James Taylor

Areas James Taylor is Knowledgeable in:

Techniques James Taylor Uses:

James Taylor's Problem Solving Skills:

1. Medicine (Especially Emergency Medicine) as I am a former EMT/Medic (US Army)
2. Sociology
3. Computer marketing and strategic development
4. Creative Marketing/Specialty Advertising
5. ADA Adaptions
6. Ceative Construction Techniques
7. Military Technology
8. Innovative Pull Marketing Utilizing Telecommunications

James Taylor's Problem Solving Experience:

1. There was a freind of mine in prison that was about to be released. I was made aware from him that there are no resources (Centralized database), of information of resources ofr those who are soon to be released. So, I created a program called "SECOND CHANCE". In short, a soon to be released inmate fills out a form outlining his needs upon his release. Then (from a database), his needs are matched to available resources. So far it has been a huge success! It is my belief that everyone who goes to prison goes because of making poor choices. The trick is (for most), to provide more choices for those about to be released and looking to create a new life. So far we have had nothing but positive reviews from all those involved,(Inmates,Staff, and Providers).
2. A Major Telecommunications company was trying to figure out a way to get two production units to compete with eash other. (Bear in mind that they are unionized and therefore had no desire to up the bar of production). Well, I found out that the two units were recently very competative in a food drive competition. So, I pitted the two units against each other and created a program where unit one would compete against unit two in a "Race for excellence program" We used a drag racing theme along with, A Dragster sitting outside the day it was annouced, A dragstrip on the wall to chart the progress of the two units in the main hall, and plenty of little "Race for excellence trinkets along with recognition awards for those who excelled.Oh yeah, the winning team got food served to them by the loosing team and got to wear shirts that read "UNIT ONE RULES!" It was a huge success!
3. I used to manage a retail privately owened computer store some years ago. We were doing pretty good caputuing our market share. But, then Comp-USA moved into the market. We need an angel to provide some services that weren't offered by the big box store. (Specifically in selling our compueters). So, I realized that the people who were buying computers were needing frequent upgrades that were costing them a substaintial sum in tecch. fees. So, I created a "Buy and Build" program where the customer could sit down with one of our sales staff and custom design a computer system to meet their needs. Then the customer could come into to a free class where they could (under the supervision of our staff) sit in a group of others who had bought computers and "Build their own computer". It was a huge success. It demystified the inner workings of computers and made it so that our customers became more computer savy in the hardware area.
4. I own and operate a remodeling contracting company. And one of the things that we wanted to do it get more refferals from our existing customers. So, I realized that the first thing that someone who buys something new wants to do is "Show Off" whatever they had spent a great deal of money on. (In this case a Home improvement/Upgrade.) So, I started taking before and after pictures of all the projects that we had completed. I then, (after the job was complete), would give to the customer a set of before and after pictures so that (If they could not take their friends to their house to show them the improvements they could "in effect" take their house to their friends), "in pictures". Of course all the prints had our company name,log, and phone number prominently displayed on them. We got quite a few referrals from that. And we are still using this form of marketing today!
5. I was working for a Tile and Stone installation company and was working on an installation of Cut Stone (TRAVERTINE Stone). Anyhow, they were having a dickens of a time getting it to stick until the thinset took hold. They would put up three and one would fall. Quite simply it was a disaster. So, I started thinking of a temporary adhesive that would hold the stone until the thinset adhesive set up and hardened. What I came up with was "Hot Glue" You know the same stuff you use in a hot glue gun. We would put dabs of hot glue on all four corners of the stone and then put thinset on the rest of it. It worked so well that it became an industry standard/secret in our area on techniques to install overhead tile and stone.
6. Some years ago I worked as a car salesman. As a new salesman we were alll encourage to develop our own leads in our down time. We even had a large budget for direct mailings. (Although most of the other salesmen did not take advantage of it). So, I needed a wasy to find qualified customers. I sat and thought about it for a few days and then it came to me! My office sat right next to the service islands of the dealership. And I reasoned that these people who were getting their cars worked on were probably good canidates to purchase new cars. I created a program called the "Preffered customer club", where everyone who was a member got an instant $1000.00 off of the purchase price of a new car! This netted me quite a few potential clients and I closed quite a few as well. Eventually the dealership took over my idea. Even retaining the name. As far as I know the are still running this program.
7. I used to work for a wheelchair manufacturing company. Well, one day we had a customer come in complaining that he wanted to be able to go onto the beach with his wheelchair but the sift sand was preventing this. So I reasoned that it was a matter of tire pressure on the ground and (in short) fittied his wheelchair with another set of rear wheels. It worked like a charm. And now ther are variations of this same concept industry wide.
8. We have these two horses that weren't getting along (one was picking on the other one). We had to figure out a way to keep the aggressor from attacking the other one. Finally I adapted a dog collar and a transmitter. So that when the aggressor went near the other horse he would get a shock. Needless to say this ended all of our problems with our horses.
9. One time I was invited to the American Cancer Societies fundraiser. My boss tasked me to come up with a creative yet inexpensive idea for a fundraiser that our company could present. I had recentlytook ownership of a new family pet. A Dalmation named "Freckles". So, I had an idea- At the fundraiser when it was my tine to speak I explained to the crowd that I had a friend of mine who deeply wanted to help the ACS but felt she had nothing to donate. So I calmed her down and we came up with an idea. Then I called out freckles who came out on the stage and explained to everyone that Freckles would sell the spots off her body. This created quite a round of laughter. But, Became quite a hit! Everyone wanted to buy one of Freckles spots. I would place a little file folder sticker on the spot that the donor bought and proclaim that it was in fact their spot! We sold all of her spots that night. The reasoning for this was- Most of the people there were just looking for something that they could buy to show that they were a supporter. And this was a fun way to help them find something they could spend their money on to support ACS. By the way we made a lot of moey with freckles that night. And she quite enjoyed all the attention.
10. I own as I said before a remodeling/renovation company. Well, recently we got into the foreclosure market. you know, we clean out foreclosed properties and cart off all the stuff from the house. Well, A lot of the stuff is in really good ccondition. Stuff like furniture,clothes,etc.. Well, I have a choice take it to the dump and pay to dump it or sell it. Well, I decided to do the ladder. My wife started with Huge Yard sales. Well it has gone so good now that we are about to open up a thrift store/consignment shop. Not bad when you consider that you've already been paid to remove the stuff that you are selling. 100% plus profit.