Update: I spent a nice, quiet Thanksgiving weekend with four friends. Two home-cooked dinners with two different couples. It was a chance to get better acquainted.

I find these quieter times more meaningful. It was a time to chat minus all the chatter. We became closer on a personal level. Thank goodness for good friends.

Feature Article: Expanding Your Creativity

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Semi-Revenge is Semi-Sweet...

The local retailers here have not boomed with business since the start of Black Friday. There were no reports of a consumer stampede. Other than the fact there are a few chains going out of business it remained somewhat quiet at the cash registers.

I notice shoppers becoming more cautious with their spending. They are thinking twice before making a buying decision. Consumers have become quite good at bargain hunting. This may be one of the slowest holiday seasons for retailers.

I bought some imported clothing at a small national chain. The lady behind the counter asked if I wanted to apply for their credit card, which deducts twenty dollars off my purchase and accrues bonus points. Sounded good to me since I thought I'd shop there more often.

The instant approval denied my application — so I called the 800 number. The rep for GE Money Bank asked for more personal information and told me to wait ten days for their answer. Two weeks later: Denied again... because of insufficient information. I shook my head.

I liked the store I shopped at and they get high marks for their excellent customer service, but I wasn't going to let this slide without sounding off my displeasure with GE Money Bank. I went online to fill out a complaint and then sent the chain a copy of the complaint.

It basically stated that I would not shop at the retail chain anymore unless they dissolve their association with GE Money Bank. GE knows very little about the cost of acquiring a new customer because they spend too much time in meetings and hiding behind a keyboard. Which, I'm sure you'd agree, are valuable skills to have in tough economic times like these.

Expanding Your Creativity

Dear Associate,

You're seated at another ridiculously dull meeting. The same people are repeating the same clichés, questionable humor and off-the-wall comments. It's beginning to drag and you'd rather be somewhere else. Why are these same people regurgitating the same boring remarks?

If you know me you know I've always beaten the drum on things that expand on creativity. One such opportunity occurred on a recent Friday. It was my turn to bring breakfast for a business meeting. I decided to make it a memorable breakfast by bringing some food not usually served and then spinning that into a theme/image I wanted to paint.

I borrowed my friend's life-size cardboard figure of Marilyn Monroe where she is holding down her dress from the gush of air from below. It is one of the most famous poses from Hollywood's yesteryear. I put her adjacent to a doorway. This would make a statement — or it would get me in trouble with the powers that be.

I also borrowed a framed poster of James Dean expanding on the nostalgic flare. I named the kitchen area Norma Jean's Country Kitchen by taping a sign with that name on top of the counter where the hungry attendees picked up their food. These added to the image I wanted to create.

I renamed the menu items I brought to tantalize their taste buds:

Hard-boiled eggs halved on an avocado green plate became Polka Dot Eggs.

Scrambled eggs became Plain Frittata.

Diced potatoes became Southern styled Spuds.

Spicy sausage became Louisiana style Hot Links.

Real orange juice became Fresh Squeezed Florida Oranges.

Yogurt with the fruit on the bottom became Yummy Yogurt.

And a mix of mango, kiwi, and strawberries surrounded by bananas became Tooty-Frooty Tropical Fruit Tray.

With a simple play on wording, the menu comes alive. A shift occurs in people's minds. These are no longer ordinary breakfast items you'd find at your local restaurant chain. Customers were going to indulge in something unique.

Was it a hit? Yes, they cleaned me out. But not as much from the creative menu as it was from the Law of Attraction. They came, they saw, and they ate.

I'm curious: Is there anything holding you back from expanding on your creativity?

I hope not.

The great news is people won't forget your creation. They will remember how you made something ordinary into an enjoyable, memorable experience. You have the power to create this magic for them. You have the power to make things exciting. You can WOW them right now.

Warm regards,