So, a wee small kitten shows up in my backyard shortly before I left for a trip last week.  Marshmallow that I am, I left a little bowl of food.  Both the kitty and the food were gone the next day. Ah, well. Must have gone home.  Uh. No. On Monday I see a pair of eyes peering out from a bush. Long story short, over the next several days, it became obvious it'd taken up residence in my yard. I gradually got it to come closer and closer. (Food is a marvelous tool.)  *Sigh* It did all the adorable things kittens do, including just sitting there and looking adorable. DAMN that cuteness!

I called a local foster/rescue group and they referred me to another group, which "has a good record of adoption."  What went unsaid is that the kitty, if not adopted, is killed.  Well, not on my watch. Not with a cat who shows up at my back door.

His name is Hobo. I'd already named him before I looked up the universal hobo symbol for kind woman, shown at right.  Seems the universe is trying to tell me something. I swear I must have this little sign - in cat language - on my back door (For years, wherever I've lived. Cats seem to always pick me.)

That emotion into logic transformation? Easy-peasy.  The little guy is so scared and shy; I need to "socialize" him, even if I do find a foster group able to take him in.  Otherwise, he'll have a difficult time getting adopted.  See? Easy. Of course, by the time he's fully socialized, I'll have totally bonded with the little sucker (Sucker? That's me...;0 

To bring us all back to a biz point.  Simple question.  What sign would a customer see on your door? Are you even aware of the sign? Could it be - um "nothing doing here?" (another hobo sign)  You'd be amazed how word gets around. Even without social media technology. Back in the old days, the hobo word-of-mouth network spread the word very well indeed, with nary a computer or smartphone around.