Your Suspect - Latest Comments

Re: Creating a Trade Show Booth Experience

Sarah — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:43:53 -0000

Thanks for posting this. I agree, it's hard to find info out there. One resource I use is http://www.nwcidisplays.com/

Re: What is Mojo?

Ben Saren — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 11:54:34 -0000

I'm struggling to see the connection there. More importantly I'm not sure I'm qualified to speak for Sr. Pacquaio!

Re: What is Mojo?

pedronimo — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 04:31:45 -0000

So did Manny Pacquaio somehow lose his mojo despite his win over Marquez?

Re: I am now MacBen

Ben Saren — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:55:41 -0000

How did your switch pan out?

Re: I am now MacBen

Bob R — Tue, 31 May 2011 23:32:07 -0000

Loved reading your story about switching...I am going through a bit of a drama myself over "the switch". The more I read about it though the more I look forward to it

Re: This American Pendulum

Troy Zerangue — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:38:44 -0000

I think most people want to bury their heads in the sand, and not know what's going on... I have not watch the news on TV in the last couple of years, and think that I am better for it...Two hundred years ago, if something bad happened in another country we would have probably never known about it, and overall it should not effect our lives.

Re: This American Pendulum

Ben Saren — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 21:02:05 -0000

So what do you think it is? If we agree that it's not the media, and it's more systemic, then what is it really? Do you agree that it's the population at large? It's our complacency, or ignorance? Naivete?

Funny, cuz after I posted this on my blog today I was driving to Fenway Park to catch the game (the loss) and was noticing how awful the roads are. So many pot holes, so unkept, and I imagined what everyone thinks about our crumbling infrastructure:

"These roads are terrible! When is the city going to fix them already?"

And that's that.

My point: we, the citizens, are so quick to point our fingers, blame someone else, demand that the government just fix it, but pay more taxes? No way! Take responsibility? Be accountable? Attend a city council meeting? Nope.

Eh, I digress...

Re: This American Pendulum

Stever — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 20:35:08 -0000

Ben, It's certainly not the media's fault. Here in Canada we are inundated with most American media. We're almost as mesmerized by Charlie Sheen and the like, yet we're more aware of national and global issues. Our crime rates are far lower (gun control has little to do with that), our poverty rates are far lower, gap between rich and poor is smaller (we still have a healthy middle class) our banks act more responsibly (heavier regulation), we pay a shit ton more taxes (yay, nationalized health care), etc., etc., etc.

Watching America from the outside gives us an advantageous perspective. It really is looking like the inevitable crash and burn of an empire has begun to take hold. Events like Katrina become very very telling.

Re: Creating a Trade Show Booth Experience

Randy — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 18:32:59 -0000

Great points all around. It's just another customer experience that you need to design, using all the same UX approaches you might use for online, tangible goods, etc.

Would love to see what your team came up with in a followup...and how you modify it (if at all) for different sizes. Easier to do some of this with a 30x30 than a 10x10...

Re: Passion Renewed

Elona Saren-Shukron — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 14:34:48 -0000

Ben, you amaze me all the time.

Re: Passion Renewed

Ben Saren — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 20:02:59 -0000

Wow, thanks Jen(nifer?)! Really kind of you to say. And hey, we're long overdue - let's meet up next time you're in town!

Re: Passion Renewed

Jennifer Bryant — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:56:09 -0000

Ben, this is great! It is so inspiring, and reminds us, that its not about some expected and defined path but more about the drive. You clearly have it!

Re: Passion Renewed

bsaren — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 19:37:45 -0000

New blog post: Passion Renewed - http://yoursuspect.com/2011/01/21/passio...

Re: Adios 2010

bsaren — Tue, 28 Dec 2010 21:26:22 -0000

[New Blog Post] Adios 2010 - http://yoursuspect.com/2010/12/28/adios-... #2010

Re: The Dominant One, The Prominent One

Aaron Irizarry — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:40:13 -0000

Couldn't Agree more! I used to watch Pump it Up also... that is classic.

Re: Talk is Cheap, Move Your Money

Michael — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:40:13 -0000

I have embedded two articles that compare the virtues of credit unions and banks.
Credit unions are not well understood by the public and surely disliked by the banks.
In a nutshell, credit unions are:
Owned by its members (the depositors)
Credit Unions are not-for-profit organizations.
So, if you want to walk into your financial institution and be treated like an owner, join a credit union.
http://tinyurl.com/ydlltfv
http://tinyurl.com/yadwr2e

Re: Talk is Cheap, Move Your Money

Garfield — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:40:12 -0000

I agree with this blog and the notion of "moving your money" for many reasons but I would like to take it a step further. "Move your money"; not just to local banks, but to local businesses. Support the individuals and businesses in your communities.

"Mom and Pop" shops are called just that because they are owned, staffed, and run by someone's Mom and/or Pop. Unfortunately, these businesses are soon to follow the path of the dodo bird. The locally owned hardware store, diner, and/or bakery are seen less and less. They are often replaced; sometimes acquired by or merged into a larger company. BayBank knows that story all too well. Larger companies see smaller companies, which are profitable and look to incorporate them. The larger companies inherently eliminate competition and gain financial strength...addition by subtraction at its best! The smaller companies viewed as being less profitable are basically forced out and have to shut down because they can't keep up with the larger companies, which have more resources at their disposal...addition by subtraction once again!

Small cap or smaller companies are essentially the amino acids which make up the DNA of the economy. I apologize for the science reference, but the smaller cap companies help to spawn economic growth. It is their success that allows for our economy to grow. These are the companies that need to borrow money to expand providing business to lenders. As they expand they bring on more staff who can spend those earned wages. As they expand in staff size they may need to expand in office size and build out their infrastructure. A contractor is hired to perform the renovation/remodel but must buy tools and supplies from...I think you get the picture. In many ways it is wise to support community organizations and businesses. Let's look past the selfish reasons of community enrichment and relationship building. And let's focus on slowly but surely continuing to play an integral part in building and growing our nation through the support of local, smaller companies and businesses.

http://www.linkedin.com/pub/garfield-davidson/17/...

Re: Talk is Cheap, Move Your Money

Ben Saren — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:40:12 -0000

Hey Garfield, thanks for the comment. I could not agree more. That very sentiment is what drives my company, CitySquares.com. It's all about helping the small business, these small brick and mortars, compete with the big boys online and attract qualified local consumers to THEIR business instead of the national chain across the street. Consumers mostly shop with their wallets, and SMBs can compete, they just need to do a better job of reaching these consumers where they are - online.

The numbers are staggering. Something like 70 cents on every dollar spent at, say, Wal-Mart, leave the community. Yet if you shop locally, that amount stays within the community, and in some instances even more. I'm 100% with you, I preach this every day, and do my best to demonstrate it with my consumer behaviors.

We can't complain about potholes, broken streetlights, lack of community policing, crime, etc if we cant also be responsible with where we, as consumers, spend our money. If you shop locally, that money is used locally and eventually goes right back into the neighborhood. I think you and I even spoke about this a few months ago.

Check out this post from my other blog: http://yoursuspect.com/2008/01/21/locally-owned-b...

And check out this video about the Multiplier Effect. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sq4RpJdnzkQ

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/sq4Rp..."></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/sq4Rp..." type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Re: Talk is Cheap, Move Your Money

Ben Saren — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:40:12 -0000

Check out the welcome letter from Wainwright Bank. I haven't received my debit card yet, havent even started using the account, but a nice personalized welcome letter just says so much already. And the contents of the letter are equally impressive. <img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4422933872_e22aacd7b2.jpg" width="386" height="500" alt="Wainwright welcome letter" />

Re: Talk is Cheap, Move Your Money

James Robert Lay — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:40:12 -0000

We have joined the fight and encourage people to move their money to a local owned credit union.

Credit unions are all about the community and giving back to their member owners. They are owned by the people and for the people... not just an elite few shareholders.

There is a great video contest in the voting stages right now to complement the Move Your Money campaign and show the power of credit unions and people helping people: http://www.youngfreehq.com/blog/music-video-conte...

Re: White House Jazz Studio

Patrick Algrim — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:40:09 -0000

Pretty awesome. I am a pretty strong Jazz advocate,
especially with some coffee on a fall night. But I think it's great
that the Obama family is really going all out to do everything they
can for multiple hobbies, passions, and more. Big ups!

Re: Part of Joy Division's Legacy

cherry — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:39:09 -0000

hey there..

haha.. I really recognize myself in the way you educated people at work.
Mostly I don't bother though, as I'm lazy and kind of like the thing about walking around in my own world - with my headphones.

Control is a great movie, and you should really see it, especially if your so into Joy Division.
I remember when I saw it, being exactly in the right mode for it - hehe, I could say I almost intoxicated it.
Ian Curtis life fascinates me, and it's great to sort of follow his mind for a while.

well.. thanks again for reading my blog, and take it easy ;)

Re: Part of Joy Division's Legacy

Ben — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:39:09 -0000

@cherry thanks for commenting :)

Re: sweet sounds from crystal castles

bsaren — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:39:08 -0000

Hey Jarv, wow that’s an amazing video! What a show. I’ve been listening more and more to them and the more I listen the more I fall in love and hear some amazing innovation, and dare I say brilliant?

Re: sweet sounds from crystal castles

Jarv — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:39:07 -0000

The last track on the album"Tell Me What To Swallow" proves that they aren't a 1 trick pony. The songs have been popular since 2006, the album simply collects their early vinyl singles onto a CD for the first time for people without record players. Some Glastonbery footage is on Youtube: http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=MZGzT4aslTo