Turning Cucumbers Into Peaches - The Power of Twitter

In his blog post today, "Social Media is not a Vocation", Chris Brogan makes the point that Social Media is "tools and a method", not a profession. Brogan also carefully shows in his book, Trust Agents, how when used the right way, Social Media, helps build a network of trust and influence.

Twitter, a type of Microblogging, is one of the instruments in the Social Media Toolbox that assists in forming relationships, 140 characters at a time.


Jumping In

On Twitter, it's not so much about what you say. It's more about how you respond. The trick is to find a "Tweet" or conversation and just jump in. You never know where it will lead. You can make a new friend, have some fun, learn something new, or as was the case yesterday, "Turn Cucumbers into Peaches".

It all started with a tweet that caught my eye:

July 13th @ 7:57 a.m.From @DraperyDiva : Peaches anyone? http://twitpic.com/24wxri 7:57 AM Jul 13th via Twitter for Android

The rest of the conversation:

@DraperyDiva http://twitpic.com/24wxri - Yum! I'll trade you cucumbers & tomatoes (once they ripen)!

@basketsbybonnie You're on! They were really good last year. So many this year I'm afraid the branches are going to break! 9:28 AM Jul 13th via web in reply to basketsbybonnie


@DraperyDiva We should form a #ProduceExchange for local gardeners. I have some cucumbers left and will have ripe tomatoes soon.

@basketsbybonnie Great idea! Not much time this year so peaches is about all I have ,especially if Alvin & friends have their say! Tuesday, July 13, 2010 12:21:55 PM via web in reply to basketsbybonnie

@DraperyDiva - This is Today's Harvest. Let the garden exchange begin! #GameOn http://twitpic.com/256xc7 Wednesday, July 14, 2010 8:24:17 AM via Twitpic

@basketsbybonnie Mmmm, I can taste the cuc salad now! :) Wednesday, July 14, 2010 8:48:25 AM

@basketsbybonnie is bringing me cucumbers from her garden! Yummo! I'm giving her "peach credits" for when they are ripe! Twitter rocks!
Turning cucumbers into peaches with @DraperyDiva. Now I am waiting for my credits to ripen! #PeachCredits http://twitpic.com/259gqp


@basketsbybonnie The begs the telling of the "10 Uses for a Cucumber Joke" but I'm not even going to go there! Thanks Bonnie!

@basketsbybonnie Cucs are delicious! Thanks. Poor peach tree branches are almost bent to the ground from the weight! Ripen soon I hope!

Twitter Magic

As I wait for my "Peach Credits" to ripen, I am excited about what is possible with Twitter. Not only was I able to trade surplus produce for a desired commodity, I made a new friend.

That is the true power of Twitter!

Fuel for the Engine!

A glowing review is the force that keeps the people building the business, and helps us help you. Great feedback is pure gold! We jump for joy receiving feedback with comments like "The basket was PERFECT!" or "EXCELLENT JOB!" It's a real motivator to know we're doing a good job, and when one good review comes right after another, we put the gears into overdrive.



Kickin' it into OVERDRIVE!

Just last week, these two precious pieces of feedback came within 5 minutes of each other.

"Thanks Bonnie.....The basket was PERFECT! She loved it. One of the other girls in the office saw the wine and said "OH MY GOSH, I love Moscato" Katie is very excited. You did an EXCELLENT JOB!

Thank you again.
Cindy"


And shortly after...

"Hi Bonnie, I heard the basket was beautiful! Thank you so much for putting it together so quickly, I really appreciate it. I will hold onto your contact information and look forward to working with you again.

Thank you again,
Gina"

It's been an exhilarating week, and we're finally coming off our high. We're ready for a refuel!

Small Business: Saving the economy...one job at a time.

There's a growing trend to support small business. Consumers are finding it much more fulfilling to shop at a local Mom & Pop's store rather than a "Big-Box" retailer. People nowadays are looking for appreciation as well as service. They enjoy feeling welcomed and comfortable in an environment that satisfies their need. Sometimes, a listening ear and a caring embrace is worth more than that extra little "Rollback."

The Importance of Feedback

It's a real motivator to know we're doing a good job, and it fuels the fire to put the gears into overdrive. Positive reinforcement is a fantastic way to show your gratitude! Whereas Feedback fuels the customer service engine, telling others drives the economic engine. Word-of-Mouth promotion is critical to the success of small business.

Magnet from Ann Taintor, Inc. 2x2 - $4.95

The more places your voice is heard, the greater the likelihood your favorite corner store will be there when you need them. Aside from telling your friends, another way to show your support is by sharing your experience on Google Places, Yelp, Twitter, and many others by writing a review. You have the power to save the economy...one review at a time!

Father's Day Is On Its Way!

Father's Day is approaching, and fast! On Sunday, June 20th, let this Father's Day be a way to have a heart-to-heart with dad. At Baskets By Bonnie, we want to help you send dad the message that sums up a year's worth of hard work. Is he a "Number one dad", or maybe he's the coolest dad in the world? Treat dad to some sweet-tooth goodies, a bottle of wine, or even some hand-picked items that are fit for a king!

Dad's are one of a kind. And let's face it! Being a father can be hard work! So, make him feel extra special by putting that little bit of extra into your gift this year. Besides, dad has taken that little extra step for you! You have the ability to choose from a wide variety of items where the basket can be completely customized by your own hand-picked items. Just give us a call, and tell us what you want and how much you want to spend. Dad has a basket personalized just for him!

Helping you make Dad a happy camper!

Not quite what you want? Visit our brother site!

Oh Boy! Toy Company

Oh Brother!

When dad's retro ties and power tools don't cut it anymore, show him how you really feel with a gift just for him. At our brother company, Oh Boy! Toy, we have a wide variety of gifts just for dad. So, if you just want a hand-picked gift to add to his sparkling personality, the choices are endless! As a bonus, we offer special gift packaging and a tailored card for each gift purchase.

Don't forget about Dad! Give him something to really make this Father's Day a special day!

Make Every Day Earth Day!

Today is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day which was started by US Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin in 1970 as a "Teach-In".

Earth Day is now celebrated by over 500 Million people around the world and is the largest non-religious holiday.

Going Green for The Kitchen

In celebration of Spring and upcoming holidays of Earth Day in April and Mother's Day in May, we have created this gift perfect for the container or indoor gardener.

This mini canvas tote comes complete with 5 garden tools and a spray bottle perfect for taking care of house plants or container gardens. We've also added 3 packets of popular herb seeds, some canvas work gloves and a cookbook on Herbs & Spices.

At $34 you can send a "green gift" without shelling out a lot of "green"!





Spring Salad


This is my favorite time of year to "Go Green"..... make that "Grow Green"!

Last month I planted lettuce and I am already feasting on Spring salads with garden fresh onions, chives, perennial favorites that come back each year!

I have also started tomato, squash, green pepper and cucumber plants indoors and can't wait until May 15th, when it's safe to put them into the ground.






Garden Tip: If you re-seed your lettuce patch every 2-3 weeks you will have a continual crop until the peak of summer heat and had your fill of salads for a bit.

Towards the end of summer, replant your greens for some lovely fall salads with tomatoes, peppers and other late summer veggies you decide to raise!

Administrative Professionals - Power of Committment

From The Dictionary of Corporate Bullshit:

administrative assistant " ...3. employees who are highly valued for their attention to detail, in part because their boss claims to be focusing on the big picture and doesn't "do details," but in fact can't balance his own check-book and would be rendered helpless if he had to do his administrative assistant's job; ...."





Administrative Professionals Week is celebrated this year on April 18 - 24, with Administrative Professionals Day falling on Wednesday, April 21. Started in 1952 by the IAAP as "Secretaries Week" (Day), this holiday that honors office workers was changed to "Administrative Professionals" in the year 2000 to keep up with the times.

The name of the holiday may have changed but the tradition of honoring your valued associate on this day with cards, gifts and perhaps a luncheon, is still very much in style. Baskets by Bonnie has you covered with a wide variety of gift baskets that are sure to please.

Thankfully, the staff at Baskets by Bonnie loves to "do details" and we are just a phone call (or click of the mouse) away!

The Office Survival Kit is just one of many gift options available for your valued Administrative Professional.

Going Green

Waste not, want not. Not only sage advice for tough economic times but also a great way that we can help the environment.

There are many items in our business that can be reused by artists or in the classrooms. We save rolls from paper and cellophane, ribbon scraps, plastic tubs, slightly damaged merchandise that is not saleable and other discards that might still have some use.

We "donate" them to a local organization, the Waste Not Center. Not only are we helping our local art community but we are saving landfills (and $$$) by reducing our trash.

We also have some new fun bags that make being environmentally-conscious fun!

Great for Groceries or Gifts


Coming soon.... we have several new must-have reusable bags that are great for packaging gifts or to use when shopping. Help save the trees AND promote less waste in landfills. My favorite is pictured above.

Also on the way are:

"she had made yet another wise shopping decision"

"WOW! I get to give birth AND change diapers"