Frustrating...

Well, Valentines has come and gone and I am happy to report that I survived it! I hope you all did as well. Tonight, I have a few frustrations that I wanted to share but, also to see if I am the ONLY one that has these frustrations. I wouldn't classify this entry as a rant, but rather annoyance's that I and possibly we face on a day to day basis.

The first is, (and I think I may have already kind of touched on this a little bit in an earlier post) but, I cannot stand being stood up! and when I say that, i'm not saying it as in the dating world although that is horrible too! But, I am referring to when you write an email, call, text or whatever form of communication you use; and the person doesn't get back to you for an extended time or not at all. Lately, this has been happening to me more often than I care to admit. It frustrates me, not that the person didn't get back within seconds, minutes or hours, but when it is OBVIOUS that they have received what you sent them, or put out there... and you get no answer! no reply of any kind. Now a days, in public social media outlets it is simple to a fault. It tells you when something has been read, or even if it has not been read, you figure that if they are posting things on their page they must have read an email that you sent 5,6,10 day's or so ago.

I realize, that because I am out of a job and currently my one and only job is finding a job that I have become ultra sensitive to just about everything and it stinks. That portion is on me, I have way more time on my hands than I care to have, and really shouldn't even let it annoy me. BUT, it does, it does because its a common courtesy. Something that I have been really trying hard to "fix" about myself is to give people the benefit of the doubt, as I know someone has given me that same opportunity. In the past, if this had happened I would write the person off completely. Without thought, without regret, I could just delete you and never have any interest in speaking to you again. I have been struggling with that lately. One of the frustrations, is that you just want to be heard, and respected even if what you are saying isn't the popular opinion! it should count none the less. No one likes to voice their opinion, idea, thought etc. only to have it ignored, made fun of, or treated as a less than credible thought.

I think my reason for being frustrated and annoyed about it faster than probably most or even usual for me, is the no job thing. When someone doesn't reply, doesn't acknowledge your thoughts etc. it makes you feel the same as if you were standing right there in front of them and hearing them say something like " hmm no." or just not pretending like you didn't say anything. I get that enough from looking for a job, and possible employers! just never thought or wanted to get that reaction outside of the job hunt realm...

I am making strides to constantly grow into a better person, a better man, I have so much to offer the right company, and now fearful that the longer I go without a job the deeper I will fall into a personality coma and the things that make up who I am. My attitude is bright, positive, and always looking for opportunities. The above is just a fear, and something I have been praying a lot about lately. As far as the frustration or annoyance goes.... Just when IS enough? when is the right time to "cut it off" is there such a time? Do you call the person out first? address it head on? ignore it, and chalk it up to just relax a lil? lol who knows...

I do know this much, I am ready to work and stop these little trite thoughts! LOL I do hope to have some better news soon.

Almost that time...

Well, its almost that time again for Valentines Day... I really wish I was excited for it, but to be honest i'm just not at all. This whole being out of work thing, has drained me emotionally! I feel taxed, bills piling up and my dog has been my been my best friend since being laid off. What does any of that have to do with Valentines Day you say? Well, it's just damn near impossible to find someone special when you don't have a job. It's not like i'm 17 or anything, I'm 36! women at my age are looking to settle down, get serious and have higher expectations from a man. I can't blame them at all, it makes sense. So, needless to say I am not "looking" for someone right now. In my opinion, that is a benefit to having a job, car, own place etc. but, it sucks none the less. I feel almost selfish for wanting that relationship, job, a nice home to call mine.. Lately, I have been putting that relationship up there with getting a job! Right now though, I just don't have too much to "offer" a woman. Yeah yeah, i'm a good guy, etc I do have things to offer but those tend to be overshadowed when you don't have a job.

I am so freaking hungry for work, a career, a workplace home if you will.. I'll move anywhere, open to learning new things and grow as a person. I WANT to go into work early and leave late! I take tremendous pride in whatever I do, and I am constantly thinking of new things, to stay creative. My "Light" is on, i'm home and ready to make someone's company blow up! Again, this all plays a part in a potential relationship... Because, if I feel that I am doing great things at work, it will show and i'll be more confident in finding the right person. Does that make sense?

Ok, on a much lighter note... I'm watching for the first time Jersey Shore on VH1 or MTV? and it is such a horrible show, but I can't stop watching it! lol A couple of things i've noticed about it... I do like how they stick up for each other, call each other out. But, there is way too much drama, and they all have the cheez effect going on for sure.. Most of them have given themselves a nickname and refer to themselves in the third person! so, I started to wonder.... If I was on that show, what would my name be? (except old man, old fart etc.) Would love to hear thoughts! And be honest! post in comments below! I will of course keep everyone in the loop as far as job opportunities! I would say to pray for me, which would be great! but, there are sooo many others that have it worse than me! instead pray hard for them!

So, sorry no funny dating stories as of late... BUT, hopefully I'll have something new to share and soon!

Listening to: Muse

Been a while!

I didn't realize just how long it has been since my last entry! So, I apologize for how random this one will be in advance......

First, I wanted to just touch on some different thoughts. My sister, recently made a post on her facebook page trying to find a way to get women into dealerships. Believe it or not, women today make up for ( I believe ) half of the people buying vehicles today. Meaning, two things: The first, is that the husband isn't the one going to dealerships "looking for a good car for the wife" anymore. The other, that women today are more independent than ever. It shouldn't be a mystery or shocker that women are climbing corporate ladders faster than ever before, opening their own businesses, and not depending on man to make vehicle purchases. That being said, dealers must change their "traditional" thinking when not only selling to women, but how to brand, advertise, and appeal to a woman's need. The days of "we'll run this ad, throw this and that lingo" to appeal to a man are over. Just now, many dealers are getting on the internet marketing, clearly about 10 years too late! if they don't make changes to appeal to women, they will miss the boat on not only potential sales but on what quite possibly the future of their dealership.

So, what can dealers do today? how can they appeal to women? what strategies are in place now that need to be changed, altered or all together different? I think, just from watching ads that several if not all manufacturers are making the change to appeal to women. However, the only opening that I can see is the liberation! These women have fought, picked, struggled to be treated as equals and in return we advertise (heavy too) about minivan's and sedans that have room for car seats. That isn't to say that those ads don't have their place either, they absolutely do! mom's are strong, independent women as well. But, what about the single women in her mid thirty's or late twenties, even the cougar in her mid forty's? what is their vehicle? It's actually kind of funny, for years people would say things like "Oh, that's a total chick car" but, if that's true...... and you know where I am going with this... Why wasn't it advertised as such? what's wrong with a "chick car?" I don't get it... If it is, and the adage is true ( Perception is reality) than why not take advantage of it? I understand and get that car companies don't want to alienate anyone, and put their vehicles in one set category. However, there HAS to be a new angle to go with. When the manufacture's fail to give that, it is up to the dealer! If you go to YouTube, the women in the ads are used for men. Usually dressed scantily, or doing some kind of cheezy sex reference.... Time is done with, over. Give them what they want, they deserve it! I also understand that the "type" of ads a dealer makes will dictate its clients. For example: The dealers that advertise a push, pull and drag sale, are more likely to get customers with bad credit, (which btw is fine! I have bad credit... uggh) vs a dealer that emphasizes its services, product, and current deals. I would be willing to bet that the latter has customers that aren't "get me done's" and are approved thru traditional lending institutions.

So, back to the initial question my sister had.. "How can we get women to go to our dealerships?" No doubt, that today's choices are more vast than ever, so the product is there, its high quality, and offers much more today for ANY consumer than ever before. That in mind, here are some things that I would advise for a dealer to start with.

* Community, before you start thinking that if I run an ad with a woman driving one of my vehicles, lets go back to basics. (think K.I.S.S. ) Community should be somewhere in the top 3 things a dealer should do. If you go to a dealer, any dealer you will see that they sponsor a baseball team or football team etc. great! here's your merit badge. Go a few steps further, get into the local businesses, get to know the neighbors, the people that make up where your dealership is. It should frustrate the hell out of a dealer to drive around town and see the same product they sell with another dealers name on the back from a different town.

* Internet, now that we have all these social media outlets they should be utilized! btw, that doesn't mean that you stick a dealer page on facebook and just stop there... YouTube! wow, I can't believe that dealers aren't using it. Yes, that means that YOU have to be the creative one's stop complaining about ads that manufacture's run or local ad agencies and be proactive genius. At the very least, list who you want as a customer and convey it to the agency that you do use and let the real pro's have at it.

* Humor! What is the one universal thing that women say they are most attracted to about a man? humor! But be careful! why? prime example: While I am funny looking, being funny is completely different... trust me on that one. Seriously though, humor does work with everyone! if something is funny, it tends to stick around and become a little infectious. Do people at the water cooler talk about the straight laced or even the crazy car sales man commercials or something like "The Trunk Monkey" look it up on YouTube....

* Instead of hiring a model to be in your ads wearing a low cut top and a short dress, show one of your female staff members! dressed professionally, as not only a representation of your dealership, but would act as a "comfort" blanket to potential female buyers.

* These should be in place always! I honestly don't think there is a short term fix or event that would sway serious female buyers. You can do an event, and maybe get a few extra sales for the weekend, sure... But, dealers should be thinking long term and already have effective strategies for appealing to women.

I do have more coming and soon! Thanks for reading!

Currently listening to: Nirvana