No, We Are Not "All in This Together"

COVID-19 is dominating media headlines, advertisements, daily conversations, and websites all feature news & updates regarding the novel coronavirus that has swept through the world.  One of the more tiring aspects of daily life during this pandemic are the advertisements that mention COVID-19 buzzwords at nausea.

It is nearly impossible to watch a TV show that doesn’t reference the virus, followed by ads from companies like Doritos, or Kit-Kat, or Amazon, assuring us that they care about our safety as they subject us to overplayed cheesy music and affirmations that we are “all in this together.”

Despite corporate-America’s pledges & promises (or propaganda?), are we truly united?  If the virus has achieved anything, it has expertly demonstrated America’s far-reaching economic inequalities as some segments of our society is profiting greatly while others are struggling to cope with the reality laying ahead of them.

In only 23 days, between March 18^th and April 10^th, 170 of America’s billionaires added $282 billion dollars to their wealth, an increase of 9.5%. Amazon’s founder alone increased his net worth by 25 billion dollars in 2020.  In the same period over 22 million Americans filed for unemployment.  Totaled to now, more than 36 million or 1/5^th of our nation’s workforce have reported being jobless.  Some estimates state the total unemployment rate will approach 30 percent; a benchmark not seen since the Great Depression.  Similarly to the Great Depression, we are seeing thousands of cars lining up around the nation seeking food aid and surveys have revealed that in April 1/5^th of all households and 40 percent of households containing children under the age of 12 lacked sufficient food.

Nobel Prize winning economist has likened the U.S. to a “Third World Country.”  While other journalists and experts lament America as a ‘failed state’.

Divisions are continuing to grow within our country and will only continue to do so as the government places restrictions on ordinary citizen’s daily routines, while simultaneously failing to provide adequate relief.  The 2.2 trillion-dollar CARES Act makes for a great headline, however only a tiny portion of the funds go to working-class citizens and will not be enough to offset their lost incomes.  The Paycheck Protection Program has mastodonically misallocated its financial resources.  340 billion meant for small business to keep workers on payroll, yet business owners were unable to navigate crashed websites and red-tape as massive businesses such as the Penske Automotive Group & AutoNation and publicly traded hotel conglomerates such as Ashford & Braemar Hotels found loopholes to receive millions of dollars in assistance while still letting go the bulk of their employees.

Even more egregious, private equity firms sitting on $1.5 trillion in capital received tens of millions from the PPP.

While billionaires have added billions, large corporations have snatched up resources meant for Main Street, regular business owners have been forced to shutter their doors for rapidly changing reasons. 

Despite all of this when you turn on the television you can be treated to stock footage of happy diverse couples enjoying a bag of Oreos as you are promised, pledged and pandered to about the resiliency and togetherness of humanity.  Yes, it appears the death of The American Dream has a soundtrack and it is kitschy, over-played acoustic nonsense focus-group designed to be non-offensive and elicit feelings of security.

Take control of your own destiny and do not rely on the humanity of corporations or the effectiveness of a bloated government.  We are not in this together… yet we could be by choosing not to listen to those that say we are. We can stop succumbing to the fearmongering and support each other in our own communities. 

DeliveryMaxx is a small business that takes pride in helping other small businesses succeed in an increasingly digital world.  That was our mission prior to this outbreak which has now shown it is more important than ever.  If you need help navigating a transition to becoming more active on social media, building an e-commerce website, or post-sale communication with your clients we are here to help.  Visit www.deliverymaxx.com or give us a call at 888-936-6299 today.

The Little Engine That Could and the Lessons We Learned

In times of adversity we rely on our past experiences to get us through to the other side.  There is no doubt that businesses have had to grasp at history and lessons of our past to try to survive the current economic climate of the present.  We also have to believe in the goodness of mankind that there can be a fairytale ending.  Yes, business, especially small businesses have to continue to navigate the unknown as they have faced adversity from mainstream media misinformation and lies, power hungry politicians at the Federal, State and Local Levels and a majority of compliant citizens who were scared into believing the overhyped myths about a seasonal virus that history will show us that it was not much different than the annual flu.  Businesses are faced with trying to survive an unjust government shutdown, rebuild with irrational regulations and ultimately thrive by identifying and adapting to new opportunities.

In 1930 Arnold Munk with the pen name of Watty Piper wrote and published, “The Little Engine That Could.”  It was a story that many of our parents or elementary teachers had read to us.  The classical story is a helpful reminder about the importance of perspective, optimism and hard work.

For those of you that have forgotten the story, a train breaks down with a cargo full of toys.  It will not get over the mountain where it was supposed to deliver the exciting goods to the boys and girls by the morning.  There were several trains that opted not to help giving an excuse as why they didn’t want to give some assistance.

The first train, “A Shiny New Engine” came by and quickly dismissed the plea for help from the small broken down train.  It said it was a passenger train that only helped the rich and powerful.  Next, came the “Big and Strong Engine”.  It could easily help the small broke down train, but it only wanted to help the strong and didn’t have time for such an insignificant train like the one carrying toys.  Finally, a “Little Blue Engine” that was small and hadn’t even been over the mountain before came by and saw all of the distress the small broken down train was in.  It knew the troubles it might face, but armed with hope and a desire to help it accepted the challenge.  “I think I can, I think I can” became the mantra and the “Little Blue Engine” despite facing insurmountable odds was able to deliver the toys to the boys and girls by the next morning.

Our businesses have been challenged with “types of trains” that dismissed our needs.  Whether it was banks like Wells Fargo, politicians like the local County Judges or Mayors and the news media that sensationalized stories to scare the public into submission; business owners and their employees have had to keep thinking positive working harder than ever just to survive.  Now we are faced with rebuilding as States are slowly opening back up despite the forces from the opposition.

Businesses will still have to adapt to the new regulations that have been unjustly put in place.  One learning we can take away is that our society ingest its information from bold sensationalized headlines, innovative memes and 15-30 second videos.  Therefore, leaders will need to make sure their business is able to reach, communicate and provide goods and services using today’s technology.  This includes marketing, advertising, e-commerce and informing your customers and potential customers in the digital arena.  Digital Advertising is less expensive than traditional advertisement, but it has to be done right to be effective.

A day will come for the small business that adapts where instead of saying, “I think I can” we will be saying, “I thought I could.”

DeliveryMaxx has been the leader in this arena over the last decade and continues to help businesses in all sectors reach their potential customers through the most innovative digital strategy utilizing common sense and today’s technology.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention.  We are able to customize and create a strategy for any entity that is trying to gain more exposure on the web.  With clients in multiple industries and across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more; we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to the masses.  For more information about DeliveryMaxx contact (888) 938-6299 or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!

Do Not Let Your Business Be Like Orpheus

Your business must have a social media presence.  This is a statement that would be truthfully stated at any point in the past 10+ years.  However, now it is especially important.  The past two months have upheaved business plans and many small business owners are deeply concerned for the future of their livelihoods.

Across most states, we are seeing lockdowns & restrictions being lifted.  Unfortunately, that does not mean the rocky path businesses have been placed on are at an end, rather further obstacles lay ahead.  And now is not the time to lose hope, I am reminded of the Myth of Orpheus & Eurydice.

For those unfamiliar, Orpheus is a legendary musician & poet in Ancient Greece.  He created music that was said to charm all living things.  His music was so beautiful that even trees would dance and are said to be frozen in their last dance to this day.  Most famously, his young wife Eurydice tragically died after falling into a nest of vipers on their wedding day, and not content to lose his beloved Orpheus traveled to the underworld to retrieve her.

The journey was hard, and when he reached the hellish underworld he played his music so powerfully that Sisyphus rested on his rock, all 3 heads of the dog Cerberus were enchanted by the tunes, and the lords of the Underworld Hades & Persephone agreed that Orpheus could return to the world with his wife Eurydice.  However, there was one condition.  Eurydice was to follow behind Orpheus and he would not be permitted to turn back to see her until they reached the end of the difficult paths & caves out of the Underworld.  Only when they reached the very end and into the light of the world could Orpheus turn to see Eurydice.  Thus, they began the difficult trek out of the underworld, leaping across chasms, up steep cliffs, and through narrow caves.  At last, a few mere feet from the end Orpheus suddenly stopped and turned to gaze into his wife’s eyes.  When he did, she was pulled back by invisible hands to spend her eternity in the underworld.

Many argue what could have compelled Orpheus to stop so close to his goal, but none can answer the question.  Perhaps it attests to the human nature just when it seems like success is at hand, the toughest part is behind us and all that is left is a little obstacle, trivial and insignificant to be overcome, that is the moment when we are tempted to lose our minds and undo everything we have done.  Orpheus represents all our missed opportunities, loves, friendships, and successes we have let slip through our fingers.

Similarly, for businesses, the toughest trail is behind us.  The few feet of adaptations that lay ahead might seem like obstacles that are unfairly placed and cannot be overcome, especially to those unfamiliar with utilizing online sales & social media marketing.  Fret not, DeliveryMaxx is here to help, whether you need to transition to an online store, increase your social presence, send follow-up to retain your existing customers, or any combination we have programs that are fully customizable for your individual needs.  Visit us online at www.deliverymaxx.com or call (888) 938-6299 today!

Avoid Becoming a Statistic

In 1839 Edward Bulwer Lytton wrote the phrase, “The pen is mightier than the sword”.  This powerful statement suggested that the press is a more effective tool than direct violence.  During that time, newspapers were the primary source of information exposing the actions of the government.

Today, instead of reading a newspaper that was once delivered on our doorsteps in the early morning sharing events that happened over 24 hours prior, information is available instantly just by picking up a mobile device.  We are able to know the latest bulletins almost as quickly as they happen and in many cases while they are happening.  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit, WordPress, Blogger and other social media platforms allow readers to view headlines form an opinion and quickly react expressing their opinions.

There have been more post and comments with a differing of opinions about the current seasonal Coronavirus in a 60 day timespan than articles written during the eras of Revolutionary War, Civil War, World War II, Civil Rights Movement, and Vietnam War in the same timeframe.

One side of the debate on the severity of the soon to be annual virus falsely predicted 2.2 million people would die in the United States by April 15^th.  They scared people into giving up their rights by ordering businesses that were less “essential” than a McDonald’s employee to close their business.  The government tried to appease millions by lining lobbyist groups with 1.8 Trillion dollars leaving 389 Billion for small businesses to beg for just to survive.  Their narrative changed from staying at home for 2 weeks to lessen the burden in hospitals to not letting Americans pursue life, liberty and happiness until they can completely eradicate a virus that will return year after year.

The other side of the debate acknowledged that there was a new virus that came out of Communist China, which was getting demolished by the Trade War against the United States.  They suggested that the only way we would hit 2.2 million deaths in a year (not 60 days as suggested) from a virus that has less than a .05% mortality rate was for 6027 people would have to die a day.  Using logic, they requested a recommendation of those that might be susceptible to the virus with flu-like symptoms and were concerned to stay at home.  Then the government could pass a much smaller stimulus to help out those that might actually be unsafe.  There predictions of The 2^nd Great Depression is quickly becoming a reality as 36 million people nationwide have lost their ability to bring in an income which is more than 1 out of 5 U.S. workers.

Instead, the government from the Federal, State and Local levels have and continues to mortgage our future while the mainstream media perpetuates fear destroying the United States from within.  Suicide Rates, Child and Spousal Abuse, Unemployment and Alcohol Sales continue to rise faster than the predicted death rate of 2.2 million by Neil Ferguson and our local County Judges and Mayors.

Our society ingest its information from bold sensationalized headlines, innovative memes and 15-30 second videos.  Business leaders can use the current chaos to help them make decision as they try to survive, rebuild and ultimately thrive in this chaotic economic landscape.  Leaders will need to make sure their business is able to reach, communicate and provide goods and services using today’s technology.  This includes marketing, advertising, e-commerce and informing your customers and potential customers in the digital arena.  Digital Advertising is less expensive than traditional advertisement, but it has to be done right.

DeliveryMaxx has been the leader in this arena over the last decade and continues to help businesses in all sectors reach their potential customers through the most innovative digital strategy utilizing common sense and today’s technology.  Our clients experience positive Online Reputation, stronger SEO, concise content management, increase in social media engagement and advertisement and higher customer retention.  We are able to customize and create a strategy for any entity that is trying to gain more exposure on the web.  With clients in multiple industries and across the country such as Automotive Dealerships, Real-Estate Brokers & Agents, Churches, Service Industry, Sports Teams, Non-Profit Organizations and more; we utilize our Patent-Pending Program to develop a digital strategy that will meet the needs of sales, service and messaging to the masses.  For more information about DeliveryMaxx contact (888) 938-6299 or watch the DeliveryMaxx Introduction Video!