After my Soulful Doo-Dads teleseminar a few weeks ago, I was asked a great question by an agent who had attended the show. He asked (very nicely) why I thought reusable grocery bags were cool (aka "soulful"), yet a meat thermometer sent with a personalized magnet with grilling tips was cheesy. He wasn't arguing with me, just curious. After all, I'd made the statement that I believe Doo-Dads should either be representative of the professionalism of the agent (no personalized fly-swatters!) and/or be of true value to the recipient.
"So, JA, tell me - what's the difference? Why do you like one, but not the other?"
My answer? After stumbling around searching for just the right response to clear things up for him, I came up with this little piece of brilliance:
"I dunno. I just do."
And that answer might actually be good enough. It comes back down to the Golden Rule - to paraphrase:
"Doo-Dad unto others as you would like to be Doo-Dad'ed unto!"
I can't possibly know for sure what my sphere would find useful or valuable (although I can probably accurately guess what they'd find stupid or cheesy). So, perhaps the best I can do is to ask myself what I would like, what I would appreciate, and what I would keep...
And Doo-Dad (or not) accordingly...
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Still laughing at the Personalized Fly Swatters!
Good post and good answer! Thanks for the tips.
MM :)
Personalized fly swatters are still better than personalized pooper scoopers (even if they may be of true value to the recipient).
Jen,
I dunno; in the land of meat eaters (Kansas and the midwest in mind), a meat thermometer might be something I would definitely appreciate and use more than a magnet with favorite sushi restaurants. Probably depends on demographics. I got a good chuckle out of it anyway.
JB
Julie - How nice to see you here! And yes, I would love a meat thermometer, actually - it was the personalized magnet that accompanied it I thought was a little cheesy. But again... not exactly sure WHY!
Rick - Well, if pooper-scoopers are the only alternative to fly-swatters, I'll... well, actually I could use both, but not sure I'd hire a real estate agent based on either gift.
Mike - You're welcome!
I dont think anyone will hire you based on the Do-dad DuJour...
but it is a reminder of "you" and the job you did for them. No do-dad will ever out do a job well done.
So, first we have the Golden Rule, that we were all brought up with (Do unto others as ye would have them do unto you) . . .
then the Platinum Rule, popularized by CareerTrack (Do unto others as they would have you do unto them)
now, the Magnet--or Magnetic--Rule, created by none other than Jennifer/Our Fearless Leader/
<trumpet fanfare>
"Doo-Dad unto others as you would like to be Doo-Dad'ed unto!"
I love it, Nancy! Still LOL'ing over that one...