I love that they have a pet therapy at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital. The West Michigan Therapy Dog Inc., organization works with the hospital by providing dogs and volunteers to help bring a bit of happiness to the children during their hospital stay. If you are interested in volunteering or donating please go to their website, http://www.wmtd.org/

Photo by Bob Campbell
I’m looking forward to start my new year by a friend’s invitation to the Economic Club of Grand Rapids lunch that will feature Charles Spencer, the Ninth Earl of Spencer, the brother of the late Princess Diana, as the speaker. The topic will be how the Princess’ philanthropy helped Britain throughout the world. Really Princess Diana was able to rebrand the royal family into a more human family by being relatable and compassionate truly “the Peoples’ princess.” By Princess Diana’s unintentional rebranding of the royal family she was able to energize her philanthropies and charm the World toward Great Britain.
One of her strengths was her ability to show love and compassion. Can love be strength in “branding”? Yes, especially if it adds a human component that is lacking in the company. Britain was very well regarded and the pomp and circumstance, who could do it better? But the “stiff upper lip” needed a bit softening. Her humanness juxtapose against the crust of the upper crust created just enough conflict and oddly welcoming intrigue. People wanted to meet her, touch her, see her, and be her. Not only was she a boon for the tourist industry but she was able to draw attention to land mines, AIDEs and many other philanthropic causes partly because she was imperfectly human, compassionate, relatable, and vulnerable. At times she seem to be in conflict by doing what was “right/correct/royal” and doing what her heart really wanted to do. Often she chose love and her heart over correctness and people couldn’t get enough of her. In the harsh realities of business, we can be inspired by Princess Diana when faced with our own business questions. Is your love showing in what you’re doing, if not, how’s that working for you?

Hey American Idol, Homemade Millionaire, The Bachelor, Shark Tank, Amazing Race, Biggest Loser, OWN, etc. — after trying out for 2 reality shows there are 4 things I would like the TV producers and crew to know to make it better for them.

1) Every Breath You Take…..we’ll be watching you. Creepy yeah…but we are looking for any clue on how we are doing, what we should be doing….etc. We are trying to listen to every word you say to intended for us or otherwise.

2) COMMUNICATION–When contestants go out of their comfort zone, we all feel very vulnerable. Vulnerability can quickly turn to hostility when we feel ignored. What a very difficult job the producers and assistants have, trying to deal with all the emotions of the contestants. We need a central website, or information hub that we can see what’s going on with the show. You have an instant audience/fan base. Maybe give us a “contestant only” special password that will let us in on some “insider” information about when or where the show will be on. Maybe the contestants could be a voting panel. IF you keep us informed and interested you will have absolute instant fans. These are fans that your company already invested time and money on. Fan interaction is really powerful; see American Idol, Dancing with the Stars etc. I got people to watch the show I wasn’t even on, I said hey check out this show I tried out for…just think if every contestant did that to just a few people they know…

3) Give out the tweet # the same time you do the website. People will talk about your show, good, bad but in reality it’s all good. Shows are much more dynamic when people feel like they are participating.

4) Merch? Trying out for a show is an adventure in itself. I swear you could sell merchandise…”I tanked the Shark Tank…” “Hope to be bitten by a Shark” “Pitched a half-baked idea on Homemade Millionaire” “I tried” You could give out certificates of tryouts with the website and twitter #. I would’ve paid for a t-shirt, coffee mug, and certificate. PR, PR, PR

1) Be there early. If they say audition is at 9: be there at 7:00
2) Practice your pitch OUT LOUD in front of people before you go to the audition. Don’t make it a burden to listen to you.
3) Network with the people at the audition. Not in some smarmy way, but in a genuine information exchange way. Some of these people will become your friends. Bring business cards!
4) Have Fun Homemade Millionaire season 1 (six episodes) 18 inventors got some pretty great PR and only 6 lucky FRIENDS got the big Kahuna! WOW that some pretty slim odds, have fun with it.
5) TV is a different product. IF you are a control freak, you may not want to try out for a show.
6)LEAVE. You can talk to the other hopefuls, but if you didn’t get a golden ticket, call back, wink or whatever. DO NOT CRY, POUT WHINE or BEG. ” Be proud that you did what you came to do; TRY OUT. You pitched. EVERYONE thinks their stuff is “the shit.” You networked, made friends and you have somewhere else to go, like another tryout, a meeting with investors, a new prototype maker, a mixer with other business people, a presser, a meeting with a manufacturer, or a lunch date. You have other opportunities to seize, and maybe they can catch you if they can…..best of luck! Hey contestants add your tips in the comment section. Include where/what you tried out for current product, blog, website.
Coming soon… “Tips for TV Producers” ☺…. The latest tryout I heard about was on Oprah’s new network, www.oprah.com/own/casting_calls.html and Everyday Edison at www.Everdayedison.com. Check out www.productx1.blogspot.com and at www.welladjustedorsotheysay.blogspot.com/ for more great conversations. Be sure to read all of the fine print and have a lawyer go over any contracts.

Really had fun with the Speedy Design Cntest. Great job Bryce Porter and Churu Yun. Hope everyone has an excellent New Year!!!!