Are you in the feed or fertilizer business? Maybe you run milling or cement applications. Mixing could be a huge part of your business, and when you need equipment, it’s important to choose the best industrial mixer. Here is a look at some of your choices you have today.
Ribbon Mixers
A ribbon type industrial mixer is used when you want an even blending of mixtures. Inside the unit is a shaft with circular type mixing blades in a double helix configuration. As the shaft turns it mixes the material in two different directions at the same time. This makes it very efficient, and mixing does not have to occur at high speeds.
A double ribbon agitator mixer is one of the preferred types in the industry today. In fact, this type of mixer can completely mix materials like poultry and hog feed in about 3 minutes time. Quality ribbon mixers can be ordered with gear or chain drives and scales. Also, if you are mixing liquid fat, special ribbon mixers are available to handle the job.
Paddle Mixers
When you need a highly versatile industrial mixer, you might want to consider a paddle agitator mixer. For example, you may have the need to blend livestock feed with molasses, and a paddle mixer can handle mixtures as high as twenty percent molasses. In this way, your product can be placed in bags immediately after mixing.
A paddle mixer contains a central shaft with blades shaped like paddles. The most effective mixers utilize paddles with “T” shaped heads that conform to the interior. This creates a thorough mixing, and will work well for many types of grain and roughage. However, the best materials for paddle mixing are feed products for:
* Horses* Sheep* Dairy* Cattle
Super Duty
Do you need to handle materials with a high bulk density? Consider something made especially for the job, like a super duty industrial mixer. This is especially important if you are handling concentrates and premix materials, as the density averages around 65 lbs per cubic foot. Super duty mixers can handle material as heavy as 70 lbs per cubic foot, and you can choose stainless steel for maximum corrosion resistance.
Options
No matter what your needs, you can find the right industrial mixer when you go with a trusted source in the business. They can provide you with standard duty, heavy duty, and super duty units. Plus, if your needs are portable, trailer mounted industrial mixers are also available.
We all know that taking a beautiful photo of humming birds is hard to obtain, even when they are inside cages. The only thing that you could do is buy a hummingbird feeder to bring these birds into photographic distance. But these ready-made hummingbird feeders are somewhat expensive. Worry no more, because you can make your very own hummingbird feeder for free. All you need to do is recycle used or old prescription vials for making nectar dispensers. Hummingbirds are known to feed on nectars.
The materials needed to make your own hummingbird feeder are clear prescription vials with a fitted cap, a few feet of thin wire or heavy thread and transparent tape or scotch tape. You may also need a sharp pointed metal object like an ice pick.
To start with this project, heat up the ice pick or whatever sharp pointed metal you are using and make a pair of holes on each side of the prescription vial, near the open end where the cap is placed. You have to make sure that they are close but not too close that the holes are covered with the bottom of the cap when it is placed on. The size of the holes should be small enough to keep the liquid inside the container.
Next, round up the thin wire or thread. Secure it by wrapping with the scotch tape or transparent tape on each end of the thread or thin wire to the prescription vial. If you want extra holding capacity, wrap a second piece of transparent tape around the prescription vial.
Basically, that’s all you have to do in making hummingbird feeders. It depends on you how many hummingbird feeders you want to make, but if you want to enjoy watching more than just one hummingbird, you can make a number of these feeders and tie them into a mobile and place them in your backyard.
To fill up your hummingbird feeder, remove the cap holding the prescription vial on and fill it up with nectar and replace the cap. Closed tightly, turn the prescription vial upside down as quickly as you can. The feeder’s hole should be at the bottom, a small amount of nectar will leak out the feeder’s holes, but as soon as the vacuum inside the prescription vial is created, the leakage will stop.
Now we come to making the nectar for the hummingbirds. Basically there are two choices of nectar. First is the nectar mix that is commercially available in a granulated form. Or second, you can make your own nectar from a sugar solution. For the purpose of information, honey is not recommended. Research proves that too much honey is harmful to hummingbirds, since it weakens them and may cause death to these birds.
Just where to hang the feeders? In general, it is good to hang these feeders in any part of the garden where there is no direct exposure to sunlight and where the wind will not be able to shake the feeder. Direct sunlight speeds up fermentation of the nectar inside the feeder. It is recommended to hang the hummingbird feeders near the flowers in the garden to further attract these birds. Now, you can enjoy watching hummingbirds hovering and perching on your own feeder.
About the Author: Jo Williams has an interest in Pet related products. To access more articles on bird feeder’s or for additional information and resources visit this
In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses must adapt to evolving consumer behaviors and technological advancements. A well-crafted digital media strategy is essential for engaging audiences and fostering brand loyalty. In Sydney and beyond, the competition is fierce, and understanding how to effectively navigate this space can make all the difference between success and stagnation.
The Importance of a Strong Digital Media Strategy
A digital media strategy encompasses a collection of plans and actions designed to achieve specific business goals through online channels. This includes social media, email marketing, content creation, and search engine optimization. As a business owner or marketer, investing time in developing a robust strategy can yield significant returns both in brand visibility and consumer engagement.
According to recent studies, 64% of PR and marketing firms plan to increase investments in content marketing this year. This statistic underscores the notion that creating and distributing valuable content is no longer optional but rather a prerequisite for any business striving for relevance in the digital era. But creating great content isn’t enough; promoting that content effectively is just as critical.
Identifying Your Target Audience
Before diving into promotional strategies, understanding your audience’s demographics, preferences, and behaviors is crucial. Conduct thorough market research to gain insights into who your customers are and how they consume content. Utilize tools like surveys, analytics, and feedback to refine your audience profile and tailor your messaging accordingly.
20 Effective Strategies for Content Promotion
Here are twenty proven content promotion strategies that can enhance your reach and engagement across various platforms:
1. Leverage Your Mailing List
Your existing subscribers are your best advocates. Begin your promotion by sending an email to your mailing list. Personalize your message to reflect the content’s value, ensuring higher open and click-through rates. According to Mailchimp, personalized emails can lead to a 14% increase in click-through rates.
2. Optimize Social Media Timing
Timing is everything in social media. Analyzing peak engagement times can significantly affect your content’s visibility. Use tools like Facebook Insights and Instagram Analytics to determine when your audience is most active and schedule your posts accordingly.
3. Enhance Shareability with Snippets
Use engaging images and succinct descriptions when sharing content online. Implement Open Graph meta tags to ensure your posts appear attractive when shared on social media. A visually appealing snippet can entice users to click through to your content.
4. Connect with Influencers
Identify and reach out to influencers within your industry. Influencers can amplify your message by sharing your content with their established audiences. Ensure to create a compelling narrative that will attract their attention.
5. Collaborate with Bloggers
Engaging bloggers can help you tap into niche audiences. They often have established readerships that trust their recommendations. Consider guest posting or collaborating with bloggers to share your content with a broader audience.
6. Engage with Sources
If you’ve cited or featured experts in your content, let them know. A simple mention on social media or an email to inform them of your piece can encourage them to share your work with their followers, enhancing your visibility.
7. Guest Post on Relevant Blogs
Contributing guest posts to reputable blogs in your industry is a solid way to increase your own audience. By providing valuable content, you can attract readers back to your own platform through backlinks and brand mention.
8. Use Hashtags Wisely
Incorporating relevant hashtags can help your content reach interested audiences. Research popular hashtags within your niche and consistently utilize them across your social media platforms to increase engagement.
9. Offer Exclusive Content
Encourage your audience to engage with your content by offering exclusive materials. Consider providing access to whitepapers, e-books, or early access to content in exchange for shares or retweets.
10. Use Platforms Like Quora
Quora is an excellent platform to showcase your expertise. Answer questions relevant to your industry and include links to your content where appropriate. This can establish authority and drive traffic back to your site.
11. Share Content on LinkedIn
LinkedIn is particularly useful for B2B marketing. Share your content in relevant groups, post updates, and engage with professionals in your industry to generate leads and foster connections.
12. Analyze and Adjust Promotional Efforts
Tracking your promotional efforts is vital. Use tools like Google Analytics or social media insights to measure engagement levels and identify what strategies work best. Adjust your approach based on the data you collect.
13. Network in Online Communities
Participating in forums and online communities related to your industry can greatly enhance your reach. Offer insights, share your expertise, and integrate your content when relevant. Just ensure your contributions are genuine and value-driven.
14. Engage with Your Audience
Encourage feedback and interaction on your posts. Respond to comments and messages promptly. Building a community around your brand can drive organic sharing and enhance loyalty.
15. Utilize Facebook Groups
Joining Facebook groups related to your niche is an excellent method to engage potential customers and promote your content in a less formal setting compared to standard pages.
16. Build Relationships with Other Marketers
Networking with fellow marketers can yield collaborative opportunities. Sharing each other’s content can boost visibility across both audiences.
17. Invest in Paid Advertisements
While organic reach is important, paid advertisements can help you gain immediate visibility. Platforms like Facebook and Google Ads can target specific demographics to ensure your content reaches the right people.
18. Evaluate Content Performance Regularly
Regularly assessing the performance of your content will help you refine your strategy. Consider A/B testing different headlines or formats to see what resonates most with your audience.
19. Make Sharing Effortless
Incorporate social sharing buttons on your website to make it easy for visitors to share your content seamlessly across their networks.
20. Ask for Shares Directly
Finally, don’t underestimate the power of a direct request. At the end of your posts, encourage readers to share with their networks if they found the content valuable. This simple ask can significantly increase shares and reach.
For additional insights into crafting a comprehensive digital media strategy in Sydney, consider exploring resources that delve deeper into social amplification techniques.
Implementing these strategies can help your business thrive in the competitive landscape of digital media marketing. Remember, consistency and creativity are key in this space. Continue to adapt and innovate as the digital landscape evolves, and you will find success.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and should not be considered as professional or financial advice. For more detailed guidance, consult a qualified professional.
Understanding the Role of CRM Software in Real Estate
In the dynamic world of real estate, effectively managing relationships with clients and prospects is crucial. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software has emerged as an essential tool for real estate professionals, allowing them to track interactions, manage listings, and streamline communication. Unlike generic CRM solutions, crm software for real estate is specifically tailored to cater to the unique needs of the industry, ultimately enhancing productivity and closing rates.
The Benefits of CRM Software for Real Estate
Utilizing CRM software offers numerous advantages for real estate agents and agencies. Here are some of the key benefits:
Enhanced Client Management: CRM systems allow agents to maintain detailed profiles for every client, including previous interactions, preferences, and specific needs.
Streamlined Communication: With built-in communication tools, agents can easily send emails, schedule calls, and manage appointments directly through their CRM, ensuring no client misses an important follow-up.
Automated Marketing: Many CRM solutions provide automation features that can help agents send out regular market updates or promotional materials, keeping clients informed and engaged.
Data-Driven Insights: CRM software gathers data on client interactions and market trends, allowing agents to identify opportunities and tailor their strategies accordingly.
Key Features to Look for in Real Estate CRM
When selecting a CRM system, it’s essential to consider features that specifically address your needs in the real estate sector. Here are some must-have functionalities:
Customizable Dashboards: A flexible dashboard that allows agents to view their key metrics at a glance can significantly improve productivity.
Mobile Access: In today’s fast-paced environment, having a mobile-friendly CRM allows agents to manage their business on the go.
Lead Management: Efficiently managing leads from various sources ensures agents can follow up promptly and effectively.
Integration with Other Tools: The ability to integrate with other tools, such as email platforms or financial software like Xero payroll, can create a seamless workflow.
Reporting and Analytics: Robust reporting features provide insights into business performance, helping agents make informed decisions.
Implementing CRM Software: Step by Step
Adopting a CRM system requires careful planning and execution. Here’s a step-by-step guide to ensure a successful implementation:
Define Your Goals: Understand what you want to achieve with your CRM system. Whether it’s improving lead management or enhancing client communication, having clear objectives will guide the process.
Choose the Right Software: Invest time in researching and comparing various CRM software options tailored for real estate. Look for reviews and seek recommendations from peers.
Engage Your Team: Involve your team in the selection and implementation process. Their feedback is crucial in ensuring the system meets everyone’s needs.
Plan for Training: Provide comprehensive training for your team to familiarize them with the new system. This can include workshops, webinars, or one-on-one coaching sessions.
Monitor and Adjust: After implementation, continuously monitor the usage and effectiveness of the CRM. Be open to making adjustments based on feedback and evolving business needs.
Real Estate CRM Success Stories
To highlight the effectiveness of CRM software in real estate, consider the following success stories:
A small agency in a metropolitan area struggled to manage its growing client base. After implementing a dedicated real estate CRM, the agency saw a 30% increase in leads converted to sales within six months. The technology allowed agents to follow up seamlessly and reduce response times, leading to enhanced client satisfaction and ultimately, more referrals.
Similarly, a larger firm adopted a CRM solution to integrate its tech stack, including Xero payroll for efficient financial management. This integration allowed the firm to automate processes, reduce errors, and provide real-time insights into client interactions and financial performance, demonstrating the importance of having an interconnected system.
Future Trends in Real Estate CRM
As the real estate landscape evolves, so too does the need for cutting-edge CRM technology. Emerging trends include:
AI and Machine Learning: Increasingly, CRM systems will incorporate AI to predict client behaviors, suggest properties, and personalize communication.
Enhanced Mobile Functionality: With the rapid digitization of services, mobile capabilities in CRM systems will continue to advance, allowing agents to manage their business from anywhere.
Increased Focus on Data Privacy: With the rise of regulatory scrutiny regarding data protection, CRM software will need to prioritize clients’ data security while maintaining usability.
Conclusion
In the competitive world of real estate, utilizing specialized CRM software can offer a significant edge in managing client relationships and streamlining business processes. By investing in a tailored CRM solution, real estate professionals can enhance productivity, improve client satisfaction, and ultimately drive growth. With the right approach to implementation and a focus on continuous improvement and adaptation, a CRM system becomes a valuable partner in achieving success in the real estate market.
Take the Next Steps
If you are ready to leverage technology to streamline your real estate business, consider implementing a dedicated CRM solution. Explore the various options available, and select one that aligns with your operational needs.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about financial and business practices. It does not constitute financial advice, nor should it be relied upon as such. Always consult with a qualified professional regarding any financial decisions.
Musical education is an essential aspect of holistic learning. However, the conventional methods of music education can sometimes be tedious and intimidating for learners. Google, recognizing the need for a revolutionary learning aid, came to the fore through its innovative platform, ARIA-enabled Chrome Music Lab. This browser-based application combines fun, engagement, and music education into a user-friendly interface, marking a significant stride in tech-integrated learning.
What is Chrome Music Lab?
Chrome Music Lab is a free, web-based application designed by Google in 2016. The concept was to make music more accessible to all and fun to learn and experiment with, making it ideal for budding musicians. It’s a collection of 14 different music-related experiments that allow users to learn the basics of music, how different sounds combine, and how changes in tempo, rhythm, and melody can affect a composition.
Unpacking the Experiments
Each experiment on Chrome Music Lab focuses on a different aspect of music. For instance, ‘Sound Waves’ lets users visualize how sound waves work, while ‘Harmonics’ educates users about the harmonic series in music. Other experiments like ‘Rhythm’ and ‘Melody Maker’ enable users to create their own illustrative songs, thereby fostering creativity. ‘Song Maker’, arguably the most popular experiment, lets users create their own melodies and rhythms and share them with others.
Learning with Chrome Music Lab
‘Piano Roll’, another experiment in the Lab, is modeled on the traditional musical instrument – the pianola, which provides a graphical depiction of musical notes as they play. By using this feature, learners can understand how different notes come together to form a melody. The ‘Arpeggios’ experiment, named after a musical technique, provides an interactive way of learning this fundamental music theory concept.
The ARIA-enabled Feature
An essential feature of Chrome Music Lab is its ARIA supports. ARIA stands for Accessible Rich Internet Applications, a set of attributes that define ways to make web content and applications more accessible to people who have disabilities. This feature highlights Google’s commitment to making digital learning inclusive for all. With the ARIA-enabled functionality, even learners who may struggle with traditional forms of musical instruction can engage and grasp musical concepts easily.
Impacts of Chrome Music Lab on Learning
The benefits of Chrome Music Lab are undeniable. It makes music education interactive and engaging, prompting a newfound curiosity about music in learners and helping maintain that interest. Its experiments give clear, real-time feedback, making an abstract concept like music concrete and understandable. With a bevy of resources packed in a user-friendly manner, learning is no longer about rote-memory but practical understanding and application – a transformation in the realm of musical education.
Moreover, its accessibility accommodations through the ARIA-enabled feature break down barriers and open up the world of music to all. Accessibility, inclusion, and fun thereby become the tenets of Chrome Music Lab’s approach to music learning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Chrome Music Lab brings together technology, entertainment, and education to create a music learning platform that is innovative, engaging, and intuitive. With its ARIA-enabled attributes, it holds true to Google’s aim of creating a more inclusive and accessible internet. No matter your age or musical background, Chrome Music Lab offers a fun-filled and insightful journey into the world of music.
When it comes to creating a personal oasis in your backyard, hiring a professional pool company is essential. Whether you are looking to install an inground or above ground pool, working with experienced custom pool builders Vaucluse can ensure that your project is executed flawlessly.
Why Hire a Pool Company?
Many homeowners may consider taking on the task of pool installation as a DIY project, thinking it will save them money. However, building a pool requires specialized knowledge and expertise that only professional pool companies possess. Here’s why you should consider hiring a pool company:
1. Expertise and Experience
Custom pool builders Vaucluse have the necessary expertise and experience to handle all aspects of pool construction. They will work closely with you to understand your vision and turn it into a reality. From design and excavation to plumbing, electrical work, and landscaping, a reputable pool company can handle it all. Their experience ensures that your pool will be built to the highest quality standards, complying with local regulations and safety guidelines.
2. Customization Options
If you have specific design ideas for your pool, a professional pool company can offer a wide range of customization options. They can create a pool that perfectly matches your backyard space and complements your lifestyle. Whether you desire a classic rectangular pool or a unique freeform design, they will work with you to bring your vision to life.
3. Time and Cost Savings
Hiring a pool company can actually save you time and money in the long run. Pool construction involves several complex tasks that require specialized tools and equipment. By hiring professionals, you eliminate the need for costly purchases or rentals. Additionally, a pool company can complete the project efficiently, ensuring that you can start enjoying your pool sooner rather than later.
Choosing the Right Pool Company
Now that you understand the importance of hiring a pool company, how do you choose the right one for your project? Here are a few considerations:
1. Reputation and Track Record
Research the reputation and track record of different pool companies in your area. Check their online reviews, ask for referrals, and request to see their portfolio of completed projects. A reputable pool company will have positive feedback from satisfied customers and a proven track record of successful pool installations.
2. Licensing and Insurance
Ensure that the pool company you choose is licensed and insured. This protects you from liability in case of accidents or damages during construction. A licensed pool company also guarantees that they comply with local building codes and regulations.
3. Communication and Customer Service
Effective communication is key to a successful pool construction project. Choose a pool company that is responsive, listens to your needs, and communicates clearly. They should be available to answer your questions and provide regular updates throughout the construction process.
4. Price and Contracts
Obtain multiple quotes from different pool companies and compare their prices. However, be cautious of extremely low offers as they may indicate poor quality or hidden charges. Review the contracts thoroughly, ensuring that all the necessary details and guarantees are included.
Conclusion
Building a pool is a significant investment, both in terms of finances and enjoyment. By hiring a reputable pool company, like the trusted custom pool builders Vaucluse, you can have peace of mind knowing that your dream pool will be built with expertise and precision. Take the time to research and choose the right pool company that aligns with your vision, offers customization options, and provides excellent customer service. Soon enough, you’ll be swimming in your own personal oasis right in your backyard.
Humanities Focuses on the Education-Truth-Art of Survival and Many More
by
Jim Simmons
Our world is full of creatures, whose have a feeling for themselves but not fellow feeling to other, have a sense for survival but not a sense of humor, have an eye sight to see forward but not an oversight for future but we the human beings not only have a sense but also have a sixth sense which lead us to believe the candid truth of live and let live philosophy. All creatures know very well how to eat for survival but we the human beings know the art how to feed for survival. He may be the people we have never introduced earlier; we have no blood relation to him; may be belongs to other community, other states, or other country but we have a soft corner to him when he is in distress and our helping hand will raise in favor him any time anywhere in the world. All these things are the hidden secrets, lies in the term definition of humanity.
Humanities also educate us how to live with the people for the people and by the people through some cultural exercises and educational degrees. To lend a token of money to a beggar for a while is not a proper humanity definition but a good fruitful suggestion how he can overcome the situation permanently is a wise humanity. This type of idealism gradually spread all over the country and proved another aspect of definition of humanity.
There are so many fields are included in the definition of humanities like Archeology, Comparative Religion, Ethics, History, Languages and Linguistics, Literature, Jurisprudence, Philosophy, Theory and Criticism of Arts, Aspects of the Social Sciences, General and Interdisciplinary. Study Social Human activities, political and cultural development lies in the field like History, Anthropology, and Archeology. We can develop our communication skill with each other and procedure how our ideas and thoughts on the human experience are expressed and interrupted. Philosophy, Ethics and Comparative Religion convey ideas about significance of life and the causes for our thoughts and actions. Jurisprudence scrutinizes the values and principles which enlighten our laws. Historical, Critical and Theoretical Approaches to the Arts reflect upon and analyze the creative process of our mind.
The department of Humanities and Social Sciences was introduced in 1958 in IIT Bombay. At present the department has five disciplines namely English, Economics, Philosophy, Psychology, and Sociology. The Department of Humanities and Social Sciences plays a unique and distinctive in an institute where the ethos of science and technologies prevails. It is believed that engineering and science are by their very nature, humanistic and socially derived enterprises. Hence a complete physical science definition and technology education must include liberal arts, economics, social and behavioral sciences where the students unites application of scientific principles along with human, moral and social understanding.
Since 1973, the Department has been running the Ph.D. programmers in all the five discipline with an emphasis on inter disciplinary topics. The Departmental faculty also guides B. Tech. M. Tech. and M. Des. Projects offered by the Engineering Department and Inter-disciplinary group.
To know more about chemistry project and Sociology Career, you can log in Academicroom.com, where you will get an extensive arrangement of necessary information on
When purchasing a new air conditioner system or updating your current one, there are a number of options to consider. Air conditioners range from simple box room air conditioners to central air conditioners and all types in between. Your home needs and your budget will determine the type you choose. Here is a look at your choices for home air conditioning.
Window-mounted – These air conditioners are designed to fit in a standard window. Most are made for double-hung windows but some will fit casement windows. Most include a mounting kit, with sill brackets and side vents to provide an airtight fit. Multiple units can be installed and placed in different rooms. At the end of the season, they are easily removed and stored. The downside to window-mounted units is that you give up the window view.
Free-standing Portable units – Portable room air conditioners range in size and power. Most have wheels, and can be easily moved from place to place. They must be connected to a place like a window to vent the hot air. These types of air conditioners can cost more then window-mounted air conditioners.
Through-the-wall – Like the window-mounted units, a through-the-wall air conditioning unit is generally used to cool a single room. However, the unit is permanently mounted through an exterior wall. This type of unit keeps windows from being blocked, and they do not need to be removed and stored during cooler weather. However, a through-the-wall unit may not easy to install in a pre-existing home. The unit is also difficult to hide during the colder months, and it must be sealed off to keep cold air from entering the house.
Mini-split – This is a mix between a window air conditioner and a split system. A compressor unit is mounted outside the house while a fan unit is wall-mounted inside. They are designed to cool individual rooms. The indoor part of the system can be mounted almost anywhere. Because the compressor is outside, they are very quiet. However, they are more expensive than room air conditioners.
Mini-duct – A mini-duct unit is a specially-designed system for areas where conventional duct work is not feasible. This unit forces air through plastic feeder ducts that are only a few inches in diameter. While expensive, these units work well for very old homes where duct work does not already exist. This minimizes the amount of renovation work needed for installation. They are also very quiet and only use about half the air of a conventional system.
Central Air Conditioners – Central air conditioners are more efficient than room air conditioners, and they are quiet and convenient to operate. There are two types of central air systems: the single-package unit and the split-system unit.
The single-package unit puts evaporator coil, compressor, condenser coil, blower motor in one cabinet box outside of the house. Each room in the house receives the conditioned air via a duct system.
A split-system unit has two parts, with an air handler inside, and a condensing unit outside. Copper lines connects the condenser and the evaporator. Each room in the house gets cold air via a duct system more economical sense to install if your home already has a heating system but no air conditioner. This system can be more expensive and difficult to install than a single package unit.
About the Author: For more AC tips and information, visit
Wolfe Plumbing
– serving the air conditioning needs of Orange County, including Newburgh and Middletown, NY.
Toronto , Canada —What experiences makes a coach of an international sports team? Wikinews interviewed Tom Kyle, the coach of the Australia women’s national wheelchair basketball team, known as the Gliders, in Toronto for the 2014 Women’s World Wheelchair Basketball Championship.
Tom Kyle Image: Hawkeye7 .
((Wikinews)) Tell us about yourself. First of all, where were you born?
Tom Kyle: I was born in Cooma, in the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales. Way back in 1959. Fifteenth of June. Grew up in the Snowy Mountains Scheme with my family. At that stage my father worked for the Snowy scheme. And started playing sport when I was very young. I was a cricketer when I first started. Then about the age of 12, 13 I discovered basketball. Because it had gotten too cold to do all the sports that I wanted to do, and we had a lot of rain one year, and decided then that for a couple of months that we’d have a go at basketball.
((WN)) So you took up basketball. When did you decide… did you play for the clubs?
Tom Kyle: I played for Cooma. As a 14-year-old I represented them in the under-18s, and then as a 16-year-old I represented them in the senor men’s competition. We played in Canberra as a regional district team. At the age of 16 is when I first started coaching. So I started coaching the under-14 rep sides before the age of 16. So I’m coming up to my forty years of coaching.
((WN)) So you formed an ambition to be a coach at that time?
Tom Kyle: Yeah, I liked the coaching. Well I was dedicated to wanting to be a PE [Physical Education] teacher at school. And in Year 12 I missed out by three marks of getting the scholarship that I needed. I couldn’t go to university without a scholarship, and I missed out by three marks of getting in to PE. So I had a choice of either doing a Bachelor of Arts and crossing over after year one, or go back and do Year 12 [again]. Because of my sport in Cooma, because I played every sport there was, and my basketball started to become my love.
((WN)) } You still played cricket?
Tom Kyle: Still played cricket. Was captain of the ACT [Australian Capital Territory] in cricket at the age of 12. Went on to… potentially I could have gone further but cricket became one of those sports where you spend all weekend, four afternoons a week…
((WN)) I know what it’s like.
Tom Kyle: At that stage I was still an A grade cricketer in Cooma and playing in Canberra, and rugby league and rugby union, had a go at AFL [Australian Football League], soccer. Because in country towns you play everything. Tennis on a Saturday. Cricket or football on a Sunday. That sort of stuff so… And then basketball through the week.
((WN)) So you didn’t get in to PE, so what did you do?
Tom Kyle: I went back and did Year 12 twice. I repeated Year 12, which was great because it allowed me to play more of the sport, which I loved. Didn’t really work that much harder but I got the marks that I needed to get the scholarship to Wollongong University. It was the Institute of Education at that stage. So I graduated high school in ’78, and started at the Institute of Education Wollongong in ’79, as a health and PE — it was a double major. So a dual degree, a four year degree. After two years there they merged the Institute of Education with the University of Wollongong. So I got a degree from the University of Wollongong and I got a degree from the Institute of Education. So I graduated from there in ’83. At that stage I was coaching and playing rep basketball in Wollongong in their team underneath the NBL I played state league there for Shellharbour. Still coaching as well with the University, coaching the university sides. It was there that I met up with Doctor Adrian Hurley, who was then one of the Australian coaches, and he actually did some coaching with me when I was at the University, in the gym. So that gave me a good appreciation of coaching and the professionalism of it. He really impressed me and inspired me to do a bit more of it. So in ’84 I got married and I moved to Brisbane, and started teaching and looking after the sport of basketball and tennis at Anglican Church Grammar School in Brisbane.
((WN)) You moved to Brisbane for the job?
Tom Kyle: Yes, I was given a job and a house. The job basically entailed looking after their gymnasium and doing some part-time teaching as well as being the basketball convener and tennis convener. I looked after those sports for the private boys school. Churchie is a very big school in Brisbane and so I did that in ’84 with my wife at that stage and we lived on the premises. In 1985 I took a team of fifteen boys from Churchie into the United States for a couple of summer camp tours which we do, and I got involved in the Brisbane Bullets team at that stage, getting them moved in to Churchie to train. The Brisbane Bullets was the NBL team in Brisbane at the time. So that got me involved in the Brisbane coaching and junior basketball. I was actually in charge of junior basketball for the Brisbane association. As part of that, I coached at Churchie as well. Looked after some things at the Brisbane Bullets’ home games. So that got me well and truly involved in that. And then in ’85 was the birth of my first son, and with that came a bit of change of priorities, so then in 1986 I moved back to Sydney. I got offered a job at Harbord Diggers Memorial Club at Harbord, looking after their sports centre. So I saw that as an opportunity to get out of, I suppose, the teaching side of things at that stage didn’t appeal to me, the coaching side did, the teaching side and the fact that you had to follow the curriculums, and some of the things you weren’t allowed to have fun, to me if you’re going to learn you’ve got to have fun. So that was my sort of enough for the teaching side, I figured I’d go and do something else, and get to keep my coaching alive on the side. So I moved back to Sydney, with my family and my young son. I had a second son in 1987, and I started coaching the Manly-Warringah senior men’s and development league teams. We were in the state league at that stage. So I had both of those teams and I was coaching them, travelling around the north of the state, and competing. We were fortunate enough we came second the year I was the head coach of the men in the state competition for our area. That gave me a whole new perspective of coaching, because it was now senior men’s coaching as well as junior men’s. We had people like Ian Davies coming out of the NBL at Sydney and trying out wanting to play with the men’s squad. Fair quality in that group. The Dalton boys came out of that program. I didn’t coach them, but Brad and Mark Dalton who played for the Kings. That gave me a good couple of years. At that stage I’d changed jobs. I’d actually moved up to Warringah Aquatic Centre in Sydney. Which was at the time the state swimming centre. And I was the director of that for a year. Or eighteen, nineteen months. In that time we held the selection criteria for the 1988 Seoul Olympics swimming. So the national championships and what they call the Olympic selection qualifiers. So we held them at the Warringah Aquatic Centre when I was in charge of it which made it quite an interesting thing, because there I got to see elite sport at its best. Australian swimming. All the swimmers coming through. Lisa Curry has just retired, and I saw her. All the swimmers going to Seoul. That gave me a good appreciation of professional sport, as well as managing sports facilities. So I was there for two years, eighteen months basically. And we’d made a decision that we wanted to come back to Brisbane. So moved back to Brisbane in 1989, to take up a job as a marketing officer at the Department of Recreation at Brisbane City Council. That was my full-time job. Meanwhile, again, I got involved in a bit of coaching. My sons were looking at becoming involved, they were going through St Peter Chanel School at The Gap, and that was a feeder school for Marist Brothers Ashgrove in Brisbane, which was a big Catholic boys’ school in Brisbane. So I started to get involved in Marist Brothers Ashgrove basketball program, and I became the convener of basketball as well as the head coach there for about seven or eight years running their program, while my boys, obviously, were going through the school. That was a voluntary thing, because I was still working for the [Brisbane City] Council when I first started. At that stage I’d also quit the council job and started my own IT [Information Technology] company. Which was quite interesting. Because as a sideline I was writing software. At Warringah Aquatic Centre one of the things when I got there they didn’t have a computer system, they only had a cash register. And I asked them about statistics and the council didn’t have much money, they said, “well, here’s an old XT computer”, it was an old Wang actually, so it was not quite an XT.
((WN)) I know the ones.
Tom Kyle: You know the ones?
((WN)) Yes.
Tom Kyle: And they gave me that, and they said, “Oh, you got no software.” One of the guys at council said “we’ve got an old copy of DataEase. We might give you that,” which old an old database programming tool. So I took that and I wrote a point of sale system for the centre. And then we upgraded from DataEase, we went to dBase III and dBase IV. Didn’t like dBase IV, it had all these bugs in it, so my system started to crash. So I’d go home at night and write the program, and then come back and put it into the centre during the day so they could collect the statistics I wanted. It was a simple point of sale system, but it was effective, and then we upgraded that to Clipper and I started programming object orientated while I was there, and wrote the whole booking system, we had bookings for the pools, learn-to-swim bookings, point of sale. We actually connected it to an automatic turnstyle with the coin entry so it gave me a whole heap of new skills in IT that I never had before, self-taught, because I’d never done any IT courses, when I went to Brisbane City Council and that didn’t work out then I started my own computer company. I took what I’d written in Clipper and decided to rewrite that in Powerbuilder. You’ve probably heard of it.
((WN)) Yes.
Tom Kyle: So that’s when I started my own company. Walked out of the Brisbane City Council. I had an ethical disagreement with my boss, who spent some council money going to a convention at one place and doing some private consultancy, which I didn’t agree with Council funds being done like that, so I resigned. Probably the best move of my business life. It then allowed me then to become an entrepreneur of my own, so I wrote my own software, and started selling a leisure package which basically managed leisure centres around the country. And I had the AIS [Australian Institute of Sport] as one of my clients.
((WN)) Oh!
Tom Kyle: Yes, they have a turnstyle entry system and learn-to-swim booking system and they were using it for many years. Had people all over the country. I ended up employing ten people in my company, which was quite good, right through to, I suppose, 1997?, somewhere in there. And I was still coaching full time, well, not full time, but, voluntary, for about 35 hours a week at Ashgrove at the time, as well as doing, I did the Brisbane under-14 rep side as well, so that gave me a good appreciation of rep basketball. So I’d been coaching a lot of school basketball in that time. And then in 2000 I decided to give that away and went to work for Jupiters Casino. Bit of a change. I started as a business analyst and ended up as a product development manager. I was doing that, I was going through a divorce, still coaching at Ashgrove, I had been at Ashgrove now from 1992 through to 2003. I had been coaching full time as the head coach, coordinator of all the coaches and convener of the sport for the school. We won our competitions a number of times. We went to the state schools competition as a team there one year. Which we did quite well. Didn’t win it but, did quite well. In 2003 my boys had finished at school and I’d got a divorce at that stage. Been offered another opportunity to go to Villanova College, which was a competing school across the other side of the river. So I started head coaching there for five years. It was there where I started to get into wheelchair basketball. It is an interesting story, because at that stage I’d moved on from Jupiters Casino. I’d actually started working for various companies, and I ended up with Suncorp Metway as a project manager. Got out of my own company and decided to earn more money as a consultant. [evil laugh]
((WN)) A common thing.
Tom Kyle: But it was in Suncorp Metway where I got into wheelchair basketball.
((WN)) How does that happen?
Tom Kyle: At the time I was spending about 35 to 40 hours a week at Villanova College, coaching their program and my new wife, Jane, whom you’ve met…
((WN)) Who is now the [Gliders’] team manager.
Tom Kyle: Correct. She was left out a little bit because I’d be with the guys for many many hours. We did lot of good things together because I had a holistic approach to basketball. It’s not about just playing the game, it’s about being better individuals, putting back into your community and treating people the right way, so we used to do a lot of team building and […] cause you’re getting young men at these schools, trying to get them to become young adults. And she saw what we were doing one time, went to an awards dinner, and she was basically gobsmacked by what relationship we had with these boys. How well mannered they were and what influence we had. How these boys spoke of the impact on their lives. It was where she said to me, “I really want to get involved in that. I want to be part of that side of your life.” And I said, “Okay, we might go out and volunteer.” We put our names down at Sporting Wheelies, the disabled association at the time, to volunteer in disabled sports. Didn’t hear anything for about four months, so I thought, oh well, they obviously didn’t want me. One of my colleagues at work came to me and he said “Tom, you coach wheelchair basketball?” I said, “yeah, I do.” And he said, “Well, my son’s in a wheelchair, and his team’s looking for a coach. Would you be interested?” And I thought about it. And I said, “Well, coaching for about 35 hours a week over here at Villanova School. I don’t think my wife will allow me to coach another 20 hours somewhere else, but give me the information and I’ll see what we can do.” He gave me the forms. I took the forms home. It was actually the Brisbane Spinning Bullets, at that stage, which was the National [Wheelchair Basketball] League team for Queensland. They were looking for coaching staff. I took the forms home, which was a head coach role, an assistant head coach role, and a manager role. I left them on the bench, my wife Jane took a look at it and said, “Hey! They’re looking for a manager! If I’d be the manager, you could be the head coach, it’s something we could do it together. We always said we’d do something together, and this is an opportunity.” I said, “Okay, if you want to do that. I’m still not going to drop my Villanova commitments, I’m going to keep that going. So that was in the beginning of 2008. So we signed up and lo and behold, I got the appointment as the head coach and she got the appointment as the manager. So it was something we started to share. Turned up at the first training session and met Adrian King and Tige Simmonds, Rollers, Australian players… I’d actually heard of Adrian because we’d had a young boy at Ashgrove called Sam Hodge. He was in a chair and he brought Adrian in for a demonstration one day. I was quite impressed by the way he spoke, and cared about the kids. So to me it was like an eye-opener. So I started coaching that year, started in January–February, and obviously it was leading in to the Paralympics in 2008, Beijing. And coaching the team, I started coaching the national League, a completely different came, the thing I liked about it is wheelchair basketball is like the old-school basketball, screen and roll basketball. You can’t get anywhere unless somebody helps you get there. It’s not one-on-one like the able-bodied game today. So that was really up my alley, and I really enjoyed that. I applied a couple of things the boys hadn’t actually seen, and as it turns out, I ended up coaching against the [Perth] Wheelcats in a competition round. And I didn’t at the time know, that the guy on the other bench was Ben Ettridge, the head coach for the Rollers. And after the weekend we shook hands and he said, “I really like what you do, what you’re trying to do with this group. And he said I like the way you coach and your style. Would you be interested if the opportunity came up to come down to Canberra and participate in a camp. He said “I can’t pay you to be there, but if you want to come along…” I said “Absolutely. I’ll be there.” So about three or four weeks later I get a phone call from Ben and he said “We’ve got a camp coming up in February, would you like to come in?” I said: “Yep, absolutely”, so I went and flew myself down there and attended the camp. Had a great time getting to know the Rollers, and all of that, and I just applied what I knew about basketball, which wasn’t much about wheelchair, but a lot about basketball, ball movement and timing. And I think he liked what he saw. The two of us got on well. And out of that camp they were getting the team prepared to go to Manchester. They were going into Varese first, Manchester for the British Telecom Paralympic Cup that they have in May, which is an event that they do prior to some of these major events. That was 2009, my mistake, after Beijing; so the camp was after Beijing as well. So I was sitting at Suncorp Metway running a big CRM program at the time, because they had just merged with Promina Insurances, so they’d just acquired all these companies like AAMI, Vero and all those companies, so we had all of these disparate companies and we were trying to get a single view of the customer, so I was running a major IT project to do that. And I get a phone call from Ben on the Friday, and he said “Look, Tom, we’re going to Varese in the May, and we’re going on to Manchester.” I said, “I know”. And he said, “Craig Friday, my assistant coach, can’t make it. Got work commitments.” I said: “Oh, that’s no good.” And he said: “Would you be interested in going?” And I said “Well, when’s that?” And he said: “Monday week.” And this was on the Friday. And I said: “Look, I’m very interested, but let me check with my boss, because I [am] running a big IT project.” So I went to my boss on the Friday and I said “Look, I am very keen to do this Australian opportunity. Two weeks away. You okay if I take two weeks off?” And he said. “Oh, let me think about it.” The Monday was a public holiday, so I couldn’t talk to him then. And I said “Well, I need to know, because it’s Monday week, and I need to let him know.” And he said, “I’ll let you know Tuesday morning.” So I sort of thought about it over the weekend, and I rang Ben on the Sunday night I think it was, and I said “I’m in!” He said: “Are you okay with work?” I said: “Don’t worry about that, I’ll sort it out.” Anyway, walked into work on Tuesday morning and the boss said… and I said I just to put it on the table: I’m going. You need to decide whether you want me to come back.” And he said: “What?!” And I said, “Well, I love my basketball. My basketball has been my life for many years, many, many hours. Here’s an opportunity to travel with an Australian side. I’m telling you that I’m taking the opportunity, and you need to determine whether you want me back. ” And he said: “Really?” And I said: “Yeah. Yeah. That’s it.” And he said: “Well, I’ll have to think about that.” And I said, “well you think about it but I’ve already told the Australian coach I’m going. It’s a decision for you whether you want me back. If you don’t, that’s fine, I don’t have a problem.” So on the Wednesday he came back and said: “We’re not going to allow you to go.” I said: “Well, I’m going. So here’s my resignation.” He says: “You’d really do that?” And I said: “Absolutely.” And I resigned. So on the Friday I finished up, and got on a plane on Monday, and headed to Varese as Ben’s assistant on the tour. Got to spend a bit more time with Tige Simmonds and Adrian and Justin and Brad and Shaun and all the boys and had a fabulous time. Learnt a lot. And then we went on to Manchester and learnt even more, and I think Ben was quite happy with what I’d done. With my technical background I took over all the video analysis stuff and did all that recording myself. We didn’t really want any hiccups so he was pretty happy with that. So after that Ben asked me if I would be interested in becoming an assistant coach with the under-23s, because the then-coach was Mark Walker and Ben Osborne was his assistant but he wanted somebody else who, as he put it, he could trust, in that group, because a number of his developing players were in that group. So that meant that I had some camps to do in June when I came back, and then in July, think it was July, 2009, went to England and Paris with the under-23s for the world championships. That was my first foray as an assistant coach officially with the Australian team, and I was the assistant coach. It was a combined team at that stage, boys and girls. Cobi Crispin was on that tour. Amber Merritt was on that tour. Adam Deans was on that tour, Colin Smith, Kim Robbins, John McPhail, all of those. There was a number of junior Rollers coming through that group. Bill Latham was on that tour. He really appreciated what I’d done there, and when Craig Friday said that he was having a family and couldn’t commit to the next year in 2010 which was the world championship year, Ben asked me to join the program. So that’s how I started. So in 2010 I attended my first official world championships with the Rollers, and we won.
((WN)) Yes!
Tom Kyle: So that was an amazing experience to go on that tour and to see what a championship team looks like under the competition of that ilk. And I was then the assistant coach basically right through to London. After London, Ben was quite happy for me to continue. I was doing it voluntarily. By this stage, 2011, I’d given up all the Villanova stuff so I concentrated just on the wheelchair and my Queensland group. And I started to build the Queensland junior program, which featured Tom O’Neill-Thorne, Jordon Bartley, Bailey Rowland, all of those sort of players. You probably don’t know too many of them, but,
((WN)) No.
Tom Kyle: They’re all the up-and-comers. And three of those were in last year’s, 2013 under-23s team. So in 2012 obviously we went to Varese then on to London for the Paras. Won silver in that. When I came back, Ben asked me to do the under-23s as the head coach, and asked me who I wanted as my assistant, so in the December, we, David Gould and I…
((WN)) So you selected David as your assistant?
Tom Kyle: Yes! Yes! Yes! I had a lot of dealings with David, seeing him with the Gliders. Liked what I saw. Plus I’d also seen him with the Adelaide Thunder. He was coaching them for a while, and I really liked the way he worked with kids. He’d also done a camp with the under-23s in 2012 because I couldn’t attend, himself and Sonia Taylor. What was Sonia’s previous name before she married Nick Taylor? […] Anyway, they did a development camp in January 2012 with the under-23s group because I couldn’t attend. Good feedback coming back from that. In the April, the Rollers had gone off to Verase, and there was an opportunity to go to Dubai with the under-23/25 age group. So David and Sonia took them to Dubai and did a good job with them, a really great job with them. So the job for the 23s came up in November 2012. I applied. Got the job. And then was asked who I would want as my assistants, and Ben told me who the other applicants were and I told him, yep, happy with both of those. David became my first assistant […] So we took the under-23s group in December. Had a couple of camps in the first part of 2013, getting ready for the world championships in Turkey in September. At that stage we got to about June, and the head coach for the Gliders came up as a full time position.
((WN)) They hadn’t had a full-time coach before.
Tom Kyle addresses his players at the 2014 Women’s World Wheelchair Basketball Championship. Image: Hawkeye7.
Tom Kyle: No, it was all voluntary so John Triscari was, well, not voluntary; was getting a little bit of money, not a great deal.
((WN)) But it wasn’t a full time job.
Tom Kyle: No. So Basketball Australia decided that they needed a full-time coach, which was a big investment for them, and they thought this was the next step for the Gliders. So at the end of May, I remember talking to my wife, because at that stage she’d been on the Gliders’ tour as a replacement manager for Marion Stewart. Marion couldn’t go on a certain tour, to Manchester, so Jane filled in. And they talked to her about possibly becoming the manager of the Gliders moving forward if Marion ever wanted to retire. So in the May when the job came up I looked at it and went, well, can’t, it’s a conflict of interest, because if I put my name up, potentially Jane misses out on being the manager. Also I thought if Ben really wants me to go for it he would have asked me. He hasn’t mentioned it, so, I didn’t apply at first look at it. And then I was just happening to talk to Ben on the side about something else and he asked me if I had put in for the Gliders and I said no I hadn’t. And he asked me why, and I told him if you would have I probably would have, and with Jane. And he said Jane shouldn’t be an issue, and he said I want you to go for it. I said, well, if you’re happy, because I’m loyal to whoever I’m with, I said I’m loyal to you Ben, and at the end of the day I’d stay with the Rollers if you want me to stay with the Rollers. Because for me I enjoy doing whatever I’m doing, and I love the program. He said no, no, I want you to put in for it. So then I had to discuss it with the wife because it meant initially that would want us to move to Sydney. That was still in the cards. So Jane and I had a talk about that. And I said, look, I’d go for it on the condition that it didn’t interfere with Jane’s opportunity to become the manager. So I put in my resume, I got an interview, and in the interview I went to Sydney, and I put all the cards on the table. I said look, the bottom line is that if it’s going to jeopardize Jane’s chances of being the manager, I will opt out. And at that stage they said no, they see that as possibly a positive, rather than a negative. So I said okay, if that’s the case. It’s funny. On the day we had the interview I ran in David Gould back in the airport, because he’d obviously had his interview. And we were talking and I said: “Oh, I didn’t think you were going for it.” And he said, yeah, I wasn’t, because I don’t really want to move to Sydney. And I said, well that was one of the other reasons I did put in for it, because if you didn’t get it I wanted to make sure someone who was passionate about the Gliders to get it. And there’s a couple on the list who may be passionate, but I wasn’t sure. I knew you were, because we’d talked about it at the under-23s. So we had a chat there and I said, if he gets it, he’d put me as an assistant and if I get it I’d put him as an assistant. Because we’d worked so well with the under-23s together as a unit. And we do. We work very well together. We think alike, we both like to play the game etc. So it turns out in June I got a phone call from Steve Nick at that stage and got offered the job with the Gliders. So I started on the first of July full time with the Gliders, but I still had the under-23s to get through to September, so we had a camp, our first camp in July with the Gliders. Went to a national league round in Sydney and then we bused them down to Canberra for a camp. And that was quite an interesting camp because there were a lot of tears, a lot of emotion. It was the first camp since London. It was eighteen months, nearly two years since London [editor’s note: about ten months] and nobody had really contacted them. They’ve been after a silver medal, left. Just left. They were waiting for someone to be appointed and no one had been in touch. And all that sort of stuff. So we went through a whole cleansing exercise there to try and understand what they were going through. And I felt for the girls at that stage. ‘Cause they put a lot of work into being the Gliders, and they do all the time. But they felt disconnected. So that was an emotional camp, but as I said to David at the time, we’ve got to build this program. Since then we’ve been working through. We did the under-23 worlds with the junior boys in September in Turkey. They earned third, a bronze medal. Could have potentially played for gold, but just couldn’t get it going in the semifinal. And then we came back to the Gliders and got ready for Bangkok. Bangkok was our first tour with the Gliders, which was a huge success. Because we got some confidence in the group, and that’s one of the things we’re working on is building their confidence and a belief in themselves. Being able to put things together when it really counts. So that was one of our goals. So Bangkok was our first tour, and I think we achieved a lot there. Got a good team bonding happening there. We’ve since then been to Osaka in February, which was another good outing for the girls. Five day experience with playing five games against the Japanese. That was good. Then in March we brought them here [Canada] for a tournament with the Netherlands, Canada and Japan, and then down to the United States for a four game series against the US. And again, that was a good learning experience. Then back home for a month and then we got to go to Europe, where we played in Frankfurt for the four games, and to Papendal with the Netherlands team. We played three games there before we came here.
((WN)) So that’s a pretty detailed preparation.
Tom Kyle: Yeah, it’s been good. Pretty detailed. It’s been good though. We’re still growing as a group. We’re a lot stronger than we ever have been, I think, mentally. But we’re now starting to get to the real honesty phase, where we can tell each other what we need to tell each other to get the job done. That’s the breakthrough we’ve made in the last month. Whereas in the past I think we’ve been afraid to offend people with what we say. So now we’re just saying it and getting on with it. And we’re seeing some real wins in that space.
Denny’s 1,600 chain restaurants across North America, Puerto Rico and Canada, were slammed for eight hours Tuesday with hungry patrons standing on sidewalks for nearly two hours to take advantage of the $5.99 “Grand Slam Breakfast” giveaway.
Denny’s, a dining chain with annual revenue of about $900 million, has advertised in a TV commercial Sunday during the Super Bowl XLIII that it would give away its signature breakfast from 6 a.m. until 2 p.m. local time Tuesday, at all its restaurants in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico, while supplies lasted.
Denny’s Diner has promoted the iconic dish giveaway heavily, with a bold 30-second appeal ad that aired during the third quarter of the Super Bowl 43 on Sunday, plus another 15-second ad during the post-game show, offering a free breakfast to some 90 million viewers. In addition, it has placed a full-page ad in USA Today‘s Monday edition. The promotion was further announced on The Today Show and notices were also sent out to the chain’s “Denny’s Breakfast Club” members.
The NBC ad, which was bought to unveil a new promotion for customers squeezed by the recession, may have cost as much as $3 million, said Nelson Marchioli, CEO of Denny’s Corp. Super Bowl XLIII’s 30-second commercial time slot costs $2.4 million–$3 million for the airtime alone, excluding production and talent costs.
The game was televised live by the US NBC Sunday Night Football and Canada’s CTV Television Network. BayTSP has reported that, “as of 10 a.m. Wednesday, commercials that initially aired during NBC’s Super Bowl XLIII broadcast subsequently had been watched online more than 28 million times.”
“The promotion has a total cost of $5 million U.S., which includes $3 million for the commercial on NBC,” said a Denny’s spokesman, noting also that the company received about $50 million in news coverage, most of which was positive. According to a Denny’s representative, two million people walked through the restaurant chains’ doors Tuesday, and each Denny’s restaurant served an average of 130 Grand Slams per hour.
With the “Denny’s Feeds America” promotion, the company has reported 14 million hits on its Web site between Sunday night and Monday morning. Denny’s shares rose 6 cents, or 3.1 percent, to $1.98 in afternoon trading. The stock has traded in a range of $1.18 to $4.10 over the past 52 weeks.
A Halloween pancake at a Denny’s restaurant in Tokyo
“Denny’s free Grand Slam” has ranked in the top 10 Google searches early Tuesday and fell to No. 18 by the end of the promotion, while “denny s locations” was #9 on Google Trends, which tracks fast-rising searches. It has also held spots No. 1 (Denny’s) and 7 (Grand Slam) on Twitter‘s trending topics. It has generated much chat on Twitter, garnering 1,700 tweets on Tuesday, compared with its average of 59. Doritos, winner of the USA TODAY survey for best Super Bowl spot ad, had 933 mentions after reaching a peak of almost 3,300.
The idea of the TV ad was to get people to come in and re-evaluate Denny’s Diner. “A lot of people have forgotten what Denny’s is, or they think they know, while we’ve come out with a whole lot of new products. We felt like we needed to jump start the brand,” Denny’s Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer Mark Chmiel said.
“We’re celebrating the Grand Slam this year,” Chmiel said. According to the company’s financial data, on January 15 Denny’s reported systemwide comparable-store sales for the fourth quarter were down 6.1 percent, compared to a 0.2 percent decline from the same period in 2007.
According to Robert Gonzalez, public relations company Hill & Knowlton spokesman, Denny’s has expected at least 2 million people to eat a free Grand Slam by the end of the promotion. “Every restaurant is packed with people and lines,” Gonzalez said. “Everything today is about fast. People are on the go, and they’re eating fast food. It’s cutting into sit-down dining,” he added.
“Each of the more than 1,500 Denny’s were planning to make about 100 Grand Slams an hour,” Denny’s spokeswoman Cori Rice said. It had predicted it will have served about 1,400 people per location, more than five times the normal volume. “Grand Slam Breakfast” is a four-item option on its menu, consisting of two pancakes, two eggs, two strips of bacon and two sausage links. It weighs in at 44 grams of fat, 56 carbohydrates and 770 calories.
Nationwide, Denny’s expected to sell about 2 million Grand Slams — about 15 percent of the annual tally. According to Mark Chmiel, chief marketing operator and executive vice president, the diner chain has reported approximately 2 million meals worth more than $12 million were given away nationwide and each Denny’s restaurant served an average of 130 Grand Slams per hour. It estimated it has earned about $50 million worth of public relations following the free Grand Slam campaign, Chmiel said.
The company is also experimenting with a Grand Slam Burrito and also has introduced for this year, a Grand Slamwich, which includes eggs, bacon, sausage and cheese between two slices of bread, with a teaspoon serving. “It already has shown strong consumer appeal,” said Chmiel. The company has received flood of e-mails and letters proving the positive impact of the Grand Slam campaign and commercials on its customers.
Chmiel also announced he’s planning a third major promotion in this year’s third quarter, which happens to include another major sporting event, the World Series. “That’s one we’re definitely looking at,” he said.
Jobless Paris Winslow of downtown San Francisco, California has joined the long line which stretched from the front door on Mission Street, between Fourth and Fifth streets, to the corner of Fourth and up the block. “The economy is getting kind of scary. This line looks like those pictures of soup kitchen lines during the 1929 Great Depression,” Winslow said.
“I came all the way from San Francisco for a free $6 meal, Isn’t that pathetic? A year ago, I never would have done this. These days I’m willing to put my ego on the back burner,” said Stephen Weller, a jobless contractor who waited with his dog, Emmett. California Denny’s restaurant managers have issued rain checks (for free chilled meals, as security backed by actual bacon) to anyone who failed to get in by the 2 p.m. deadline.
A big eater could also “Slam It Up” by adding any two additional items for 99 cents each to their meal. Customers on Tuesday were also handed “bounceback” coupon books that include offers for additional free menu items with purchases. Chicago Tribune reporter Kevin Pang has eaten five free Grand Slams on Tuesday at five different Denny’s Diners in four hours. He claims to have consumed 4,100 calories at Harwood Heights, 5:36 a.m, at Schiller Park, 6:22 a.m., at Franklin Park, 7:08 a.m., at Melrose Park, 7:41 a.m. and at Grand Slam No. 5 Oak Park, 8:57 a.m.
Denny’s Diner in Bangor, Maine, inspired by 1960 culture.
“The Grand Slam has always been a Denny’s favorite. This free offer is our way of reacquainting America with Denny’s real breakfast and with the Denny’s brand,” Denny’s CEO Nelson Marchioli said in a statement. In 1977s, the Grand Slam started as a baseball-related promotion in Atlanta, Georgia. Its normal price averages around $5.99. Marchioli said the event was also a way to kick-off its “Year of the Grand Slam” promotion. Denny’s claimed it has sold 12.5 million Grand Slams a year.
“The economy’s tough and people are jumping all the way to fast food to try to figure it out. We all use fast food, whether it’s for time or convenience or for money. But you can go to Denny’s and you don’t have to give up a real breakfast and that was the whole focus of our commercial,” Marchioli explained. McDonald’s (MCD, Fortune 500) has done well during this economic meltdown since the global recession pushes people toward less expensive dining options.
McDonald’s has announced plans Wednesday to open 175 new restaurants in China this year despite the global economic crisis, thereby increasing the number of outlets in China by 17 percent, from 1,050 currently. Last month, McDonald’s 2008 net profit has risen 80 percent from 2007 to 4.3 billion dollars.
Marchioli has also introduced Denny’s $4 Weekday Express Slam, which is a streamlined version of the Grand Slam. “I want to take back share. For too long, we have allowed others to take share, whether it was Starbucks or McDonald’s. They’re fine competitors and I don’t expect to take all their business from them, but I’d like a little bit back,” Marchioli noted.
According to Rafi Mohammed, author of “The Art of Pricing,” people love free. “It triggers a Pavlovian response in people,” said Mohammed. If Pavlov’s dogs salivate when a bell rings, Denny’s free Grand Slam breakfast has attracted 2 million hungry customers. “I believe free maximizes trial and doesn’t devalue a product as long as it is a rare event. Aside from the cost, the major downside is that it attracts customers who truly have no intention of coming back,” he added.
According to University of Portlandconsumer psychology professor Deana Julka, people flock to free promotions amid just a few dollars saving because there’s nothing in life for free. “So when there’s something out there that costs nothing, it creates a psychological rush. Especially in these times when people feel overtaxed or overburden, there’s an internal reward people feel by getting something for free,” she said. “It’s being thrifty and feeling like you beat the system. Free really hits the spot for a lot of people,” Julka added.
“Free is an emotional hot button. When free is concerned, there is no downside – or, at least, we don’t see the downside immediately. So we overvalue everything that is free. People love free stuff, particularly when money’s tight,” said Dan Ariely, a business professor at Duke University, author of “Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions.”
Experts, however, explained these moves need to be done sparingly, since giveaways can teeter in the balance between desperation and a well designed marketing ploy. “Giving your product away for free is not worth it because it undermines your brand value,” said branding expert Rob Frankel, saying people are attached to the idea of it being free, than the actual product itself.
Free giveaways are not anything new in the food industry. “It just feels good when you can get something for free and not have to worry about it coming out of your wallet,” Frankel noted. Dunkin’ Donuts and Panera Bread all have had free coffee and food promos last year. “In November, Starbucks gave away free cup of coffee to anyone who came in on Election Day. Have you taken a look at how Starbucks is doing now?” Last week it has announced it would shut down 300 stores, in addition to the 600 it already planned to close.
On February 24, IHOP will be offering a free shortstack to every customer to encourage donations (in place of the cost) for Childrens Miracle Network. The International House of Pancakes (IHOP) is a United States-based restaurant chain that specializes in breakfast foods and is owned by DineEquity. The chain had more than 1950 restaurants in all 50 states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada and Mexico. Since 2006, IHOP’s National Pancake Day celebration has raised over $1.85 million. In 2008, over 1.5 million pancakes (12 miles high if they were stacked) were given to customers for donations.
Denny’s (“Denny’s Diner”) is a full-service diner/family restaurant chain in the United States. It operates over 2,500 restaurants in the United States (including Puerto Rico), Canada, Curaçao, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, and New Zealand). The resto chain is known for always being open, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert around the clock.
Today, Denny’s operates about 1,600 restaurants in all 50 U.S. states, Canada and Mexico. There are also about 578 Denny’s restaurants in Japan operated under a license by a subsidiary of Seven & I Holdings, seven Denny’s locations in New Zealand, and approximately 38 Denny’s diners in the United States. Denny’s headquarters is now located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, headquarters of the parent company Trans World Corporation that acquired Denny’s in 1987.
Denny’s was historically notable for offering a free meal to anyone on their birthday. The offer included a limited number of meal options from a special birthday menu. The promotional ritual ceased in 1993, though occasionally individual franchises will continue the tradition.
In 2008, Denny’s has ceased to be in the ranks among the top diner chains in the $83 billion breakfast market, whose top five firms — McDonald’s, Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts, Burger King and IHOP — accounted for 22 percent of the volume. “A lot of consumers have written Denny’s off their let’s-go-there list,” said Ron Paul, president of Technomic, a consulting firm.
