Shoppers Contend With Socialnomics

"You have succeeded in life when all you really want is only what you really need."

~ Vernon Howard

I hope you had a Happy Thanksgiving and have charged full steam into the CHRISTmas spirit. If you haven't been a part of the kickoff events for the CHRISTmas season, you have missed out on some great fun and fellowship with our community. Not to worry though. We have a lot more in store and many, many more opportunities for you to be engaged and surrounded with holiday cheer! I encourage you to be a part of the community this holiday season and invest your time (and money) in making this CHRISTmas season extra special for someone in our community. Also let's remember to help out the less fortunate and donate a little bit more of our time and money to charitable causes that need our contributions this CHRISTmas season. 

On the topic of investing money in the community, were you apart of the American Express Small Business Saturday? What about Black Friday? I have to admit I am not much of a shopper but I was unfortunately indoctrinated into the Late Night Thanksgiving Shopping "Extravaganza" - not of my own choosing of course. I had to go to Wal-Mart in Carthage (MS) on Thanksgiving night. I had gotten something in my eye and it had almost swollen shut. All the other stores were closed and Wal-Mart was my last option (believe me we looked). Anyway, Rebekah and I had to wait in line until the cash registers of the local Wal-Mart were unlocked from headquarters in Bentonville, AR. No one could purchase anything until 9 pm. It was one of the craziest things I have ever seen. If you got some good deals and that type of "shopping" is your thing, congratulations but I think I'll wait and spend a little extra a day or two later. 

I do want to share with you a new experience for me this year. I know online shopping is nothing new, but online shopping and social media truly changed the way I shopped this year. I have purposefully chosen to try to buy all or the majority of my CHRISTmas gifts locally and in smaller stores. For months Rebekah and I have been looking at tricycles for Ethan for Christmas (I am safe in that he can't read this newsletter, but I am trusting none of you will tell him what he is getting). We found the one we wanted in a local store a few months back and have been tempted to buy it almost every time we have been in the store. The day finally came and I went to pick it up. No go. Not a single one in the store. I asked the manager and none were expected to be shipped. I could have changed my mind and thought of some other gift he would like just as much but that didn't happen. I whipped out my smart phone and "Googled" the tricycle. I found the same model in another store and about $8 bucks cheaper. Score! 

I went to the second store. Same story, none in stock and none expected to be shipped. With that I started to get suspicious. What if it has been recalled, was it safe, why would all the stores have pulled the product or sold out right at CHRISTmas time and not chosen to restock? Again, I pulled out my handy-dandy smart phone and began reading reviews of the tricycle. I did find out the tricycle has not been recalled although the reviews were mixed about the product. The majority of them leaned negative for Ethan's age. 

This story does have a happy ending though, again due to the internet and reviews from buyers, I was able to find another tricycle with all the features we wanted (and more) for about $20 bucks cheaper. Double Score! Ethan will have his fun on CHRISTmas morning tearing up the roads on his new trike and I will have my fun on CHRISTmas Eve putting that and his other toys together! 

I tell you this story not to showcase what a frugal and awesome shopper I am (Rebekah can attest to the opposite), but to get you thinking about social media, internet sales and how even in "small town" Jones County, internet reviews play a part in what people are purchasing in our stores. They may even be making people's decisions as to whether or not they even visit our stores. Do you know what people are saying about your business online? Is it positive? 

A friend forwarded me this video. It talks mainly about Social Media and the Socialnomics (Social Media + Economics) revolution. I want to point out a few things from the video and have you ask yourself how this affects your business:

• Over 50% of the world's population is under 30.
• In ten years, over 40% of the Fortune 500 companies will not be here.
• Facebook tops Google in weekly traffic in the US. 
• 1 in 5 couples meet online. 
• 1 in 5 divorces are blamed on Facebook. 
• What happens in Vegas stays on Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, YouTube, etc. 
• An education study revealed that online students out performed those who receive face-to-face instruction 
• Kindergartens are learning on iPads, NOT chalkboards. 
• 50% of mobile traffic in the UK is for Facebook (imagine what this means for bad customer experiences.) 
• Over 37million people watched the VW Darth Vader Super Bowl Ad on YouTube (The child actor had never seen Star Wars). 
• Generation Y and Z see email as passé. 
• Some universities have stopped distributing email accounts. 
• 69% of parents are "friends" with their children on Social Media. 
• GROUPON will reach $1 Billion in sales faster than any company in history. 
• There are 1.5 Million real farmers. There are 80 Million Farmville farmers. 
• Social gamers will buy $6 Billion in virtual goods by 2013. Movie goers will only buy $2.5 Billion in real goods. 
• Word of Mouth is on DIGITAL STEROIDS. 
• 34% of bloggers post opinions about products and brands (do you like what they are saying about your brand?) 
• 90% of consumers trust peer recommendations, only 14% trust advertisements. 
• 93% of marketers use social media for business.  

Click Here for Video

Happy Thanksgiving

"May you get all your wishes but one, so that you will always have something to strive for!" 

~ Irish Toast

I hope that today you are surrounded by friends, family and loved ones. We all have a lot for which we can be thankful. Jones County has seen its share of hard times and success this past year and I hope you are thankful for the progress taking place in our community. In light of the recent storms, there are many who we could offer our assistance to in their time of need. Together we can all be thankful for our health, prosperity and ability to live another day.

On the thought of volunteerism, we have so many volunteers and leaders in our communities who are working very hard and diligent to make Jones County a better place for us all. Through their tireless efforts and personal giving, we can all sleep a little safer at night and be proud of the accomplishments they are making to make our home a better place to live, work and play. If you are out an about today, think of those who don't have the day off like our policemen, firemen, emergency personnel and especially our troops overseas and abroad. If you are one of those reading this, then thank you for your service. 

I want to keep my thoughts short today, but many of you know that around the holidays (and especially this time of year) I do a lot of reflecting and thinking. This year is no different. I am not sure if it was the etiquette class Mitch, Sandy and I attended a few weeks back or if it something different all together, but I have been thinking about the gesture of toasts a lot lately. Not some quirky dancing piece of bread, but he idea of sharing a few words among peers to let someone know how thankful you are for their contributions. Perhaps today you will have an opportunity to make a toast with friends and family. I like the expression of giving a toast, especially to honor a really good host or friend. I don't always know what to say when giving a toast but I have a few that I like to keep in my back pocket for special occasions. 

The history of toasting is quite unique. Today we think of it as a way to honor someone. Originally it was used to make sure that someone had not poisoned the wine or spirits being shared before a meal. The mere fact that the term "toast" originated from placing a piece of toasted bread in a drinking glass to soak up any poison which could have been maliciously placed is quite frightening. I certainly hope you don't share that experience today but I do want you to think of toasting someone. 

Each of us needs a little encouragement from time to time. Take the time to notice the little accomplishments those around you have made this past year. Thank them. If you have the opportunity, raise a glass to them in a group and let everyone and them specifically see how much you care for them and what they do to make you thankful. 

As we bring 2011 to a close, let's go out strong. Let's take the opportunity each day in the last part of this year and express how thankful we are for the things we have, the things we have accomplished and the opportunities we have to make our business community, our neighborhoods, churches, schools, families and communities better. We can all work together and make Jones County the best place on earth to live. I know you can do it, and I want to be right here with you making the change. So to you my Jones County friends, family and neighbors, I raise a glass (figuratively) and share with you a few of my favorite toasts... 

There are good ships, 

and there are wood ships, 

The ships that sail the sea. 

But the best ships, are friendships, 

And may they always be. 

~ 

May neighbors respect you, 

Trouble neglect you, 

The angels protect you, 

And heaven accept you. 

~ 

May your mornings bring joy 

and your evenings bring peace... 

May your troubles grow less 

as your blessings increase!

~

Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!

What is Your Story?

It's finally here! In case you missed it, in a press conference held November 1st, the EDA and Chamber of Commerce, in front of a crowd of approximately 50 business leaders, elected officials, media and friends, unveiled the redesigned www.jonescounty.com 

After months of development, research, design and thought between Marketing Alliance, Inc., a Jackson, Mississippi based marketing firm, Immediate EDA Past Chair Marlo Dorsey and Chamber of Commerce Director, Larkin Simpson, the website was reviled to the public. 

So what is the big deal? Why a re-launch? www.jonescounty.com is our window to the world. It's working 24/7 to promote our community and attract investors, new residents, visitors and others to our community. In today's technological world, many people are quick to pull out their smart phones, tablet devices or laptops and Google you (or Jones County) before they ever talk to anyone who has been here, lives here or knows the wonderful tradition that is Jones County. As our current EDA Chairman, Linda Gavin, Vice President of Marketing & Business Development at South Central Regional Medical Center has said, "We have a lot to be proud of in Jones County and our new web site showcases our community very well." 

She's right! We do have a lot to be proud of in Jones County. We have a lot of history intertwined within our community; some good, some bad but it is that rich history that gives our towns a romantic charm; unique to anywhere else in the world. In addition to our history, an entrepreneurial heritage is common to Jones County. Many of our founding fathers (and mothers) and business leaders today have that "I can do it better and I'm going to prove it to you" attitude. It's that very same "rebel spirit" that has garnered national attention for Jones County. And, in addition to those causing a ruckus, we also are well known for those with a loud voice and a sweet message such as Leontyne Price; one of many in a long line of artists to come from Jones County. From the stage to the big screen to the athletic field and the board room; Jones County has a lot to be proud of and a lot of alumni we can look to for inspiration. 

These are exactly the type of story we need to be telling. Who knows our history better than those who have lived it and are building on it every day? My hope is that the website will take on the form of the Jones County story. Sure it will be a resource for information about our communities and county as well as house demographic data and site specific statistics for economic development and business recruitment but in addition to all of that, I hope the site will be an evolving tool to help visitors understand the rich history and heritage of this place we all call home. The place that is more that a dot on a map. A place called Jones County, Mississippi! 

We all have stories about our communities, stories of our own experiences as community members, leaders and neighbors. In many communities, the same stories are retold over and over because they help us define our identities - both as individuals and as members of our communities. Stories help us to learn about our world. I hope our Jones County story will help the world learn about us. I'd like to leave you with a charge that I hope you will seriously consider. I want to charge you with telling me your story and your version of the Jones County story. In addition to that, if you have friends, family, loved ones or business acquaintances who have moved on from Jones County but still have a fond place in their memory for home, I'd like to hear their story. 

Hopefully through the tapestry of stories told and pride in our home and in Jones County, we will all come to believe in the our Jones County tag line: Jones County, Now this is living!

If you would like to see more of the Jones County story;

Check us out on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/jonescountychamber

Follow us on Twitter:

www.twitter.com/joneschamber 

or on YouTube:

www.youtube.com/jonescountychamber

Trick or Treat

"What makes Superman a hero is not that he has power, but that he has the wisdom and the maturity to use the power wisely."

- Christopher Reeve

Have you picked out your Halloween costume? Got your pumpkins? Gotten your candy corn? At our house we have been eating candy corn for about a month now. I sometimes wonder if Rebekah and Ethan rob the candy truck every week just for fun. Rebekah loves the stuff. I end up getting sick on it every year because it is accessible and I can't seem to put it down! It is just one of those things that makes the holiday more special. 

It wouldn't be Halloween without candy corn, pumpkins, hay rides, scarecrows, trick or treating, practical jokes and kids in costumes. I used to not be a big fan of Halloween. I had no real need to. Rebekah and I would attend our church's fall carnival and help out, but without kids of your own, it doesn't mean as much. 

Now that Ethan is in the picture, all that has changed. His first Halloween he was a pumpkin. Obvious choice since he was as wide across as he was tall (not to mention he couldn't walk so it was the perfect disguise). Last year he was a scarecrow. This year I have had a lot of fun with Rebekah looking at different costumes and trying to decide what he will be. 

As we looked through the different costumes one had more significant meaning than the rest. Superman! Unfortunately Ethan knows nothing of Superman. But, ever since I was a little boy my dad has told me of his experience as Superman. (Notice I said AS Superman.) My father distinctly remembers when he was about four or five receiving a pair of hand-me-down Superman pajamas, red cape and all. I can't remember from which cousin he got them, but given the rest of the story I can imagine the persuasive prankster. (Because some of you are more familiar with my family, I will withhold the names to protect the guilty.) 

Anyway, my father received the pajamas and was quickly in awe. Seeing his affection for this new "suit of power", my dad's cousin quickly cooked up a scheme to convince him that if he put on the suit, he would have all the power of Superman. He could break through walls, bend steel and even fly! 

Well, like any gullible little boy, that last line got my dad. To the roof he went! With his new-to-him "suit of armor" pulled and stretched over his little body, pale skin showing here and there, peeping through well worn holes from hard fought battles. Shield of gold proudly displayed across a sea of blue and a crimson red cape waving proudly like Old Glory in a stiff breeze. He rose to the peak of his one story home with determination. Without an ounce of fear he proudly proclaimed, "I am Superman! Da-Ta-Da!" Leaping from his perch and reaching for the sky, wind rushing through his hair and blood pumping in his little body, he fell. Down, down, down. He broke his arm and quickly came to the realization that he was indeed, NOT SUPERMAN. 

Even as my dad told me this story when I was growing up, I could sense some disappointment that he was not Superman. I also know now that what my dad was doing is what I have to do with Ethan every day. I can see the fire and determination in my young son's eyes. He is all boy. He is strong willed like his mother (and me). When he puts his mind to it, nothing will stop him. So like any good parent, I have to share with him my dumb mistakes. The lessons I have had to learn the hard way, just as my daddy did with me. He shared his successes and failures to help me understand that it is okay to fail. Even at the peak of greatness, reaching for the sky you can receive bad information that causes you to fall. It may even break you, but it will also make you stronger. 

As adults we lose the "innocence of a child". The thought that we can accomplish anything we put our minds to is surrounded with doubts and "what ifs". No goal is too big. No dream too far out of reach. Let's work together to return that innocence in Jones County. Don't go around encouraging others to jump off their roofs, but let's do encourage each other to reach for their dreams. 

I am continually amazed at the progress and accomplishments our community is having. I hope you are to. Let's work to finish 2011 strong! Happy Halloween and Happy Trick or Treating! Be Safe and have fun.