CALORIES BURNED STAIR CLIMBING

Users, Not Customers: Who Really Determines the Success of Your Business

If you're still chasing customers online, you're looking at the challenge backward.
Aaron Shapiro helps companies build thriving digitally driven businesses. In his firm's extensive study of the Fortune 1000, a clear pattern emerged: the most successful companies drive sales by focusing on users instead of just customers. This is a fundamental strategic shift.
Rather than trying to get people to buy stuff online, these companies home in on the user experience. They've realized that building relationships between people and their brand has huge value, even if those users aren't spending a dime on their products (yet).
It's no secret that Internet-based companies like Google and Facebook thrive by building their user base before turning to monetization. Shapiro's big insight is that offline companies can successfully do the same, integrating offline products with an online presence and building platforms that create a lasting relationship between their brand and their users. Shapiro provides a strategic approach to refocusing your business in every way, from technology infrastructure and management to product design and marketing.

I've missed taking pictures for most of the holiday week. I was away from home visiting family. As much as I love seeing my family, it always stresses me out and I come back home totally wiped out and just want to sleep for a week.

This week's focus is achievements. This picture represents an enormous achievement of mine that came about after I got my insulin pump in 2005. I had been overweight for most of my life, starting when I was around 10 years old (which coincided with my asthma getting really, really bad). When I tried for tight control, I ended up gaining even more weight. When I finally went to an endo 3 years ago my weight was 268 pounds. I found it nearly impossible to lose any weight because exercise made my BG drop very low. Taking long acting insulin caused so many lows that I was always feeding. I also was making poor food choices. I was switched to Lantus which was better than NPH but still gave me lows, plus highs at certain times of the day. I started my pump 3 months after that initial visit and everything got so much better. I was able to go for a walk after lunch without crashing low within 10 minutes. I started losing weight. In November 2005 I decided to join Calorie King. My starting weight there was 198 pounds, 70 pounds lighter than I was in February 2005. This screen shot is from a report I ran in Calorie King showing my weight from the time I joined through April 2006. My weight had actually dropped even lower, to 143, but that didn't last.

Over the last year I've gained some of the weight back. For awhile last year I didn't even care. Over the holidays my sister yelled at me a few times and told me not to undo all of my hard work. She watched me when I ate and would tell me when I had enough. Her "food policing" had nothing to do with diabetes, because she knows that I can eat whatever I want, but more about portion sizes. A few times I wanted to smack her but mostly I know she's right.

If you look at the picture in the large size the text is very clear. The "current weight" was the last time I had weighed in on Calorie King, back in November. My actual weight is probably a little higher than the 170 shown right now. I had never made a "weight loss/diet" New Year resolution but this year I did. I know I have to get back to eating less junk food, more fruits & veggies. The first 3 days of 2008 have been good. My insulin use is going back down to around 26 units/day. Being more careful about what I eat really changes my insulin needs, which can be seen in the next photo...

I'm determined to lose the weight I gained back and keep it off. My goal is 150 pounds even though I know my primary care doctor and CDE both think that's too low, but it's a weight I felt comfortable at.

Hooray I did it I got my Weight Watchers 10% keyring. Was very pleased at fat club this morning when I sailed past my 10% goal and am now only 4lbs away from my goal weight, am determined to do it before we move.

So that is 22lbs less of me to lug around the London Marathon on Sunday, am sure that will burn a calorie or two as well but imagine these last few pounds are going to be the hardest to lose.

Much like the best-selling books by Og Mandino, this unique narrative is a blend of entertaining fiction, allegory, and inspiration. Storyteller Andy Andrews gives a front-row seat for one man's journey of a lifetime. David Ponder has lost his job and the will to live. When he is supernaturally selected to travel through time, he visits historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, King Solomon, and Anne Frank. Each visit yields a Decision for Success that will one day impact the entire world.

Much like the best-selling books by Og Mandino, this unique narrative is a blend of entertaining fiction, allegory, and inspiration. Storyteller Andy Andrews gives a front-row seat for one man's journey of a lifetime. David Ponder has lost his job and the will to live. When he is supernaturally selected to travel through time, he visits historical figures such as Abraham Lincoln, King Solomon, and Anne Frank. Each visit yields a Decision for Success that will one day impact the entire world.