subject: Do Good Ideas Have Good Results? [print this page] Do Good Ideas Have Good Results? Do Good Ideas Have Good Results?
The idea of training Labradors and golden retrievers to be service dogs for veterans in wheelchairs became reality in 2008 when "Paws for Purple Hearts" was started at a California Veterans Affairs hospital and at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. However, the program has a second benefit. For the first 2 years of the dogs' lives they are trained by veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. The emotional skills these vets have to relearn to train dogs are skills that will help them function in everyday life. Paws for Purple Hearts gives new meaning to "going to the dogs".
In 2009 baby boomers were changing marketing ideas. Traditionally marketers paid the most attention to 18- to 34-year-olds. Older people were thought to spend less and have little interest in new products or brands. However, there are 77 million U.S. baby boomers people born from 1946 through 1964. In 2009 the 116 million consumers 50 and older spent $2.9 trillion up 45% in 10 years. The 182 million under 50 spent $3.3 trillion up 6%. Considering people 50 and older will inherit $14-$20 trillion in the next 20 years, boomers are key to boom markets.
In 2010 San Francisco turned the revolutionary idea of banning happy meals into law. The law passed by the Board of Supervisors requires meals that offer a free toy to contain fruits and vegetables and not to contain more than 600 calories or have more than 35% of those calories from fat including the beverage. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 17% of 2- to 19-year-olds are overweight and 17% are obese. In 2006 approximately $870 million was spent on advertising meals to children under 12. The ban is meant to prevent fast food restaurants from "toying" with children's health.
Finally, big trees reduce crime at least that's the idea of the U.S. Forest Service. The Forest Service did a study involving 2,813 single-family homes in Portland, Oregon. The number of crimes committed on those properties 394 property crimes and 37 violent crimes were compared to the number and size of the trees in the area. Supposedly, big trees signal potential criminals that neighborhoods are better cared for and that criminals are likelier to be caught. Also big trees don't have branches that can provide cover for criminals, as well as block views. Maybe it's just me, but I think alarm systems are "treemendous" help.
