Nau 2.0

So, I found out about Nau’s return early last week from some former Nau colleagues and continued friends and I couldn’t be more happy. Especially when I heard some of the names that will be sticking around to keep the dream alive. It’s going to be a very small version of what was Nau 1.0 but they couldn’t have a better bunch write the next chapter. I also wrote before some of my thoughts on Nau’s initial closing which generated a little bit of a storm. That was certainly not my intention and I can’t wait to continue to support a company I was personally vested in and proud to be a part of. And even though I was a very very small piece in it’s existence, I hope there are no hard feelings what I wrote as some took it the wrong way. I also hope the deletion of my comment on their blog was an accident and certainly not on purpose. In fact besides the clothes and the small group of employees, I am also happy to see that Nau’s blog The Thought Kitchen will also remain active!

So cheers to Nau! I can’t wait for the fall line!

Here’s a great story about the return.

New Media vs. Old Media

Every once in awhile I find myself watching CSPAN.

I’ve actually been somewhat of a fan for awhile. They show interesting stuff. My personal favorite has to be Prime Minister’s Questions, which is shown Sunday nights. I usually miss it but every once in awhile I’ll remember and click over to see if it’s on. They also show a lot of fascinating interviews with some of the most interesting people of our time. It’s a glimpse into the new and old world of politics and international affairs. Last Sunday night though, showing was a special treat. So special in fact, I would love to see it again in its entirety and need to do some research to see if that’s possible. The week has quickly caught up with me and prevented that however.

What was playing was a special presentation sponsored by the National Journal, YouTube and Google. The debate was on the role of media in the upcoming election. Now, what makes that so special is the obvious change in approach as well as the options of different types of media we not only have today but use. The prominence of bloggers as well as the importance of their impact have put them on the front lines of the action we’re about to see in the coming months. The panel present included prominent members of the ‘old’ and ‘new’ media including Mark Halperin, senior analyst at Time; James Kotecki, writer for The Politico; Kevin Madden, former spokesperson for Mitt Romney; and Katherine Ham, editor for DCExaminer.com (who wore the most hideous and annoying earrings I just have to add).

Now, I did miss a good bit of the first part of the debate but when I came across it the discussion was centered on old media and the emergence of new media and how this has affected both types as well as why has this media come about. Interestingly, the reasons given for this new form of media and why it has caught on so quickly was due to the mistrust people began to have toward traditional media; an argument from Time’s senior analyst, Mark Halperin. Bias became a problem and the tradition of un-biasness that veiled coverage before was slipping. It came to head, noted Halperin, during the Clinton administration. Now, I thought that was quite a breakthrough to hear coming especially from the old media which often fails to admit faults. I would agree though. In fact, I would argue that an early version of the new media was in fact the conservative talk shows that became wildly popular during the Clinton administration. Sorry liberals – you have taken the new media by storm but I think the (ultra-) conservatives got you on this one, at least to the punch first. But its success I claim is largely due to the mistrust that developed and the bias that seemed to seep into the news. These are my extended thoughts and not mentioned in the debate by the way.

This argument, although I agree, has rattled my brain since though. Why have people turned to blatantly biased media in their response to mainstream, traditional, (should be) unbiased media? Unfortunately, the two representatives from the new media seemed to sit on the stage and talk as if poster children, all-too excited to get to their laptops and see how many people have twittered or wrote on their blog that they saw ‘em on tv, and spoke with an attitude that they can do no wrong and have no rules and are going to take over the world (or in fact already have). I would describe them as the annoying kids in class who always have to speak showing both that know everything as well simply love hearing themselves make speeches and now that damn habit is going to fulfill their wet dream of an interview with Obama. Ok, I’ll calm down. But it did upset me that they seemed to have a complete lack of regard to the tradition of journalism. I say this because yes, we need to be open to debate and that’s what I love about the new media – it’s really just a forum for exactly this. But, at the same time we need facts and facts are often skewed in opinion pieces. Therefore, I think there should be some respect to traditional media. This means I am concluding that new media is largely opinion-based, and that’s true. I do believe this.

One of the other more interesting points made was from Romney’s former spokesperson, Kevin Madden (who by the way, appears to be just a younger version of Mitt Romney). But he made the point that media is now consumer-driven. He referred to it as a push- or pull- media economy; that as a consumer-driven media economy, it has opened the door for multiple options. However, this also means that connection to a candidate can be either through their economic policy plan or through ObamaGirl. I see this as a valid point. ObamaGirl is a viral marketing gem for the Obama camp and it plays into the new role of media. But again, it’s not a source of facts.

Halperin raised the point too that old media is catching up to the new. They are starting to play the same game. He compared it now to a race. News is pushed in real-time thanks in large part to new media that now almost all major news sources have blogs and people are reading them instead of waiting to next day’s paper or next weeks issue.

But even though I love the new form of media and believe that it’s the information source of today and the future, I am still waiting for new and old media to better collide. As Halperin pointed out that they are - I still want to see real journalism play a bigger role in media. I love blogs that portray a moderate-voice because they open debate to both sides but at the same time I want better sources with complete unbias. I know they are out there but they are not quite yet the sites people are checking out. I compare a lot of political commentary out there to tabloid journalism. Facts though are what we need. I am also interested into your thoughts on why perhaps people en masse have turned to these strongly opinionated blogs in response to media mistrust? I find it very fascinating. It’s going to be a very interesting few months and I’ll be watching it from the paper, the tv, and the computer…it’s going to be information overload!

[ Note: Here is the link to the video - I look forward to watching it in its entirety again...maybe I'll add some more thoughts! - http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_info&products_id=205935-1]

The Death of PR?

Attention PR posted on the end of their industry and I am waiting for their view on the direction of advertising.. but I am looking forward to responding! Nonetheless, I loved what they had to say. So check it out!

The Death of PR

Things I love…

Thanks to Chris and Carmel for inviting me in the club! This awesome piece from Melanie Favreau really just connected with me for reasons I can’t begin to explain. There is a very limited amount though (100) and I hear they are almost gone, so hurry up! Buy it here!

Online Purchase Experience from Hell!

Yesterday I ordered some hockey gear from hockeymonkey.com. The prices listed were awesome and I really felt great about the purchases I was about to make. Their selection especially was incredible! I should add that I am horrible when it comes to buyer’s remorse but in this case at no time did I feel that. I was happy I was going the online route for this gear. But one thing that always bothers me about online purchasing is the time it takes to deliver. I am a frequent online shopper and it never seems to amaze me how long it takes for items to be delivered. FedEx especially loves to sit on it one more day AFTER it has already arrived in town! So, as I needed this equipment by Friday and didn’t want to take any chances (I already missed out on playing last week and I am not going to let that happen again this week!), I opted for two-day shipping with an expected arrival being Wednesday. Good enough. Worst case scenario I would get it by Thursday. So after browsing for an hour and picking out the best gear for the best deal I begin the checkout process.

Here is where I start to feel like I might be making a mistake.

I fill out the whole shipping info..yada, yada…but when I get to the billing info I submit a different address. No big deal right? One, who hasn’t at some point shipped to another address? And second, especially if you’re a college student and moving around a lot or graduated like me but not yet settled…most likely you’re old home address is still your standard. I mean, I like the fact that no matter where I am at, I still know important stuff is going to one place. Besides, I am paperless when it comes to about everything so very rarely do I get anything. But when it comes to my bank where it isn’t that easy to switch addresses - I just haven’t gone through it yet as I don’t feel like I am really in a place I call home. August this will change. At this though, it tells me I need to submit my banks contact info. I am a little curious but somewhat understand and do it. After reading the lengthy wording they give on the issue though I start to feel that this is certain to turn into a hassle. As I get to the shipping selection, the price of $50 for shipping with a $5 stocking fee really turns me off and I start to question who I am dealing with. It starts to make this bargain of a spree…well, not one.

In the end though, I submit it all and accept it. I am paying for convenience plus, it hard to find this stuff at the stores around here. Hockey stores never seem to well stocked. That made this site incredible to me. I also spent an hour going through it. So done deal, right?

No. The hassle I was expecting came through.

My bank refused to verify some information of which I am glad. Hockeymonkey.com makes it seem like they can simply call a bank and get your info. I’m glad my bank refuses to work with third parties when it comes to my account. I would have been glad to have called my bank and told them to verify to the site I was in fact me even though I was sending it to another address. Instead though, hockeymonkey.com tells me they will only be satisfied if they receive this:

1) Front and back of credit card

2) Photo Identification

3) Copy of bank statement

4) Copy of telephone bill

Not just one of these items…ALL OF THEM! For hockey equipment! I mean, this is like a background check! You don’t need all of this stuff for a passport! Now, I may be writing somewhat out of being pissed off but more so I am just shocked! Does anyone else think this is ridiculous! Again, this is for hockey equipment! Not a gun! I understand the importance of security, I even gave the CID(?) number that is on the back of the card proving I have the hard copy on me. But what I can’t understand is that an online retailer would want to make purchasing such a hassle and they certainly lost this sale! I am also sure I am not the first and only. If a business was smart they would of course have security standards, especially in this day and age. But such lengths is ridiculous and bad for business. I would in fact feel uncomfortable giving them this much info in these times!

Simply put: this is ridiculous and bad for business.

On a good note, with the other painful part of the transaction being the shipping costs thus really not making it so much a deal anymore, I was able to go down to Players Bench and found the exact same product for just a little more than what hockeymonkey.com was asking for but I didn’t have to spend for shipping now. Just gas (yes, I know…). Plus, I can return it if there are issues. The site had a clause that nothing on ’sale’ can be returned. One problem though:everything was discounted thus I guess nothing can be returned! That’s there way of preventing customer service if there are issues and anyone who has studied online retail knows there are TONS of returns and issues when it comes to retailing this route. But I think the upside of being able to be a store front to everyone outweighs this problem and besides…happy customers is the most important aspect of any business! Returns suck..but when done right they foster customer engagement and create loyalty!

Thoughts?

ATTN: Generation Y and Generation Y Marketers!

Fantastic critique from Chris Reinhard: Generation Y vs. Generation Y Marketers

Lessons to be learned here!

Are trends good? Your thoughts…

You are probably saying to yourself: “Uh? Where is he going with this?”

The reason I am posing this question is because I want to know your thoughts. You see, this last weekend I went out to an over-trendy (actually, that’s too much credit [bad trendy]) and over-priced ‘club’, if you will - remember this is Denver I am talking about. But actually, this joint is very high-end looking and easily Denver’s finest club and in fact could belong in any city. Besides, whether it’s LA or NY…a club’s a club. They both look cheap and unimpressive when the lights are on.

As I sat there though with two of my good friends, I couldn’t help but look around and see that everyone seems to be following the same trend. Uniqueness seems to be dead. Now, I am of course talking about fashion right now ’cause I am sure that throughout the packed place there were so many unique individuals. However, when everything seems packaged the same (or wrong in some cases!)…it’s like you don’t even want to open the box. Luckily, I did happen to be with two of my most fab friends who are incredibly unique and, i’ll admit, fascinating (as well as incredibly stylish) that it didn’t bother me at all for I was more than fine enjoying just our bottle and and their company.

I left though with the question: ‘Are trends really good?’

You see, I think in a business sense…of course! When you are on top of the trends or better yet, setting the trends, this almost always translates into revenue! Into profits! And I am not just talking about fashion or retail. However, as I said that I realized…wait a second! Don’t you have to be unique in the first place to set trends? Plus, don’t trends seem to lag a few years? Therefore, even if you are simply keeping up with the trend, shouldn’t you still be a few steps ahead?

I could write on and on about this but I’ll jump ahead to my conclusions. I concluded that trends are good…for most people or everybody else. But if you really want to play the game rather than simply following it, trends are bad! They fail to promote, or at least slow, progress. They kill discussion by not adding to it. They kill a scene - a good example of this is the city I live in, Boulder, where there has been a long-running joke that girls, and GUYS I’ll argue, wear the CU Uniform (don’t get me on what that is and, in CU’s case, the same look translates into the same attitude. How unfortunate.). And these other descriptions come to mind: Cheap, knock-off, boring, done, mediocrity…(I’d love to hear words that come to your mind!)

In the end though, and I know this sounds cliche, I just absolutely LOVE and have an indescribable respect for those individuals or groups or company’s that are steps ahead and keep me on my toes! But though it may sound cliche, when you are surrounded by the same boringness you just have to yell out ‘THANK YOU’ to those who keep things interesting! And that is why, partly, I wrote this tonight. That, and I really do know what you think about trends.

Also, If you’d like to know who my two fabulous friends were check out Chris Reinhard and, easily, the most beautiful girl at the place may not want me to throw out her name (of course I would if she wanted) but you can find some of her work here.

Nau’s Road Comes to an End

Last night I got to hear the unfortunate news with the rest of the Nau store teams across the country that this Saturday would be the last day of business for Nau. It was a very quick and sudden shock. As an employee for Nau I got to have the unique distinction of being the very first hire outside of management and was a part of the opening of the first store as a company here in Boulder. I also had the privilege of meeting so many awesome individuals that were a part of this team from the bottom up. And we had some incredible people (and names) connected with the launch of this new apparel company. It feels like just yesterday we were meeting in the Boulder Marriott talking about our new approach to retail, our up-coming store launch, and of course the very first line of clothing we were about to introduce. That was barely a year ago (March ‘07).

Now, I know that this is a part of being a startup. Especially in retail, it is a very rocky road and at no time did we ever feel, or act, that we were in the clear. We knew that in a way everyday was a battle to keep this new company growing but we seemed to be succeeding. I can not and will not believe this was based on lack of sales because it wasn’t because of that. In fact, on a retail level I would certainly say that for a first year apparel company we succeeded on that level! And we knew every new customer was important, every sale big. But with that, I can’t help but feel that there are a lot of questions left. I can’t understand how this end came so sudden. I also can’t help but feel for those really effected by it. I have had my hands in other pots these last few months and am about to start a new and exciting adventure Monday…but for those that were full-time, for the management, for the new employees in L.A. whose store just opened last week and left their jobs in order to train, build out, and then work the store for only a week - what about them? I have to ask Nau why they continued some of their actions knowing that the end was so close. As a company dedicated and built upon so many positive things and dedicated to doing right especially for their employees - I just have to question now that with this sudden end they had to have lost some sight in doing what was right and appropriate. Even though Nau will try to go out gracefully, it could have been handled a lot better. I am left feeling that somewhere a complete lack of planning occurred. I know I don’t know the entire situation and I am writing somewhat on anger but more so I am just disappointed. The way the end came about and the reaction I know I have felt and some other employees have felt from the company, that it just doesn’t seem to correlate with the values we established Nau on and, as employees, we bought into and pushed.

On a business sense too, I wish I could have more answers. It is not my place right now to share my thoughts on this area. I do feel though that I have learned a tremendous lesson when it comes to startups as I watched Nau grow and die.

With that said, I am really going to miss Nau. We did some great things, showed for the most part what doing business good meant, and I think in a way we set the bar higher especially for outdoor apparel. We definitely set off some waves and made people and competitors think. We also made a ton of friends in the process! That is what I will certainly miss the most.

I recommend going over to nau.com though and read the official announcement. Plus, everything on the site is 50% off and everything in the stores as well will be 50% off until close Saturday. Stores are located in Boulder, CO; Bellevue, WA; Tigard, OR; Chicago, IL; and the Beverly Center in Los Angles, CA.

Cheers, Nau! It’s been fun knowin’ and being a part of you!

UPDATE: I just spent a couple of hours at the store this afternoon saying goodbye to so many of our awesome customers! A lot of people heard the news today and came to take up on the sweet deals…in fact the place was packed and the store is a mess but for good reasons! The stores are definitely going out with a bang today and who knows what tomorrow will bring. I’ll have to peek my head in throughout the day to see who else stops by and give it one more final adieu!

Can Soccer Score in the U.S.?

Yesterday I was able to enjoy the Chelsea v. Liverpool semi-finals match on ESPN with the winner, Chelsea, going onto face Manchester United in the European Cup/Champions League final. This is also exciting as Chelsea and Man U are tied in points for tops in the Premier League plus it will be the first time for an all-England final for the European Cup. But this post isn’t about the success of Man U or Chelsea rather I want to talk about the success of football (or soccer) in America. You see, as I was watching this match at 1pm in the afternoon, I couldn’t help but think how is this so huge all over the world yet STILL has yet to make a dent in the US. In fact, I would love to know the ratings for that match yesterday.

Now, I know quite a few fans here in the US, especially a few die-hard Chelsea fans, but all in all there is very little interest. At the same time though, I sensed there is a shift going on. First, the lead-off story on Sportscenter yesterday was in fact the Chelsea v. Liverpool match. I have also noticed that Premier League as well as other notable matches’ scores are featured on the ticker on ESPN. Therefore, there must be some sort of generated interest here. But what I want to know is: What exactly is it going to take to make the World’s game popular here at home? Is it even possible? I mean a big disadvantage is the fact that games are shown in the afternoon and often during a weekday such as Wednesday or Monday. Plus, is the fact that these games are played on the other side of the world making them too disconnected with possible fans here? I know they occasionally travel states-side to play some friendlies but we all know that it’s not the same. It is however a good, and necessary, promotional tool for the Premier League. But is there a way to get teams located in other parts of the world to create fan-bases here in the states? A way to get people not just simply into the game but to actually connect with and have a favorite team to cheer for? I ask this because I see that, connections with specific teams, as the only way for it to succeed here. It can’t simply be fans of the game who occasionally tune in when they are sick at home, rather fans who tune in while at work to see the score (such as during March Madness - and don’t even get me on that productivity argument!).

So I guess I’m just wondering if this, top-tier football, is a an un-tapped opportunity or is it just a lost cause? I know I haven’t discussed MLS, perhaps this is where our attention should be focused on when it comes to soccer but as it isn’t top-tiered football and the fact that I know far more loyal fans of Premier League teams than I do of MLS teams and the fact that MLS games aren’t really shown on TV as Premier League games are…I believe the Premier League is where we should be looking at to bring to this sport to success here in the states. Am I wrong? You tell me!

Check it out: Chelsea even has a US-dedicated site!

PSFK says: ‘Not Enough’

PSFK wrote a couple of interesting posts today (& 4/21) targeted at BMW, Starbucks and Nike. They are very of course short and to the point. But they dare to ask why these companies, who are rather favorable to causes and talked about ‘green’ before it became common-place, aren’t doing more? In fact what they are doing…isn’t even close to enough.

I would expect more…especially from BMW. Where is their ‘green’ car?