• I truly enjoy great marketing.  I enjoy the genius behind successful campaigns and laugh at the waste of poor campaigns.  In today’s economy, companies are distancing themselves from the pack through clever campaigns and superb marketing strategies.  Successful companies are understanding the nuances and importance of social media, while reducing their dependency on traditional advertising. [...]

  • Social media has forced presentations to become an interactive conversation. Presenters who embrace audience participation are connecting their audiences to their ideas in a more meaningful way. Using social media as a connection tool goes beyond just looking at the twitter feed to assess if you were boring or not. There are six ways to [...]

  • There are plenty of opportunities in this economy, regardless of the national media’s willingness to continually spread the negative.   As a matter of fact, the current economic conditions may be creating unique, more profitable, opportunities for investment.   Lease costs have been reduced by thirty-to-fifty percent, purchase costs have been reduced by at least that much, [...]

  • The mid-term elections demonstrate one thing clearly: My Democrats could ruin the idea of candy on Halloween! Democrats were elected in 2008 because “we the people” were not happy with the direction of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Democrats were elected because “we the people” were not happy with the state of the economy [...]

  • Not too much time to posts blogs these days, but I will attempt to find time to posts updates.  These new projects are very exciting and are keeping me very busy. Franchise Live Consulting Presents: Carlin’s Comedy Club! Wow, how life throws us interesting twists.  Only fifteen months after leaving Kickers/Joey’s Comedy Club, I am [...]

  • It is always good to see Michigan Wolverine football on the rise and winning!  I am not naive enough to think they can win a National Championship this season, but the offense is providing them with an opportunity to win each week. Unfortunately, the defense is terrible.  3-3-5 might not be the right defensive scheme [...]

  • I am a U.S. Foodservice guy!  It is not that I have never dealt with Sysco or Gordon Foods, but I believe there is much more value in a Prime Vendor relationship with U.S. Foodservice.  Having said that, much of this is applicable to any vendor. A foodservice contract is a partnership you create with [...]

  • I have been asked many times, in person and via email, to reveal my secret to handling the cyclical nature of life.  Those who have been around me for the last couple decades have seen me go from rising star, to the pinnacle, to struggling, and now climbing back.  It has been an interesting journey, [...]

  • I grew up in the suburbs of Detroit, during the 1980′s.  The Detroit Tigers were World Champions, MTV ruled the world, and The A-Team still had Mr. T. The Red Wings were not good and I was an Edmonton Oiler fan, although I always rooted for the Wings.  Often there were more fans at a [...]

  • I have moved into the new office…Franchise Live, Inc. has a new home!  I believe this will accomplish two things: (1) It will provide me with more opportunity to write blogs; (2) It will create a place for me, my business partners, clients, and vendors, to build strong relationships and maximize profitability. I will officially [...]

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