Brain Blenders

What not to do during a meeting...

In a poll of chief information officers:
• 88% said it’s inappropriate to leave cellphones on “ring” when in meetings
• 80% said sending instant messages during meetings is a definite “don’t”
• 79% frown on sending and replying to e-mail.

ROBERT HALF INTL, BUFFALO NEWS 1.17.05

The rest of the unpublished statistics:

• 94% said they wished people would just work more and talk less.
• 82% of CIO's said they really enjoy a hot cup of coco when they watch "Murder She Wrote"
• 75% said they think computers ruined the mimeogragh. (and video killed the radio star)
  
• 60% said they believe instant messaging is a tool of the occult.
• 100% said they feel SO DISCONNECTED FROM TODAY"S WORKFORCE THEY WONDER HOW LONG THEY WILL ACTUALLY KEEP THEIR JOBS.

Guerilla's in your Midst!

Marketing to the people. Some shots of the guerrilla's work...

New BrainMail Logo

I created a new BrainMail logo...minimalist that I am, it's in black and white and EXTREMELY SIMPLE. What do you think?  And, if you haven't signed up for BrainMail and would like to receive a cool email once a week (Monday's mostly) then just fill in your email address in the box on the right...your email stays with me. I don't sell, lend, rent, or anything else with them.

As a matter of fact I use a program called TrueFire's Mail Dog and I don't even have to look at the email addy's. The program manages them and I just hit the BrainMail List in order to send them out to you. It's really cool way to manage and send messages. If you ever looked for a way to send massive amounts on email at once without having to manage the subrscibers, then it's a program I would highly recommend. They've always been good to me...

Subtle Safety Ring

The Subtle Safety™ Defensive Ring is a ring and a defense mechanism in one. Closed, the ring is a piece of common jewely...opened, the ring is a set of sharp brass knuckles. Intended for females, the wearer is supposed to be reminded of her safety while in urban settings.

Orange whistles are garish and weapons can easily be turned against you. The Subtle Safety ring is meant to act as a better solution to the recommended practice of a woman placing her keys between her fingers as she walks alone. The ring in its compact form is an elegant stack of three shapes.

I think this is a winning concept...

Wooden Laptop

Why hand-make a computer out of wood?

Because every item is different from every other.

Because it's made with a living material that communicates warmth and unique tactile feelings, and that will acquire personality as it gets older rather than getting uglier. Because it represents a return to traditional methods and a way of working united with the most advanced technology. Because it's wonderful. Because it's light. Because there are extremely few examples in the world, and each of them is unique. Because it's an object made to last through time. From Zaverio.net

I have decided I need more stuff made out of natural materials...return me to the days of analog without the loss of my digital tech. 

Zaverio.net

Wooden iPod cover
Leather iPod Cover
Complete line of Computer cases - good looking site - Real Wood and Leather Cases

Instant Shops

Nike has opened a "pop up" location in Canada called the Nike Runners Lounge in order to "connect with core runners and running specialty stores in Vancouver and . . . to offer runners a training facility that takes care of all their running needs.”

The Runner's Lounge is a temporary establishment that will probably be removed in a couple of months. Some of the reasons runners are going to the Lounge include: post-run massages, a stretching room, run-route maps, refueling bar, retail display and music. They also have a free bag check, washrooms and free waffle runs on the weekend.

And the main reason the Lounge is open, a huge rack of the newest Nike's that runners can take for a test run. Here's the kicker...you can't even buy the shoes at the Lounge. You'll have to go to a retail outlet for that.

Experiential Marketing at it's best. For other examples see the Meow Mix Cafe , Target, and Vacant.

Chantico from Starbucks

$2.65 for 6 ounces of PURE FREAKING CHOCOLATE!!! Starbuck's describes
the drink as, "dark, creamy, drinkable chocolate".

Well, that should be underlined with parentheces following the
description saying (SERIOUSLY- DRINKABLE CHOCOLATE)

Granted, I am not a huge chocolate fan...but how could anyone drink a
full one of these...even at just 6 ozs? It's such a rich, rich drink!!!

Expectations...

Dear Brain :-)

I promise I will send you the new product. Nabaztag.

Meanwhile you can have a look at it here and when we have the translation done I'll send you the description of the rabbit (yes it moves its ears!). This all stems from an article I wrote here. The new version of Dal moves it's ears and plays tunes...and when I get one - I'll give a full review. I like the idea of receiving my information in a non-invasive way. Rather than the BONG!! of the immediate email, or the harsh ringing of my phone (yes I have one of those phones that plays horrible music when people call it - sorry co-workers) if I could get a subtle light change from the Nabaztag...or maybe the ears droop to indicate a message from a client, or they perk up when the message is from a family member. Just dreaming now...