It's all in the details...I was on the phone having a conversation with someone for the first time this week and this happens:"So, sorry to interrupt, but I've been dying to ask you....why do you call your consulting company SLINGSTONE Group?"Truth be told, my "consulting company" is not really a "company" or even technically a "group" -- it is currently just me. I jokingly say I've been consulting for the last few years to stay busy in between editions of the FoD. Really it has given me the opportunity to have more flexibility to reconnect with both myself and my family, take on a variety of interesting projects along the way, keep myself fresh and in the game, and it also helps put food on the table until the next great full time opportunity presents itself (definitely open to joining the right team again full time though....really!). Funny thing is, not many people ask me about the name. So I was intrigued by the sincere interest and enthusiasm when asked about it (not surprisingly, this person is a fellow marketer).Short explanation: it comes from the biblical parable about David and Goliath (not to be confused with the old Sunday morning claymation series "Davey and Goliath"). It's a classic underdog story, where David slays the giant Goliath by precisely slinging stones at this head. The idea behind the name is that I am using my expertise to help arm companies (of any size) with the strategies (or "stones") they will need to sling at the big business problems that are standing in the way of their various commercial growth goals. It also didn't hurt that the URL happened to be available...Sure, it would have been easy for me to call it Dave Group or Frankel Global or Mr. Dave's Wonderful Consulting Emporium. But as someone providing services that include developing marketing strategy, I felt there needed to be a story behind the name and it needed to have some meaning.Much like how I sign off on these preambles, it's really just a fine detail. Just like making sure your shoes are shined before a meeting or, back when we actually wore ties, having the knot and dimple straight on a tie or having your hair and makeup done right or using "their" and "there" properly in a text.It's attention to the little details that can make a big difference. Whether it is a movie or TV show, a book or music, a resume, a tweet, your appearance and demeanor when you meet someone or even corporate policies and culture.I know I notice them, and while I may occasionally dismiss them if unimportant details are not there, I definitely remember and appreciate them if they are.Because it's hard to sweat the details. It takes a little extra time, thought and effort. The details show depth and highlight the quality of things or people. And when someone notices and shows an interest in the details, guess how the people who spent the time on them react? Without fault, they get energized. They get excited and open up. They want to talk about what they did to produce them.Think about the interactions you have had with those who sweat details as part of their given craft or vocation. Think about the reaction you received when you asked them about them.In a world where we increasingly place higher value on speed and convenience, there will always be a place for those who care about details. And if you know of any that need to sling some stones, do me a favor and send them my way....or at the very least, get them to subscribe to the newsletter!I know this preamble had nothing to do with the subject line of the email, but fear not -- the answer lies below in the Random section, and, trust me, you will not be disappointed. Some other good quick-ish stories this week as well, so get reading! XOXODave