There's No Such Thing As A Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

Posted by steveamiller under Marketing
From http://www.twohatmarketing.com 4858 days ago
Made Hot by: Ruth Stone on August 6, 2011 6:52 pm

When my Dad tried to install a bird feeder in our back yard, he got more than he bargained for. His battle building a "squirrel-proof" bird feeder turned into an Old Rule of Business we all need to remember.

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Comments

Written by Cathy_Kelly
4837 days ago

Loved the squirrel story and I could relate to the gist of your post: Where the Value is Clear, the Decision is easy. That should have been the title. Awesome post.

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Written by Authopublisher
4850 days ago

We really need to start putting ourselves in the shoes of our costumers (or put on their hat). It may seem hard at first but it's really important to address the costumers need.

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Written by yoni67
4856 days ago

Steve, Glad to see this post on the front page where it belongs.

Additionally, since I finished reading this fine article:

_My good cholesterol is up

_My bad cholesterol is down

_My wife tells me she loves me more

_My Fiat's engine has stopped knocking and pinging

_Wrinkles on my forehead seem to be disappearing

Thanks Steve!

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Written by steveamiller
4855 days ago

It's the least I can do for you, Yoni! Happy to be of service.

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Written by JackieP
4856 days ago

Hi Steve,

Brilliant! you gave me a chuckle. Although we don't have squirrels to content with, we have a similar issues with possums.

Loved the analogy

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Written by steveamiller
4855 days ago

Possums are getting into your bird feeder? Now THAT I'd like to see!

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Written by Adam_Gottlieb
4858 days ago

Hi Steve,

The some really good points you brought up about customer perceptions and value. As I was reading your post, I immediately thought about Apple, Starbucks, heck, even my daughter suddenly sprouted a fuzzy tail when I thought about her infatuation with Sillybandz...

A successful entrepreneur once said to me that small business owners should first and foremost try to target their own age group because they will automatically be able to "get them" and "speak their language."

It's true, but even so, there's still the problem you brought up of seeing the world through your own perceptions, attitudes, and experiences. It's why it's *so* important that business owners speak to their customers either literally or figuratively via market research.

Adam

PS And, yeah, our dads do seem to have a lot in common- in more ways than one.

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Written by steveamiller
4857 days ago

I agree, Adam! It's really, really hard to see the world through other people's eyes because of our own heuristic biases, but we've got to try. Thanks for the comments.

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Written by yoni67
4858 days ago

More kids should grow up with your kind of Dads. I don't know if it's passed down in genes or what. You guys must have had immense fun growing up.

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Written by amabaie
4858 days ago

Awesome. I love stories where animals teach us lessons. I've written a few myself. Keep up the good work.

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Written by saraib820
4858 days ago

Agreed Steve,

Very nice job and very well told. I really enjoyed reading it.

Rivkah

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Written by steveamiller
4858 days ago

Thank you very much!

Steve

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Written by yoni67
4858 days ago

Steve,

Probably the most interesting and entertaining post I have read in a long time. I love posts and posters that include life-lessons and a bit of their history into an article. It brings things to life and humanizes the author. I also get to live vicariously through cool dads...mine was a bit of a jerk.

Your Dad, eccentric and inventive sounds a lot like Adam Gottlieb's Dad (Adam is also a BizSugar contributor) who invented a laundry rack to clamp to the trunk of a moving car in order to dry wet laundry.

Hope it's not too cliched Steve Miller, but "Fly like an Eagle!"

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Written by steveamiller
4858 days ago

Thanks, Yoni! High praise coming from a BizSugar stalwart, like yourself. I sincerely and greatly appreciate your kudos.

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Written by businessavante
4858 days ago

Hi Steven.

Two of my favorite PBS shows were about squirrels raiding bird feeders. Some of the home owners made Rube Goldberg contraptions and/or obstacle courses - nothing stopped those cute, furry little buggers. (I'm rooting for the squirrels.)

Duncan

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Written by steveamiller
4858 days ago

That's funny about the show. I saw a YouTube video with some type of Rube Goldberg contraption. The squirrel had no problem getting through it!

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