New blog, The Local, covers events in area

Since she has been kind enough to plug BizMojo Idaho, I feel it's only fitting that I call your attention to The Local in Idaho Falls, a blog by my friend Amanda.

In addition to observations and photos, Amanda is putting together calendars and lists of links to help people explore the quality of life here. I encourage all you loyal readers to check her out and help her out with your comments and tips.

Public speaking essential to success in business

I've never had a problem with public speaking, but I know it's a widely held view that talking in front of people is something most folks would rather not do. The only thing worse for them I imagine would be singing, also something I don't have trouble doing.

Be that as it may, here is an interesting piece about how if you have any hope of succeeding in business public speaking is going to be part of it. The author is Martin Zwilling, CEO and founder of Startup Professionals, Inc.

I found this little tidbit the most interesting part: "(Being) able to speak in public is one of the five key business skills that can make or break your company, whether you are a new startup or an entrepreneur who's been around for many years. The other four are: new product development, writing, time management, and sales/marketing. Many would argue that Steve Jobs impact at Apple came more from his public speaking ability than the other four skills put together."

So if you're still looking for a new year's resolution, perhaps you might make it your mission to become more comfortable speaking to people.


 

Freddy's Frozen Custard coming in 2014

Mmm, mmm, mmm ... it's been a while since we've posted a juicy burger photo, but Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is coming, so salivate away.

I wouldn't want to let 2013 slip away without getting one or two last licks in, so I'm happy to report that although my information is far from complete I have confirmation that Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is coming to the area in 2014.

"The franchisee in the area confirms that he is negotiating a real estate deal in Idaho Falls. We will be happy to confirm the location when the parcel is under contract," said Sarah Salmon, communications director for the chain, which is based in Wichita, Kan.

By way of background, Freddy's was founded in 2002 by two brothers, Bill and Randy Simon, whose father, Freddy Simon, was the inspiration for the restaurant and obviously its namesake. The first franchise launched in Hutchinson, Kansas, in 2004 and by October 2013 the company had opened its 100th location, in Bowling Green, Ky. According to the Web site, Freddy's plans to open 400 more stores over the next 10 to 15 years.

Holiday ramblings from a flu-addled eggnoggin'

Hey Bizmojo people, I appreciate your patience and understanding. I have been laid out with the flu since Sunday, mostly in bed. Managed a modest Christmas with my family, which included a wonderful brunch of French toast made with challah from my friends Neccia and Betty at Buttercup Bakery and Bistro. Other than that, it's been kind of dodgy. On the bright side, I've lost five pounds -- take that New Year's resolutions! -- and managed to read all of Tune In: The Beatles All These Years, a veritable tome by Mark Lewisohn, who has made a career of chronicling the Fab Four. It's Volume One of a three-part epic and ends in 1962, right on the cusp of world conquest. I am a fiend for this stuff (although the existence of a "deluxe" 1,700-page edition gives even me pause; do I really need twice as many accounts of Pete Best's mediocrity as a drummer? No.)

From a business standpoint -- and this is a business blog; even on my meds I remember this -- the most interesting part was about how the Beatles finally got their foot in the door at EMI Abbey Road and what a dicey proposition it was.

Parlophone A&R chief George Martin (now Sir George Martin), contrary to legend, basically had the Beatles rammed down his throat by his boss, Sir Leonard Wood. Martin had been having an affair with his EMI assistant and Sir Leonard wanted to punish him. Two gents from Ardmore and Beechwood, EMI's music publishing arm, were interested to the rights to John and Paul's songwriting, and to get the rights they had to sign the Beatles and record them. Martin was told to do so if he wanted to keep his job.

At that point, the future Sir George didn't John and Paul's originals were that good, and gave the band a tune called "How Do You Do It?" which they grudgingly recorded. Its release got nixed, however, when the EMI brass told him it had to be a Lennon-McCartney song on the A-side. It ended up being "Love Me Do," which Martin did nothing to promote. The guys at Ardmore and Beechwood made a lot of calls, and that along with the big fan base in Liverpool propelled the record to a respectable position on the charts. That got them a fresh shot with Martin, who would have abandoned them if "Love Me Do" had stiffed. The rest is history. The next record, "Please Please Me," went to Number One and Martin got his revenge on Ardmore and Beechwood by pointing Brian Epstein, the Beatles' manager, to Dick James, with whom he set up Northern Songs and locked up the publishing.

Here's Sir Paul and his band doing "Please Please Me" a few years ago. Beatles Forever!

Idaho Falls places 22nd on list of 'most exciting' small cities

Click on the chart for a better view.

Oh my heck, here's another one of those lists of small cities in which Idaho Falls ranks somewhere near the top. In this case, it's Movato's list of "exciting" small cities, and we come in 22nd. Pocatello ranked 15th.

How times have changed! I remember the days in which respondents to the Post Register's Readers Choice poll routinely named "Home" as the top nightspot. Not anymore.

You can visit the link here, but if you don't want to make the effort these are the criteria that were used:

• Nightlife per capita (bars, clubs, comedy, etc.)
• Live music venues per capita
• Active life options per capita (parks, outdoor activities, etc.)
• Fast Food restaurants per capita (the fewer the better)
• Percentage of restaurants that are fast food (the lower the better)
• Percentage of young residents ages 20 to 34 (the higher the better)