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This is Chris Redgrave for Zions Bank Speaking on Business.
As a college graduate, I'm guessing Tom Dickson didn't think, "Hey, I should invent a product that will become the standard in the industry within 20 years." That's exactly what he's done with Blendtec.
Blendtec has a patented blender with computerized programs so all you have to do is push a button, and it will use the exact program to create your product. It's so popular you can now find Blendtec in over 90 countries worldwide. Because of Tom, one of this company's strengths has always been technology. He can't help but look for ways to make something better … and then he does.
Blendtec believes in taking care of their 300 employees. How's this for health care? They're self insured so they have their own medical facility on site with a doctor and nurse. They also have two massage therapists and a fitness trainer and are working on hiring a dentist and hygienist. They also have the Blendtec Bistro with their own culinary team so employees can get affordable and healthy meals right at work.
This company has got it figured out from a marketing standpoint. Blendtec was a pioneer in the social media realm, successfully launching the "Will it Blend" video series on YouTube almost seven years ago. This is where Tom tests the blenders to see if they'll blend everything from an entire rotisserie chicken to iPads to garden rakes. In fact, after the first five videos were posted on YouTube, they had six million views in just five days.
They now use the "Will it Blend" videos to help other companies launch new products, like Olympus. A recent video blended three items — a point and shoot camera, voice recorder and video camera — that the newest camera can do. They've also done videos for Ford and Dreyers.
If you'd like to find out more about how to build your company's global presence, you can attend the eleventh annual Zions Bank Trade and Business Conference on May 23. For more information or to register, visit zionsbank.com/conference.
For Zions Bank, I'm Chris Redgrave, speaking on business.
Blendtec 1206 S. 1600 West Orem, UT 84058 801-222-0888 www.blendtec.com
