Point 1: I really got into something good in finding Seth Godin, seemingly THE great marketing mind of this generation. Actually, I'm a bit behind the curve as he's written multiple best-sellers and has been the man for a while now. Oops. Regardless, he's got my mind spinning in the right direction and  I highly recommend picking up Purple Cow at your local bookstore. Trust me on this one. I can't wait to pick up Meatball Sundae next week. Yes, I said Meatball Sundae. Sounds great, right?

Point 2: Unless you grow everything yourself or live in the Antarctic catching fish next to a glacier, you've been in a grocery store. Most likely, you've observed the ill-mannered and outwardly rude people that work there. I was in a Hannaford last night and noticed the cashier wasn't really talking to me but simply mumbling. As I walked away, a group of cashiers/bagging clerks were talking and carrying on like it was their own private party. Know what? I wasn't surprised. It's almost expected at places like this! Add this to the inane conversations between cashiers/baggers that we have to observe and it's no wonder that going to the grocery store is like going to the used car lot: a head-shaking experience.

Why does it have to be this way? Surely, the managers and owners know this is going on. Just because these are mostly teenagers making minimum wage doesn't excuse them from acting appropriately in places of business. Don't have outward conversations, be polite and realize that the workplace isn't your personal live chat room. Worse, I've observed the same attitudes in Wal-Mart (on the same night, no less!) and every discerning adult's favorite place: the mall. I don't care if your job sucks,  I don't care if you have a zit on your face a week before prom and I certainly don't care that your parents won't let you have the car on Friday night. As a customer, I don't want or need to hear about it. If you have an issue with not being able to talk openly at work while customers are there, I suggest you find another job. And to managers, step up and stop playing the 'cool boss.' Be responsible for your store and the environment you help create. 

Point 3: Why does it take so long to start recieving magazines after subscribing? I recently bought a subscription to Fight! Magazine and was told 8-10 weeks. I got my friend a sub to Islands Magazine through Amazon and was told 12-to-16 weeks. Four months!?! I guess I don't get how this system works. It should be as easy as entering in the person's name and address into the database, hitting 'save' and voila! With technology today, waiting a 1/4 of a year to get an issue is ridiculous. How is this system still acceptable in today's on-demand society? At the very least, give the subscriber online access for free until their physical issues arrive.

Final Point: I am buying 10 of the same book for clients as a thank you for doing some business with us. I figured there would be some sort of bulk rate somewhere since 10 of the same book is a lot. No such luck as the most you can apply for a discount at Barnes/Noble is 50. There needs to be a better solution here. 2 or 3 copies is one thing, but I am committing to buying 10 of the same thing, I should be eligible for some sort of discount, right? I would think this might be attractive during the holidays for those that have read something they want to share with their friends/family/co-workers. If you have a better option, please let me know at josh@sendlabs.com.