How Important is Social Media to the Success of Business
by Ken Proctor
Well this is a question I can certainly answer easily……SUPER important!! When I left my company to pursue my own business over two years ago I think I had roughly 70 facebook friends….I now have upwards of 4500 and have reached 5000 (facebooks max) three times now and had to go in and delete people so I can add people who I actually know. I have no clue how I reached that many people as I certainly did not s…
“That’s How You Become Great Man”…..
by Ken Proctor
When I emailed Ken last week to tell him that I was leaving my “business” to focus on the two things I love (my art and this website), he said that this weeks article (last weeks oops) was going to be secretly dedicated to me….well I guess not secret since I am telling you all but….I LOVE IT! My journey to the place where I am has involved a few Jerry Maguire moments… because when I first left…
The Smartest Retailer Around
by Ken Proctor
I just like the name and who doesn’t like buttered noodles!? Sometimes the simplest things are the very best for business…..I keep learning that every day! With any business it’s all about the energy you put into it and make sure you know how to engage your audience. -Julia The Smartest Retailer Around There has been no shortage of conversation lately about “Main Street” still…
Walk With The Lame And You Learn To Limp
by Ken Proctor
This is certainly truth! As a recruiter I cannot tell you how many conversations I had with companies about employees that were not doing a good job representing themselves or the company but for some reason they would not let them go. At a certain point you have to make a decision and stick to it. It’s like a girl complaining about her jerk of a boyfriend (or vise versa ) to all her friends but she keeps going back t…
Do Something Half Assed and You Get Half Good
by Ken Proctor
I wasn’t quite sure where Ken was going with this one at first based on the title and what a shocker that he is speaking to himself! I can definitely respect this decision and have found myself contemplating these things many times myself. Sometimes we think, bigger, bigger, bigger …. we want to appeal to the masses to make more money, but to appeal to the masses it means you have to dumb yourself or your prod…
Top Ten List of Why I Love Working For Myself
by Ken Proctor
Brutus enjoying his cushy bed in my office ….yes he is a boy with a pink bed but it is actually Pearls…he kicked her out!! haha I gave Ken this topic because I know first hand how hard it can be to run your own business. IT’S HARD! There are days where it seems there is no light at the end of the tunnel and you wonder why in the world you are doing this to yourself. It can be mentally, physically and emotion…
What the Footwear Industry Really Needs!!!
by Ken Proctor
I think this article speaks volumes! Basically all things that go back to the basics of really caring about business, your customers and providing service, quality and design! Ken speaks truth!! -Julia What the Footwear Industry Really Needs Please forgive me for being so incredibly crude, but our entire industry needs to take a massive dump! Thats right, a huge one. Here is what we need to dump and get out o…
Don’t be Afraid to Admit You Made a Mistake
by Ken Proctor
I love this topic because it is something that I try to always practice. I think there is WAY too much time spent with people arguing over whose to blame or why something isn’t their fault. I look at it like this: I have better things to be doing than spinning my wheels on something that should already be taken care of. To me, it’s a complete waste of time….so rather than argue about who made a mistake, le…
The Fastest Way to Improve the Economy: Turn off the TV – turn on the music – get creative – and get on with it!
by Ken Proctor
“Turn off the TV – turn on the music – get creative – and get on with it!” I just love this and it’s so incredibly true!! This reminds me of my first few weeks in the East Village when I moved to NY. As any fellow NYC resident probably knows it can take forever to get an appointment with the cable guy and as much as I was wishing for the internet for work purposes, I never missed the boo…
Relationships – How much do we compromise to keep them going?
by Ken Proctor
I gave Ken this topic because lately I have found myself asking this question in my personal life and in business. I actually asked Ken for his advice based on a specific situation I am dealing with and his advice was so simple and made so much sense. He simply asked me if the relationship was profitable….my answer was yes, so he he then said, “well then you just swallow it” in reference to taking th…
How Hard Can This Be?
by Ken Proctor
Yeah…I would not have been nearly as nice as Ken! I have a real issue with people who have control issues and just love to tell people no and inforce rules. Honestly, most corporations put rules like the one Ken discusses below so that people don’t abuse them, not to be enforced on their regular clients. I am sure the execs would not be happy to find that Ken was treated in such a way, but then again, customer se…
Comments – And the Winner Is…
by JULIA
Great to get the industries support on our article about Toms vs Bobs by Skechers ….Ken and I certainly appreciate it! LinkedIn Groups Group: Footwear News Discussion: And The Winner Is…. Hear Hear Julia, small correction. If we dont speak up and out loud, why post at all. I do hope the main stream press (like in NYC Times, People Magazine, National Enquirer what ever trash people read) picks up the th…
Comments: China – Now What?
by JULIA
I wanted to share comments posted in various groups that I share articles with on LinkedIn. These comments are in response to Ken’s recent article about China….some great insight and points! Love the feedback! LinkedIn Groups Group: Footwear Industry Discussion: China – Now What? Maybe India is even more than 10 years behind China in Infrastructure development. Posted by Shashank Agraw…
You Scratch My Back and I Will Scratch Mine
by Ken Proctor
I suppose some people are just wired differently because I just don’t understand people who have no problem asking favors and actually being down right annoying about it when they are in need, but when the tables turn they will have nothing to do with helping you. Ken said I would relate to the article this week and boy do I! I have ventured into new industries a couple of time throughout my career and in the beginnin…
China – Now What?
by Ken Proctor
For some reason … this song came to mind and I think it will now officially be my and Ken’s theme song! I like this message Mr. Petty…. ; ) Enjoy and happy Friday!! Yeah Ken! On a roll!! I can’t really add anything to this as I have not yet been to China…I do know that this is definitely a topic of conversation as of lately and I definitely understand the importance. It just reminds me how i…
