Bob Levoy
This is the first of what I expect to be a periodic feature of The Success File: a listing of unusual, hopefully useful, products or services for your practice.
- Lefthanders International offers a catalog of hard-to-find products made expressly for left-handed people-many of whom struggle with products made for a right-handed world. Among the newest: a left-handed computer keyboard that reverses the position of the number, arrow and pointer keys so they are located on the left side of the keyboard-enabling left-handed operators to work more efficiently and comfortably (cost: $139). Other office-related products include: rulers (scaled right to left) and numerous left-handed, all-purpose and special-purpose scissors. For a catalog of these and other left-handed products, write: Lefthanders International, Box 8149, Topeka, KS 66608; or call 913-234-2177.
- The average age for a new smoker is 13; and each day, 5,000 children light up for the first time. If your anti-smoking messages aren`t getting through to this age group, there`s a book that just might get their attention. Kids Say Don`t Smoke is a collection of schoolchildren`s full-color posters from New York City`s Smoke-Free Ad Contest. Examples include a skeletal cowboy riding through a graveyard under the slogan "Come to Where the Cancer Is" and another of Snoopy, supine on his doghouse and dreaming of a "World Without Cigarettes." Alongside the posters are some chilling truths about smoking compiled by Andrew Topias. In all, the book says what must be said to kids, their peers and their parents.
The book costs $5.95 (less 40 percent for quantities of 10 to 24 copies). All royalties go to Smoke-Free Educational Services, a non-profit organization that disseminates information about the health threats of tobacco. Order a copy for your reception room; perhaps others for giveaways to people you care about. Contact Workman Publishing, 708 Broadway, New York, NY 10003; or call 800-722-7202, Ext. 7592.
- Do you know a patient turning 80 or older? The White House will send a greeting from the president. Just send the recipient`s name, complete address, date of birth (month, day, year) to: The Greetings Office, The White House, Washington, DC 20500. Send the information four weeks in advance of the birthday. The greeting will be mailed one week prior to the person`s birthday. (If you want patients or their families to know you were involved, inquire whether the greeting arrived.)
If you know of an unusual product or service for future Resource File columns, send the information to me at 11 Vanad Drive, Roslyn, NY 11576. If it is selected for publication, you`ll be given full credit and I`ll send you a copy of Kids Say Don`t Smoke.
Bob Levoy is a marketing consultant, seminar speaker and writer based in Roslyn, NY. For further information, contact: Success Dynamics, Inc., 11 Vanad Dr., Roslyn, NY 11576; phone 516-482-5959.
