Yesterday, as you may be aware, Lance Armstrong regained the lead in the Tour de France. He led for a number of stages, and then fell back into the pack. But, there he is 15 stages in, back on top.
 
My point in business terms is that if you want to win (six times in a row?) it always helps to have a strategy. Having a strategy involves knowing simple things: strengths, weaknesses, opportuinties, and threats.
 
Lance is good in the mountains. He's going to win (you heard it here first..)!!!
 
Where are you good?  

This is me.. hello.... 

Clean Rooms!

Alright, I admit, it's been forever since my last post.

Anyway, I've had this one on my mind for a while. In my defense, I have been away on vacation. While up in cottage country, I was driving along one of the quintessential cottage country highways, and I passed one of those quintessential cottage country highway motels. On the sign out front read the words "Colour TV's" and "Clean Rooms". Great! Finally a place with colour TV's and Clean rooms (er.. in case you missed it...sarcasm).



(Don't worry I'll get back to my point in a minute.) Since returning from my vacation, I have been onsite with a client in the retail automotive industry (a treat indeed). Here, standard exceeds standards, and there are options and upgrades as far as the eye can see. Can't get by with 17" wheels? Fine, upgrade to 19". In dash CD with changer not cutting it? Why not upgrade to the DVD with in car surround system? My point is, needless to say, the motel had vacancy. As long as it is advertising the basics, it will never be a hot place to stay. Where as cars are flying off the lots, and with upgrades to boot. In fact, more often than not, EVERYONE buys an upgrade? Hmm... 20 inch colour TV not good enough? Why not upgrade to the 43" high-def plasma! Queen bed not big enough? Upgrade to a king! EVERY HOTEL HAS COLOUR TV AND CLEAN ROOMS!!! They are the minimum. They are standard. EVERYONE wants the fancy upgrades!!! What is your upgrade?