It’s no April Fools’ joke that Apple became a company on April 1, 1976. In 1984 telephone companies as we knew them began to break-up. A subsequent window opened to advance how we communicate. As such, Apple evolved from an early start in computers and connected the dots to personal communication.

Twenty-three years later—on June 29, 2007, the Apple iPhone met the market and changed our lives.

Google turned twenty-one in September of last year. Earlier this year, Facebook reached its sweet-sixteen mile-marker. And just ahead Local Search Group turns ten.

As historic milestones continue to be marked, the near-term, worldwide game-changer will be Covid-19 and what it will do to and for our collective futures. We will look back at lives changed, and businesses developed.

The current window involves how we interact as we transact and the opportunity to improve the cleanliness, timelines, and touchiness of business. Business services will transform much faster than we would have ever otherwise imagined. 

Where will Virtual Retailing be in the next 23 years?

The news turned into coronavirus coverage a few months ago. Business closures, cancellations of concerts, stock market up and down, sports suspended. School's out for the summer and possibly even into the fall.

With so much happening so fast, we have a never-ending and seemingly constantly-compressing news cycle. Here's where you come in though, to begin the process of choosing the story.

With more time than ever to consume information--according to eMarketer--our media consumption in the US is up by over an hour versus the prior year. More generically, 40% of the lift comes via a category referred to as "mobile phone, non-voice". More specifically, Tik Tok's average minutes per visitor are up over 45%.

As we roll further into 2020, the key is not to get too caught up in the hype and cycle and know that you ultimately control the messages you consume. What does your TikTok feed look like? For that matter, what does your feed look like for any of the algorithmic sites --like Facebook-- that you frequent?

As we look forward to the election the conditions for consumption will drive visibility to all-time highs. The probability of extreme polarity shouldn't be lost on anyone. It's about what you choose to view in your feed, though. As we already know, the world will still be here. 

As we move forward with the grand re-opening of your city or state, customers will look for new evidence in the way of operational advertising for your store. 

It's more than a brand promise. Viewed through the consumer lens--It's more or less--"What will you do for me?"

So defining the details of delivery terms and distances are crucial for sales as well as service.

Your store may attempt to improve in operational execution with fewer people on staff. So scaling the operation through geography and time of day becomes vital. For example, don't tout "same-day delivery" when the right message should be "same-day delivery for orders placed by 11 am".

Avoid setting expectations you can't deliver upon at all costs. Then turn to talking about the one thing everyone wants to know about. Cleanliness. Take a moment to highlight the immaculateness of your store, the sanitation of your service, and the overall purity of your daily operations.

Finally, welcome them back--without open arms. Do you need social distancing tape on the floor like at the grocery store? Shaking hands? Hugs? Should your team wear facemasks? Are customers expected to wear them?

How you let your customers know what to expect when they come back is just as important as how you consider the same for your employees.

Whatever you do or however you convey it to your customers--please stay safe out there!

The first impression. The possible start of a long-lasting relationship. You have but one chance to get it right. It’s one of those critical pieces where someone makes up their mind about you in less than seven seconds.

You’ve likely had thousands of these experiences…with friends, new acquaintances, business contacts, and in your communities. So how do we improve upon that first experience if the encounter is on FaceTime, over the phone, or via some other social distant experience?

Reverse engineer it. And let's see it from their view for two or three seconds.

In that opening moment, you more or less capture a sense of who the other person. Endeavor to hear and recall their name. Then quickly shift to discover what it is that are they seeking from you? Their motive.

Build from there and think RELATIONSHIP.

In these important, initial interactions the insight is that it's a human being you’re communicating with…not a machine. There is no algorithm to solve.

In the end, the more socially distant you are the more socially present you should be--especially so in the very beginning.

Talking with your customers in today's new World order. #localsearchgroup #jimflint #conversations #commerce #newworld #dealers #dealerships

Michael Jordan’s iconic shoe emblem delivers another incredible aerial display as "The Last Dance" comes to market and brings us back to some 30 years ago. Sunday Sports are gone and now for the next 5 weeks, we join Jordan and his teammates to recapture his ability to capture the world's imagination on ESPN.

The Jordan Brand delivers like no other. In fact, Jordan lamented the series. He felt that others might not necessarily appreciate his tenacity, focus, or ultra-competitiveness. 

The brand still stands tall. 

Air Jordan redefined the shoe market in 1984 and even today the brand continues to take flight. Moreso now as a luxury brand in the Nike line-up and with sales that continue to climb. The Jordan Brand achieved it's first billion-dollar quarter in Q4 2019. 

As the purchases pile up it makes me wonder--do we buy because the brand promises that we will be able to jump through the air as he did or that we will win NBA championships as he did? Some may. Especially athletes. However, in the end, for the overwhelming majority, the premise is that forever whatever you purchase is that it will add value to your life. 

If you buy your pair of Jordan’s—whether you’re fifteen or fifty—the idea is that it will help YOU jump, if not reach, as high as you can. Not as high as Michael did. 

Soon, your iPhone will be your car keys.

#localsearchgroup #apple #iphone #phonekeys #marketing #digitalmarketing #dealerships

Have you heard? More change is coming to the automotive category and the good news is you’ll be less likely to lose your keys.

Has TikTok leapfrogged over Instagram? #localsearchgroup #tiktok #socialdistancing #instagram #socialmedia #evolution