<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!--Generated by Squarespace Site Server v5.0.0 (http://www.squarespace.com/) on Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:00:46 GMT--><feed xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"><title>Root Business Tools</title><subtitle>Root Business Tools</subtitle><id>http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/</id><link rel="alternate" type="application/xhtml+xml" href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/"/><link rel="self" type="application/atom+xml" href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/atom.xml"/><updated>2008-11-20T23:09:10Z</updated><generator uri="http://www.squarespace.com/" version="Squarespace Site Server v5.0.0 (http://www.squarespace.com/)">Squarespace</generator><entry><title>Happiness = NO TV</title><category>STEAL This Idea</category><id>http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/11/20/happiness-no-tv.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/11/20/happiness-no-tv.html"/><author><name>Dan Root</name></author><published>2008-11-20T23:00:57Z</published><updated>2008-11-20T23:00:57Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p>It's official.&nbsp; Happy people watch less television from the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/20/health/research/20happy.html?em">NY Times.<br /></a></p>
<p>I went over 5 years sans TV and it was great.&nbsp; I don't know if I was any happier at that point compared to now.&nbsp; There were too many other factors but I would definately recommend an extended TV fast for anyone who hasn't done it.</p>
<p>You'll find all kinds of time you never had before and I'll bet you fill that time with things you "never had time for" like:</p>
<ul>
<li>going to the gym</li>
<li>reading</li>
<li>visiting friends and family</li>
<li>doing that one thing "you always wanted to do"</li>
</ul>
<p>&nbsp;</p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Buying a house in Akron? (Howard Hanna Acquires Realty One)</title><category>Ohio Business</category><id>http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/11/6/buying-a-house-in-akron-howard-hanna-acquires-realty-one.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/11/6/buying-a-house-in-akron-howard-hanna-acquires-realty-one.html"/><author><name>Dan Root</name></author><published>2008-11-06T13:50:19Z</published><updated>2008-11-06T13:50:19Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p>The top 2 real estate agencies in Northeast Ohio, <a href="http://www.howardhanna.com/pressrelease/realty_one.asp">Howard Hanna and Realty One, are now one.&nbsp;</a></p>
<p><strong>What does this mean for anyone buying or selling a house in Northeast Ohio?</strong></p>
<p>Even though Howard Hanna has about 37% market share, don't expect your house to sell faster or get a better selection as a buyer going through HH.&nbsp; Almost all listings go throught the MLS (Multiple Listing Service).&nbsp; So all agents, regardless of agency size have access to the same information.</p>
<p>Expect a shakeup among the top agents.&nbsp; With more power, Howard Hanna is more likely to take a larger chunk of commissions from agents.</p>
<p>I personally prefer the service of smaller agencies like <a href="http://www.aplace2live.com/">Penney Real Estate</a>.&nbsp; I bought my house through Will Penney and couldn't be happier.</p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Walk the Walk Obama</title><id>http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/11/4/walk-the-walk-obama.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/11/4/walk-the-walk-obama.html"/><author><name>Dan Root</name></author><published>2008-11-04T21:42:29Z</published><updated>2008-11-04T21:42:29Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p><span class="full-image-float-left ssNonEditable"><span><img style="width: 150px;" src="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/storage/ObamaLogo.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1225835280176" alt="" /></span></span>I don't want to call it too early but all signs point to Obama.&nbsp; I'm not a Obama supporter as a candidate but once he's my president, I want to see him do well.</p>
<p>Any good manager knows that <strong>anything that is measured, improves.</strong>&nbsp; In the next few weeks, with the help of some friends, I'll be launching a new site <a href="http://www.walkthewalkobama.com">Walk The Walk Obama</a>.&nbsp; This site will list all of Obama's campaign promises and the Obama administration's progress towards these goals.</p>
<p>Stay tuned...</p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Best Definition of "Brand" I've Heard</title><id>http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/9/12/best-definition-of-brand-ive-heard.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/9/12/best-definition-of-brand-ive-heard.html"/><author><name>Dan Root</name></author><published>2008-09-12T17:32:32Z</published><updated>2008-09-12T17:32:32Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p>"Brand" is one of those fuzzy business words that is: <br><br>CRITICAL in 98% of businesses<br>All but IMPOSSIBLE to MEASURE and <br>Very TOUGH to fully DEFINE<br><br>Here is the best definition I've ever heard...<br><br><strong>"Ultimately, a brand is a promise of a consistent experience."</strong><br><br>From an article in the <a href="http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/12/so-thats-who-uses-aol/%20">New York Times about AOL.</a>&nbsp; <br></p><p>Notice, they didn't say a "good" experience.&nbsp; Just CONSISTENT. &nbsp;<br><br>In Branding &amp; Marketing...<br><br>Consistently&nbsp; GOOD is&nbsp; GOOD<br>Consistently BAD is BAD<br><strong>INCONSISTENTLY GOOD IS ALSO BAD.&nbsp; You've broken the promise.</strong></p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Current Project</title><id>http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/8/7/current-project.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/8/7/current-project.html"/><author><name>Dan Root</name></author><published>2008-08-07T23:59:44Z</published><updated>2008-08-07T23:59:44Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p><span class="full-image-float-left"><span><img src="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/storage/DCAM-LOGO-WEB.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1218153881437" alt="" /></span></span></p>
<p>I'm currently working on the <a href="http://www.bedlinertruth.com">D-CAM Spray in Bed Liner Equipment </a>project for George Flanik. George has created a very efficient system for doing spray in bedliners and other 2 component poly coatings.</p>
<p>George has me working on the marketing to launch this project.&nbsp; Although the primary driver for bedliners (truck sales) is currently on it's ear, we are seeing an incredibly positive response from industry veterens.</p>
<p>Updates to follow....</p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Pickens Plan</title><category>Great Marketing</category><id>http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/7/8/pickens-plan.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/7/8/pickens-plan.html"/><author><name>Dan Root</name></author><published>2008-07-08T16:39:54Z</published><updated>2008-07-08T16:39:54Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://pickensplan.com"><img src="http://media.pickensplan.com/img/badges/badge_wtp_06_300.jpg" /></a></p><p>Here's what I love about this from a MARKETING perspective.&nbsp; This campaign was launched today in a big way.&nbsp; National TV news, national news papers, press conferences &amp; social networking themed site. &nbsp; <br /></p><a href="http://pickensplan.com"></a>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Strategy &amp; Tactics from Sun Tzu</title><category>Favorite Quotes</category><id>http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/6/23/strategy-tactics-from-sun-tzu.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/6/23/strategy-tactics-from-sun-tzu.html"/><author><name>Dan Root</name></author><published>2008-06-23T12:26:35Z</published><updated>2008-06-23T12:26:35Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p align="center" style="text-align: center;"><em>&quot;Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. <br />Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.&quot;</em><br />- Sun Tzu</p><p align="left" style="text-align: left;">My new favorite quote. <br /></p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>We Dunked the Boss for Charity</title><category>RBT Updates</category><id>http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/6/12/we-dunked-the-boss-for-charity.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/6/12/we-dunked-the-boss-for-charity.html"/><author><name>Dan Root</name></author><published>2008-06-12T14:00:42Z</published><updated>2008-06-12T14:00:42Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p>Lot's happening here at RBT.&nbsp; I'll share more soon.&nbsp; In the meantime, check out</p>  <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,29,0" width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DkZJLchWwy0&hl=en&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="menu" value="false" /><param name="wmode" value="" /><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DkZJLchWwy0&hl=en&rel=0&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" wmode="" quality="high" menu="false" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Guinness World Record - Great Marketing by Firefox</title><category>Great Marketing</category><id>http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/6/1/guinness-world-record-great-marketing-by-firefox.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/6/1/guinness-world-record-great-marketing-by-firefox.html"/><author><name>Dan Root</name></author><published>2008-06-01T19:09:12Z</published><updated>2008-06-01T19:09:12Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p><span class="full-image-float-left"><img alt="_Firefox-logo.png" src="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/storage/_Firefox-logo.png?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1212348167077" /></span>Remember when Guerrilla Marketing was the latest greatest?&nbsp; You don't hear about it much anymore.&nbsp; Probably because everyone, it seems, is a guerrilla.&nbsp; It's hard to push the boundaries when there are none in this YouTube world.</p><p>Here's a pretty cool idea though, Firefox (you know, that <em>other</em> browser) is attempting to set the Guinness World Record for most software downloads in 24 hours to promote the release of Version 3 of their software.&nbsp; I don't know what the current record is but I gave them my email address to participate...so I guess the marketing worked!&nbsp; If you want to get in on the action, here's the website <a target="_blank" href="http://www.spreadfirefox.com/en-US/worldrecord">http://www.spreadfirefox.com/en-US/worldrecord.</a>&nbsp; What's in store for Version 3?&nbsp; I have no idea, I just thought it would be cool to help set a world record.&nbsp; (Secretly, I like defending the world against having Microsoft rule the world.&nbsp; Nothing against Micro$oft, I just like competition and everyone loves an underdog!)<br /></p><p>If you've never tried Firefox before, it's a great browser.&nbsp; I use it on my Mac and love it.<br /></p>]]></content></entry><entry><title>Dell Deceives Customers... Surprise, Surprise!</title><id>http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/5/28/dell-deceives-customers-surprise-surprise.html</id><link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/home/2008/5/28/dell-deceives-customers-surprise-surprise.html"/><author><name>Dan Root</name></author><published>2008-05-28T19:50:06Z</published><updated>2008-05-28T19:50:06Z</updated><content type="html" xml:lang="en-US"><![CDATA[<p><span class="full-image-float-left"><a href="http://www.consumeraffairs.com/computers/dell_svc.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/storage/dell_logo020307.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1212350573367" alt="dell_logo020307.jpg" /></a></span>For anyone who didn't get my mass mailing blasting Dell Financial Services, read the <a href="http://www.rootbusinesstools.com/storage/Dell%20Complaint.pdf">attached letter</a> detailing their usurious finance charges and horrible customer service.</p><p>The New York Attorney General agrees with me.&nbsp; <a target="_blank" href="http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/27/dell.lawsuit/index.html">Full Story.</a>&nbsp; Bad customer service should be expensive.<br /></p>]]></content></entry></feed>