Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Now That's Something...


This looks pretty cool.

The SomethingStore is a fun new website that operates simply: They will send you something, an item selected randomly among many things from their inventory, all-in, including shipping for 10 BUX US.

According to the site:

Your Something May Be Anything

It maybe something you need, something you want or something you desire.

Yours may be a cool gadget, rare book, table game, handmade necklace, reverse clock, box of gourmet chocolates, set of shiny shower curtains, popular video game, big-box retailer gift card, the latest version of a software, a set of kitchen knives, a pair of designer jeans, garden tool, kitchen appliance, unique home decor item, electronic equipment, magazine subscription, office supply item, or ...

Your something will most likely be brand new, though it may also be refurbished or antique.

This reminds me of the awesome $25 Grab Bags my buddy Reagan and I have ordered from Surplus Shed. Surplus Shed buys, sells, and trades government and other surplus and used optical and electronic items.

The 3 Grab Bags I've ordered in the past were well worth the $25. Each came with an enticingly geeky mix of lenses, mirrors, prisms, along with few strange optical things. Awesome! Plus, no two Grab Bags are the same.

And dig this, if you're not happy with what comes in your mystery box they'll give you your money back, no questions asked!

So, what are you waiting for - surely there's somebody on your list worthy of Something Special of the Mystery Kind!

The SomethingStore
Surplus Shed Grab Bags

That's Right

HMK

Paint vs Patina


Ponder This...

From time to time during conference Q&A sessions I’m asked “How did you create the culture at 37 Signals?” or “What do you recommend we do to set up an open, sharing company culture like yours?”

My answer: You don’t create a culture. Culture happens. It’s the by-product of consistent behavior. If you encourage people to share, and you give them the freedom to share, then sharing will be built into your culture. If you reward trust then trust will be built into your culture.

Artificial
Artificial cultures are instant. They’re big bangs made of mission statements, declarations, and rules. They are obvious, ugly, and plastic. Artificial culture is paint.

Real
Real cultures are built over time. They’re the result of action, reaction, and truth. They are nuanced, beautiful, and authentic. Real culture is patina.

Don’t think about how to create a culture, just do the right things for you, your customers, and your team and it’ll happen.

That's Right

HMK

Thanks to Jason over at Signals vs. Noise.