This post comes indirectly through one of my dear friends and colleague, Theresa Stephen. As we are both New Yorkers, living in Toronto, Canada, we often share info about what is happening there— although we’re focused on different industries.
Read the rest of this entry »

I think one of the most important things we tell our customers is that the online initiatives that everyone must now participate in, must be integrated with offline and in-store marketing channels where applicable. Integrated is the key here.

Read the rest of this entry »

Seth Godin is so amazing—his posts are too the point and he ALWAYS gives you reason to pause and think.

I thought this post from today was so brilliant I couldn’t wait to post it. Everyone—in most aspects of what they do—is constantly searching for time instead of making decisions that will give them more time. When the facts and evidence lay before you and the decision is clear, most people will wait and mull over all the angles that are distinctly outlined rather than stopping and just making a decision: Yes or No.
Read the rest of this entry »

Happy Earthday Everyone.  I have been talking about customer engagement since I began this blog.  For most brands the goal is to sustain continuous, ongoing relationships with customers.  Listening to and engaging with your consumers will allow you to actively be able to solve the challenges and concerns they have in their lives and fulfill those needs—bringing about change that will enhance their life. And in doing so, have them commit to an ongoing relationship with you. Better yet, they’ll share who you are—what you do and how YOU helped them—with others.
Read the rest of this entry »

Tomorrow is Earth Day! How will you mark the day? I am planting 6 different types of tomatoes as a new hobby gardener! I am using an environmently friendly, hormone and pestiside free fertilizer called Rootblast and another called Tomatoblast which is specifically for tomatoes. Both are safe for your familly and pets!  As someone who is passionate about my health and tries to eat natural and healthy foods—to grow my own vegetables or fruit…think there is still a debate as to where the tomato falls—is very exciting.
Read the rest of this entry »

Today I had lunch with a new potential client. He has a successful business but is looking to grow and educate his customers on a product that does have some challenges in its brand perception. He came to me to discuss the possiblity of creating and implementing a strategy that would provide a forum for engagement and education but was so FEARFUL of failure.
Read the rest of this entry »

I am have just finished watching Larry King and yes Larry is now on twitter. His guests were Ashton Kutcher and P Diddy and they were talking about the benefits of twitter and why they tweet. As you all know I write about social media daily - it’s benefits, the  interesting people leading the way and why YOU must get on board and engage your community, customers, clients, friends etc.
Read the rest of this entry »

When it comes to my understanding of “Social Media” (or should I be saying, Social Networking Communities) one of the pivotal sources of information for me was a book entitled, Groundswell. The authors, Josh Bernoff and Christine Li, were both at Forrester Research and they really clarified this new digital medium for me while providing a spectacular argument, with many case studies sited for reference, to substantiate its relevance and the importance to engaging NOW.
Read the rest of this entry »

Yes, it is April 2009 and I have been writing about social media for months now…..including Twitter. There are many who are still asking me…….what is Twitter? I know what it is as in I have looked at it but…..what is it? How does it work and how can it help me or my company?
Read the rest of this entry »

I think this is a familiar place for all of us. You are at an event, party, business meeting, networking event…almost anywhere and the conversation inevitably always moves towards the age old question. What do you do? For those who work for a company, it’s a question that’s somewhat easier to answer—you can always quickly recite your role as described by your title and job description. But for business owners, coming up with the answer is a vital skill. This 2 minute pitch is your chance to captivate your audience and sell your product, your service, your company and YOURSELF.
Read the rest of this entry »