Archive for January, 2012

Reboot

Most nights I’m up until 1am and awake by 7am. Sometimes it works. Other times I walk into work looking like I spent all morning getting punched in the face by a toddler.

Last night I was up until 4am working on a video.

It was worth it because the final product is hilarious, but lack of sleep isn’t sustainable.

Tonight will be the first night I go to bed before midnight since maybe November.

Time to reboot.

How Bad Do You Want It?

Make What You Want As Easy As Possible For Others

Last night a friend ordered a drink at the bar.

For change, the cashier handed him back a ten dollar bill and a quarter.

Assuming she wanted a tip, she put him in a difficult situation.

He had four options:

1. Leave a quarter.

2. Leave nothing.

3. Leave a $10.

4. Ask for change.

All four are bad options.

If you want something from your customers, make it as easy as possible for them to give it to you.

As a valet, I always gave back change making it easy for people to tip. Depending on the clientele, I’d make a snap judgement and either give them back 5′s or 1′s. Either way, I made it easy to tip.

When they asked for change for a $5 bill, about half the time I said I didn’t have change regardless of if I did. I made it easy for them to tip me $5.

To get what you want from customers, make as easy as possible for them. Remove any barriers, excessive decisions, and as much mental work as possible.

Make what you want the path of least resistance.

Connect with me on Twitter: @BenNesvig

Never Give Up Control

“Never give up control. Live life on your own terms.”

This is one of my favorite scenes from one of my favorite shows.

A great creed to live by.