Packaging Expert Keith Donaldson of EMI at E2S2 Denver 2010

Product Reliability and Packaging Expert Keith Donaldson of EMI to Speak at NDIA E2S2 at Denver Colorado Convention Center

Luggage Dilemma Solved!

I'm so pleased with my new little blue Samsonite Feather Lite suitcase with wheels, telescoping handle and plenty of zipper pockets. It's the perfect size, no fancy gadgets, and the price was right. Purchased at Marshall's, this little blue traveler will be a cinch to locate among all the mostly black bags at the baggage claim.

No more pondering; the choice has been made.

Luggage is Confusing

I'm shopping for a new suitcase. The little inexpensive fabric wheelie bag I bought 12 years ago at BJs Wholesale Club for $45 has some miles on it and is showing signs of wear. Being a thrifty sort, and not being required to travel by plane more than once a year, I've just kept using this somewhat raggedy bag. It's been to Italy once, Disney World a few times, and to the beach house even more. It's been all around Massachusetts, to New York City and even the Poconos. Its telescoping handle is rickety and the seams are starting to come apart around the zippers, but I'm having a difficult time parting with my little green suitcase.

I've searched on Zappos, at Filene's Basement, Marshall's, and Macy's for luggage. No purchase yet. It all seems so expensive to me and I'm afraid to make a commitment. Perhaps I'm being unreasonable. I've procrastinated long enough - there is a trip looming and I must chose.

Seth Godin's Road Trip 2010 -Preheat Mode

Seth Godin has been my daily inspiration for about a year. I subscribe to his newsletter, and each morning I add another of his pieces to the puzzle of the how and the why. Seth has an unusual gift for identifying the behavior of individuals and groups, and providing ways one might challenge or capitalize on said behavior, depending. Seth doesn't profess to know everything, but he offers a highly accessible playbook, for business or for life, in "Linchpin: Are You Indispensible?", teaching us how we can make a difference. Isn't that what most of us want - to make a difference? That's my take on it.

When Seth Godin makes a public appearance, it's generally a private audience. Seth recently asked his followers to help him create events in some major cities and a grass roots effort by many (clearly indispensable) Seth fans has resulted in Seth Godin Road Trip 2010 - Fight the Lizard or as it's known on Twitter, #sethroadtrip. First stop, Boston on June 17! A fortuitous side effect of the Seth Road Trip support is that small communities of Godin fans are getting to know each other. I'm sure he planned it that way - tickets are going fast, so click the Road Trip link above and join in the fun.

Great Packaging: the Gift that Keeps on Giving

I'm in the packaging business. I love packaging. If it's useful, protective, plastic, logoed, beautifully colored, plain, fancy, paper, reusable, buttoned, zipped, tied with a bow or not, I love it all. Innovation in packaging has revolutionized the food industry and I especially appreciate the freedom that this great packaging allows us.

We recently visited our friend, Tom, who owns a specialty shop selling wines and olive oils and all kinds of foodie goodies that are out of the ordinary; not regular grocery store fare. Tom talked about his visit to a restaurant supply show where he viewed myriad new items that make food preparation simpler for restaurant owners. All of the items he mentioned are foods that would require very little preparation - just cook, arrange artfully on a plate and listen for the yummy sounds from your dining room.

Because of GREAT packaging, we now have juicy eight-ounce hamburger patties ready for grilling and fresh pastas any time we want, even soft-shell crabs out of season. Salad greens, deli meats, fresh bread, pulled pork, exotic fish, tender cuts of beef - whatever your palate craves, with delectable gourmet flavorings, ready to use with little or no preparation. I think back to the days when my Mom was feeding a family of seven at the end of an eight-hour work day, with exactly zero convenience food items - everything was fresh - washed, cut, seasoned, cooked and served by Mom the Chef. I'm especially grateful for Mom's skill in the kitchen, but ever more grateful for the freedom that is available to me, in the kitchen and elsewhere, because of innovative packaging.

I've Heard that Song Before - Recipe for Change

"It seems to me I've heard that song before,
It's from an old familiar score
I know it well that melody."

I was listening to this song last week for the purpose of learning it. It was written by the famous team of Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn, recorded by Harry James and his Orchestra with Helen Forrest on vocals and became a pop hit in early 1943. Like many songs of that era, it speaks to memories and love lost during wartime. Sad, but sweet.

It occurs to me that the lyrics of this song could relate to my life, and how some of the daily tasks or situations in which I find myself have been repeated over and over (I've heard that song before). I thought perhaps, while acknowledging that I recognize that it is a similar tune (I know it well, that melody), I could think of a different way to perform this tune (task or situation) to facilitate a different outcome. Even if the original outcome for me is working just fine.

For instance, I've read that putting your pants on starting with the "other" leg, forces you to reconsider that small act. I've tried this, and find that it does make you think differently, forcing you out of an old habit just for a moment (I habitually start with the right leg). Any yoga or pilates teacher or physical therapist will tell you that switching sides when vacuuming, raking or shoveling snow helps your body be more balanced in its strength and coordination. So although our natural proclivity may be to always vacuum right (or left) handed, it's worth it to give equal time to the other side - I know my brain works harder, less on automatic pilot when I vacuum or shovel left-handed. Perhaps a little slower at first, but I get the job done.

Another way to make a change and promote a different kind of balance: if I normally didn't greet the people I pass on my walks (or the cashier, mail carrier, or woman in the next office cubicle), I could try nodding my head or just saying hello, and see if that helps me feel friendlier and more connected to the people around me. The worst that could happen is that they don't return the favor - the best outcome (and I am one to assume the best of people) is that that friendly gesture makes both me and the recipient of the "hello" feel noticed and appreciated. Small gestures can be very powerful and are not to be underestimated.

Making small changes like this can feel like a challenge at first, but practiced over time, can lead us to more thoughtfulness about our daily life, a feeling of connection with those around us, and a new and satisfying comfort level with change. All of this may engender a renewed feeling of openness and well-being. Positively.

The photo above is of American singer Helen Forrest, who began singing at age 10, in her brother's band, worked for big band leaders Artie Shaw and Bennie Goodman, then Nat King Cole and Lionel Hampton, before being hired by Harry James. She left Harry James' Orchestra in 1943 to pursue a solo career, appearing on radio and in movies before singing with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, then led by Sam Donahue (it was the early 1960s). Helen Forrest recorded over 500 songs during her long career and didn't retire until her 70s, when arthritis forced her to give up performing. Given all that she did in her lifetime, she is clearly a great role model for change.

Shop Special Sale Club Now!

The club referenced in my title is the members only shopping club by which customers obtain special pricing in stores. It's a fact that nearly every store in which I shop regularly has a special membership club. If you sign up (it'll just take a minute) you get special pricing and coupons and another little tag to hang on your already jam-packed keyring.

I understand the concept of a paid club membership to play golf, or a gym to work out, but an unpaid membership to a grocery store or pharmacy seems absurd to me. I realize it's just a method for keeping track of patrons' purchasing habits and a marketing ploy to make shoppers feel unique and cared for. Sort of a sly "permission marketing".

I find this mode of marketing a bit irritating. I don't want to carry more stuff in my purse or pocket, I'd really rather carry less. I'd rather you (I mean you, grocery store or Hallmark Card shop) please just give me (and everyone else) the special prices and stop with the memberships. I can even understand a paid membership to the big box stores like BJs and Costco, where you pay a membership fee to get the special pricing and you can choose to shop there or not. But when I go to CVS and the cashier asks whether I have a CVS card, the hair stands up on the back of my neck with irritation. I'm not entitled to purchase items at the sale prices without the card. Buy a mascara and get the eye shadow at 50% off; that's the kind of sale I'm talking about. So, of course, I have a CVS card. And three different grocery store "memberships", plus BJs, two bookstores, gas station, etc, etc. The coupons resulting (supposedly another membership perk) from such transactions never get used, because I have so many little receipts/coupons in my purse I can't keep track, then they are expired by the time I notice.

I don't think it's just me - I've heard rumblings from others. We can choose not to participate, and sometimes I say "no thank you". I want to know what you think...