Powerfeedback by Scott

"Ask yourself what you would do even if you were never paid. That’s a clue to what you should be..."

Fri, 04 Jul 2008 18:37:15 -0400

““Ask yourself what you would do even if you were never paid. That’s a clue to what you should be doing and, of course, still be finding a way to be paid for it.
You can attract more money from love.””

- — Joe Vitale: was a writer and management consultant
GREAT Independence Day advice!

Great Branding tips and newsletter

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 15:38:00 -0400

Great Branding tips and newsletter:

Some great tips from my colleague, Andre Paquin, who is the Principal of Andre Paquin Associates.

Starkbucks, no surprise

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:05:35 -0400

Starkbucks, no surprise:

Starbucks can blame the sub-prime meltdown, the flat real estate market, the weak economy or any other situation, but their problem goes far deeper.

Starbucks has consistently rejected outside opinion, external creative solutions, as well as new ideas from potential vendors. Try and offer them help and you get a canned reply along the lines of: we do not accept unsolicited ideas or proposals, or, thank you for submitting your information.

Listen, I well understand they can’t meet with, or talk to every firm that pitches them, but, when you close the door hard on EVERY potential opportunity, eventually it comes back to haunt you.

Simply stated, the chickens have come home to roost.

Calorie information and research

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:54:00 -0400

Calorie information and research:

A study in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that people who dine out frequently are less likely to pay attention to nutritional data than people who eat mostly at home.

I don’t get it. Research shows that people who dine out don’t want, nor pay attention to nutritional information on menus and in restaurants, yet, the Government is forcing these establishments to spend a considerable amount of money to research and publish it.

While obesity in the USA is a HUGE issue, (pardon the pun) it seems to me that the Government could be focusing on much more consumer concerning issues as well as spending our tax dollars more judiciously.

"Don’t measure busywork. Don’t measure activity. Measure accomplishment. It doesn’t..."

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:38:00 -0400

““Don’t measure busywork. Don’t measure activity. Measure accomplishment. It doesn’t matter what people do as much as it matters what they get done.””

- — Larry Winget: professional speaker and bestselling author

Census surveys

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 12:28:32 -0400

Census surveys:

Professional marketers know it is difficult to get accurate, timely data from many sources. Two experts debate the best way to apply DM knowledge to collecting census data more efficiently.

The Bureau of Census has long frustrated me. As far back as 7 years ago, and since then, Powerfeedback attempted to offer them more efficient, reliable and cost-effective ways to conduct their research, especially the Census study that is conducted every 10 years. They consistently ignored us and instead went with huge mega corporations who were laden in bureaucracy to offer agile solutions in the fast moving technology driven times that we live in.

Perhaps this article will encourage them, as well as our elected leaders to invite and encourage small to medium sized business to help fix the broken system!

Citizens Survey

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:20:04 -0400

Citizens Survey:

Bethlehem is in a period of great transition. It is important that the City’s residents and business owners participate in the development of the long range plan for the City.

Kudos to Bethlehem for this initiative! Imagine if every city, town, township, borough and hamlet, not to mention state, actually took the time to solicit, listen to, and actually act on citizen and business owner input!

Its the web stupid.....

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 15:00:04 -0400

Its the web stupid.....:

A new survey, released today by PR agency Waggener Edstrom Worldwide, shows that a strong majority (64%) of 18- to 35-year-olds are relying on digital communications to stay informed on this year’s election because it provides the easiest way to access and share information.

I remain amazed that-

Traditional media outlets continue to disregard the reality of shifts and trends like this and fail to adopt better mobile technology (i.e. mobile web/wap) to meet the changing demands of the audience.
With free WiFi struggling in major cities, why haven’t political parties and media outlets stepped in. This would give them a front row seat (start-up portal) that would capture eyeballs.
Content providers are going to have to find unique ways to offset user expense for SMS messages and public WiFi access.

Back when Powerfeedback pioneered the Internet in the early 90’s I understood the apprehension of some, but I remain mystified as to why some people and organizations are still fighting it today!

Raising Capital

Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:25:00 -0400

Raising Capital:

Interesting website, mission and concept. Thanks for sharing this Lou!

Consumer opinion and research

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:16:05 -0400

Consumer opinion and research:

“Intention is the golden center of response marketing and an obvious requirement for transaction.”

On behalf of clients, Powerfeedback does quite a bit of work in this field. This is a very insightful article and worth the read as well as further consideration.

Panel and database reform

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:48:38 -0400

Panel and database reform:

‘The issue is not whether research data is generally ‘good’ – no one is suggesting that it isn’t, or that it needs to be perfect. The problem is that many clients aren’t clear on the specific contents of what they’re buying…….”

Powerfeedback supports this concept wholeheartedly! We use panels for client projects regularly and this transparency can only be a good thing, especially as we continue to do our part to raise the bar in our industry.

Google poll results

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 20:52:00 -0400

Google poll results:

The most reputable company in America: Google, which toppled Microsoft from the top perch in the 2007 Harris Interactive Reputation Quotient study released today

I concur with the author that this is pretty amazing considering Google spends no money on advertising!

Treat people right, employees and customers, and they will return the favor with loyalty and commitment! A great lesson and reminder for many, many companies out there!

Race polling

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:58:57 -0400

Race polling:

nearly half of all Americans say race relations in the country are in bad shape and three in 10 acknowledge feelings of racial prejudice, according to a new Washington Post-ABC News poll.

The poll was conducted by telephone June 12 through June 15 among a national random sample of 1,125 adults.

What disturbs me about this poll, besides the reported findings, is the methodology used to conduct the research. Why would the Washington Post-ABC News rely on phone rolling for such important research when clearly phone polling is no longer truly effective, reliable nor does it represent the technology people have shifted to as this report makes clear?

This is yet one more reason why political polling is so unreliable. They continue to use a system which is fading faster than even mail surveys did several years ago.

I am not saying that there is still not race bias in the USA, but for heavens sake, when important research like this is being conducted, let’s use the best tools and systems possible to get the facts straight.

"In order to do what really matters to you, you have to, first of all, know what really matters to..."

Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:42:05 -0400

““In order to do what really matters to you, you have to, first of all, know what really matters to you.””

- — Dr. Ed Hallowell: Psychiatrist and author

USA Oil-Counterpoint

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:43:15 -0400

USA Oil-Counterpoint:

MainStreet.com just did a piece on the current controversial issue of drilling offshore and its relation to the price of gas. I thought you would like it so I am providing you with the link!

I received an email with this link from someone that I assume is following the blog.

Wanted to share it with you so you can evaluate both sides of the issue fairly.

Hmm, I don’t remember inviting this guy to my backyard...

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:36:00 -0400

Hmm, I don’t remember inviting this guy to my backyard party….

USA oil

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:30:33 -0400

USA oil:

Americans seem more willing than ever to fight back with bold initiatives. For example, just over three-quarters (76 percent) support immediately increasing oil drilling in the United States

Some political tacticians think if gas prices stay at $4.00 per gallon until election day, consumers will start to accept this as “normal”, and not make drilling for oil in the USA an election issue. Many others disagree, and should prices rise even more prior to the election, the Democrats will be hard-pressed to justify serious review of this policy, especially with China drilling for oil 60 miles off of OUR our own coastline.

Seems to me even if we never drill on our own shores, the serious consideration of it may inspire the Mideast countries who supply us to re-examine the supply levels that they are offering to us.

Airline survey

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 17:15:00 -0400

Airline survey:

The J.D. Power and Associates 2008 North America Airline Satisfaction StudySM finds that the most important reason behind a decline in overall airline customer satisfaction is deteriorating airline staff customer service. Overall customer satisfaction is at its lowest point in three years. When passengers experience a lack of knowledge, courtesy and helpfulness from reservations and gate agents, check-in staff and flight crew, it can quickly sour them on their airline travel experience.

Duh!

It is an interesting quandary for the airlines. Based on our experience in this space, they are spending less and less on flier (customer) research to conserve overall costs, yet as the above study illustrates, the satisfaction numbers among fliers continues to get worse.

Perhaps the airlines need an innovative firm like Powerfeedback to show them how to enable employees to get direct and personal feedback to measure their own performance, which would lead to improvements in surrey results like this!

Food marketing group cancels show

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 21:04:01 -0400

Food marketing group cancels show :

The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade has held its Spring Fancy Food Show in Chicago since 1999. But the association’s talks with exhibitors and buyers after the 2008 event led organizers to believe that the show “is no longer providing the majority of our members with the most effective means by which to grow their businesses in the Midwest,” NASFT President Ann Daw said in a statement.

In the past, we have attended this and many similiar shows. Based on the turnout for events like this, I can’t help but think that this is a sign of things to come. Just look at what happened to COMDEX.

Perhaps some of these organizations and the “customers” who attend need to find ways to provide better opportunities to the vendors who support them.

Scary tax proposal

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 20:46:37 -0400

Scary tax proposal:

It is hard for me to fathom that that they are seriously considering this tax! This is wrong on many, many levels!