Now that UK’s regular basketball season is over, admit it: Did you really think John Calipari’s team would go 29-2? 

Most Kentuckians didn’t. How do we know? Before the season started, Preston-Osborne did its homework. 

In October, we conducted a survey of 600 randomly selected Kentucky residents and asked questions regarding state and local issues. We periodically conduct such surveys to keep our finger on the pulse of Kentucky politics. We often include questions on these surveys “just for fun.” October’s fun question was:  Of the 31 regular-season games UK will play in 2009-10, how many do you think it will win? 

At the time, Kentuckians expressed cautious optimism. Slightly more than half of those interviewed (54 percent) said UK would win at least 23 games; however, the “mean” average answer of all respondents was only 23 wins. And, 10 percent said they either had no idea, or wouldn’t guess a win total. 

I guess that means that most Wildcat fans were pleasantly amazed by the team’s 29-2 regular season, which ended with Sunday’s win over Florida. Of course, there are a “few in every crowd”: UK’s final record didn’t surprise the 19 respondents (3.2 percent of those polled) who said UK would win 29 games. And, the team’s final record may have disappointed 19 others who said UK would go a perfect 31-0. 

As I mentioned, we periodically conduct statewide polls—typically twice a year. Sometimes, our clients piggyback questions on these surveys, which saves them money over conducting a full-blown study of their own. If you’re interested in adding some questions to our next statewide survey, give us a call.

How do you describe your business to others? How do others describe you?

In a recent “Fuel Lines” blog post by Michael Gass, he asked, “Can you describe your agency in six words or less?” While we’re not an ad agency, the exercise easily applies to our firm, and really any business for that matter. (Read the blog post at http://bit.ly/cHYYcs)

I love a quick challenge, so I grabbed my notepad and asked our team at Preston-Osborne to do the same. I altered the exercise a bit because I wanted spontaneity and didn’t want to spend a lot of time trying to come up with the perfect tagline. I asked, “What six words would you use to describe Preston-Osborne?”

The most popular responses were: strategic, research-based, friendly/personable, creative, smart and responsive.

(And we noted that the following words could also be used to define our firm: progressive, intuitive, results-oriented, productive, collaborative, effective, focused, connected, dedicated, flexible, appreciative, accommodating, dependable, pragmatic, eager, reliable, communications, community, partner, authentic, plan, satisfaction, customer service oriented, customized approach, integrity, high-quality, insightful, experienced, innovative and adept.)

The next question Gass asked was, “Can you describe your agency in six words “without” using these 10 things ad agencies “usually” say about themselves?

1. Full-service
2. Comprehensive solutions
3. Great ideas
4. Results-oriented
5. Integrated marketing approach
6. Wide range of experience
7. We are strategic
8. Great chemistry
9. Out-side-the-box
10. Award-winning creative

While we can and do use many of the top 10 to describe our firm, I’m proud to say that we have a lot more to offer (see above). We often refer to “strategy” because it drives everything we do, as noted on our business cards and Web site. But we are defined by much more and that combination is the essence of our unique identity. This exercise was a great testament to why our clients choose to work with us.

What six words would you use to describe your business? Would your customers use the same words?

We just completed Day 31 of the General Assembly session and only five pieces of legislation have been sent to the Governor for his signature. I point that out only to reinforce my longstanding contention that extreme partisanship creates legislative gridlock.

Taxes…

In this space before, we have advocated expansion of the sales tax on services as a means of generating revenue. As I recall, there has been some discussion of expanding the tax on services all the way back to when Martha Layne Collins was Governor. That was 1983-1987. Why does it take us 25 years to come to certain realizations? Maybe Mark Twain was right.

Politics–good news, bad news

Call it newfound zest for public service or Scott Brown proves anyone can win, but a record number of candidates have filed to run for the legislature. All six Congressional races will be contested in November. And Jim Bunning’s open seat in the U.S. Senate has drawn some 11 candidates–not including any who might file later as an Independent.

Frankly, I’d be concerned if I were any incumbent be it D or R. The country is “mad as hell” like I haven’t seen since the 1994 Republic tsunami turned over control of the House.

The good news then is people are getting engaged in the process. The bad news is that some of our best and brightest drew opponents and given this environment, anything could happen.

Finally…

I continue to boast the title of Luckiest Man on the Planet. Great staff. Great family. Great clients. Great friends. Get out and enjoy some sunshine. We’ve earned it.