Strategy | Express-It

RSS

Posts Tagged ‘strategy’

Official Trailer: Magic’s Royal Duke Sammy Cortino Performs ‘Synthesis,’ Setting World Record

18 Aug

Illusionist Sammy Cortino sets the world record for the fastest blindfolded and ambidextrous card manipulations (card sleight of hand), where he manipulates over 300 cards in 90 seconds…

You can use special events and promotions for your business or services, to build a solid platform and garner attention that translates into greater visibility and increased sales. Learn more about communicating your business message effectively… in a new Media Fusion Teleseminar Series!

Probably you aren’t looking to set a World Record for card manipulation, but how about increasing sales, your customer base, or creating a stir for your product, service or passion?

Based on my experience with all media, and as a marketing-communications professional helping business owners and professionals since founding my consultancy many years ago, through a brand new Media Fusion Teleseminar Series, I will share insight, ideas and information to help you cut through the clutter and noise, communicating your business message to your best advantage.

Stay tuned for insight on behind-the-scenes and backstory of promoting and communicating to draw attention, increase awareness at low-cost, while increasing your bottom line in the process — program details will be emailed — be sure to sign-up so you don’t miss a thing!

Be sure to sign-up below…

No Comments

Posted in Build Your Brand, Durable Branding, Effective Communication Campaign with all Media, Express-It media Fusion, New Media, Promotion, Social Media, Social Media Marketing, Special Events, Work Smart

Magic’s Royal Duke Sammy Cortino Performs “Synthesis” and Sets World Record

10 Aug

Magic’s Royal Duke performs “Synthesis” and set a World Record for ambidextrous card manipulation — 304 playing cards, blindfolded in 90 seconds!

The media coverage on this event was astounding, and all forms of media were used in promoting and covering it: New, Social and Traditional Media.

We’re still celebrating this wonderful milestone for Sammy and his magic career!

Effective communication utilizing all media is a powerful vehicle for business owners and professionals — there’s nothing ‘magic’ about that. However, when strategically used in an appropriate integrated communications plan, it seems to work like magic!

With all the cool new tools and great media at all of our fingertips today, using it couldn’t be easier!

Would you like to learn more about how to communicate your business message effectively through a process I call Express-It Media Fusion?

Based on my experience with all media, and as a marketing-communications professional helping business owners and professionals since founding my consultancy in 1982, through Express-It Media Fusion, I look forward to sharing insight, ideas and information to help you cut through the clutter and noise, communicating your business message to your best advantage.

You can begin this process by signing-up to begin receiving valuable insight directly from me, through Express-It Media Fusion. You probably aren’t looking to set a World Record for card manipulation, but how about increasing sales, your customer base, or creating a stir for your product, service or passion?

No Comments

Posted in Effective Communication Campaign with all Media, Express-It media Fusion, Marketing & Sales, New Media, Promotion, Small Business, Social Media Marketing, Special Events, Work Smart, business tools

Gracie ‘Gets It.’

14 Jul

BeckyCortino.com Customer Service Communication

In most small businesses and service organizations, employees operate on the front lines of customer service, directly interfacing with the customer. They are the official company representative for your business. They are the smiling face and friendly voice your customer sees and hears first.

One of the best examples of this is the wait staff in a restaurant. Everyone knows if they received good service — or not, although some customers come in with their troubles of the day, or expectations that may never been met by any human effort. Regardless of how they arrive at the dining establishment, a professional, service-minded staff will seek to allay those troubles and provide a satisfactory dining experience for their patrons.

Key elements of excellent customer service:

Knows the product inside and out. If never experienced personally, is attuned to customer feedback to advise accordingly.
Builds relationships and a loyal following by a strong bond with the customer, forged through good communication skills, empathy for others and by placing the customer as their number one concern.
Knows how to help solve problems as they arise; while adeptly aware how and when to upsell, as appropriate.
Makes doing business or receiving the product or service “easy” for the customer. Takes a proactive approach to serving the customer, by applying the leeway given to them to “make it right,” providing a satisfactory shopping or dining experience.

Customer Service and how the customer is treated on behalf of your business or establishment is important any time, but especially when business isn’t so great — wouldn’t you agree?

Keeping the business coming to you in the form of loyal customers is far easier and much less expensive in the long-run, than having to constantly develop new business and attract new customers on an ongoing basis.

Gracie ‘Gets it.’ Do you?

No Comments

Posted in Business Building, Marketing & Sales, Organizational Success, business tools

Overload: When it all becomes too much…

28 Jun

Most agree these are noisy times. The constant flow of information gushing out on a myriad of channels contribute to this glut.

At first glance, this condition might not seem to be a difficult situation. In fact, the ready availablity of so much great information at any time of the day or night might seem beneficial for anyone on a quest or armed with a need-to-know-to-now mission.

The possibility of information on many channels is enticing indeed. Anyone wanting to learn more, research, study or “watch” can do so through a growing selection of ’channels’ or streams of information constantly ebbing and flowing.

A flip side and contributing factor to this deluge is sharing information through interactions and producing content, on an ongoing basis. These activities kick things up a notch for everyone who is involved.

Recently, 3 personal contacts of mine chose to take time away from the grid. Due to the overload they were experiencing, all took time to stand back and evaluate. The result was a redesign of their individual strategic approach to active involvment. Wise choices for each!

It’s easy to be sucked into the vortex of Social Media and the vacum of media or content production, ignoring all else. It can become life! Overinvolvement can lead to missing out on the joys of real life – unplugged.

Of course ‘joys’ and our own “successes” are defined by our personal preferences. Our success is outcome-based on choices we make. Choices resting on the solid foundation of established priorities and goals, help lead us in the direction of our dreams and the life we want to live — or not. If no action is taken to advance in that direction, it’s easy to figure how progress is not made.

Time away — a respite is good. It clears the mind, refreshes and gives time for creativity to be restored. A rest from the usual demanding pace inspires new ideas. Conventional wisdom assures us that strategic actions taken over a period of time will eventually at least head us in the direction of our goal, so a needed break does not hinder the process.

For many of us, our work and interactions online are integral parts to our business model, so working smarter not harder is key. How to do this often eludes us. For some, this is the first time ‘work and life’ have blended, with home-based businesses.

A lot of us talk about this. How are you handling this, in your work and life? Is it working for you?

Effectively harnessing information channels, work strategies and what this overload really means will be addressed in a series of articles featuring time mangement tips and ideas to increase your productivity and effectiveness.

In the meantime… here’s a great article on: Why Relaxing is Such Hard Work

No Comments

Posted in New Media, Social Media Marketing, Work Smart

3 Simple Strategies to Stop Your Content from Being Stolen:

26 May

Recently, I ran across this great vid by John-Paul Micek, founder of RPM Success Group ® Inc.. Rather than rehashing what JP already said so well, I asked him if I could share his vid with you… and he agreed:

3 simple strategies to protect your intellectual property and from becoming a victim of online copyright infringement, possibly without enlisting an attorney, and spending thousands of dollars in legal fees….

Visit site (linked below) for more info and to download referenced resources:

Copyright Infringement letter to ISP (template)
ISP Look-up Services for offender sites
About the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998
Search Service for your page content on the Web
Ebay’s VeRO program
Google Alerts

Source: This vid and information from

Online Copyright Infringement: Simple Steps to Protect Yourself From Thieves

About John Paul Micek:

John Paul Micek is founder of RPM Success Group ® Inc., the leader in software, systems & strategic coaching to double your profits in the New Economy. QuanSite New Media marketing software is one of those resources. He is author of the first published book on New Media marketing, the best seller Secrets Of Online Persuasion.

2 Comments

Posted in business blogging, business tools, media, writing

Corporate Branding: Roadmap and Mirror Required

21 May

Countless missed opportunities abound if your company is relying on “fans” and other unofficial channels to communicate the corporate mission statement, information, and updates!

Many companies have established their virtual ‘real estate’ or turf (website), but are not effectively harnessing the power of social media channels by integrating them to enhance — and gain necessary control of the brand experience.

In this insightful SlideShare by Jeremiah Owyang, discover:

Why seamless integration is important — and the inherent power of it.
How to kick things up a notch to make the company website relevant in today’s marketplace, while reaching a wider market share.
Understand why this aspect of branding is so important to address — now — based on the projected future role of ‘branding.’

Making your Corporate Website Relevant

View more presentations from Jeremiah Owyang.

Need a Roadmap?

Do you need some help to integrate your message? I am an Integrated Marketing Communications consultant, and currently offering my professional consulting services to help businesses and professionals Amp-Up their unique communications efforts.

Geared especially for individual and company needs, my recommendations help solve communications challenges through building a solid branding platform. Many professionals and companies are missing countless opportunities because they have no desire to hire an employee or a full-scale agency, but don’t have time or adequate knowledge to address this important aspect.

Do you need help? I offer my professional services on a project-basis and can assist you and your company in navigating the maze of social channels, new and traditional media, powerfully and effectively integrating the desired message — helping to secure a solid branding platform.

I would welcome the opportunity to connect with you, and to discuss your specific needs. Please contact me using this online form (linked here)

No Comments

Posted in Durable Branding, Social Media Marketing, branding

Stuff Happens: Make Plans

19 May

Here is Now.

“Time keeps on slippin, slippin into the future,” as the song goes…

“Stuff” happens. You’ve seen the proverbial bumpersticker that’s been around forever sporting a message along these lines, haven’t you? Sure you have.

It’s a recognized fact, isn’t it? It’s a frequent topic of conversation, and sometimes even the butt of a bad, sad old-old joke that isn’t really even funny. Nobody’s laughing.

So why then, are we caught off guard when it appears? When it rears it’s ugly head and ruins our plans or digs a hole into our pocket? Truth is (as truth is) it is an ever-present possiblity. Often – it’s stark reality.

What to do when stuff happens has a lot to do with your take on the situation:

You must believe enough in yourself and your idea, be self-sufficient, resilient, clever and far-thinking enough to hedge your bets, leverage your assets, dig-in and prepare for the unexpected. It’s preparation for the unknown with a thought-out strategy, a plan to get from this step to the next.
Planning ahead is an integral part of any business plan, and has real-life implications. In communications, it’s a Crisis Communications Plan or procedure. In agency work it’s called contingency fees, and in life it’s called putting a little something away for a “rainy day.” Always vigilent, alert, and standing at the ready.
“Stuff” that happens isn’t always bad. Often it is great opportunity, on many levels. But advance preparation in way way of planning, strategy and laying aside resources help to make that transition.
“Now” is based on the past. It’s a logical sequencing of time from yesterday to today; the last moment to this.

“Now” is here — are you ready? There’s so much to be done!

…if you’re going to soar with the eagles!

Did you enjoy this article? Lots going on here — don’t miss a thing! Receive regular Updates by clicking this link to sign up here

No Comments

Posted in Personal Success, Professional Growth

Strategy Never Taught in Business School: Rewriting History for Best Outcome?

17 May

No "Reset" Required!

Strategically, if you wish to effect change based on no merit or basis — you must rewrite history.

The outcome must be presented as you want it to be, on a foundation comprised of nothing more than strategy.

How does this make good business sense?

Outcome must be projected based on actual facts, statistics, real understanding of economics and existing markets.

If the past is forgotten, mistakes may be repeated but at greater expense at today’s market cost.

No Comments

Posted in Business Building, Small Business

Get Clear on Your Facebook Strategies to Communicate Effectively

05 Apr

Social networking and the growing number of platforms seem to expand exponentially by the day. This gives great opportunities to connect with others, share information, learn and socialize!

ROI is always a hot topic, as is growing a network. Everyone is in the game for different reasons, each with their own unique style and brand of insight added to the network. Therein lies the greatest challenge in social networking, I believe.

How you interact and choose to add to your network is entirely up to you and your preferences. Presentation and approach are shaped by your reason for creating a presence on the platform, which affects your strategies within the prevailing ‘best practices’ there.

Once a network is established and expanding, managing it and related actions on the platform become more challenging. Staying in touch with contacts, and effective use of time are inherent concerns. After all, you and each person within your network have agreed to link up as friends or connections.

Bottomline: conversation is what social networking is about. If you grow a large network, fortunately there are tools available to aid the process, in addition to applying a personal touch!

Recently, I’ve observed some interesting strategies being employed on the Facebook platform, regarding various friends’ networks and policies, which serve as case studies in not applying ‘best practices’ for social networking.

In my next post, I will share these scenarios, with recommendations on how to avoid them.

Have you observed or been the target of ‘not best-practices’ on Facebook? Leave your comments, to share…

No Comments

Posted in Communications Clarity, Durable Branding, Facebook

I Looked into My Crystal Ball and What did I See–?

31 Mar

I see a shift in the near future!

I Looked into My Crystal Ball and Predict a Paradigm Shift Ahead!

Recently a friend and I were talking about trends. During this discussion, I began to think back to my early career days — in advertising. At that time, I was working in Account Services with the international ad agency BBDO. I attended an agency meeting on trends outlining the coming of what we all well know today as “The Me Generation.”

It almost seems hard to believe that marketing hook has hung around for as long as it has but if it has to do with all about “me,” what’s not to like about that?! Right?

In light of the monumental change we are now experiencing — it truly is a whole new world — in the sense of an abrupt and bumpy flight away from everything that was once familiar, somewhat predictable, and dare I say — so very “me”-centered? A shift is most certainly underway at this moment.

With greater emphasis on New Media, more folks implementing Social Media and Web 2.0 strategies and tools, new avenues are opened to wider networks for connection, collaboration and sharing. There appears to be a whole lot more “sharing” going on, doesn’t it?

Yes — people still have preferences for the tools they use for communication and connecting, but they also enjoy varied choices for receiving the media-rich messages and information from an ever-increasing number of available sources. While those choices and experiences may be uniquely personalized, tailored to individual needs, I believe a shift away from “me-centered positioning” is already beginning to occur.

You may be as surprised as I was to realize this, but remember these changes occur over quite a span of time, even though circumstances may seem to be an overnight wonder, creating the perfect environment for seeding such a change. These undercurrents begin as small ebbs before they begin to flow, eventually leading off to become “mainstream.”

Time will tell. Stay tuned. Let’s remember this conversation… What do you think? How do you think this perspective will affect business? The world? Leave your comments and let’s discuss…

No Comments

Posted in Trend Prediction, marketing

Express-It

Posts Tagged ‘strategy’

Gracie ‘Gets It.’

3 Simple Strategies to Stop Your Content from Being Stolen:

Stuff Happens: Make Plans

Strategy Never Taught in Business School: Rewriting History for Best Outcome?

Get Clear on Your Facebook Strategies to Communicate Effectively

I Looked into My Crystal Ball and What did I See–?

Pages

Archives

Categories