Are you concerned about being ready to take on a Zombie Apocalypse?  One hardware store has you covered!  Westlake Ace Hardware in Lenexa, Kansas shows no prejudices, offering supplies for both the living and the living dead.  Need zombie defense items?  No problem, they’ve got you covered!  Already moved to the land of the undead?  That’s okay too!  There’s a whole section on bodily repairs and delaying the decay, complete with handy FAQ section!

Now, we know you’re wondering…  “How on earth did this store know that people and zombies alike were in need of such supplies during the spooktacular Halloween season?”

We can’t be certain, but we know it would’ve been very easy to see who was looking for such items with a handy little reputation monitoring tool to help them out!  Trackur is awesome for seeing who is talking about your product.  You never know, there may be a demographic out there that you never considered that is a perfect fit for your industry!  Not sure?  Ask Westlake Ace Hardware, we’re sure they’re being swarmed with new business these days

Are you prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse?  Check out this handy guide to ensure that your home is ready to take on anything (or anyone) that may come your way this especially spooky weekend!

Here at Trackur, we’re constantly reminding companies that their employees are an extension of their brand. Their actions reflect on the company’s reputation.

So, it was to my horror to see this tweet from @travisoliver and accompanying photo:

Google’s Street View program is already unpopular in many places around the world, so you’d think Google would have trained its drivers to be extra courteous and considerate, right?

Let this be a warning that you should be monitoring your employees actions across all channels. You never know when one of them will give your reputation “the bird.”

Hat-tip @gatewood5000

Remember those days that seemed so simple?  They set the foundation for everything you ever needed to know about successful customer service, reputation management, and business relationships.  Forget all of that PhD level education and get back to basics, they’re the foundation for every successful business interaction you’ll ever have.

Learn to share.  Sharing is important.  Information, news, ideas, and stories are flying around online at warp speed.  If you want your information to get out there, share it with others.  Share others’ information as well – this will create a sense of goodwill, and make them more likely to share what you put out there in the future.

Say “I’m Sorry” when you hurt someone.  This seems pretty obvious, but time and time again I see people overlooking the importance of a heartfelt apology.  No one is perfect; everyone has a gaffe every now and then.  Be sure to own yours.

Clean up your messes.  The quickest way to find yourself with a huge mess online is to ignore a problem.  If you make a mistake, take care of it before it becomes a huge disaster.

Play fair.  Playing fair does not mean being a bore who takes no risks.  Risk taking is a critical element in the success of most businesses.  In this instance, we’re talking about being ethically fair.  Conduct business in a way that you’d be proud to have your friends and family see you.  If you’re concerned about what your mother would think, you may want to revisit what you’re doing.

Say “Please” and “Thank you”.   Another element of everyday business that should take just seconds yet is constantly ignored.  A simple acknowledgement goes a long way in all of our relationships; why not take the time to make someone feel like their effort is time well spent.

Explore.  Keep yourself from getting stuck in a professional rut by keeping an eye on what is going on around you.  There is a big world out there, have fun getting to know it!

Take time out to rest.  Nap time isn’t just for small children; everyone needs a rest from time to time!    When you’re well rested, your ideas are fresher and your energy is contagious.  Take care of yourself, your clients and colleagues will thank you for it.

Be kind.  Why is this one so difficult?  It takes just as much energy to smile and say something nice as it does to whip out a snarky comment.  Be nice to others whenever possible.  Remember, what goes around comes around.

It’s okay if you don’t always color between the lines.  Steve Jobs didn’t get to where he was by doing what everyone else was doing.  If you want to color your grass purple and make your school bus blue, go for it!  It is okay to be different, if you have a great idea that seems unorthodox pitch it and see what happens.  You rarely hear someone say that they regret giving something a try.

Play.  This one is very important!  Have fun!  If you’re not having fun, what’s the point?