Really though, we’re very happy for him. We would like to take a moment to share some of our favorite memories from his 21 years (yes, 21!) with GCI. Please read, laugh, cry, and add some of your own!

Some memories to get us started:

- transitioning to our first(!) computer in 1988

- finally getting Ed to use a color monitor in 1998

- good dogs and bad dogs in the office (elaboration on this is sure to come)

read on….

This is the original photo Paul sent that started the mad cow disease

On Oct 7, 2009, at 12:22 PM, Paul Thomas wrote:
Taken during a protest by dairy farmers of something having to do with their cows.

On Oct 7, 2009, at 12:34 PM, Ed Mund wrote:
Boy that cop’s shield is really getting creamed. (I know, some people will milk any opportunity for a bad pun.)

On Oct 7, 2009, at 1:26 PM, Paul Thomas wrote:
no point crying over spilled milk… unless you’ve been maced, then cry away.

On Oct 7, 2009, at 1:30 PM, Ed Mund wrote:
Oh boy, we’re just starting to skim over the pun possibilities here. Think we can come up with more than 2%?

On Oct 7, 2009, at 1:31 PM, Paul Thomas wrote:
You bet we can! Hopefully we can figure a whey to keep this joke from spoiling.

On Oct 7, 2009, at 1:33 PM, Ed Mund wrote:
Cheese, that’s another good one.

"Anarcowst"

On Oct 7, 2009, at 1:43 PM, Paul Thomas wrote:
Look at the brand! obviously not from the same herd as Tillamook. Radical cows. 

October 7, 2009 1:46PM Donnie Miller wrote:
I bet those are the cows the cream cheese comes from. That all I got.

On Oct 7, 2009, at 1:47 PM, Ed Mund wrote:
She seems to be alone. I guess she believes anarchist cows should be seen, but not herd.

On Oct 7, 2009, at 1:47 PM, Paul Thomas wrote:
Rogue bovine! Mad cow! It’s a disease on society!

On Oct 7, 2009, at 1:57 PM, Ed Mund wrote:
How do you know? Are you such an expert that you’re outstanding in the field? Looking pasture diagnosis, how do you propose we get this cow out of Monterey, Jack?

On Oct 7, 2009, at 2:24 PM, Paul Thomas wrote:
As much as I hate to digest this defeat I’ll take this grazing in stride. I’m no expert in the fields of cows and related disudders. The cow can stay in Monterey, so long as it’s shelfish life doesn’t expire.

Just-the-same, there’s just something that curdles my blood about such rude, no– icy, ‘cream vulgarity’! The smug look on the mans’ face just makes me want to teat cookies and drink water out of spite!

On Oct 7, 2009, at 2:36 PM, Ed Mund wrote:
It takes a big man to know when the bull is so deep it behooves him to just turn away and mooove along. And as much as you may be cowed by the edam man’s vulgarity, steer clear of any retribution. Don’t let him prod you into doing something you may regret. Just turn away and show him your dairy air as you hoof it home to your cottage.

"Lest we forget" caused a final creative stampede

On Oct 7, 2009, at 2:57 PM, Paul Thomas wrote:
lest we forget…
“Oh, teat squeezer you shot that swat geezer
His shield has blocked the stream, but your supporters know what you mean
Long after the herds disband, your sour milk will still stand
A reminder in the streets of what it means to walk a mile in your teats”

On Oct 7, 2009, at 3:11 PM, Ed Mund wrote:
Ode to a Poor Constable:
His sweatbreads saved by shield,
His goggles did not yield.
But the crowd looked on with disdain,
As they caught a whiff of methane.
Yes even cops get scared
When milked in a public square.
And now that we’ve had our fun,
Please, no more bloody puns.

-courtney

The man is the living embodiment of community volunteerism. His passion and dedication to giving his time to his community are legendary and wide-reaching. This morning his focus was “just” on how his 78 years (yes, 78!) in Boy Scouts has impacted his life and business.

He spoke of how Scouting has changed over the years since November 1931 when he joined (he held up his original membership card) and 1935 when he earned the Eagle Scout pin he was wearing. For example, the “Sheep Farmer” merit badge among the 30 or so on his sash is no longer offered.

More importantly, he admired the things about Scouting that have never changed. . . the Scout Oath and the Scout Laws. He reminded the audience that the core principals of Scouting really do matter, even though they don’t seem to be much in evidence these days. Honesty. Integrity. Honoring your family. Being true to your word. Doing your best.

He attributes much of the success of his 50-year, family owned and operated business to running the business according to these same principles that have guided his daily life for 78 of his 89 years now.

Phil has been married to my late father’s sister for more than 60 years, so I’ve known and been influenced by him all my life. Maybe his values are, in part, why I’ve always felt so comfortable at GCI for going on 21 years now. The day Connie and I met, we talked for more than two and a half hours. I left the office that day not knowing yet if I had a job, but feeling like I’d known her all my life, too.

Hearing Phil speak this morning helped me put that day and now all these years in clear perspective. Connie has always operated GCI under those same principals.

At the end of the breakfast, person after person came up to meet Phil. They called him an inspiration, a community treasure, a remarkable person. But I get to use the best title. All my life it’s been my honor to call him, “Uncle Phil.”

- Ed

You send invoices, fax covers, memo, notes, requests and all other manner of “non-marketing” related correspondence to – you guessed it – your clients, referral sources, and prospects.

It’s a pretty simple thing to:
• make sure these documents also conform to the image you project in your marketing materials; and
• make them sell a little.

There’s no harm in introducing a new product or service in every communication, regardless of how mundane:
• put your company story on the back of work orders;
• list all of your products and services on fax covers;
• insert a coupon for a special offering in your statements;
• put two business cards in your thank you notes.

Many small businesses make the mistake of assuming that an existing client knows all about everything you offer. No, they probably know about the one thing they buy from you. Continue to subtly educate at all times. It’s this attention to detail that, over time, adds to the collective marketing momentum your business needs.

- Ed

Designer/Director Martha Guilfoyle, Photographer Paul Thomas, and Videographer James Waugh hard at work.

The Team was in audio/visual mode yesterday, working on a motorcycle safety program that will go statewide. Oh sure, we can take a lot of credit for all the effort that went into coordinating four motorcycle officers, five motorcycle riders and great locations. But what really sealed the deal on the day was glorious sunshine and blue skies a mere two days after snow.

Of course, when you mix burly bikers clad in leather on tricked out machines with two city police officers and two State Troopers on their motorcycles, you’re bound to attract an audience. It was heartening to talk with the public and hear nothing but positive comments. More than a few looked a bit perplexed to see cops and bikers laughing and getting along. Isn’t it fun to break people out of their stereotypical comfort zones?

One man said several times in a three-minute conversation how valuable he thought the motorcycle safety training he took had been to him. He was sure it had saved his life over years of riding in traffic. He said his young son loves motorcycles, too, and when he is old enough, he’ll have to go through the training before ever riding on the road. We need more parents like that.

What a fantastic day — sunshine, a great client, excellent “actors” and The Team working seamlessly doing good work for the public good. What’s not to like about that?

- Ed

Use management tools to get into their heads. Search the web or go to any bookstore and you’ll find all kinds of scholarly tomes on how to manage people in certain age groups or generations. These share something in common with market research — they go into great detail about what that generation thinks about, what they like, how they interact with others, what they do to get what they want.

Managers who are not part of that generation (usually older) use this information to reach them in their own language, on their own terms. The net goal for the manager is to make their employees understand the value to them of doing what the manager wants.

Now substitute “advertiser” and “customers.” The net goal for the advertiser is to make their customers understand the value to them of doing what the advertiser wants. Hmmmm … sounds just like marketing, doesn’t it?

– Ed