tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16037050172359652692024-03-12T19:11:38.445-07:00Thoughts and Views From Juda EngelmayerJuda Engelmayer, long-time publicist and writer, and president of HeraldPR. He has aided politicians, entrepreneurs, foreign governments, big businesses and small in building, fixing and branding reputations. He is a an avid supporter of Israel and can often be seen advocating for its safety, security and stability in the hostile region surrounding it. Engelmayer is a crisis communications specialist who has successfully managed tough situations for his clients.Juda Engelmayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13506032413331571555noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-57779031222870664822016-07-13T08:02:00.001-07:002016-07-13T08:02:10.977-07:00Adidas doing well in China<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6P4Yk0s0xY4/V4ZX4aellFI/AAAAAAAABCM/sbfH3WokZiYezqHHl3WtM4kjjepA3ZTEgCLcB/s1600/adidas%2Bpublic%2Brelaitons.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="adidas public relations" border="0" height="343" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6P4Yk0s0xY4/V4ZX4aellFI/AAAAAAAABCM/sbfH3WokZiYezqHHl3WtM4kjjepA3ZTEgCLcB/s400/adidas%2Bpublic%2Brelaitons.png" title="adidas public relations" width="400" /></a></div>
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If President Xi Jinping of China has his way, conspicuous consumption, especially of luxury brands will continue to fall in his country. And many of the brands like BMW and Hugo Boss are doing just that. On the rise though are some of the high-end sportswear brands like Nike and Adidas.<br />
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It doesn’t hurt that these can be found in Outlet malls in China, allowing consumers to buy big names at discounted prices.<br />
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Add this to the fact that the Chinese people are less active than ever before and sporting goods and wear are smiled upon currently by the powers that be.
Adidas, the second largest sportswear store in China grew by 38 percent in 2015 and have plans to almost double the number of stores they have in China in the near future from 500 to 900.<br />
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Their revenues from China now equal 15 percent of the company’s total global income.
According to Catherine Lim, one of Bloomberg Intelligence’s analysts in Singapore, Big foreign sportswear brands seem to be good choices for many Chinese consumers concerned about political statements made by purchases.<br />
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Those who are wary of flaunting their expensive purchases want the products they buy to still be obviously expensive but not too showy. There’s still demand for “anything that gives the perception that there’s a functional element to it.”<br />
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Adidas offers functional, comfortable, and useful items such as their signature shoes with a recognizable high-end brand easily seen by anyone walking by, and topping it off, their product can be used to get more physically fit – they offer the perfect spending solution for upper-middle class members of their society, a class that is on the rise.<br />
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In urban areas in 2012 approximately 14 percent of the households could be considered upper-middle class. Experts and analysts are estimating that by 2022 that percentage will elevate drastically to as much as 54 percent.
Getting their products big in the Chinese market now allows them a giant-sized athletic shoe clad foot in the door.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-11301544757328866262015-10-26T14:37:00.002-07:002015-10-26T14:37:41.086-07:00The Golden Arches Just got Sweeter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As the saying goes – there’s nothing new under the sun. And for <a href="http://judaengelmayer.org/2014/08/18/mcdonalds-summer/">McDonald’s</a>, that’s kind of true. Sure they are testing out Sweet Potato fries in 18 locations in Amarillo, Texas. And they also have “Create Your Taste” locations throughout the U.S. where customers can build their sandwich just the way they want it – type of bun, toppings, condiments, even the meat/poultry choice. So the specifics are new.<br />
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But McDonald’s has always been a company willing to test new products in limited markets. At one time chicken sandwiches were being tested, McRib also was a test product. Salads too were initially a test product. The list is enormous – also including breakfast pastries, dots frozen treats, wraps, Angus beef burgers, etc. Most recently, they’ve changed things up to offer breakfast all day long.<br />
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In most cases, they are not the first one trying products – Carl’s Jr. and other stores have had Sweet potato fries for quite some time. Jack-in-the-Box has served breakfast items all day for years. We’re pretty sure McRibs are original – at least to fast food giants, but almost everything else that’s been tried or added to their menu – someone else already has done.<br />
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McDonald approaches new items with some caution – they know they have an established clientele with specific tastes, so the lasting changes – like salads, yogurt parfaits, and such happened because their customers wanted healthier options on the menu.<br />
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Sweet potato fries – not really all that much healthier in reality, are probably viewed that way because of an increase in fiber and some minerals – they have fewer carbs and protein, more sugar, and considerably more Vitamin A and Calcium. According to Doctor <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pub/roman-temkin/b5/666/686">Roman Temkin</a> from New York, "Neither has any fat in its natural form, but fries are loaded with it."<br />
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Recognizing McDonald’s fries are considered by many as unparalleled, adding sweet potato fries to the mix may not be as easy for McDonald’s as it should be for other fast food chains. Going to McDonalds for a burger or other sandwich,…well the fries are just part of the luxury – we’ll see how much the customers are willing to play with that taste bud outcome.<br />
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McDonald’s has been a strong contender in their industry for decades – partly because they know how to please their customers, get the word out in fun ways, double down on PR to promote new ideas. Even though only 18 locations – all in Amarillo are testing the new fries – the news hit and stuck with the national media. They are doing a lot right in keeping their brand in the public eye.<br />
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<b><i>Juda Engelmayer is the SVP of NYC based PR Agency 5WPR. 5W has offices in Denver, LA and NY.</i></b>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-79623638964118259262015-09-29T08:56:00.000-07:002015-09-29T08:56:57.323-07:00Athletes Return the Favor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A recent article in the New York Times shed light on a topic often assumed but less often discussed - athletes showing love to their alma mater. While Universities consider campaigning for wealthy alumni’s help to finance their efforts – particularly in athletics – it’s not as often you hear about famous athletes giving back to the schools that helped their rise to superstardom.
That may be changing.<br />
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Recently, Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green gave $3.1 million to Michigan State’s athletic department, a massive sum and one of the largest amounts ever given by an athlete. Green is not alone.
The Times reported that Miami Dolphins tackle Ndamukong Suh gave Nebraska $2.6 million from his first NFL contract. Also, Mets outfielder Curtis Granderson offered $5 million to the University of Illinois at Chicago, an amount totaling roughly half the Flames’ budget for a new baseball stadium. Saints QB Drew Brees has made two seven-figure donations to his alma mater, Purdue.<br />
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Green told the Times his gift was a thank you. “I went to Michigan State as a boy, a boy who really didn’t know where life was going to take me, really my own identity. I left Michigan State a man.”
From a public relations perspective, having a famous athlete as an alumnus is a gift that gives both ways. Sure, like Green, most of the young men who come in as talented freshmen athletes are relatively clueless about life and all its various opportunities.<br />
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They bring with them drive, determination, and untapped opportunity. As life on campus teaches them lessons, they need to learn to move to the next stage in life, their efforts on the field or floor put butts in the seats and money in the coffers. Education and opportunity for fame and notoriety. It’s a fair trade.
Then, a fortunate few athletes go on to huge paydays in professional sports.<br />
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Paydays that would not have been possible except for the opportunity to shine they had in college athletics. Many realize the connection, and more are saying “thanks” for their big opportunities with signatures on big checks.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-72594720385920374422015-07-31T08:50:00.000-07:002015-07-31T08:50:05.453-07:00AT&T to buy DirecTV: How will this shake up the tech industry?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past week AT&T won its bid to purchase satellite TV provider DirecTV. One of the conditions reached in the deal was an agreement from AT&T to increase its broadband reach to a greater number of homes and businesses. In a single move, the combined company is now the largest pay-TV provider in the United States. The Justice Department said it would not challenge the deal because it doesn’t “pose a risk to competition.”<br />
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Their competition may disagree. As part of the deal, AT&T will be required to extend fiber-optic broadband Internet access to more than 12 million homes and businesses. This is a non-negotiable stipulation ordered by the FCC. Other conditions include a requirement to offer broadband to low-income consumers at relative discounts and a prohibition against discriminating against other online video services.<br />
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There’s no doubt the merger is significant. Now the largest telephone company in the United States has added more than 30 million TV subscribers including an expansion into Latin America.<br />
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This places fellow telecom giant, Comcast at a relatively distant second position in terms of customers. And, with the recent PR problems Comcast has experienced, there doesn’t seem to be much hope for them to steal too many customers away from AT&T.<br />
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So that leads to an interesting public relations question. Should the other players in the industry such as Verizon and Comcast fight with each other for number two, as Sprint and T-Mobile are fighting for number 3 in the mobile market? Or should these companies both attack the bigger giant and hope to siphon off enough customers to even the playing field.<br />
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To this point, the big telecom companies have been able to largely stay out of each other’s way by marking off territory, but if these mergers continue, those days may be over.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-31901797764758018452015-07-10T07:33:00.002-07:002015-07-31T08:48:42.472-07:00Lessons From a Top Social Media CEO<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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LinkedIn CEO Jeff Weiner recently spoke at Wisdom 2.0, a business conference in San Francisco. He talked about lessons he’s learned on his rise to the top. We can all learn a lot about management success from what Weiner had to say.<br />
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First, Weiner has always striven to earn the trust of anyone he reports to. It’s not enough for him to Do The Job. He works hard to make certain those assigning the work to him as well as those who need that work done know they can trust him to get it done. To do it right and to accomplish that task in a way that will make the whole company better.<br />
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One aspect of Weiner’s management approach that may surprise some of the business leadership old guard is his commitment to compassionate management. When an employee comes to him with a problem that has them frustrated or at a loss, instead of immediately forcing the employee to figure out how to solve the problem, Weiner attempts to understand what has the employee so flummoxed.<br />
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Not only does this approach help the employee, but it also helps Weiner better understand that employee.
Better still, an empathetic approach to inter-office communication creates a healthier, more team-oriented environment. When your employees understand they can come to you for help instead of being penalized for failings or shortcomings they will be more eager to learn and more willing to accept constructive criticism.<br />
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Both of these results are better for your business. When employees are more enthusiastic about getting better, they will be quicker to identify and attack personal deficiencies. When your workforce is actively working to become better, your entire operation is in a constant cycle of assessment and improvement, and you don’t have to do much more than guide the process.<br />
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When you have a team more willing to listen to constructive criticism you can get more done, better and faster. That is because you can skip a lot of the drama that comes from people letting their insecurities get the better of them.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-35198118953491935802015-05-27T11:37:00.001-07:002015-05-27T11:37:58.928-07:00Nintendo makes Bowser VP<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nintendo just hired Bowser to be its US Vice President of Sales. In a match made in tech PR heaven, Nintendo just got a tremendous Vice President with a name that no media outlet – or Nintendo fan – will be able to resist. There’s a story here that everyone will want to read.<br />
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Anyone who grew up playing Nintendo, at home or in the arcade, will remember the name Bowser – the arch enemy of everyman hero Mario in a hugely successful and generation-spanning series of games. But it is not the King Koopa of the Mushroom Kingdom that will be calling the shots down at Nintendo USA HQ.<br />
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DOUG Bowser has been tapped to oversee a plethora of sales issues including in-store merchandising, retail strategy and retail marketing. This Bowser, a veteran in the video game marketing world, will be expected to step into a key effort to drive national sales strategies and to increase demand for Nintendo brand products in an increasingly competitive marketplace.<br />
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According to reports, Nintendo of America’s Executive VP of Sales and Marketing, Scott Moffitt, called Doug Bowser “an outstanding addition to our Nintendo team, as he brings a deep blend of both consumer package goods and video game sales experience.”<br />
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Bowser comes to Nintendo from Electronic Arts, a video game maker who excelled at selling hugely popular games to Nintendo’s chief rivals. That should give him key insight into how to bring Nintendo back into relevance in a market segment it once ruled.<br />
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There is no doubt that this move will bring massive attention with it, and that can be the downside to such a PR-friendly move. Bowser – and Nintendo – will now have to deliver. Any misstep, any failing and it’s far too easy for snarky editors to write a horrid headline. For his part, Doug Bowser is all about business and ready to make his presence felt in his new position. As to how he feels about the attention being generated by his new title…
Well, you can bet he’s heard that joke before…and his appreciation for it is hidden in another castle.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-77767708346450692032015-05-12T07:46:00.002-07:002015-05-12T07:46:25.605-07:00 Self-driving Semi: Wave of the Future?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So, the media is buzzing about new “self-driving” semis, and some people are asking: “Didn’t they make a horror movie about this?”
The one certainty about technology is that it will try to accomplish the impossible. Just when you think you have seen everything, the World of Tomorrow completely changes. Yes, people have been talking about driverless cars for years, but most folks imagined small single vehicles, not necessarily Optimus Prime.<br />
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But now the state of Nevada has given Freightliner a license to test an “autonomously driving tractor-trailer.”
At least one truck is already in operation, and the company will begin test-driving the big rig on Nevada public highways in the near future. Surprise folks, the future. is NOW!<br />
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Before you completely freak out the next time you see a big rig barreling down on you on the interstate. Understand that this vehicle will always have a licensed truck driver in the driver’s seat to make sure nothing horrific happens. According to media reports, a human driver will take “full control” when the truck is approaching a city or suburban area and turn the vehicle over to automation on “certain limited-access interstates.”<br />
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So, is this next level tech coming to an interstate near you? Well, unless you live in Nevada, probably not. Only a handful of states currently allows licensing of self-driving vehicles of any kind, much less tractor trailers.<br />
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Reports from Freightliner have fixated on reassuring the public that all will be well. According to their releases about the program, the trucks can stay in their lanes and avoid hitting other cars without any driver input. Radar sensors have been equipped for the purpose of watching lane lines, as well as traffic.<br />
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Freightliner executives are excited about this program because they say the trucks could help reduce driver fatigue and help drivers be “more productive,” doing paperwork or planning the next haul while still completing the current transport. Sounds terrific and, if successful, these benefits could be realized. Either way, the company has a fairly steep PR challenge on its hands. This is the kind of thing people think is very cool … as long as it stays far away from them and their kids.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-4427259479192989782015-04-13T11:32:00.000-07:002015-04-13T11:32:15.887-07:00Cracking Under Pressure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When the iPhone 6 hit the market, it was The Big News in tech for weeks. Then someone tested it, and the phone failed to hold up under the pressure. About nine customers complained about “bent” phones after the first week of sales. Nine. But, it’s the iPhone so of course it was big news. Then a couple of British kids videoed themselves bending an iPhone 6 Plus and posted the video on YouTube.<br />
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Views stacked up, and It Became Fact: iPhones will bend, and then break. But what about the competition? Well, Samsung, purveyor of what would have once been called absurdly large handheld devices, now has a similar problem. According to reports, the new Galaxy S6 Edge can be permanently deformed when bent with 110 pounds of pressure.<br />
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So who has the edge? Well, no one, it seems. The iPhone 6 bent when the same amount of pressure was applied. Then again, it held up a bit longer than the Galaxy did before being irreparably destroyed.<br />
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What’s the <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/09/19/mcdonalds-apple-iphone-6-publicity-fast-food/15878869/">PR result </a>of all this bending and breaking? Well, the smart money is on “don’t bend or break your phone,” but the consumer takeaway will likely only reinforce previously determined personal preference. Each side will say: “see, they both break, but mine is still better.”<br />
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Some people are asking if Bendgate is the beginning of the end for “bigger and thinner” phones. Probably not. When smartphones first arrived on the market, accessibility was the name of the game. They mimicked the size of current cell phones but added features. Now experience is the name of the game in the market – the name has even changed from phone to “mobile device.”<br />
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Smartphones are, once again, tools to deliver an experience…an experience that increasingly includes visual-based entertainment and information. For that, bigger screens are better. So bigger screens are what consumers will be offered. How to deliver the best experience with the best resistance to damage (without hurting new purchase numbers) is the Holy Grail challenge right now for mobile engineers.
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-76281081305052067012015-03-23T11:21:00.002-07:002015-03-23T11:21:26.595-07:00Branson vs.Tesla<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Richard Branson loves it when you travel with a Virgin. He’s winning fans in so many transportation spaces—trains, planes, spacecraft. It’s only natural that a man who made his billions with innovation would set his sights on other means of getting people from here to wherever they would rather be. And, with a move into the cruise ship sector already announced, where else is there for Branson to go? Passenger cars, of course.<br />
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And, because this is Branson, you know he will do it with style…and enough difference to make a splash wherever he lands. Perhaps telegraphing his intentions, Branson recently joined his racing team in Miami, where Virgin Racing was competing in the all-electric Formula E race. Yes, it’s a competition of entirely battery-powered racecars, all capable of going from zero to sixty in about three seconds.<br />
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In case you missed it, Formula E is billed as the “world’s first international, all-electric racing event.” Organizers said the event’s purpose is to “push the edges of electric car technology.” Races have been held in popular Formula 1 locales from Beijing to Monte Carlo. According to reports in Bloomberg, the vehicles currently reach top speeds of 160 mph, but they can do so in virtual silence. Can you imagine a race where all you could hear is the scream of the crowd?<br />
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What’s that you heard about the inherent performance limitations of electric vehicles? Well, friend, they were wrong. Just when you were wondering what he would say next, Branson dropped this bombshell on the press: “We have teams of people working on electric cars. So, you never know, you may find Virgin competing with Tesla in the car business as we do in the space business.”<br />
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Hey, Elon Musk, that sound you just heard was a gauntlet landing at your feet.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-80731832720218565202015-02-23T07:32:00.000-08:002015-02-23T07:32:01.537-08:00Why Marketing is the Secret Ingredient<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The difficulty most new business owners find is understanding precisely what marketing is and what it is not. Marketing is the basic structure of how products and services will be presented to the target market. Before creating a marketing plan, there is a bit of marketing research needed to define and refine the marketing plan to be implemented. Marketing research basically consists of studying your target markets, your potential sales prospects, your suppliers and your competitors. This creates the basis of your marketing profile.<br />
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It's far easier to implement a marketing plan after a thorough investigation of these elements is comprehensively researched. A well-defined marketing plan is the secret ingredient in a structured business plan and business success.<br />
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Marketing - The Secret Ingredient in a Successful Business Plan</h2>
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Ways Marketing Can Help Grow and Boost Business</h3>
<b><i>There are several ways marketing helps grow and boost business. These include:</i></b><br />
. Products and services are directed at specific sales prospects<br />
. Advertising and promotions in structured marketing plans increase visibility<br />
. Event planning and special marketing strategies boost the number of clients<br />
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Marketing Your Business for Best Results</h4>
There's more to marketing a business than creating a sales campaign. Marketing isn't sales. Marketing is the engine that drives sales, increases the number of clients and promotes the image, brand and visibility of the business. When businesses think of marketing and sales, the intermingling can result in mediocre strategies. When singularly defined as a business mechanism, marketing easily adapts to changing business trends and help sales remain stable. For example, a marketing plan for a manufacturing business needs enough flexibility built into the plan to withstand the impact of higher costs of raw materials needed to produce products.<br />
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Another example in the service industries is when a marketing plan for financial consulting allows wiggle room for stock market corrections. This is why marketing is the secret ingredient in long-term business success.<br />
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The All-Important Market Plan</h4>
Small businesses can develop their market plans based on the scope of the business in relation to the overall industry within which the business fits. Larger businesses that wish to enjoy steady growth often employ market researchers to help structure an annual marketing plan that is generally implemented at the beginning of a fiscal year. A marketing plan should be completely compatible with sales initiatives to help grow and boost your business. It should be based on business scope, target markets and buyer need.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-68085267134821836702015-02-03T07:13:00.002-08:002015-02-03T07:13:44.102-08:00Your First Public Relations Internship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The public relations industry can be a rewarding place to start a career, but there are a few things you should know before you start your search.
If you are interested in finding your first <a href="http://5wpr.net/getting-a-pr-internship/">public relations internship</a>, the first thing you need to understand is what the internship will most likely entail.<br />
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Public relations internships are intended to support the business of generating goodwill toward a company, product, cause, or individual. Your responsibility will generally be to aid in developing a positive image for the organization that hires you. This includes a wide variety of tasks to accomplish the goal of positive publicity, from writing press releases to representing clients at events to contacting media outlets and planning events for your organization.
Because of the nature of your tasks, it is very important that you have good writing and speaking skills before you apply to a public relations internship.<br />
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Take a writing course if your writing skills are lacking. Being capable of producing high-quality press releases in a short period of time is vital in a public relations, and professional writing and editing skills will help you stand out from your peers. Organizational skills are also a must in this industry, as you will be relied on to ensure that events are run smoothly and on time.
Do not apply for a public relations internship if you cannot keep calm under pressure. There will be hectic moments during the internship, especially on the day of big events, or when you are in a time crunch. The ability to keep your cool will serve you greatly, and will show your bosses that you have the resolve necessary to be successful in the business.
Make sure to study tactics that <a href="http://ronntorossian.blogspot.com/2014/05/intern-salary-job.html">make a PR person successful</a>. Understand how companies deal with crises, as well as how they promote their cause through positive publicity.<br />
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You need to know how to shine a positive light on any situation.
Lastly, once you have landed an interview for a public relations internship, it is important that you thoroughly research the company or organization your interview is with. Business acumen is vital in the public relations industry, and you need to understand the functions of your prospective hirer inside and out.<br />
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Being knowledgeable about the inner workings of a company or organization will show them that you take your work seriously, and are dedicated to making them look better. This will increase your chances of being hired. Good luck with the search for your first PR internship!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-70820911578424237752015-01-15T07:18:00.001-08:002015-01-15T07:18:31.025-08:00Snapchat Founder to Become Billionairs with new Investment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In early 2015, Snapchat announced that it had recently <a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2015-01-01/snapchat-raises-485-6-million-to-close-out-big-fundraising-year.html">raised $485.6 million</a> from 23 investors. The company, currently valued at $10 billion+, has grown in importance as concerns about security and the use of photos and other media sent over the Internet loom larger. The founders of this growing company, <a href="http://mashable.com/2014/02/13/snapchat-founder-facts/">Evan Spiegel and Bobby Murphy</a>, can expect to be the next billionaire giants in the tech community.<br /><br /><h3>
The Rise of Snapchat</h3>
Launched in 2011, Snapchat quickly became one of the <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/snapchat-now-future-ronn-torossian-5wpr-ceo">most popular photo-sharing applications</a> in the marketplace. The app allows the user to send images and video via the Internet to other users. Many applications do the same thing, but Snapchat also makes the images disappear in a few seconds. By 2014, Snapchat had 200 million users implementing the application. In 2013, Snapchat’s founders turned down a $3 billion offer from Facebook and a $4 billion offer from Google, preferring to keep the business in their own hands for the time being.<br /><br /><h3>
Snapchat Founders</h3>
Evan Spiegel and Reggie Brown were the developers of the concept, which was originally called “Picaboo.” They brought in Bobby Murphy to do the coding on the project. Brown left the group in the early days, but filed suit to protect his financial stake in the company when he learned that Facebook made an offer for it. The legal wrangling was eventually settled, and CEO Spiegel publicly acknowledged Brown’s contribution to the founding of the company.<br /><br /><h3>
The Snapchat Business Model</h3>
Some experts have been doubtful about Snapchat’s ability to make money when its most valuable asset, information on its users, disappears in seconds. In late 2014, Spiegel explained that ad money will be generated from untargeted advertising, essentially spam. He will have to overcome users general reluctance to view spam in some way that is, as yet, undisclosed. Making spam cool and appealing will be a significant challenge for these young entrepreneurs.<br /><br /><h4>
After Snapchat</h4>
The future will be bright for founders Spiegel and Murphy. If they follow the pattern of PayPal founder, Elon Musk, they could get involved in developing a new alternative fuel automobile like the Tesla. Or they could found a company that runs supplies to the International Space Station, like Musk’s SpaceX company. Ebay founder, Pierre Omidyar, who became a billionaire at the age of 31, went on to found online investigative journalism sites and a philanthropic organization. Whatever Spiegel and Murphy decide to do with their billions, the public is sure to hear more about their endeavors in coming years.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-18345961910630767592014-12-05T13:30:00.001-08:002015-02-23T07:28:21.161-08:00Dr. Gil Lederman, Jonah Engler & Others On Communicating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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·“Good writing skills can help you come across as more credible, more capable, than a colleague who frequently has typos and grammatical errors.” Renee O’Farrell<br />
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·“Communicating is everything.” Dr. Gil Lederman<br />
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·“Supervisors and business associates who express themselves well in writing inspire a feeling of confidence in their abilities from employees or colleagues.” <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Hill_(basketball)">Brian Hill </a><br />
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·“Communication skills, including writing, are one of the most important transferable skills that workers possess. Most business professionals, such as marketing, finance, and research and development managers, need excellent writing skills to properly convey ideas and concepts.” Rick Suttle<br />
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·“Strong written communication conveys intelligence, professionalism and attention to detail. These are qualities that are key in leadership roles where you represent the image of the business.” Neil Kokemuller<br />
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·"There are not many jobs in any industry that do not require good writing skills, and poor skills may even leave you at a disadvantage when searching for employment.” Kevin Withers<br />
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·"It's always been important for professionals and academics to use proper grammar and communicate well, but now, it's increasingly important for more people to have good writing skills.” <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Wright">Sarah Wright </a><br />
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·“Good writing skills communicate intelligence, professionalism, and competency.” Serena Franken
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·“Strong writing abilities can help you move up the corporate ladder. The Grammarly study noted that fewer grammatical errors correlate with more promotions and, of course, higher salaries.” Robert Hosking<br />
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·“Writing, talking and more works – as long as people are listening.” <a href="https://www.facebook.com/jonahengler">Jonah Engler</a><br />
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·“Written communication to employees is one way a company shows that it values their contribution and appreciates their efforts.” Brian Hill<br />
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·“In my experience, the practice of good, collaborative writing makes the difference between great business and bad business — a sale or no sale.” Kyle Wiens<br />
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·“The skills that make us better writers make us better explainers, better persuaders, and better thinkers. They are the skills that allow us to “sell” our ideas effectively, whether in giving a presentation to potential funders of our company, proposing a new project to our corporate leadership, or transmitting a new policy to our employees.” Dustin Wax<br />
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·“While much emphasis is placed on verbal and listening skills in communication, writing also conveys messages internally and externally for an organization.” Neil Kokemuller<br />
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·“The writing skills you develop now will impact your future job applications, promotions, career advancements, and even our economy.” Allison VanNest<br />
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·“Professionals spend more time each day writing and are inundated with written communications, so it is imperative that employees be able to write succinctly and write well.” Joyce E.A. Russell<br />
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·"Bad writing can have a wide-ranging, negative effect on your business, from creating a less-than-coherent business plan and hampering your efforts to attract investors, to communicating with employees, vendors and even your customers.” Lauren Simonds
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·“Writing doesn’t just communicate ideas; it generates them. If you’re bad at writing and don’t like to do it, you’ll miss out on most of the ideas writing would have generated.” Paul Graham<br />
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·"Today, writing well is more important than ever. Far from being the province of a select few as it was in Hemingway’s day, writing is a daily occupation for all of us — in email, on blogs, and through social media.” Jocelyn K. Glei<br />
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·“Sharp writing conveys the impression that a sharp mind composed the words. Sloppy writing, on the other hand, can make others conclude that the creator is not intelligent. Some might even question their job-related competence.” Brian Hill<br />
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·“Your professional image is impacted by your writing skills. The better your skills are, the better your image is.” Serena Franken<br />
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·“Good writing skills are a key asset at every stage of your career, from the moment you write your very first cover letter and resume/CV until your retirement party.” Robert HoskingUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-42330448866287638012014-11-21T08:34:00.002-08:002014-11-21T08:34:38.801-08:00PS4 or XBOX One - Who wins the Console War this Christmas?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AoMe70RF5UE/VG9pL0X9j-I/AAAAAAAAAjU/rSaDkRvC410/s1600/juda-engelmayer-xbox-playstation.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AoMe70RF5UE/VG9pL0X9j-I/AAAAAAAAAjU/rSaDkRvC410/s1600/juda-engelmayer-xbox-playstation.jpg" height="164" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">So, after a bit more than a year on the market, who is leading the console game war – Sony’s Playstation 4 or Microsoft’s XBOX One? Set aside for a moment the notion that console gaming is on borrowed time. In fact marinate on this: between the two, the gaming answer to Hatfield and McCoy have sold a whopping 24 million units … in the first year alone. Before you say, “well, really, how many is that,” think about this – that’s a 70% increase over the sales of the equally lauded PS3 and XBOX 360.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Here’s the thing…the race for supremacy isn’t, at this point, very close. To date, Sony has sold about 14 million units while <a href="http://insights.wired.com/profiles/blogs/microsoft-entering-the-original-tv-market-while-facing-a-pr#axzz3JinbHs1g">Microsoft has shipped</a> roughly ten million. Why the gap? Well, the knock on XBOX is that it’s <a href="http://ronntorossian.blogspot.com/2013/09/nintendo-ups-ante-by-lowering-price.html">too general of a machine</a>. Sony went after gamers primarily while Microsoft chased the larger streaming entertainment audience. Nobody needs to tell anyone just how crowded that particular marketplace is at the moment. Also, let’s not forget that the One cost $100 more than the 4 when it hit the market. Sure, XBOX eventually relented, offering a cheaper version without the Kinect camera – which is actually pretty cool, but nobody really cared overmuch about.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Slowly, Microsoft began to catch up. Now, with the 2014 holiday season looming, consumers who decided to get another year out of their PS3 or 360 might be tempted to upgrade. Still, that scenario offers no clear favorites. For every Only One Console Halo or Bloodborne, there are a host of games whose designers have refused to be relegated to only half the market.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But what could give one or the other the advantage this holiday season? Well, first, consider Sony’s new “Playstation Vue,” which is planned to compete with standard cable. Sony hopes this will entice gamers to use their PS4’s even more and to encourage non-gamers to buy into what Sony is offering from a streaming platform.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">But the real question will once again be just how ready the market is to give up on gaming consoles altogether. Is the age of the mobile-gamer finally here? Will both Playstation and XBOX be as current as Sega come next January? Don’t laugh, both GTA5 and Destiny had strong digital download numbers, and other games maintain strong fan followings. Wherever the market turns, one thing is certain: both Sony and Microsoft will have to weather the onslaught of wireless gaming while keeping an eye on each other.</span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-81924310688438761852014-11-13T13:33:00.002-08:002014-11-13T13:33:39.594-08:00What makes a great leader? Inspirational Quotes Curated by Gennady Barsky<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">Leaders aren't born, nor are they made over night. If you study the great leaders - you can establish the Do's and Don'ts for becoming a leader. </span><span style="font-size: large;">We have invited <b>Gennady Barsky</b> to curate the best quotes on What makes a Leader. Hopefully this will provide great inspiration for those who want to be leaders of people.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><b><i>What constitutes a great leader – here are some quotes on the issue: </i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"> “Leadership
is the capacity to translate vision into reality.” <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_Bennis">Warren Bennis</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“Leadership is a
potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one,
be without the strategy.” Norman Schwarzkopf</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“Leaders do not
proclaim themselves as leaders – they simply are that.” <a href="http://everything-pr.com/jonah-engler/252628/">Jonah Engler</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“Leadership is
lifting a person’s vision to high sights, the raising of a person’s performance
to a higher standard, the building of a personality beyond its normal
limitations.” Peter Drucker<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“I start with the
premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more
followers.” <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Nader">Ralph Nader</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“The key to
successful leadership today is influence, not authority.” Kenneth Blanchard<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“Leadership is
the art of getting someone else to do something you want done because he wants
to do it.” General Dwight Eisenhower<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“Education is
the mother of leadership.” Wendell Willkie<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“Leadership and
learning are indispensable to each other.” John F. Kennedy<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“Leadership does
not always wear the harness of compromise.” Woodrow Wilson<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“To have long
term success as a coach or in any position of leadership, you have to be obsessed
in some way.” Pat Riley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“True leadership
lies in guiding others to success. In ensuring that everyone is performing at
their best, doing the work they are pledged to do and doing it well.” Bill
Owens<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“Leadership is
not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing
another.” John C. Maxwell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“The art of
leadership is saying no, not yes. It is very easy to say yes.” Tony Blair<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“Leaders simply
go out and make it happen.” <a href="http://www.jewocity.com/blog/gennady-barsky-orbotech-advisory-board/13532">Gennady
Barsky</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"> “The
challenge of leadership is to be strong but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be
bold, but not a bully; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant;
have humor, but without folly.” Jim Rohn<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"> “Effective
leadership is putting first things first. Effective management is discipline,
carrying it out.” Stephen Covey<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“The task of
leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the
greatness is already there.” <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Buchan">John Buchan</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 38.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“Leadership is
intentional influence.” Michael McKinney<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 38.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 38.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“Leadership is
the ability to establish standards and manage a creative climate where people
are self-motivated toward the mastery of long term constructive goals, in a
participatory environment of mutual respect, compatible with personal values.”
Mike Vance<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 38.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 18.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left: 38.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 18.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">“The very essence
of leadership is that you have to have vision. You can't blow an uncertain
trumpet.” Father Theodore M. Hesburgh<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-47012193842077970432014-11-07T08:22:00.003-08:002014-11-07T08:22:39.882-08:00New York Tech Scene Hype<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZqjAfxXpAE/U4S6roMT38I/AAAAAAAAAXk/kpFSLCZDx4g/s1600/zeta%2Binteractive%2B-%2Bbig%2Bdata.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NZqjAfxXpAE/U4S6roMT38I/AAAAAAAAAXk/kpFSLCZDx4g/s1600/zeta%2Binteractive%2B-%2Bbig%2Bdata.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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New York City is considered by many business enthusiasts to be the new mecca of technology start-ups. Techies are even calling it the Silicon Valley of the East, much to the chagrin of people who see more successful Boston and Seattle-based companies as proof that the Big Apple could never compete. Yet progressively more business-minded hopefuls are relocating to New York City each year. Is the resounding hype on this city's tech market going to <a href="http://www.5wpr.com/new/startup-questions/">produce fruitful business</a>? Or will everyone escape to a more profitable area after a thousand more failed start-ups?<br /><br />Let us examine the evidence surrounding the techie hype. Thus far, New York City has produced only one start-up company that has gone public with a value exceeding $1 billion. That particular company is Tumblr, a blogging website purchased by Yahoo in 2013 for approximately $1.1 billion.<br /><br />Besides Tumblr, New York City shows no signs of other legitimately <a href="http://www.5wpr.com/new/pr-for-startups">profitable tech start-ups</a>, at least, none that have been venture-backed. Of course, there are a few other companies in the city such as AppNexus and Buzzfeed valued at more than $1 billion on paper, lifted up by certain investors and venture capitalists. But paper value can drop in an instant; the companies Foursquare and Fab are just two examples of this unfortunate fact.<br /><br />When you take a look at the most recent exits worth $1 billion, it becomes clear that New York may still have a long way to go in matching the hype. An e-commerce company based in Boston, Wayfair, is raking in the dough; it went public on October 2 at a whopping $2.4 billion, an amount that demolishes Tumblr's achievements. Wayfair closed the day with more than $3 billion, a true testament to the effectiveness of start-ups in competing cities.<br /><br />Another example of more valuable companies in other cities includes TripAdvisor, a company based in Newton, Massachusetts. It is publicly worth $12 billion and represents just one of the many successful companies based in tech-savvy Newton. If you need even more evidence, take a glance at Austin's company roster with the company RetailMeNot.<br /><br />Many believe that New York City should instead be compared to Chicago, a smaller city in terms of tech start-ups. But even Groupon, a Chicago-based company with dwindling profits, has a value that quadruples Tumblr's selling price. Let us not forget about Atlanta, Georgia, which is also more logically compared to New York City. Even Atlanta is home to more publicly valuable companies with VMWare at $1.5 billion as just one example.<br /><br />We are all rooting for New York City to catch up, but with the evidence contradicting the claims, it looks like the Big Apple has a lot of work to do if it wants a shot at being the real Silicon Valley of the East. It is undeniable that New York City is home to publishing empires and hundreds of extremely profitable businesses. However, can it live up to the hype of its tech start-ups? Or is the hype already over in the face of more successful start-ups in other cities?</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-12613150789010540442014-10-31T08:39:00.001-07:002015-02-23T07:27:38.460-08:00Texas Vote ID Law<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-POeIQfYqRAQ/VFOtIt5zISI/AAAAAAAAAhk/BV8cnu2N4_Y/s1600/texas-vote-galgano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-POeIQfYqRAQ/VFOtIt5zISI/AAAAAAAAAhk/BV8cnu2N4_Y/s1600/texas-vote-galgano.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px;">Texas Governor Rick Perry signed SB14 into law in the summer of 2014. The new law was struck down as an unconstitutional poll tax by federal judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos, then upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court. In an unexpected move, the Supreme Court ruled that the new voter ID restrictions can be exercised and applied </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px;">during the 2014 midterm elections</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px;">.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px;">This misbegotten law has served to lock out about 600,000 people in Texas, preventing them from exercising their voting privileges. Many residents live in poverty. To obtain one of the six forms of acceptable I.D., they would have to spend money they don't have, take a day off of work and visit their Department of Public Safety to obtain an Election Identification Certificate or EIC.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px;">Think about the roadblocks that Texas residents face in getting an EIC. Eric Kennie is one of these Austin residents. He collects recyclables for a living. At the end of an average month, he earns a little more than $620.00. What forms of ID does he have?</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px;">º Personal photo ID that expired in 2000</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px;">º His voter registration card</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px;">Because neither of these is an acceptable form of identification that would enable him to obtain an EIC, he won't be voting on November 4. Well then, what about his birth certificate? That won't work either because his birth certificate lists him as "Eric Caruthers," not Eric Kennie. "Caruthers" is his mother's maiden name.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px;">What's more, Kennie has never even left Austin, his hometown. He has never driven. He has never held a U.S. passport. He has never been in the military.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px;">Texas residents trying to obtain their EICs so they can comply with the law and vote are also faced with some considerable hurdles. If they don't own a car, they have to take a bus from their home to a DPS office. They have to wait for their turn – and hope that the forms of ID they have brought with them will be acceptable.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial; font-size: 10px; line-height: 14px;">In a real statement of irony, this law, which by the way, is the strictest voter ID law in the country, would have forced Kennie to use the identity on his birth certificate. That action would defeat the "purpose" of this law, which is supposed to defeat voter fraud at the polls. Kennie won't vote this year. Once the election is over, he will resume his fight to obtain an acceptable form of photo ID.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-29075766084321895972014-10-28T12:03:00.001-07:002014-10-28T12:03:50.528-07:00AT&T rolls the dice on virtual school<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbrCZUfA-Ew/VE_nl2Oj8DI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/VU93KnYaRxc/s1600/virtual-school.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NbrCZUfA-Ew/VE_nl2Oj8DI/AAAAAAAAAhQ/VU93KnYaRxc/s1600/virtual-school.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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Is online education the <a href="http://www.5wpr.com/new/teenager-bitcoin-business/">wave of the future</a> or is it merely a
band aid for schooling today – the present and cost-effective way to get a
substandard education? While the answer to that particularly loaded question
might not be conclusively answered for some time, there’s no doubt many tech
companies are looking long and hard at the profit potential of <a href="http://www.5wpr.com/new/tips-for-pr/">virtual school</a>.
Now AT&T has entered the market – at least tangentially.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Recently, Georgia Tech University began offering a major
accredited online education program that is substantially funded by AT&T.
While some claim that the company is not directly benefitting from the program,
AT&T will certainly come out ahead should GTU’s program succeed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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AT&T is not trying to answer the pending question about
what virtual schools offer today’s students. Instead, AT&T is poised to
pick up where traditional schooling leaves off.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In today’s fast-paced, tech-saturated marketplace, job seekers
and those interested in increasing their career prospects must have continuing
education. <a href="http://www.ronntorossianupdate.com/atts-pr-is-not-complicated">AT&T wants to be</a> on the forefront of providing that education
and it wants to offer that product to potential students virtually. It’s a
dynamic that takes one of online education’s worst commercial flaws – that it
ends abruptly – and eliminates it. Instead of pushing through one group of
students and then going after another group, in an endless cycle of marketing
and obsolescence, online continuing education providers are hoping to gain
customers and keep them coming back. Perhaps not constantly, however, in some
form or fashion of continual education.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For now, AT&T funded the Georgia Tech University initiative
to test how well the program can train the skilled workers of today and
tomorrow. Once they have that down, they can begin working on what comes next.
Because what is to come is the one and only certainty in technology – it will
definitely change – and someone will need to be there to explain it.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-71946924421455001042014-10-15T14:02:00.001-07:002014-10-15T14:02:23.958-07:00Cola Wars Go Green?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwISIG7ymdg/VD7gYM4JBPI/AAAAAAAAAgo/78lKqcbr9MQ/s1600/cola-wars.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dwISIG7ymdg/VD7gYM4JBPI/AAAAAAAAAgo/78lKqcbr9MQ/s1600/cola-wars.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ronn Torossian
believes it had to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RonnTorossian">happen sooner or later</a>. The world’s two top soft drink
companies have gone green. But not in the way you might be thinking. Recently,
both Coke and Pepsi have introduced new low-calorie drinks with one thing in
common – Stevia, a natural-based sugar substitute sweetener. Something else
these products have in common? Green labels, presumably to echo the “natural”
nature of these soft drink options.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">PepsiCo has
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ronn-Torossian/e/B005DOQIPO">announced that</a> it will launch Pepsi True in mid-October, though it likely won’t
be rolling out in stores anytime soon. For now, consumers ccccr US debut last
August, and that was in a very limited capacity. But this November, Coca-Cola
Life will be available nationwide.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Pepsi True will
be available in the familiar 12-ounce cans. Coca-Cola Life will come in both
cans and 8-ounce bottles.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Torossian says
it’s important to note that, although these are “reduced calorie” offerings,
they may not necessarily be able to be marketed as sugar free or “diet” soft
drinks. It’s an interesting strategy for both companies. Finding a niche
between niches, so to speak. Consider, the new offerings might appeal to
regular Coke and Pepsi drinkers who are looking to reduce their sugar and calorie
intake. And it might sound good to current diet soda drinkers who just can’t
get past the taste.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Coke and Pepsi
are hoping to attract consumers from both of these groups to create a market
overlap that currently doesn’t exist. Sure, many folks will take either diet or
regular in a pinch, but for the most part, these groups are strictly delineated
… and by their own choice.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://plus.google.com/+Ronn-Torossian">Torossian</a> says
that leads to yet another difficult PR risk. Both companies are risking
splitting their own customer base. This is not the same as splinter groups,
such as Mountain Dew drinkers or Mr. Pibb drinkers. How will the companies
address the intentional sacrifice of both regular and diet customers in order
to build a market for their stevia brands? It’s an interesting PR and marketing
conundrum, but look for the market to provide an answer – and likely in a short
period of time.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Like Crystal
Pepsi and New Coke before them, new soda ideas that don’t immediately produce
generally have a short shelf life.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-9280701012671388872014-10-09T10:29:00.000-07:002014-10-15T13:59:05.555-07:00GM woes: Now the Corvette???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NhLPlwQfPv0/VDbF3MoiHvI/AAAAAAAAAgM/0doYnrby7Go/s1600/gm-debacle.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NhLPlwQfPv0/VDbF3MoiHvI/AAAAAAAAAgM/0doYnrby7Go/s1600/gm-debacle.jpeg" height="250" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;">It might seem like piling on, but
really, Ronn Torossian said <a href="http://www.ronntorossianupdate.com/general-motors-public-image">GM is doing</a> it to itself … and that may not be a
bad thing. Aside from the Silverado truck, if anyone had to name an iconic GM
model, there is really only one top contender. The Corvette. But now, the auto
manufacturer has announced it will stop selling Corvettes. At least temporarily.
Yes, seriously.</span></div>
<div class="normal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;">Sure the latest ‘Vette can go 0 to
60 in less than four seconds, but as far as driving one off the lot … well,
you’re pretty much at a stand still. According to a recent press statement, <a href="http://ronntorossian.com/gm-debacle/">GMhas told Chevy</a> dealers to stop delivery of about 2,000 Corvettes in order to
inspect them for a, quote, “suspicious part” that, apparently, has something to
do with the driver’s side airbag. Further, GM has also stopped shipments from
its Bowling Green, Kentucky plant, the place that has been building Corvettes
for three decades. This issue has to do with the parking brake, which “must be
inspected to ensure it works on both rear tires.”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;">Come again? The breaks don’t work
and the airbag might be faulty? Oh, and this just in, the Corvette only makes
up a few thousand of the 270,000 vehicles GM currently has on recall for a
plethora of reasons.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;">Now, there might be two sides to
this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ronn-Torossian/e/B005DOQIPO">PR nightmare</a>. Side one, GM is in it deep. Simple, and it’s likely the
tactic Ford and Chrysler will approach. However, that’s not exactly a fair
assessment. At the heart of all of GM’s recent troubles has been the fact that
they were clearly lax and tardy in resolving an issue that has claimed (at
least) nineteen lives. HOWEVER, here they are voluntarily recalling their MOST
ICONIC automobile. I’d say that’s cause for an “atta boy.” Yes, recalls are
common, and yes, recalls are responsible. But by now, even GM’s top brass have
got to be thinking, “What now?”</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;">No matter how they spin it, this
will be difficult treading from a public relations perspective. They knew this
before they released the statement – but they made the statement, anyway. This
is clearly the action of a company that has seen its errors and is working hard
to rebuild public trust.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-39986540754694799232014-10-07T11:59:00.000-07:002014-10-07T11:59:19.485-07:00The ANTI Position: How to succeed as the Alternative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eMOkyoHYMz8/VDQ3_y5-whI/AAAAAAAAAf4/A4MMJWQC1_o/s1600/ello.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eMOkyoHYMz8/VDQ3_y5-whI/AAAAAAAAAf4/A4MMJWQC1_o/s1600/ello.png" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;">By any conceivable measure,
Facebook rules the social media world. It’s an uphill battle for similar competitors
to find a market niche. Even when they offer a different, and, in some cases,
superior experience. So, eventually, it had to happen. Someone had to come
along and set up shop as the “anti-Facebook.” A company that offered a similar
service, but without the things that people hate – but are forced to tolerate –
about Facebook.</span></div>
<div class="normal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;">Enter “<a href="http://www.5wpr.com/new/what-is-ello/">Ello</a>.” The upstart social
network is trying to get a skin in the game by capitalizing on the thing most
FB users hate the most about the interface – advertisements. That, and the
growing list of what some consider to be willful and excessive invasions of
privacy. There’s precedence there. Not too long ago, Facebook made headlines
for suspending several accounts because the people in question, all
entertainers, were using pseudonyms or stage names.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;"><a href="http://erikakauffman.wordpress.com/2014/09/30/guide-to-ello/">Ello </a>co-founder, Paul Budnitz,
believes people may have had enough of Facebook’s Only Show in Town tactics. He
is reporting up to 40,000 invite requests to the platform, which is currently
in beta stage and very much invite only.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;">There’s a good reason for that.
Ello’s developers are still trying to get the platform finished. They have
several features left to complete, features that, if not done, could lead to
downtime for beta testers.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;">There is one concern Budnitz and
other developers need to keep in mind – is the buzz about Ello really a
populist uprising against privacy invasions or is it just the most popular
flavor of the week? That’s one danger in setting up shop as an alternative.
When you are primarily “against” something, you tend to draw fans and followers
who are also “against” something. They may feel you are what they have always
been waiting for, but they may also turn on you as soon as you achieve a
modicum of success. Especially if you decide to “go mainstream” or be “about
something” positive. Just ask anyone who has ever achieved the double-edged
sword of indie success.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;">The specter of downtime is
troubling for a brand based on being something another brand is not. With a fan
base already set on “FRUSTRATED,” downtime could be disastrous. So controlled
expansion, which is common in social media, is the right move. The next step
should be for individuals who have embraced the platform to become “about”
something. To put their own positive applications out there in order to
establish a place for Ello in the social media marketplace.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #262626;">So far, step two is going
gangbusters. Artists and other <a href="http://observer.com/author/ronn-torossian/">social activists</a> have flocked to Ello, partially
in response to Facebook’s “by the book” account deletion tactics. And that may be
the best selling point of all for Ello. Even though people have to use their
“real” names on Facebook, the fakeness of the interactions has become cliché.
Unlike Ello, where people are already calling it the place they can really be
themselves.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-47077970700444323002014-09-23T07:43:00.000-07:002014-09-23T07:43:03.692-07:00GM death toll continues to rise<div class="normal">
It’s a terrible prospect. You’re a company whose products bring
joy to millions, and provides a useful and practical service. Then, a series of
mistakes creates the absolute worst-case scenario. A defect that takes lives.
It’s horrific, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/ronn-torossian">5W PR CEO</a> <b>Ronn Torossian</b> says. And when your public relations message
involves counting bodies, you definitely don’t want to over-estimate the cost
of the mistake. But when you under estimate that number, insult follows injury.</div>
<div class="normal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
And that’s where GM finds itself in the latest update from
their ongoing public relations nightmare. In a preliminary report, the company
estimated 12 deaths directly resulting from a mechanical defect that was
announced too late. But now an independent investigator has raised that number
to 19 … and counting. (<a href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/nineteen-confirmed-deaths-now-linked-to-faulty-gm-ignition-switch-report-finds-1410793611">http://online.wsj.com/articles/nineteen-confirmed-deaths-now-linked-to-faulty-gm-ignition-switch-report-finds-1410793611</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
Due to the widespread report of the earlier, lower number, <a href="http://www.ronntorossianupdate.com/general-motors-public-image">GM</a>not only has to deal with the fallout from the actual tragedy, now they are
dealing with the PR issue of incorrect expectations. A horrified consumer
public sees not only the number discrepancy but also the number of claims still
to be investigated—more than 400.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
The increase, combined with the hundreds of claims actually
submitted, allows the public to speculate on just how high the number of deaths
will reach. And, for the most part, the public is not known for UNDER
estimating. Many will assume the worst. Scuttlebutt and memes and speculation
will follow—at work, in homes, and online.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
The more these numbers are discussed, the less the actual
numbers will matter. The increase and unknown will become the focus of
conversation. GM is right to get the facts out there, but they must regain
control of this narrative. It’s not a conversation any brand wants to engage
in, but the sooner all the facts are out, the sooner GM can move on to the next
stage in their PR campaign—rebuilding trust.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="normal">
Other brands have been there, and recently. The formula is
proven. Make amends as best as can be made. Then begin to tell stories of happy
people cruising around in their favorite cars. Safe, secure, and quality
automobiles. There are millions out there on the road, but, for the moment, the
only number that matters is seven … and counting.<o:p></o:p></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-41244291654186627642014-09-10T12:30:00.000-07:002014-09-10T12:30:10.415-07:005 ways to bring Pizza Hut back from the brink<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #212f40; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 127%;">Decreasing
sales at <a href="http://ronntorossian.com/pizza-hut-pr/">Pizza Hut</a> have led analysts to speculate that YUM Brands should
consider selling the pizza chain, especially in light of the continuing growth
from Taco Bell and KFC. YUM Brands, the parent company of all three
restaurants, has stated that it is working on several ideas for improving sales
at Pizza Hut.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #212f40; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%; mso-highlight: white;"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ronn-torossian/">RonnTorossian reveals</a> five of the strategies that could be used to revitalize the
failing pizza chain, and increase sales.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #212f40; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%; mso-highlight: white;">In this
digital age, it is essential that people be able to order online from their
mobile devices. Although most companies have a web presence, many have not
streamlined their websites for smartphones and tablets. By optimizing their
online ordering process for smartphones and tablets, Pizza Hut would make it
faster, easier, and more appealing for people to place an online order.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #212f40; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%; mso-highlight: white;">One way to
draw attention back to Pizza Hut is to release new products. Recently, Pizza
Hut began making a giant cookie pizza cut into slices just like a pizza. This
is a good start towards expanding the menu to encompass more choices and
options for dining.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #212f40; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%; mso-highlight: white;">There are
no shortages of pizza joints out there, and Pizza Hut needs to stand out from
the crowd if it wants to increase sales. Between local mom-and-pop places as
well as competing chains such as Dominos and Papa Johns, there is a lot of
competition in the world of pizza, and Pizza Hut needs something to
differentiate itself from all the other options out there.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #212f40; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%; mso-highlight: white;">Many
consumers complain about the taste of Pizza Hut’s pizza. By stating that they
will work on taste and focusing an advertising campaign around improving the
overall quality of their product, Pizza Hut could gain back some of the sales
lost. This strategy also shows consumers that the restaurant cares about the
opinions of the people who eat there and is willing to make changes to satisfy
its customers.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #212f40; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%; mso-highlight: white;">More and
more people are being careful about what they eat. This means that they are
examining the quality of the ingredients that go into their food more closely.
By using organic and local ingredients, Pizza Hut would improve its image and
appeal to all of the people who are more aware of where their food is coming
from. This will not only improve the chain’s image, but also garner more
customers.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="line-height: 127%;">
<span style="background: white; color: #212f40; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%; mso-highlight: white;">Sales may
have decreased at Pizza Hut, but <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/ronn-torossian">Ronn Torossian says that by implementing</a> some
of these five strategies, the pizza chain could make a comeback. For now, YUM
Brands has no immediate plans to sell Pizza Hut, especially with so many
options available for making improvements.</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 127%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-62958061513162093022014-09-08T13:44:00.001-07:002014-09-08T13:45:15.157-07:00Terrorism causing the ‘net to self edit?<div class="normal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%;">The recent
beheading of an American journalist shocked and disgusted viewers in the west,
even as it, apparently, delighted some anti-American partisans. But by far the
largest and loudest voice in the aftermath came from those who, collectively,
did NOT want to see that on their newsfeed. Now it seems at least one online
media source is listening.</span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">LiveLeak is
known for endless available video content, and up to the second crowdsourced
news content. When viewers could not find controversial or gruesome or
offensive content on YouTube, they clicked over to LiveLink. But, according to
a spokesman with the company, those days are over. At least where ISIS is
concerned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">LiveLeak has
come out and publicly said it will no longer host or make available videos of
beheadings by ISIS, removing one of the terror groups major “marketing” and
fear mongering tools. Here’s the statement from LiveLeak:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">"We've
shown the world the true horror of this form of execution more than once in the
past and we cannot find any compelling reason to even be thought of as
promoting the actions of this group…there is no reason."</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The
move surprised many media watchdogs, but <a href="http://www.ronntorossian.com/">Ronn Torossian</a> says he is not surprised.
From a <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/5WPRSpeakers">PR standpoint</a>, it was a smart decision. LiveLeak was teetering on a
branding precipice. When YouTube blocked the videos and Twitter pulled the
stills, everyone flooded to LiveLeak. That prompted decision makers there to
ask a very important question: “Is this who we are to people? Snuff dealers?”</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Apparently
not. It may not seem like it, but in the world of the Internet, this sort of
self-policing is a strong statement, and it should bode well for LiveLeak’s
continued growth as a legitimate media source.</span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But
that does not necessarily mean they won’t be willing to get their hands dirty.
A follow up to the initial release clearly drew a single line - no more
beheadings - but it also indicated the site would not shy away from difficult
images or video deemed worthwhile from an <a href="http://observer.com/author/ronn-torossian/">informational standpoint</a>. </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="normal">
<span style="color: #111111; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
clear line also sends a clear message to the market. This is who LiveLeak is,
like it or not. </span><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1603705017235965269.post-73331553264789854402014-09-02T10:35:00.000-07:002014-09-02T10:35:32.728-07:00Chick Fil A answers the call<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbtc3a68VDU/VAX_16EXCuI/AAAAAAAAAeE/ipvVvNHEd0k/s1600/chick%2Bfil%2Ba.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wbtc3a68VDU/VAX_16EXCuI/AAAAAAAAAeE/ipvVvNHEd0k/s1600/chick%2Bfil%2Ba.jpg" height="143" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">You might say
it had to happen sooner or later. And <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ronn-torossian/">Ronn Torossian</a> believes you would be
right. Delighting fans everywhere, <a href="http://www.newsmax.com/RonnTorossian/GOP-Chick-Fil-A-snow-cold/2014/02/05/id/551002/">Chick Fil A</a> recently announced that they
would be pairing their world famous chicken with the one perfect – and
perfectly American – side dish. That’s right. Chick Fil A is making waffles. At
least, Torossian reports, they are trying it.</span></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The chain is
experimenting with the combination in a location sure to be at least amiable to
the idea – Central Georgia. There is no doubt that chicken and waffles is
incredible southern comfort food. And there is no doubt that if the meal is not
fit for the southern palette, it probably won’t fly anywhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But Chick Fil A
isn’t putting all its egg in one basket. The company is also testing the chicken
and waffles combination in Memphis, Tennessee, Philadelphia, and California.
Depending on the results of the tests, Chick Fil A might roll out the
combination in all its stores. Fans of both the breakfast and the chain are
hopeful.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It’s no secret
the Chick Fil A has been on a public relations roller coaster in recent years.
Caught up in political and social issues, the restaurant began to make enemies.
There were protests for and against. Multiple news stories said nothing about
the food and everything they could about every other aspect of the business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, more and
more people began to express the opinion that Chick Fil A just needed to shut
up and make chicken.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The company
responded by rolling out several new menu options, including the chicken and
waffles breakfast. Other choices included specialty coffee, egg-white chicken
grill sandwich, and even Greek yogurt. Yes, Greek yogurt.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="normal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Though the
chain has had “some success” with its chicken tenders and waffles combo, they
say it’s far too early to know where they will go from here. One thing’s for
sure, though. Chick Fil A was right to get out of politics and get back into
the food business.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0