The Hump Day Humor-Gram, November 8, 2006 Issue Number 195 1. It Pays to be Unique 2. Mike’s Fun at Work Tip 3. Quote of the Week 4. It’s a Wacky, Wacky World =============================================================== 1. It Pays to be Unique As famous advertising guru David Ogilvy said, “"No one ever sold anybody anything by boring them to death." We could take this train of thought further: businesses don’t gain a competitive advantage by doing the same thing everyone else is doing. And offering boring customer service is probably not the best way to get noticed. Our sense of humor is one of the greatest tools we have available to us to help us be unique – at an individual level, at a team level and even at an organizational level. Taking the risk to do something creative, fun and playful sets us apart from the herd. Companies like Big Ass Fans totally rejuvenated their business by daring to call themselves something unique. Pike’s Fish market in Seattle charted a unique course for themselves doing something no one else in the fish biz was doing (like throwing fish around the joint). Whether you’re applying for a new job, trying to make a point during a business presentation, preparing an ad, selling donuts or putting on a conference, adding a hefty dose of humor and fun into the mix can help anyone chart a unique, one-of-a-kind course. ================================================================ 2. Mike's Fun at Work Tip Create a unique customer service “signature” - something fun that sets you apart from anyone else. There are countless examples out there, such as the hot dog vendor who writes his customers’ names in mustard on their hot dog, the grocery store bagger who puts a “thought of the day” slip inside customers’ grocery bags, or even the airport security guy I met who kept folks laughing with his hilarious “shoe commentary” while inspecting passengers’ shoes. And if you don’t have customers in the traditional sense, then think of a way of being unique with the service your provide internally to your colleagues. ================================================================= 3. Quote of the Week “Be unique. . .just like everyone else.” ================================================================= 4. It's a Wacky, Wacky World California parents have been trying hard to make sure that their child’s name is unique. Literally. There are now 200 children in California named Unique. So much for being unique. Or Unique. Happy Hump Day everyone! Keep laughing! ================================================================= Copyright Michael Kerr, 2006 mailto:mike@mikekerr.com Reach Michael at 1-866-609-2640, http://www.MikeKerr.com.