The Automotive Purchase Journey

Back in the day things were different.  The Manufacturer and the Dealer had more information that we had.  I loved going to the Detroit and Toronto Auto Shows in the winter to pick up new vehicle catalogues.  I poured over them endlessly learning the minutae about each model.  Those were good times!  My wife didn't enjoy the piles of old catalogues though.  Thankfully my job in automotive marketing and advertising allowed me to keep them in my office.

As we all know, the big change in the relationship between purchaser and new vehicle seller is that the Consumer now has more information than the sales consultants in the Dealership.  While not absolutely true...Manufacturers spend large budgets on product training...Google Search puts a lot of information at our fingertips.  And in the process, the automotive purchase journey has changed:

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net
@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization

A little running music

I don't run with music. I've never been comfortable with earbuds in my ear.  And I run in the city...I want to hear vehicles around me...and the bad guys trying to sneak up on me.  But I do like running music...or to be more accurate, music that pumps me up. 

Heading out to a race I love Dave Matthews 'Two Step', Led Zeppelin's 'Ramble On', Joe Zawinul's 'Procession' and Al Dimeola's 'Flight over Rio'.  Those are my standbys.  But there are a others that I turn to when I really want to get crank it up:  

Sinnerman, Nina Simone.  Loved it in The Thomas Crown Affair...love this extended version even more

Boogie Wonderland Extended Mix, Earth Wind and Fire.  They could have called this 'Happy Feet'. It sure gets my legs turning over.

Thunderstruck, Two Cellos.  OK, AC/DC nailed it with Thunderstruck but this is one of the best versions ever!

What's your favourite running music?

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Stumbled but didn't fall

Last Saturday at the RBC Run for the Kids 15K I stumbled.  Badly it turned out.  But I didn't fall. In the process I learned a lot about mental toughness.  And how to change strategy quickly.  We can plan all we want...then life happens.

As you might have surmised I didn't have a great running day Saturday morning.  I've thought about it a lot...including the seemingly endless time out on the course while I stumbled along.  What happened?

Well...what happened is that I finished.  I raised over $500 for kids mental health with your support.  I got another Finisher Medal.  Probably the hardest one I've ever owned...well, maybe the second hardest...the Reggae Marathon Finisher's Medal back in 2009 was hard won.  Both tested me mentally and physically.  And that's life.  Despite the best made plans, some days it's how fast you adapt that keeps you alive.  So what did I learn?

• No matter how slow you're moving, keep moving!  
• Pay attention to what's going on.  When something doesn't work as planned, recognize it and adapt or adjust quickly.  
• Keep your head up and breathe.  It's the end goal that matters...
• Relax...you get to run again tomorrow.  Only death and taxes are certain.  So after you pay your taxes, and assuming you're not dead, you get to run again.

Potestas in meipsum!  That the Latin version of my personal motto:  Strength within self. That came to me around Kilometer 7.5 when I passed the sign noting we were half way home.  Yes I stumbled...but I sure didn't fall!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Hard Running

I had a week of hard running getting back to it. Some of the pain was caused by the realization that I had two weeks to get back into running shape for the RBC Run for the Kids on September 17.  I needed to ramp up quickly...that hurt as expected...but I also wanted to not break anything...that messed with my head!  Who knew hard running was so hard!

I'm pretty sure now that runners are high level narscisists.  Or is it just me?  On a run last Saturday I found myself on a stretch of Bloor West Village where every storefront was plate glass.  I spent more time looking at my reflection than thinking about running. There was a big disconnect between how I looked in my mind and what the mirrored windows reflected.  Whoa!

I'm watching my food intake this week as well.  As is my habit, I've cut out the beer and alcohol. Man is that cold one on Saturday afternoon going to taste great!  I've got some dry roasted peanuts ready-to-go as well.  College football Saturday afternoon here we come!  Sticking with chicken, rice and steamed vegetables this week as well.

It's looking like my type of running conditions this Saturday morning.  Temperatures are forecast for low teens at the 7:30 am start.  And no rain although I actually like running in the rain.  I'm going to use my hydration backpack for this run.  I like PowerAid and am pretty sure that won't be available at the aid stations.  Plus I can avoid the sloppy water-in-a-paper-cup drill.  Why can't every race hydrate like Reggae Marathon:  water and electrolyte replacement in a sealed plastic pouch?

OK, enough jabbering...back to some hard running.  Wait...supposed to be tapering for the rest of this week.  Can't wait until Saturday!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

First Run...again

I had my first run this past weekend.  And it felt great to be running again.  After an enforced break from running I feared I'd forgotten how to run.  Duh...left foot forward, right foot forward, repeat quickly.  Yes, it was good to be running again.

A big benefit of the 6 week break from running that the broken toe caused was that I got to work on my core.  More frequent planking workouts and regular running and swimming in the complex in our pool.  I didn't lose much leg strength at all!  On that first run I kept it slow for sure but I was itching to pick up the pace.

Another benefit:  The nagging hamstring injury in my left leg healed!  Funny how rest works.  And after all the Dr, Ho sessions and Voltaren Emugel slathered on.  As usual, rest is the cure for all running injuries.

And now that I'm back running, I'm looking forward to my upcoming runs.  First up is the RBC Race for the Kids on Saturday, September 17.  

Two weeks to go to get ready for this 15K race but it's special and will be worth it: I'm running to raise funds to help youth coping with mental health issues.  

You can join me every step of the way by donating at my page:  ThatRunninGuy Race for the Kids Donation Page.  I've got a ways to go and not a lot of time so any donation you can make will be greatly appreciated.

After that I'm teasing myself with the Half Marathon at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront event in mid-October.  I figure its a good training run for Reggae Marathon in December.  My plan is to run the first 11 kilometres at an easy pace then pick it up for the final 10 kilometres.  I haven't registered yet...still thinking about it.

Then the final race of 2016 is the annual trek to Negril for Reggae Marathon.  I hear rumors that a number of the gang are planning to run the 10K this December.  See...I can influence people after all! The biggest benefit to running the 10K at Reggae Marathon is that you get all the benefits of the Reggae Marathon Race Weekend Experience with little of the exertion.  And you're sipping a cold Red Strip by 6 am in the morning on the Beach!  Can't think of a better way to wrap up a running year.

First run over...now on to the next!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Your Social Media Reputation Matters

Your Social Media Reputation matters. Existing and prospective customers read reviews:

1. Validate their purchase and ownershipexperience
2. Make direct buying decisions based on your reputation

With 83% of consumers saying that a business' reputation influence their perception about a company, curating your social media reputation matters more than ever. 

Chris M Morales

chris.morales@bell.net
@ChrisMoralesTO

647 393 3855

The opinions expressed on this blog are my own and are not associated with any other group or organization