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Friday, September 14, 2018

Great Stuff


StoryBrand Genius

By John Brown

Politicians (especially our wonderful citizens running for local county offices), business folks, and any of the rest of us who what to persuade people to listen, I’ve got something for you.

I will bet that most of you aren’t aware that you’re muddling your message and losing votes, sales, and converts to your causes.

Of course, maybe you’re way ahead of me. I thought I knew what I was doing. I have a master’s degree in business, spent a few years in business consulting, have created a few small startups, and currently am a product manager for large software company. Despite all of that, I had somehow missed something vital. Something simple and powerful. Something that has a dramatic effect on sales, votes, and converts. On getting people to even listen to what I had to say.

And I’m not alone. I saw another company struggling with it this weekend.

On Saturday I went and watched the latest Marvel movie at a theater in Logan. One of the pre-movie video ads was for a local company called Conservice. I don’t know how many thousands of dollars they spent on the ad they played. Or how much they spent on the many other ads we’ve seen over the years. But when it finished, I turned to Nellie and said, “I still don’t know what that company does or why I should care.”

“I know,” she said. “I know.”

We were both baffled. After years of seeing their ads, we still have no idea what they do, how it would make our lives better, or what action we should take to use their service. They have wasted thousands and thousands of dollars on their marketing.

There’s another local company that advertises during those pre-movie slots. It’s called ARS. I saw one of their ads this weekend as well. But it only reminded me of what I already know. I know exactly what they do, how it would make my life better, and what action to take.

If you have a flood, fire, or plumbing backup—whatever—they clean it up. “Got a mess? Call ARS.” That’s their one-liner. If I ever have a mess, I will call ARS. I will never call Conservice. I have no idea what they do.

What’s the difference here?

Clarity.

And what generates that clarity?

A complete focus on the customer. The ARS ads are all about the customer and their problems and needs.

The Conservice ads, on the other hand, are all about Conservice. We’ve been in business for x years. Here’s what our building looks like. Here’s a worker planting a bush. Blah, blah, blah.

The ARS ads are all about me, the guy in the theater seat, the thing I want and the problem I have. ARS features me as the hero in my own story. They present themselves as the helper—the Yoda or Gandalf or Haymitch who helps the hero get what they want. You got a mess? We’ll help you.

The difference in the power of the two ads is night and day.

Of course this means it’s been verified that I’m a dolt. After all the years in business and education, I should have known this. But the surprising truth is that I’m not alone.

I look at the marketing we do at the billion-dollar company I work for and see this same issue everywhere. Millions of dollars spent on muddles. I look at company websites on the internet and see more muddles. I recently listened to pitches by many of our local citizens running for office and saw the same thing. It seems this communication muddle afflicts a lot of us.

About five years ago, when I began investigating an idea for a new company, I came across the Lean Startup method pioneered by a guy at Stanford and began to see the light. But a few months ago, the curtains were completely pulled aside to let in the sunshine. And wow! What a revelation.  

If you want to get people to listen, you have got to hear what Donald Miller has to say. He’s consulted with thousands of companies on how to clarify their message so people will listen. His framework and method make clarifying your message so easy.

He calls it the StoryBrand framework, and it’s brilliant. What it does is help you clarify your message so that a customer or voter or whoever will know within three seconds:

1  What you offer.
2  How it will make their life better
    And what action they should take if they are interested.

But it goes beyond that. It helps you actually define what you should be offering in the first place. It’s a powerful product development tool. I’ve started using this in all my business efforts. And in my training and presentations.

For example, I just used it to develop a presentation I delivered at a huge writer’s conference last week. The results were that after the presentation, I had a line of people wanting to thank me. I had people telling me I made them cry. Others wanted to give me a hug. They were grateful. I had people tell me it was the best presentation of the conference.

This was not because I’m brilliant. I’m a dolt, remember. It’s because I used the StoryBrand framework to focus on those people. Their needs. Their problems. Their aspirations.
If you’re running for office, if you have a business, if you want to persuade anyone to do anything, then let me recommend you listen to this guy and learn about this framework.

·        Start by signing up for the free 15-minute intro to the framework (the sign up is at the top).
·        Next watch this 30-minute presentation on the StoryBrand framework
·        And then this 1 hour expanded application of framework
·        Finally, read Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller (you’re going to love this book)

Get the revelation. Get out of the muddle. And get people to listen.
And when you’ve finished the Miller stuff above, read How to Write Copy That Sells by Ray Edwards, the guy who has partnered with Miller. It’s all about clarifying your message as well. 

Fall Sunrise

Photo by Samantha Cook, Garden City

Concert September 21





WHEN:
September 21, 2018 @ 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

WHERE:
The National Oregon/California Trail Center
320 N 4th St
Montpelier, ID 83254
USA

Re-discover the the music of Simon & Garfunkel! Swearingen & Kelli recreate the music, memories and magic of the most famous folk-rock duo of our time, Simon and Garfunkel. AJ Swearingen has been performing this music for twenty years with mastery of Paul Simon’s intricate guitar playing. His deep baritone blends perfectly against Kelli’s angelic vocals.

Garden City Fire District Board Meeting


Leonard O’Reilly, Reporter 
Rich Civic Times

GARDEN CITY, Utah.  September 5, 2018.  In the absence of Randall Knight, Chairman, Jennie England, Secretary, called the meeting to order. All other members were in attendance

Fire Chief, Mike Wahlberg, reported on the progress of the fire station addition. He also gave a report of the fire department’s Raspberry Days breakfast which netted $700, somewhat less than previous years. He feels that many locals are no longer supporting the event.

The Eden fire on the East of the lake was discussed. The department joined the crews already at site when it was approximately 300 acres. It was a very intense and dangerous inferno burning in grasslands which grew to approximately 13,700 acres before containment. The cost of fighting the fire will mostly be covered by state funds .  Other monies come from CWPP, the Community Wildfire Protection Plan, which is paid into with department funds and mostly labor.
The new Ford 150 truck is coming next week replacing the 2005 truck.
 Responses this month:
1   emergency wind event at Raspberry Days
2   wildfires1 motor vehicle accident 3 carbon monoxide
5 fire alarms
12 medical alerts.

Just Turning Into Fall


Photo by Elvira Luzack, Garden City

New Eatery Approved


Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times


GARDEN CITY, Utah.  September 5, 2018.  A discussion was held concerning the parking and architectural standards for Moose Buns, a new business which plans to sell flavored hot and cold drinks, cinnamon rolls and pretzels, to be located at 220 West 10 South.  This address is next to Renegade Raceway.  The owners of Moose Buns are Audell and Bobby Bates.

There will be no inside seating but will be a drive-through only.  There will be a concrete pad about 500 square feet in size.  The structure is a custom-built tuff shed about 17’ by 20’.   There will be a gravel area where workers will park their cars.  There will some extra parking for supplying, overflow for extra workers etc.   The architectural standards required in Garden City are met because the shed is made of wood.  The height of the building is about 14’ tall.

There will be a restroom for employees but none for the public.  There will be no outside tables, or a public ADA restroom will be required.   The Bates were asked to design the parking area so that everyone will know exactly where the worker parking is located.  

The motion was made and passed allowing this business . There will be no outside eating areas, and it will be a drive through only.

Ted Holmberg appeared before the Commission asking that the property he owns that is in front of the Bear Lake Monster Storage be rezoned.  Bear Lake Monster Storage is located at 395 West Logan Road.  He requested that his property be divided into four lots.  He would like the two front lots—lots 1 and 4—be changed to the C1 Zone.  Lots 2 and 3 would be zoned C3.  Each of the lots contained about an acre and a half in size. 

After the discussion, it was suggested that an actual plan showing how these various lots will be used should be determined.  The Commission felt that to make changes without information about the purpose and what will be placed on these properties should be made known before zoning changes be made.

Thursday, September 13, 2018

Rich County Sheriff's Report


Anita Weston, Reporter
Rich Civic Times

August 2018


TOTAL INCIDENT REPORT BY NATURE OF INCIDENT
Nature of Incident
Total Incidents
Agency Assistance
4
Alarm
12
Alcohol Offense
1
Animal Problem
8
Attempt to Locate
2
Booking Prisoner
5
Child Abuse or Neglect
1
Citizen Assist
45
Citizen Dispute
3
Civil Process
6
Criminal History
8
Domestic Disturbance
1
Controlled Substance Problem
3
DUI Alcohol or Drugs
7
Fire
5
Found Property
6
Fraud
3
Juvenile Problem
1
Lockout
2
Lost Property
4
Medical Emergency
24
Missing Person
1
Traffic Accident with Damage
12
Traffic Accident with Injuries
3
Property Damage, Not Vandalism
2
Sex Offense
1
Sovereign Lands
1
Suspicious Person, Circumstance
6
Theft
6
Threatening
2
Tobacco Problem
2
Traffic Hazard
7
Traffic Violation
2
Transportation of Person/Property
2
VIN Serial Number Inspection
13
Wanted Person
2
Welfare Check
7
     Total
220

TOTAL INCIDENT REPORT BY LOCATION
Location
Total Incidents
Garden City
125
Laketown
41
Out of County
2
Randolph
36
Woodruff
16
     Total
220



TOTAL INCIDENT REPORT FOR GARDEN CITY
Nature of Incident
Total Incidents
Agency Assistance
3
Alarm
9
Alcohol Offense
1
Animal Problem
4
Booking Prisoner
1
Citizen Assist
24
Citizen Dispute
3
Civil Process
2
Domestic Disturbance
1
Controlled Substance Problem
3
DUI Alcohol or Drugs
3
Fire
3
Found Property
5
Lost Property
4
Medical Emergency
15
Traffic Accident with Damage
9
Traffic Accident with Injuries
1
Property Damage, Not Vandalism
2
Sex Offense
1
Sovereign Lands
1
Suspicious Person, Circumstance
5
Theft
5
Threatening
1
Tobacco Problem
1
Traffic Hazard
4
Transportation of Person/Property
1
VIN Serial Number Inspection
7
Wanted Person
1
Welfare Check
4
     Total Incidents
125


TOTAL INCIDENT REPORT FOR LAKETOWN
Nature of Incidents
Total Incidents
Alarm
3
Attempt to Locate
1
Citizen Assist
17
DUI Alcohol or Drugs
1
Fire
1
Medical Emergency
5
Missing Person
1
Traffic Accident with \Damage
3
Traffic Accident with Injuries
2
Theft
1
Threatening
1
Traffic Hazard
2
VIN Serial Number Inspection2
2
Welfare Check
1
     Total Incidents
41


TOTAL INCIDENT REPORT FOR OUT OF COUNTY
Nature of Incidents
Total Incidents
Attempt to Locate
1
Civil Process
1
     Total Incidents
2

TOTAL INCIDENT REPORT FOR RANDOLPH
Nature of Incident
Total Incidents
Animal Problem
2
Booking Prisoner
4
Citizen Assist
4
Civil Process
3
Criminal History
8
DUI Alcohol or Drugs
1
Fire
1
Lockout
2
Medical Emergency
3
Suspicious Person, Circumstance
1
Traffic Hazard
1
Traffic Violation
1
Transportation of Person/Property
1
VIN Serial Number Inspection
1
Wanted Person
1
Welfare Check
2
     Total Incidents
36

TOTAL INCIDENT REPORT FOR WOODRUFF
Nature of Incidents
Total Incidents
Agency Assistance
1
Animal Problem
2
Child Abuse or Neglect
1
DUI Alcohol or Drugs
2
Found Property
1
Fraud
3
Juvenile Problem
1
Medical Emergency
1
Tobacco Problem
1
VIN Serial Number Inspection
3
     Total Incidents
16



TOTAL TRAFFIC CITATION REPORT BY AREA
Area
Citations
Violations
Garden City
41
51
Laketown
11
12
Randolph
14
21
Woodlruff
5
6
     Total Incidents
71
90


           
TOTAL TRAFFIC CITATION REPORT BY VIOLATION
Description
Total
Minor in Possession of Alcohol
1
Unlawful Possession or Consumption
1
Expired Registration
1
No Proof of Insurance
1
Operate Vehicle without License or Registration
2
Failure to Register or Expired
4
Expired Registration
2
False Evidence of Title/Registration
1
Fail-Yield/Stop Sign
2
Fail Stop-Stop Sign
1
Fil to Yield-Pedestrian
1
Driving under the Influence of
2
Ignition Interlock Violation
1
Open Container/Drinking Alcohol
1
Driving on Alcohol Restriction
1
Speeding
46
CONTINUATION OF TOTAL TRAFFIC CITATION REPORT BY VIOLATION
Description
Total
Fail to Observe No Passing Zone
1
Right of Way Stop/Yield Sign
4
Open Container
1
DUI Alcohol
1
No Valid License Never Obtained
2
Drive on Denied License
1
Drive on Revocation
1
Possession Controlled Substance
1
Purchase or Possession of Tobacco
2
Theft
3
Disorderly Conduct
2
Intoxication
3
     Total
90


TOTAL TRAFFIC WARNING REPORT IN RANDOLPH
Warnings
Violations
3
3
     Total
3



TOTAL TRAFFIC WARING REPORT BY VIOLATION
Description
Total
Speeding
3
     Total
3