This isn't a matter of marketing. This is just good, old lump in the throat
life understanding.  There are two other pictures that wouldn't in this story, but the one below tells the most of it.  Health to all, good luck and good marketing.

The Man with cancer and His Eagle

*This is the kind of story you need when it seems like the world is
spiraling out of control..*

Not many people get a picture of this proud bird snuggled up next to them


*Freedom and Jeff*

Freedom and I have been together 10 years this summer.
She came in as a baby in 1998 with two broken
wings. Her left wing doesn't open all the way
even after surgery, it was broken in 4
places. She's my baby.

When Freedom came in she could not stand
and both wings were broken. She was
emaciated and covered in lice. We made the
decision to give her a chance at life, so I took
her to the vets office. From then
on, I was always around her. We had her in a
huge dog carrier with the top off, and it
was loaded up with shredded newspaper for her to
lay in.. I used to sit and talk to her,
urging her to live, to fight; and she would lay
there looking at me with those big brown eyes..
We also had to tube feed her for weeks.

This went on for 4-6 weeks, and by then she still
couldn't stand. It got to the point where the
decision was made to euthanize her if she
couldn't stand in a week. You know you don't
want to cross that line between torture and
rehab, and it looked like death was
winning. She was going to be put
down that Friday, and I was supposed to come in
on that Thursday afternoon. I didn't want to go
to the center that Thursday, because I couldn't
bear the thought of her being euthanized;
but I went anyway, and when I walked in everyone
was grinning from ear to ear. I went
immediately back to her cage; and there she was,
standing on her own, a big beautiful
eagle. She was ready to live. I was
just about in tears by then. That was a very good day.

We knew she could never fly, so the director
asked me to glove train her. I got her used to
the glove, and then to jesses, and we
started doing education programs for schools in
western Washington .. We wound up in the newspapers,
radio (believe it or not) and some
TV. Miracle Pets even did a show about us.

In the spring of 2000, I was diagnosed with
non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I had stage 3,
which is not good (one major organ plus
everywhere), so I wound up doing 8 months of
chemo. Lost the hair - the whole
bit. I missed a lot of work. When I
felt good enough, I would go to Sarvey
and take Freedom out for walks. Freedom would
also come to me in my dreams and help me fight
the cancer. This happened time and time again.

Fast forward to November 2000, the day after
Thanksgiving. I went in for my last
checkup. I was told that if the cancer was not
all gone after 8 rounds of chemo, then my last
option was a stem cell transplant. Anyway, they
did the tests; and I had to come back Monday for
the results. I went in Monday, and I was
told that all the cancer was gone.

So the first thing I did was get up to Sarvey and
take the big girl out for a walk. It was misty
and cold. I went to her flight and jessed her
up, and we went out front to the top of the
hill. I hadn't said a word to
Freedom, but somehow she knew. She looked at me
and wrapped both her wings around me to where I
could feel them pressing in on my back
(I was engulfed in eagle wings), and she
touched my nose with her beak and stared into my
eyes, and we just stood there like
that for I don't know how long. That was a
magic moment. We have been soul mates ever
since she came in. This is a very special bird.

On a side note: I have had people who
were sick come up to us when we are out, and
Freedom has some kind of hold on
them. I once had a guy who was
terminal come up to us and I let him hold
her. His knees just about buckled and he
swore he could feel her power coarse through his
body. I have so many stories like that.

I ever forget the honor I have of being so close
to such a magnificent spirit as Freedom.

Hope you enjoy this.

*Jeff*

I saw the above graphic, and I thought of how  lucky we were this year.  The whole
family was able to come in from California, Texas, Florida, Minnesota and one son
and his famly right here in Illinois.  The kids built snowmen.

There were 18 humans and 3 dogs-all staying here in our house.  Feeding and
sleeping conditions were on couches, blowup beds and sleeping bags.  We munched
a lot and laughed more.  It made for a raucous but fun time. 

The youngest boy of the family from Texas had never seen snow.  So in preparation
for their welcome, grandpa put snowballs in a bucket and the bucket in the freezer
during the snow before Christmas.  Kevin, the youngest, thought that Grandpa was
kidding (which I do now and then to the grandkids), so the first stop had to be in the
basement to look in the freezer to prove that "grandpa wouldn't kid about a thing like that".

We celebrate Christmas early so our kids can go to spouse's Christmas with their
families on the 25th.  Tuesday, Wednesday brought snow which allowed family to builld
snowmen and grandpa and grandkids to make snow angels.

What I made a mental note of was the "teamwork" that the kids displayed in
getting their snowmen built.  It made me think that I should pass on to you that
marketing efforts should be the same.  When we're asked to do a promotion for
you, we become a part of your team.  We're working with and for you to accomplish
your goals.  Please remember that!


Over the years, I've noticed some things from people who walk through our
doors and call us on the phone for ideas.  Before I continue, I want to stress
that this, generally, isn't our everyday "client".   Our clients know that we need to
ask questions to help them achieve their goals.  The first question  we ask
is, "What's Your Budget?"  The second question we ask is, "Who are you
promoting to . . .?", and the third question is, "When do you need it?" 
(Sometimes we ask the third - first as people want something the next
day sometimes)   We can't do justice to any promotion without answers to
those 3 pertinent questions. 

Anyone reading this who disagrees, I challenge you to go get in your car,
start it then blindfold yourself.  Put the car in gear and head out.

How far do you think you will you get?   Just about as far as we can get if
we don't get honest answers to the questions that we ask.

Some folks over the years have treated us like we were competitors or
adversaries.  We are your friend!  Maybe your best friend in this instance!
Our clients know this.  They know that we are on the team.  They know that
we know this - we can't be successful unless our clients are successful
and profitable.

There are so many marketing ideas and services that we can provide
to you, if you advise us of your needs and remember all the different
things that we do that apply to those needs.  One rule that I've always
had is this, "If I can't do what you need done, I say that I can't do it, and,
then, I will direct you to a person or business that can do what you need,
if I know of one!"  

Add us to your team in 2010!

Let us work with you to "Build Your Image and Grow Your Profits."

Thank you for reading our blog.  We do have to give a disclaimer and an apology, if necessary, for disturbing readers and customers that receive our blog posts.  I wrote this in Word, but it turns out that you cannot do that.  So as was trying to figure out why my copy was black on black, I was up and down off the blog.  Every time I sent this up you may have received another email.  The problems lie with GoDaddy NOT Bakers Marketing Group.  GoDaddy Tech has given me a new list of "rules" so, hopefully, problem solved.  Best to all and enjoy our postings.

I'll first give you the definition of “marketing” as I have determined it to be in 40 years of business. 

During these past months, I have attended meetings - morning, noon and evenings.  During those meetings and times, speakers and others have played the "marketing" card in so many different ways that it, literally, becomes confusing to most.  Listeners chime in saying, "Is that the best for me?"  When this question arises, we must be prepared to answer it.

           Just Remember - Marketing is all, marketing is everything in a business!  But, not all facets suits everyone all the time.

We must be able to quantify the very important differences in marketing approaches.  We must endeavor to make sure that marketing needs and goals to which we must address ourselves are met.   Whether an individual in a company or a person like myself who “hires out” his marketing services, we are hired (end result) to create profits.

My definition: “Marketing is the umbrella that covers all of the efforts made to sell the products and services of a company.  Everything, every effort is covered under that umbrella – that term”.

1) all advertising - print and broadcast, direct mail and billboards, etc.
2) all promotion - from imprinted products to conventions and trade shows, etc.
3) all sales efforts - from the cold call to telemarketing calls to entertainment, etc.
4) Internet presence - social networking like facebook, twitter and the like as well as websites and blogs are covered here-and more.

Again, the term marketing covers all efforts used to move products and services from the producer/distributor of those products and services to the best use of a customer.  Please note the term: best use.

That is my definition of marketing, and one that I have unfalteringly worked to communicate for all the years I have been in the business of promoting image and profits for the business community.  -J Frederick Baker-
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And on . . .

Peter Drucker, Claremont & Graduate University, talked about the business of business this way: "Because it is its purpose to create a customer, any business enterprise has two - and only two - basic functions: marketing and innovation. Marketing is the distinguishing, the unique function of a business." (Fred Note - The problem here is that he doesn't define marketing, but he does point up, which I want to emphasize, is that, "Marketing is the distinguishing, the unique function of a business.")  This is Step 1 toward true marketing activity.  Bear that in mind, that phrase as we continue to offer ideas to build your image and grow your profits.

Ted Leavitt, Harvard Business School, put it this way about the business of business:  "All industry begins with the customer and his or her needs, not with a patent, a raw material, or a selling skill."  (Fred Note - Here we are getting closer to the way marketing should work and what it should do - meet a customers needs.)  This is Step 2 in adjusting thinking to the true understanding of what marketing is all about.
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Definition 2 is submitted as an amalgamation of others with which I've come in contact over the years - and it is a good one:  I wrote this down years ago but not the author that I can find.  So to whom I owe the attribution - my apologies to you.  Here's how it goes: "Marketing is the profitable identification, attraction, getting, and keeping of good customers.”

Definition 3 - same disclaimer: "Marketing is the epicenter of the organization.  Marketing is responsible for creating products that fill customer needs.  When establishing marketing guidelines, the smart business person cheerfully and enthusiastically pays attention to the needs of the customer."
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Dear Reader, 
I'm sure that you have heard this old saw (but it bears repeating) about "millions of 1/4" drills were sold in the last few years - not because people wanted 1/4" drills - because they wanted 1/4" holes."

I will leave you with that thought and Thank You for reading, subscribing or coming to our blog and providing input that helps us all grow and to gain some insight into the "mechanics of marketing".

If you are a customer, I thank you doubly, and I hope that we may continue to serve your needs to "Build Your Image . . . Grow Your Profits" over these next years.

Keep lighting those candles!!!

J Frederick (Fred) Baker, Bakers Marketing Group, 315 W Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506 Phn:630-264-1200  EMail:  Info@CallBakers.com   Website: www.CallBakers.com
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Copyright: Bakers Marketing Group of PBI - 2010

Thank you for reading our blog.

I'll first give you the definition of “marketing” as I have determined it to be in 40 years of business.

During these past months, I have attended meetings - morning, noon and evenings. During those meetings and times, speakers and others have played the "marketing" card in so many different ways that it, literally, becomes confusing to most - “What's best for me”, they say. Marketing is all, marketing is everything in a business.

We must be able to quantify, however, the very important differences in marketing approaches. We must endeavor to make sure that marketing needs and goals to which we must address ourselves are met. Whether an individual in a

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