Just Cured - Experience Fine Foods

I recall attending meetings when I was in my 20s and early 30s with the men (and they were always men in those days) of a certain age who ran corporate data centers and other “big iron” computing installations.† My contemporaries and I waxed enthusiastically about first our personal computers and later our networks of personal computers.† The men of big iron looked at us with a mixture of amusement and disdain.

First, they would invariably view these new technologies as toys, asking what application they have in the business world.† I could generally answer that question.† In the case of the original PC running the breakthrough application Lotus 1-2-3, I could show a detailed, flexible financial model of a complex transaction — a tool that was virtually unavailable in the big iron only world.† In the case of early networks, I could point to a 100 node PC network for law firm document processing having a cost equal to a dozen or so terminal minicomputer based solution.

Then, the objections turned to the lack of standards, security, control, audit trails, training and management oversight implicit in the new technologies.† If I heard “garbage-in, garbage-out” once, I heard it several hundred times.† Those arguments made sense to me; I understand the “thousand flowers bloom” concept, but never was a huge advocate of it.† Eventually, vendors of all kinds developed the tools that permit innovation and protect valuable corporate assets.

Over the past two days, I have spent several hours each day with enthusiastic men and women in their 20s and early 30s discussing social media tools and their application to businesses large and small.† After leaving those meetings, I realized that I am now one of the men of a certain age looking at those others with amusement (but I am pleased to say with no disdain whatsoever).

All the talk of Facebook and Twitter and the tools related to them being released daily made my head spin.† I admit to using these applications and finding them immensely interesting and enjoyable — a bit addictive, even.† I also see that they have great prospects as business communication, development and marketing tools.† I, like many others, am stuck when it comes to developing both strategies and tactics† for Just Cured to take advantage of these tools that are consistent with Just Cured’s overall strategy and brand identity.

In other words, I am beyond the “cool toy” stage, but haven’t progress in my thinking to the stage of viewing these social media applications as tools integral to the operation of Just Cured’s business.† Like others, I will be trying out some things using social media tools in the upcoming weeks and months.† If you want to go along for the ride, visit, follow or friend me at:

My Facebook page

Just Cured’s Facebook page

Follow Just Cured at Twitter

Today, I received the proof images from the photo session that I mentioned a couple of weeks ago. To say I am thrilled with the results is a dramatic understatement.

Here are unedited versions of three photos that will almost assuredly make the permanent Just Cured web site.

A Splash of Bourbon

A Sprinkling of Salt

Sliced Salmon with Garnish

Please check in often; the new site is imminent. And, I will be making other announcements very soon as well.

At last, I have been making real progress toward making the Just Cured dream a reality. I appreciate the perseverance of those who have checked here regularly only to find no news about the Just Cured business. I hope to reward your patience with a steady diet of company news, interspersed with a few philosophical wanderings.

• Facility. I have a production location! Just Cured will renting space immediately adjacent to Findlay Market in Over the Rhine, Cincinnati. Our space is in the wholesale fish distribution facility owned and operated by Luken’s Poultry Fish & Seafood. This particular location has several advantages over any of the alternatives we evaluated. First, I have been an advocate of Findlay Market and the Over the Rhine neighborhood for many years. I am pleased that Just Cured will have the opportunity to contribute to the continued revitalization of the neighborhood, albeit in a very small way. The Luken facility gives Just Cured dedicated space built out specifically for fish cutting and processing. Other facilities involved shared use of both space and some equipment. Our location within a fish distribution facility eliminates one step in the movement of Just Cured’s fish prior to our receiving it, thereby providing for more control over quality. We will also achieve synergies in purchasing and transportation. Although we have not yet discussed it, I have a high degree of confidence that Just Cured’s smoked salmon and other products will be available for retail purchase at the Luken’s stand in the Markethouse. Finally, Michael Luken has been a good friend for many years; I think he’ll be as good a landlord.
• Web site. I have retained a top notch development team to produce Just Cured’s internet presence and e-commerce store. In advance of our development of a final company identity, look for a new front page for Just Cured within the next week or so. Fear not, this blog will continue to figure prominently; it simply will not consume the site’s front page.

As next steps, I will be sourcing some equipment for Just Cured and readying our space for production, as well as dealing with a myriad of other details. I will keep you informed of progress on these and all other fronts.

Thanks to Sister No. 1 and Mike at On Location Multimedia, there is a better image of Fish in the page banner. To the two dear friends who each thought that Fish was a hippopotamus, please let me know if he looks more like a fish now that his picture is professionally cropped.