BOOK GIVEAWAY: Comes A Horseman by Robert Liparulo

You can be the proud winner of an autographed copy of Robert Liparulo's Comes A Horseman, absolutely one of the best novels I have ever read (click the link for my review).

I will be giving away several autographed copies of this awesome book over the next couple of weeks. To be one of the first three winners, simply send me an email and tell me the date I reviewed the book on Average Joe American.

Include your name, email, and mailing address. I'll draw three winners at random on Friday morning. Winners will also receive a link to download the audiobook for free (provided Liparulo and Nelson continue to provide the free download).

Learn more about Liparulo and his books at RobertLiparulo.com.

Your comments?

Joe

AJA Press | #TCOT
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Happy Mothers Day, Mom!

Today I'll be spending Mothers Day with my wife, my kids, and my wife's family. Happy Mothers Day to all who have done (or are doing) the hardest and most important job of all: Mothering.

To my own, Mother, who went to be with the Lord several years ago, a very special Happy Mothers Day.

I love you, Mom!



Your comments?

Joe

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Contact #Indiana Congressman Now About HR 2014

Indiana voters, ask your Congressman (mine, is 7th District Representative Andre Carson) to join in supporting House Resolution 2014. Click here for more on the bill.

Contact Representative Carson now!

A suggested form letter follows:

Congressman Carson:

I am an Indiana voter in the 7th District, writing to ask you to join as a co-sponser of House Resolution 2014, recognizing the service of the Womens Airforce Service Pilots with a Congressional Gold Medal. These brave women were pioneers in the this country, as they blew the doors wide open for women to serve in the military in all aspects.

Women today would not have the freedom to proudly serve their country if not for the courage and spirit of women such as America's WASPs. It is the very pioneering attitude of these brave women that made America a free country 233 years ago.

These women deserve much, much more than a mere Congressional Gold Medal, but this is a simple first step that you can take to thank these brave American patriots for their service to our country.

Your comments?

Joe

AJA Press | #TCOT
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Contact #Indiana Senator Bayh About Senate Bill 614

Indiana voters, ask Senator Evan Bayh to join Senator Richard Lugar in supporting Senate Bill 614. Click here for more on the bill.

Contact Senator Bayh now!

A suggested form letter follows:

Senator Bayh:

I am an Indiana voter writing to ask you to join Senator Lugar as a co-sponser of Senate Bill 614, recognizing the service of the Womens Airforce Service Pilots with a Congressional Gold Medal. These brave women were pioneers in the this country, as they blew the doors wide open for women to serve in the military in all aspects.

Women today would not have the freedom to proudly serve their country if not for the courage and spirit of women such as America's WASPs. It is the very pioneering attitude of these brave women that made America a free country 233 years ago.

These women deserve much, much more than a mere Congressional Gold Medal, but this is a simple first step that you can take to thank these brave American patriots for their service to our country.

Your comments?

Joe

AJA Press | #TCOT
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Support Senate Bill 614 for WASPs

I received a question today on Twitter I feel compelled to share. The question was what does an Average Joe think about Senate Bill 614, a proposal to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the Women Airforce Service Pilots of World War Two. These women flew all types of planes in every non-combat mission one can imagine in support of our fighting troops in WWII, and have gone essentially unrecognized for their bravery and their pioneering spirit.

Having reviewed the bill, to include a list of past recipients of Congressional Gold Medals, I find it hard to imagine how there could be much debate about whether these brave women are deserving of this special recognition (in fact, so much more, really). I encourage you to speak out in support of recognizing these women by supporting Senate Bill 614.

See WASP members speak out:

Direct video link.

Your comments?

Joe

AJA Press | #TCOT
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Book Review: Collapse of Distinction by Scott McKain

Pier 1, Home Depot, GAP, Footlocker, Macy's, KB Toys, Linens 'N Things, Circuit City. What do all of these companies have in common? Sure, they're all retailers. But more than that. They have all closed some or all of their stores in the past several months. And for what reason? Because the economy is bad? Because the country is in a recession? Because the value of the dollar is slipping? Because unemployment is climbing?

In Collapse of Distinction, author, business expert, and fellow Hoosier Scott McKain explains what these seemingly great American successes seem to have forgotten: if you want to succeed in business, you must develop a business of distinction. The above companies all failed to differentiate themselves in a market where everyone offers the same thing for the best possible price because they have forgotten that different is better.

In his 2001 best seller Good to Great, author Jim Collins praises Circuit City among others for achieving greatness in their respective industries. Why, then, is Circuit City no more? Scott McKain explains that Circuit City "evidently did not know how to differentiate from a competitor such as Best Buy." From dropping the major appliance business to dropping most commissioned sales associates for hourly associates, Circuit City struggled for it's last six years trying (unsuccessfully) to emulate the success of Best Buy.

Having lived through the beginning of the end for Circuit City as a Manager there six years ago, I found McKain's explanation of the importance of building a business of distinction to be compelling, informative, and educational. Through colorful comparisons to Apple, Nordstrom, Les Schwab Tires, and others, McKain paints a portrait of how the cloning of American business has led to the failure of so many once "great" companies.

As a Retail Manager with a company struggling to get back on the road to profitability after nearly a century in business, I found myself with a red pencil making notes throughout Collapse, planning on how to use the principles McKain discusses in my location to build the Ultimate Customer Experience. This book should be mandatory reading for Managers at all levels of business, new and experienced alike. McKain knows business, as his own success has shown, and the business world could stand to gain a great deal by putting his principles into practice.

Your comments?

Joe

AJA Press | #TCOT
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F.O.R.D. - The "Acronym" Has A New Meaning

There was a time not so long ago when I called myself a "Buick Man." You know, a guy that prefers a particular make of vehicle is a "Chevy Man," or "Ford Man," etc. Well, I was a "Buick Man." Some of the best cars I've ever owned were Buicks. And some of the worst cars I've ever owned were Fords. I would never have referred to myself as a "Ford Man," regardless of the fact that my father is a staunch "Ford Man."


But the parent corporation of Buick, General Motors, has gone through some very significant changes over the past four months. Changes that, for one, I find quite disturbing. Changes that would have William C. Durant, founder of General Motors Corporation and pioneer of the Buick badge, rolling in his grave. Changes such as GM CEO Rick Wagoner resigning at the request of Barack Obama. Changes like the Pontiac Division of General Motors being scrapped as part of the Obama-forced restructuring plan intended to keep the struggling automaker from going out of business. It wasn't that long ago that General Motors dropped the Oldsmobile badge from their lineup for good, and the demise of the Pontiac line -- home of the famed GTO and Grand Prix -- has many car fans crying foul. As General Motors has announced the expected demise of both the Saturn and Hummer lines as well, American roads may never be the same.

The latest reports in this seemingly never-ending auto collapse is that Chrysler will be filing (and may have already done so by now) for bankruptcy, as they were unable to come to terms with many creditors. But bankruptcy isn't the only news for Chrysler. The American car company that for a brief period was held by Germany's Daimler-Benz before being spun off due to lagging sales may once again become a foreign company, as the Obama administration (for reasons I simply cannot understand) is forcing the number three U.S. automaker to strike a merger deal with Italian company Fiat. The bankruptcy and Fiat deal earn Chrysler an additional eight hundred billion dollars of American taxpayer money from the Obama administration to help them emerge as a stronger car company. A foreign car company, but stronger (maybe).

As a long-time "Buick Man," I find myself struggling with the current situation of the American auto industry. I have never owned a Chrysler product, and never will. For many reasons, most recent of which is the company's willingness to be taken over by the U.S. government. Which is the same reason that I can no longer consider myself a "Buick Man." As sad as it is to turn my back on this auto badge that I have long admired, I must say that, going forward, I guess I'm a "Ford Man" like my father.

Why? For the same reason that I didn't vote for the man who currently resides at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. I'm not an Obama man.

Seems to me that not only is the Pontiac line dying, but also the entire General Motors Corporation, as well as Chrysler. Seems to me that they should just replace the badge on almost every vehicle to roll out of Detroit to Obama Motors. After all, the federal government owns more of General Motors than anyone else now, and soon Italy will own most of Chrysler.

But Ford, God love them, made the tough decision to get through these tough times on their own cash reserves. Found On the Road Dead is no longer the best way to describe the Ford brand. The FORD "acronym" has a new meaning.



Forbid Obama's Regressive Doctrine


Your comments?

Joe

AJA Press | #TCOT
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