January 2009
26 posts
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December 2008
32 posts
“It doesn’t matter where you are coming from. All that matters is where you...”
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— Brian Tracy: Personal and business development author, lecturer, consultant
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"Card Check" article →
This link will take you to my most recent article for U.S. Business Review.
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Unrest caused by bad economy may require military... →
“A U.S. Army War College report warns an economic crisis in the United States could lead to massive civil unrest and the need to call on the military to restore order”
Though some “experts” are wary of the report, nonetheless, it is one more thing to ponder in the days to come.
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Is the Recession Driven by "A Reduced Willingness... →
This is an interesting view of the current employment situation in the United States.
I have not formed an opinion on this report as of yet. I would be curious to hear your thoughts. Please drop me a line .
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"What I (he) learned this year" →
Om Malik, Founder and Senior Writer of GigaOm wrote the aforementioned piece.
It touched me on several levels, and I believe that it a worthy read.
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Trust politicians & "experts"? →
“Just about everybody got wrong-footed by 2008, but some people’s mistakes were truly spectacular”
Ironically, despite their horrible predictions, many of these people are still gainfully employed and paid well for their services.
Further proof that anyone can make it in America, even if they are clueless.
Some good news to report! →
“An Ohio bakery shut down in October is bustling again, with 60 eager employees who had expected a Christmas on the unemployment rolls.”
Despite what most of the media is reporting, there is some good news to report!
“What we think determines what happens to us, so if we want to change our lives,...”
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— Wayne Dyer: A self-development author and speaker
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Santa the Entrepreneur →
My colleague Guy Kawasaki posted an interesting piece regarding analyzing Santa Claus as an Entrepreneur.
Worth checking out.
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Grading Twitter →
As someone relatively new to Twitter I have pondered the business ROI of being an active participant. With this in mind, I found this report very interesting. I hope that you do as well.
Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
“We hardly ever realize that we can cut anything out of our lives, anytime, in...”
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— Carlos Castaneda: Was an author of books on shamanism
“With greater confidence in yourself and your abilities, you will set bigger...”
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— Brian Tracy: a self-help author and speaker
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Go Blago! →
“I’m here to tell you right off the bat that I am not guilty of any criminal wrongdoing, that I intend to stay on the job, and I will fight this thing every step of the way. I will fight, I will fight, I will fight until I take my last breath,”
I have written extensively elsewhere regarding my thoughts on “pay to play” so I will limit my comments here to make one...
“Everything you are against weakens you. Everything you are for empowers you.”
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— Wayne Dyer: Self-development author and speaker
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Org chart reality
I was listening to the “Mike and Mike” show on ESPN Radio this morning and they read an internal email message that still has me rolling on the floor.
In a nutshell; it said that due to the inclement weather, all non essential employees should consider going home early.
What does this mean? If you work-
Behind the microphone, you are essential
In front of, o behind the camera,...
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Parent testing →
I was thinking about all of the things that you need to pass a test for. Some basic things include-
Drivers license
High School placement for course selection
SAT for college entrance
A trade (plumber, cosmetologist, electrician, etc.) or a professional (nurse, doctor, therapist, etc.) position
Ironically, you do not need to take, much less pass a test to get married. Perhaps this is one...
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Marketing survives →
“Chrysler Closes Factories, but Marketing Marches On”
Chrysler’s and Ford’s marketing plan makes so much sense to me that I am frightened!
Based on my three decades (15+ years in my own business) in marketing and market research, I have grown accustomed to firms putting their tail between their legs and running off into the woods in situations like this.
While I have...
“Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under...”
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— Dr. Stephen Covey: Personal development author and speaker
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Rate cuts and small business →
“Given the meltdown in world credit markets, no matter how low the rate goes, lenders are not passing the cuts to their customers.”
I have written article after article about how small business is being ignored by President Bush, President Elect Obama, House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Reid. I have also written how in the past The Federal Reserve failed to cut interest...
Market Research saves your business →
“Here’s an idea: When the marketing budget is cut, take time to concentrate on segmentation and testing of the customers you already have in house. When you hone in on a specific market or audience, you can specialize your offer, messaging and tactics to specifically appeal to their wants and needs. You just may find your loyal regulars ready to spend extra, for the something more you...
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What do CEO's think →
Though I have sense these interviews were done awhile ago, which is commonplace in this arena, this piece is still a worthy read.
Funny that CEO Magazine didn’t ask the king of market research to contribute to this article :-)
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Fast food and so much more →
“Four months after a Burger King employee lost his job for taking a bubble bath in a restaurant sink, three scantily clad teens were fired when they turned a basin at their northern California KFC into their personal hot tub.”
There is absolutely NO market research and/or marketing news value to this story, much less to this post, but, it is just too bizarre not to post.
This adds...
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“One-half of life is luck; the other half is discipline — and that’s the...”
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— Carl Zuckmayer: Was a German dramatist
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Clean the plate, or pay the piper! →
“NYC Eatery Charges 3 Percent For Food You Waste”
In the course of my three decades of helping business grow their businesses, reverse negative trends and help to make overall improvements; I have never suggested charging customers for uneaten food.
I understand that this is a buffet, but the unintended consequences of their action may cause them more pain than gain!
In the past...
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Obama: Economy to get worse before it improves
With all due respect President Elect Obama; PLEASE stop talking!
We know that things are tough. We also realize that things MAY indeed get worse before they get better. That said; we don’t need you slapping us in the face with this. The American psyche is already weak, how about a little pep talk?
I also understand that part of you’re rhetoric is the basis of lowering...
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Gone but never forgotten →
Today is one of those anniversaries that I dread. I am reminded that my father (Michael R. Gingold) would have been 86 years old had he still been with us.
Like most parents; me included; my dad was not perfect. While his personal life was often untidy, his love for his sons was never in question.
I have been honored to meet many internationally known successful business leaders, some of...
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Hit the streets in December to grow your business
I am often asked what should company owners and executives be doing during this economic period. The first thing that comes to mind is that if you are in your office more than one day a week; you are clueless! The “action” is on the streets, not in the comforts of your office.
December is a GREAT time to be on the road visiting with past, current and potential customers. If you don’t have a...
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Twitter for business? →
I am new to Twitter and Facebook. To be perfectly candid, I am still trying to figure how how these “tools” may benefit my business. I suspect that I am not the only CEO who is asking this question.
With this in mind I want to thank “channelsales” for sharing information on how to use Twitter as a marketing instrument.
Guy Kawasaki also just posted a piece about...
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Recession over! Maybe..... →
It has been often said, that by the time the so-called “experts” officially declare a recession; the recovery and rebounding process has begun.
Will that be the case this time? I don’t know, but if it does, it would be ironic. After all, remember what happened weeks after George Bush Sr. left office? The economy had been in the tank; yet the recovery began even as President...