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.