Mind the injuries

Injuries.  I've had a few:

• Shin splints multiple times
• Plantar Fasciitis on both feet that lasted over a year...I ran through it
• Stress fractures.  Twice on the right foot.  Remember 'The Boot'?

Injuries are never fun but they are a fact of life if you're a runner.  No runner is immune. Through experience...and a thick head...I've learned that the best way to speed recovery is to acknowledge the injury quickly, seek medical advice and treatment as necessary and rest, rest, rest! 

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Farewell...A New Chapter Begins

Last week I said farewell to a number of the finest people I've had the opportunity of working with. Farewell not goodbye...goodbye is so final and good people stay around for life.  My fellow Digital Marketing Consultants;  Support Team at Bond Brand Marketing; Ford of Canada Clients and of course the Ford Dealers I worked with...what a group and what an great experience over the past 18 months on the Ford Dealer Digital Direct Program.  Thank you!

Now a new and exciting chapter has begun.  I started with the Budds' Family as Director of Marketing for all Budds' Family Dealerships covering BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mini, Subaru, Mazda, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick, GMC.  

I am totally stoked about the challenge of applying a lifetime of learning and experience in automotive marketing to driving our business forward.  And at an exciting time in the Automotive Retail business with tehnology driving changes in how consumers shop for and buy cars and trucks. We're enjoying a moment in time when servicing customers before they buy, during the sales process and after they take delivery is impacted by the words, 'Customer Service'. Here at the Budds' Family, our mantra "The Family Business that Service Built" says it all.

I've known the Budds' Family for a long time.  Earlier in my career when we were building the Saturn Saab Isuzu Dealership Network, I worked closely with Chris Budd and members of the family and Management Team.  I bought my second Saab from Budds' ... a very nice pre-owned Saab 9000.  I thoroughly enjoyed that car and so did my boys...that Saab coincided with my eldest sons getting their Driver's licenses.  There were weekends when the turbo never cooled down! 

My first week in the new job has been pretty exciting.  Two friends purchased new vehicles (one a BMW and the other a Subaru) and I heard a great service story from another friend who is on his fourth Subaru!  Service sells!  Added to that are all the professionals I've met at the Dealerships I've visited so far: 'Absolute Professionals'. 

A new chapter begins...

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

I run because I can

I run because I still can.  Oh the body aches most mornings.  I simply can't jump out of bed and without so much as a warm up go running.  It takes more time now to wake up fully before heading out.  And coffee.  I need a hot cup of brew to prime the engine now.  If I could take it intravenously...

But I can still run.  I'm thankfull for that.

Running has been a lifesaver.  On the rollercoaster that is life, I've enjoyed running tremendously on the highs. Running along the cliffs and beaches in Sydney, Australia while on vacation with the Boys tops my highlight reel. So too the annual experiences in Negril at Reggae Marathon. In the troughs though running has proven to be vital to surviving.  Out on a run during difficult and dark times, troubles slip away.  For a few minutes during my run I'm free. Running is life!  

Keep running my friends. 

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

Succeeding in Business is Simple

GW, A good friend recently shared this story with me about why he has purchased 4 new vehicles over the past 6 years from the same Dealership:  "I love the Service Guy!  Don't get me wrong, the Salesman I've worked with always gives me a good deal but the Service Consultant takes care of me and my vehicles".  
That simple truth to success in the automotive business as it is in all businesses.  

I'm was reminded of this as I sat on hold waiting to talk to a real live person on the 'Help Line' of a company that shall remain nameless (Hint: Telecommunications industry).  I chose to call even though it was 40 minutes of my life I wasn't going to get back. I may be old school but I prefer to talk to a person.  In my business if a customer has a problem, I prefer to speak with them about it directly than text/message/email back and forth.  Have you seen how long the email train can grow?

In simple truth, the first sale is only the beginning;  Servicing the hell out of them keeps them coming back. Everyone in the selling business would be wise to pay heed.

GW added:  "My Service Guy...he's the reason I keep coming back".

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

I got nothing!

I've got nothing this morning.  Nothing. Nada. Blank slate.  The well ran dry!  That's about it for cliches to explain why I've got nothing to say today about running.  I've been running though...just don't have anything witty, thought provoking or just plain silly to share.  Feels like that Seinfeld episode where they explain the concept as the show about nothing  OK, that's the final cliche!

I ran track repeats yesterday.  Sprinted the straights and walked/jogged the curves.  6 sets if you're asking.  Then sprinted, walked, jogged the mile back home.  My legs felt like jello.  It didn't help that the day before I ran stairs.  I can hear you groaning:  "Back-to-back high-intensity workouts?  What is he thinking?  He's going to re-injure himself.  We're going to have to hear all about THAT again!" Alas, that is not to be...Rest Day Today!

Summer is about to slam into the Greater Toronto Area today/tomorrow with temperatures soaring to the high 20's C on Wednesday.  I can't wait! Enough of these single digit temperatures in the early mornings when I go running.  I'm running in my short tights but still wear a fleece jacket and some mornings even gloves!  I'm not getting my hopes up that it will last or be consistent though...if there is one thing we've come to expect it's the wild swings in temperatures and conditions.  At least we don't have to shovel snow (is that yet another cliche?).

Speaking of summer, we've got some vacation planned this year.  Short 4 day driving excursions but away-from-home vacations.  First up is Jordan Station, Inn on the Twenty in early June to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.  10 years!  Sally put up with me for 10 years!  Saint!  Then in July we head to Ottawa for a Lithuanian Heritage Weekend.  A full day of music and dance (and a beer or three)...always great.  And running of course.  Doh!

That's it for today.  Really not much to say.  Hopefully my creative juices get flowing by next week. Crap...another cliche!

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy

How to get more engagement on Facebook

Facbook is a powerful Social Media Channel, emphasis on 'Media Channel'.  At a recent conference, it was noted that over 18 million Canadians are now on Facebook.  All demographics and interests are covered.  With 75% of them active daily, Facebook is an important promotion and advertising channel for Brands.  Buying 'Messaging' is now as important as Google Search and Display.  Build engagement organically and see the results:

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

Cast your vote for Reggae Marathon

Cast your vote for Reggae Marathon as International Race of the Year. I'd say 'vote now and vote often'  but it's one vote per email so I'll stick with 'Vote Now'.

Reggae Marathon is my favourite race event.  2017 will be my 9th consecutive Reggae Marathon Experience.  I don't run many races anymore...I like my early morning runs each day.  But I think about being in Negril on the first Saturday of December ever year to meet up with all my running friends:  Larry, Navin, Dan of course and everyone else I meet on the beach and on the road.  And on The Bus...the Sunday evening pub crawl on the One Love Bus tops off the Reggae Marathon Experience every time!

Reggae Marathon is often in the Top 10 International Marathon events primarily because of the amazing care we get as runners:  The Pasta Party Friday night, the well organized race course, the post-race beach party all one of the best beaches in the world, Negril. Now let's show some love.  Men's Running UK and Women's Running UK have included Reggae Marathon on their list of International Races in 2017.  So shameless promotion: Click on either of the links below to vote for Reggae Marathon:

You can also check out the voting at this link, Vote for Reggae Marathon.

Until next time...

ThatRunninGuy

Socializing the Auto Industry

On a business trip back in the day, I asked a Social Media expert to define 'Social Media'.  "...Access to people without the corporate bias or filter".  And he added, "Social Media is electronically enhanced word-of-mouth".  

Today Social Media permeates everything.  Every post on Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest, Instagram reaches your followers and if they find value, they comment and share. Stripped bare, Customer Reviews on Google, Facebook and myriad sites are the new battle fields.  And never more important than in the shopping journey of researching and shopping for a new car, SUV or truck:

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

I don't like treadmills

I don't like treadmills. Never have, never will.  If it's too cold out to run, I don't run.  It takes a pretty cold day though to stop me from running.  Going to the gym to run on a treadmill isn't an option even on those super cold days.  Now that the weather is consistently above freezing, running outside is the only option.

My sister is a runner.  She has a treadmill and swears by it.  Softer on the knees and hips she says.  She gets to watch TV while running on her treadmill.  She says I should try it.  After you look at these epic treadmill fails you'll understand why I really don't like treadmills.

Until next time...
ThatRunninGuy