Michael Hess wants to add you as a business connection on Plaxo.

Message from Michael:
Hi there… my address book and Plaxo information got corrupted and I’d appreciate it if you could take a quick moment review and update your contact info. Thanks, Michael

To accept this connection request, go to:
http://www.plaxo.com/invite?lang=en&i=123380735&k=930594484&l=en

Thanks,
The Plaxo team

Michael Hess wants to add you as a business connection on Plaxo.

To accept this connection request, go to:
http://www.plaxo.com/invite?lang=en&i=104459759&k=1971103683&l=en

Thanks,
The Plaxo team

Photo by AndyRob

We are truly obsessed with doing things right. Right by our employees, right by our customers, right with our products.  We are constant and keen observers of what other companies (not just in our industry) do, and huge fans of the very small minority of companies that we feel really fire on all cylinders. We hope we fit that description most of the time, and we certainly work at it every day, with true purpose and passion. If you are interested in learning more about what we admire in great companies–the stuff that turns us on and makes us tick–we welcome you to read this.

Photo by Kvatch

By now you have all heard that Spirit Airlines announced fees of up to $45 for carry-on bags to be stowed overhead. This is in addition to the now-ubiquitous charges for checked baggage. I don’t even know what to say… it seems like someone is playing a joke but not getting to the punch line. This is the latest in a barrage of nickel-and-dime “initiatives” either imposed or proposed by air carriers. Fees for better seats. Fees for drinks and snacks. Fees for blankets. One airline is even planning to install pay toilets. It’s really almost beyond words.

I don’t envy the airline industry, it has to be the most difficult business to be in. But there are ways to solve business problems–or at least try–and there are ways to make them worse. Bilking people with small-view surcharges is no way to win hearts and minds.

As a frequent international traveler for 20 years, I never cease to be amazed by the differences between overseas carriers–particularly in the Far East–and our domestic airlines. There, even on the smallest, least “glitzy” airline, you’d be hard pressed to find an employee on the ground or in the air who doesn’t smile and isn’t eager to help. You’d have to work hard to be given grief about anything. You get a meal on virtually every flight, even a 1-hour hop. You don’t get nickel-and-dimed. For cripe’s sakes many of them even bow to the cabin before the saftey demonstration. Yes, the seats are just as small as ours (sometimes smaller), and the legroom is minimal (sometimes minimal-er), and the flights are always full. But guess what…. you don’t mind! That’s because everything else about flying over there is just fine. I don’t expect US flight attendants to bow to the passengers any time soon, but it’s amazing what a little kindness and customer care can do. It doesn’t hurt that over there they usually depart on time as well.

When I return to the US and get on a domestic flight–even on one of the “better” airlines–it’s like the part in The Wizard of Oz where it changes from vivid Technicolor back to black and white. There’s no place like home, indeed.

I think there are ways for the struggling US carriers to make inroads to their challenges without alienating (make that insulting and infuriating) the people who keep them in business. Instead of charging $20 for a checked bag, charge $20 more for the flight and allow people to “de-select” a checked bag and save $20. Don’t want a meal? take $5 off your ticket. Same exact results but with an entirely different message to the customer. We know that when we do business with a company we pay for everything, but it is all in the delivery. Put yourself in the customer’s shoes (which you’ll find in the gray bin). Be creative. Find ways to get the help your business needs without pissing off the people it can’t live without. And for gosh sakes, be nice to them and make them feel good about traveling with you, even (especially) if the traveling is costing them a little more. Just like flight 99 non-stop from Newark to Hong Kong, it goes an awfully long way.

Anyone have change for a dollar? I need quarters for the seat-belt activator.

Cable Stable DLX

If you want to see just a few of the nearly endless ways you can use our new Cable Stable DLX and SkoobaWraps, check out our latest product videos.

SkoobaWraps

Our Netbook/iPad Sleeve & Messenger were recently featured on the popular Neo-Fight Technology show. Take a peak…

We expect to be introducing more new products in 2010 than in any other year in our 10-year history. And we’re happy to let you know that the first few of these many intro’s are out and shipping now. We hope you’ll check out the Cable Stable DLX (at left) and new SkoobaWraps.

The original Cable Stable was one of our best selling products for years. Now it’s been redesigned from the ground up, with new features and a sleek new look. This Skooba original is a one-of-a-kind way to store, organize, protect and carry all the cables, adapters, dongles, cards, batteries and other accessories that travel with all your toys.

Also a new twist on one of our all-time hits, SkoobaWraps (right) are simple, “portable padding” that you can wrap around just about anything from a camera lens to a small laptop. Roll it, wrap it, fold it, and pack it. Three sizes available, and virtually limitless ways to use them. A perfect way to reduce your carry-on burden by protecting items to pack in your suitcase. Think of it as origami for your gadgets.

If you haven’t checked out our multimedia page lately, head on over to see the latest Skooba videos. The latest addition is an ABC News affiliate story on our company, and in particular our Netbook/iPad bags and sleeves.

We know that many of you are “bag collectors,” some of you with closets full of old laptop bags. We’re obviously happy and appreciative when you buy a new bag from Skooba, but we also hate to think of all those poor old bags—some of them perfectly usable but retired for the latest style—going to waste. So here’s a way you can put them to good use and do good at the same time.

Dress for Success helps disadvantaged women by preparing them for the workforce with career development services and professional clothing.  Though their greatest need is for business clothing, you can also donate gently used black bags that would be interview and workplace appropriate.  Companies such as Nine West, Ann Taylor, and Bobbi Brown Cosmetics donate clothing and accessories to this worthy cause, putting you in good company if you choose to donate.  For more information head to their website.

There is a similar charity for men, called Career Gear.

Think about giving a new and noble life to your retired business gear, it’s good in so many ways.

Step 1: Buy an iPad bag

Step 2: Stare at the empty bag and dream for a few weeks

Step 3: Run to the Apple store in a month or two and enjoy your new toy!

So everyone is pacing around frantically waiting for the day they can sleep outside the Apple store and be the first to get an iPad. Skooba wants to help… at least a little. We can ship you the carrying case now, and you can slip your i-prize into it in a month or two.

We already have three carrying solutions for the upcoming MacTablets: The Netbook/iPad Messenger, Neo Sleeve, and RAPS “portable padding.” And all are available now.

The Netbook/iPad Messenger is a slim, lightweight but full featured courier-style shoulder bag with loads of useful pockets and cool features. It has a dedicated, padded sleeve that’s perfectly sized for the iPad, with or without Apple’s optional leather folio cover. The sleeve also fits all popular netbooks, for those who prefer computers that fold. Available in 4 color combos at $49.95 suggested retail.

The Neo Sleeve is a stretchy, neoprene (wetsuit material) skin that hugs and protects the precious panel of magical glass that will soon be yours. Keeps your iPad safe from the daily bump-and-grind, as well as the elements. Carry the Neo Sleeve in any bag you like, with confidence. And it’s “checkpoint-friendly,” so you can send your ‘Pad or netbook through airport screening without taking out of the case—faster and much safer than throwing the tablet in a gray plastic bin. 4 color combinations, $19.95 suggested retail.

Skooba RAPS take a different, much simpler (and very economical) approach. These padded squares wrap around your iPad and self-fasten. The medium size wrap is perfectly sized to “origami” itself around the tablet, creating a nearly weightless, bulk-free envelope to protect your iPad in a school bag or briefcase. Other sizes available too, so you can wrap and protect just about anything. The medium wrap is a positively painless $14.95 suggested retail.