“The American consumer is toast,” said Stephen Roach, Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, at our panel, “The Frugal New Consumer” [watch video], on day two of the Milken Institute Global Conference. As far as the Great Recession goes, he went on to say, “we’re only in the third inning.”

On "The Frugal New Consumer" panel at the Milken Global Conference

For those who’ve been reading the paper and watching the tentatively promising numbers on Wall Street, this news may come as a shock.  (more…)

After my post on pizzelle-maker and community-do-gooder Little Pepi’s ran a few weeks ago, owner Stan Kourakos dropped me a line to talk a little shop.

Hi, Lynda,

Hope this email finds you well.

I am thoroughly enjoying your book, and it reminds me of my college days, rereading paragraphs and chapters in an attempt to absorb every detail. I am out of practice, hence the reason I am still only two-thirds of the way through it! The rationale behind the close scrutiny to your words is, frankly, to change (more…)

Dear Lynda,

A close friend recently suggested I read Rubies in the Orchard to supplement my Communication Studies classes at Northwestern University. Needless to say, I loved it! I am currently a senior at NU and believe product branding is a thrilling field and am passionate about incorporating consumer insight to build and transform a brand across trends and time. The advice, anecdotes, and accessibility (more…)

Do you know a business that is doing well despite the recession? Does your small business use a company or service that has helped you compete with the big guys? If so, then Lynda wants to hear from you. “Ruby Tuesday” is accepting nominations for companies to profile in the now bi-weekly column, where Lynda Resnick and the executive of the week share their insights into marketing and business solutions for the new economy. Submit your candidate for consideration in an upcoming column.

Need business advice? In “Ask Lynda,” the POM Queen answers your marketing and entrepreneurial questions. Submit your question today.

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: K9 Cuisine
Why It’s a Gem: Learning from competitors’ customer-service mistakes has helped this pet food supplier leave the others in the dust

When Anthony Holloway experienced lackluster customer service while buying specialty dog food, he didn’t gripe. Instead, he saw the experience for the opportunity it was.  Holloway used other companies’ mistakes as a blueprint for what not to do, a strategy that saw his company become top dog, with a 50-percent growth each month in its first year. (more…)

Ruby Tuesday Pick of the Week: Get Satisfaction
Why It’s a Gem: One website helps both companies and their customers with an improved customer-service experience

Many small businesses put customer service on the back burner not because they don’t believe in it, but because it’s just too darn time consuming. But one website is changing that. Get Satisfaction is using technology to build communities that save both companies and customers time, money, and a whole lot of hair-pulling.

Any entrepreneur who has ever lamented the time spent performing redundant customer-service tasks needs to examine Get Satisfaction’s wide range of tools – or stop calling himself an entrepreneur. (more…)

Among the many highlight clips in this reel are my reasons not to fear the recession, the legends behind the pomegranate, and why Teleflora finally decided to do a Super Bowl commercial.

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