Everyone is always looking for that silver bullet. That one thing they could do differently, better, faster or cheaper to gain market share. And, sometimes it does appear that the silver bullet has been found, but, more than likely, it is simply the result of some good strategy and following the basic marketing tenets that bring success. Interested? Read more now. »

First it was the Cabbage Patch Doll. Then Tickle-Me-Elmo and Furby. Now, hold on to your hat – and your small wood shavings – because this year the must have holiday toy that really rocks the worlds of retailers comes in the form of a tiny robotic hamster. Say hello to the Zhu Zhu Pet – the starring character in the latest holiday toy craze. And say hello to innovative and integrated social media marketing that helped create this craze. Interested? Read more now. »

An update for you on my presentation and participation at PDHCA in January.  I’ll keep this page updated as we draw closer to the conference with newsy items. Click here to view my PDHCA page.

Well Thanksgiving is a week past, but still on my mind. Imagine for a moment that it’s 1621 and you’re a member of the Plymouth, Mass. Colony. Times have been hard, and food scarce. The wheat your ships brought over from England refuses to grow in this rocky soil. You don’t know how to build shelter you’re unskilled at hunting and fishing in this type of terrain. Half your fellow colonists have already died and winter is on the way. Interested? Read more now. »

They deliver both good news and bad. You see them at murder scenes and crash sites. They stand behind the podium when a company launches a new product or announces a donation to charity. Unlike CEOs and other executives, these folks live for the media spotlight. In fact, they thrive in it, being interviewed by print, television, radio and online media on a host of topics related to a company’s business. They look and perform well in front of the camera. For all intents and purposes, they become the face of the company for anyone out there watching.

There are a number of interchangeable titles commonly used to describe the position: public relations director, public information officer (PIO), media relations director, press secretary and spokesperson are just a few. Even the slang term “talking head” will do is an apropos descriptor for this man or woman who holds press conferences and enjoys bringing the company’s message before the masses.

But what does it take to be a good spokesperson? How do you know if you or another candidate has the “right stuff” to go before the camera lenses and not embarrass the company? Creating a good impression in the minds of viewers is not as difficult as you might think. Interested? Read more now. »

When it comes to selling home care services, positioning yourself as the expert is one way to stand out from the crowd.

When it comes to getting that message out, one way to get the job done is with face-to-face communication. And, rather than one-on-one, you get more leverage if you are reaching more people. And if those people have an interest already, then all the better. Interested? Read more now. »