The status quo never changed the world.

The status quo is static. Keep moving. Forward. Always forward.

Amazon’s management style took a hit this week with first a NYT article followed by coverage every where. This article sums up the management playbook.

Managers at Amazon  are expected to focus primarily on the customer and to “work backward” from that point.

Company leaders take ownership of the company’s overall destiny and practice founder Jeff Bezos’s famed long-term focus (vis-a-vis short-term results).

Leaders at Amazon are continuously not just innovating but simplifying.

Managers are expected to hire strong talent and, in turn, to develop those hires into leaders.

Be frugal, as no “extra points” are awarded for “growing headcount, budget size or fixed expense.” (Work them to death.)

Don’t think small. Raise the bar. Stay curious and keep learning.

Follow these rules or you are not a Leader — and we will fire you as part of our Darwinism talent policy.

I like Jeff Bezos, but if this is his idea of good management — and his company doesn’t really make money –maybe he has it all wrong.

Recently, RC announced that it was going to use Amplifinity to Automate and Grow Referral Program.

I know my clients struggle with an effective referral program. (Who doesn’t?)

Here are 6 keys to a referral system:

1. Trust – they trust Wind or C-Link or At&t to do what they do and pay them.
2. Assurance that you will take care of everything.
3. Recognition is a bigger motivator than money.
4. Payment – not a credit on the bill; something tangible.
5. Structured, Active Program (not passive)
6. Deal Registration, even something as simple as this from C-Link.

This big check, presented on a stage, photo in the newsletter. THAT is how you get referral folks excited!

If you need help with your program, call the RAD-INFO INC Hotline at 813-963-5884.

GoDaddy is now a Vonage Business partner, pumping out emails about free phones from Vonage Biz. I am sure that when you buy a domain from them, you will have to go through a screen asking you if you want a free phone adapter.

For ITSPs, Polycom has a marketing promotion going on. ANPI talks about it here.

Wondering about the Skype/Lync relationship with voice and other UC? My pal, Greg Plum, is an expert on the subject and has a webinar on 9/1.

Frontier is supposedly jumping on the FiOS bandwagon – after they buy FL, CA and TX from VZ early 2016.

The Impact of downtime by Windstream. (pdf infographic)

The Next UC Storm is Brewing. An article that was in both of social streams often (twitter and LinkedIN) this morning.

I often wonder why vendors specifically don’t do a better job in the email marketing department. Seth Godin’s book, Permission Marketing, is 16 years old! You would think it would have been read by every marketer today. In essence, it says that your email list is your biggest marketing asset. You have their permission to market to them. Don’t abuse it! Give Value First. Be Generous. It pays dividends.

Based on Seth’s book and my own experiences email marketing for myself and my clients, I am offering a 45 minute webinar on email marketing on Wed., August 19th at Noon ET. It is modestly priced but with the investment of both your time and money (or your money back!)

REGISTER NOW!