Casual Articles - Business

Be Prepared - Get an Emergency and Disaster Kit
When a disaster happens, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. Those that are prepared in advance with the correct supplies and action plan will inevitably be in a better position than those that do not. You should develop a unique action plan for each place that you and members of your family visit; this includes work, school, the gym and the homes of other members of your family.In the case of a disaster contacting other members of your family could be difficult. That is why you need to have a plan which will dictate where your family will meet in case of emergencies. As well as a place in your home, there should also be a place in your neighborhood in case there is any damage to your home or the circumstances mean

eers had access to details. Another practical component of a media kit is a customer list or testimonial sheet that includes several quotes about your product or service. Case studies from satisfied customers showcase how your company solves problems. While most journalists will uncover their own information, these quotes provide background and add a third party to your credibility. Reporters may call these sources for additional information or sidebar stories.

The who of media kits

Media kits can take on the personality of the business; a pizzeria, for example, might opt for a pizza box info holder, something that would be inappropriate for a medical concern. High resolution pictures (300 dpi is essential for print media) of key executives are appropriate; include a CD with several high resolution photos of an e

Key Elements For A Successful Marketing Plan
During my almost two-decade career in strategic marketing I’ve seen numerous marketing cases involving different products and services. A common element in all successful marketing stories has been an organized and effective marketing plan, which serves as the backbone for the product or service life cycle.A marketing plan should be a reference for all individuals involved with the project, including both employees and contractors. It should contain the core elements that keep launch and implementation in sync with the strategy. Obviously, it is not a static document. Revisions should be made at a minimum on a quarterly basis to incorporate the key learning during the process.Start with a good research plan for wh

After two years of construction dust, beams and hard hats seemed normal. Planning for an official grand opening week included scheduling tours, receptions and special events. Staff teams sifted through lists of dignitaries, vendors, neighbors, family and friends; they ordered the favors, organized menus and reviewed plans. When a reporter requested a media kit, the staff looked at each other blankly. No media kit existed.

The why of media kits

Media kits provide an abridged version of you and your business to many sources. From background to company highlights, media kits include information that may be of interest to those writing an article, producing or conducting an interview, or otherwise providing the public with features and facts. Online or digital press rooms serve as repositories on the web for all your press materials, downloadable and accessible 24/7. As David Meerman Scott author of “The New Rules of Marketing & PR” notes, “...when people want to know what’s current about an organization, they go to an online media room.”

Compiling your media kit takes organization and preparation. Like construction, it may feel chaotic while you’re putting it together. Outlining and producing this element of your company’s promotion guarantees peace of mind when you’re asked for information or interviewed by media. Elissa Breitbard, owner of Betty’s Bath and Day Spa in Albuquerque, spoke openly about her experience in building a media kit. “Once we pulled everything together it was as if we’d moved to a new level company-wide. After five years in business we’d finally arrived.”

The when of media kits

Any newsworthy event might result in a request for a media kit. Your business would be well served to have a package ready for any of these specific opportunities: Grand opening or ribbon cutting New product introduction Celebrity appearance Groundbreaking ceremony Partnership announcement Book publication Conference speaker Release of special report or survey results Preparation in the face of disaster is also good defense, although no one wants to think the worst. Last spring, for example, a major retailer experienced a fire at one location; media kits offered background information that would not otherwise have been available. As a result, the retailer got a behind-the-scenes story before the public.

The what of media kits

How do you decide what information to include? The answer is simple. Relevance rules. Begin with your most recent news release. Your release includes the five “w’s” and an “h”: who, what, when, where, why and how, woven into the story. ProfitMeister will tackle the “how” of news releases in another issue. Email me for my special tipsheet on preparing your news release. While few hard, fast rules exist, most public relations experts agree that your media kit must also include basics like a company brochure, product sheets, brief biographies and credentials of key personnel.

In addition, Fact Sheets (or FAQ’s) present “at a glance” information and are especially effective in a complex organization or multi-tiered event. One author published Fast Facts, a one sheet with talking points about her, her company and her book. A nonprofit organization posted Fact Sheets internally at phone stations to ensure that volunteers had access to details. Another practical component of a media kit is a customer list or testimonial sheet that includes several quotes about your product or service. Case studies from satisfied customers showcase how your company solves problems. While most journalists will uncover their own information, these quotes provide background and add a third party to your credibility. Reporters may call these sources for additional information or sidebar stories.

The who of media kits

Breaking Bureaucracy
Have you ever thought that your unconventional way of viewing the workplace tends to create cold sweat down the back of your boss? That is if he is a bureaucrat - a custodian of the status quo! It’s not really old fashioned shoes or light green krimpilene trousers that make your boss’s management style so outdated. It is his closed mindset, which passionately resists change and obsessively treasures policies and procedures. This is fertile breeding ground for complacency and killing creativity in a team!Achieving results are not at the top of the list for your boss. Whipping up a whirlwind of rules and regulations is. He embraces the company’s policy at the expense of everything else. Getting things done with speed and a

press materials, downloadable and accessible 24/7. As David Meerman Scott author of “The New Rules of Marketing & PR” notes, “...when people want to know what’s current about an organization, they go to an online media room.”

The when of media kits

The what of media kits

The who of media kits

Project Lifecycle Processes - Phase 3 – Delivery Phase
The purpose of the Delivery phase to design, develop, test, implement and hand over the solution identified in Phase 2, the Feasibility Study Phase.Key Players - The key players within the Delivery Phase are:the Business Sponsor who is responsible for providing overall direction of the project and for ensuring that periodic reviews or health checks are performed; the Sponsor's Representative who is responsible for representing the Business Sponsor on day-to-day matters and issues; the Project Manager who is responsibl

ent might result in a request for a media kit. Your business would be well served to have a package ready for any of these specific opportunities: Grand opening or ribbon cutting New product introduction Celebrity appearance Groundbreaking ceremony Partnership announcement Book publication Conference speaker Release of special report or survey results Preparation in the face of disaster is also good defense, although no one wants to think the worst. Last spring, for example, a major retailer experienced a fire at one location; media kits offered background information that would not otherwise have been available. As a result, the retailer got a behind-the-scenes story before the public.

The what of media kits

The who of media kits

Reality of Industry Associations
In the United States price collusion and predatory pricing are illegal. Yet if you look out to industry associations you often see groups of businesses beginning together and discussing pricing, sales strategies and method of operations. One could say this is price-fixing. Worse off agencies like the Federal Trade Commission often side with businesses in industry associations to work with them in self policing policies. One would suppose that this helps the Federal Trade Commission watch over an industry without spending much time or costs in enforcement.Unfortunately, for the consumer these industry associations often attack their own; that is to say the industry association and its members will go after the newcomer

th your most recent news release. Your release includes the five “w’s” and an “h”: who, what, when, where, why and how, woven into the story. ProfitMeister will tackle the “how” of news releases in another issue. Email me for my special tipsheet on preparing your news release. While few hard, fast rules exist, most public relations experts agree that your media kit must also include basics like a company brochure, product sheets, brief biographies and credentials of key personnel.

The who of media kits

Little Known Interview Tips That Put You Over The Top - Part 1
If you have been in the job market for any more than two weeks, there is an excellent chance you have read dozens of articles offering loads of general interviewing tips. As such, it is likely you already understand the importance of arriving 15 minutes early, giving a firm handshake, establishing eye contact, and wearing clean shoes (doesn't it sound like A broken record?)But what can you employ to set yourself apart from the competition? What important, little used details can you integrate into your interview strategy that can turn the interviewer into your advocate? In this first of two articles on non-conventional interview tips, we'll cover the time leading up to the interview itself."Case The Joint"W

The who of media kits

Many professional service providers publish a newsletter such as ProfitMeister; copies of past issues could be included in the media kit. Professional speakers may find it helpful to include audio as well as video; we suggest that demos be under the magic seven minute time limit.

The where of media kits

Your collection of materials needs to be grouped together to be complete. Its appearance must be clean, attractive and consistent with your company image. Have fun with the many choices in packaging. Most businesses elect to place all items in a two-pocket folder with their company label on the outside. Include a business card in the slot in the folder. As part of your checklist, be sure that each item in the kit includes current contact information; check all phone and fax numbers for accuracy and include website and email addresses. While this may seem redundant, it is critical that the professional be able to access your information quickly and easily.

The how of media kits

Hammering out written materials could require the services of a professional writer, graphic designer or photographer. However, it can also be effectively done in your own office using a program like Publisher or In-Design. Once you have developed your media kit, you may decide to add a press room to your website. The temptation to “pdf” all materials and have an immediate online duplication of your printed materials will be great. Consider your audience and remember that on the web, less is more. Conclusion If you’ve completed the process, relax. Enjoy the secure feeling that comes from being prepared and mark your calendar to update media kit materials on a quarterly basis.

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Apprentice electricians right out of school are in high demand and command a very high starting salary due to a shortage of supply in the job market. The trend over the last decade has been that people with an inclination towards studying and working with electricity have moved into computers and other related areas rather than the more nuts and bolts, old world style of electrical contracting.

Recently I visited a new car dealership, something millions of people in the United States do every month. Several weeks later I visited the Florida State Department of Motor Vehicles for a bit of license renewal. Contrasting the quality of these experiences says a lot about us as individuals, our conditioned acceptance of ineptitude and our limited appreciation for quality service.

Things go wrong. There are those 'bad' days, when whatever we touch seems to just not be right or work right. There is a simple test to this, for more, read on...

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Casual Articles - Media Kits Double as Hard Hats: Prepare Your Media Kit in Advance so You're Always Protected

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