Sometimes it's not about being smart, it's about being clever!

In marketing, sometimes you don't need to reinvent the wheel, or even come up with a great new product. Sometimes it's just about being smart and listening to your customer.

Consider Diamond Shreddies. What are Diamond Shreddies? Well they're just regular Shreddies photographed at a 45 degree angle. Seriously! The month that Shreddies launched their campaign, sales rose by 18%! That's a smart idea.

Another great example is the great feature on the 2013 Ford Escape ~ the foot activated truck opener.

In the competitive automaker world, having a simple, unique feature is difficult to find. Ford have really listened to their customers, done some creative thinking, and come up with a novel feature that makes their product stand out. Smart, maybe. Clever, yes.

So next time you're stuck on a campaign, go back to basics, consider your product, and be clever!

Biking in Vancouver

If you love to bike, Vancouver is a pretty good place to live. We have a great network of bike paths to get to work, along with some amazing bike-friendly places to visit on weekends. Here are some of my favourite lesser-known biking locations in the Lower Mainland, for your summer weekend pleasure!



Central Valley Greenway

The Greenway connects Vancouver to New Westminster, via Burnaby. You can access the Greenway from East Broadway at Victoria Dr. The Central Valley Greenway is a loop that pretty much follows the skytrain line. It's mostly bike trails, well signed (for the most part), and a lovely ride. There are a few hills to contend with, but nothing major. Since you're cycling in the city, you're always close to a coffee shop!



Photo by LetsGoBiking



Fraser River Reserve & Iona Island

Cycling to Iona is pretty well known, especially if you're part of the road biking community. It's a lovely cycle, very flat, and with some nice views. At the end of the peninsula you will find a variety of birds to watch, and a beautiful park to picnic at and explore. However, rather than just cycling along the road there is a great little trail along the river. Quiet, peaceful, and lots of blackberry bushes! You arrive at McDonald boat launch, where you take the side road back to the main road to continue along to Iona. Directions can be found on the Richmond bike trail map.



Photo from WillWong.Net



PoCo Trail 

25km of biking trails around Port Coquitlam. You can cycle along the Pitt River, then around through gorgeous woodland. It's pretty flat, so it's fun for the whole family. You're never too far from a coffee shop to for a pit stop, and you do pass through some city parks with play areas for the kids if you need to take a break! From Vancouver, you can cycle (if you're very fit) or take the Skytrain to Braid Station, and use the bike paths that run alongside United Blvd and Maryhill Bypass to connect to the trails. This starts you at the Colony Farm, which is always worth a visit!



From PortCoquitlam.ca



Richmond Dykes

It's beautiful, it's flat, there are some gorgeous look out points, and you can get fish and chips on the wharf in Steveston! Plus if you continue along Dyke Road heading east, there are some awesome blackberry bushes and apple trees. Maybe take a container or two, and plan on making a few stops along the way :)  Great trip for the family. You can reach the dyke really easily from Bridgeport or Aberdeen Canada Line Stations, as seen on the Richmond bike trail map. 



Photo by Stephen Rees


Do you have any other favourite bike routes you would like to share?

10 Lower Mainland parks you should visit this summer

It's summer time in Vancouver (well, almost)! It'll soon be time to crack out the BBQ, meet with friends, and take a stroll in the beautiful parks around the Vancouver area. The popular parks, such as Stanley Park and Kits beach, fill up really quickly, so here's my top 10 small, lesser known, but beautiful parks to consider for your summer fun!

10. Burnaby Mountain, Burnaby
OK, so Burnaby Mountain is pretty well known, but have you taken the time to visit the trails and check out the immense views? Take a short hike, try mountain biking, or go for a run, then set up your picnic by the totem poles!

Incredible views from Burnaby Mountain. Photo credit: JiWiz

9. Camosun Bog, Vancouver
If you want an educational afternoon stroll, check out the self-guided tour at Camosum Bog. You'll see cool fauna and plants. Perfect for a family stroll with grandma!

Amazing fauna to be seen. Photo credit: Eric Bog

8. Cates Park, North Vancouver
If you want to beach comb, skim pebbles, throw a frisbee, take a short hike, and light up the BBQ, then head on over to Cates Park. It's small but beautifully formed, with views across the Burrard Inlet. You can also kayak from here, if you're feeling adventurous!

Beach combing ahoy! Photo credit: OurBC.com

7. Deer Lake Park, Burnaby
Deer Lake Park is perfect for a longer summer family stroll. You can rent a boat and paddle on to the water, or stroll around and check out the gorgeous scenery. The beach area and grassy area by the Shadbolt Centre tend to get pretty full, but head over to the west side of the park, under the overpass at Royal Oak Av, and you'll find a couple of small and quiet green parks. Lovely!

I always think it looks like a futuristic city! Photo credit: City of Burnaby

6. Byrne Creek Park, New Westminster
Byrne Creek park is a forested area near the Edmonds Skytrain Station. If you're looking for a stroll through the forest with amenities nearby, then this is your spot! Bring a picnic to eat in the park!

Beautiful forest stroll right in the city! Photo Credit: "StephansMap"

5. Burnaby Lake, Burnaby
Again, a fairly well know park that is incredibly accessible via skytrain or by bike (check out the Burnaby bike map). The more adventurous can tackle the ~10km trails by foot (no bikes allowed). Beside the nature house is a small open park which is great for BBQ's and family picnics! Small, sheltered, and quiet!

Incredible lake views, with lots of birds and other wildlife! Photo credit: VancouverTrails.com

4. Princess Park, North Vancouver
Tennis courts and a covered picnic area right beside a beautiful forest makes Princess Park a wonderful place for a family picnic. There are also some great trails for a short hike, although the terrain is quite steep, so maybe leave grandma at the picnic shelter!

Amazing forest! Photo credit: aozora.ca

3. Iona Island, Richmond
It's not technically an island, more of a peninsular, but if you want bird watching and to explore interesting fauna, then come to Iona! You can also watch the planes take off and land at the airport, and it's a perfect place to watch the sunset.

Take a stroll along the peninsular, but don't get caught by the tide! Photo Credit: Stephen Hui

2. Cleveland Dam, North Vancouver
Cleveland dam is one of favourite places in the entire Lower Mainland! The hiking is challenging (lots of steep uphill!), but just beautiful. Be sure to check out the salmon hatchery, as well as the most amazing view of the Lions beside the lake! There are benches to BBQ at, and a word of warning - don't swim in the lake; it's where our drinking water is stored!

It doesn't get much better than this! Photo Credit: Annacat

1. Barnet Marine Park, Burnaby
Burnaby's best kept secret, Barnet Marine Park has it all - beach, grassy areas to kick a ball or throw a frisbee, short walks, and a BBQ area. This is an amazing place to watch the sunset, and keep a look out for seals!

The beach at Barnet Marine Park, courtesy of JiWiz 

Is there a park you think I missed? Or do you have a story to share about any of the parks on the list? Your comments are always welcome!