From Flip Phones to Smart Systems: The Journey to Marketing Mastery
November 8, 2024//
I just had this dream, and I had to share it because the realization it brought was incredibly powerful.
In the dream, I was working at a marketing agency. My assignment was to research a customer, analyze their needs, and present a strategy we could implement. Along with the project, they handed me an old flip phone to use for communicating with the client—no smartphone, just this outdated relic.
I was frustrated with the phone and kept procrastinating, partly because using it felt like an impossible task. Days passed, and I did nothing. Then, one day, the client unexpectedly showed up at the office, ready for my presentation. I had nothing prepared.
The boss, eager to impress, urged me to make something happen. Flustered, I scrambled to start asking questions, hoping I could pull off a “Don Draper moment” and deliver a dazzling impromptu pitch. But before I could get anywhere, the client decided they wanted lunch first. They texted me their lunch order on the flip phone.
Relieved to buy some time, I hopped in my car to find lunch. But when I looked at the text, it was chaos. Their message was a jumble of vague requests and contradictory statements: They might want this, but definitely not that. Maybe something else entirely. Eventually, I pieced together that they wanted French sandwiches—but the specifics? No idea, thanks to the limitations of that clunky flip phone.
Just like in dreams, a French bakery appeared out of nowhere, with a line out the door. This must be the place, I thought. I waited in line, trying to eavesdrop on what others were ordering, hoping to decode the client’s cryptic message. But the closer I got, the more confused I became.
Finally, I reached the counter—or rather, a strange expo-style setup where I had to crouch to see the menu behind the cashier. The menu was a blur, the cashier was impatient, and I was guessing wildly. I ordered a couple of sandwiches, which appeared instantly, but the pressure kept mounting. I felt like I was unraveling.
Frustrated, I explained my situation to the cashier. “I have this flip phone,” I said, waving it at him, “and they sent me this insane order. It’s not even a real order! I’m supposed to somehow read their minds, figure out what they want, and deliver it perfectly.”
The cashier looked at me, then at the flip phone. Without a word, he smashed it.
Now I was furious. I demanded to see the owner. Forget the manager—I wanted the person in charge.
Out from the back came a tall French chef in crisp whites. He didn’t say a word, just listened as I vented my frustration. I explained everything: the unreasonable expectations, the impossible task, the absurdity of relying on an outdated flip phone. I told him about my background in hospitality and how much I value good service. This? This was the opposite of hospitality.
As I ranted, the chef calmly walked to a booth and sat down, joined by other chefs from the kitchen, who listened intently. Even the cashier brought over sandwiches for everyone.
Finally, I looked the chef in the eye, waiting for him to say something—anything—to fix the situation. And then I woke up.
I rolled over, desperate to fall back asleep, craving a resolution. When that didn’t happen, I asked myself: What would the chef have said?
Then it hit me. The chef wouldn’t have fixed my problem because he didn’t need to. He would have simply asked, “Why didn’t you just create a group order in DoorDash on your smartphone?”
The realization was immediate:
If I were the owner of a business, I would never let a customer dictate the technology we use. I wouldn’t allow them to show up unannounced, expect my team to work blind, or rely on outdated tools to deliver results.
That’s when it clicked: a website, in many ways, is like that flip phone. It’s functional, sure—but it’s outdated. It’s not enough in today’s world. A flip phone can’t run apps, manage group orders, or connect seamlessly to other systems. And in the same way, a traditional website can’t meet the needs of modern businesses without being part of a smarter, more integrated system.
Websites, like flip phones, were revolutionary in their time. But now, we’re entering a new age. Businesses need more than just a website—they need tools that work together to drive growth and deliver results.
That’s when I realized the dream wasn’t just about me. The chef? That was me. And the person holding the flip phone? That was you.
I’m grateful the cashier smashed the phone. It forced me to see the bigger picture. And now I want to help others do the same. If you’re ready to power up your business and turn your website into a smart system, let me know.
It’s time to move beyond the flip phone.
Posted in Marketing Mastery
