Thursday, December 30, 2010

Keep Your New Year's Resolutions Using Social Media

Whether you're looking to make a big change, or just tweak a few little things, the new year gives you the perfect opportunity to reflect on your behavior and resolve to do better going forward.

Of course, it's one thing to say you want to tackle a typical resolution like get in better physical shape, get in better financial shape, of like many of us who work on the web - get your social media presence in order. It's another thing to actually accomplish those big, broad goals.

SO this year, instead of making your goals big and broad, why not take a page from the web world and use analytics to pinpoint the specific stuff you want to change? And, by the same toke, why not use data tracking to hold yourself accountable for keeping all those resolutions too?

Physical:
Try keeping a food and exercise log. Foursquare actually lets you see your entire check-in history and, if you do a quick search, you can find it so you can easily see whether you're really been going to the gym or frequenting your fast food runs.
Similarly, there's a site called weeplaces that lets you turn your Foursquare, Facebook Places and Gowalla check-ins into graphic visualizations.
Google Maps also lets you search your own history, so you can get a visual reminder of the places you've been searching for and start picking up on trends in your own behavior.
Then, once you establish things, you still need to track those changes. Apps like LoseIt, Weight Watchers and LiveStrong let you log calories you eat and calories you burn via your smartphone. Fitango prescribes personalized plans to help you get in shape, and gives you a forum for sharing milestones you meet with your friends. Similarly, Phitter is like a fitness-focused Twitter stream where people share weight loss tribulations and tips to help keep each other going.

Money:
To help you get a fresh financial start, you should turn to a site like Mint.com. Mint aggregates all of your various accounts, including credit cards, bank accounts and assets, and then turns your spending habits into easy-to-read charts and graphs that show you where you're spending and where you could be saving. It even lets you compare your shopping and spending habits with other people in your area, so you can see how you stack up.
Once you've nailed down how your money is going out the door, you can start figuring out ways to keep ore of it in your wallet. Again, this is where tracking will be key to actually keeping those resolutions. First, you can establish your financial goals via an online calculator, which lets you figure out exactly how much to start saving. Once you're figured out your goals there are more than 50 great, free mobile apps to help you track your spending. On Facebook, the BillMonk app will help you keep better track those tricky situations where you're sharing a bill with your friends, and you need to make sure everyone knows what they owe. XPenser lets you record your expenses from any divide, including via tweet and e-mail, and TweetWhatYouSpend gives you a forum for sharing your expenditures with everyone on Twitter, so your friends can help hold you accountable when you blog your budget shopping those post-holiday sales.

Social Media:
Since you're reading this blog, you've probably already established yourself in the social media world. However, there probably are changes you can make to your profiles to better your social media presence.
Turn to Top Words app to figure out the topics you talk about most on Facebook. Klout tells you which topics you talk about the most on Twitter, and all sorts of other stats that will help you pinpoint what it is about your social media presence that you may want to change.
BackType analyzes your Twitter profile and tells you what percentage of your tweets are replies, retweets, links, etc. Like Klout, it also tells you who you're influencing and who your influencers are. And, it shows you your most shared sites.
Finally, ViralHeat gives you in-depth analysis of the sentiment around your various social network profiles, which really lets you hone in on how your social media behavior is being received by your followers on Facebook, Twitter and across the web.
If your resolution involves blogging more often, there are plenty of apps to help you do that on the go, right from your phone. Another way to remind yourself of things you want to blog, tweet or post about is by using a service like TwittRemind, which lets you tweet yourself reminders to do things throughout the day.
Once you've established what you want to change, set up alerts through ViralHeat, Klout, BackType and Google Alerts to track all the activity around the various topics you want to cover.
To make the most of your many profiles, consider setting up a hub page via a service like about.me, which lets you showcase all your profiles in one place. Or, sign up for a social network aggregation service to make it easier to make changes on all your profiles at once. You also might want to consider setting up a targeted Twitter list of friends and followers who can help you hold yourself accountable and focus your social media efforts so you can minimize the number of relationships you're managing and maximize the return you're getting from all these changes.

Happy New Year 2011!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Ex-Husband Charged with Reading Ex-Wife's Email

When thinking of marriage, most people remember the famous quote, "What's yours is mine and what's mine is yours" that seems to hold true, however not when it comes to emails apparently! Leon Walker of Rochester Hills Michigan is facing felony charges for reading the emails of his then spouse, Claire Walker.

While the couple was in the middle of a divorce, Walker discovered by reading his wife's emails that she was having an affair with her second husband who was said to be abusive. The couple was indeed living together when he decided to do his "research" within the email of his wife on their shared home computer. When Leon Walker found out this information, he informed his wife's first husband for the safety of the children that were involved in both marriages. The men deemed it necessary to then go to the courts with this information.

It was said that once the emails were given to the courts, Claire notified the police, and now Leon Walker is being charged with a five-hear felony by the Oakland County Prosecutor's Office. Walker was outraged by this prosecutor's decision to press charges for him simply protecting his children.

The couple is now divorced, and Walker will go to trial in February.

What do you think? Should it be illegal to read your spouse's email?

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Holiday Hours Extended to 24 Hours... Is It Worth It?

Over the month of December some stores have been in "we never close" mode. Target and Wal-Mart having been staying open until midnight and Toys 'R' Us and Macy's have been keeping the lights on all night for holiday shopping procrastinators.

For the first time ever, Toys 'R' Us will stay open 24 hours a day from now until Christmas Eve, when the doors will shut at 10p.m. They retailer's five temporary Toys 'R' Us "Express" stores in the Twin Cities and its Babies 'R' Us are not included in the frenzy.

The Macy's at Rosedale Center is one of a dozen of the chain's stores across the country to go 24 hours. It's the second year the store in Roseville has offered marathon shopping. Although Macy's won't share its sales numbers for the 83 hours of selling marathon, Macy's store manager at Rosedale, said the overnight blitz attracts hundreds of customers from around the area each night.

Sure, there are a few procrastinators, but mostly these people are people who have different lifestyles and different work schedules. When you shop at 2 in the morning, there's really a need. There are a ton of individuals in their working uniforms, third-shift workers, husbands and wives who work opposite schedules and come in when someone can watch their children. And then there are groups of women who went to a late show and came shopping after wards.

So, is it worth it? Retailers say staying open the extra hours are worth it. Experts say only two costs go up with the 24-hour concept: labor and utilities. If merchants can grab extra sales on the graveyard shift, it may be worth it. However, workers say different. They are just feeling more burned out leading up the holiday.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Hey, John Boehner: Quit Crying

Is there a difference in how crying is seen between men and women? I say yes. John Boehner, the incoming Speaker of the House, the most powerful Republican in Washington, and a man who is a matter of days will be second in line for the presidency, has twice had an opportunity to introduce himself to the American people. And, on both of these occasions, has cried a lot.

There is a tradition of politics crying in American and it often ends with getting beat at the polls. However, already some of the incoming speaker's supporters are getting worried that the Ohio Republican's penchant for showing his emotions makes him look weak. On the other hand, others have champtioned Boehner for his willingness to be real.

Some have suggested there is a double standard. When Republicans cry, they are "compassionate conservatives" but crying women and Democrats furthers the stereotype that they're weak. Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic woman who Boehner will replace has never cried in public. "For men, it is a sign of compassion. For women, it's a sign of weakness. it's the double standard that worries me," said Democratic strategist and ABC news consultant Donna Brazile. When Hillary Clinton cried briefly at a campaign stop in New Hampshire in 2008, she was criticized for manufacturing the tears as a way to appeal to women voters.

Regardless, it's something to think about. I believe that anyone can cry and should cry to work through stressful times or to deal with sadness. I think it's ok for even leaders to show emotion and compassion during a hard time. However, in a professional situation, you need to keep it together most of the time. You can't start crying all the time otherwise people are going to wonder why you're in control.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

The Most Powerful Tweets of 2010

Twitter started as a place for users to share thoughts and feelings using only 140 characters. However, over the recent year more celebrities, government officials and PR professionals are using Twitter and share some very exciting and influential news.

Here are the most influential tweets from 2010 according to Twitter:

Ann Curry: @usairforce find a way to let Doctors without Borders planes land in Haiti: http://bit.ly/8hYZOK THE most effective at this.
After the massive 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, Doctors without Borders flew in a team of physicians to assist the wounded, but they were unable to get clearance to land the plane. Reporter Ann Curry used this tweet to convince the U.S. Air Force to allow the flight to land.

White House: Welcome to @twitter President Medvedev! RT @KremlinRussia_E: Hello everyone! I'm on Twitter, and this is my first tweet.
When Russian president joined Twitter, this White House immediately reached out and welcome him to the Twitterverse. Obama quote: Red phones no longer required.

Leigh Fazzina: I've had a serious injury and need help! Can someone please call Winding Trails in Farmington, CT tell them I'm stuck bike crash in woods.
Twitter to the rescue: When she crashed her bike in a fores with no cell phone reception, a gravely injured triathlete saved her own life when she tweeted out a desperate call for help.

BP Global Public Relations: Catastrophe is a strong word, let's agree to call it a whoopsie daisy.
After the Deepwater Horizon platform exploded in the Gulf of Mexico, causing one of the largest oil spills in history, it was a parody account, not BP's official Twitter account, that defined the discussion -- spoofing the company's attempts to improve its public image. "Gulf Oil Spill" was the #1 Trend on Twitter in 2010.

Presidencia Ecuador: Gobierno declara estado de Exception #Ecuador #30S
In late September, civil unrest in Ecuador increased dramatically after a new law cut benefits for public servants. President Rafael Correa accused opposition and military forces of a coup attempt, and used Twitter to declare a state of emergency in a tweet. Leaders across Latin America and the world tweeted response to show their support for the people of Ecuador.

Clarence House: The Prince of Whales is delighted to announce the engagement of Prince William to Miss Catherine Middleton - www.princeofwhales.uk.gov
In a royal first, Clarence House, the Prince of Whales' private office, created a Twitter account to announce Prince Williams' engagement to Kate Middleton. Now how Henry VIII did it.

Johnathan Schwartz: Today's my last day at Sun. I'll miss it. Seems only fitting to end on a #haiku. Financial crisis/Stalled to many customers/ CEO no more.
When the CEO of one of the most high-profile technology companies in the world announced he was stepping down, he kept his resignation letter to 140 characters. Johnathan Schwartz left the Sun Microsystems with this simple message.

John M. Foster: Congratulations to Raul Labrador on a hard-earned win, and best of luck as Idaho's next congressman.
Twitter was a powerful campaign tool during 2010 U.S. Midterm Elections, and Election Night results often broke first on Twitter. Demonstrating how quickly the world of political communications is changing, Idaho incumbent Walt Minnick's campaign manager issued a concession tweet.

Carles Puyol: Gran ambiente en la rua!!! orgulloso de ver a tanta gente feliz. http://twitpic.com/24qkg5
The FIFA World Cup final represented the largest period of sustained activity for an event in Twitter's history: during the final game, people from 172 countries tweeted in 27 different languages. Twitter put fans in direct touch with teams, players and commentators - and when Spain celebrated it's big win in the Final, Charles Puyol captured the zeal with a Twitpic of the scene from his perch at the victory ceremony.

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Does the New Microsoft Store Image Work Or Are They Just a Bad Copycat?

It looks like an Apple store; employees wear bright color T-shirts just like Apple employees and there are all sorts of gadgets spread out for customers to try, just like in an Apple store. But, it's not an Apple store - it's the new breed of Microsoft stores. But, do the new Microsoft stores work as successful as Apple stores? Some say no.

I went shopping at Mall of America a few weeks ago and noticed that right across from the popular Apple store there was a store that looked just like it with a different logo - it took me a moment to realize it was a Microsoft store. I walked through and wondered how well this new image was working for them, copying their largest competitor's image. Personally, I thought it was odd.

Apparently others feel the same. People say it looks like the Apple brand, but doesn't feel the same. They say it doesn't have that same 'cool' factor that Apple's brand has. The main reason it has been decided was because the main difference between the two brands is that Apple products are exclusively sold at Apple stores. You can't find them anywhere else. And secondly, Apple stores only sell Apple products. Compare this to the Microsoft which sells a variety of product brands.

What do you think?

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Early Show Makes Drastic Change: CBS Fires Whole Team

Last week every single member of the CBS Early Show was let go. Harry Smith and Maggie Rodriguez are out, even the weatherman Dave Price. The decision was made after the announcement that the morning show again placed last in the rankings, coming in third behind the number one spot the Today Show and second place Good Morning America.

Sean McManus, the president of CBS News said it was important that the network do something 'dramatic.' So instead they brought in the team hosting the show the other part of the week, Chris Wragge and Erica Hill, who are on "The Early Show" on Saturday. CBS doesn't think the change will make viewers want to check out the new guys, but it will start something different.

Broadcast television is a business built on habit - no more so than in the morning, when viewers mindlessly flip the television on with their first cup of coffee. The inertia is profound and cuts both ways. An object in motion, in this case the Today show, with nearly twice the viewers of The Early Show will remain in motion. It will get the hot bookings, the big guests and the tune-ins.

My question though, is if CBS wants to do something different, why keep the show the same and just change the players? If broadcast behavior is built on habit, CBS will need to do something bigger because I'm not sure this change will do any good. Here are some great ideas from a reporter at the New York Times for the producers at CBS:

Make a show for people who have not reproduced. Instead of running after the other networks and going after the American housewife on the verge of her impossibly busy day, why not try a show for young, new viewers. Something that showcases young talent and goes beyond family issues.

Move around. Where is it written that the three morning shows aim at Middle America must emanate from the same 10 blocks around Times Square? Booking traditional guests might be a problem in Chicago, but The Early Show is not getting that worm as it is. Look at Oprah.

Take a lesson from failing sports teams and hoard your draft picks and plan for the future. Make something truly Webby. "ABC New Now is a test project for a network that is trying on some digital and social media approaches to news, albeit with not many resources.

Create a more hybrid version of a morning show, something that is more portable, more adaptable to the Web and mobile devices. This would be a nice muscle to develop going forward.

Monday, December 6, 2010

Palin's 'Sarah Palin's Alaska' Is Interesting PR

I've been holding back writing about this because I'm not a fan of Sarah Palin or her family, but I think it's time to address the PR her show, Sarah Palin's Alaska (8 p.m. Central Time on TLC), is doing. It's clear that Sarah Palin is not going away, even though I hoped after the 2008 election. Instead of falling off the earth, it's obvious that Sarah Palin is running for the 2012 Republican party's presidential candidate nomination, especially with her book launch, public speaking events, tea party leadership and now a reality TV show.

The show was created to build up Sarah Palin's public relations efforts. She's been beaten up many times in the media, and this TV show is suppose to help change that goofy, disrespected image of hers. It allows Palin to work with a controlled media outlet and show the American people what her life in Alaska, and outside of politics, is really like.

The show is a hybrid of adventure travel, in documentary style. Despite Palin's protests, reality TV - the eight-episode series follows Mama Grizzly encountering brown bears, Sarah Barracuda hauling in freshly caught halibut, and Caribou Barbie mingling with moose, bison and caribou.

The show is about halfway through the series, but you can still tune in and check it out. What do you think? Is it a good PR idea for Sarah?

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Want to feel sexy? It's all in the bag, study finds

With the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show airing last night, I'm feeling a little more sexy than usual... Is this true though, can a brand change the way you feel about yourself?

If you feel a little snobbier when driving a BMW, or feel a little more outdoorsy if you slip on your North Face, or feel a little more hip when you use your new MacBook Air - you're not alone. It's widely known that a product's brand image has a profound impact on your own self image. It's even been proven in a recent study by the University of Minnesota, that now we actually sometimes change our own personalities to match a brand we want to be associated with.

"For example, if you want to be conveyed as adventurous you may buy a Harley-Davidson motorcycle or wear casual clothes from stores such as REI," says Deborah Roedder John, a marketing professor at the U of M and one of the authors of the study published in the December issue of the Journal of Consumer Research. (You can find the full report here, but a subscription is required.)

Brands are like badges - For one part of the study the U of M researchers recruited about 100 volunteers at a mall, all women between the ages of 18 to 34, and asked each of them to carry around a shopping bag of their choice for an hour: Victoria's Secret, Old Navy or Limited Too. Everyone chose the Victoria's Secret bag. When they came back an hour later they were given a survey about how they felt about themselves. The survey results showed that the 'personality of Victoria's Secret' is sexy, glamorous and feminine. (No word on whether or not the bag made them feel like a 15 year old.)

The same researchers did a study with a pen with the MIT logo on it. The results came back similar saying that they felt smarter when using the MIT pen.

This idea is called "entity theory," and it means your the type of person who seeks our products to make you feel a certain way about yourself. But, if you're not a type of person who is affected by a brand you buy, you really won't feel anything at all during a study like this. The second theory is called the "incremental theory"

So, maybe this theory will help shoppers this holiday season save money. You really don't need to buy the brand you believe makes you who you are. All you really need to do is be associated with it and you'll still feel this same benefit.

What do you think of this idea? Have you experienced it or do you think it's full of crock?

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Round Two: Cyber Monday!

After a great weekend for retailers, shops are rolling out big deals for 'Cyber Monday.'

The holiday that always lands on the Monday after Thanksgiving gets its name from a retail trade group that promoted the idea that people will return to work after a festive weekend of food and shopping, log on to their computers and continue to shop.

Cyber Monday has become a bigger deal than in years past. In fact, as stores promote their Black Friday ads online, it's harder to tell the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals. Actually, this year more stores are promoting their Cyber Monday ads all week long because more shoppers are just going online rather than coming in their stores. For example, Walmart.com is promoting 'Cyber Week,' discounts from Sunday through next Friday.

Online spending still is a very small piece of the income pie, between eight and 10 percent. However, with it's recent growth in popularity stores get excited about the enthusiasm surrounding online shopping.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Earn Like a CEO

With only a handful of women in top corporate jobs, and even fewer among the highest earners, what is it that these women leaders are doing that the rest of us can do, too? The road to the top is never simple, but all the women who have made it share one common characteristic: drive. So, what's the leadership style that got them there?

Sixteen women CEOs earned $14.2 million - 42 percent more than their male counterparts' average in 2009.

"You just have to keep asking questions," said Carol Bartz, chief executive of Yahoo! in a recent interview. "Why do I have to be the know-it-all? I'm not that smart. But, I'm smart enough to just keep asking questions and say, is that the best you can do? Does that excite you? Will that excite the customer? Does this really have to work this way?

Here, other female directors share their success secrets:

Know your product, but more importantly, know your market. Kraft CEO Irene Rosenfeld reconstructed the iconic Oreo cookie into a wafer that Chinese consumers love.

Build a strong support base of employees who keep you motivated, advises Indra Nooyi, president of Pepsi Co. Nooyi says she considers those at work members of her extended family

Finally, to reach your highest earning potential, communicate with those at all levels of the company. Establishing relationships is crucial to mobility, notes Patricia Woertz, head of Archer Daniels Midland Company.

Lastly, when planning your financial future, experts say you should expected the unexpected.

"The ladder of success is best climbed by stepping on the rungs of opportunity." Ayn Rand

Monday, November 22, 2010

2010 Consumer Shopping Trends

The holidays are upon us and for weeks I've already heard 24-7 Christmas music playing on some radio stations. Today through Thursday I'm gearing up for my Black Friday shopping-spree by paging through ads and websites to see what I should run after. The National Retail Federation/BiGresearch, comScore, Consumer Electronics Association and Consumer Reports surveyed and found out what the hot items this season are.

Top Consumer Trends:

More discretionary gifts: Longtime favorites still rule -- gift cards, books, clothes, CDs and DVDs, but the number of people who want a gift of jewelry under the tress is up 13 percent from last year.

Gift cards: After growing in popularity by double digits, gift card sales grew only slightly last years as retailed continued to offer deep discounts. This year experts predict more practical gift cards for grocery stores, restaurants and home improvement centers will be under Christmas trees.

Value over price: Even though rock-bottom prices seem to be important, it appears that consumers are considering quality more lately.

Fewer gifts for self: Almost a third of people say they'll cut back on buying themselves gifts, putting more toward charitable giving and gifts for others.

Click and buy: Many people I've been talking to say they don't want to bother with the crowds during the holidays - they'll be doing most of their shopping online. Online spending is expected to grow by nine percent, twice last year's pace. and online shopping say they'll spend almost a quarter more.

Going mobile: Practically 27 percent of those who own a smart phone will use it in their research or buying.

Gadgets: Consumers plan to spend give percent more on consumer electronics this year; nearly a third will buy nothing but consumer electronics. At the top of the gift-giving list: video game consoles, MP3 players, notebook/laptops. TVs, which had been the most popular category in recent years, fell to No. 6.

Cash is king: Slightly more than a quarter of shoppers say they'll charge their gifts, the lowest since 2002. Four in 10 people say they'll cut back on credit and debit card spending.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Royal Wedding: PR Firms Jump Right In

Press releases have come flurrying in once the engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton this week.

Within minutes of the announcement that Prince William and Kate Middleton were engaged to be married, PR companies across the country jumped into action by using the engagement to publicise their travel clients. Here are a few of the travel offerings and wedding related press releases the couple has received thus far.

Kate and William: Dublin's on your doorstep, says Irish Ferries

"To celebrate the news that William and Kate are to marry and live in north Wales, Irish Ferris is offering the happy couple free crossings to Dublin."

"Dublin's bright lights, great 'craic' and top class shops are less than two hours from Anglesey, where William is based," says Irish Ferris Declan Mescall.

This makes the Irish capital closer and easier to reach than London's West End - perfect for Kate's girly weekends when William is flying, or a romantic break for the couple themselves.

Irish Ferris is giving Kate and William unlimited Holyhead to Dublin travel, in Club Class, as long as they live in north Wales."

Royal retreat fit for a King

"Finally, it's the news we've all been waiting for, Prince William and Kate Middleton have announced their engagement! Following the recent royal proposal in Kenya where should the couple celebrate their honeymoon? Eskaya Beach Resort and Spa in the Philippines, of course!"

Celebrating the Royal Engagement

"Today's announcement of the royal engagement is a cause for celebration, not just for the royal couple and their family, but fro the whole of England.

The engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton is wonderful news, and all that Visit England join the rest of the country in congratulating the young couple on their impending marriage.

The happy couple have yet to announce the location for the ceremony, or the honeymoon - and although traditional locations such as Westminster Abbey have been suggested, there are many other options to be considered.

Attached: 10 Alternative Locations for the Perfect English wedding."

With news of a royal wedding, try amaging retreats for your very own special day

"News of a certain engagement today will get many thinking of their own specila day and Amazing Retreats can offer a venue to make you feel like royalty! From a Scottish Castle, which has played host to many a celebrity bash, to country manor houses and even a fort in the Soleng Amazing Retreats has secluded wedding venues aplenty!"

Following in the footsteps of Prince William and Kate Middleton and propose to your loved-one in Kenya

"Folowing the exciting announcement of Prince William and Kate middleton's engagement, Kuoni has selected a range of romantic Kenya holidays that provide the perfect setting to propose to your loved-one."

Calling all Kate and WIlliams to Ten Manchester Street, Marylebone

"Ten Manchester Street is offering all engaged couples called William and Kate a complimentary afternoon tea with chilled bottle of champagne."

Complimentary Room for Newly-Engaged Couples at The Landmark London

"Marylebone's regal 5-star hotel The Landmark London are offering any couple who have become engaged in the last month a free night's stay at The Landmark London complete with a bottle of chilled Champagne in the room to celebrate their engagement."

Fit for a King - free overnight stay and spa treatments at The Cornwall Hotel Spa & Estate

"For happy couples that have become engaged this week - The Cornwall Hotel Spa & Estate, a 43 acre woodland retreat and luxury hotel are offering a free overnight stay and a his and hers spa treatment."

Sunday, November 14, 2010

High School Yearbooks Become More Personal

High school yearbooks have been designed by a team of students and staff for a long time, but this year some Minnesota schools are allowing all students to design their own sections.

Yearbook giant, Jostens, is allowing students at 40 Minnesota schools the chance to create their own yearbook pages to be bound in their own yearbooks.

For $15 students can upload their own pictures to their own eight pages that will be attached to the back of their yearbooks next to the pages set aside for autographs.

The website, www.yearbookyourself.com, provides layouts, backgrounds, stickers and shapes to be incorporated into their own design.

Schools that are participating are letting students know about it now, but students who want to get more personal pages also can go to the site to see if their school is involved. (Registration is required to access the site.)

Nationally, the program is being rolled out to 1,000 schools. Eventually, more schools will be added.

What do you think of this idea? Would you do it? I think it's pretty cool. I was part of the yearbook staff senior year of high school and we really tried to diversify shots and who was in them, but sometimes students would think they weren't featured enough or wanted to capture something else about their time in high school. This allows those who want to the opportunity to create their own pages to help them keep their happiest high school memories around.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

The Twin Cities Wins America's Most Relaxed U.S. City

Why am I feeling stressed this week at work when the Twin Cities was just named most relaxed city in America? Minneapolis-St. Paul was ranked No.1 least stressful place to live and work this week by Forbes. Places with high unemployment, heavy traffic and long working hours can be physically painful to live in: Stressful environments can take their toll on your health, causing everything from headaches and back pain to high blood pressure and heart disease.

Why is Minneapolis-St. Paul number one? Joblessness isn't the stress-inducer it is elsewhere: at 7 percent, the unemployment rate is well below the 9.6 percent national average. Fewer than 5 percent of workers spend their mornings stuck in traffic, and 84 percent of the population reported recent exercise--the best workout rate of any city we surveyed. The metro also scored well for its high percentage of inhabitants that have medical coverage and good general physical health.

Forty of the largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas were examined across the US, measuring them on six metrics that are closely correlated with stress, or that result from stress, or that result from stress. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics were reviewed, unemployment ranks were looked at, survey results from the American Community Survey (conducted by the US Census Bureau - this monitored how many commuters spend an hour or more in traffic on the way to work and the average weekly hours people spend at work.)

No. 2 - Milwaukee Wisconsin, because of it's healthy work-life balance and short commute times.

Other cities that made the grade for just their residents love the outdoors are: Portland, OR (No. 4); Denver, CO (No. 6); Seattle, WA (No. 7); and San Jose, CA (No. 10).

Monday, November 8, 2010

The White House Teams with Monster.com To Connect with Job Seekers

Due to the uproar last Tuesday and claim that congressional leaders are not helping the economy produce jobs, the White House is teaming with Monster.com to answer employment questions from the public.

Starting today, November 8th and running through Sunday November 14th, job seekers and members of Monster.com community can go to the Monster.com Facebook page and pose a question to the Obama Administration with regard to America's unemployment state. The questions that get people talking and rack up the "Likes" will be answered by the White House, who will video tape responses and post them online.

The Obama administration has used social media many times before to reach out and communicate. President Obama has answered questions on YouTube and recorded video responses, and recently the White House has answered questions on Twitter. However, this is an interesting public relations move by the president, because he is going right to the people who are affected by jobs congregate.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Human Billboard Show Signs of Success for Some

Imagine this: you're driving down the street by a strip mall, look over at the corner while waiting for the stop light and find a person dressed up in a statue of liberty costume for the tax service business or holding a sign for a deal to a pizza place, car shop or hair salon. Think for a moment about this work ad: "Employee needed to work outside. Smiling and waving required. Dancing encouraged. Bring your headset." I've been seeing more of this type of advertising happening and it's got me to thinking about whether or not this advertising actually works?

Companies seem to be pulling out all bells and whistles to attract business. Many are trying new marketing such as doing social networking on Facebook and Twitter and coupon sites such as Groupon, but some have gone back to their roots and are bringing back old-fashioned methods.

The human billboards are a variation on an old marketing strategy, the sandwich board. What you're truly looking at though is an inexpensive outdoor ad. Businesses that sell luxury items such as jewelry have had a hard time these past two years. Some have moved to smaller locations where city ordinances wouldn't allow them to put a sign in the window. Instead, some of them have taken to the streets, dressing someone up in 'loud' clothing and holding a sign on a busy street. Other small businesses such as hair salons have reported that when they hire someone to dress up as a large pair of scissors and hold a sign on a busy street their business more than doubles.

But, then if this advertising works, why isn't everyone doing it? It really depends on who they hire. The person standing still, looking at the ground doesn't attract the attention someone jumping, smiling and laughing does. The second type of person pulls outsiders in. However, the 'waver' needs to be brand appropriate.

Research says that generally the concept works best for a spontaneous purchase, such as an oil change or a pizza. Some pizza places have someone stand outside from 4 to 7 holding a sign. It's perfect because those people tired, hungry and heading home from work see it. Most of the human signgs must try to have fun on the job, so it works best for a business with a sense of humor. Tax services don't usually elicit a lot of yuks, but Liberty Tax Service is trying to change that. Every tax season, from mid-January to mid-April, at least one employee from its 39 Minnesota locations is dancing near a busy intersection, drumming up business dressed as the Statue of Liberty.

The company employs wavers, an official title, in the coldest season of the year. Fortunately the costumes are baggy and can hide a coat underneath. It also helps that Liberty employees are encouraged to bring headphones. The wavers are a big part of Liberty's business model and auditions are held after applications watch videos of the company's favorite wavers. Prospects get suggestions such as saluting police officers who drive past and arm-pumping to get truck drivers to honk. But, does this actually make people choose a tax preparer because someone was in fun costume and waved at them? Liberty says that it helps potential customers who are nervous about filling out their tax forms feel more relaxed about the process.

So, what your probably wondering is who is the right person for this type of job? Old class clowns maybe? Turnover is high in these jobs, the pay is usually minimum-wage, and most wavers don't get commissions, despite the uptick in sales. Doesn't sound very good does it? On the other side, breaks are frequent and shifts rarely last more than four hours.

Monday, November 1, 2010

Oh Farve...

In the two to three months since Brett Favre has decided to play another season on the Vikings, he has gone from hero to zero, making the PR buzz Minnesota football and the NFL had going become a PR nightmare. The word going around now is that Favre's devotion to his self-glorifying consecutive games-played streak is stronger than his devotion to this teammates and to winning a game - that he is keeping the Vikings back from their full potential.

Many football fanatics will still argue that Brett Favre is one of the best QBs in history, but I hope for his sake this isn't the way he goes into retirement. Who wants to be remembered for leaving their all-star athlete career by being hauled off the field, having a broken ankle, throwing numerous interceptions and just being looked at as the 'old' guy on the field?

From a PR standpoint, it's hard to say what should be done or said. I don't want Favre to play because he looks like he is in so much pain and I feel like he could get hurt severely at any time. However, the entire idea of his coming back has been blown so out of proportion that I feel he must play for the rest of the season and just keep saying he's giving it all he's got.

I'm sad to say I don't like to watch Vikings games anymore - they're too painful. I really like the team overall, even Favre, but they aren't playing well together. After yesterday's loss, putting them at 2-5, I'm not sure if they're even eligible to be in the playoffs. Every week it's a back and forth debate whether or not Favre will play the following week. I feel like this summer never ended because all we heard on the news in sports was whether or not Favre was coming back for another season. Don't worry though - next weekend's status is already clear because Favre made a statement, he'll be back next week to play against the cardinals. "I'm ready for next week's game, no body knows my body like I do. I think I'll be alright, ready to play next week. I'm shocked I was able to play and move around the way I was. ...my prayers were answered I expect to play (all season). I made my decision to come back, and I feel like this team is close."

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Get Your Point Across

This political season I've been watching some of the debates and speeches from the candidates and it's fun to see how they handle themselves in front of reporters - especially during the question and answer session. It's got me to thinking after the 'song and dance' is over, what do I remember about what the candidates said? Some are really good at it. Others are terrible and when they go off script, their words get taken and spun into something they didn't even want to be remembered for.

When we're trying to get a point across to someone else we often think long and hard about what we want to say. That is the wrong way to do it though. Instead of focusing on what you want to say to get your point across, you should focus on what you want the other person to hear.

What do I want to say?
Really think about what you want to say before you say it. Practice it if you have to or write it down. Remember, it is important to be concise, precise and specific in choosing your words, regardless of whether you write them or speak them.

Who is my audience?
Your audience matters a lot. The better you know your audience, the easier it will be to tailor your message to them.

How do I reach them?
In the political debates, the candidates have been using all ways of communication. However, if you are trying to reach a particular audience, study what they use most and communicate to them through that. For example, you wouldn't use a computer to target a senior citizen group. You would most likely use the newspaper or radio.

Manage this issue
Again, don't forget your main purpose. Increase your chances of getting your point across by focusing more on the receiver than the sender. Tailor your message to your audience and don't worry so much about what you want to say. Say what you want them to hear and understand.

Tip: Write down your key points and keep the number of points to a minimum. Practice fitting those key messages into what your saying and stick to them. Don't stray far from your main key messages or they will get lost.

Monday, October 25, 2010

New Idea Happening at Starbucks

To set itself apart in the coffee business, Starbucks is launching a new marketing tactic. The company is inviting customers to enjoy premium web content for free while dining in one of their coffeehouses. Starbucks just introduced it's new Digital Network in partnership with Yahoo!.

The idea is that Starbucks will pick up the tab for access to certain websites, so that customer's don't have to. By bringing your wireless computer in while you sip, you can have exclusive access to:
  • Breaking news from subscription editions to the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today.
  • Listening to popular music, and downloading exclusive iTunes Tracks for free.
  • To local Zagat reviews and ratings.
What do you think? I think it's a great idea and will give Starbucks an edge over other coffeehouses. To learn more about the company's idea check it out here: http://promo.yahoo.com/starbucks/

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Social Media Use at the Workplace

Local companies are shutting down Facebook access for employees because it's believed they are spending too much time connecting with friends than doing work. The ban of Facebook, along with other social networking sites, is taking affect at TCF Bank and law firm Fredrikson & Byron. No more will employees be able to share news, information or pictures online while a work.

As Facebook reaches 500 million uses, the website has become a conundrum for employers. The behemoth of social media offers and intriguing way to make business connections, but it can also be a major distraction. On recent survey by Network Box found that employees click on Facebook at work more than any other website, including Google.

Google "Facebook at work" and you'll turn up more than 1.2 billion hits. This just shows what a hot-button issue this is. Further, as other social networking sites come about, such as Twitter and LinkedIn, employers are re-evaluating how to manage social media at the workplace.

Some employers are completely open to the likes of Facebook and Twitter and even encourage their use. Others are using the social network strategically to recruit employees, market their brand and serve customers. A third group is trying to figure out what are appropriate interactions on Facebook in the workplace.

Some employers debate whether or not to create guidelines to using social networking sites at work rather than ban it all together. However, debaters on the topic agree it needs to be all or nothing.

Other companies actually greet the use of social media at work, such as Campbell Mithun. There, Facebook and social media networking are greatly encouraged. The idea is that it helps employees understand the engagement on brands they represent, gain firsthand knowledge of the dynamics of these markets and overall understand consumer needs better.

Some workplace development experts believe that the decision comes right down to what kind of environment you want to create, and that the social media debate is the exact same debate businesses had over email at work a decade ago and personal telephone calls at work two decades ago. The question that needs to be asked is, do you want to create a climate of trust and empowerment or do you want to create a climate of distrust, monitoring and control?

I believe that just because companies have the authority to block social media doesn't mean they should.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Bieber Takes a Stand on Bullying

Justin Bieber is ready to stand up against bullies after a incident in which is was targeted with anti-gay slur at a laser tag center in Canada this weekend.

Justin is ready to stand up against homophobia after realizing how hurtful it can be to be bullies, regardless of his own sexuality. Bieber is straight, but understands how what is is like to be on the receiving end.

The incident is suppose to go public sometime this week and Justin hopes this brings more support to his anti-bullying campaign. Word is that Bieber's team wanted the incident to remain quiet, but Justin wants to be open about the episode. He thinks it is important to face the issue head on.

Unnamed sources have said that the episode went down at Planet Lazer, a laser tag chain that has a location in Richmond, British Columbia. Bieber was targeted by an overzealous laser tag participant who lobbed an anti-gay slur at the teen idol. When the 12-year-old stuck his hand out toward Bieber, the pop sensation apparently batted it away and then left the center.

Right now is a busy time for the pop star. Bieber announced Friday that his buzzed-about 3-D flick "Never Say Never" will be released in February. His illustrated memoir, "Justin Bieber: First Step 2 Forever: My Story," just hit shelves. His char-topping music continues to make an impact and the singer is up for four American Music Award trophies.

I think this is a great idea for Justin. Right now, this is a hot button issue. I think he will get a lot of good press for his campaign and help the younger generation see homophobia as a bad thing. I don't see any cons with him going public about the incident.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

There are More Unmarried Couples Living Together than Ever Before, Why? Is it the Recession or just a New Social Norm?

Recently, more and more young couples are living together and not getting married and the reason being seen as is the economic downturn. Further, this number is rising faster here in Minnesota, but why?

New U.S. Census estimates show the number of unmarried couples living together has spiked nationally during the recent recession and rose even faster in Minnesota. Demographers believe the increase is couples delaying marriage because of the cost, avoiding marriage altogether or moving in without a long-term plan because of short term financial pressures. While cohabitation has increased over the last 30 years, the recent uptick has surprised most experts. The Current Population Survey showed an increase nationally from 6.7 million unmarried couples living together in 2009 to 7.5 million couples in 2010. That's a huge jump!

The reason for this increase is unclear. Joblessness might be one of the reasons why couples say 'ok, do we really need two addresses?' It was determined that couples who recently moved in together were less likely to have jobs than couples who lived together more than a year. Beyond economics, a major reason for more cohabitation is couples who have children, but don't get married. Many couples today just see moving in together as a natural extension of dating. First, you have a toothbrush, and then maybe some clothes, and then eventually it doesn't make sense to pay rent on two apartments.

It's unclear why cohabitation is rising faster in Minnesota. The state has more married couples living together fewer divorces and separations, and fewer multiple-generation households. Who knows, this could create a new social norm in which unmarried couples also want to live together if it hasn't already.

The negative stigma surrounding unmarried couples living together has lessened in the last three decades, but hasn't disappeared. The old "living in sin" idea has changed since the time when landlords would deny apartments to unmarried couples, but instead today some couples find it a challenge to find a church to perform their wedding ceremony unless they first get legally married or agree to move apart. It is common for most unmarried couples living together to split up or get married within two years. It's been concluded that only 14 percent of couples are unmarried live together after five years.

Really, there are pros and cons to living together before marriage, the debate is still on. Time will only tell if this pattern becomes the norm and if it improves the stats of divorce. It's an interesting situation. Why do you think this is happening and what do you think the future will be for unmarried couples who have decided to try living together?

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

More Women Bring in the Big Bucks

It was recently reported that nationwide the number of women with six-figure incomes is rising at a much faster pace than for men.

About one in 18 women who work full-time earned $100,000 or more in 2009. This is a jump of 14 percent over two years ago according to the recent census results. In contrast, one in seven men made that much, up just four percent.

The swelling ranks of well-paid women workers are largely attributable to almost three decades of growth in the umber of women with the academic credentials to land good jobs. Women now outnumber men at almost every level of higher education, which three women attending college and graduate school for every two men. They get more master's degrees and more PhDs. Most law school students are women, as are almost half of all medical students.

However, women's advocates and groups representing professional women cautioned that a wage gap between the sexes remains stubbornly persistent and women are sparsely represented at the upper echelons of business. Just three percent of Fortune 500 CEOs are women.

The gains that women continue to make in the workplace have come amid the worst recession in decades - a downturn that has been particularly harsh for men. Median pay and hours worked fell twice as much for men as for women. The share of workers earning $50,000 and up was flat for men but rose by five percent for women.

Those figures represent an economy in which manufacturing and construction, with more male workers than women, id declining while jobs requiring the higher education at which women excel have increased

The full-time workforce remains predominantly male, with 56 million men and 42 million women. Only a relatively small segment of either sex has passed the $100,000 benchmark - about 2.4 million working women and 7. million men earn that much. But, some analysts believe that the gap between men and women who are earning more than $100.000 will narrow further, at least for one group.

A report earlier this year from a consumer marketing firm found that unmarried women in their 20s who are childless and work in cities have caught up with or are ahead of young men living in all but a handful of the nation's largest metropolitan regions.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Pink Booze Marketing is Hard to Swallow

You've likely noticed a lot of pink popping up this month. Consumers who want to support breast cancer research through shopping can choose pink T-shirts, lip gloss, bags of potato chips, bagels in ribbon shapes, even certain airplanes are painted pink this month! These marketing campaigns help promote breast cancer research and awareness and promote the brands of companies who do the promotion. However, some people, including cancer survivors and physicians in women's health, say alcohol beverage companies have taken this too far. They say the it's hypocritical to raise money for research while selling a product that contributes to the disease.

Both the American Cancer Society and National Cancer Institute say even moderate drinking increases breast cancer risk.

Mike's Hard Lemonade now comes in a pink variety. Pink wines sport pink ribbons, and Chambord, which markets pink vodka and liqueurs urges people to "pink their drink," saying that "by adding a splash of Chambord to any cocktail, "you're supporting breast cancer awareness year-round."

Mike's Hard Lemonade donated half a million dollars over the past two years to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and Chambord's website states that the Pink Your Drink campaign has raised more than $50,000 in donations for the Breast Cancer Network of Strength and other patient groups.
In many cases cause-related marketing is not for the charity. Even if there is passion and good intentions involved while carrying out the tactic, remember all marketing is done to sell product in some way. At least breast cancer charities are benefiting in a big way from alcohol-related gifts. I think unless cancer foundations are going to do something about it, like implement donation applications, complaints should remain silent.

Monday, October 4, 2010

Advertising on the Rise

When the economic slump started a few years ago advertising executives began to worry if the advertising downhill slide would ever end? Would marketing money return to all media or just a few?

The answers are becoming much more clear and the outcomes are showing proving to be positive. The American advertising market, which has benefited from government stimulus and old media are showing recovery.

However, not ALL old media are showing growth. Advertising is still leaching out of newspapers, in particularly regional ones. It is returning only slowly to magazines. Billboards are faring better. Yet, the greatest old-media winner is TV, is most countries the main advertising medium.

In early 2009, it looked as if many public TV broadcasting stations might go belly up, but at CBS, ad sales rose from $4 billion to $4.5 billion from then to now. Shares in the company have more than tripled from last year's lows, although they are still well below pre-recession peaks.

Most of the time the advertising business comes back last, but this time it led. A rebound effect is at work. Car dealers and banks that stopped advertising in 2008 have decided they cannot stay out of the market for ever. Yet, there is two inherent reason why a drop in advertising must be followed by a rise. Just look at newspapers, where a painful fall in advertising in 208 was followed by another steep drop in 2-09, with a further fall expected this year. Television is recovering more strongly than other media because it has two distinct and growing advantages.

Why? First, companies that want to make the emerging middle class aware of their brands inevitably turn to television. That's its big advantage. Second, its power to monopolize attention is undiminished. Many newspaper readers have moved online, where they are worth less to advertisers. Not so TV viewers. In the first quarter of this year the average American spent 158 hours per month in front of the box, according to Nielsen, a research firm. That was two hours more than a year earlier. By comparison, he spent just three hours watching video online and 3 1/2 hours watching it on his mobile phone.

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Finding Work-Life Balance

I believe a good work-life balance is essential to living a happy life. How to you achieve yours?

Employees at Briargate Trading, a New York trading firm, work super hard around the stock market's 9:30 AM opening and 4 PM closing, but the rest of the day, as most other finance works are hunched over their desks, works head to the movies, play tennis in Central park, take leisurely lunches, visit their kid's schools or work out.

Here's something to think about, when are you intense periods at work and when are your lulls? Would you like a job where you worked really hard for a set time, but then could relax? Or would you rather just work steadily, but less intensely, throughout the day? If you could concoct your ideal work schedule what would it be?

If you're feeling a little over worked and need to get your work-life balance back, here are 10 tips:

1. Negotiate a change with your current employer. Progressive employers recognize the value of good employees, and many are willing to find ways to help current employees deal with short-term or permanent changes caused by family situations. The change can include flextime, job-sharing, telecommuting, or part-time employment. First, research your employer's policies and methods of handling previous requests. Then go to your boss with the information and a plan that shows how you will be an even more valuable and productive employee if you can modify your current work situation.
2. Find a new career. Some careers are simply more stressful and time-consuming that others. If you need more time for yourself or your family, now may be the time to explore careers that are less stressful and more flexible.
3. Find a new job. Rather than a career change, perhaps you just need to take a less stressful job within your chosen career. This change may involve working with your current employer to identify a new position, it may involve a full job-search, or it may involve temping or becoming a consultant or starting a freelancing or other home-based business.
4. Slow down. Life is simply too short, so don't let things pass you in a blur. Take steps to stop and enjoy the things and people around you. Schedule more time between meetings; don't make plans for every evening or weekend, and find some ways to distance yourself form the things that are causing you the most stress.
5. Learn to better manage your time and avoid procrastination. For many, most of the stress they feel comes from simply being disorganized, and procrastinating. Learn to set more realistic goals and deadlines, and then stick to them. You'll find that not only are you less stressed, but your work will be better.
6. Share the load. Even though we may sometimes feel we're the only ones capable of doing something, it's usually not the case. Get your partner or other family member to help you with all your personal/family responsibilities. Taking care of the house or family should not be the responsibility of just one person.
7. Let things go; don't sweat the small stuff. It's simpler said than done, but learn to let things go once and awhile. Don't always worry about the dishes not getting washed each day or that the house doesn't get vacuumed every week. Learn to recognize the things that don't really have much impact in your life and allow yourself to let them go. Then don't beat yourself up for doing so.
8. Explore your options. If you're feeling overwhelmed with your responsibilities, get help if you can afford it. In many cases, you have options, but you need to take the time to find them.
9. Take charge and set priorities. Sometimes it's easier for us to allow ourselves to feel overwhelmed rather than taking charge and developing a prioritized list of things that need to get done. You need to buck the trend, develop a list, set priorities and enjoy the satisfaction of crossing things off your list.
10. Simplify. It seems human nature for about everything to take on too many tasks, to try to do too much, and to own too much. Find a way to simplify your life. Change your lifestyles. Learn to say no to requests for help. Get rid of the clutter and baggage in your house and your life.

Monday, September 27, 2010

Hazardous Resumes

The job market is still rough and there are many out there still struggling to find work; since it has been reported that there are more inaccuracies in resumes. It has long been the case that job seekers buffer their resumes to make themselves look like a stronger, but recently more candidates are downplaying their work histories instead of exaggerating so that they won't appear overqualified for a job.

You may think that the highest group of unemployed people are young professionals and recent college grads. However, it's been said that the greatest number of those looking for work are those who are middle age and have been laid off. This is why some experts say 'dis-embellishment' is happening. This group of individuals have the experience, but can't find jobs to meet their years of work. Typically, this group needs a steady income somehow to pay for things such as their houses, kids, food, etc, so they are willing to take almost any job that, even one that requires much less experience.

Advice: Bottom line is tell the truth. Any work of fiction on either end poses for risk. Further, if any hirer does some research, they can find out the truth themselves.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Blockbuster Files for Bankruptcy Protection

The movie rental business has changed drastically in the past few years. Before, if you wanted to rent a movie Friday night all you had to turn to was your neighborhood movie rental shop. Now the business has expanded with Red Box, where you can rent new releases and old classics for just a buck a day, and Netflix, where you don't even need to leave your home to get a new movie. These players have strongly increased the competition making it hard for mom and pop shops, little alone big movie rental stores like Blockbuster to compete in the market. Recently, the previous movie-rental powerhouse, filed for bankruptcy protection and said it plans to keep stores and kiosks open as it reorganizes.

To compete with the new companies gaining popularity, Blockbuster did make some changes. The company ended late fees and started online and kiosk services of its own. However, it was still unable to keep its debt in check.

Blockbuster's future plans include closing hundreds of stores and continuing it's DVD vending kiosks, by-mail and digital business. Billionaire investor Carl Icahn will help steer the latest efforts to save Blockbuster, reviving a role he played long ago in trying to shape up the company. He has trusted himself into positioning the power of the company and this by time snapping up about one-third of Blockbuster's highest-priority debt. In it's filing it had about $1 billion in assets and $1.46 billion in debt.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Three Reasons to Hire a PR Firm

I've had experience from both the client and agency side of business, and I know what a good public relations firm can do. Here are the reasons I believe companies, especially small companies, should hire an outside public relations firm to do the dirty work.

You don't have time to do PR. You can't just turn off your public relations for a period of time. Just like other functions of the business, it's something you need to keep up. PR is something you need to plan and execute. Just like SEO, the more effort you put into your public relations plan, the more you'll get out off it.
To maximize a launch. Public relations is much more than just writing a press release and putting it over a wire service. If you hire a firm, you'll have a partner to help maximize your media relations, social media, events, award opportunities, etc. However, again PR is not something you can just turn off. One of the worst PR incidents is when a company does a huge launch and a lot of PR for a short time and then stops completely. Again, your public relations efforts need to stay consistent.
To revitalize a product or service. Good PR agencies know how to look at a product, service or company and see something new, something buzzworthy. PR firms can take something you think may be losing it's jive in the market and give it new legs. One thing to note though is even the best PR firm can't save a dieing product. Remember to be honest with your agency and tell them of the product or services successes and failures.

Bonus Tip:

You are in a crowded market. Small businesses trying to complete in a busy, hectic market may find a PR firm more useful. A good PR firm will create a strategy that focuses on your company's strengths and differentiators that make you stand out. Often agencies can break through all of the noise in the market and reach those you want to hear about your offerings.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Tips to Help You Make a Great Impression on Your First Day at a New Job

I'm starting a new job on Monday and I'm very excited. However, with every new beginning, you need to leave your comfort zone and be prepared to be the new kid on the block for awhile. Here are some tips I recommend to anyone starting a new opportunity.
  • Ask questions. You're new and it's better to do something right the first time around than have to do it over.
  • Take notes. Unless you have a photographic memory, take notes. You'll want to all the systems rules and organization policies.
  • Discover everything you can about your new employer. In theory, you should have already done your homework during the interviewing process, but there is always more to learn now that your are going to be on the inside.
  • Listen more than talk. Don't always act like a know-it-all right off the bat. The idea is to communicate that you have some very marketable skills and you are here to learn and apply your skills to help the organization achieve success.
  • Smile a lot and be friendly. Get to know your co-workers and what their interests are.
  • Dress professional/blend in and blend in with your co-workers. You should never underestimate the importance of dressing professionally in your new job, and in the beginning, even if your department has casual days, you should dress professionally because you never known when you'll be called out to meet a top manager or key client.
  • Learn about your co-workers. No one expects you to have every one's name down pat by the end of the first day or week, but if you are bad with names, now is the time to research some of the neat memory-aid tricks you can try to use. Also, use your lunch hours to get together with your current co-workers.
  • Show your team spirit. You are now part of a work team, and teams work together to solve problems and get the job done. Show loyalty to your co-workers and focus more, initially at least, on sharing any recognition you get with the team. Always give credit to the team.
  • Show appreciation. Nothing works like kindness and genuine appreciation. So, show your appreciation to everyone who helps you learn the ropes during the first days on the job.
  • Figure out who has the authority to give you work to do and who is just trying to have you do theirs.
  • Pay attention to the 'grapevine,' but don't contribute to it. You don't want to gain a reputation as a gossip monger.
  • Don't complain about your boss, your office mate, any co-workers, or your previous job.
  • Keep personal business on company time to a minimum. Studies show that just about everyone conducts some amount of personal business on company time, checking email, making dinner reservations, buying stuff online. Try your best to just focus on work.
  • Continue to arrive early and don't rush out the door at the end of the day.
  • Volunteer for projects that will help you get noticed, but don't neglect any assigned work.
  • Track accomplishments. No one else will do it for you. Track them for if nothing else but your personal satisfaction, for raise and promotion meetings, and for future job-hunting.
  • Keep a positive attitude and an open mind. Your life has changed and it will take getting used to.
Being the newest member of the organization, the rookie, is both challenging and exciting. You'll be faced with both difficulties and opportunities, and your goal should be to make the most of all situations. These tips should help provide you with some insights and direction as you approach that new job, but don't worry if you don't make a perfect impression in those early days on the job. Few of us ever do. Remember to relax, keep your mind open, get to know your team members, be yourself and do your work, and you should go far in making a lasting impression and reputation.

Monday, September 13, 2010

A Few Words About Randy Moss

Randy likes to talk a lot, usually too much. He's a great football player, but he really has some public relations issues. The Patriots receiver lashed out in a lengthy and passionate news conference after Sunday's 38-24 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, saying he doesn't feel appreciated in New England and that waiting until the season to get a new contact would be "a smack in the face."

Since his arrival 2007, the unhappy Moss has had three straight 1,000-yard seasons, including a record setting '07 in which he caught 23 touchdowns while helping New England to a perfect 16-0 mark in the regular season.

"It's not that I'm mad or trying to be disgruntled. I'm hurt. You give me a word," he said. "Sometimes you want your boss to tell you you're doing a good job. That's every man or woman who works for somebody. And that's just the way with football. If you do a good job and think that you're doing a good job, you want to be appreciated. I really don't think that - me, personally - that I'm appreciated." Bug, Moss who complained that reporters twist his words around, also said in a 16-minute back-and-fort: I'm not saying that I'm not appreciated here." Well, what are you saying then Randy?

"This is the last year of my contract. Nothing has been discussed. There's not been anything said. Not a letter. Nothing," he said. "I'm not saying that I want to stay here, but I love playing here. If the future of my job lets me go to another team, then that's what it's going to be. But for now, I'm still in a contract for the New England Patriots, and I have a job to do.

Randy has had a trail of on-field accomplishments and off-field problems over his 13 years of professional football. All of his talent has been marred by rancorous departures from Minnesota, Oakland and the Raiders. "When it comes to football, I take my job seriously," he said. "But I think around here in the New England area, a lot of people don't want to see me do good. And the reason why, I don't know. I really don't care. ...Me being unhappy doesn't have anything to do with me toning my game down. I'm here, and I understand my role. My role is to take the ball deep and take the top off the defense."

Then when asked who wants him to fail, Moss said "I'm just thinking that the journey I've taken to get to where I'm at, 13 years, I don't really feel that I'm very liked. And I'm not saying from you all. I don't really give a damn if you like me, to be honest with you."

Moss is an interesting, very talented sports star. He could use some media training too. Of course his large ego gets in the way and gets him in a lot of trouble. This is the center of why it would be hard to be his publicist. I don't think there is a thing Randy Moss can do to change his reputation now - he has been the same his whole career. Good thing he is good at football, because that's why people want to have him around; nothing else.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

How Much Does Freelance Writing Pay?

If you're thinking about becoming a freelance writer, I think you'll find this information interesting.

I'm thinking about offering up my services as a freelance writer for websites and social media sites. This got me to thinking about how much I should charge. I have a creative communications and journalism background and have experience working in public relations and marketing. I believe I can be considered to have been a writer about two years, although I think I've been a writer most of my life.

After doing some research, I found that the answer to this question varies.
  • You can charge by the hour, just a flat rate. A nice starting rate for this is $12 an hour. This is actually a really good rate.
  • You can charge a paragraph rate. This can become somewhat lucrative, unless there's a limit to how many times you can write/post. A good starting rate for this is about $5 a paragraph.
  • You can charge per word. If you want to charge this way, an average pay is about .01 per word, sometimes a bit better. However, some places only pay .005 per word. If you're a fast writer you can make a decent amount this way. This rate can go up as you work longer.

If you're or have been a freelance writer, please offer up your advice or how you've been compensated in the past. Let us know how it has worked for you.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Can You Use a Trademarked Logo Without Permission? State Fair Asks for Logo to be Removed from Bachmann TV Ad

During Minnesota State Fair time, if you were watching TV, you may have seen the Michelle Bachmann ad criticizing Tarryl Clark for 'raising taxes on a variety of State Fair goodies.' The ad was criticized for not only slander, but for showing the Minnesota State Fair logo twice during the chimerical.

"I know, I know, it's State Fair time and you don't want to hear about politics," says Jim "The Election Guy," a character in Bachmann's TV ads. "But while you're at the fair, you should know Tarryl Clark here voted to raise taxes on your corn dog. And your deep fried bacon. And your beer."

While Clark did vote 'yes' on a bill that would increase taxes on liquor sales, Bachmann's claims about corn dog and bacon taxes are a bit misleading. Her campaign says Clark favored a transportation bill that included a metro sales tax hike, which affects corn dogs and bacon but does not specifically target those things.

The State Fair was upset because their logo appeared twice in the TV ad and Fair officials asked the image to be removed. "The State Fair does not endorse any candidate running for political office," said a State Fair official.

Bachmann's campaign said that although they believed they have legal right to keep the image in the ad, they would switch it out for a generic one "out of good faith."

This got me to thinking, what is the proper usage for logos? I think of this issue as almost like a product placement the State Fair did not ask for. The American Advertising Federation (AAF) believes product placement is a good way to advertise, but says it is when everyone benefits from it: the placement source, the company being promoted and the consumer. Also, it is alright if the placement is disclosed in some way. Also, product placement is always agreed upon by both parties involved. That is the issue here. It may not be illegal, but if you're not going to ask for usage permission, don't complain when the party in question doesn't like it and asks to be removed from the situation. I think the Bachmann campaign should be lucky they didn't get into more trouble.

For more questions and answers regarding ad usage, look to the AAF's website here.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Google Takes on Facebook

"Google to launch Facebook competitor very soon" tweeted Kevin Rose, the tech entrepreneur who founded the content-sharing site Digg. The message that the online world that we all have come to love may drastically change sent a shiver up most social media enthusiast's spines.

Search engine giant, Google, is going to take on social networking powerhouse Facebook with a service reportedly called "Google Me," but hasn't disclosed yet how it will be different. This of course leaves all of us in the blogosphere wondering. Will it integrate Google's existing social networking services like, Orkut or Buzz? Will it build onto Google Profiles?

Just recently my friend and I tried out Google's newest innovation: A Gmail feature that allows you to place a phone call through your computer. The service is free in the US and Canada for at least the rest of this year and costs as little as two cents a minute to dial countries such as Germany and Japan.

However, the most radical idea of the year was Google's jump into social gaming. (Currently, Facebook is the most important platform for this kind of game.) Google has already taken steps onto 'Facebook's turf.' In August, Google announced that they were buying Slide for $228 million, a start-up that makes apps for social networking. Also, Google recently invested in Zynga, the company behind the popular Facebook game, FarmVille.

So, why is Google doing this? Google wants your time. Networking and playing games takes more of your time than searching, and time is money.

According to Nielsen Co. report, Americans spend 22.7 percent of their online time on social networks and blogs, compared with 3.5 percent on search-engine sites. Further, social networking sites have boomed more than any other category that Nielsen tracks for share of US Internet time; they were up 43 percent in June of this year compared to June 2009. In contrast, search engines only edged ahead one percent.

Facebook is definitely enjoying its glory days, but will they last forever? I'm not sure. I do believe that if any other company is to take on Facebook, it should be Google. It will be interesting to see how they differentiate their social networking site. I predict that this element will be the key factor to the site's success or failure.

Monday, August 30, 2010

The Skinny on Hooters

Now here's a story headline: America's obesity epidemic has finally spread to the Hooters Girls. It's one thing when two-thirds of Americans are overweight, (primarily from eating the kind of food Hooters serves) but if 17,000 Hooters Girls start packing it on, well, this is indeed a national tragedy. Hooters marketing is simple, skinny women and fattening food, but this kind of sell does not come without societal costs.

Hooters is on the hook for alleged weight discrimination. Last week a Michigan judge ruled that two former waitresses filed a weight discrimination case against the restaurant chain could proceed with their cases.

Cassandra Marie Smith, one of the plaintiffs, alleges in her complaint that she began working at a Hooters in 2008. At the time she weight 145 pounds and 5'8'. In a performance evaluation earlier this year, she claims in her complaint, a restaurant manager advised her "to join a gym in order to lose weight and improve her looks so that she would fit better into the extra small-sized uniform." She alleged she was put on a 30-day "weight probation" and resigned. Leeanne Convery at the time was 4'11' and 115 pounds. Convery said in her lawsuit that she lost 15 pounds and was encouraged to take appetite-suppressing drugs, only to be told by a manager that she'd made no improvement. The official uniform for Hooters waitresses, they claim, comes in three sizes: extra extra small, extra small, or small.

Atlanta-based Hooters is dealing with America's obesity problem by putting some Hooters Girls on "weight probation," but turns out you may not be able to do that in Michigan, where a civil-rights law from the 1970s prohibits weight discrimination. The suit cites Michigan's Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination by employers based on a number of factors. Height and weight discrimination were added in a 1976 amendment by then-state Rep. Thomas Mathieu.

Airlines have long been trying to force large passengers to buy two seats. Medical-equipment makers have had to develop heavy-duty gurneys and extra-large imaging machines. And even little ol' Natural Nails in DeKalb County, GA, recently made news for adding a $5 fat fee to its bills.

Hooters expectations are no different than those set for Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders or the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes. "We have an image to uphold," Mr. McNeil said. "We've been upholding it for 27 years. Hopefully, we'll be doing it for another 27 years."
What do you think of this business case?