August 3, 2009

 

Family is a wonderful thing. This weekend we had many (eighteen I believe) of my family come out to the lake for what seems to be evolving into an annual event. A great time of camping, fishing, swimming and of course sailing was had by all. Nathan, my 4 year old nephew was a hit. He is so much like my younger brother Mike that it’s a little, or a lot, scary. He just wanted to fish, fish and fish. And of course we all know that 4 year olds have great patience. The first time out fishing, he just could not wait for everyone to get going so he promptly got his poll and started to put the bare hook in the water. (After he was asked to wait). So he says “I’m not fishing, I’m just pretending to fish”. Well, next thing you know he caught a bluegill with a bare hook. He was quite excited and proud of himself. So we finally got out on the water and I had rigged a pole up with one of those special double hook systems that the locals like to use. As soon as the boat stopped he picked up the closest pole (the one with two hooks) and cast away. First cast he pulls in two fish at one time! I don’t know about the rest of you, but It’s hard to compete with a 4 year old who can out fish you like that!

It was great catching up with siblings and what is going on in their lives. We make the attempt of keeping in touch throughout the year utilizing todays technology. We use the internet, with e-mails, instant messaging, face book, blogs, instant messaging and such. Or our cell phones with its text messages, twitter and so forth. But there is no substitute for one on one contact and face to face conversation.

It is much the same in our business lives too. We would be amiss if we did not utilize todays technology to help promote and sell the wares of our businesses. I know that many of you feel the same way too as I have recently received photos of items that I collect. With these in hand I now know it is worth the trip to drive several hours to check out first hand what I am hunting for. So as consumers, I urge you to check out the websites of the shops you find in The Treasure Map or on www.thetreasuremap.net and use that to help you plan your trips. As a store owner, you need to put your best electronic footprint forward to help the consumers in making these decisions thus amplifying the enjoyment of their visits.

Each week our website seems to grow with new stores and locations wanting links to their web pages. It’s great to see so many people using the web to help promote their businesses and to help locate the collectibles they are on the hunt for. As with our families we need to keep in touch with our customers until we can get together for that one on one time and face to face connection that is so important. There is just no substitute for walking into a well stocked store and the fun and enjoyment of finding that one special item tucked back in the corner that you just can’t live without. Or the interaction you get from the store owner who is glad to tell you how they came about your new find and if you are lucky, some of the history that goes with it.

Yes we live in a wonderful time. One where we can enjoy the benefits and the convinces of todays electronic age and can use them to help us to remember and appreciate the past that has helped to bring us so far.

Until next time, www.thetreasuremap.net

God bless and jibe ho!

Joe Bartman

No Comments »

No comments yet.

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

Leave a comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website