Hey Folks,
So want to take a look at the latest huge controversy in Internet marketing?
Just take a look at my picture …
There it is … staring you in the face … it’s ….
My watch?
So how did my watch get to be the latest huge controversy in Internet Marketing?
Well, it started out with a casual comment from a guy by the name of Chet Holmes. I was talking on the phone to Chet about working together on some big projects and I sent him to a page that had my picture on it.
Chet took one look and said …
“That’s not a digital watch on your wrist is it?”
Chet Holmes
Well, actually it is.
In fact it’s a TIMEX “Ironman” and it’s probably 10 years old — almost an antique in ”watch years.”
Before I purchased the TIMEX, I had a much more expensive watch, that had both digital and analog faces. It was actually a pain to read and the battery ran down every 6 months or so.
Every time the battery ran down, I had to take it to the watch repair place and have the battery replaced — yes by a technical expert — which immediately voided my “waterproof” warranty by the way and it cost me about $50 to do it.
But the real kicker was that I couldn’t tell what time it was at night. If it was dark, I was out of luck.
So with $20 Timex watch and an “Indigo” button, I solved all of the above problems ten years ago … at least until last week.
My Timex watch is not exactly the thing that I wanted Chet to be focused on when I was having a conversation with a guy that has worked with over 60 of the Fortune 500 companies as a top-level marketing executive, trainer, strategic consultant and motivation expert.
Chet ran nine divisions of a company for Charlie Munger (on the Forbes “Billionaires” list, partner of Warren Buffett). Chet Holmes doubled the sales volume of each division. Chet is the author of the best selling book, The Ultimate Sales Machine (#1 business book on Amazon, #1 Sales and Marketing book on Amazon, and also on NY Times best seller list). Chet also authored the Business Growth Masters Series (with Jay Abraham), Mega Marketing and Sales and Guerrilla Marketing Meets Karate Master (with Jay Levinson).
Bottom-line, I DON’T want Chet Holmes focused on Ken McArthur’s watch.
Then it got worse …
The exact same day, I got this in response to a blog post!
Rich says:
For god’s sake, every time that I look at the pic I go out of my mind. Why don’t you buy a new watch…I know that you have the money!!
That’s two people with unsolicited comments about my watch in ONE day after 10 years without a single comment. This must be a trend!
So do I need to give up my Timex watch?
Hopefully someone can let me know.
Dave Lakhani is the #1 Expert on “persona”, so maybe I should ask him!
Or maybe the #1 Branding Expert, Ben Mack!
Or maybe John DiLemme, I remember that he has a few opinions on this subject.
Do you have an opinion?
Let me know! I could be losing millions on this!
More information coming soon!
All the best,
Kenneth A. McArthur
jvAlertLive.com
InfoProductBlueprint.com
jvAlert.com
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Ken,
Photo-shop will solve the issue if you want it gone. I would go the other direction and get a pocket protector with a higlighter and a mechanical pencil in it.
I vacationed with Mr. Munger at his home in Bimidgi, MN on Star Island. Is saying Smart Dude the understatement of the century?
Ben
Why do people care what kind of watch you own, Ken? These are probably the same folks who sink $14,000 on a Rolex that keeps the same exact time as your Timex… why, to impress others? Truly, this should be no one’s business but your own.
Ken – This could be a major issue and take down the entire internet if you don’t do something about it.
I suggest you give away the watch at some point during jvalert.
Whatever you do, just don’t let Frank Sousa make any more watch jokes – e.g. the one about his 2 dogs Timex and Rolex…
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his watch dogs.
Ken,
The watch doesn’t go with the suit.
You should let your wife dress you. Mine does a great
job of telling me what to wear
Cheers,
Willie Crawford
Ken,
I would get rid of the watch and instead wear those nice silver cufflinks i gave you as a gift.
………….much more classy.
He.he.he…….
Richard
No the watch does not go with the Suit but maybe you should where no watch will taking pictures. I have 2 watches one fancy and one that is a work/every day watch.
No you should not get rid of the watch. Just dont where it when taking pictures in a Business suit
Hey Ken!
I noticed your watch the very first ‘Time’ I saw your pic. What it told me was, “Here’s a down-to-earth guy! If he can be successful in internet marketing, so can I!”
I wear a Swiss Army by Wenger, it’s about twelve years old yet it is my favorite. My newer Rolex sits in a drawer. Why? Because Joe Average might not relate to that watch, and that will carry-over to relating to me!
I say, ‘Keep the watch, and keep it real!’
Your friend,
-Charles Olney
The watch is all part of your branding! Don’t you dare change it. It would be like tampering with Coke Classic or the Mona Lisa!
Alex
Ken — I used to wear the same watch. Now I wear one hanging on my neck if I am “dressed down” in a tee and jeans or shorts or hanging on my belt or pocket when I am dressed for going out or wearing other jewelry. My pocket or belt watch is priced anywhere from $10 to $20, depending on where I buy one. It is made by Cedar Creek and in Japan. When I wear a wrist watch it is, oddly, the same Timex one that you wear. I wore it exclusively for years and only switched to the pocket/hanging watch because I was a care giver to my late husband and elderly, now deceased as well, mother. That position required many hand washings every day and, in Florida’s climate, I soon found that I would develop a sore on my wrist under my watch. I couldn’t keep that spot dry for long. I have had numerous comments on my watch too. Most of them have been positive with the commenter asking where they can get a watch to hang on their neck band!
To me, the fact that you don’t see the need to wear and display an ostentatious, expensive watch shows two things. First, it shows that you are frugal and don’t see the need to waste money just to show off your current wealth. That is a very good image to have. Second, it shows that you are someone who is most likely approachable be those of us just beginning the business. I am always somewhat put off by these Internet gurus who come in wearing $300 suits, shoes, watches and shirts driving Jaguars. I am sixty-six today and have had the pleasure of being acquainted with several very rich people at various junctures in my life. Those who were real and who managed to stay rich seem to have been those who didn’t flaunt their wealth with expensive clothing and jewelry. They were rich enough and confident enough in their own personalities and abilities that they wore what was comfortable and pleasing to them, not what was necessarily the most expensive. Most were also frugal in their clothing choices. One fellow told me one time that he still shopped at K-Mart and even at the Goodwill store because he believed it was better to invest his money to make more money than it was to shop at Brooks Brothers.
Therefore, it is my opinion that you should continue to wear the watch you like and which serves you well. If anyone should ask about it, you can always state, securely, that it has sentimental value and reminds you of your roots. Peace and love to all —- Ellen
Ken
This whole watch controversy has been a plus. It got me to read your post for the first time in months. Then I wondered why haven’t I read it in so long? Why do I read your subject and then hit delete? And there it was staring me in the face. It was your picture that kept me away. Why would a picture keep me from reading? Yep, the watch, like a green eyed Cyclopes peering out at me from under your cuff. It gave me an uneasy feeling that brought back that horrible movie about Sinbad that I saw when I was about 7. Is the green eyed Cyclopes curious, or poised for attack at any moment? How could anyone concentrate on what they are ready with that green eye just staring with its unaltered never-ending gaze? What was I talking about? Oh that’s right the watch. I would say cover it or photo shop it. If you like it keep it. Just keep it out of the picture.
Coach Bill
http://www.billthecoach.com
P.S. I have a similar watch with indiglo for same reasons
Hi Ken,
Now that you’ve got this great buzz going, maybe
you should setup a web site to sell watches
and drive this traffic in that direction.
Then, since you’ve got comments on your suite
you could cross-sell them suites.
Now that you’ve become a fashion icon the
possibilities are endless…
This story would have a sad ending if you
just changed your watch. Keep the story
alive.
Glenn
30+ yrs ago, I was lying on the beach in the s of France. Something came over me, realizing I was a free man I buried my watch in the sand. Never owned a watch since. Time is MINE!
Puhleeze…
Way too many folks on the Internet want us to buy the latest and greatest dingbat that does everything but make you dinner when in fact, the best advice is, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Your watch “ain’t broke” and it’s worked for 10 years, so there you have it. I drive a 2001 Dodge Dakota – 170,000 miles on it. I love it. It ain’t broke. I compete against other sales folks who drive a new Mercedes (that they can’t afford).
I know we need to “dress for success” but sometimes we dress to excess in my opinion!
By the way, great marketing blog post you clever dude you…getting us to all talk about your watch while you slip in some real content about Dave, Ben and Chet.
I really enjoy your style!
David Perdew
Joel Bauer has an excellent post regarding watches on his blog:
http://members.persuasionfoundation.com/persuasion-blog/2006/11/29/tickticktick.html
Funny you should get watch comments lately. I just looked at mine and thought it makes a terrible statement and I need to get a better one before I start traveling to the conferences!
Ronda Del Boccio, The Story Lady of Storyation.com
Author of The Kama Sutra of Storytelling: Positioning, Power and Profit
Ken,
I’m smiling at your post about the watch. I never even noticed it! Now, I do, of course, because you pointed it out. But…
What I always saw most was your nice, warm smile. You look in your picture just like the great guy you are in person and heck, I want to be friends with that guy. I want to work with him. You know? He’s a really cool dude.
Who cares what kind of watch he’s wearing?
–Pat
Hi Ken,
I guess it all comes down to philosophy. Is the watch a tool that serves you, a fashion statement or a billboard to advertise how well you have made it. To me, a watch, a car and even my home is a “tool”, something that serves my needs and what other people think I should be using has little relevance. If it meets my needs why should it bother them. I don’t really see a conflict and I guess my answer to Mr. Holmes would have been, yeah, so? It should not be relevant to your business conversation and if it is maybe he is as smart as he is suppose to be.
Best of luck on your decision
Ken
Keep the watch, Ken… Photoshop the pic.
I’m in the “if it ain’t broke, don’t” fix it camp.
Robert Kiyosaki might call a fancy watch a ‘doodad’ because it is something you buy that you don’t have to.
If you want to wear a watch and the one you have is doing just fine, GO FOR IT.
BTW, Ellen has the right idea – I feel a little intimidated by too much too. If a ‘regular guy’ can get there, there’s hope for ME!
Pam Hoffman
http://seminarlist.blogspot.com
p.s. you COULD always crop the picture above the thing if you really care…
p.p.s. anytime a guy asks me to dress him, i use it as a threat: “you want me to dress you? are you sure?” because i’m darn well going to mix stripes and plaids and polkadots for ya! you did fine Ken.
Ken,
I never noticed it before (I’ve never been accused of being super observant), but now that you point it out… the watch is ridiculous.
Brian
Ken,
You really need to listen to Willie Crawford. Let your wife dress you. While you’re at it, get a Rolex and don’t listen to the snob mob. Also, get a Brioni suit, and some nice ties. Get a haircut, shave off that goatee (or is it a Van Dyke?)… it’s gauche. Get contacts… get rid of the glasses.
If you’ve got the Rolex, the Rolls-Royce (or a Bentley), nice suits, etc., yada, yada, yada… you might as well flaunt them.
What?! You don’t have a limo with driver or a helicopter?
Hmmm… I must have mistaken you for Donald Trump. (Must have been the eyebrows!)
LOL
Ernest O’Dell
Blanco, TX
The Blanco Republic
Ken,
Keep the watch, I’d say after 10 years that it is a part of your brand.
Phil
http://philthegardener.com
Hi Ken
well you could always say the watch ensures
your the guiding LIGHT in internet marketing
Keep the watch Ken and let everyone else
be TICKED off
Because you will be to Buzy lookin Gooood
haha
god bless
Ronnie aka tempest (A.S)
Ken
Now that your watch is more famous than you, you’ll have to photoshop your face out of all your pictures and replace it with your watch face.
And then we’ll all make lame jokes about “watch Ken do this” and “watch Ken do that”.
Alex
(I gave up my watch years ago when I found my mobile (or cell phone, as you’d call it) did the job perfectly.)
Ken,
Time for another watch joke?
Seriously, I would just not wear a watch and instead hire a person to tell you what time it is. Much better for the economy than a stinking Rolex… It is too ghetto to buy a $50k Rolex, when you can pay someone $50k per year to tell you what time it is whenever you need to know.
Watch dogs…lol.
I am still laughing at that one!
Micheal
I would Photoshop(TM) the watch, only I’d make it three or four times as big.
The statement that I would want to make by exaggerating the watch is, “I think for myself. and won’t be intimidated into narrowing my perceptions of myself based upon someone else’s petty opinions.”
Since I used to teach school, I can safely categorize the mode of thinking where someone thinks that they are better than someone else because of a watch (or pneumatic tennis shoes) as reflecting a nine-year old’s mentality, pre-teen at most.
And, so much “guru-ship” seems to be scam, I mean sham.
I think that the “idea buyer” has to beware every bit as much as the hard goods buyer. And the signals that these “show offs send is, “I care about me, more than I care about you.” Is it a wonder that they gloat about spending more time writing the sales letter than they do building their information product?
Besides, the props such as a $50K watch are needed to distract folks from asking the hard questions. Questions such as, “So you made a $1 million in 24 hours. What is the hourly pay back from the nine months that you and your staff of 12 had to spend to put that launch together? And, after you subtract the 70% JV commissions that you had to give away to post such a sales record, what was your actual net?”
You don’t need to deal with anyone who can’t sense and appreciate the warmth and joy of your heart and soul because of their cold-stare gaze upon your watch. How could you trust any business venture with such a person?
It would not be polite to bring it up to them, but, we all know that what people say and do speaks so loudly that we can’t hear what they wear.
The richest man in our area dropped his boat off for servicing yesterday at our shop. It is at least 30 years old, possibly 40 years. The boat used to belong to his Dad. Now it is completely restored and is undoubtedly a loving reminder of the old man for our local billionaire.
If you like the watch, keep it. Be yourself.
Keep smilin’
Lorne.
Ken, Used to wear a Rolex. Gave a negative impression. Now I wear a Kenneth Cole watch with stainless steel case and a black leather band. Model #KC1168. Here’s a link to a similar one at Amazon. Durable, keeps, time, and looks great.
[...] Ken McArthur’s watch has been exposed as a digital! [...]
Call that a digital watch? LOL.
Check this baby out…
http://www.neilshearing.com/2007/09/11/which-internet-marketer-has-the-worst-digital-watch/
Now we have a competition… which Internet marketer has the worst digital watch?
Neil.
Hi Ken,
Perhaps the suit is the problem?
It doesn’t match the watch.
http://www.internet-success-system.com
Good Grief!! It’s your own business what you wear for a watch. This is ridiculous!
But since you asked…
When I am off to a meeting or speaking to a group, I always check that what I am wearing will not take away from my message (and credibility), and perhaps even enhance it.
So… since this has become an issue… the photo shop idea is great and so is the idea of removing it for the photo. That ends the scuttlebutt. (Although everyone seems to be having a good time with it!)
Other than that, I applaud you for your individual choice and not buckling under public pressure to be like “everybody else.”
Faye
Hi Ken
I think the watchis great, I like what charles Olney says and I would listen to him
e is always giving me grat advice.
I think you should offer it as the top prize for a JV contest.
Heck I bet you would have everyone working hard for that watch.
But hey if someone wants to buy you new watches I don’t see any problem with accepting their gifts.
You stay as COOL as you are!
The word cool and your watch goes great together
COOL WATCH
Jeff Wellman
Hey Ken,
Funny how the watch post gets 10x more comments than the meaty content ones!
That’s why the top ranking searches in Wordtracker are gossip words!
Sheesh!
Hey Ken,
Well, I’m with Chet on this one … I noticed that watch the very first time I saw the picture. It actually stood out to me so much so that I wondered if you’d photoshopped it to appear more prominent than it actually is.
The problem is that the suit, doesn’t match the watch … if you’re going for the “everyman” approach, drop the suit. If you’re going for the “professional” approach, upgrade the watch.
The truth is that very few people know much about watches, with the exception of the Rolex brand … and that brand has as many negative stereotypes surrounding it as there are positive. Perhaps, more on the negative ( but, I may be biased here as I’m a bit of a watch collector myself )
Just as you wouldn’t wear white to a funeral … there are certain “rules” of fashion that, rightly or wrongly, will play a part in your influence on people, and their natural reaction to you.
There shouldn’t be anything wrong with wearing white to a funeral … but, there just is. And, there shouldn’t be anything wrong with wearing a timex with a suit … but again, there just is.
The pinstripes on the suit, the perfect dimple in the tie … and a K-Mart cast-off on the wrist.
I know that you do truly appreciate, and value the advice of people like John D ( who wouldn’t be caught dead in that watch ), or someone like Chet ( who noticed in seconds ) …
What are their reactions telling you?
Devil’s Advocate,
Gary Ambrose
Well Ken, you asked for it!
Just kidding . . . a little.
It isn’t the issue that you own the watch or wear the watch, it is when you wear it. It is an Ironman. You are not swimming in a competitive event, you are worknig to create subliminal influence.
Several people heaped praise on you for wearing the watch and even suggested you make it four times bigger with photoshop.
May I be blunt?
That is insane.
People judge you before they say a word to you. They’ve already made many decisions about you just from looking at you or a picture of you. You must control the story that people tell themselves or the people around them about you if you intend to influence effectively.
Now, you don’t have to have an expensive watch, you just need one that is fashion forward and that matches the rest of your attire. A metal band watch with a nice face is very appropriate. Some nice yet still reasonable choices for under $500 are Bulova and even higher end Seikos. If you want to really upgrade and spend around $1000 go for a nice Tag Heuer or go to a used watch resource like http://www.europeanwatch.com and pick up some very nice high end watches for $1000 – $1500.
Another choice is simply to go without a watch which also makes another kind of statement. I choose not to wear a watch personally because I use my hands to communicate, I want the focus on my hands not my watch. I also never want people to see me checking a watch communicating that I’m more concerned about time than I am about them. I have a blackberry and it works fine as a time piece. The only exceptions I make is when I want to really create a specfic kind of perception, then I pull out the nicest watch I have and wear it because it reinforces the persona.
The same idea goes for crazy ties, you are making a statement alright, just not the one you are hoping.
Your ability to put yourself together fully has a significant impact on your ability to earn as much as you want. If you want to effectively influence people, why not do all you can to meet and exceed their preconceived expectations about what someone like you should look like the moment they see you. I like working from a position of authority rather than a hole.
And, the fact that people noticed it and that there is a public discussion about it should be enough to convince everyone that it is in fact a real issue.
Ken, get a real watch!
Dave Lakhani
Author – Persuasion: The Art of Getting What You Want
[...] Visit Ken McArthur’s blog [...]
Watch the “watch”! It’s incredible what people see, the details we don’t ever think about when we are posting a blog, or just taking a picture! Internet marketing is such a cutthroat business, and it seems to me that all this watch talk should be making you some money Ken! Think about it, with all the comments you have had on your watch, you should be getting some $$ out of Timex!
Personally I never wear a watch, and seriously I am always on time for any event! It’s amazing how you can look at the clock as your leaving the house, and make it on time to nearly any place with not once wearing a watch! I have a clock in the car and of course on my cell phone, so never really had a need for a watch. The wife has bought me several watches over the years, from fancy to plain, and they all remain in my box, on my dresser.
Now, if I had such a fancy watch as yours… Then again, I would be sending this link to Timex and asking for a little cash for all the publicity ;o)
Ron Killian
Seven Ways For Saving Your Digital Images For Ever!
So, you have taken lots of pictures with your new digital camera, the memory card is full, and you are wondering how to store and archive your images.
Ken,
I think it is a great thing that they look at your watch. Though that is not your intended business, it gets the conversation started and starts a friendship that is beyond just work stuff!
Tim
Tim´s last blog ..Best Luxury Watches
Thanks For This post! it gives me many ideas!
Keep your watch. I’m slowly coming to the conclusion that you can either let the world change you into something your not or you can face it down and gain greater respect from it.
I ‘forced’ myself to wear a tie to the office everyday because OI thoguht that was the done thing. It wasn’t until I met more high flyers, rich people of varying types that I realised a tie doesn’t make you successful. The same as a watch doesn’t make you successful. Its the grit and self belief to turn around to your detractors and say p*** off – I’ll wear what I want and be what I want.
mens digital watch´s last blog ..Timex Digital Watches – 4 Faves
You got an interesting post ken!
will keep checking your blog for sure.. and hey don’t give up that timex watch!! 
Why don’t you tell the truth Ken; that you already DID have the watch photoshopped (… it used to be a Mickey Mouse digital, and you wanted to upgrade your image to an Ironman).
Seriously, Dave Lakhani is dead on. Everyone needs to read and heed his comment.
Jim
Nothing wrong with the timex watch if you ask me! Brings a sense of reality to the picture. Your post was certainly very interesting and i will be book marking this to keep track of any future posts written by you ken.
Thanks for sharing.
About 15 years ago I bought Beitling watch for $850. It supposed to be good for 300m under water, solid like a rock, so they said.
After about 3 years, the battery went dead, I stopped wearing it. I used cellphone instead. Last year, my wife took it to the breitling dealer to replace the battery, they told her they had to ship it somewhere because they could not open it as it requires special tools. Total for the battery replacement: $250.
The watch went back to my toolbox, last time I saw my son was playing with it. I think he is going to really fix it this time.
Point is: don’t buy expensive watches. Use your iPhone or Blackberry.
Peter
Peter Moss´s last blog ..70-562 ASP.NET exam cleared!!! What a relief?
Timex! Great watches!! Haven’t seen one around for a good length of time now.
Its interesting how these options are draw up by your choice in time piece.
great post. Thanks for sharing.
Ken,
I say keep the watch.
“If it ain’t broke. don’t fix it.”
However, I’d be alarmed if I was sitting across from Chet and he said something like that…
Maybe we could learn a really important lesson about the color of “indigo green” from this…maybe we should test that color on our Add To Cart background…
Nevertheless, how about you simply Outsource the photoshopping of the pic…since that is all the rage now.
Jack Duncan´s last blog ..Google Keywords – How To Find The Best Keywords To Use
Keep the watch man! I would far rather listen to a dude with a beat-up casio than a rolex. Show some personality, a rolex just says i care too much about what other people think about me.
i would keep the watch if i were you. No need to change just because people think you could, and should afford more. Stick with it and make a point about it next time anyone notices.
paul @ Halloween Costumes´s last blog ..Fancy dress shop