Report # 986
Hey everyone, I hope that you’ve all been having a great week. It’s been a wonderful spring week here as everyday has been pretty sunny and over 15 C (60 F). Some years spring is so nice and sunny, but other years it stays cooler and wetter for a long time, so it looks like this is going to be a good year. Aside from running in the morning and going for the walk in the afternoon I haven’t really gone anywhere, so I haven’t enjoyed being outside too much.
Still no news on my visa authorization, though I now understand why it is taking so long. My papers were delivered to the migration office in Monterrey on January 11, and three weeks later on February 1, they were sent to the foreign relations department, so I’m thinking my papers probably went to Mexico City. So if I’m correct, my papers will be mixed in with every other paper for everyone who will be working anywhere in Mexico, not just in Monterrey, so it could be quite a while before I get news.
I’ve continued to apply for jobs, and I’ve actually applied for over 30 jobs. I’ve applied for everything from super simple jobs such as lawn moving and packaging, to temporary office work, to more advanced jobs such as marketing assistant. I’d really be happy just doing something super simple, though none of the super simple jobs have gotten back to me. I had an interview over Skype yesterday morning for a marketing assistant job, and the office is in my city, so it would actually be amazing if I got that position.
I probably won’t check any of the job sites until Tuesday as its the Easter weekend here now and I can’t imagine there will be too much getting posted over the next four days as today is a holiday, and a lot of people get Monday off as well. There is certainly nothing Easterly about this house though as I haven’t seen any chocolate or eggs or anything…. though I did see a rabbit yesterday while I was walking. How a rabbit ended up being chosen to hide chocolates and Easter Eggs I’ll never understand, but it’s certainly interesting.
Now I will just force myself to type up a story seeing as I’ve had this idea for like a year and have never wrote it yet. It’s amazing that for a while years ago I was writing a story, sometimes two, every month, and now I’m hardly making one once a year, but as I’ve said many times before I really don’t enjoy making up stories, and I only force myself to do it, to put something different on this blog on what now have become very rare occasions. So here it goes:
The Ad Capturers
1.
The rain poured down, creating a loud noise on the roof of the Grand Plan Marketing Agency. Donovan looked out the window and as excited he was to finish off another week, he really didn’t look too forward to going outside in that downpour. As Donovan was getting ready to finish up another week of work, his boss Walt walked in the room and took a seat next to him with a very grim look on his face.
“I don’t want to have to tell you this now.” Walt began, knowing there was never a good time to being saying to Donovan what he was going to say.
“Our agency has been bleeding red for quite a few months now. The economy has been struggling and a lot of our clients have cut back on our services. And other clients have left altogether saying that we really haven’t increased their business enough to warrant continue using our services.
You’ve been working with me for almost five years now Donovan, and while I truly appreciate everything that you’ve done, I’m going to have to let you go at the end of the month. And it’s nothing personal, but I’ve told the same thing to the rest of the staff too. I’ve going to have to restructure this company completely, just to be able to start making some money again.” Walt said calmly.
Donovan’s face turned pale and he took a minute to think before really responding.
“Well I certainly never expected to receive news like that, I understand, there is nothing I can really disagree with.” Donovan responded understanding 100 % what Walt had told him was true.
Donovan stayed silent for a moment and responded with a question;
“What if I was able to increase our business over the next two weeks ? I mean I would find new clients, and even more importantly, improve the business for our existing clients.” Donovan wondered.
Walt looked Donovan in the eyes and responded;
“Well I don’t see after all this time we’ve had and how much we’ve struggled over the past six months, how you could turn around our fortunes in two weeks time. However, if you were able to do that then sure I would not have to lay everyone off. You’ve all done great work for me, and I’ve only made this decision out of pure necessity… hell, it’s almost gotten to the point where I’ll have to lay myself off and suspend operations of this company altogether.” Walt replied.
“Ok well this weekend I will sit down a lot and come up with some new plans and ideas that I really think will get this business rolling again.” Donovan added.
“That all sounds great Don, but keep in mind to be able to keep everyone on board, we’d have to actually have a significant amount of money coming in by two weeks time… not just wonderful ideas planned out that may not even work. While I truly appreciate your offer to try and change our fortunes, I think you have to face reality that the business model is not working, and you’ll be better off searching for another job. And I would do all that I can to help you, and of course I’ll write you an amazing reference letter.” Walt replied.
Donovan smiled and responded:
“Well I know what I have to do boss. You’ve explained the situation, and I thrive on challenges. I’m going to work like I’ve never worked before over the next two weeks. I’ll always remember how you hired me when I had no experience and gave me the opportunity to join your company and really learn on the job…. I’ll never forget that. You did so much for me and now I’m going to help you.”
“Well kid it’s your choice. I wouldn’t put too much time and effort into this, I’d hate for you to be disappointed, but I certainly admire you for jumping into the sinking ship and trying to get it back above water. I can tell you I’ve studied so many business models and plans and I’ve talked with experts.
They’ve all told me with the state of the economy now and the financial situation we as a company are in, we, well I should say I, won’t be able to turn this around unless I lay everyone off and truly restructure this company. And even if I do all of that, that will just give me more time… that won’t even guarantee future success.” Walt explained.
Donovan looked out the window again and saw that it was pouring and getting dark.
“Well I should get going, I have lots of work to do, but don’t count us out until the time is up.” Donovan said as he got up from his desk, put his jacket on and prepared to leave.
“Ok Don, but remember what I said…. things are not looking good and the only way I can honestly see things working out if a miracle happens.” Walt replied before saying good-bye to Donovan as he left the building.
The truth is Donovan had no plan he just wanted to give himself some time to truly take in the situation and see if there was anything to do about it. After working for Walt for almost five years, and feeling that he did so much for his career, Donovan didn’t just want to see things end so badly. Donovan headed outside into the pouring rain, without his umbrella as usual. Instead of catching the bus home, he took a walk in the other direction.
As he was walking down the street a truck passing by over a puddle send the water from the street soaking Donovan completely. Super cold and frustrated at this point, Donovan stepped inside to the nearest store, and he couldn’t believe what he saw with his own eyes upon entering.
2.
A completely drenched Donovan wiped the water off of his glasses and after regaining focus saw almost very colour imaginable in the store. The store appeared to be a place that sold signs. Donovan walked around and was in complete awe of the designs of the signs. As he bent down to look at a billboard sign that really interested him, a thick European voice was heard.
“Ah… you like ?
Donovan, completely spooked fell to the ground.
“Sorry ! I didn’t mean to scare you. No wonder I don’t get too many customers here, I probably scare them all away, and it’s not even Halloween yet.” the man said.
Donovan got up and turned around and responded.
“No, no, don’t worry about it. I was just so amazed by this billboard, I wasn’t paying attention to anything else.” Donovan responded.
“Well I’ll be right back.” The man said, walking away through a door in the back of the store.
Donovan walked around the rest of the store, but he still couldn’t get over the billboard he was looking at before. He really thought it could help, at least a little, with some of the marketing agencies’ clients. A few minutes later the man with the European accent returned, and he was holding an identical billboard as well as a towel.
“I think you could use this.” The man said, offering Donovan the towel.
Completely surprised, but very grateful, Donovan accepted the towel and dried himself off. And the man introduced himself.
“My name is Branko and I come from Macedonia. I had my sign business there too, but I wanted to try new adventure in other country.” I saw that you had quite the interest in that particular sign, so I give you deal. You can have this one for free, and if you don’t have results in the next week, you bring it back. However if sign brings you good business, you buy more signs.” So what you say ?” Branko asked.
Donovan took a few seconds and thought things over, before coming to the conclusion that he couldn’t say know.
“That would be amazing. I almost feel guilty, coming here soaking wet and just getting such a beautiful billboard sign for free. You certainly know how to make a positive impression on your customers.” Donovan responded.
Branko began to laugh before responding.
“Well I don’t know about that, but I believe a lot in my products, people just need an opportunity to try them. And believe me, if I didn’t think you buy signs from me next week, I wouldn’t be offering you this.” Branko said.
“Well thanks so much, I really appreciate this offer, especially with how things are going now… it means a lot. I should probably get going, it’s getting late and my wife is probably wondering where I am by now.” Donovan responded seeing that his wife, Heidi, had already texted him tons of messages.
“Ahh I understand, I too have wife, but she still in Macedonia. Give me 10 minutes, I want to get you something else. Branko disappeared in the back of the store for a while and Donovan texted Heidi that he would be home soon. Shortly after Branko returned with two giant bags.
“You and your wife probably hungry…. so I have dinner for you.” Branko said surprising Donovan.
“Wow, what do you have a restaurant back there ?” Donovan said laughing.
Branko looked serious before laughing and responding.
“Actually yes ! If you enter this building from the other side, is my Macedonian restaurant.” You and your wife should come one day…. you will love the food. Seeing as you were in hurry today, I just wanted to quickly bring you my most popular dish — you won’t be able to pronounce it, but you’ll love it !”
“Well thank-you so much, I truly do appreciate all of your help today.” Donovan said.
“No problem young man, and I’m sure you will be back next week buying signs !” Branko said with complete confidence.
Donovan said good-bye to Branko and headed outside for a few minutes to catch the bus home. He had a free billboard sign to put up, but absolutely no ideas of what he was going to do with it. It was going to be a long night.
3.
Donovan arrived home about 40 minutes later and headed inside and saw Heidi sitting on the couch, eating some grapes.
“Hey honey ! Guess what I got ?”
“Well you are super late today, so you better have brought some damn good food.” Heidi responded.
“Actually yes, fresh from a Macedonian restaurant !” Donovan replied.
“Macedonian ? That’s a new one….. I don’t have any clue what kind of food they eat there.” Heidi said.
“That makes two of us. I just stumbled upon a sign store, and the owner introduced himself, and he offered me this sign for free on the condition that if it drives up business, I will come back next week and buy more. And he also offered me this food…. apparently there he operates a restaurant as well.” Donovan explained.
“Wow people certainly have strange business combinations these days, but whatever works I guess. Well I’m starving lets check this Macedonian food out.” Heidi responded.
Donovan and Heidi sat down at the kitchen table and started eating, and they were very impressed with the Macedonian cuisine… they both decided they would go to the restaurant one day. Heidi though sensed something was wrong with Donovan as he didn’t seem in a very upbeat mood.
“Donovan ? I can tell something is bugging you, you just don’t seem to be too happy today.” Heidi said.
Donovan thought for a moment and decided it was best to explain the whole situation to his wife.
“Well Walt told me today that the agency has been losing money for a long time and that he’s going to have to restructure the business, and even then it might not survive. He explained to me and all of the other employees that by the end of the month we will all be let go.” Donovan said, his voice cracking up.
“That’s terrible, but don’t worry everything will work out. I got my job at the Health Spa, and you have a few weeks to look for something new, maybe you can even find something before then.” Heidi responded trying to sound positive.
“Well, the truth is I’m not giving up on this company yet, and I told Walt I would do whatever I can to save my job and get the company back on track. Basically if I can make enough money in the next few weeks, I have a chance to save jobs and the company in general. It won’t be easy, but I really want to try… I believe I thrive under pressure.” Donovan said.
“I don’t know Don, that’s an awfully large task for you to do literally all by yourself, but if you truly believe you can do it, and that’s what you want to do, I support you 100 %.” Ultimately I’m sure everything will work out just fine, no matter what happens. Heidi responded giving Donovan a kiss.
“Thanks-so much honey, you are the greatest and I love you so much ! I was going to ask you, would I be able to use on of the ads for the Health Spa for this new billboard sign I have ? We have some billboard spaced rented downtown and I think with this new sign and in a new location, it could really grab the attention of some people.”Donovan asked.
“Well my manager wasn’t too happy with the results from the last marketing campaign your agency did for them, but we still have some ads remaining to use. If you agree not to charge them again, I’m sure it would be ok.” Heidi responded.
“Ok then that will be great ! I just need to see how well this new billboard will work, and your company would be a great test.” Donovan said.
“I have to head into the Spa for a few hours tomorrow, I will grab some of the ads that we haven’t shown yet, and we can set it up by the afternoon.” Heidi said.
“That would be wonderful, the quicker the better.” Well I can’t rely only on this one billboard sign, so I’m going to have to brainstorm for a couple of hours tonight, but we are off to a great start.” Donovan said.
“Awww I was hoping that we could get to bed a little bit early tonight and spend more time together.” A disappointed Heidi responded.
“I know honey, but this is my life and career right now, and just for the next couple of weeks it’s going to be very hectic. I promise you that everything will work out. And please know that you are such a special person to me and I’m so lucky to be with you… I love you so much !” Donovan responded.
Heidi looked at her husband and approached him closer and gave him a big hug and kiss before responding.
“Ok Don, but I expect you to make more time for us very soon !” Heidi demanded.
“Absolutely honey, I promise !” Donovan gave his wife a long kiss and soon sat down at his desk and began a long night of working. He looked over all of the previous marketing plans that he had designed, previous clients, current clients, what has worked well, what hasn’t worked, as well as prospective future clients. The time flew by that night and Donovan was literally up all night researching before he finally fell asleep at 5:45 am.
Donovan was awoken just after 1:00 pm when he heard the door open to the apartment. It was Heidi and she had already returned from the Health Spa with a number of billboard ads.
“Wow I can’t believe I slept until now !” Donovan said.
“Well I can…. it’s not too surprising for someone who stayed up all night.” Heidi said with a smile.
“Now tell me which one of these ads do you like the best ?” Heidi asked Donovan showing him three different options.
After observing them closely Donovan chose the ad that truly showed the beauty of the Health Spa as well as stating clearly the services the business offered.
“I think this one is the best. It not only shows what a luxurious and modern business the Health Spa is, but all of the services it provides, while showing people it’s a clearly affordable place.” Donovan said.
“Ok then well lets get to work and put this up !” Heidi responded.
Donovan had a shower and after the two of them drove downtown and found a great place in front of a busy street with lots of traffic jams, and a bus stop near by as well. Assuring themselves that lots of people would be able to see the ad.
“I really like this location, I really think people will take notice of this ad, and hopefully it brings in some new business.” Heidi said.
“Me too honey. And there is just something about the sign I was given, it just stands out so much better than any of the previous ones I’ve seen.” Donovan replied.
“I actually was able to get a lot of work done last night, and while I have a lot more work to do tonight, I have lots of time to spend the whole day with you today… lets do something special honey.” Donovan added.
“Really ? That would be wonderful ! Heid responded.
Donovan and Heidi spent the day holding hands, eating ice cream, walking along a path by the ocean, and just spending an amazingly romantic day together, capped off by a wonderful dinner in one of their favourite restaurants. After they headed home, Donovan spent a little more time with Heidi before she went to bed. Donovan was now ready to being his 2nd all-nighter, and with the sign up in a prime location, he really hoped it would work its magic.
4.
Donovan turned on his computer and back conducting more research and hunting prospective clients, he knew that he would be making a lof of phone calls in the coming week. Meanwhile downtown where the billboard sign for the Health Spa was set-up, some friends walking back from a night out together, noticed the glowing beauty of the sign. They looked closely at the ad, and before long, they not only felt like they were looking at an ad, but they were experiencing the ad.
“Wow this ad is incredible, it truly captures your attention.” One of the friends said.
“I’ve never seen anything like this. I can tell you one thing though, we definitely have to go to this Health Spa, ASAP !
“That’s for sure, just the sign alone makes this place seem like the most incredible place like ever !” Another friend added.
The sign had started working it’s magic… and that would only be the beginning. Little did Donovan know, no matter how hard he was planning to work over the next week, that the sign he had installed would be really the one thing that was going to make the difference for the agency. Donovan spent another night awake, and once again falling asleep around 6:00 am at his desk.
Heidi woke him up at 11:00 am telling him that because the Spa was really busy.
“Hey Don, I have to go into work today. Apparently there are like sooooo many people there this Sunday and they are so short staffed.” Heidi kissed her husband who was still mostly asleep and she headed to work while Donovan dozed off for a few more hours.
Donovan was woken up again around 2:00 pm when his cell phone rang, it was Heidi calling.
“Baby wake up ! I had to call you immediately. That sign we put up yesterday is working wonders, this place is an absolute zoo and we are jam packed with customers. I told my manager about what we did and he was so impressed that he agreed to write a cheque to the agency if you put up more signs and if business keeps up like this.”
A shocked but very happy Donovan replied;
“This is amazing, I know exactly what I have to do.” I’ll call you later honey, I love you !”
Donovan quickly had a shower and rushed downtown to the sign shop.Branko was inside all by himself at the desk and he knew exactly that it was Donovan who had returned.
“Wow you back already ? After just two days ? Branko asked.
“Yes, I want to buy many more signs. How much per billboard sign ?” Donovan asked.
“They don’t come cheap Sir, but I will give you discount since you came back so soon. $ 500 per sign !” Branko explained.
Still very pricey for Donovan to purchase by himself, he used his credit card, confident that he could get even more customers for so many more clients and that he’d get the money back soon. Donovan purchased 10 signs and Branko helped him carry them out to his truck.
“Thanks for your help Branko, you have no idea how well things are going now !” Donovan said.
“Believe me I know.” Branko said laughing !
Donovan quickly drove to the agency and found some ads that were lying around for a number of clients and he put them into the billboard signs and began driving around the city and finding places to post them. Even though he didn’t have Walt’s permission, he was so confident that the signs would work the same magic that they did for the Health Spa, for the other companies as well.
After driving around and putting up signs for the different companies all day, Donovan got home around 8:00 pm and this time it was Heidi who was sleeping. He imagined that after she experienced working a super hectic extra day that she was completely exhausted. Donovan felt that he had done all the work he had to do for that day so he got into bed next to Heidi who woke up slightly.
“Babe you are here. I missed you so much. You won’t believe how tiring today was. I know how great this is for you and the agency though. If the other companies have even half as much success as we did, you will have absolutely nothing to worry about. Either way, I’m so proud of you and I so lucky to be married to such a wonderful man.” Heidi responded, cuddling with her husband and falling asleep in his arms.
“I know honey, and I love you so much to.” Donovan said before falling asleep as well. He was happy with what they had managed to accomplish, just over one weekend, but he still didn’t know how things would be like in the office tomorrow, or how Walt would feel about him having posted up all of those ads without any permission. It was going to be a eventful day, no matter what would happen.
5.
Donovan and Heidi woke up together early on Monday morning and they both prepared to get ready and go to their jobs. Donovan arrived and sat down at his desk and began checking his emails when Walt walked in.
“Donovan what on earth did you do ? All of the ads we had made for the future for our clients have all been taken and posted around the city… I didn’t authorize that.” Walt said.
A startled and unprepared Donovan started to talk.
“Umm, well, uh, you see, I found this place that…..”
Before he could finish Walt cut him off.
“It doesn’t matter kid…. whatever you did has worked. I’ve been flooded with calls from many of those clients and they have told me how many people have come into their stores or who have requested their services saying how impressive they found the ads. A few of those companies even told me that if sales continue so well over the future, they will certainly be paying us a great sum of money to continue using our services.
I don’t know if things can continue as well as they went over the last day or two, but you’ve certainly brought a glimmer of hope to this agency. So well done… keep up the hard work and you never know what will happen !” Walt explained.
“Thank-you sir… I definitely plan on pushing forward with the strategy I have implemented.” Donovan responded slightly exaggerating, as he had not actually implemented anything from his strategy, aside from using the highly successful billboard ads.
While the companies weren’t able to attract as many clients as they did after their first day since the ads were placed, they were experiencing a great increase in business, and before the end of the week, many of them made decisions to sign agreements to continue working with the agency to improve their business. Things got so successful that a lot of companies called the agency asking to be clients, so Donovan didn’t even have to call too many of the prospective clients that he had found.
Over the next week Donovan was able to relax a lot more and spend a lot more time with Heidi. Their relationship really improved in that time, not that they were ever having any problems before that. Donovan made a few more stops at the sign store and he explained just how successful the signs were to Branko.
“Your product is truly amazing Branko. It’s almost like magic…. guaranteed success. You are able to showcase the very best of any company, even if their actual ads don’t seem to be that good. I don’t know how you do it, but it’s truly something incredible. I would call you an advertising expert, but you haven’t even advertised your sign store or Macedonian restaurant… why is that ? We both know with your signs, you could really get so much more business.
Branko looked at Donovan and responded.
“You know, some things don’t need to be advertised. And I’m in the business of preparing good Macedonian food and selling signs…. not advertising. I advertise with what I do. If people like they tell others, they come back, that’s how I advertise.” Branko said.
“Still though you have to admit there is something special about your signs that really captures the attention of people.” Donovan responded.
“Well I make signs not ads, it’s the ads that capture the attention of people, my signs just give them place to be.” Branko said
“Yes you are right, but there is something about your sings that really allows the ads to be seen for much better than they actually are.” Donovan said.
“Really ? Well I’ll take that as a compliment. Now when are you and your wife going to eat in my restaurant ?” Branko said laughing.
“See if you had an ad for your restaurant I’d probably already have been ! But yes I would love to bring Heidi here, we’ll drop by next Saturday night.” Donovan said.
“Sounds good, I will see you here, and it won’t take any signs to capture your attention, but only good Macedonian flavour !” Branko responded.
Donovan purchased some more signs and said good-bye to Branko. By the end of the second week, a lot of the agencies’ clients had improved their business drastically, while so many other new companies had signed on. Donovan met Walt in his office that Friday afternoon before leaving.
“Well I don’t know how on earth you did it, but this company is in amazing shape now. I’ve never seen us bring in so much money in such a short period of time. Not only will I not have to lay anyone off, I think we are in such great shape that we have more than enough money to get through any more economic recessions.
I’ve thought a lot about things over the past few weeks, and I’m not getting any younger, so I wanted to give this to you.” Walt said handing over a paper to Donovan.
It was a contract offering 50 % of the company to Donovan. A shocked Donovan replied.
“You mean you want us to be partners ?
“Well you can read kid, can’t you ? And I won’t take no for an answer. You’ve saved this company and I’m getting ready to cut back my hours, so I want you to sign this. And believe me, you’ve earned this opportunity.” Walt explained.
“Thank-you so much Sir, I just don’t know what to say… You’ve done so much for my career already.” Donovan replied.
“And you’ve done so much to keep this company from sinking completely, so don’t say anything, and sign the document so we can go and get something to eat to celebrate…. do you know any good places ?” Walt asked.
“Well as a matter in fact, there is a great Macedonian restaurant… you would love it, the owner is such a cool guy too.” Donovan explained.
“Macedonian huh ? Sounds intriguing, and I’m never one to turn down trying new food. And besides maybe we can interest him in our marketing and advertising services.” Walt said.
Donovan smiled and thought about his talk with Branko from before.
“I don’t think so but hey, you never know.”
So after saving the company from going under, keeping a job for everyone, and truly paving a new path for his career, Donovan was incredibly happy. After having dinner with his boss at Branko’s Macedonian restaurant, a meal they both enjoyed immensely, Donovan headed home and spent a super romantic evening with Heidi.
“See I told you everything would work out Babe.” Heidi said in between cuddling and kissing her husband.
“You did didn’t you ? Well I guess it’s a relief to know that I’m married to a woman who is always right !” Donovan responded.
Heidi smiled and replied,
“Well maybe not always right, but enough to make you know that I know what I’m talking about…. just like your Macedonian friend.” Heidi responded.
And with that Donovan remembered that he had to go back to the restaurant again tomorrow with Heidi. He continued kissing and cuddling with his wife and he thought to himself, maybe Branko is a lot better at marketing than he originally gave him credit for.
The End
Wow after sitting here for over two hours I’m finally done… what a relief ! I’ve already copied this story in case Xanga screws up and doesn’t post it….. that has happened before ! I actually copy all of my entries before I post them to avoid any problems. Anyways hopefully the people who actually took the time to read the whole story enjoyed it somewhat ! For the next question:
Do advertisements of any kind work on you ?
They work on me in terms of getting my attention and making me aware of certain products and services, but it’s not I see an ad and go rushing to a store or restaurant or order something. So they work in a way, but probably not as well as the companies would like !
I hope that everyone has a fantastic Good Friday and Easter weekend. Take care and I’ll talk to you all on Monday, bye for now.
