While standing in the registration line I noticed the sign “The Power Is in Your Hands.” This actually had to do with the request throughout the facility to use the hand sanitizers to prevent the spread of germs.
But it was a really appropriate message for what I believe about Internet marketing – “the power is in your hands.”
Then in terms of security, I was asked to confirm my birth date by looking at it written and not saying it aloud – only saying yes or no – for security reasons. As someone who formerly had a U.S. Army security clearance, I appreciated that request. And as the Internet is as widely open as the reception area of a hospital imaging center, we, too, should always follow sensible security precautions.
Next, the gel used for the ultrasound wasn’t cold but heated. I asked the tech how he did that and he said there’s a little burner that keeps the gel hot. What a customer service innovation – such a small thing but such a very big thing at the same time! Definitely fits in with the philosophy of the book by John Jantsch “The Referral Engine” that I had with me.
And, of course, I also had my copy of the day’s Wall Street Journal. If I hadn’t been waiting in the reception area, I might not have gotten to the special section on small business. If I hadn’t, I would have missed the article by Diana Ransom titled “When the Customer Is in the Neighborhood: New tech tools let restaurants know if potential business is around the corner.”
This article’s focus is exactly connected to the types of social media marketing that my company Miller Mosaic Power Marketing will be doing in partnership with international franchise broker Ngenter.com to help franchisors and franchisees utilize effective social media marketing. (You can read about this new program now.)
FYI — This being Los Angeles, there was valet parking for only $4 with validation. This is definitely an example of knowing who your target market is and providing what they want.
© 2010 Miller Mosaic, LLC
Phyllis Zimbler Miller has an M.B.A. from The Wharton School and is co-founder of the social media marketing company Miller Mosaic Power Marketing. Download her FREE report “Twitter, Facebook and Your Business: A Beginning Blueprint for Harnessing the Power of 3 for Your Business.”
