t take the heat. No bull. BTW: who is going to watch ESPN tonight? Brrrr.
• A cold winter January day in Detroit sounds good. Well, it’s not that hot.
• Happy Thursday!

 Loading ...

I remember Andy Grove when Silicon Valley was where we thought WD-40 was made. Him and Warren Buffett were contemporaries back in the day and it was one of Buffett’s biggest mistakes not to invest in Grove’s new company, Intel.

With a $3 Million start-up investment, Intel became a powerhouse company and along with Microsoft, Cisco, Dell, HP and others, led America to its greatest business innovation path in history.

But alas, even when virtually every computer has your product inside and you have world domination, Grove found out it’s not enough. His story in the latest issue of Businessweek is compelling, frightening and one in which politicians need to heed. The consequences will be severe if not.

You will learn that one company in China builds virtually all the components and finished goods for Apple, Dell, HP, Cisco and on and on. You will learn that this one company employs more than triple the employees all the U.S. companies it supplies combined. You will learn this one company employees nearly 1 million people. To put that in perspective, the entire population of Detroit is less than 800,000.

America needs jobs. And fast. The salon industry as tiny as it is needs people to get back to work so they can get back to making appointments. Shopping center vacancies hit a new record last month, over 10%. Have you seen so many “For Lease” signs in your life?

Read the article in your free time. It’s long, it’s complex, it’s worth your time. When you are done reading it, ask yourself one question: “How and why did Asia become so relevant?”

Before you answer that, look at the fiscal status of Illinois, California, Michigan, Florida and countries such as Greece, Spain and Portugal. And think about why these states and for the most part, the federal government, is in dire straits. When you come to the obvious conclusion, you will know the answer to the question.

Andy Grove makes sense. Whether you like it or not, it’s American businesses that will need to turn America around and politicians will either need to get on our side or jump in the ocean and see how far they can swim to China.

Happy Wednesday!

 Loading ...

How come the period between Memorial Day weekend and Fourth of July weekend seems like two weeks? Is there a faster period during the year? I think it’s even faster than the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Why do we love to eat out of bags and boxes? Snack items, candy (no wonder M&M’s are #1), popcorn, Chinese take-out, McDonald’s French Fries while driving, and so forth. We can take a snack size bag of Oreo’s and dump it on a plate or napkin but it’s much more fun to grab out of the bag. Why?

Are you staying home or traveling? With only three summer weekends, I love to stay home but heading out to Chicago like a million others to see my oldest son and daughter-in-law (no grandkids yet).

Thebeautybook Fall 2010 edition is in the mail along with The Industry Source July/August magazine. WOW is all I can say. I’m sure you will say the same when you get your copies (that is if you are a customer).

Young love is true love. When was the last time you made out in a parking lot during the day?

I have no idea why, but I haven’t seen or heard anything about the BP oil spill all week.

June consumer confidence hit a skid and so did the stock market. Not a good omen for the next six months. But hey, Jimmy Buffett is live this weekend and thank god it’s 5:00 somewhere and that Larry King retired.

J.J. CND’s infamous VP of Sales ensured me Shellac Base Coat is on the way. Between that and the iPhone 4, not sure which is hotter.

Can you eat 20# of steak in 4 days?

Have a terrific holiday, Labor Day is around the corner.

Happy Thursday!