The post on Rituals by Church of the Customer really stuck with me.

Yes, it caught my eye because I am a Steeler fan...but also because it sparked some inspiration into understanding why people act the way they act around a product launch or an event.

Rituals are about belonging, being a part of the greater story. As the post describes "They are the shared experiences of a group. They create emotional glue."

So when Huba asked "For your business, have you devised rituals for your customer evangelists? What shared experiences allow them to build a worshiping foundation?"

Here is how I worked on figuring this out for old, current and new projects:

1. How are your customers interacting with your product? When, how, where and why? What is a 'tradition' vs. a new wave?
2. Are there patterns? Do they differ by personas?
3. How can you enhance existing interactions or make them more feasible? Online and off. Can you help spread existing rituals? How?
4. Can you develop new rituals that will bring your customers together?

Remember, rituals always start with your evangelists, whether it be one person or a group of 1000. It has to start with believers.

Here are some examples.

- Dressing up for the premier of a new Batman movie.
- Period Parties - coming back strong!
- Back to school shopping
- Frosh week
- Old school tupperware parties
- Food rituals around the Holiday's and Thanksgiving

How about everyday and weekly rituals?

- Drinking your morning brew. Is it Starbucks, Timmy's?
- Commuting to work. Esso? Shell?
- Are you showering using Dove or Khiels?

I haven't tried to raise money since I was a kid selling chocolate almonds.

Yes, for a few years, I volunteered at Human Rights Watch - but that was more to raise awareness of human rights violations here in Canada and around the world...not to necessarily raise money.

So in comes BMO's boo-la-thon in support of Kids Help Phone (NOTE: I do work for BMO Financial Group).

I have to admit, that the main reason why I volunteered to take part was because I like to dress up for Halloween and this was just another chance.

But, as I read into the service more and spoke with friends and family - I realized that quite a few people I know have used this service and it meant a lot to them to have someone to speak with.

And then I remembered what it was like to be a kid and how lucky I was/am to have a great support group and still do...I can't even image what I would do without my friends and family.

What would I do? Where would I turn to for help?

Kids Help Phone is just that service kids can turn to when they are in trouble - online or offline.

If you can, I would greatly appreciate it if you can pledge me in support of Kids Help Phone.

AND, if you are on Facebook, join our group and help spread the cause.

PS. I sure am bowling as Cat Woman!

I bet you didn't know I watch UFC.

I do and I love it - in all its bloody octagon glory.

I was watching it the other night and realized that most, if not all fighters have nicknames.

- My Favourite - Georges St. Pierre is RUSH or GSP
- Tito Ortiz is Huntington Beach Bad Boy
- Randy Couture is The Natural

hm. What would mine be?

What do my actions, words and surroundings say about me?

I am craving the tart and tangy lemonade I had at Gramercy Tavery in NYC this past weekend.

Considered one of the city's best lemonade's - this is definitely a taste I won't soon forget and hope to experience soon again.

So...what does lemonade have to do with online marketing?

A lot actually.

Like most foodies I know, before I go to a restaurant I do some quick google searches. I don't necessarily go into too much research as I don't want others to sway my opinions prior to going in. But, I do like to see how well it was rated.

Gramercy Tavery is one I always wanted to go to, so I did very little except for an online resy.

So, after such a great experience - I was back to the foodie boards and searches for recipes and insight into the workings of the restaurant.

This is key you see. A great experience = great feedback = wonderful conversations. Offline - but online.

You see, in a place like NYC where there are a zillion fantastic resto's to choose from and it being a touristy hotspot - conversations matter. Reviews matter to those whose time is limited and a good experience is key.

People talk...about food especially. Because heck, the majority of us like to eat.

Sound obvious? Probably.

But apply this to other examples, other resto's and quite possibly other services and it is not so obvious...

PS. Gramercy knows customer service. They provided us with delicious apply crumble muffins to continue our great experience the next morning...yum!

We are off to the big apple this weekend for JR and Jenny's wedding. So, since we are already in the city, we thought why not check out a few resto's while we are in town.

I have been to NYC several times and have eaten at some amazing places, but this time 'round, I wanted to go to Nobu New York. Although not the most famous of Nobu properties (London is the one that gets all the hype) - I have already been to Nobu Next Door and loved it...so wanted to try something new.

A lot of restaurants still don't take online reservations and Nobu is one of them. Their website says they don't take resys by email or fax either. So at 10:00 (when they start taking reservations, I start to dial...busy...again...Busy...again...BUSY!

I think I tried about 10 times before I decided to email them to make sure the number was correct. In a matter of 10 minutes, I got an email back stating yes, indeed it was the correct number and that they experience a high volume so keep on trying.

And I did...another 10 times or so before I gave up.

Why so frustrated?

- In the age of online resys - I was able to make a reservation on Open Table for Gramercy Tavern within minutes. They are also a premiere restaurant.

- Nobu restaurants are found all over the world - I am surprised they don't have a centralized call centre or at the very least, an answering service.