Are you concerned about revitalizing your local economy? Are you part of an initiative to get more people to “buy local?” Why do these initiatives have to be so complex? [Read more...]
14
Jul 2009
19
Jun 2009
Rural Small Businesses Look at Ways to Use Twitter
June 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment
I have met some amazing people in small towns across Minnesota. Recently I had the opportunity to give two presentation on social media in Arlington and Redwood Falls, MN.
At the end of the presentation, we do a group exercise and ask the participants to gather in groups of 5 to answer the question, “How could you use Twitter in your business?“ Below are some of the responses to the question. [Read more...]
07
May 2009
Pure Joy
My 5 year old daughter came to my office last night to keep me company while I was setting up a computer training lab. At the age of 5, everything at the office is a new experience. To keep her out of trouble, I gave her a hammer. (Yeah, I know, but it seemed like a good idea at the time.) [Read more...]
04
May 2009
If you were to stop every marketing initiative you have going on right now – would it make a difference in your business? If you canceled your newspaper ads, radio ads, brochures, website, social media sites, etc. – would your sales suffer? For most businesses, the answer is yes. We spend a lot of money to market and advertise our businesses. Many of us have had the same marketing plan for years. We do what we are comfortable doing. Sadly, what we are comfortable with is spending money in the same places our competitors spend their money. [Read more...]
22
Apr 2009
Traits of Leaders Who Create Winning Organizations
April 22, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Traits for Today’s Leaders
I was inspired to write this post after I watched the video below. I must have watched this video about 5 times before it sank in. To lead an organization, committee, non-profit or even a country, it takes a VERY special person. For too long, it has been easy to lead. I could write a book on that statement based on personal experience. Today, if you want to survive and thrive, leaders need to have strong skills to create a vision, generate passion, and flawlessly execute that vision. Below are just a few of the traits that we need in our leaders: [Read more...]
13
Apr 2009
Do You Have an Identity Crisis
April 13, 2009 By Leave a Comment
It’s a common problem. Marketers say one thing, but when it comes down to it, the business behind what they are “pitching” is different. One of the primary purposes of marketing should be to set expectations, so that when a new client has an experience with your company, they know what to expect. It is the start of a beautiful relationship. But is it really?
Is that really the case?
01
Apr 2009
Create a Vivid Image – Finding the Right Photo Just Got Easier
April 1, 2009 By 1 Comment
You have probably heard of Flickr and other photo sharing websites, but did you know they are more than just a place to post your photos? Sites like Flickr are vibrant social communities that contain some of the best photography on the Internet. Flickr is one of the leading photo sharing sites. What makes it unique is the quality of the photos. Many professional and amateur enthusiasts post their photos on Flickr, making it a great place to find the perfect photo for your website or ad campaigns.
[Read more...]
31
Mar 2009
Maybe I expect too much. I like it when I am made to feel special when I enter your store. Yeah, yeah – touchy feely kinda stuff. But don’t you deserve to be treated like more than just a number? Especially in today’s marketplace.
Today, I took a 1/2 hour to get a few errands done around town. My first stop was to a retail store* where I had a box of blinds to pick up that were ordered online. I stopped in and said, “Hi, my name is Steve Gasser. I have a box of blinds to pick up.” Her comment, “Excuse me sir, I only know you by your phone number.” In shock, I gave her my phone number and she proceeded to disappear to the back room. When she returned, I was handed my blinds with a receipt and told, “Thank you.” Nothing else. I was just a number.
Why do I shop online? I ‘feel’ like I am more than just a number. I am greeted by my name when I browse through the online store. My preferences are remembered. I even see recommendations from other people like me. This really helps when I don’t quite know what I am looking for…. [Read more...]
26
Mar 2009
If the White House Can Embrace Social Media Can Your Business
March 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Today we are going to explore how to use social media tools to gather feedback from your customers. A great example of this tool in use is “Open for Questions.” This is a tool that allows citizens to submit questions to the White House and vote on those questions that were submitted. 92,934 people have submitted 104,039 questions and cast 3,604,877 votes on “Open for Questions.” Not bad for a trial run. Many of the most popular questions were addressed by the President during his special online town hall meeting on March 26, 2009. Today, the trial of this new service has ending, but you can still view and vote on the questions submitted.
Questions on the following topics were submitted:
- Education
- Home Ownership
- Health Care Reform
- Veterans
- Small Business
- Auto Industry
- Retirement Security
- Green Jobs and Energy
- Financial Stability
- Jobs
- Budget
Is the White House embracing social media? I think so. I would expect that applications like “Open for Questions” will gain in popularity.
Here is the opportunity for your business
01
Mar 2009
Microsoft Vision of the Future
March 1, 2009 By 2 Comments
On February 27, 2009, Microsoft Business Division President Stephen Elop presented Microsoft’s vision for the future of business technology. Looking at long term trends and emerging technologies, Microsoft says this vision is “grounded in research and will provide customers with the technology they need and want to address tomorrow’s changing world.”
They paint broad brush strokes that cover topic from schools, business, and our personal lives. As you watch the video, can you identify some current technologies that are taken to the next level – or new trends in communication that can bring the world closer together? [Read more...]
26
Feb 2009
Inspiration to be Better by Chris Brogan
February 26, 2009 By Leave a Comment
Chris Brogan wrote a post today entitled: “10 Things You Could Do Better Today.” It seems appropriate to re-post it here for you. I know I strive to improve on these areas each day:
10 Things You Could Do Better Today
Improve your response time to requests.- Improve the brevity and simplicity of your email correspondence.
- Connect with five new people and seven existing colleagues or friends each day.
- Inspect your business process cycle from start to finish for improvements.
- Rethink your approach to helping others succeed.
- Increase the amount of times you connect others together to build new relationships.
- Resolve three pieces of unfinished business, no matter how painful.
- Live closer to your goals and your main points of focus, and less by reaction.
- Take time to thank the people who make your life possible.
- Rest and unplug.
Do you have ideas on what you could do better today? If so, leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you!
I am President and Chief Evangelist for Vivid Image - a web design and social marketing firm located outside of Minneapolis, MN. 
