Fans First

Challenge Your Industry

In today’s competitive landscape, simply meeting industry standards is insufficient for long-term success. Businesses must strive to exceed these benchmarks by creating unique and memorable customer experiences, as demonstrated by companies like Netflix and Shoreline Construction. Netflix transformed the movie rental industry by challenging conventional practices. Instead of requiring customers to visit stores and […]

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Latest

Fans First
Third Inning: Whatever is Normal, Do The Exact Opposite

In a world where most businesses adhere to traditional practices, the Savannah Bananas baseball team stands out by doing the exact opposite. The organization’s philosophy is simple yet revolutionary: “Whatever’s normal, do the exact opposite.” This approach not only distinguishes them from competitors but also creates unforgettable experiences for their fans. Most companies stick […]

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Fans First
Listen Carefully, Respond Creatively

In this captivating episode of the Fans First series, Jesse Cole, the mastermind behind the Savannah Bananas, delves into the transformative business philosophy of “listen carefully, respond creatively.” This approach has not only skyrocketed the Savannah Bananas to fame but also serves as a universal blueprint for revolutionizing customer service and engagement across all sectors. […]

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Fans First
Pre-Game: Normal Gets Normal Results

The Savannah Bananas are a baseball team – but owner Jesse Cole knows they aren’t in the baseball industry. They’re in the Fans First Experience industry. The game of baseball comes with a slew of challenges – it’s too slow, or too boring, or too long, or too antiquated. But, instead of seeing friction, Cole […]

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Fans First
First Inning – Warmup

A lifelong baseball fan, Jesse Cole has seen it all. From potential big-league dreams to a journey toward finding how best to engage with the game after his career came to a close, Cole eventually landed an internship with a small team in South Carolina. Since, he’s held key roles in several organizations and innovated […]

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Fans First
First Pitch: The Savannah Bananas Take the Field

When Cole, his wife and their small team began working to replicate past success in Savannah, they sold two tickets…in three months. The lowest point came shortly after, when the team was informed it had completely overdrawn the organization’s bank account. Instead of folding, Cole and his wife doubled down. They sold their house, going […]

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Fans First
Second Inning – Creating a Better Experience

It was time to pull out all the stops. From renaming the team to the Bananas to senior-citizen dance teams, male cheerleading squads, dancing players and a mascot named Split, the Bananas now have a waitlist for tickets that numbers in the thousands. To follow that fans-first lead, you’ll need to ask some key questions, […]

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Latest

value-based care models
Value-Based Care Models Need Actionable Data Tools to Drive Patient Engagement and Outcomes
April 25, 2024

Healthcare delivery is undergoing a significant shift towards value-based care models. These models prioritize positive health outcomes and cost-effectiveness, unlike the previous focus on the quantity of services provided The success of these models heavily relies on patient engagement, a critical component that ensures patients actively participate in managing their health. This shift is […]

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emotional healing and resilience
Emotional Healing and Resilience: Dr. Ted Wiard’s Insights on ‘Through the Storm’
April 25, 2024

Navigating through significant personal loss and trauma requires more than just time; it demands emotional healing and resilience. The latest episode of Through the Storm tackles this complex topic with guest Dr. Ted Wiard, the Clinical Director and Founder of Golden Willow Counseling, who shares his profound experiences and professional expertise in overcoming life-altering […]

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absenteeism
EdTech Solutions Need to Design Learning Environments Students Crave to Reduce Absenteeism
April 25, 2024

A recent TIME feature showcasing the world’s top edtech companies offers a glimpse into the innovations shaping education globally. Companies from Singapore, the UK, Brazil, China, and the U.S. are at the forefront, demonstrating the pivotal role educational technology plays in transforming learning environments. This shift is particularly timely, as the COVID-19 pandemic has […]

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Challenge Your Industry
April 25, 2024

In today’s competitive landscape, simply meeting industry standards is insufficient for long-term success. Businesses must strive to exceed these benchmarks by creating unique and memorable customer experiences, as demonstrated by companies like Netflix and Shoreline Construction. Netflix transformed the movie rental industry by challenging conventional practices. Instead of requiring customers to visit stores and […]

Read More
Other Fans First
Stop Doing What Your Customers Hate
June 11, 2020

The best business model in the world is to stop doing what your customers hate. Sounds simple, right? Each day, your organization does something that frustrates customers and prevents them from becoming the true fans you’re after. Work toward solutions for those frustrations.

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What Do You Want to Be Known For?
June 11, 2020

Think about what you want to be known for and what you’re known for now. Do they align? It’s time to consider every interaction and touchpoint and craft a Perfect Fan Testimonial. Figure out what business you’re really in. If you could have one review perfectly sum up what you want your fans to feel, […]

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Learn from Experiences in Other Industries
June 11, 2020

Cole and the Bananas’ team are constantly looking elsewhere. If you ask Cole who the organization’s competitors are, he won’t tell you the rest of the teams in the Coastal Plain League. He’ll rattle off the likes of Google, Amazon and Starbucks, because he’s not putting on a baseball game – he’s putting on an […]

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Create Shareable Moments
June 11, 2020

As Cole said, the Bananas aren’t in the baseball industry. The organization is in the Fans First Experience industry. When looking to craft your own customer experience, don’t be afraid to look outside your industry and learn from successes elsewhere. What inspires you? How can you leverage that to inspire customers, turn them into fans, […]

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Whatever is Normal, Do the Exact Opposite
June 3, 2020

It’s a simple relationship – normal gets normal results. Question everything and make two lists – one for the normal and one for the remarkable. Look at what’s normal in your industry and think about what you can do to become remarkable. Further, don’t break the rules. Make the rules. The Bananas have made their […]

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