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Humble Pie

Anyone who has read my blog posts knows that, for the most part, I am not the biggest supporter of social networking. I understand its place in the world, but I believe in many cases it replaces vital communication that needs to take place in a more personal way. To me, texting your boyfriend to tell him it’s over or tweeting your daughter to tell her she’s grounded is not a responsible use of this form of media.

However, with all great “I told you so’s,” there comes a time when you are proven wrong and have to swallow a little humble pie. My time is now. I am amazed at the profound effect of social media on the tragedy in Haiti last month – a situation from which I think all local government could learn.

With normal lines of communication nonexistent, social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter became the lifeline for those dealing with the aftermath in Haiti. I can’t exactly complain about Twitter when it helped someone buried under a collapsed building to be found by the Coast Guard or enabled a helicopter full of Doctors Without Borders to land safely rather than be rerouted to another location.

Social media should be exploited for what it can offer local governments in a crisis communication role, specifically involving emergencies and natural disasters. Social media allows individuals and communities to share information and cooperate with one another outside the framework of traditional institutions and organizations. When governments need to disseminate information quickly and to the masses, what better way than to their Facebook fans and Twitter followers? The ability to communicate urgent “need to know” facts, evacuation details or road closures in real-time during a crisis is essential to not only keeping constituents informed, but also keeping them safe.

There is definitely a time and place for just about everything and I truly believe that social media has found that time and place. It’s hard not to wonder how different the impacts of a disaster like Hurricane Katrina could have been if only this tool was available just five years ago. While trying out this new media can be scary, yes, local governments need to jump on the bandwagon and start reaping the public information benefits. Just make sure you are tweeting what is important instead of what you are too afraid to say to someone’s face! Then I will be happy to admit that maybe I was a little wrong…

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Posted by Laurie Meza on 02/23 at 01:01 PM
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Posted by Public Relations  on  03/10  at  12:03 AM

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Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey gonna beat dem Saints?

It was the talk around the water cooler all last week. What was good, what was bad, what was funny and what was a waste of money. No, it wasn’t the fashion at the Golden Globes; it was the much anticipated Super Bowl XLIV commercials.

There were the ones that busted your gut, the ones that tugged at your heart strings and the ones that just left you completely dumbfounded.  But all in all, I think there were five that stuck out as being truly worthy of the water cooler:

1. Dorito’s Dog Revenge – The dog strapping the shock collar to his master, all for a taste of those triangles of nacho cheese, was priceless.

2. E*Trade Jealous Baby – Give me a talking baby and the term “milkaholic” in a commercial and it might even convince me to begin trading my own stocks. After all, if a toddler can do it, surely I can as well!

3. Snickers – Betty White… need I say more?

4. Google Parisian Love – This simple, yet purposeful, advertisement gets to the heart of what Google is – a search engine.

5. Volkswagon PunchDub – A great throwback to “slug-bug,” my favorite road trip game as a kid. Expanding it to all Volkswagens brings back the fun (and makes for a clever marketing campaign).

Despite the recession, the 30-second advertisements sold for $2.5 to $3 million a pop and companies had no problem forking over the dough to reach the Super Bowl’s estimated 106.5 million viewers. With that price tag, advertisers sure had to do their research to make certain their ads would bring actual results.

The trick to getting results from your marketing efforts is to understand your audience. You have to know who they are, what their likes and dislikes are and where they get their information. The audience of the Super Bowl is primarily male (55 percent this year, in fact) so advertisers historically tailor ads to male interests. This year was no exception.

However, just like its ratings, this year’s female Super Bowl audience was at its highest ever at 45 percent – leaving a large portion of viewers that must not be neglected when it comes to targeted advertising. Such companies as Frito Lay, Mars, Inc. and Anheuser-Busch did well among both genders, according to Nielsen’s findings. These companies did their research, testing the waters with their ads prior to shelling out the cash. And their research paid off as these companies received great ratings across the board. 

Spending $100,000 per second on advertising may not be in the cards for everyone, but by doing our due diligence we can all reach our target audience on a slightly smaller scale.

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Posted by Liz Viscardi on 02/18 at 10:06 AM
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Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?

In my professional life, I am a big fan of Facebook, Twitter, blogs, the iPhone, the iPad and any other new tool they invent to make the art of business communication easier and more exciting. In my personal life, I believe there are too many distractions that take our focus away from truly connecting with those we love, so I actively spend energy removing those from family time.

Oh, yes. I am THAT mom – the one who bans all electronic devices from the dinner table. The TV must be turned off, cell phones must be put away and the Nintendo DS must be sufficiently out of reach. I don’t want my child listening to her iPod while I try to have a conversation with her about school. Too often I see couples at restaurants, busily texting without taking even a moment to glance at each other.  So far, I have resisted the urge to grab their cell phones, throw them to the ground and smash them with my foot (although I’d like to believe these couples would thank me later for singlehandedly saving their relationship). I think you get my point. Technology, I’ve always thought, is pushing us farther apart.

Then I was introduced to Skype.

Let me give you a little background on this newfound love affair of mine. I am a new auntie of three babies born in the past two months – twin nephews and a niece – all of whom live far away. Before the magic of Skype, I would call nearly every day to check on the babies and get an update. I would beg for new pictures, and I would convince my sisters to hold the phone to the babies’ mouths so I could hear their voices. Then, Santa brought Web cams for Christmas, and my sister told me to get a Skype account.

Skype is a service that allows you to make free video and voice calls through your computer, and with more than 500 million users, it is quickly becoming a global phenomenon. From my perspective, it is building closer families and quite possibly saving the human race.

Maybe I’m exaggerating, but all I know is the first time I sat down to Skype, I almost burst into tears. There, in my living room, on my computer screen, were my two new nephews who I had never met. I could see their facial expressions and hear the way they cried. I could practically smell them (not really, but I’m sure that’s coming). Now, we Skype once a week and I get to watch them grow. My girls can show grandpa the gaping holes in their mouths when they lose a tooth, demonstrate the new hip hop moves they learned in dance class or hold up a stellar report card for Aunt Lindsay to see. It’s brilliant.

I still ban all electronic devices from the dinner table, but there might be a day when I pull the computer screen over to the table and invite grandma to join us for dinner.

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Posted by Kristi Estes on 02/10 at 11:16 AM
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Competition at the Olympics?

With the 2010 Winter Olympics set to begin in just two days, I’m getting a little excited. One thing I always look forward to at each Olympic Games are the critical moments that take place for each athlete; the moment where all their years of training come down to one single shot. Some step up, outperform the competition and secure their moment of triumph. Sadly, we’ll also see some who crumble under the pressure and lament the loss of their Olympic dreams. 

Athletes are not the only ones with critical moments – old media had one and already squandered it.

As evidence, I give you the disappointing Olympic Social Media Rules. Simply put, and according to multiple sources, athletes are restricted in what and how they can use social media. For example, one athlete can’t interview other athletes – they must tweet/blog in the first person lest they be confused with a reporter. Also forbidden is mention (or even a Flikr photo?) of a personal sponsor that is not an official Olympic sponsor.

I understand that NBC paid bazillions of greenbacks for the privilege of losing $250 million bringing the games into our living rooms, and wonder if this investment has something to do with the policy. Apparently there’s already enough competition at the Olympics – more to the point, why would they want competition from the very athletes they are set to cover?

It seems to me this is another example of how the old media is rightly threatened by new media. It also seems to me that the only way for old media to survive is to evolve – taking the best parts of their product and finding ways to integrate new media.

Like it or not, the 2010 Olympic Games is a critical moment for old media. It could have been a moment of triumph but I’m already counting this as another opportunity lost.

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Posted by Matt Wittern on 02/10 at 11:10 AM
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nice entertainment advices. i will keep in mind those and continue your work.
montreal exotic massage

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  02/27  at  04:54 AM

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Two words, Toyota: Crash and Burn.

Watching Toyota as they recall millions of vehicles and the ensuing public relations disaster is like waiting for the Taylor Swift phenomenon to pass … But the hits they just keep on comin’.

Over the last month, Toyota has illustrated literally every PR “don’t” known to man, serving as the perfect example of what NOT to do when faced with a crisis, and making PR execs nationwide cringe in horror. And let’s be frank here – when you’ve got the Federal government (which now owns Toyota’s competition, by the way, but we’ll save that for the subject of another post) breathing down your neck, you know you’re in deep. But let’s back it up just a few notches and look at the facts. Where did Toyota go wrong and how in God’s name did they let it get to this point?

Remember that romantic comedy starring Kate Hudson, “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” circa 2003? Kate Hudson’s character is a columnist for a popular magazine who decides to write a “how-to” article about all the things women do wrong in relationships, consequently resulting in the demise of their courtship. Well, it has inspired this next step-by-step guide I like to call, “How to Lose Every Ounce of Credibility and Tarnish Your Reputation,” compliments of our friends at Toyota.

Step 1: Recklessly Disregard Your Problem
I was shocked to learn that Toyota knew their vehicles had problems three years ago. But instead of immediately addressing the problem and issuing a recall, Toyota just kind of swept that information under the carpet and continued with business as usual while consumers toted around town completely unaware of the potential threats posed by their trusty Toyotas. Sounds like they applied “The Formula” as referenced in the movie Fight Club.

It was also reported that late last year, the Feds had to make a trip out to Tokyo to “remind Toyota management about its legal obligations” because there was speculation that the automaker wasn’t meeting standards for safety.

And most recently, after the recall of millions of vehicles, Toyota did issue an apology, but only under the forceful fist of the U.S. government. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood stated “While Toyota is taking responsible action now; it unfortunately took an enormous effort to get to this point.”

Yikes.

Step 2: Place Blame
Once Toyota finally admitted they did, in fact, have a serious problem, they were quick to point fingers at their pedal manufacturer, who hastily rebutted that all of their pedals were built to Toyota’s specifications, asserting that Toyota was also involved in all testing and production of the faulty parts. Time for a refresher course in Crisis Management 101, I think.

When faced with a crisis, one of the worst things you could do is to place blame. This is not super secret knowledge available only to those of us on the “inside.” Back in the 80s when Johnson & Johnson was faced with the Tylenol cyanide crisis, they didn’t point fingers (even though there really was some crazy murderer to blame). Instead they took the high road, approaching the situation proactively and demonstrated a commitment to the safety of consumers – leading to one of the most famous public relations case studies in history.

Step 3: Abandon Your Brand
This one is actually my favorite. At a recent press conference in Switzerland, Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda issued a seemingly heartfelt apology for the unprecedented recall…and then drove off in an Audi. CEOs of auto manufacturers are typically pretty careful about their means of transportation, especially when making public appearances – as they should be. Would you trust a contractor to build your home, knowing that he hired his competitor to build his own house? I wouldn’t. And sure, maybe there’s some explanation as to why Mr. Toyoda preferred the likes of a black Audi wagon to his own namesake, but to me it says, “This is good enough for you, but I’m going with something of better quality.”

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So as you can see, Toyota finds itself in a sticky situation. As a result of this epic PR fail, the Federal government is urging Toyota drivers to take immediate action and millions of vehicles have been recalled with no answers for consumers on how the automaker plans to resolve this issue. In the meantime, Ford and GM are reaping the benefits of Toyota’s conundrum with marketing strategies that offer incentives to buyers switching from Toyota (well played, if you ask me).

This is what can potentially happen when companies take a reactive approach to crisis management and fail to openly communicate with their constituents. Every PR pro and savvy communicator will tell you that taking a proactive approach, while sometimes difficult and hard to swallow, is always the better option.

And while it’s hard to sit back and watch the chaos that has resulted from this case of product neglect, it’s no surprise that Toyota is standing over an empty grave, holding a dirty shovel.

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Posted by Megan Rees on 02/04 at 08:52 PM
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I think this problem caused Toyota loss of current model, financially but now on if you are driving any model of Toyota you will think the same. It will take years in getting back that credibility. Perhaps this is not even time the apologies from Toyota CEO would make a difference. And one lesson has to be picked up: Learn from Toyota and not be over confident no matter where you are, and Listen to customers.

IVA from UK

Posted by IVA  on  03/09  at  12:20 PM

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Breaking Up is Hard to Do

I am hesitant to change.

Don’t get me wrong…  It’s not that I’m risk-averse, mind you, it’s just that I tend to subscribe to the philosophy of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Heck, even if it is broken, I’m the type who’s likely to find a work-around to avoid having to give up the convenience of a tried and true service provider or – God forbid – switch to a new product.

I’m what you would call a brand’s best friend – loyal to the end. In fact, I have a long history of products that dumped me long before I would ever have conceived of leaving them! Once I find something I like, I stick with it to the bitter end, when it’s ripped from my needy consumer grasp and replaced with the “latest,” “newest,” “hottest” – but never BEST – surrogate of the day.

Remember the Taco Light? I do. It was a tasty little fried flour shell/taco meat/tomato/lettuce/sour cream number our friends at Taco Bell dished up back in the 80s. I ate one-a-day for three years. Gone. Quisp Cereal? Gone. Mike Berardi’s on 17th Avenue? Gone. Gillette ladies refillable shaver? Gone. I’ve been jilted by a long trail of fickle product lines – enough to fill the rest of this blog and then some.

But that’s not the point.

The point is, I’m like the Holy Grail of consumers – too loyal to dump you and too busy to make a stink when you don’t treat me right. Well, not anymore. I’m tired of being treated like my business isn’t valued.

Case in point: I have had a love affair with Sony Vaio computers that extends long before CIG was ever a twinkle in my eye. Happy with the quality and functionality of their computers, I innocently embraced our relationship when CIG was born and trusted that we would grow together – happily buying tens of thousands of dollars worth of their laptops.

Everything was great between us. Then the PCG-3H1L arrived. Sure, I was attracted to its hip, chocolate brown cover and modern, individually separated keyboard keys, but from day one, we had nothing but problems. I approached these with my usual attempts at work-arounds and tech support visits from the Geek Squad – even a trip for the new laptop back to Sony HQ. Nothing worked. I’d heard the same problems from others with this model. It was finally time to call customer service and discuss a re-match. After all, when quality fails (as it inevitably will every once in awhile), that’s where customer service should kick in, right?

Wrong. That’s when the wheels fell off.

Not only were Sony’s customer service policies not conducive in any way to the needs of small businesses (e.g., send us your laptop for God-only-knows-how-long with no loaner, we don’t transfer software or data, etc.), it was clear that no one within their customer service hierarchy (I was transferred to three different locations, including a final, immensely disappointing stop at “national” customer service) was empowered to actually provide CUSTOMER SERVICE. I was quoted “policy,” chapter and verse.

That’s why I’m typing this blog on my new non-Sony computer. So long Sony…  As much as my heart breaks over what might have been between us, you’ve made it crystal clear that you’re better off without me.

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Posted by Karen Morales on 02/03 at 09:01 AM
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Hi Karen,

Regarding brand loyalty, I couldn’t help but post a cudo for my recent experience with Disney.  A recent visit to the park in Ca. was a disaster.  (over crowded and sold out! You can imagine the crowds)  I simply submitted an email with my story to the guest relations department and they offered me replacement tickets valued at about $400.  If you have ever visited a Disney park,  then you realize the quality experience, and customer service they are bound and determined to deliver.  There is no danger of this brand disappearing,  like some mentioned in the previous article; But we could all take lessons from their “guest relations” department and training to improve our own business experience.  They listened to my complaint, and made ammends in a way I did not expect, but was pleasantly surprised. 

Thanks for sending me the blog info,  I’m always glad to hear from you!

Linda Halleran
HalleranInsurance.com

Posted by Linda  on  02/04  at  10:39 PM

Indeed! Disney is a class act, through-and-through. Thanks for sharing your story. As I noted in my blog—statistically speaking, quality will inevitably fail at some point. That’s when customer service needs to kick in to support the brand and its product. Cool example—love ya!

Posted by K  on  02/04  at  11:35 PM

Karen,

Although I was disappointed you didn’t say you finally converted to a computer operating system named after a fruit, I got over that quickly. You got me thinking about this product loyalty phenomenon. I’m the opposite from you; I’m promiscuous with products, allured by various aspects that appeal to my latest whim. There are, however, three things I’ve remained loyal to:
- Apple computers
- my husband
- Hershey’s dark chocolate

Things and people have to earn my respect—and work hard at it!! (BTW, you’ve earned it)

May your new computer serve you well smile

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  02/04  at  11:37 PM

Thanks Brenda! I truly appreciate your loyalties—especially the Hershey’s ...and don’t worry, I have my fruit! Live well, talk soon.

Posted by K  on  02/04  at  11:42 PM

Oh, so sad. Hate to say it, but customer service is something that too many computer companies can’t comprehend these days. I, too, don’t embrace change easily, but sometimes, gotta do it! Good luck.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  02/05  at  07:17 AM

Soooo what did you end up getting? And please for the love of all that is holy, tell me it at least has one of the incredible Intel processors inside. Preferably a Core i5 or i7 model.

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  02/05  at  11:55 AM

Karen, I loved that post…and by the title I was convinced it was heading towards a sad ending!
You’re a great writer; it was a rather captivating piece for simply conveying that you switched laptops!

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  02/05  at  04:23 PM

You described me to a T.  I try to give people an opportunity to correct a situation, but once scorned, I never go back!

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  02/05  at  09:24 PM

Yes, Connie dear—I am happily pecking away on a computer with a Core i5…  grin

Posted by K  on  02/06  at  10:09 AM

Karen, I probably fall into that same category of customer loyalty as you. I feel like I’m cheating if I try a different brand of a product.
I think there must be something about computer companies that think you can’t live without them. I was a loyal Dell customer. Even when most of my coworkers had Apples, I stuck with my Dell. I started having problems and couldn’t get anyone at customer service to help me. I had a hard time just trying to talk to someone in the U.S. who could understand my problem. After writing what I felt was a constructive feedback email and receiving nothing back, I switched brands. There are still times I miss the comfort of Dell, but at that point it was matter of principle.
Why do companies make it hard to be loyal?!

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  02/10  at  05:28 PM

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Tiger, Tiger Woods Y’all

You knew it was coming! I can’t possibly pass up the chance to write about the current drama that is unfolding right before our eyes; after all Tiger Woods is everywhere.

As I was in line at the grocery store today I was reading the magazine covers with headlines like “Yes, he cheated,” “Tiger in Trouble,” “Tiger Woods World Exclusive,” and “Tiger’s Secrets and Lies.” Just now I searched for “Tiger Woods” in Google News and it came up with more than 80,000 results posted in the last hour. There’s one of two scenarios taking place here: one, people have way too much time on their hands to follow Tiger and his cubs around; or two, this is a legitimate news story. But when does it become excessive?

Now, I am not defending what he did by any means, but it is amazing to me how fast something personal (that should have stayed behind closed doors, literally) was spread through the media like wildfire. In a matter of a few days, the Tiger Woods scandal was the only thing people were talking about and as more and more women came forward, the more and more media attention it received. All of this media attention, and his grass-is-greener attitude, has ruined the reputation and career of one of the best sports figures of all time in a matter of two weeks.

As a public figure, Tiger’s poor choices not only affected himself and his family. It affected the golf industry, his sponsors, his fans and the companies he endorses. Not all companies are bailing on him; Nike is standing by their man and riding out the storm. Tiger’s wallet has taken a slight hit, but his “indefinite” hiatus from golf has surely hit him and the PGA the hardest of all.

Being a spokesperson comes with a lot of responsibility. Any miscommunication can affect the organization you represent. It is important when speaking to stakeholders and the media to always be thinking of the overall mission of your organization in order to communicate messages efficiently and accurately. Keep in mind that media feeds on scandal and any, um, slip of the tongue, will be what captures the audience.

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Posted by Liz Viscardi on 12/16 at 08:53 AM
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Turkey, Touchdowns and Time Management

‘Tis the season for giving thanks! This week marks a time when we gather with friends and family to enjoy a day full of turkey, touchdowns and tradition. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays; many memorable family get-togethers have taken place around the dinner table on this last Thursday in November. I love helping my mom stuff the turkey and experiment with new pie recipes (this year it’s a Pumpkin Pecan Pie) - everything right down to my Dad’s world-famous martinis that close out the evening every year. And I’ll admit it; I still get up early to watch the entire Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in my PJs.

While my memories of Thanksgiving are warm, fuzzy and soft all over, my mother’s reminiscences are slightly coated in stress and anxiety, complete with a side of pressure. Albeit a fantastic chef and cooking veteran, my mom is someone who admittedly struggles with dealing with the pressure of the holidays, especially when it comes to hosting Thanksgiving for a small army of family and friends. Even after decades of cooking for other people, it is still a feat for her to manage her time when preparing for the grand production known as Thanksgiving at the Trusty household.

Thanksgiving, and the art of cooking in general, is a true exercise in time management, a skill area in which I think even the highest level executives sometimes struggle. So in celebration of Thanksgiving this year, I’ve pulled together a few tips (with the help of the Mayo Clinic) on how to manage your time and stress level – whether you’re hosting a holiday get-together or running your own small business.

Plan each day – Write a to-do list for the day ahead and put the most important tasks at the top.

Prioritize your tasks – Prioritizing will ensure you spend your time and energy on tasks that are truly important to you.

Delegate – Take a look at your to-do list and determine what you can pass off to someone else.

DIRTFT – Do It Right The First Time – it’s a mantra by which CIG lives. Take the time to do a quality job the first time around. While it may take more time upfront, errors usually result in time consuming corrections.

Break tasks into manageable chunks – Work on larger (dreaded) tasks a few minutes each day. Once you get started you may find you can finish them.

Dare to say no – You know your limitations. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, say no to nonessential tasks. Consider your goals and schedule before you agree to take on additional work.

Limit distractions – Block out time for big, priority projects. Limit distractions by turning your phone on silent and closing your office door.

Take a break when needed – Too much stress can get the best of you. When you need a break, take one.

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On behalf of CIG have a safe and happy Thanksgiving! I hope these tips will help you manage your time so you can enjoy what’s really important this holiday season.

And remember… if all else fails, just be sure to get the wine!

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Posted by Megan Rees on 11/25 at 08:58 AM
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2009’s Pet Rock

Zhu Zhu Pets – ever heard of them? No? Well you will.

Remember 1984 and the Cabbage Patch Kid? Or how about 1997’s Tickle Me Elmo craze? Consumer analysts are predicting the same type of hype this Christmas surrounding the new Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters (pronounced zoo-zoo for those of you not in the know). So how does one toy become the “elusive present” and another not? Simple – marketing, branding and creating a “buzz.”

One trip to the Zhu Zhu Pets Web site and you are told up-front, “Zhu Zhu Pets hamsters are among the most sought after toys this holiday season and are quickly selling upon arrival in stores.” Well, after reading that I know my child is going to want the most sought after gift, and I certainly want to win parent of the year.  So my children must wake up Christmas morning with a pet hamster underneath the Christmas tree!

Here is the first lesson in creating a buzz – make your toy the most sought after and then have only short supplies of it. Don’t be fooled, retailing giants use their considerable tools and resources to figure out what toys are going to be hot and then proceed to create a buzz around them. In fact, I spoke with a manager at Wal-Mart who stated that Zhu Zhu Pets were being shipped in limited supply until after Thanksgiving and that they were only being shipped to small town stores in order to make them more “elusive.” While this may be a bit deceitful – it can also be viewed as smart marketing.

Dan Fishback, CEO of DemandTec, a company that studies consumer behavior scientifically, said even the idea that a toy can be hard to get can stimulate demand. He adds, “It is less about the toy and more about how it is positioned.” Again – marketing. As for Zhu Zhu Pets, which has done little advertising to spur its big build-up, Fishback states, “I think it’s great marketing… They’re creating the buzz without spending any money on advertising.”

So what lessons can businesses learn from these little Zhu Zhu Pets? Word of mouth is one of the strongest allies a business can have. Especially today with all the social networking available, getting your name or product out there is easier than ever.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of perception. When you Google Zhu Zhu Pets you may find some strategically placed press releases about these “hot, must have” toys. You can be your own best advertiser by crafting messages that help shape people’s perception.

FYI – I have my three Zhu Zhu Pets and I am hoping for that Parent of the Year Award in my stocking! Happy Holidays.

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Posted by Laurie Meza on 11/24 at 08:32 AM
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The funniest toy I ever saw was actually a bogus product, parody of tickle me elmo - the new tickle me emo smile I laughed for half an hour when I first saw it.

Posted by Hay Feeders  on  12/06  at  04:47 PM

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If Mini Ballerinas Taught Business Seminars

My 6-year-old daughter recently joined a competitive dance program called Petite Company after begging for two years. Last year, I said no – primarily because I didn’t think she was ready, but also because I envisioned some sort of Toddlers & Tiaras scenario. As a former spelling bee champion and band nerd, that really wasn’t my thing. But, dance is her thing, and I figured it was better than being in front of the TV, so I relented.

I was not prepared for the life skills this would teach my child and how impressed I would be with these little people. The lessons in teamwork in that studio can (and should) be translated into the business world. So, I’ve decided I’m taking this show on the road. I’m going to figure out a way to get all 20 of them on the CIG payroll to teach business seminars on the subject. If little ballerinas taught a business workshop on teamwork, I think it would go something like this.

If you have a collective goal, work your tail off to accomplish it.
This is self-explanatory, but no one knows how to do it better than these young ones. With added rehearsals for an upcoming show, they train almost 10 hours a week with no complaints. Of course, this is on top of homework and school, and all of them are expected to get good grades or they can’t be part of the program. Work ethic is being instilled early, and slacking by any team member is not tolerated.

Work on projects you love or make the ones you don’t love fun.
Here is where I think every one of these kids is being deceived (Shhhh! Don’t tell them! They don’t know this is work). I think if you told them they were “working” four days a week, every single child would be out of there faster than you can say “jazz hands.” They’re there because they love it, and it shows in the way they work together.

Unwavering support is essential to a good team.
When Shyann (who is a little dance prodigy) gets a lead role in a number, there is no jealousy. The whole group is genuinely happy for her, and they know there is a place for every one of them in the dance. They also know if they want a bigger part, they should study her, figure out how she does it and work hard to develop the same skills.

Know one another’s strengths and weaknesses and use them for the appropriate project.
I call them ballerinas, but they train in ballet, tap, hip hop, lyrical, jazz and tumbling. Some of the kids have natural grace and can glide with ease in ballet. Others can shake their booties (my child) like no other in hip hop. There is a place for all of them to shine, and while they train in all the disciplines, they don’t force a natural booty-shaker to play the lead role in a ballet.

Every team needs a strong leader and decision-maker.
In this case, it is the phenomenal teachers who are firm but loving. These kids know the rules, and they know it doesn’t matter how naturally gifted you are, you will be kicked out if you don’t follow them. I can’t imagine what would happen if there was any chink in that armor. Kids can smell fear. It would be chaos.

No matter how big the mistake, smile and maybe no one will notice.
They smile through costume malfunctions, falls, trips and forgotten steps. They just keep smiling. I have no doubts that if they were in charge of a PowerPoint projector that just wouldn’t work during a huge presentation, they would smooth it over with grace and dignity.

There is very little that a rhinestone gun and some glitter can’t fix.
Okay, this one might not translate as well in the corporate world, but hey, have you tried it? Imagine if we gave every CEO or Project Manager a Bedazzler. Can you really tell me it wouldn’t make even the most hardened professional smile a little?

So, get ready for the workshop. I might call it Tiaras & Teamwork. Until then, I can’t wait to spend this year cheering every last one of them (not just my child) on in competitions and performances.

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Posted by Kristi Estes on 11/24 at 08:25 AM
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What is Pumpkin Chopping?

Communication goes hand in hand with interpretation. For example, what would you think if I said “I am going to a pumpkin choppin’?” Would you think I am making pork chops with pumpkins (like my friend Mark)? Or would you think that I am destroying pumpkins?

If you thought the latter of the two, you are correct. It is annual event held a friend’s house the weekend after Halloween, when pumpkins are plentiful. Everyone brings their leftover Jack-O-Lanterns and has a heyday with them – we slice, smash, stomp and utterly destroy them. It is a great stress reliever and good for the environment, as all the pumpkin bits are donated to local compost piles.

The power of interpretation was made clear this week when CIG participated in a teambuilding exercise. The exercise started by splitting the group into two teams. In a glorified game of “telephone,” we were required to communicate with fellow team members on how to replicate a structure using Tinker Toys – without ever seeing it. When the outcome was revealed, the structures built by the two teams were drastically different, based on how the “builder” interpreted the instructions they were given.

The varying outcomes could be based on lack of communication or miscommunication, but it is important to realize that people interpret even simple instructions differently. What may seem like second nature to one, can be a bit more complex to another, and vice versa.

This exercise reminded all of us that, when communicating, it is best to break information down into smaller, more manageable nuggets of information before moving forward. I think this is a skill on which everyone can improve. It is so easy for someone that is close to a certain topic, industry or issue to forget that others are not as informed as they are. Sometimes it is best to take a step back and answer the fundamental questions, who, what, when, where and how.

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Posted by Liz Viscardi on 11/11 at 05:54 PM
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Sorry to Invoke Cinderella at a Time Like This

I’m not afraid to admit it – I’m a fan of Cinderella, the ‘80s glam rock band. So much so that in 1987, at the tender age of 10, I tried to screw my friend out of his “Night Songs” tape by surreptitiously replacing the master with a copy. Unfortunately for me, he discovered the switch. Fortunately, he later forgave.

This post, however, isn’t about my questionable music taste or mistakes made during a misspent youth; it’s about emergency communications.

Outside the snow is really flying, which I suspect has contributed in large part to this morning’s complete lack of Internet access. I discovered this outage when I got to the office and remembered how helpless I tend to be in these situations. No Web research. No news sites. No tracking Web hits or media mentions of clients. Clunky e-mail, thanks only to my mobile, which seems, at this point, to still be working.

It’s the absence of a tool which we’ve all grown reliant upon that got my brain working in two directions – first, it led to me start humming Cinderella’s “Don’t Know What You Got [Til It’s Gone].” Then, with Tom Kiefer’s signature throaty vocals echoing in my mind, I started thinking about all the ways that technology helps us communicate, and all the ways (likely in the most inopportune times) that technology can fail us.

I’m thinking beyond the obvious and annoying reduction in business productivity, and tips such as regularly backing up the files on your computer. From a personal perspective, how prepared are you and your family to communicate if technology really breaks down?

In a scenario with a major widespread power outage, this means no heat, no light, no cell phone towers or landlines and, of course, no precious Internet access. It’s not hard to find good ideas online so you are prepared, but here are three things that I’d recommend you consider from an emergency communications perspective:

Radio
Be in a position to remain informed about developments in any emergency situation. Perform a search on “hand-crank NOAA radio” and find one that meets your needs and budget. The hand-crank part is important, as you won’t be able to rely on batteries or electrical power in an emergency.

Wallet Cards
For some things, going “analog” is best. This is true when it comes to contact information of select friends and family. Instead of relying on the phone book in your cell phone (that will be worthless after a couple days without a charge), carry a wallet card of family members’ contact information in your wallet. Also, designate a family member or trusted friend at least 75 miles away who can assist with relaying communications among family members if telecommunications fails in your area.

Rally Point
In a worst-case scenario, communications will be down and families will be spread across a wide area. Establish and agree upon two rally points that will serve as default family gathering places – one local and one far away to make sure there are alternatives to cover multiple contingencies.

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A little thought and planning now can have you avoid singing another Cinderella song in an emergency – “Somebody Save Me.”

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Posted by Matt Wittern on 10/28 at 10:17 AM
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The Theft of Social Media

Imagine walking out of your house to go to work, car keys in one hand, coffee in the other, ready to step into your car – but wait… there’s no car! What would your first action be? First, call the police; second, call insurance; third, log onto craigslist.org?

This might not be your first train of thought, but when my brother’s car was stolen recently that was exactly what he did. Following the calls to the police and his insurance company, he placed an ad on craigslist.org and a few local “Toyota 4Runner enthusiast” sites. The ads were complete with photos and all the details from the theft the night before. Within minutes, people were e-mailing him with their plans to help find the car. About 9 p.m. the day after the car was stolen, I received a call from my brother.

“Can you drive me to my car? Someone found it behind their house,” he said.

After a 20-minute drive and a few suspicious questions from the police officer, we stumbled upon the car. Not only was it the right car, it was still in the same condition. The police were slightly baffled that one, it wasn’t stripped for parts; two, it was cleaner that he had left it (another story); and three, it was found through a few ads on social media sites.
This may not be the typical way to use social media, but it is just one more benefit. The community of social media becomes the eyes and ears of the users. Since the community is so spread out, yet connected with similar interests, it becomes its own search team.

Just this weekend, I received an invitation on Facebook to a group called “Lost Dog!!!” It was a cry for help from a high school classmate whose dog ran away in Denver. He used Facebook to post photos and details of the dog to help track him down. The dog was found and returned home without any major problems.

With these two success stories, and millions more out there, it demonstrates the dynamic uses of social media. What once was just a means of posting photos and connecting with friends has become even more powerful – a crucial communication tool.

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Posted by Liz Viscardi on 10/26 at 11:00 AM
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Calm, Cool and Comedic

I walked into a project meeting at a client’s office last week and was greeted by a lovely receptionist who offered me a cup of coffee. Accepting her offer, I took a sip of the coffee and set the mug on the table in front of me. Written on the mug was the phrase: “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it.” Known as the “90/10 Principle,” the phrase resonated with me from a PR and crisis communication perspective.

In our line of work, we deal with our fair share of crises, and as a PR practitioner, I have an innate interest in the ways various people and companies handle disaster. While the art of crisis communication (yes, it is an art…) has no manual, the one common thread across all successful methods of dealing with crisis is the ability to make the best of a bad situation. 

That being said, let’s talk about our old friend, David Letterman. In case you missed it, on the Oct. 1 episode of “Late Night,” Letterman addressed a live audience and millions of viewers regarding a blackmail case involving sexual relations with his female staffers, joking through what easily could have been a public relations catastrophe.

Letterman has since been commended, even praised, for the way he handled the situation. So what makes this “sex scandal” so different from all the others we’ve seen from the likes of Bill Clinton, former North Carolina Senator John Edwards and most recently South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford? I’ll gladly argue that it all boils down to good, strategic crisis communication. Instead of taking a reactive approach a la Edwards and Sanford, Letterman proactively addressed the situation before it hit the news. He was able to take control by being the first person to admit fault (rather than claiming innocence, “I did not have sexual relations with that woman…”) and made the best of a rather unpleasant situation by using laughter as a tool to transform an embarrassing, uncomfortable topic into comedic fodder and win over his audience. 

The point to take home is that crisis is unavoidable – bottom line. In life and work, we will all encounter unexpected and sometimes catastrophic events. What we can do is be prepared before they happen, be in control when they do and understand that the outcome depends almost entirely on the way we respond to them.  After all, life is only 10 percent what happens to you, and 90 percent how you react.

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Posted by Megan Rees on 10/23 at 08:31 AM
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How ‘bout them Broncos…?

Here we are fans, 6-0 into a season where most predicted – or at least mentally prepared for – our beloved Denver Broncos to possibly be in the opposite equation at this stage of the game.

Now, I never thought that, mind you, but I’m what you would call a true fan. The kind that bleeds orange and blue. The kind whose family has held Broncos season tickets since 1968. In fact, I start every season with the fervent belief that the Broncos are destined for Super Bowl victory. Hey – I’ve only been wrong 95 percent of the time…

That said, I was a tad suspect when the big change came down from Bowlen Central: Out with Shanahan; In with McDaniels. Then came the showdown between the rookie head coach and the would-be/could-be career QB Jay Cutler. (Let’s face it, he was the only guy we gave a chance to, after a suitable mourning period over John’s retirement…)

Follow that with the closed-door media approach, the Brandon Marshall brou-ha-ha and the pre-season losses stacking up. Let’s just say I was a pretty lonely Super Bowl advocate going into game one of the regular season.

I’m not so lonely anymore.

So what happened? Also a huge fan of the Colorado Rockies, I had observed the same phenomenon earlier this year, when they yanked Hurdle – a mere two years removed from his infamous World Series run in 2007, replacing him with Manager Jim Tracy. The upshot – the Rox take off like a rocket and give the National League a run for its money, with the best season second half in their history.

Veteran Manager Jim Tracy and newcomer Coach McD have something in common – both leaders care more about what happens inside their respective teams than outside their teams, and it shows. Each established rock-solid internal communication, including clearly defined expectations and objectives, and a laser-like focus to the task at hand – Winning.

Both coaches identified this goal and built their communication (and their teams) around it – focusing on the goal and the path to reaching it. The transformation for both teams appeared seemingly overnight.

So what’s in it for us? Two key things these coaches remind us about:

1. Your internal audience is your most important audience – without their support, your organization simply can not be successful, no matter how well you communicate with customers.
2. Establish a single, clearly defined goal, and build all communication from there.

Oh yeah, and how much fun it is to win.

Thanks Coach McD – see you at the Super Bowl!

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Posted by Karen Morales on 10/20 at 09:01 PM
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Nice column—hey, mind if I quote you in my PR column? Good stuff here!

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)  on  10/21  at  11:46 AM

I with you agree. In it something is. Now all became clear, I thank for the help and I hope to see more such articles.

Posted by Callie  on  11/11  at  12:07 PM

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