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April 26, 2010
Once upon a time in a time and space far distant from our own, I used to work for 3M, a company famed far and wide for its innovation.
Inside 3M we were far less convinced of 3M’s innovative capabilities than seemingly those who had read the publicity, but it was clear that 3M in its first 75 years had been ground-breaking, commercialising one landmark innovation after the other in a relentless, if never smooth, sequence.
The insight that 3M had from around 1920 was that all landmark innovation is not a risk, but a gamble. The chances of success cannot be calculated. However, there is a formula which 3M used. Identify a whole bunch of crazies, fire them up, tell them to break every rule, and taunt them with the idea that their obsessively cherished baby of an invention will never, ever be born unless they go through hell and back again.
That really gets the manic juices going.
The truth is, though, that while a small-to-medium sized company can handle a bunch of out-and-out whackos, it is untenable for a massive mega-corporation to do the same with 70,000 employees, which is why those sorts of companies nearly always buy in landmark innovations from elsewhere. Continue reading Didn’t that use to be a bookshop?
April 7, 2010
Posted by Muhammad Cohen in: Accountability, Cap and Trade, Commentary, Communications, Congress, Current Events, Democrat, Healthcare, Marketing, Medical, Republican, Travel
 Republicans were for healthcare insurance mandates before they were against them – and the Obama White House missed it. [...]
December 9, 2009
You know how you pick up a bestseller and the first few pages are packed with good reviews.
As a reader I think “Cannot be a bad book, then,” although as it is a bestseller you can never be too sure.
As a writer I think “How the hell did they achieve that logistically?”
Not wishing to boast any more than is persuasive, I get plenty of readers telling me they like my books (and of course a few who tell me that I am the worst writer since …. no, that I’m simply the worst writer ever), but can you get the people who like your books to formally review them? It is very difficult and I am not yet shameless enough – although I am getting there – to ask poor innocent friends to get onto Amazon and declare what they think of me.
However, I now have the solution to this problem and it took me only seven days to achieve it. I am going to show you the results for one of my books first, then, and more importantly to you, I am going to tell you how you can get the same thing without that much effort and for no cost beyond invested time and the excruciation of being nice to strangers (most of whom are fairly friendly back too). Continue reading How to get lots of good reviews!
November 19, 2009
Like most artists I would prefer making a living from my art. For the majority of us that never happens and we have to make do with professions outside of the creative. Sometimes we get lucky and land a job we enjoy. Sometimes we land a position that is beyond rewarding. I know I am one of the lucky ones since I get to play Santa 52 weeks a year. Continue reading The Coolest Job
November 4, 2009
Have you been wondering how not to make marketing blunders when it comes to your website and online? [...]
October 28, 2009
Have you been wondering how to market yourself? How about how to market a business? I discovered there’s a way to help market yourself that many people seem to overlook. [...]
October 14, 2009
What are your customers saying about your products or services? Are you sharing your customer testimonials with your future customers and clients? [...]
September 23, 2009
Today any and everyone can create a web presence online overnight. Yes! You can have a web presence overnight. However the key is this, doing it right. [...]
September 18, 2009
As stated in SWI Roots http://www.speakwithoutinterruption.com/site/swi-roots/ I have no credentials or experience to have started our Speak Without Interruption Online Magazine. I just had an idea – and with the tremendous help of my Son-in-law plus the writers who took a chance on an unknown site – we are experiencing an ever increasing audience [...]
September 3, 2009
Posted by Author 101 in: Advice, Book Marketing Online, Books, Creative Writing, Fiction, Freelance Author, Journalism, Literature, Marketing, Poetry, Publishing, Short Stories, The Writer's Corner, Writing Essentials
When you are ready to publish your book, how many copies should you order? The numbers may surprise you. [...]
September 3, 2009
Posted by Prentiss Gray in: Attitude, Communications, Diet, Entertainment, Freelance Author, Global Warming, Health & Fitness, Humor, Lifestyle, Marketing, Motivation, Non-Fiction, Sociology, Television, The Media, Uncategorized
Is it a problem that negative journalism is read, viewed, discussed more than positive reporting? Well, more viewers means more money and as a race, it would seem that we are more attracted to the negative than the positive.
Just a few nights in front of the TV around any election will demonstrate to the viewer that when money is being spent, it’s the negative ads that get made. This is a good measure of effectiveness of the “right type” of marketing. Consultants and campaign managers are paid to win campaigns, they have to use what sells in order to be effective. Their overwhelming choice; a good smear campaign. Everyone can name their favorite, there is almost no need cite examples.
The news media also knows this key strategy, in the form of “bad news sells.” We only have to count the number of bad news stories as compared to good news stories to see. What’s the average, 98 to 1? Which is why morning news/entertainment shows all vie for the worst (read “best”) stories they can find. They have an insatiable appetite for fires and floods, murders and kidnappings, and bad war news. Even the so-called entertainment segments of the programs cover only the best fear producing topics. Are you being ripped off at the store? Why you are more likely than the next guy to die at an early age (insert too fat, too sedentary, bad diet, bad genes, bad habits).
Of course, that brings us to the latest media love affair, reality medical shows. Doctors giving advice and commentary, on all the medical or psychological problems we may have. Medical fear mongering for the “snake fascinated” audience. Continue reading It pays to be mean
August 26, 2009
 Branding: It’s Not Just For Cows
by Peggy Klaus
Personal branding is an essential element of establishing your reputation in the business world and distinguishing yourself from the herd. It’s how we convey our core values, highlight our talents, and present our agenda to others.
 Whether you are an entrepreneur or a corporate warrior, nurturing an established career or hunting for that first job, you need to take charge of how others perceive you by cultivating your own distinctive brand. Bosses, colleagues, and clients are constantly forming opinions about you. What do you want them to be thinking and feeling?
As a workplace communication trainer and executive coach, my clients often tell me that they conceal their individuality on the job in order to be taken more seriously. They are convinced that their real self is too lighthearted (or too quirky, or too artistic, or too comical, or too passionate, or too fill-in-the-blank) to reveal at work. They believe that by leaving their personality outside the office door, they will come across as more “professional.” But the way to capture the minds and hearts of those around you is by sharing—not hiding—your unique characteristics and life experiences.
When I first started my training company, I feared my days in the corporate world would be numbered if clients knew that I came from Hollywood instead of Wall Street! But I soon discovered they were fascinated by my experiences in the entertainment world and appreciated the same personal
qualities in me that had brought success in my previous career.
The Evolution of the KLAUS & ASSOCIATES Cow Logo Continue reading Branding: It’s Not Just For Cows
August 19, 2009
Today, I’m sharing with you symptoms that are harming to many entrepreneurs, authors and small business. [...]
August 13, 2009
Act like an Entrepreneur, Even If You Aren’t One:
Bragging and Branding Your Way Through the Recession
by Peggy Klaus
 Anxiety is running rampant. Everyone is feeling it—anxiety about job security (or lack thereof), anxiety about the current economic climate, anxiety about the future of the country and even the world. You probably don’t need a career coach to point out the obvious and tell you that when it comes to surviving this slowdown, the old rules no longer apply. The reality is that our economy is undergoing a major sea change and we must change with it if we don’t want to drown. That’s why resting on your pre-economic crisis laurels won’t keep you afloat.
So how do you make yourself stand out in today’s unprecedented environment? Start off by reframing the way you view your position. Prior to the recession, you may have given little thought to the company’s bottom line, unless doing so was part of your job description. Nowadays, keeping the company’s bottom line on the top of your mind is vital to job security. Make certain you are seen as someone who brings in clients or sales, who finds solutions to problems, and who constantly looks for ways to make the company more efficient. Act as if it’s your own business, even if it’s not. In other words, think of yourself as an entrepreneur!
I think most business owners would agree that one of the hardest aspects of being out on their own is having to promote their company and themselves on a moment’s notice. But the successful ones know that pitching a prospective client or venture capitalist, talking to a journalist, and spreading the word about the company to family, friends or even the guy mowing his lawn down the street are the surest ways to maximize exposure without spending a dime. So whether you are looking for a job or trying to keep the one you already have, think like an entrepreneur and learn to promote your most valuable product—you! Continue reading Act like an Entrepreneur, Even If You Aren’t One: Bragging and Branding Your Way Through the Recession
July 16, 2009
Have you screamed, “I need traffic to my website!”? With over 500 million Google searches taking place daily: How do you get traffic to your website? [...]
July 10, 2009
By Jack B. Rochester
 Tuesday night, June 9, Boston: cold, spitting rain, the Red Sox playing the Yankees at Fenway. Instead, I went to see a band called The Decemberists at the Bank of American Pavilion. A tent, really, dry but not warm. Robyn Hitchcock and his mates tried to warm up the audience, but it took the poofs of smoky mist and the appearance of 34-year-old Colin Meloy and his band to do the trick.
It did. The crowd of about 5,000 was on their feet about fifteen minutes into the performance and remained standing throughout.
I looked around: lots of young people, of course, most of whom wore jeans and short haircuts but no nose rings or colored Mohawks. Quite a few older people, making this 64-year-old feel not so out of place.
What amazed me was the power of this album to draw these people out. We sat next to a thirty-something marketing guy named Ken, whose doctor-wife was otherwise busy and, on a whim, mostly because he really loves this album and this band, decided to attend.
Released in April, “The Hazards of Love” debuted at the South By Southwest music festival in March. This extraordinary piece of music: a rock opera, a novel set to music, a concept album – whatever tag you may wish to hang about its neck – is by any measure an extraordinary artistic creation. It tells the story of a maiden named Margaret and her lover, William, who navigate the shoals and breakers of life in the era of Middle English, the land and times of Sir Lancelot and Guinevere, and Romantic Love. Continue reading “Getting” Market Segmentation
July 10, 2009
Posted by Author 101 in: Advice, Business, Business Management, Economic Crisis, Economics, Education, Finance, General Topics, Inspiration & Motivation, Internet Advice, Interview, Literature, Marketing, Motivation, Non-Fiction, Opinion, Publishing, Self-Help, Social Issues, Technology, The Economy, Uncategorized, Women's Perspective, Working Women
Do you plan to give up your job and start a new business of your own? What would that take? What would be your new responsibilities? Probably more than you planned. In new business, your security is the biggest thing you give up. The idea of having a paycheck in the same amount you can count on every week is gone. The benefits you get now, your insurance, or whatever it is that you count on is gone. When you work for someone else you have set responsibilities, when you work for yourself, you are responsible for everything. Scary huh?
Failure? The myth that nine out of ten businesses close in their first year may or may not be completely true. According to more recent Dun and Bradstreet data, 76 percent of new companies were still in business after two years, 47 percent after four years, and 38 percent after six years. These estimates are substantially different than what is still commonly believed.
These business survival statistics are based on the number of new business licenses applied for each year, which are not renewed on following years. The licenses could be for a person selling crafts at the swap meet on Saturdays, or someone in a temporary business, or just as a tax shelter. Some of these “failed” businesses could have been sold or transferred to another individual. These estimates are hard to prove either way, but realistically, most new business does fail. Continue reading Start a Business? Are You Ready?
July 9, 2009
So you want to start a home based business now what?
You have made the decision to become an entreprenuer and start a home based business but with so many different comensation plans, products, established companies and start up businesses the choice can become a daunting task.
If you have been searching you will hear over and over again about all the money you can make in MLM, or network marketing. Yes, it is true you can achieve financial freedom in this industry however; why is it that only about 3% actually achieve the financial freedom when the other 97% either burn out or move on to the next latest greatest business opportunity.
So how do you become the MLM success story instead of the people who scream MLM is a scam. First MLM isn’t a scam to paraphrase J. Paul Getty give me 100 people giving 1% effort instead of me doing 100% effort. In essense you create leverage and when done properly it is a successful business realtionship for you and the people you attract to your home based business. Continue reading Donald Trump and Robert Kiyosaki endorse networking as a business. Do you have what it takes for this industry?
July 5, 2009
Posted by Author 101 in: Advice, Attitude, Business, Business Management, Cap and Trade, Economic Crisis, Economics, Education, Finance, General Topics, Habit Change, Inspiration & Motivation, Internet Advice, Interview, Lifestyle, Literature, Marketing, Men's Issues, Motivation, Self-Help, Social Aspects, Social Issues, The Economy, Uncategorized, Website Instructions, Women's Perspective, Working Women
No, we won’t begin with “Do you have a master’s degree?” Although education does matter, higher education is not a requirement for starting or succeeding in a new business. In fact, according to a 1992 United States Census Bureau report, only 5.3 percent of business owners have a Master’s degree or higher education. 9.4 percent had less than a high school education—some only up to the eighth grade. Oddly enough, only 17 percent had any business education. The founder of Dell Computers was a college dropout. Starting out of his garage, he managed to excel above all of the world’s top computer manufacturers. One in three computers sold today is a Dell.
What you will need is more commonly known as “street smarts” or common sense. In addition, you will need to have certain individual qualities, or personality traits. Most individuals who are successful in business and in “life” possess these traits. Take the quiz and see how many of the following questions you can answer with a confident “yes.” Continue reading Am I Ready to Start a Business? 10 personal questions to ask yourself before you commit
July 1, 2009
Almost everyone who has been marketing online knows that the lifeblood of book marketing and internet marketing is the traffic of a site. More visitors equal more sales. [...]
June 26, 2009
Posted by Antonio de la Vega in: Attitude, Communications, Democracy, Governance, Habit Change, Internet Advice, Journalism, Latino & Hispanic, Marketing, Mexico, Opinion, Politics, Social Aspects, Social Issues, Sociology, The Media
En estos días muy próximos a las elecciones intermedias en México, los temas de discusión central han sido el voto nulo y el voto blanco. Al buscar en Google la combinación exacta “voto nulo” obtenemos 495 mil referencias. Con la combinación “voto blanco”, 363 mil referencias. [...]
June 10, 2009
E-books are the future and the future is now. Have you been wondering how to write an ebook or how to make an ebook? [...]
May 20, 2009
Content is king. You can say that again. That is why writing articles is one of the most utilized Internet marketing medium today. Internet surfers just can’t get enough of information on various topics and subjects. Providing information through these articles is a surefire way to drive traffic to almost any website. [...]
May 14, 2009
SEO Strategies for Financial Websites
by David Leonhardt
Here are a few SEO tips specific to financial websites.
First, understand that people are very sensitive and possessive about their money. Your website has to ooze credibility if you want to convert traffic to customers. You probably know this already, but keep it in mind when you hire an SEO consultant. He or she needs to make sure that SEO changes do not reduce the credibility of the website.
Are you selling services locally or nationally/globally? If you are selling locally, there is no point fighting for national rankings. People will search for “bookkeeping southern California” if they need somebody local, and you have a fighting chance to rank for that search term. But the investment required to compete with all the other sites and outrank them for “bookkeeping” just isn’t worth it. Continue reading SEO Strategies for Financial Websites
May 13, 2009
by David Leonhardt
Have you ever been hard at work, doing what you do, and suddenly got struck by the immortal question – “What would Bugs Bunny do?” Me too. All the time. Well, if you are doing link-building, you are in luck, because here is what Bugs Bunny would do:
“What’s up, Doc?”
Bugs Bunny always introduces himself in way that leaves an opening for the other party to offer something useful. Such as a reciprocal link. Be friendly. Be informal. Be in the situation. Nobody pays attention to cut-and-paste link-exchange emails any more. Find a way to make yours both unique and personal.
“Carrots are divine… You get a dozen for a dime, It’s maaaa-gic!”
Link exchanges might be long, hard, boring work, but carrots are a totally different matter. For starters, they are orange. SEO carrots are often called “link bait” or “viral content”. If you have fun putting together useful, cool, different information, you have carrots – and carrots are maaaa-gic. Continue reading The Bugs Bunny Guide to Linkbuilding
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Books by SWI Contributors
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Public Relations and the World
Public Relations and the World
By Alan Caruba
PR Week publishes monthly editions in addition to its other news services and the July issue is devoted to “The most powerful people in PR.” All industries have their major players, so there is nothing surprising that public relations would also have its heavy hitters, but there are some interesting insights to be gleaned from the list of the twenty-five chosen.
I have plied the magic arts and crafts of public relations since the 1970s when I gave up the notion of ever making a decent living as a journalist. Journalism offers tons of ego satisfaction, but the pay was bad back then and, by comparison with other professions, not much better today.
The major players are, not surprisingly, the ones in charge of projecting and protecting a corporate “image”, otherwise known as perception. Number one on the list is Katie Cotton, the VP of worldwide corporate communications for Apple. She is teamed with Steve Jobs its cofounder and CEO because, together, they are the dynamic due of PR for a company that is testimony to American innovation and enterprise. It’s a very good choice. Continue reading Public Relations and the World