Even state agencies can benefit from spellcheck

My wife and I were driving home the other day and she mentioned that she read this article about a misspelled highway sign on Interstate Highway 880. Now that would be a typo! I thought to myself.

Sure enough, it appears that Caltrans misspelled the city of "Milipitas" by adding an extra "i." Even state agencies can benefit from spellcheck (or proofing) before putting up a new sign off the highway.

I wonder if there's such a thing as correction paint for correcting typos on large, green signs?

Thankfully, the error will be corrected with no taxpayer expense (hopefully this statement isn't a typo).

The most fashionable trash bin west of the Mississippi

I've been driving down this stretch of road in Sunnyvale for many years and I can't believe I only noticed it this morning! This is a testament to why you should keep your eyes open to your surroundings, as you may just catch a glimpse of something extraordinary.

Or not.

It's non other than a trash bin! But not just any trash bin. This is from the fashionable variety. Trash bins are typically blue in Sunnyvale. Not this one, no sir. Someone actually took the time and effort to paint it yellow and add green polka dots. The trash bin persona has just been elevated to a new dimension! Pure genius. If I had a trash bin, it would look like this. For sure (one caveat, however: I'd put on some coats of paint).

Here's a true story. I used to have a short sleeve, navy blue shirt with white polka dots that I used to wear all the time (an understatement). I would have slept with it on if I could. When my wife and I used to travel more frequently, that shirt would be in all of our pictures. Italy. France. Sweden. Philippines. Aruba. You name a vacation spot, my polka dot shirt was there! Pretty hilarious, you say? My polka dot shirt meant I could always travel light.

Who's laughing now?

Add pineapple juice and you might just find your new favorite

I just got a taste of my own medicine. I preach about being open minded when trying/doing new things (the "glass half-full approach" as my wife calls it); well, my eight-year old just gave me a lesson.

She always likes to have a snack when she gets home from school. She usually serves herself. I noticed she placed the blender on the kitchen counter, so I'm thinking a smoothie is in order. She proceeds to add her ingredients...blueberry yogurt, fresh banana, frozen strawberries, milk and ice. She asks me if we have anymore orange juice (either she doesn't remember she finished it for breakfast, or just thinks we have an endless supply).

I reply no. She's a quick-thinking 8-year old and says, "Then we'll add pineapple juice instead." (oh, okay...she remembers we have pineapple juice, but not orange juice). She proceeds to go to the garage (yes, we have another fridge). She pours in the pineapple juice and starts mixing it all together (ears covered and all from the blender noise).

I would have never thought to use pineapple juice, but I gave it a whirl and found my new favorite.

Tires are brands too. Just ask Walmart chairman Rob Walton.

This past Monday, I had my Highlander's tires rotated at Discount Tire in Mountain View. I've been going to these guys for well over ten years and I'm proud to be a loyal customer.

In the waiting area, a vertical banner dangles from the ceiling promoting the book, "Six Tires, No Plan: The Impossible Journey of the Most Inspirational Leader That (Almost) Nobody Knows." With a title (and underdog undertone) like that, I've got to check that book out! Since I'd be waiting around for another 40 minutes or so, I figured I'd download a sample and have a read.

The book is about Bruce Halle, who founded Discount Tire two years before Sam Walton opened his first Walmart store back in 1960. In the foreword, S. Robson Walton, Chairman of the Board of Walmart Stores, Inc. writes, "While Halle's story is less studied than Walton's, the growth of Discount Tire offers significant insights into the creation of a sustainable, productive business."

Walton also writes, "Most business schools and students invest substantial energy in the study of brands. Often, the corporations studied are mature, with established strategies and mission statements. In many cases, it would serve these scholars well to start at the beginning, at the founding of the companies they study."

I just finished the second chapter. You can get started by reading the Foreword by Rob Walton.

Branding basics from Jacqui

It must have been 20 years ago when I met Jacqui Naylor. She was helping her then-husband Lat Naylor at his fashion clearance event. Unfortunately, Lat Naylor was wrapping up a ten-year run as a fashion designer. I recall reading about his show in New York for his Think Tank line, so he'd definitely made it. I was a fan and was hoping to pick up (sadly) some remaining pieces.

I remember speaking to Jacqui briefly at checkout. She introduced herself and handed me a flyer promoting her upcoming show. She even included a sample track (which was later included in her first album). She was very pleasant. Unassuming as an artist, with a shy appeal about her.

Jacqui Naylor has since become a successful jazz vocalist in her own right. She's released numerous albums, with a few garnering some rave reviews. The critics have definitely been kind.

The Jacqui Naylor brand still interacts with me to this day. I listen to her music. I look forward to her emails. I get them at least once a month or so. No frills and very personal. Sometimes she'll throw a story in. I know for a fact she writes them all personally. From day one, their tone and connection have been unmistakably familiar. 

Jacqui's stayed true to her brand through the years, so you always know what to expect. Just like her vocals.

The Cow Campaign

This past Monday, my youngest brother and I drove to Roseville to help my other brother move. We left early for the two-hour drive and didn't have time to have breakfast. We figure we'd stop some place on our way to Roseville.

We decided to give Chick-fil-A a try. I've seen a location or two, but have never tried it. This was a first and was going to be one of those "trying out a new brand" moments.

My first impression when I walked into the restaurant? Diggin' the brand. Clean, well lit and the staff was quite friendly. And it didn't really feel like one of those fast-food chains; it was a nice restaurant...a place you'd want to take your family.

I see some advertising for their Spicy Chicken Sandwich Deluxe, promoted by none other than a sign-toting cow dressed in a fireman's get-up. I've included an image for your viewing pleasure.

I have to say that this is one of those instances where an obscure font and misspellings didn't irk me (needless to say, I wasn't compelled to take stuff down). Frankly, I think if cows could, they'd write and spell the way they do in Chick-fil-A's Cow Campaign.

Oh yeah...the multi-grain breakfast bagel (complete with chicken and egg) was rather tasty. I'll definitely go back. I think I'll try the Spicy Chicken Sandwich Deluxe. Moo.

Resume typos may just cost you the job

The subject of grammatical gaffes, typos, misspellings and the like transcends into the world of resume writing.

If you've ever worked on a resume, you know how time consuming it can be (in my case, it's been weeks!). Why spend all that time on it just to have it ruined by a typo or a misspelled word? As they say, you only have one chance to make a first impression. When it comes to your resume or curriculum vitae, you'll want to put your best brand forward by highlighting only your skills and accomplishments, not your inability to proof what you publish.

It's no secret that talent teams use certain "filters" to narrow down their candidate pools. Maybe the candidate doesn't have certain key words; or adequate experience for the role. Throw in typos and misspellings onto your resume, and you're giving your prospective employer a reason to eliminate you from contention (by the way, this is that moment when you kiss that job goodbye).

Don't take any chances. Eliminating typos and misspellings is probably the simplest step in your resume-creation process. If somebody helped you write your resume, make sure to spell check; better yet, get a friend or colleague to proof it for you. You're simply too close to it and you'll miss stuff.