tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29491511779224632482024-03-13T12:37:36.393-05:00Minnesota Chapter of the American Marketing Association BlogThe MN AMA Blog is the premier resource for marketing education in Minnesota.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger150125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-7060736625393570222011-12-20T09:34:00.000-06:002011-12-20T09:34:18.170-06:00The New Twitter<div> <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:TrackMoves>false</w:TrackMoves> <w:TrackFormatting/> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridHorizontalSpacing> <w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing>18 pt</w:DrawingGridVerticalSpacing> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> <w:DontAutofitConstrainedTables/> <w:DontVertAlignInTxbx/> </w:Compatibility> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="276"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
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</style> <![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--XTMdXJub2A/TYTR1KYZoYI/AAAAAAAAAD4/Z30-Ga7QdM4/s1600/25691_551336984630_52904105_32308402_4683507_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--XTMdXJub2A/TYTR1KYZoYI/AAAAAAAAAD4/Z30-Ga7QdM4/s200/25691_551336984630_52904105_32308402_4683507_n.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><a href="mailto:ashleykhaugen@gmail.com">Ashley Haugen</a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Over the next several weeks, Twitter will be shedding some old feathers and taking on a new look. In a move they hope will coax users away from third party apps and back to the main site, the redesign encompasses Twitter.com and TweetDeck, as well as its mobile apps. Here is a look at what you can expect.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">There are three new buttons at the top of the page: Home, @Connect and #Discover. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>•<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Home</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Your updated news feed. See information about @replies and retweets, as well as linkable content (videos and pictures) right in the feed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>•<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>@Connect</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Shows who has mentioned you and suggests some accounts you might want to follow.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>•<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>#<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Discover</b>: Shows what's trending and points you to notable stories and videos. This feature is a great example of the more personalized Twitter. Discover will identify stories and trends based on your connections, location and language.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">The redesign also has Tweets housed on the right side, and your profile box in the upper left hand corner. Not exactly sure why there was a need to do this, but I'm sure there was plenty of market research and design psychology involved.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Other notables:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>•<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Brand Pages</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Taking a note from Facebook and Google+, the new Twitter will allow brand pages for companies which will have a bigger header, more customizable options and extended taglines. The coolest feature here is that brands will be able to choose what tweet stays at the top of their timeline, thus highlighting their best content.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; tab-stops: 11.0pt .5in; text-indent: -.5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>•<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Embedded Tweets</span></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">: Now website developers and bloggers can embed tweets right into their website. This gives visitors the ability to reply, retweet and favorite without leaving the page.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">You can get the new Twitter now by downloading the updated version for iPhone or Android <a href="http://fly.twitter.com/"><span style="color: #000099;">here</span></a>. Otherwise, it will be taking over the Twittersphere over the next few weeks. Here is a video from Twitter showing off the new features:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qqDy5BmYKE&feature=youtu.be">The New Twitter</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;">What do you think? Will the redesign be a hit or have us all atwitter? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="mailto:ashleykhaugen@gmail.com"><i><span style="color: #2f577e; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Ashley Haugen</span></i></a></span><i><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-bidi-font-size: 13.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> is a Gustavus Adolphus College alumna. She has had Marketing experience working with such organizations as the LOFT Literary Center, the Gustavus Marketing Department and the OrdwayCenter for Performing Arts. She currently is a PR associate at Axiom Marketing Communications.</span></i></span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-14274760773082646772011-12-13T08:35:00.000-06:002011-12-13T08:35:46.464-06:00Got great ideas, but just need someone to share them with?<div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Share your unique marketing perspective on the MN AMA blog as a Blog Contributor! We’re looking for bloggers with varying expertise to write blog posts on marketing or business related content. If interested, contact the </span><a href="mailto:jenniferabroman@gmail.com?subject=Blog%20Contributor"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MN AMA Blog Content Manager</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> today!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Job Description: </b>The MN AMA Blog Contributor is responsible for creating insightful and relevant blog posts for the MN AMA blog. Blogs typically range from 300-700 words and can focus on any marketing or business related content. This position is a great way to share content with members, elevate your presence as a marketing expert and hone your social media and blogging expertise. Commitment expectations for this position can vary from bi-annually to bi-monthly depending on your availability. This is a perfect position for those who are interested in starting a volunteer position with the MN AMA!</span></div><!--EndFragment--> <script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-21266213073225699622011-12-08T08:55:00.003-06:002011-12-08T08:56:33.398-06:00December is MN AMA Volunteer Appreciation Month!<div><!--StartFragment--> <div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We want to take the time to say “Thank you!!” to all of the MN AMA Volunteers who help make the MN AMA so successful! We appreciate your hard work and commitment to the MN AMA. We could not be the organization we are today without your dedication, support and commitment.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Special thanks to the following volunteers:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Membership - Aimee Cheek:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aimee has been instrumental in helping the Membership team pick out interesting and unique venues for our events. She is always willing to help out to find a venue for any type of event and she always works hard with the venue to make sure we get the best deal.Thanks to Aimee we have been able to book venues that the MN AMA would never have had before. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Programming - Tony Rivera:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tony Rivera is an outstanding volunteer within the MN AMA Programming Committee. Through his dedication, drive to succeed and unparalleled work ethic, Tony single-handedly established a new role within the Programming Committee as Project Manager and continues to produce new ideas and processes that have yielded positive results across our organization. In addition, he volunteered to be an Event Manager for our September 2011 event while continuing his Project Manager responsibilities. Tony demonstrates a natural enthusiasm for learning and brings out the best in people. He<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a> has done a fantastic job in adding value and establishing credibility across our members, participants, volunteers and committee members. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sponsorship - Lynnda Nelson: <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lynnda works for HALO Branded Solutions and has been a volunteer with Sponsorship since June. Since joining our committee, she has developed a great rapport with the sponsors she has worked with and focuses on MN AMA’s overall relationship with our sponsors. </span><o:p></o:p></div><!--EndFragment--> <script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-78750920469401665152011-12-06T08:00:00.002-06:002011-12-06T08:00:00.124-06:00The silver bullet to a successful marketing campaign<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fbthWqSW4h8/Tt2mpGNBy1I/AAAAAAAAAME/W-9IdFsopbw/s1600/Jenny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fbthWqSW4h8/Tt2mpGNBy1I/AAAAAAAAAME/W-9IdFsopbw/s200/Jenny.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <div class="MsoNormal"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="mailto:jenniferabroman@gmail.com">Jennifer Broman</a></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is the silver bullet to creating a great marketing campaign? Is it leveraging flashy creative or implementing the newest technology? How about defining the most effective value proposition? Or maybe if your marketing team could create “an app for that” then maybe, your marketing message would truly take off. However, from experience working with clients as they craft their next ad campaign, it is clear that the silver bullet to any marketing campaign is a focused, clear and simplistic message. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know many times with the beginnings of a branding campaign or launch of a new product, you may want to yell from the mountain tops everything that your brand has to offer the consumer. Yes, it can give you better X or help you be more effective at Y, which can translate into Z… divided by 2, then multiplied by the square root of 34. Even through my poor example, you can see that a complicated message always gets confusing. Remember, the consumer engaging with your marketing message doesn’t have time to break down the complicated algorithm surrounding your product. Instead, they want a simple value equation—what differentiates your product and what does this mean to them. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Additionally, it becomes necessary to view the campaign itself as a sprint, not as a marathon. With campaigns, the reality is that you need to communicate simplicity with focus on 1-2 brand or product attributes that differentiate. As I’m sure you’ve heard before, it’s not worth throwing in everything plus the kitchen sink—and this is especially true when crafting an ad campaign. Although there are many incremental messages you may be tempted to touch on, those additional insights can wait until the next campaign. Your current campaign should only be running for 1-2 years, don’t treat it like a never-ending marathon! Overall, the reality is that too much information will cloud what you’re really trying to communicate to consumers. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, when planning your next campaign, try to go back to your marketing roots when crafting your marketing campaign and use the silver bullet of a focused, clear and simplistic message for your next marketing endeavor.</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px;"><a href="mailto:jenniferabroman@gmail.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jennifer Broman</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is an Account Manager at Hunt Adkins, a full-service advertising agency in Minneapolis. Currently, she is serving as the MN AMA Blog Content Manager. </span></span></span></div><!--EndFragment--> <script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-71439611242280224452011-12-01T09:36:00.000-06:002011-12-01T09:36:21.198-06:00Google’s Chairman, Eric Schmidt, Visits The U. of MN, Mayor R.T. Rybak, and Area Business Leaders Recognizing MN’s Economic Talent While Marketing Google Apps<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXBddjtx644/TekDK87c1mI/AAAAAAAAAEw/HfejGxfhw60/s1600/AMA_2010_AC_D3S3325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXBddjtx644/TekDK87c1mI/AAAAAAAAAEw/HfejGxfhw60/s200/AMA_2010_AC_D3S3325.jpg" width="136" /></a></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="mailto:soul4jazz@gmail.com"> Jeremy Swenson</a></b></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Wednesday, 11/30/11, MN was host to one of technology’s most successful business leaders, Eric Schmidt, who has an estimated net worth of over $6.2 billion dollars according to Forbes.com (2011). Schmidt has held leadership roles at Sun Microsystems, was the CEO of Novell, and steered Google as CEO during their growth phase – 2001 to 2011. Today, Schmidt serves as Executive Chairman of Google advising the CEO and Board of Directors.<br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img height="150" src="webkit-fake-url://00F9C63E-A36B-4367-B23D-DC4C9F6E43F8/application.pdf" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; line-height: 13.5pt; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img height="170" src="webkit-fake-url://261ADD69-6B2C-4E70-AD73-ED7526E5644B/application.pdf" width="200" /></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Schmidt started his talk on the future of technology, asking the audience where innovation was going to come from. He cited “open idea generation and collaboration” as a way to outthink old ways of doing things. He went on to describe mobile devices running Google’s finely marketed Android operating system, suggesting some ideas his company brings forward get quashed due to privacy concerns in spite of convenience. The example he cited was a mobile device application that allows you to predict where your contacts are going to be based on their mobile GPS trail, etc. This is something I agreed with due to the possibility of misuse, and also because where you are is not always indicative of what you are doing. Creating such a tool with more intelligent and retractable tracking abilities could have more market appeal for a targeted demographic.<br />
<br />
At the later part of his presentation I had the opportunity to ask him (top photo) about the similarities of Google Voice video chat and Google + Hangout video chat. As I had anticipated, he said, “the two will be merged”, which is a good way to streamline services and reduce marketing confusion between two related but fairly new products. Schmidt also hailed the U of MN as an early adopter of the Google Apps product, and praised MN’s economy as highly capable of innovation. <br />
<br />
Later in the day he met with technology entrepreneurs and Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak (bottom photo) and toured the </span> <span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Minneapolis Grain Exchange building. This leads to speculation that Google could open an office in Minneapolis to tap MN’s technology and marketing professionals, or at least that we have a growing market of small businesses that serve Google, like <a href="http://www.agosto.com/">Augusto</a> the </span></span><span style="background: white; color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Google Apps, Docs, and data migration consultancy</span></span></span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background: white; color: black; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; line-height: normal;"></span></span></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><h4 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Photos by Jeremy Swenson and John Hageman respectively. </span></i></span></h4></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> Jeremy Swenson, MBA, is an experienced marketer, marketing manager, communicator, sales person, and business analyst/academic. He has extensive product marketing experience with financial products and retail electronics products (State Farm, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Intel, and Best Buy).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Since 2009 he has served on the MN AMA Social Media/Marcom Committee.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">You can reach Jeremy at </span></span></span></i><a href="mailto:jer.swenson@live.com"><i><span style="color: #1e5784; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">jer.swenson@live.com</span></span></span></i></a><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">. </span></span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><!--EndFragment--> <br />
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-73167815197405439742011-11-29T09:26:00.001-06:002011-11-29T09:27:23.633-06:003 Steps To Avoid Sounding Stupid On Sales Calls<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIUnOH5-Zg0/TH036Bkaq6I/AAAAAAAAAB0/hbTRD55mfpM/s1600/mark%255B1%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIUnOH5-Zg0/TH036Bkaq6I/AAAAAAAAAB0/hbTRD55mfpM/s200/mark%255B1%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="mailto:mark.price@msquaredgroup.com">Mark Price</a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://mnama.org/blogs/post/1159">My last post for the MN AMA</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> talked about how stupid most salespeople sound when they call repeatedly on a prospect about which they know very little. Despite their lack of knowledge, these salespeople continue to “ask for the order”. Their approach is largely doomed to failure, yet this is the approach that most salespeople use and have used for years.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Content-based selling (CBS) is a paradigm shift in lead generation and nurturing. Rather than asking the question “Will you buy,” the focus of the conversation is on what the prospect needs to know before moving ahead. The goal of the conversation is to begin the process of building TRUST, rather than achieving a quick hit sale. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The key to content-based selling lies in determining prospect information gaps and directing a stream of impartial information that addresses those needs. By delivering impartial information, you will build a position of trust–specifically, that your organization will invest time and effort in helping your prospect think through their issues without any guarantee of a sale. Counterintuitively, when you invest in your prospect, you are increasing your chance of getting a sale.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You see, prospects today are overwhelmed with information. Across the web, there are thousands of sites with information and opinions on ways that your prospect can solve their needs. The problem is not getting information anymore. Rather it is sorting through the information and determining who and what is credible. In many cases, when you speak with your prospect, you don't need to speak much about your product features and benefits; your prospect is already done all that research on the web beforehand.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What they're trying to figure out is whether or not they can trust you.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So let's say that you are now ready to begin to implement content-based selling. What you need to do?<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are many activities that are involved in content-based selling, but you can essentially boil them down to 3 key initiatives that will get you started:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> 1. </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Focus your selling on identifying information gaps</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, rather than trying to identify and close a deal in the short term. I know this runs counter to traditional sales methodologies, yet this approach will yield higher returns both in the short-term and long-term. Prospects ready to buy will have few information gaps that you can readily address over a series of meetings. Prospects not ready to buy will not feel pressured, but will feel that you are collaborating with them to help meet their needs.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> 2. </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Identify content in your organization that can be repurposed to meet the more common prospect information needs.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Organizations produce a broad range of content in sales materials, white papers, webinars and presentations that can be repurposed to become impartial information for content-based selling. You'll also want to find information out in the marketplace from other sources that you can use as part of your nurturing effort. This work is called “content curation”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> 3. </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Selected group of prospects with identified needs and create a pilot content e-mail campaign.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> After each e-mail, measure the results to see how many and which prospects are opening and clicking on the content you have made available. After several weeks, survey the prospects to see if the information is addressing their needs. Continue to improve and customize your content-based nurturing efforts based on that feedback.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now, when your salesperson finally has a meeting with a prospect who has been receiving content, you can provide them with a list of what information that prospect has read and the date that they read it. In this way, your salesperson will have a much more informed conversation with the prospect, leading to an increased chance of a relationship and revenue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Content-based selling has many more facets than the 3 that I have described today. Yet these 3 building blocks can lead you on your way to truly creating relationships where both your prospect and your company win, and where you personally have the increased satisfaction of knowing that you have built the most valuable currency of all with your prospects–trust. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That currency will serve you well now and in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.cultivatingyourcustomers.com/about-2/"><i><span style="color: #1275b8; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Mark Price</span></span></span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> is Managing Partner of </span></span></i><a href="http://www.msquaredgroup.com/"><i><span style="color: #1275b8; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">M Squared Group</span></span></span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, a consulting firm focused on turning customer data into insights that yield profitable actions, and the author of the blog “</span></span></i><a href="http://www.cultivatingyourcustomers.com/"><i><span style="color: #1275b8; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cultivating Your Customers</span></span></span></i></a><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">,” where he writes about practical approaches to improve customer retention and overall customer value<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2949151177922463248&postID=7316781519740543974" name="_GoBack"></a>.</span></span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-62337390398966938792011-11-21T08:00:00.001-06:002011-11-22T08:55:08.271-06:00It's going to be Mobile for the Holidays<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jhsmSwW7a8/TT8YCRJuopI/AAAAAAAAADc/OXYLGUOIrmE/s1600/25691_551336984630_52904105_32308402_4683507_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jhsmSwW7a8/TT8YCRJuopI/AAAAAAAAADc/OXYLGUOIrmE/s200/25691_551336984630_52904105_32308402_4683507_n.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="mailto:ashleykhaugen@gmail.com">Ashley Haugen</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know you may cringe at the thought of the Holiday season so soon (the snow, the traffic, the mad shopping rush), but the truth is it will be here before you know it. This is especially true for all of you Black Friday shoppers. This season is expected to be very different, with the popularity of mobile, social and daily deals shaking things up in the marketing and commerce scene. Retailers need to be prepared for the amount of customer engagement their mobile sites will see this year. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tablets and smartphones have become a convenient and preferred way to shop. According to a survey conducted by the </span><a href="http://www.nrf.com/"><span style="color: #000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">National Retail Federation</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, more than 50 percent of smartphone and tablet owners will use their devices to make purchasing decisions this holiday season. This includes researching products and prices, purchasing and redeeming coupons. According </span><a href="http://www.howtogomo.com/"><span style="color: #000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Google</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, mobile searches have grown four times since 2010. Retailers and brands should take advantage of those statistics by making sure their mobile and tablet commerce-enabled sites are ready and able before November 25th. Below are a few tips to keep in mind whether you are just starting to create a mobile site, or already have one up and running. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Body"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Top Tips:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Body"><br />
</div><div class="Body"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Thumbs Up </b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Body"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No longer does the infamous pointer finger have the limelight. Thumbs everywhere are taking center stage with the advent of tablets and smartphones. Make sure your mobile site has the “thumb factor.” Are the buttons big enough? Are they easily found and used by all fingers? Nothing is more frustrating than accidental clicks that lead you to the wrong page (and more load time). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Body"><br />
</div><div class="Body"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Local Does It</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Body"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you know that </span><a href="http://thecustomercollective.com/atfosbrook/67777/reaching-today-s-mobile-shoppers"><span style="color: #000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">95 percent</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of smartphone users search for local information? Mobile is all about location. In fact the top three functions of mobile usage are to find stores, get directions, and compare prices and stock at nearby stores. Include information that helps people find and get to you. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Body"><br />
</div><div class="Body"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Be Speedy</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Body"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mobile users are impatient. In fact, </span><a href="http://marketingzeus.com/column/is-your-small-business-keeping-pace-with-the-mobile-web"><span style="color: #000099;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">60 percent</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of users expect a mobile site to load in three seconds or less. If not, they will try no more than two times to reload the page, in which case they will then leave (perhaps to a competing site, gah!). Clean and clear navigation, an un-cluttered format and minimal graphics will all help speed up load time. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="mailto:ashleykhaugen@gmail.com" style="color: #1e5784; text-decoration: none;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley Haugen</span></em></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is a </span><span data-scayt_word="Gustavus" data-scaytid="6"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gustavus</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span data-scayt_word="Adolphus" data-scaytid="8"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adolphus</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> College alumna. She has had Marketing experience working with such organizations as the LOFT Literary Center, the </span><span data-scayt_word="Gustavus" data-scaytid="7"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gustavus</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Marketing Department and the </span><span data-scayt_word="Ordway" data-scaytid="9"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ordway</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Center for Performing Arts. She currently is a PR associate at Axiom Marketing Communications.</span></em></span><br />
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-15398591349728882422011-11-17T08:00:00.001-06:002011-11-17T09:20:39.311-06:00Member of the Month—November 2011<div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to the MN AMA’s new feature—Member of the Month!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Member of the Month is designed to show appreciation for and recognize MN AMA members for their membership. Member of the Month is also a great way for other members to get to know each other. Once a month a member will be chosen at random at the end of the month and receive a congratulations email at the beginning of their month asking them for an interview.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Member of the Month receives:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recognition on the MN AMA website, all social media outlets and at all monthly events.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Free attendance at all events (mixers/programming events) that month (minus Annual Conference).</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you card from VP of Membership and President.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personal Phone call from VP of Membership.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">November Member of the Month<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95h24CbxLno/TriWdcvHn0I/AAAAAAAAALk/Jsihp-12SCM/s1600/MNAMA+darren+drumsta.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-95h24CbxLno/TriWdcvHn0I/AAAAAAAAALk/Jsihp-12SCM/s1600/MNAMA+darren+drumsta.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What’s your name? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Darren Drumsta</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where do you work? What is your role?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am Product Manager at MEDGRAPHICS Corporation. I handle all upstream </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">marketing efforts for the Exercise Cardio respiratory Diagnostics Product Portfolio.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When did you join the AMA?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">May 2011</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why did you join the AMA?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AMA helps foster development of marketing professionals in multiple disciplines.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What have you learned or do you hope to learn from the MN AMA? <o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Through the AMA, I hope to continue my personal professional development and build my professional network.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6.</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is one piece of career/marketing advice you have for other MN AMA Members?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I constantly remind myself to think panoramically in terms of overall market understanding and strategy. Often times we are too narrow-minded and force ideas and concepts upon each other that are developed in a “vacuum” so-to-speak. It is my opinion that looking at the bigger picture is where innovation really comes from, however it’s always important to remember the finer details that tie everything together in the end.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-26185129262519952812011-11-15T08:00:00.001-06:002011-11-10T08:44:04.464-06:00Five Steps to a Successful Twitter Chat<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9c43htccfIE/TkmbwtvG2iI/AAAAAAAAAK4/9a8WfaUay6w/s1600/brandipalechek_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9c43htccfIE/TkmbwtvG2iI/AAAAAAAAAK4/9a8WfaUay6w/s200/brandipalechek_sm.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="mailto:brandipalecheck@comcast.net">Brandi Palecheck</a></b></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Are you looking for a unique, meaningful way to connect your target audience? Do you want to engage your customers in a dynamic discussion while at the same time demonstrate your knowledge and expertise? One very effective way to accomplish all of these objectives is to host a Twitter chat.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What are Twitter chats, you ask? Twitter chats are regularly scheduled discussions held on Twitter moderated by one or more people. These conversations often include a guest expert or industry thought-leader. Twitter users gather together on a specific day and time to answer questions and give opinions on specific topics of interest.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During a Twitter chat, participants follow and contribute to the conversation through the use of a distinct hashtag. Using a chat tool like <a href="http://tweetchat.com/">Tweet Chat</a> or a 3rd party Twitter application such as <a href="http://www.tweetdeck.com/">Tweet Deck</a>, where tweeters can track the discussion, respond to questions shared by one of the moderators, and read comments posted by other chat participants.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But just how do you manage a discussion on Twitter and what is involved in hosting one? Here are five steps to help you organize and host your very own Twitter chat. </span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 1: Planning</span></span></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Decide on the hashtag to be used for the Twitter chat and perform a Twitter search to determine if it is available. Choose the topic, date, and time for the discussion. Then determine who will host and moderate the conversation as well as any special guests or subject experts who will contribute to the chat.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 2: Preparation</span></span></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Create a set of guidelines and instructions for the chat that can be sent out as tweets just prior to the start of the discussion. Write up a list of questions to ask during the conversation. Gather a list of articles, quotes, and other resources to can be shared during the chat. Be sure to include content and information from your own website as well as other resources. Follow-up with moderators and guests to confirm their participation,share prepared materials, and address any questions they may have before the day of the chat.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 3: Promotion</span></span></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Announce the Twitter chat on your blog. Share information about the chat in your email newsletter or send a special invitation to customers via email. Schedule it as an event on Facebook and invite the community on your Facebook page. If your business or organization has a group on LinkedIn, list details about the event and create discussion around the topic of the Twitter chat. And, of course, send out several tweets to promote the event to your Twitter followers.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 4: Participation</span></span></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About 10 minutes prior to the chat, send out tweets explaining the format and rules for the discussion. Begin the chat by introducing your guest. Contribute your own responses to questions to start the conversation. Keep the discussion flowing from one question to the next, but allow plenty of time for participants to share their thoughts. It can sometimes take several minutes for responses to start coming in. While you are waiting for replies, you can fill the "dead air" by sharing some of the resources you gathered before the chat.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Step 5: Post</span></span></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the chat is finished don't forget to send a message to the moderators and guests thanking them for their participation. Then create an event summary post for your blog that includes the best responses tweeted during the discussion. Share the post on your Facebook, Twitter, and other social media accounts so those who didn't get the chance to join the conversation will know what they missed.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use the following questions to measure the success of a Twitter chat and evaluate your return on investment:</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many new Twitter followers did you get during and after the chat?</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Did you get any new sign ups for your email list as a result of the Twitter discussion? What other calls to action got a response from participants?</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How long did the conversation last? How dynamic was the discussion?</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Who took part in the chat? How many unique Twitter users sent out messages?</span></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How many tweets were sent out with the hashtag for during the chat? How many retweets were sent?</span></span></li>
</ul><br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After you have rounded up all the data, create a report for yourself (or your boss) to summarize the impact of the discussion to make improvements for your next Twitter chat.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, there you have it. Did I miss anything? Do you have any other tips or tricks for hosting a successful Twitter chat?</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Additional Resources</span></span></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you who would like to learn more about Twitter chats before hosting your own, I've gathered a few additional resources to help you join the conversation.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.twitip.com/tweeting-with-your-twitter-community-how-to-participate-in-a-twitter-chat/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tweeting With Your Twitter Community: How to Participate in a Twitter Chat</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://alisonlaw.com/2011/06/01/chirping-up-your-tweeps-how-to-participate-in-a-twitter-chat/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chirping Up Your Tweeps: How to Participate in a Twitter Chat</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://socialfresh.com/twitter-chat-how-to"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Twitter Chats, The Ultimate How To Guide</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.pronetadvertising.com/articles/what-is-a-twitter-chat-and-how-to-make-the-most-of-it.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What is a Twitter Chat and How to Make the Most of It</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/08/how-to-participate-in-twitter-chat.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How to Participate in a Twitter Chat</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xAWtiOPe4-I" width="560"></iframe></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a></div></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-17632517265914327682011-11-10T08:49:00.001-06:002011-11-14T21:56:43.313-06:00Owning Your Brand: The Conundrum of Situational Positioning… The Paradox of Authenticity!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xjkJLoVE2ZA/Trvjtx88CiI/AAAAAAAAALs/72MgoF5ql9Q/s1600/AnnUlrich-ColorHeadshot+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xjkJLoVE2ZA/Trvjtx88CiI/AAAAAAAAALs/72MgoF5ql9Q/s200/AnnUlrich-ColorHeadshot+%25282%2529.jpg" width="143" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Ann Ulrich</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's talk brand. Your brand. The importance of owning your brand. The conundrum of delivering your brand consistently when real life demands you jockey for position. And the paradox in all that: remaining authentic.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's make it personal: Your brand plays out externally, only after it's fired up and fueled internally. It's up to you! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's keep it simple: Who are you? What do you stand for? What do you want to be known for and remembered by? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Owning your brand involves: Mindfully and consistently bringing the best of who you are, positioning to best fit the situation you're in, while remaining true to what you stand for. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Be authentic or risk imposter syndrome. If you no longer fit - or no longer want to fit - the situation you're in… what are you still doing there?!)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why care about owning your brand? <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You'll get what you want by earning it. You'll get to where you're headed through and with others you've earned respect, trust, and top of mind positioning with. You'll impact and influence people who become drawn to you, want to champion you, and want to create new success with you… business and life!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you know who you are and bring it(!), remaining authentic even as you adjust to appropriately fit the situation, you can positively influence what you become known for and remembered by.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is how you create your own repeatable, deliverable, consistent and lasting circle of success via brand ownership.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Own it! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Ann Ulrich, 18yr owner of The BOLD! Factor and Fit Model Agency, is shifting her own brand, leaving her business (on plan at this exciting stage of life!) to create new success when she discovers the right-fit sales or business maximizing opportunity in the right-fit *wow* company</span>.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p> </o:p></span><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px;" width="125" /></a></div></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-48956026025808463752011-11-08T08:00:00.001-06:002011-11-14T21:52:22.780-06:00MN AMA-What a way to grow your business or career!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mxh7DdIX6cs/TqX-cD9bX2I/AAAAAAAAALU/7UEVA6tg3G8/s1600/photoguild-0069-013rt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mxh7DdIX6cs/TqX-cD9bX2I/AAAAAAAAALU/7UEVA6tg3G8/s200/photoguild-0069-013rt.jpg" width="160" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><b><a href="mailto:cheryl@theresearchedge.com">Cheryl Powers</a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">You’ve heard it before -- how participating in professional associations pays off and your career will benefit in untold and unforeseen ways. But, you ask, is that still true in this social media age – where with LinkedIn and Facebook you can develop thousands of contacts without meeting a single person face to face? <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">I say yes, definitely. Granted, my business was started in the caveman days (1995), when the U.S. post office rather than email, delivered MN AMA’s newsletter. But even with today’s ability to ‘meet’ people online via LinkedIn and other social media, the value of personal involvement and contact remains extremely high. The mere existence of MeetUp.com is a testament to the <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">value of in-person, face-to-face engagement</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">My personal experience with MN AMA is a case in point. As with most start-ups, I was longer on time than on money, when I started my business16 years ago. One of the best decisions I made was to get involved in the MN chapter of the AMA. Already an AMA member, I became a committee volunteer and served on the board for several years. The people I met through these activities lead directly to projects, as well as referrals. In fact, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">nearly all of my clients in those early years were via AMA connections</b>. It was (and still is) a great way to grow your business or your personal brand. I recently received a referral via MN AMA’s LinkedIn group, which lead to a new, and hopefully long-term, client. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Your personal involvement in MN AMA is an opportunity to actively address today’s challenges -- whether it’s a new job, new business or larger personal network. Keep growing by ‘getting into it’! <b><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Now is the perfect time to join MN AMA during the Fall Membership Drive</span></u></b>. Receive discounted registration dues and additional savings if you register before November 18<sup>th, </sup>check out the <a href="http://mnama.org/join/membership-drive">membership drive page</a> for more information.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1472475555">Cheryl</a></span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="mailto:cheryl@theresearchedge.com"> Powers</a> is the President of </span></span></i><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><a href="http://www.theresearchedge.com/"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">The Research Edge</span></i></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">®</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> LLC</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, a full-service market research company that provides qualitative and quantitative methodologies to a broad range of businesses and industries. Cheryl has been a member of the MN AMA since 1995 and has served in many leadership positions over the years.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-36920482158771142692011-11-01T08:00:00.004-05:002011-11-02T18:16:53.602-05:00How Intelligent Marketing Uses Cultural Competence – Rural vs. Urban<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXBddjtx644/TekDK87c1mI/AAAAAAAAAEw/HfejGxfhw60/s1600/AMA_2010_AC_D3S3325.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GXBddjtx644/TekDK87c1mI/AAAAAAAAAEw/HfejGxfhw60/s200/AMA_2010_AC_D3S3325.jpg" width="136" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="mailto:jer.swenson@live.com">Jeremy Swenson</a></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why do some brands who have the same products and services connect better with customers than others even when there is tons of competition?<br />
<br />
More often than not it is because they connected culturally with their customers in terms of their branding and marketing communication efforts. So what does it mean to culturally connect with a customer as a marketer? It means that the customer or prospect customer feels or sees a significant level of personal connection to the product or brand linked to their demographic qualities – age, ancestry, masculinity/femininity, level of education, status, level of risk tolerance, creativity level, language, rural vs. urban orientation, or any other significant cultural orientation factor. For example,</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> two dichotomous cultural connections in the auto industry are: rural vs. urban.</span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
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If I am an auto maker and I want to market to the rural mid-west I need to take a much different approach than if I want to market to urban east-coast. For example, autos in the rural mid-west are often dual use, farm and street, and because of this potential customers are not that very concerned with GPS navigation. Specifically, rural auto marketing needs to showcase how the car maker understands a person’s desire for a dual use auto, and that they don’t have a fear of car break ins and thus their ads need not focus on alarms or GPS theft tracking - focusing too much on security might scare of a customer here. All of this requires usage of more rural communication patterns while suggestively placing items in the marketing mix (ads, TV, radio, internet, sales calls, etc.) that rural customers will culturally identify with – i.e. a ranch, trailer, or lodge, etc. Although using hip-hop or techno music in rural auto commercials might be interesting it would not increase cultural connectivity and so that is why country or folk music is often used. Additionally, auto companies are well advised to connect to the local community by sponsoring rural county fairs, trade shows, and local chamber of commerce annual galas. This gets them to understand and connect with their potential customers which over time drives sales. </span> <i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In contrast, marketing autos in New York City would not focus on dual use, but rather, efficiency, security, and even status. In a city so big having a nice car is a sign of status just because it’s so expensive to park and insure, and thus customers want it to be efficient and secure - they have a lower level a risk tolerance than rural customers. Moreover, the marketing efforts for places like New York City should showcase low height parking ramps, acceptance of diversity, and fun. Acceptance of diversity can be show by having a commercial narrated by a person with a Spanish accent while speaking perfect English sitting in a compact car at a Chinese takeout restaurant while listening to distinctively British Rock music in a notable New York City location. Another way to connect to culturally in urban areas is to demo the theft prevention and tracking features at parking ramps and corporate technology expos, and this should also be marketed as a way to reduce insurance costs and customer inconvenience. This should be done in a steady but flashy language to keep the potential customers interested but also to inform them that like the city, this auto never sleeps – a clever metaphor.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cultural competence for brands is important whether the rural or urban customer; by considering the customer’s cultural values, you can reach a deeper connection and ultimately drive a brand to stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace.</span><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 13.5pt;"><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Jeremy Swenson, MBA, is an experienced marketer, marketing manager, communicator, sales person, and business analyst/academic. He has extensive product marketing experience with financial products and retail electronics products. He has been active with the MN AMA since 2009 and serves on the Social Media/Marcom Committee. You can reach Jeremy at </span></span></span></i><a href="mailto:jer.swenson@live.com"><i><span style="color: #1e5784; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">jer.swenson@live.com</span></span></span></i></a><i><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">. </span></span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-40466364062651557252011-10-25T08:00:00.020-05:002011-11-07T09:41:34.764-06:00Connect. Learn. Grow. With the MN AMA!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><b> </b></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><b><div class="MsoBodyText3" style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The American Marketing Association is a nonprofit organization, serving as THE SOURCE for more than 23,000 professional marketers in 74 chapters across the United States and Canada.</span></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">AMA members receive members-only access to the </span></span></span><a href="http://www.marketingpower.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">AMA website</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">, which includes numerous incentives such as free webinars and the latest research in the field of marketing; steep discounts on the AMA’s national training programs; and a choice of AMA marketing journals for cutting-edge articles and information. On the local level, you will receive a 30 percent discount on all local events, be able to take your networking to the next level as a volunteer on an AMA committee, and have access to other members-only events and incentives. AMA connects you to a world of resources that deliver results, and helps you succeed today and into the future.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span><br />
<b><div style="display: inline !important;"></div><div style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Still not convinced? Below are the Top 10 reasons why your employer should support your professional development with a MN AMA Membership:</span></span></span></div></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;"> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">1. Expand your knowledge base to become a better marketer<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">2. Market your company by sharing its story and mission<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">3. Stay ahead of the competition with marketing best practices<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">4. Follow the latest marketing trends for consideration by your company<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">5. Learn what other Minnesota companies are doing firsthand<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">6. Strengthen or develop your managerial and leadership skills<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">7. Find qualified professionals when it’s time to grow your team<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">8. Receive the industry’s finest publications—not available without membership<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">9. Hone your networking skills as a representative of your company<o:p></o:p></div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">10. Collaborate with other marketing professionals to build career-long relationships</div><div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The MN AMA is a very active, exciting marketing organization. I personally have been a member since2008, and have enjoyed many career benefits and enhancements as a direct result from my membership. We have over 600 members representing every type of marketing discipline, industry, and business entity. If you are interested in developing your marketing knowledge, looking for resources, building your contact list, and meeting business leaders, then you would find membership in our organization to be a good fit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin-right: .5in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-right: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Already a Member? Help spread the word about the MN AMA! All members are allowed 2 guest passes per every year to show others what the MN AMA is about. Guest pass registration is unavailable online; call the MN AMA office at 651-917-6241 to register your guest.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Now is a great time to join….Sept 6-Nov 8tn is the Fall Membership Drive! Anyone who becomes a New Member during the drive will receive the following benefits</span></span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">*</span></span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">·</span></span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Complimentary registration fee ($30 value)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">·</span></span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">A choice of </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">ONE</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> of the following offers:<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">o</span></span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">A $20 Amazon** Gift Card<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">o</span></span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">A $200 coupon redeemable at any AMA national conference<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Don’t miss this great opportunity to get involved with MN AMA!</span></span></span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">*</span></span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The following offers are valid for applications received 9/6/11-11/18/11. Group members, College members and current AMA Members are not eligible to redeem offer.</span></span></i></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></span></div><b><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><b></b></b></span></div><b><b><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">**Amazon.com is not a sponsor of this promotion. Amazon, Amazon.com, the Amazon.com logo, and the Amazon Gift Cards logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Amazon.com Gift Cards (“GCs”) may be used only for purchases of eligible goods on Amazon.com or its affiliated website Endless.com. GCs cannot be redeemed for purchases of gift cards. Except as required by law, GCs cannot be reloaded, resold, transferred for value, redeemed for cash, or applied to any other account. See www.amazon.com/gc-legal for complete terms and conditions. GCs are issued and ©2011 by ACI Gift Cards, Inc., a Washington corporation.</span></span></i></span></div></b></b></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b></b></span></span></span></div><b><div class="MsoNormal" style="display: inline !important;"><br />
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-33578080936851401342011-10-18T08:00:00.003-05:002011-10-18T08:00:15.620-05:00Digital Series Speaker Profile: Marty Weintraub<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H7sSBh0Kw2k/Tpz334kCvdI/AAAAAAAAALI/CBGKDVur0WQ/s1600/marty-weintraub.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-H7sSBh0Kw2k/Tpz334kCvdI/AAAAAAAAALI/CBGKDVur0WQ/s200/marty-weintraub.jpg" width="199" /></a></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><br />
</b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marty Weintraub</span></b></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Author of "Killer Facebook Ads" and CEO of aimClear®</span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marty kicks off another exciting </span><a href="http://mnama.org/events/date/1158"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">MN AMA Digital Series</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> with his keynote presentation "36 Ways to Make more Social Media Friends Who Matter" on 10/24 at Rojo Mexican Grill.</span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What is most exciting to you about the field of marketing today?</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
I love emergent technologies that allow marketers to target users based on their intrinsic characteristics. From deeply rooted predictions to the music people prefer, platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, StumbleUpon, Twitter, blogs and forums make it possible to identify users based on documented engagement, and target them by paid and organic methods. My fascination culminated with a Wiley Sybex book book about Facebook Ads.<br />
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"Paid" means Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Ads, Paid Stumbles, YouTube ads and other channels' advertising programs. "Organic" means community management, reaching out and the systematic identification of authority users to target for engagement by various models. Either way, it's a brave new world where cool marketers make forever-friends by giving and...actually being <wbr></wbr>friendly.<br />
</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Who or what has been the biggest influence on your career?</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
So far as the "who" goes, my favorite industry sage is Chris Sherman. He's a true futurist and one of the wheels behind SMX conferences. If you ever get a chance to attend and SMX conference, don't miss it. Danny Sullivan (Executive Editor of SearchEngineLand.con), Rand Fishkin (Braintrust and founder of SEOmoz), and Barry Schwartz (</span></span><a href="http://SearchEngineRoundTable.com/" style="color: #114170;" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">SearchEngineRoundTab<wbr></wbr>le.com</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">) are my favorite bloggers in the business. My mom and dad were huge influences, as well.<br />
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So far as the "what" goes, my time at Berklee college of music was a huge deal for me. Though the first 25 years of my career were as a musician, the impact of my Berklee education looms large every day.<br />
</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What are the top 3 resources you turn to for information to keeps you current in your field of marketing?</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
I read the DailySearchCap in SearchEngineLand every day, without fail and have for years. Barry Schwartz is Executive News Editor of SEL and does a bang up job. Twitter is an awesome resource for staying current. Check out my Twitter profile and follow who I do. You can't go wrong. I go to a lot of conferences. I love SES, SMX, MediaPost SearchInsiderSummit, <wbr></wbr>International Search Summit, and a numberof others.<br />
</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What book are you reading now?</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
A Lapsed Anarchist's Approach to Building a Great Business, These management principles are from Zingerman's, a flagship Ann Arbor deli that does about 30 million a year between their businesses. The book includes an explanation of the “Twelve Natural Laws of Building a Great Business” and Writing and Using Guiding Principles” Zingerman’s co-founder Ari Weinzweig offers up eighteen fascinating "secrets" that help companies like aimClear grow. I am again listening to the audio book, "Good To Great" by Jim Collins. I love this book and revisit it every couple of years.<br />
</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What do you think is the biggest challenge facing marketers today?</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
It's challenge that things move so quickly. It takes me between 1-2 hours every night to study the trades' to stay current. If not aimClear could lose its edge. Fortunately now we have a staff of research artists to keep us current. Still, I study every night...and I mean every night.<br />
</span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What do you like to do in your free time?</span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
Wine and food. Then I switch to food and wine. I also love canoeing in the BWCA, fishing, hiking and working out</span></span>. </div><br />
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-71256589716886544782011-10-11T09:14:00.000-05:002011-10-11T09:14:26.010-05:00How to stop looking stupid on sales calls<div><!--StartFragment--> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIUnOH5-Zg0/TH036Bkaq6I/AAAAAAAAAB0/hbTRD55mfpM/s1600/mark%255B1%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIUnOH5-Zg0/TH036Bkaq6I/AAAAAAAAAB0/hbTRD55mfpM/s200/mark%255B1%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="mailto:mark.price@msquaredgroup.com">Mark Price</a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over and over, we all share the same experience. Some salesperson calls you on the phone, and immediately launches into a laundry list of all the amazing things that their product does, after barely saying “hello.” It is as if they are on a game show, trying to get the right answer by dumping enough words into the call, hoping that some chance phrase lights your interest before you hang up.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salespeople call me anywhere from 4-8 times daily, all with some variation on the same pitch.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And they wonder why they have such little success.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most companies, including some of the largest sales organizations in the country, follow the same approach: Call, describe your product and ask if they are interested in purchasing. If not, then hang up and go to the next name on the list. The goal is to move through the list and find any opportunities you can in the shortest amount of time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While they may achieve some short-term sales wins, the net effect of such a sales approach is to </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">alienate a larger and larger share of your prospect pool</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. That share by the way, includes a valuable group –prospects who may be willing to buy later, but lack the information and clear benefit to make the switch at this moment.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When you try to force a sale on those prospects and then repeat the same process over and over again, you create three impacts. Your pros<a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>pects learn that:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are less interested in them than you are in yourself</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You are not to be trusted</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. You do not care for them as individuals</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The net result is not only do you fall out of the “circle of trust” with prospects, you also make it more unlikely that the prospect will make any decision at all. In a world where there is no trust, who can you believe in?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But there is another way.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The top business development efforts today combine the best of database marketing, publishing and sales in order to build relationships with key prospects, nurturing them and building trust until they are ready to make a sale. The process is called Content Based Selling (CBS), and it hold potential to reinvent relationships with prospects and lead gen from now on.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I will write in more detail about CBS in my next post, but the high-level approach is to determine NOT whether a prospect is ready to buy, but instead, what information they need to have to be ready to make a decision – what questions, what concerns, what objections do they need to overcome in the process of making a decision. By providing impartial information to prospects based on those specific needs, you can build trust and relationships over time – critical ingredients in building a stable, growing pipeline of business.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Follow Content Based Selling and you will be able to:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stop cold calling in your firm</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Build an accurate, predictable sales pipeline</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Drive insights from prospect needs to improve your marketing and customer service experience as well as sales process</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoy your work more every day </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">while</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> you consistently surpass your goals</span></li>
</ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In my next post, I will tell you what to do so Content Based Sales can revolutionize your business and your career.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: xx-small; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.cultivatingyourcustomers.com/about-2/" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Mark Price</span></a> is Managing Partner of <a href="http://www.msquaredgroup.com/" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">M Squared Group</span></a>, a consulting firm focused on understanding and building customer relationships, and the author of the blog “<a href="http://www.cultivatingyourcustomers.com/" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Cultivating Your Customers</span></a>,” where he writes about practical approaches to improve customer retention and overall customer value.</span></span> </div><!--EndFragment--> <script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-29418972580320099892011-10-04T08:00:00.024-05:002011-10-04T08:00:01.183-05:00Member of the Month<div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Welcome to the MN AMA’s new feature--Member of the Month!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Member of the Month is designed to show appreciation for and recognize MN AMA members for their membership. Member of the Month is also a great way for other members to get to know each other. Once a month a member will be chosen at random at the end of the month and receive a congratulations email at the beginning of their month asking them for an interview<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2949151177922463248&postID=2941897258032009989" name="_GoBack"></a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Member of the Month receives:</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recognition on the MN AMA website, all social media outlets and at all monthly events</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Free attendance at all events (mixers/programming events) that month (minus Annual Conference).</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Thank you card from VP of Membership and President</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">•</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Personal Phone call from VP of Membership </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">October Member of the Month<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izzpuLL1Nnw/Too3Cs1VglI/AAAAAAAAALE/QPXuAZ-Val0/s1600/JessicaBerg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-izzpuLL1Nnw/Too3Cs1VglI/AAAAAAAAALE/QPXuAZ-Val0/s200/JessicaBerg.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">1.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>What’s your name? </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Jessica Berg</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">2.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>Where do you work? What is your role?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Fredrikson & Byron, P.A., Marketing & Business Development Assistant</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">3.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>When did you join the AMA?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">August 2011</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">4.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"></span> Why did you join the AMA?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">I joined the AMA for professional development.</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">5.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>What have you learned or do you hope to learn from the MN AMA?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">I hope to learn more about how different industries are marketing in the post-recession era and how tactics are changing to meet the values of a new consumer.</div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">6.<span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"> </span>What is one piece of career/marketing advice you have for other MN AMA Members?</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">Allow yourself a few misses and mistakes. Most times I’d rather stay in my comfort zone, but I’ve learned more from mistakes and projects that needed a ‘Plan B’ or ‘Plan C’ solution. If something is easy, then I need to push myself further.</div></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-90882926109517585702011-09-27T08:45:00.000-05:002011-09-27T08:45:13.484-05:00Marketing challenge: What could be smarter than a Smartphone?<div><!--StartFragment--> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJEilbQYNHQ/TOldVQrJAaI/AAAAAAAAACk/5LpG4qxPTcE/s1600/img_Marc_Sokol_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RJEilbQYNHQ/TOldVQrJAaI/AAAAAAAAACk/5LpG4qxPTcE/s200/img_Marc_Sokol_small.jpg" width="171" /></a></div> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="mailto:marc.sokol@msquaredgroup.com">Marc Sokol</a></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="mailto:marc.sokol@msquaredgroup.com"></a></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Summer break is over, the kids are back in school, and it’s time to put your marketing brain back to work!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have teens, as we do in my family, everyone has some version of a smartphone, with multiple functions, capabilities, and in different colors. Surely you have noticed that almost all teens use their smartphones in a vastly different way than do their parents. Raised in a telephone and cellphone generation, for me it’s primarily a phone with the added value of email, texting, and all those wonderful apps, many of which I never seem to <a href="" name="_GoBack"></a>use.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For my teens, however, it’s not much of a cellphone at all; it’s a texting device. My nephew even has a voice message that says, “</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don’t leave me a voice message, because I don’t pick them up. If you want to reach me, send a text message.</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">” No apology, just a statement of fact. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Which brings me to the point of this post: </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">why still call it a smartphone when the phone is largely inconsequential to a growing generation of consumers?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Years back I had a Palm Pilot. I liked the term, PDA, for Personal Digital Assistant, because that what it was for my different needs. Droid, short for Android, a referral to having your own robot-like device, also seems an appealing label for a multifunction personal device: one syllable, implying ‘intelligent but at your service’, and not like other words we commonly use.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Remember how iPod replaced the label MP3? Have you noticed how iPad, Zoom and other words are jockeying to capture colloquial mindshare in the category of Tablet devices?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is it still a Smartphone if you don’t use the phone?<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What would you prefer to call it? A smarter label defines the category, goes on to shape our thinking and, in turn, our consumer behavior.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If just a cell phone or an enhanced cell phone (building off one primary function), then ‘</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Smartphone’</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> continues to win.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you successfully brand the product by its look and feel, then ‘</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tablet’</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> should remain the defining label in the future. But notice if people call your non-Apple tablet device an </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">iPad</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> or if they call your iPad a </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tablet PC</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you succeed in branding to inspire aspiration and emotional appeal, then you’ll see ‘</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Droid’</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (my Android, my robot) and ‘</span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">iPad’</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (or my pad) continue to battle for the language of consumer behavior. </span></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So what do you call a mobile phone that isn’t used for mobile phone calls?</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Surely a creative mind like yours can do better than “mobile device”.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Put your thinking caps on. You could be shaping the future!</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"></span></i></div><i><div id="blog_cont" style="border-top-color: rgb(226, 222, 213); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: inline !important; margin-top: 12px; padding-right: 8px;"><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><em><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="mailto:marc.sokol@msqauredgroup.com" style="color: #1e5784; text-decoration: none;">Marc Sokol </a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">is an organizational psychologist with an eye for how people and teams can be more effective, even in a dysfunctional company. He is part of </span></span><a href="http://www.msquaredgroup.com/" style="color: #1e5784; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">M Squared Group</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">, a data-driven marketing consultancy.</span></span></em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></em></div></div></i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal; line-height: 18px;"></span></i></div><i><div id="blog_cont" style="border-top-color: rgb(226, 222, 213); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; display: inline !important; margin-top: 12px; padding-right: 8px;"><div style="color: black; display: inline !important; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div></i><br />
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</script></div></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-18468389396702798752011-09-20T08:00:00.027-05:002011-09-20T08:00:00.233-05:00Using Social Media for Recruitment<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjsqom5-4vg/TcP9UvRiJPI/AAAAAAAAAEc/0DEIgfgPNoE/s1600/25691_551336984630_52904105_32308402_4683507_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><b><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xjsqom5-4vg/TcP9UvRiJPI/AAAAAAAAAEc/0DEIgfgPNoE/s200/25691_551336984630_52904105_32308402_4683507_n.jpg" width="146" /></b></a></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="mailto:Ashleykhaugen@gmail.com">Ashley Haugen</a></span></b></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="mailto:Ashleykhaugen@gmail.com"></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The face of job recruiting has changed—and it’s not just a little Botox and brow work, either. While newspaper classifieds and employment websites used to be the go-to resources for recruiting, social media outlets have also become key players.</span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Traditional media can still prove to be a fruitful form of recruitment, however employers are increasingly turning to social media to find new hires. According to a recent research report by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), 76% of companies said that they do use or are planning to use social media sites for recruiting. More than half of the employers responding said that social networking sites are an efficient way to recruit candidates. </span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">There are many benefits to using social media for recruitment. Messages sent over social media channels may be perceived as being more authentic or have a higher level of credibility and believability than traditional corporate mechanisms. Also, the relatively low cost of sending messages over social networks may allow your firm to increase the number of messages that it can afford to send. Together, these two factors may result in more effective messages that directly increase quality applications.</span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Candidate quality is also a benefit of social media recruitment. Those who frequently use social networks may be the highly desirable “early adopter.” These people are engaged and in-tune with the latest trends, are not afraid to learn new programs, and are more technically savvy (increasingly important in our digital world) than other candidates.</span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Another draw is the link-ability and sharing capabilities of social media sites. It’s super easy for friends to see a job opening post and share it with family and friends quickly. Additionally, presenting your job openings in a creative way allows companies to show more about their personalities as organizations, which in turn helps potential candidates get a feel for whether or not the culture is likely to be a good fit. </span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A more honest conversation, company exposure, and attracting certain types of people are all possible when utilizing social media. However there are a few tips to know before jumping in and tweeting your heart out. First, it’s important to recognize and understand the three main social media outlets that are most conducive for recruitment. These sites include LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Secondly, it is important to understand the unique audience of these sites, and what to look for when evaluating candidates on social media sites.</span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></u></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>The Main Sites of Social Media Recruitment</b></span></u></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Twitter</b></span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The easiest way to recruit is to tweet jobs you have available. That being said, it’s also easy for those tweets to fall through the cracks of the incessant Twitter-chatter. To make your job posting tweets standout you can use hashtags (#). Hashtags are a way to filter, search and find information on Twitter. For example, if you posted “Company X is #hiring! We’re looking for smart #interns,” then someone can search #hiring and #interns on twitter, and you’re company will show up in the results. </span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">When you find a potential candidate on Twitter, it’s important to evaluate their Twitter skills. Especially if recruiting for a social media-related position, it’s important that the candidate is familiar and utilizes the site effectively. Rather than reading their skill on a resume or cover letter, recruiting on Twitter allows you to see their real-world skill. You can evaluate their activity to see how often they tweet, if there is a good balance between following and followers, how big their network is, and their quality of tweets.</span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Facebook</b></span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If your company has a Facebook, make sure that it is up to date and relevant first. You can then post job openings for your fans to see on your company page. This is free and gives your fans an exclusive chance to apply. This is a good thing as your Facebook fans are most likely passionate about your company (otherwise why would they be your friend?). What better pool to choose from then a group of brand fanatics and agency supporters?</span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><br />
</div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>LinkedIn</b><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You can post a job on LinkedIn, although there is a fee associated with this. I would recommend using your network activity box (also known as the status box) to broadcast you’re hiring. It’s free and simple. It works similar to a Facebook status update; “New opening for project manager. Contact me for details.” When you find someone that peaks your interest, evaluate their LinkedIn profile. How complete is this persons profile? Does it look neglected or incomplete? Do they have recommendations from peers, managers and colleagues? Are they members of relevant groups? Do you have any connections with this person? You want an “expert” in the field, and this is an easy way to tell how engaged they are.</span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In conclusion, recruiters are increasingly reaping the benefits of utilizing social media sites to fill job openings. And it’s no wonder, when you can gain brand exposure, create buzz, source candidates and evaluate their potential and real-world applicability with social recruitment. </span><span style="font-family: Times;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="FreeFormA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div></span><br />
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</script> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="mailto:ashleykhaugen@gmail.com" style="color: #114170;" target="_blank">Ashley Haugen</a></i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i> </i></span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>is a Gustavus Adolphus College alumna. She has had Marketing experience working with such organizations as the LOFT Literary Center, the Gustavus Marketing Department and the Ordway Center for Performing Arts. She currently is a PR associate at Axiom Marketing Communications.</i></span></span></span><br />
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-66107293485908193742011-09-13T08:00:00.002-05:002011-09-13T08:00:19.745-05:00Quick Repose Codes (QR Codes)<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRnhKazXrfA/Ti45Dnflm7I/AAAAAAAAAKc/6mtuv9br0Cg/s1600/MORAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRnhKazXrfA/Ti45Dnflm7I/AAAAAAAAAKc/6mtuv9br0Cg/s320/MORAY.jpg" width="222" /></a></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="mailto:moraybonneville@gmail.com">Moray Bonneville</a></b></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">We are constantly in a technological race where it is necessary to keep up and be adaptable to </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">stay ahead of the competition. Japan has capitalized on setting the trends in technology and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">once again introduced to the market a 2D matrix barcode that is limitless in the characters of </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">information that can be held on something the size of a postage stamp. </span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You might have already seen these on advertisements in magazines, and soon products such </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">as coffee cups, cereal boxes, business cards and just about anything you can imagine. If you </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">have not seen these codes, pay attention, the US market is quickly shifting in how they inform </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the consumer and build a community. </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Many companies are now beginning to use these codes to connect their Facebook page to the </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">consumer. This provides a well rounded community connection and expands your base. It is a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">quick tracking tool and a buy-in to your product to generate sales leads. It will also keep track to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">what the consumer wants and how you can adapt to those needs. </span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The first time I had seen a QR code was at the back of the book, “I Am Number Four”. I was </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">immediately intrigued since the code itself had a science fiction look. By scanning this code I </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">was led to an expanded behind the scenes of the movie and what was next in the series. </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">After </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">that experience I began to notice these codes in advertisements and now my company has </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">decided to use a QR code to direct specific customers to a new product launch and its benefits. </span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Why are these beneficial? Here are three Es to keep in mind the next time you are looking to </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">reach your consumers.</span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial;"></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1. </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Efficient </span></span></b></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Saves time for the consumer by providing a direct link to relevant content. </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2. </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Easy </span></span></b></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Apps are used to scan the QR code. One scan opens up a portal to information. There </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">are a variety of apps that can be used: i-nigma, Barcode Scanner and Red Laser. </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3. </span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Effective </span></span></b></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Direct your customer to where you want them to go. Cost-e</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ffective</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to generate, a code </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">can be created through <a href="http://Kaywa.com/">Kaywa.com</a>. Additionally, Google and Kerem Erkan have QR code tools. Kerem Erkan allows </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">you to customize color and format your codes. </span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Currently, these are most popular in the Gen Y and techie markets. However today, there are </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">thousands of people on Facebook who don’t even own a computer. Do you want to be the bird </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">or the worm? </span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 10.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="mailto:moraybonneville@gmail.com">Moray Bonneville </a>is a St. Mary’s University alumna. She graduated with a double major of B.S. of Sales </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">and Marketing and B.S. of Human Resources Management. Her early marketing experience began at </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">age sixteen as a samples marketer. She participated on campaigns with MAC Cosmetics, Calvin Klein </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">CK One and Yoplait Breast Cancer for the Cure. She works full time as an assistant. </span></i></span></div><br />
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-53349230346217076592011-08-30T08:00:00.000-05:002011-08-29T18:42:16.265-05:00Mascots in Social Media<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jhsmSwW7a8/TT8YCRJuopI/AAAAAAAAADc/OXYLGUOIrmE/s1600/25691_551336984630_52904105_32308402_4683507_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jhsmSwW7a8/TT8YCRJuopI/AAAAAAAAADc/OXYLGUOIrmE/s200/25691_551336984630_52904105_32308402_4683507_n.jpg" width="146" /></a></div><div class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:ashleykhaugen@gmail.com"><b>Ashley Haugen</b></a></span></div><div class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tony. The King. The Captain. The Gecko. They are all ferociously joining your ranks on social media sites. Don’t say I didn’t warn you when the M&M’s start tweeting. That’s right, I’m talking about brand mascots, and they have also jumped on the social media bandwagon. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mascots have been used for years to increase brand awareness and create a more personal connection between consumer and business. Mostly relegated to meet and greets and traditional media, mascots haven’t had much exposure to status updates and 180 character limits. Until now. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With sites like Facebook and Twitter, brands now have a place to create a more personal and interactive relationship with consumers by using their mascot. The brand mascots that people have come to know and love are able to show off their unique personalities, while still promoting their company. Utilizing the mascot on social media allows companies to bridge the gap between professionalism and approachability. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Beth Mansfield, director of public relations for Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, (whose mascot is Happy Star) puts it nicely, “With social media you have to be engaging and have a one-on-one voice. It’s much easier to have that one voice be Happy Star instead of the marketing department of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. If we signed our Facebook posts ‘from the marketing department,’ that would be a little awkward.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some of the more recent social media mascot campaigns include ReuniteM Campaign with M&M’s, and Flo, the Progressive Insurance Girl. The ReuniteM campaign is offering consumers a chance to win prizes for finding the five M&M characters together. You just have to buy selected packages of M&M’s milk chocolate candies and look for all the five characters printed under the wrapper.. The grand prize is worth $100,000. The candy brand has about 2.2million fans on Facebook, where the “yellow” M&M posts updates. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Body"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flo, the Progressive Insurance mascot, has also become increasingly social. She has her own Facebook page separate from Progressive Insurance. With over 3 million likes, her fan page allows people to see more of Flo’s character, while gaining exposure for Progressive.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="Body"><br />
</div><div class="FreeForm" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’m sure more and more brands will recognize the potential social media has for increasing mascot value, and in turn, increasing product value. It’s a great way to have consumers connect with the often original and entertaining mascots. Now if only I could Facebook chat the Aflac duck...<o:p></o:p></span></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px;"><a href="mailto:ashleykhaugen@gmail.com" style="color: #1e5784; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">Ashley Haugen</span></span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"> is a Gustavus Adolphus College alumna. She has had Marketing experience working with such organizations as the LOFT Literary Center, the Gustavus Marketing Department and the Ordway Center for Performing Arts.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: italic; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></span><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js" type="text/javascript">
</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-56115402710516137222011-08-23T08:50:00.001-05:002011-08-23T08:51:44.485-05:00Building a data-driven brand<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIUnOH5-Zg0/TH036Bkaq6I/AAAAAAAAAB0/hbTRD55mfpM/s1600/mark%255B1%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="170" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fIUnOH5-Zg0/TH036Bkaq6I/AAAAAAAAAB0/hbTRD55mfpM/s200/mark%255B1%255D+%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="mailto:markprice@msquaredgroup.com">Mark Price</a></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last week, a prospective client challenged me about the relationship between branding and database marketing: “I am worried that we will lose our brand by customizing marketing around customer data,” he said, “Our brand could end up standing for nothing.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The challenge exemplifies the paradigm change that data-driven marketing presents to traditional brand managers. After the focus groups, the creative development with the agency, and the </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">spending</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> – they fear that personalization will make their efforts (and perhaps their jobs) obsolete. </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that fear is not unreasonable.<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><u><br />
</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Increasingly, “brand enhancing” mass media spending is being replaced with direct-to-customer and social media marketing. If these trends continue, then many brand specialists could find themselves working at the local convenience store. That is, if you define the “brand” as a package of static benefits targeted at the lowest common denominator customers (usually something like “women 25-54”). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, if you are willing to </span><b><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">reinvent your concept of brand</span></i></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, then customer data becomes a huge asset that will revitalize products and ultimately your company as a whole. If a brand “identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers” (American Marketing Association), then the key aspect of a brand is </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">competitive differentiation</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Database marketers have the same goals as brand experts -- </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">make the business distinctive from the competition – so distinctive that customers will reduce their clamor for discounts and instead go out of their way to purchase your products/services. If not, customers will price-shop you to death, reducing margins and your ability to sustain a growing business. Why risk being treated as a throwaway commodity? Database marketing will position your business with meaningful benefits.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are three ways that brand managers can immediately leverage database marketing:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></div><ul><li><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Understand customer segments.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Your business is NOT a single, homogenous” group of customers who all behave the same. Database marketers have long understood the value of </span><a href="http://www.cultivatingyourcustomers.com/2009/11/19/the-many-sides-of-me/?s=segmentation"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">segmentation</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> – grouping customers by behavior patterns and attitudes. Use that insight to craft brand promises that appeal to each segment. For example, the promise of free returns appeals to customers who are newer to your company and may not be comfortable yet with your products.</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Test and measure the “authenticity” of the brand.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> By identifying specific customers in each segment, you can better target your research and testing exactly to the right people, which increases the accuracy of </span><a href="http://www.cultivatingyourcustomers.com/2011/01/31/is-your-marketing-worth-the-effort-the-role-of-measurement/?s=segment"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">measurement</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (while reducing the costs as well!)</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Provide tangible </span><a href="http://www.cultivatingyourcustomers.com/2011/03/14/can-you-find-roi-in-customer-experience/?s=ROI"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">business results</span></a></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> (return on investment). Build your brand promise, customized to the segment, into tests that database marketers frequently conduct, and measure the incremental results. The incrementality of your branding efforts will speak to executives in terms of dollars, building cred<a href="http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2949151177922463248&postID=5611540271051613722" name="_GoBack"></a>ibility for the brand and for you.</span></li>
</ul><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ultimately, customers are seeking brands that meet the fundamental promise, “you know me.” You know who I am, what I want and where I live. You respect my time and go out of your way to make a difference in my life. Brands that meet THAT promise are destined for higher levels of customer retention, profitability and sustained growth. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Build your brand around that promise, customized to segments, and you will see greater results in the business and in the boardroom.</span><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><b></b></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.cultivatingyourcustomers.com/about-2/" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: underline;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Mark Price</span></a> is Managing Partner of <a href="http://www.msquaredgroup.com/" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">M Squared Group</span></a>, a consulting firm focused on understanding and building customer relationships, and the author of the blog “<a href="http://www.cultivatingyourcustomers.com/" style="color: #5588aa; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #5588aa;">Cultivating Your Customers</span></a>,” where he writes about practical approaches to improve customer retention and overall customer value.</span></i></span></span></span></div></b></span><br />
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-65535105473089539312011-08-16T08:00:00.003-05:002011-08-16T08:00:05.016-05:00Google+ Resources, How-To's, Tips and Tricks<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9c43htccfIE/TkmbwtvG2iI/AAAAAAAAAK4/9a8WfaUay6w/s1600/brandipalechek_sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9c43htccfIE/TkmbwtvG2iI/AAAAAAAAAK4/9a8WfaUay6w/s200/brandipalechek_sm.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><a href="mailto:brandipalechek@comcast.net">Brandi Palechek</a></b></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At the end of June, Google launched a beta version of its latest venture into the social media landscape, </span></span><a href="http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Google+</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. Judging from its </span></span><a href="http://www.jeffbullas.com/2011/08/04/google-hits-25-million-users-in-less-then-one-month/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">record breaking growth</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and the sheer volume of articles, blog posts, Chrome extensions, specialty sites, and enhanced features that have emerged in the past few weeks alone, Google+ is definitely here to stay. Whether you are a network newbie or pro Plusser, I've gathered up a few resources, how-to's, tips, and tricks to help you get the most from your Google+ experience.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Getting Started</span></span></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Have you received a Google+ invitation, but don't know where to start? This list of links will help you learn more about its unique features, show you how to set up your profile, as well as explain what makes Google+ so cool and help you understand what's got everyone so excited.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="ttp://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20084975-285/your-complete-guide-to-google/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Your complete guide to Google+</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">CNET Associate Editor Sharon Vakin complies the best tips, guides, and tweaks to teach beginning users how to master Google+.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://mashable.com/2011/07/26/google-plus-tips-tricks/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Google+ Tips & Tricks: 10 Hints for New Users</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Amy-Mae Elliott from the social media and technology news hub Mashable shares 10 tips and tricks to help Google+ newbies go from novice to pro in no time.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.marismith.com/whats-so-exciting-about-google-plus-overview/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What’s So Exciting About Google+ – An Overview</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Author and social media maven, Mari Smith, shares her first impressions of Google+ and why she thinks the new social network will force Facebook to step up its game to stay competitive.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44095964/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A guide to controlling privacy, info on Google+</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Concerned about privacy? MSNBC's tech blog offers newbie (and pro!) Google+ users a step-by-step guide on how to set up privacy controls, including tips on how to access and update some of the social network's not-so-easy to find privacy settings.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.google.com/support/profiles/bin/static.py?hl=en&page=release_notes.cs&rd=1%22%20"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What's new in Google+</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Get Google+ help directly from Google with this blog that regularly updates users on the latest news and developments for the Google+ project.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tips and Tricks</span></span></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Already on Google+? Wondering how to make the most out of its profile features, circles, and hangouts? Check out this list of articles featuring resources, tips, and tricks for taking your Google+ experience to the next level.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://mashable.com/2011/07/16/google-plus-resources/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">31 Essential Google+ Resources</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you are loving Google+ so far and would like to to get more from your experience, check out this mega list of tools, reviews and tips from Mashable's Stephanie Buck.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/how-to-brand-yourself-on-google-plus/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How to Brand Yourself on Google Plus</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Author and career expert, Heather Huhman shares a few simple and effective ways to use Google+ to build and enhance your personal brand.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1585476622">I</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.chrisbrogan.com/whocircleswho/">t’s Not Who You Circle; It’s Who Circles You</a></span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One of the most unique and valuable Google+ features is </span></span><a href="http://www.google.com/support/+/bin/static.py?hl=en&page=guide.cs&guide=1257347&rd"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Circles</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. In this blog post, business consultant and entrepreneur Chris Brogan discusses the true value of Circles and provides tips on how to get circled by the right people.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.contentmarketinginstitute.com/2011/07/google-plus-content-marketing/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 Ways To Use Google Plus In Your Content Marketing Efforts</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While Google+ business profiles aren't available yet, B2B social media consultant Nate Riggs shares three ways content marketers can utilize the new social network in their everyday business practices starting today.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://mashable.com/2011/07/28/google-plus-hangouts/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Google+ Hangouts: 4 Creative Ways People Are Using Group Video Chat</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Learn how Google Plussers are making the most of its </span></span><a href="http://www.google.com/support/+/bin/static.py?hl=en&page=guide.cs&guide=1257349&rd=1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hangouts</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> feature by using it to connect with other users to teach cooking classes, host live concerts, and conduct business.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Additional Resources</span></span></b></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Still want more? I've gathered up some additional articles that will teach even the most advanced users and Google Chrome fanatics a few new tricks.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://www.itworld.com/cloud-computing/186949/40-google-tips-and-tricks-power-users"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">40 Google+ tips and tricks for power users</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chrome fanatic will love this massive list of power-user pointers compiled by JR Raphael of the tech news and information hub ITworld.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="http://thenextweb.com/apps/2011/07/27/the-mother-of-all-google-resource-lists/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Mother of All Google+ Resource Lists</span></span></a></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A gianormous list of resources for enhancing and improving your Google+ experience courtesy of The Next Web.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">According to the </span></span><a href="http://www.openforum.com/articles/6-google-myths-debunked"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">latest round of rumors</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and Google's own </span></span><a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">official blog</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, Google+ business profiles are in development and will be rolled out in the coming weeks (</span></span><a href="https://plus.google.com/114277687548103339609/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ford's beta business profile</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">), </span></span><a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/games-in-google-fun-that-fits-your.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">games are on their way</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to the social network, and updates from users are starting to filter through to Google search as well as impact </span></span><a href="http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/12/google-adds-google-public-posts-to-its-social-search-results-ho-hum/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">social search results</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While its numbers are no where near the hundreds of millions of accounts on Facebook, Google+ is clearly heating things up and </span></span><a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2083153,00.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">creating some serious competition</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> within the social media realm.</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Have you created a Google+ profile? What are your thoughts and first impressions?</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Do you have any helpful resources to share? What tips and tricks have you learned as you've explored the newest social network?</span></span></div><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><script type="text/javascript">
var addthis_pub="aimafirm";
</script> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please share your suggestions, tips, and your Google+ profile link in the comment section below.</span><br />
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<div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">At the end of June, Google launched a beta version of its latest venture into the social media landscape, </span></span><a href="http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Google+</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. Judging from its </span></span><a href="http://www.jeffbullas.com/2011/08/04/google-hits-25-million-users-in-less-then-one-month/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">record breaking growth</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and the sheer volume of articles, blog posts, Chrome extensions, specialty sites, and enhanced features that have emerged in the past few weeks alone, Google+ is definitely here to stay. Whether you are a network newbie or pro Plusser, I've gathered up a few resources, how-to's, tips, and tricks to help you get the most from your Google+ experience.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Getting Started</span></span></b></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Have you received a Google+ invitation, but don't know where to start? This list of links will help you learn more about its unique features, show you how to set up your profile, as well as explain what makes Google+ so cool and help you understand what's got everyone so excited.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="ttp://howto.cnet.com/8301-11310_39-20084975-285/your-complete-guide-to-google/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Your complete guide to Google+</span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">CNET Associate Editor Sharon Vakin complies the best tips, guides, and tweaks to teach beginning users how to master Google+.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://mashable.com/2011/07/26/google-plus-tips-tricks/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Google+ Tips & Tricks: 10 Hints for New Users</span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Amy-Mae Elliott from the social media and technology news hub Mashable shares 10 tips and tricks to help Google+ newbies go from novice to pro in no time.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.marismith.com/whats-so-exciting-about-google-plus-overview/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What’s So Exciting About Google+ – An Overview</span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Author and social media maven, Mari Smith, shares her first impressions of Google+ and why she thinks the new social network will force Facebook to step up its game to stay competitive.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44095964/ns/technology_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A guide to controlling privacy, info on Google+</span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Concerned about privacy? MSNBC's tech blog offers newbie (and pro!) Google+ users a step-by-step guide on how to set up privacy controls, including tips on how to access and update some of the social network's not-so-easy to find privacy settings.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.google.com/support/profiles/bin/static.py?hl=en&page=release_notes.cs&rd=1%22%20target="><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">What's new in Google+</span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Get Google+ help directly from Google with this blog that regularly updates users on the latest news and developments for the Google+ project.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Tips and Tricks</span></span></b></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Already on Google+? Wondering how to make the most out of its profile features, circles, and hangouts? Check out this list of articles featuring resources, tips, and tricks for taking your Google+ experience to the next level.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://mashable.com/2011/07/16/google-plus-resources/%22%20target=%22_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">31 Essential Google+ Resources</span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you are loving Google+ so far and would like to to get more from your experience, check out this mega list of tools, reviews and tips from Mashable's Stephanie Buck.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.personalbrandingblog.com/how-to-brand-yourself-on-google-plus/%22%20target=%22_blank%22"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">How to Brand Yourself on Google Plus</span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Author and career expert, Heather Huhman shares a few simple and effective ways to use Google+ to build and enhance your personal brand.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I</span></span><a href="http://www.chrisbrogan.com/whocircleswho/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">t’s Not Who You Circle; It’s Who Circles You</span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One of the most unique and valuable Google+ features is </span></span><a href="http://www.google.com/support/+/bin/static.py?hl=en&page=guide.cs&guide=1257347&rd=1%22%20target="><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Circles</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. In this blog post, business consultant and entrepreneur Chris Brogan discusses the true value of Circles and provides tips on how to get circled by the right people.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.contentmarketinginstitute.com/2011/07/google-plus-content-marketing/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3 Ways To Use Google Plus In Your Content Marketing Efforts</span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While Google+ business profiles aren't available yet, B2B social media consultant Nate Riggs shares three ways content marketers can utilize the new social network in their everyday business practices starting today.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://mashable.com/2011/07/28/google-plus-hangouts/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Google+ Hangouts: 4 Creative Ways People Are Using Group Video Chat</span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Learn how Google Plussers are making the most of its </span></span><a href="http://www.google.com/support/+/bin/static.py?hl=en&page=guide.cs&guide=1257349&rd=1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hangouts</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> feature by using it to connect with other users to teach cooking classes, host live concerts, and conduct business.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Additional Resources</span></span></b></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Still want more? I've gathered up some additional articles that will teach even the most advanced users and Google Chrome fanatics a few new tricks.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.itworld.com/cloud-computing/186949/40-google-tips-and-tricks-power-users"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">40 Google+ tips and tricks for power users</span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Chrome fanatic will love this massive list of power-user pointers compiled by JR Raphael of the tech news and information hub ITworld.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://thenextweb.com/apps/2011/07/27/the-mother-of-all-google-resource-lists/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Mother of All Google+ Resource Lists</span></span></a></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A gianormous list of resources for enhancing and improving your Google+ experience courtesy of The Next Web.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">According to the </span></span><a href="http://www.openforum.com/articles/6-google-myths-debunked"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">latest round of rumors</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> and Google's own </span></span><a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">official blog</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, Google+ business profiles are in development and will be rolled out in the coming weeks (</span></span><a href="https://plus.google.com/114277687548103339609/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Ford's beta business profile</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">), </span></span><a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2011/08/games-in-google-fun-that-fits-your.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">games are on their way</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> to the social network, and updates from users are starting to filter through to Google search as well as impact </span></span><a href="http://techcrunch.com/2011/08/12/google-adds-google-public-posts-to-its-social-search-results-ho-hum/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">social search results</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While its numbers are no where near the hundreds of millions of accounts on Facebook, Google+ is clearly heating things up and </span></span><a href="http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2083153,00.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">creating some serious competition</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> within the social media realm.</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Have you created a Google+ profile? What are your thoughts and first impressions?</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Do you have any helpful resources to share? What tips and tricks have you learned as you've explored the newest social network?</span></span></div><div style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; min-height: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please share your suggestions, tips, and your Google+ profile link in the comment section below.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><a href="mailto:brandipalechek@comcast.com">Brandi Palechek</a> is an exceptionally creative, entrepreneurial marketing professional with 10+ years experience in an digital media marketing environment. As the the owner of her own digital marketing consulting firm, Brandi currently works with clients in the Publishing industry by helping authors and publishing companies to develop and enhance their </i></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>digital marketing programs.</i></span></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px;"></span><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20"><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a><script src="http://s7.addthis.com/js/200/addthis_widget.js" type="text/javascript">
</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-43061166009217901992011-08-09T08:00:00.021-05:002011-08-09T09:23:33.780-05:00Harvesting Your Potential through Mentorship<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3v8twqP5yi4/TkAYS6CV4xI/AAAAAAAAAK0/bammqrc8oWo/s1600/Jenny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3v8twqP5yi4/TkAYS6CV4xI/AAAAAAAAAK0/bammqrc8oWo/s200/Jenny.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="mailto:jenniferabroman@gmail.com">Jennifer Broman</a></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Initiating a professional mentorship can be exactly what you need to take your career to the next level. Unfortunately, s</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ome professionals end up signing up for another class on marketing software, attending another networking mixer or putting in additional blood, sweat and tears at the office - in hopes of finding the ultimate cure for their professional life.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Yet, no matter what is going on in your career, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">forming and developing a professional mentoring relationship can provide valuable learning opportunities to enhance your career and your personal life. </span></span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How do I use a mentorship to my advantage? </span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mentorship can take a variety of forms depending on the goals of the individual mentee and those goals are meant to grow, adjust and change throughout the mentorship. Before you meet with your mentor, take time to be reflective on your career and professional development to assess where you would like to improve and where you could grow. Even looking at a previous performance review may be a good place to start - but remember, the goals of the mentorship should be directed by you, not your boss. During your first meeting, share your hopes and goals of the relationship, so both you and your mentor can shape the direction of the mentorship to come. Also, continually take time in your mentorship to discuss these goals and adjust the relationship as necessary. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How should I go about finding a mentor? </span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For many of us, our employers will connect new employees with mentors at the beginning of their career. But what happens if this service isn't readily available to you? Professional mentorship is still a very valuable part of development and just because mentorship services and/or curriculum aren't provides, doesn't meant they're not valuable. Some places to look for mentorship opportunities, include re-connecting with your alma mater's Career Center, a past co-worker or boss, professional organization, or an organization specializing in mentoring relationships. Or just tap your network and talk to business professionals you respect and ask them for a contact who would be a good mentor.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What makes the right mentor? </span></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The key to success in finding the right mentor is two-fold. Most importantly, your mentor should be someone that is able to help inspire insightful conversation about your current and desired career path. Another important element is that you and your mentor are able to work together to make your desired career path a reality. Depending on where you want to go: your mentor can be an industry expert who is looking to teach you, someone you go to for day-to-day advice, or a professional who can challenge you to pursue (or develop) a new career path. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Arial;"><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now you want a mentor, right?</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that you've learned tips for finding and cultivating a mentorship, go out and find a mentor who can help you to learn, reflect and develop into become the business professional you've always wanted to be. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; color: #333333; font-style: italic; line-height: 20px;"><a href="mailto:jenniferabroman@gmail.com" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jennifer Broman</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> is an Assistant Account Executive at Hunt Adkins, a full-service advertising agency in Minneapolis. Currently, she is serving as the MN AMA Blog Content Manager. Recently, Jennifer started a mentoring relationship to help her further develop as an advertising professional who is connected and knowledgeable about the industry.</span></span></span></div></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-55110654081522683612011-08-02T10:48:00.002-05:002011-08-02T10:51:47.619-05:00How to Ask for a Raise - and Get It<div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: Lucida, 'Lucida Grande', 'Trebuchet MS', Tahoma, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 100%; font: normal normal normal 13px/20px 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-size: 13px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></div><div align="center" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b><br />
</b></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSLgQX61hKQ/TjgcKX5sS9I/AAAAAAAAAKw/R2CMuFta708/s1600/debw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZSLgQX61hKQ/TjgcKX5sS9I/AAAAAAAAAKw/R2CMuFta708/s1600/debw.jpg" /></a></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><a href="mailto:Deb@Alphaadvantage.com">Deborah Walker</a></b></span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When was the last time you asked for a raise? If you are like most people, you waited until you were frustrated, angry, and resentful. Not the best frame of mind for trying to make a positive change. You probably made some critical mistakes. You may have:</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Made your appeal based on emotion</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Given your boss an ultimatum</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Failed to plan ahead what to say figuring you could just “wing it”</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And how did that strategy work for you? Did you get everything you hoped for? Probably not.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a better way to ask for a raise that doesn’t involve emotions, ultimatums, or even slamming doors. The answer is planning. Be prepared with objective documentation that proves beyond doubt that you deserve a raise, and have a strategy that puts that information forward in the best possible light.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Research salary surveys. </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you suspect your current earnings are below average for your industry in your state, verify your suspicion by checking out salary surveys. Your state employment service agencies probably provide a salary survey for your industry. Make copies of any salary surveys you find.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Additionally, if you suspect your earnings are low within your own company, ask your human resources representative if he/she can provide the normal salary scale for your position. Ask for a copy if possible.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These two documented sources will help support the fairness of your request for a raise.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Prove your worth. </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">If you are waiting for your boss to notice what a great job you are doing, forget it. No one is paying that much attention to you. It’s up to you to prove how much you are worth—literally.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Keep a weekly journal of what you’ve done that proves such things as:</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 20.9pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Creating revenue opportunities</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Discovering costs savings</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helping a coworker meet or beat a deadline</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Developing a better process</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Completing tasks ahead of time</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">·</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Generating good will with clients or customers</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Use your list of accomplishments to update your resume illustrating the positive impact you’ve had on your company. An updated resume is your most convincing evidence that you deserve a raise. It will also put your boss on the alert that you are ready with an updated resume when a recruiter calls.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3.</span></span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman'; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></span><b style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plan your strategy. </span></span></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Too often, people don’t think about what they’re going to say until they’re actually in their boss’ office. That’s too late. Practicing how you want to present your case can be the final key to success in getting your raise.</span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Choose a friend or family member who has been in the position of hiring others, and ask them to let you practice your request for a raise.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Once you have your documentation, your updated resume, and your strategy in hand, you’ll be ready to approach your boss with confidence. And you’ll be well on your way to getting the raise you have truly earned.</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; line-height: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:Deb@Alphaadvantage.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Deborah Walker </i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>is a Certified Career Management Coach at </i></span><a href="http://www.alphaadvantage.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Alpha Advantage</i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><i> who shares a strong interest in marketing and career support. </i></span></span></span></div></div><script type="text/javascript">
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</script></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2949151177922463248.post-81656678567643851802011-07-26T08:00:00.030-05:002011-07-26T08:00:07.194-05:00We All Scream for Marketing!<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRnhKazXrfA/Ti45Dnflm7I/AAAAAAAAAKc/6mtuv9br0Cg/s1600/MORAY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRnhKazXrfA/Ti45Dnflm7I/AAAAAAAAAKc/6mtuv9br0Cg/s200/MORAY.jpg" width="138" /></span></a></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><a href="mailto:moraybonneville@gmail.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Moray Bonneville</span></span></a></b></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Marketing to me is a big hot fudge sundae with a dollop of whip cream with the cherry and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sprinkles on top but isn’t that what marketing is all about? We provide the flavors and toppings </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to everyday life to entice consumers to crave our ideas. Ideally buy our ideas and talk about </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">them to every person they know and they know, etc. Today with the internet, apps and digital </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">advertising we live in the Baskin Robbins of decisions where thirty-one flavors provides several </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">choices and a lot of variety. Where do we start and how do we begin? Here are some </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ingredients for a Marketing Sundae. </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First, the flavors</span></span></b><span style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">:</span></span></span><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Do you want one scoop, two or three? What flavors do you want to use, vanilla (social media), </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fudge swirl (advertising) or cotton candy (packaging)? You can layer as many flavors as you </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">want. </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next, the toppings</span></span></b><span style="font: normal normal normal 11px/normal Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">: </span></span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. The sauce, the part that sticks with consumers such as hot fudge (tagline) or </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">strawberry (promotions). </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Whip cream, this is the added sweetness. The theme for your idea or product. Is it a </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">children’s product? Do you want to have a whimsical look and appeal? </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. The cherry on top (branding and gaining awareness). </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Sprinkles, this part can represent several different methods. One way of thinking </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">about sprinkles is related to design. In the colors you choose and the meanings </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">behind the colors. Such as the color orange. Orange - vibrancy, energy, sporty and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">enthusiasm. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What message to do want to convey and what are the colors to get your message </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">across to the consumer? </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Don’t forget the nuts! (CRM) - Customer Relationship Management, Creative </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Radical Marketing, Characters Really Motivate. Pick your CRM (make it up and </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">have fun!) </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your order is ready! </span></span></b></div><div style="font: 11.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With any recipe you can add your own ingredients or take away and make it your own. Grab a </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">spoon and dig in! </span></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><br />
</div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><a href="mailto:moraybonneville@gmail.com"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Moray Bonneville</span></i></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> is a St. Mary’s University alumna. She graduated with a double major of B.S. </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">of Sales and Marketing and B.S. of Human Resources Management. Her early marketing </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">experience began at age sixteen as a samples marketer. She participated on campaigns with </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">MAC Cosmetics, Calvin Klein CK One and Yoplait Breast Cancer for the Cure. Currently, she </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">works full time as an assistant. In her spare time she likes to read a variety of books, write and </span></i></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">spend time with her family. </span></i></span></div><div style="font: 11.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 12.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.addthis.com/bookmark.php?v=20" onclick="return addthis_sendto()" onmouseout="addthis_close()" onmouseover="return addthis_open(this, '', '[URL]', '[TITLE]')"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11px;"></span><img alt="Bookmark and Share" height="16" src="http://s7.addthis.com/static/btn/lg-share-en.gif" style="border: 0;" width="125" /></a></span></div></div>Jennifer Bromanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16317991109520389540noreply@blogger.com0