The other day I purchased a bottle of SoBe green tea and half way through drinking the bottle I noticed the bottle cap had this message in it; “How ya doin’ today?”

It made me smile, even laugh a little. I’ve had bottles with messages in their caps before so this is not new to me. But it had been awhile and I wasn’t expecting it. So when the cap flipped upside down and exposed the message, I was surprised.

I liked the fact that the message wasn’t trying to sell me something else, like another flavor or different product of theirs. By not trying to sell me another product, it’s as though they really care and respect me.

The tone of the message has personality and creates a feeling of friendliness. Crazy as it sounds, it’s as though I actually heard someone ask me “How I was doin’ today?”

That was a nice touch and a pleasant surprise. I don’t know what it cost them to print inside the caps, but they won my loyalty by doing so and I look forward t my next purchase.

It also helps that their product was superb too!

I have an idea, and I’m sure as can be, that it’s a pretty darn great idea.

So, I present my idea, along with mock ups and suggestions to the next level in the hierarchy where I work. At first, the management was supportive and enthused. As time passed, and after fighting many dumpster fires that needed attention, the management’s interest level faded.

I asked for and received permission to take my idea elsewhere to develop. But after more time reflecting on my idea, I flushed out even more benefits that awaits the company who pursues my idea. So, once again, I try to push this boulder up the mountain.

Personally, I’d like to help a company that has helped me and many co-workers/friends with employment, than to take my idea to strangers. If I can help create or secure jobs for the company I work for, that would be my first wish. Combine that desire with some kind of personal reward for putting the idea into words, and we’d have a perfect solution.

No, I wouldn’t say I’m being greedy. New ideas, big, small or medium, are rare and should be valued. Without new ideas, we’d still be fighting over carrion and caves. Yes, ideas should be rewarded. And really good ideas deserve to be rewarded generously.

What I don’t understand is when a great idea is put forth…why, WHY CAN’T CORPORATE see it? I won’t repeat what I’ve been told would happen I left my job. Many large corporations have earned their bad reputations. And maybe I’m being naive when I believe people are inherently good and will do the right thing. Even corporate and management.

But back to my question … WHY CAN’T CORPORATE SEE A GREAT IDEA WHEN IT’S PRESENTED TO THEM? I’ve connected the dots. I’ve explained the benefits to the company. This idea would last well into the future - 20 years or more! It’s not just a one time bonus. It’s years and years of reaping benefits!

What am I to do? I have a fantastic idea and would love to see it help my company, my friends and myself. But if corporate says no, then … then what’s my next step? Another corporation?

The truth is, I’m an animal welfare/rights person. And yes, I’m a vegan too.

While helping my animal sanctuary client with a project, I stumbled on to the Humane Society of the United States Web site. This interesting news bite about Safeway caught my attention. My first response was, uh oh. I shop there. Are they bad?

It turns out not to be the case. Safeway is actually taking steps to assure animal welfare! You can read the article here. It is really promising and I hope more big (and small) stores follow their lead.

If marketed and advertised correctly, this could set Safeway apart from all other grocery stores. Even most organic and natural food stores do not have such a policy. I worked as a graphic designer for a natural and organic food store and to my surprise, animal welfare was not on their list.

Now it seems this issue is becoming popular. Increasingly, TV is exposing animal cruelty cases all over the U.S. Just the other day, Katie Couric aired a spot on cruelty to dairy cattle in California.  So Safeway’s move is “timely” and could put them in the spotlight as a progressive and humane enterprise.

I look forward to seeing how they incorporate this in their marketing. I hope they do.

While shopping for groceries today, I noticed some M&M’s in a green bag with all green M&M’s inside.

It was in the Valentine isle with all the other pink and red candies.

Of course, they’re playing off the long standing story that green M&M’s enhance your libido. The story has been around a long time and most everyone has heard it.

I’ve seen commercials that sort-of played into the hype. Until this year, I’ve never seen them actually market and sell the candy all in green.

The hard work has been done. Thanks to word of mouth, green M&M’s are already famous. And using Valentines Day, the day of love, to market them is perfect.

M&M’s have humbly accepted the “word” of the people and learned to capitalize on it. It’s brilliant. It’s hilarious.

How would you like to have your staff walking answering questions like these?

Q: “What do you hate about this company?”

A: “I haven’t found anything yet.”

Q: What do you hate about working here?

A: “I have to go home.”

Does this sound like a business you’d like to do business with? Or work for?

How would you like this kind of marketing and advertising for your business?

CBS News - Assignment America, correspondent Steve Hartmen reported on State Bank and Trust in Fargo, N.D. where the employees actually said those things. Watch the video and learn.

Here is the link to the bank’s “About Us” page where you can read more about their work philosophy.

If that bank was located in Missoula, Montana, Monday morning I’d be transferring my money to their vaults. I’d also be sending them my resume just in case they needed an in-house graphic designer.

Who wouldn’t want to do business with, or work for, a company that respects their employees so well and shows it through their actions?

Not only that, this bank believes in community support and encourages their employees to “pay it forward” by making donations to causes that are important to them.

If a bank in North Dakota can operate in this manner, there is no business that can not do the same thing.

Corporations in Missoula, and all over America, need to watch and learn from this video. You want prosperity? Start at the bottom.

If you have 200 employees working for you and each employee tells 5 people a day about how great the company they work for is… that adds up to 1,000 people a day, 30,000 people a month and 360,000 people a year who’ve heard excellent news about your business!

That kind of advertising is PRICELESS!

And that’s just from your employees speaking well of your company. Consider this: All those people who’ve heard how great your company is, are passing on the same information!!!

Another benefit of “happy employees” is the need for managers and supervisors decreases.  Happy employees are more productive and willing to go the extra mile for their employer. The company saves money by not having to pay salaries for a middle management that is no longer needed.

So companies can get great advertising via their employees. And save money by not having to pay manager’s salaries. All this just from treating their employees well.