GORDON LAWRENCE                              Intellectual Property Created Here
  • #1
  • Call Center Confidential
  • THE NEWS AS I SEE IT
  • Suicide Sam
  • The NFL: Sold!
  • The Trading Room
  • The Store
  • About > Contact Me

CALIFORNIA GOES AFTER TEXAS FOR NEW BUSINESS STARTUPS

7/28/2016

0 Comments

 
​(I'm in the conference room of the California Governor's Mansion on H Street in Sacramento with Governor Jerry Brown and Secretary of State Alex Padilla)

CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR JERRY BROWN:

"Alex, we need a bold move.  More than ever we need to make California the most business friendly state.  I heard Texas crowing again about how many new business registrations they had.  And I'm tired of hearing about Toyota moving to Texas."

CALIFORNIA SECRETARY OF STATE ALEX PADILLA:

"We're with you governor.  Over the last month, our team has met to brainstorm ways to get new businesses.  I've got a great idea for you that we are ready to test immediately."

BROWN:

"Alex, we're not cutting taxes"

PADILLA:

"No Governor, our program is not about cutting taxes or services.  In Texas, it costs $300, upfront, to register a new business.  Let's test paying new businesses $300 to register in California.  We would have no fee up front, and then in 90 days pay them $300 via funds transfer (which enablers electronic payment of taxes after we verify that they are open for business.  Let's test it, here in Sacramento.  We'll get feedback from the owners, adjust as needed, mine data, run P and L's and earn if we can expand."

BROWN:

"And we've got a great story to tell.  I like it.  Let's get it started. And get with communications to get the word out tomorrow to all state employees.  I'll have word to all elected officials by noon tomorrow."

PADILLA:

"Yes sir.  My staff is ready to start the program on Monday."

BROWN:

"Great.  And have several one-line marketing slogans to me by 10 tomorrow.  Something like "California, where we invest $300 in each new business startup."

PADILLA:

"I'm on it.  See you tomorrow at 10:00."

BROWN:

"Can't wait to see what Texas does.  Great to have them responding to us." 
0 Comments

STARBUCKS TO TEST WORKSPACE RENTAL (For Non-Revenue Customers)

7/22/2016

0 Comments

 
(I'm in the conference room with Starbucks Senior Managers at their HQ on Utah street in Seattle)​

SCOTT MAW 
(Chief Revenue Officer)

"Team, This meeting is to get your input for a revenue opportunity.  On the big screen, and in your passouts, you can see we 30 U.S. stores in 3 markets in which 33% to 40% of our patrons are non-revenue.  Our takeaway from this meeting is at least one, and as many as three, actionable items, tests if you will,  beginning within the next two weeks.  I'll have our meeting notes to Howard later today."

AIMEE JOHNSON
(Customer Relationship Manager)

"Scott, have we fully quantified the value of a client?  Our non-revenue clients speak to neighbors, family and friends positively about us.  Non-revenue customers may revisit as paying clients.  And I know of several who became partners."

MAW:

"Thank you Aimee.  Noted.  However our goal is to generate actionable ideas for a test.  Will you be providing input?"

JOHNSON:

"Yes, Scott, but let's let other team members jump in."

CLIFF BURROWS:
(President)

"Scott, what if we took the lead of WeWork and other co-locate firms and made our tables available for an hourly rate.  For example, sales men and ladies could reserve their favorite table, on-line, in advance and be sure that the table was waiting when they arrived. And of course, many will also purchase food and drink.  And for pricing, may I suggest $7 per hour?"

MAW:

"Adam, do we have a big hit in IT"

ADAM BROTMAN
(CIO)

"No.  The solution would be rudimentary to meet the two week deadline, but that is helpful as we get data before a big commitment.  The idea makes great sense to me, however does it address non-rev?"

MAW:

"Let's see this to the end.  Does anyone have input to the reserved table proposal?"

LUIGI BONINI:
(Global Product Innovation)

"I'm in.  And I would like to help with the training video and ops support."

CHRISTINE BARONE"
(SVP Stores)

"I like it. I'm in - assuming that we test multiple price points, payment in advance and rewards."

KEVIN JOHNSON
(COO)

"I'm in.  And let's discuss how to adapt the idea to our non-rev clients.  And I appreciate that we need to be very sensitive to our clients and present a solution that honors them."

SCOTT:

"Kevin, please continue."

K. JOHNSON:

"LED sign holders on each table. Thank you for visiting Starbucks.  We are testing a program for patrons who choose not to make a purchase to rent this table for $3 payment per hour."

A. JOHNSON:

"With all due respect, that's clunky" 

What about: "Dear Patrons. If you will not be joining us for a beverage, we would appreciate a $3 payment per hour.  This is voluntary. Thank You."

MAW:

"That's got the essence of our proposal.  Luigi, would you have marketing develop 6 sample table top LED signs as well as six value propositions to cover both suggestions in ten stores each. We'll go live in test mode in two weeks starting on a Tuesday.  And we'll meet here in two days, same time, to review the marketing and fine tune the programs. 

"Let's go around the table."

(All nod heads in agreement).

"In that case, we're wrapped up.  Thank you for your input and support."
0 Comments

HILLARY CLINTON DEBATE PREP:  TAXES, TAXES AND WHEN WILL YOU RELEASE YOUR TAXES?

7/18/2016

1 Comment

 
ROBBY MOOK:

"Let's stop for a minute.  Madam Secretary, we must include more references to Trump's Taxes.

I suggest a minimum of 4 references in the debate.  

We can turn any economic question into taxes."

HILLARY CLINTON:

"Robby, I need to show the difference between my programs and his lack of programs. 

That's number one."

MOOK:

"No.  Number one is the fact that you released seven years of taxes on July 31, 2015.

Where are his?

What is he hiding?

When will he release them?

That's number one."

JOHN PODESTA:

"Hillary, I agree.  

He calls you 'Crooked Hillary and he does not release his taxes?

We need to emphasize and re-emphasize.

If the question is Iraq, your answer is, 'I'll get to that in a minute.  But first I've got to ask, why will Trump not release his taxes?'

Turn to him when you say it.  

And refer to him as Trump.

Taxes - that's number one.

He's not getting a free ride on this.

And that's what we want the 100 million viewers to focus on.

Joel?"

JOEL BENENSON:

"Agreed.  His biggest weakness is failure to release taxes. Mitt created it as an issue. It's our #1 opportunity."

CLINTON:

"Got it. Got It. Got it. 

Let's get back to work.

Taxes. Taxes. Taxes"
1 Comment

​TRUMP TO PENCE:  I WILL LIVE AT TRUMP TOWER.  YOU WILL LIVE AT THE WHITE HOUSE.

7/16/2016

0 Comments

 

by Gordon Lawrence

(I am seated against the wall in the Trump Tower meeting room on the 26th floor)

DONALD TRUMP:

"MIke, thanks for meeting with us.  

There are some things that you need to understand before we offer you the position of Vice President."

MIKE PENCE:

"Thanks Donald.  I appreciate the opportunity to wrap this up and get to work to elect you."

DONALD TRUMP:

"First, we see you as the COO.

As Chief Operating Officer, you are responsible for all of the day to day decisions involved in running the government.

I'm the CEO.  I decide on wars, and I sign laws and I make all of the CEO decisions.

After the election, you will work with Congress and the White House staff every day.  

I'll work with you.  

Of course, there will be times when I meet with Congress but that will be rare.

That's your job."

"Second, based on this arrangement,  I'll be living in Trump Tower. You will be living in the White House.

When I stay in Washington, I'll stay at Ivanka's new project,  Trump International Hotel at 1100 Pennsylvania Ave.

I can walk to meet you at the White House."

"Third, I'll have a TV show taped at 6:30 and shown live at 8:00 pm Monday through Friday.

I'll tell the citizens who is doing their job to help us get our goals accomplished.

And I'll tell them who is blocking us.  And I'll tell them who to call to complain.

Now for my show, I'll need your input.  Donnie or Eric will be in touch during the day.

So Mike, what do you think?"

PENCE:

"Donald, it's a great plan.  I have nothing to add at this time.  

However we will have a lot of work to do to get on the same page.

And I need your word that when I need to speak with you, that you will be available immediately.

TRUMP:

"Mike, I guarantee you that we will be on the same page.  

Sooner than you think.

And yes, when you call, I answer. 

Just be sure that it is a matter that needs the CEO's attention."

Donnie, Eric, Ivanka, Paul: anything to add?"

(silence, heads shaking no)

TRUMP:

OK, Mike, anything else?"

PENCE:

"No Sir. Let's get to work."

TRUMP:

"Right.  Paul, take some time to cover our schedule for the next week."
0 Comments

    Author

    Gordon Lawrence

    Archives

    April 2018
    August 2017
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.