The Bud Billiken Parade has been around since 1929. It is always held on the second Saturday in August. It was created by Chicago Defender founder Robert S. Abbott. The parade has been the kick-off to encourage students to return to school and do their best.
The Bud Billiken has been able to attract many illustrious notables throughout the years. A lot of political hopefuls come out in a last ditch effort to get votes they may not get. It is also an opportunity for various schools throughout the city and surrounding suburbs to showcase their many talents by having their band, flag team and or dance team perform.
This year, the Grand Marshal was a Chicago native who has made headlines for more than just his music. If you didn't know it was R. Kelly. Some years ago there were allegations that R. Kelly was having sex with minors. He beat the charges that were brought up against him and I'm not holding that over his head. The issue I have is he's illiterate. How does one who has admitted that he is illiterate become the Grand Marshal of a parade that is supposed to encourage students to go back to school and do their best? I think that's the biggest oxymoron ever! I also believe it sends the wrong message to students in a system where a good number of them are functioning at least three grade levels behind.
I think it is sad that the Bud Billiken has gone from having the likes of then U.S. Senator Barack Obama being the Grand Marshal to R. Kelly. What a contrast! I guess this is the best they could do.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
Time out for ma and pa businesses!
I just saw a post on FB that a friend made. It was a PSA to hairstylist about increasing their prices because their business has decreased. It read : PSA for stylists: When you clientele starts decreasing, increase your marketing. Don't resort to raising your loyal client's prices to compensate your profit margin. That is all.
Now I understand the concern the poster and others have as it relates to maintain loyal clients; however, I often wonder why in certain industries people expect to be treated differently because of their loyalty. I know there are some companies who have customer loyalty programs but some of these programs cost and the rewards are not always as great as we would like them to be.
I digress. So I asked the person who posted this if this stylist has a said price list visible in the salon. Of course the answer was no. The prices are in the stylist head. HUH? So I suggested that maybe it is time for the client to find someone else to service her. Maybe she should go to a salon where there is a set price list.
So I guess my question is this: Why are there so many businesses (especially in the Black community) that are ma and pa businesses? I know this is how many of them got their start, but when do they progress and grow? Now, the original post was about increase your marketing, but how much marketing is being done if this woman does not have a set price list in place? I am inclined to believe that many small business owners are missing out on a lot of business because they do not have a solid business plan. Then there are others who will argue that there really is no need for one, but I believe that is nonsense. If you are going out of town and you have never been there, you need a map or GPS in order to get around. That is what a business plan does for a business. It gives you direction. I am not suggesting that you can not become successful without a business plan; however, having one will allow you to know when you have arrived at your destination.
Now I understand the concern the poster and others have as it relates to maintain loyal clients; however, I often wonder why in certain industries people expect to be treated differently because of their loyalty. I know there are some companies who have customer loyalty programs but some of these programs cost and the rewards are not always as great as we would like them to be.
I digress. So I asked the person who posted this if this stylist has a said price list visible in the salon. Of course the answer was no. The prices are in the stylist head. HUH? So I suggested that maybe it is time for the client to find someone else to service her. Maybe she should go to a salon where there is a set price list.
So I guess my question is this: Why are there so many businesses (especially in the Black community) that are ma and pa businesses? I know this is how many of them got their start, but when do they progress and grow? Now, the original post was about increase your marketing, but how much marketing is being done if this woman does not have a set price list in place? I am inclined to believe that many small business owners are missing out on a lot of business because they do not have a solid business plan. Then there are others who will argue that there really is no need for one, but I believe that is nonsense. If you are going out of town and you have never been there, you need a map or GPS in order to get around. That is what a business plan does for a business. It gives you direction. I am not suggesting that you can not become successful without a business plan; however, having one will allow you to know when you have arrived at your destination.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Before you get in business, learn how to operate one.
Just the other night, I was going through some old mail. As I was looking through the Valpak, I came across an advertisement for a nail spa. I had reason to suspect that this was not a reputable place, but I decided to look at the website for fun.
When I went to the website, I was a bit impressed. It appeared to be done with care. As I continued to look at the various sections I was really surprised. That was until I got to the picture gallery. When I went to the picture gallery, I noticed quite a few pictures that appeared to be taken from other publications. So, I go to this one nail company website and look at their pictures and walah! There were most if not all the images on this nail company website. I could not believe it. (Well, I could.) I guess the nail spa didn't expect a licensed nail technician to look at their website and identify the images.
The next concern I have is this another salon. I was on a website for a shoe store I like to frequent. I saw that this salon sponsored the shoe store ad so I decided to click on the salon website to see what it was all about. Well, it seemed nice but when I tried to click on the links, they were not working. That is not good. So in my ignorance, I kept on clicking various areas to see if I would be successful and I was not. When I finally was able to click on an area, the information appeared to be written in French.
Now, I am wondering: Why would you post a website that is not fully functional? Do you think people are going to remember to come back and check it in a few weeks or months? More than likely, NOT! I am beginning to wonder if people actually think before they decide to call themselves operating a business.
My dear friends, before you decide to operate a business, learn how to run one.
When I went to the website, I was a bit impressed. It appeared to be done with care. As I continued to look at the various sections I was really surprised. That was until I got to the picture gallery. When I went to the picture gallery, I noticed quite a few pictures that appeared to be taken from other publications. So, I go to this one nail company website and look at their pictures and walah! There were most if not all the images on this nail company website. I could not believe it. (Well, I could.) I guess the nail spa didn't expect a licensed nail technician to look at their website and identify the images.
The next concern I have is this another salon. I was on a website for a shoe store I like to frequent. I saw that this salon sponsored the shoe store ad so I decided to click on the salon website to see what it was all about. Well, it seemed nice but when I tried to click on the links, they were not working. That is not good. So in my ignorance, I kept on clicking various areas to see if I would be successful and I was not. When I finally was able to click on an area, the information appeared to be written in French.
Now, I am wondering: Why would you post a website that is not fully functional? Do you think people are going to remember to come back and check it in a few weeks or months? More than likely, NOT! I am beginning to wonder if people actually think before they decide to call themselves operating a business.
My dear friends, before you decide to operate a business, learn how to run one.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
How do you become an expert overnight?
I was speaking with a friend and she was sharing some things with me about her job. She has a new boss and all of a sudden, people who have never done anything at work or the bare minimum have become experts in the field and are jockeying for a position. After our conversation, I begin to question how does one truly become an expert in their respective fields overnight? Or are there just certain fields in which this happens?
I have always been an avid reader and I make sure I keep up with what is going on in my field(s) so I won't appear to be an idiot when engaging in a dialogue with others. I have some suggestions for those who are professing to be the expert in their field.
(1) If you have just entered this field, there is a GOOD possibility you are clueless to that field. I was speaking to another educator last night and we both laughed at some of the things we were taught in school and how it meant absolutely nothing when we started teaching. One of the reasons for this is the people who write the books are often so far removed from a situation or so out of touch with it they don't know what's really going on in reality.
(2) In most areas, your expertise comes from on the job experience. What people tend to learn in school is just a blueprint or guidelines for what may happen, but you really don't know until you experience it. If you know like I know, a lot of that stuff that is taught in school isn't worth what the bird left on the limb.
(3)Remain open and teachable. There are some people who feel like they have all the answers or all the knowledge and no one can tell them anything. WRONG! In order to become wise, you have to be open to learning. If someone is not open to doing so, then they are doomed for failure.
If you are an overnight expert, maybe you need to go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate your knowledge. There's nothing worse than a person who thinks he/she knows everything but in reality they know nothing at all. If you truly want to become an expert in your field, you first need to be open to learning on a continual basis. Once you have mastered that, you need to be willing to share this knowledge with others. It makes absolutely no sense to have the knowledge if you aren't going to share it. Also, I thought in order for one to become an expert in his/her field, others must recognize it.
I have always been an avid reader and I make sure I keep up with what is going on in my field(s) so I won't appear to be an idiot when engaging in a dialogue with others. I have some suggestions for those who are professing to be the expert in their field.
(1) If you have just entered this field, there is a GOOD possibility you are clueless to that field. I was speaking to another educator last night and we both laughed at some of the things we were taught in school and how it meant absolutely nothing when we started teaching. One of the reasons for this is the people who write the books are often so far removed from a situation or so out of touch with it they don't know what's really going on in reality.
(2) In most areas, your expertise comes from on the job experience. What people tend to learn in school is just a blueprint or guidelines for what may happen, but you really don't know until you experience it. If you know like I know, a lot of that stuff that is taught in school isn't worth what the bird left on the limb.
(3)Remain open and teachable. There are some people who feel like they have all the answers or all the knowledge and no one can tell them anything. WRONG! In order to become wise, you have to be open to learning. If someone is not open to doing so, then they are doomed for failure.
If you are an overnight expert, maybe you need to go back to the drawing board and re-evaluate your knowledge. There's nothing worse than a person who thinks he/she knows everything but in reality they know nothing at all. If you truly want to become an expert in your field, you first need to be open to learning on a continual basis. Once you have mastered that, you need to be willing to share this knowledge with others. It makes absolutely no sense to have the knowledge if you aren't going to share it. Also, I thought in order for one to become an expert in his/her field, others must recognize it.
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