And just one more thing...

Oh - just one more thing regarding my idea below for digital cameras at fancy resorts. It needn't be the resort that pilots the project. Right now the bulk of the population is in transition between film and digital. This would be a perfect way for a company to showcase their product to a lot of people in a real and interactive way. If I were Sony or Fuji or a manufacturer of digital cameras I would be approaching every major resort with a view and be offering to outfit them with cameras and even offer to pay for the setup if it gave me the opportunity to co-brand.

The best advertisement for your product is your product. Giving someone the use of one of your top models for a day when they had forgotten a camera at home will put you front and centre in their mind when they make the decision to switch or upgrade.

Oh - and just one more thing regarding WestJet. As a courtesy, when I mention a company in a blog entry, I'll sometimes email them a copy. I have no illusions that the only other person reading this is you, so if I want something to be heard I'll have to email it. Well, what do I find in my email right at 9am this morning but a response from WestJet. No - not an automated form letter, but an actual response from a very friendly customer service rep named Lesley. Lesley starts by greeting me personally "Good morning Rob" and then thanks me for the feedback and assures me that it will be shared with the staff who were on my flight. I have no doubt in my mind that it will.

If any company is wondering how to build a relationship with their customers, is wondering how to engage the people using their service, WestJet is a company to learn from.