Hi Folks,
I read an article from a nationally recognized economist who predicts that our recession will be "V-shaped" when discussed in the future. He said that we almost came out of it in August, but that negative news from our friends in the press made people think the worst was yet to come, so people stopped spending. Viola! Things got worse. Thank you news media.
The good news - this economist sees a reversal in the 1st half of 2009.
The January issue of No BS Marketing to the Affluent contained a short blurb titled "The Price of Panic". It was reported that when sales results were finally reported for "Black Friday" the day after Thanksgiving, sales were actually UP 3% over 2007.
Instead of telling us how great this was in the face of a growing recession, job losses, near collapse of the banking industry - the media report "smallest growth in years". Thanks again news media.
Since retailers were slashing prices 50% to 70% rather than their normal 30%, the growth could have been 6%. Think of all the dollars given away! Maybe some of our old household names would not be closing stores today? Maybe more folks would still have jobs?
The lesson taught here by Dan Kennedy is "The independent business owner needs to be very careful not to get caught up in such big, dumb company self-immolation". Amen, Dan!
Market to those in need of "the thing you sell". Do it smart and do it at a profit. Advertising huge "out of the norm" discounts will only cause you to give up money on what you would have sold anyway. It will not bring you new customers for life.
There are many ways to flourish in the new economy. Attend a local GKIC chapter meeting or call me to learn more.
Until next time,
Chuck Trautman
PS - Check out the website for my consulting business: www.goldcrownmarketingadvisors.com
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
What a Weekend!
Hi Readers,
After this weekend I am in "hog heaven". Living in paradise (Scottsdale, AZ) is great anytime, but wow.
I have not been playing much golf lately. But on Friday afternoon I played a 9 hole networking event with 30 people from the North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce. I met some great folks and played with a couple of fun guys, Jay Nielson and Peter McSorley, neither of whom I had met before.
We played at The Sanctuary, a desert course in great shape. Did I say it was 78 degrees? Definitely Chamber of Commerce weather!
On Saturday I got to play 18 holes with my daughter, Amy. Amy is a good player, a former college player in fact. She has not played since last summer because she was pregnant with Reese. We played at Sun City CC. I did not expect much, because well, it was Sun City. Was I ever in for a treat.
First, the course was a "Parksland" design as they say in Scotland. That means no desert - just grass and trees. Very rare for the Phoenix area.
Second, the course was tough. I gave it no respect going in. However the 3rd hole is a 201 yard par three where you you have to hit a slight cut around trees to get it to the green. That is when I realized this was not going to be a hit and giggle type round.
Third, we were able to walk! Again highly unusual in the Phoenix area. Did I say it was 82 degrees?
And fourth, playing with my daughter - always a treat!
On Sunday morning I did my volunteer work reading the newspaper for the blind on Sun Sounds of AZ radio. I was sure happy this was scheduled because I was really fired up about the AZ - Philly playoff game.
As we all know by now, the Cardinals shocked the world. The 4th quarter drive to win the game has to go down as the greatest drive in Cardinal history! Needless to say I am deliriously happy.
There is a business lesson here. The Cardinals have been extremely focused on success ever since the national experts said they had no chance in the playoffs. Thevisualized success and now are going to the Super Bowl.
The lesson? If you can see it, you can achieve it.
Until next time,
Chuck Trautman
www.nobsphx.com
After this weekend I am in "hog heaven". Living in paradise (Scottsdale, AZ) is great anytime, but wow.
I have not been playing much golf lately. But on Friday afternoon I played a 9 hole networking event with 30 people from the North Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce. I met some great folks and played with a couple of fun guys, Jay Nielson and Peter McSorley, neither of whom I had met before.
We played at The Sanctuary, a desert course in great shape. Did I say it was 78 degrees? Definitely Chamber of Commerce weather!
On Saturday I got to play 18 holes with my daughter, Amy. Amy is a good player, a former college player in fact. She has not played since last summer because she was pregnant with Reese. We played at Sun City CC. I did not expect much, because well, it was Sun City. Was I ever in for a treat.
First, the course was a "Parksland" design as they say in Scotland. That means no desert - just grass and trees. Very rare for the Phoenix area.
Second, the course was tough. I gave it no respect going in. However the 3rd hole is a 201 yard par three where you you have to hit a slight cut around trees to get it to the green. That is when I realized this was not going to be a hit and giggle type round.
Third, we were able to walk! Again highly unusual in the Phoenix area. Did I say it was 82 degrees?
And fourth, playing with my daughter - always a treat!
On Sunday morning I did my volunteer work reading the newspaper for the blind on Sun Sounds of AZ radio. I was sure happy this was scheduled because I was really fired up about the AZ - Philly playoff game.
As we all know by now, the Cardinals shocked the world. The 4th quarter drive to win the game has to go down as the greatest drive in Cardinal history! Needless to say I am deliriously happy.
There is a business lesson here. The Cardinals have been extremely focused on success ever since the national experts said they had no chance in the playoffs. Thevisualized success and now are going to the Super Bowl.
The lesson? If you can see it, you can achieve it.
Until next time,
Chuck Trautman
www.nobsphx.com
Friday, January 16, 2009
More Money for Banks? - It is Time to Say BS!
Hello Folks,
The latest news garbage is telling us the banks need more bailout money. It makes my blood boil. They have taken the money they received so far and used it to strengthen their balance sheets. And to make acquisitions.
Think about this for a minute. We, the taxpayers give them money. Our political "leaders" (sarcastically in quotes because we have very little leadership) put NO STRINGS on the money to be sure that it has to be loaned out. The banks use the money to buy a troubled bank. They get a fire sale price. Then they profit from the good loans and write off their bad loans and merger expenses against future taxes due.
Of course to be a politician, you either have to be a saint or insane. There are very few saints so we are left with the insane running the country. But what a hell of a gig. Vote yourself an automatic pay raise every year (in marketing think continuity program) and have a medical plan and retirement plan that vests you after one term - as little as two years.
But back on topic again.
The banks ARE NOT making many new loans to businesses. Simplified economics lesson here. Businesses buy goods and services and employ people. The goods and services providers also buy goods and services and employ people. The cycle repeats itself to infinity. Cut cash to businesses they contract - give them access to cash they expand.
Now what do the employees do? Well they pay taxes which is good for government. They buy homes. They buy goods and services driving the cycle above. And by the way, state and local government collects sales tax revenue on most of the goods and services purchased by businesses and employees (think consumer).
What the nation needs is to get back to the basics. We need a citizen legislature (think strict term limits). These people need to have COMMON SENSE.
Will writing your existing senate and house members make this happen? Hell no, they created the system and will do everything they can to protect their "annuity".
We need a few everyday people (with common sense) to have the courage to risk the exposure of their skeletons (remember - no saints) for the greater good of the country and the world for that matter. These people will speak out, without political correctness and ambition. If they can build enough of a following they will get media attention. If they get media attention they can get elected.
And of course if they create a huge following , the few good representatives we have will also step up, and some of the bad ones will do the right thing to protect their turf. And change will happen.
We also need to DEMAND that our elected officials have the same retirement plan we do. Then watch how fast the Social Security System gets fixed. All it is now is a legalized ponzi scheme.
That is my view. Please comment either way. I am truly interested on your thoughts..
And on Sunday - Go AZ Cardinals!
Sincerely,
Chuck Trautman
The latest news garbage is telling us the banks need more bailout money. It makes my blood boil. They have taken the money they received so far and used it to strengthen their balance sheets. And to make acquisitions.
Think about this for a minute. We, the taxpayers give them money. Our political "leaders" (sarcastically in quotes because we have very little leadership) put NO STRINGS on the money to be sure that it has to be loaned out. The banks use the money to buy a troubled bank. They get a fire sale price. Then they profit from the good loans and write off their bad loans and merger expenses against future taxes due.
Of course to be a politician, you either have to be a saint or insane. There are very few saints so we are left with the insane running the country. But what a hell of a gig. Vote yourself an automatic pay raise every year (in marketing think continuity program) and have a medical plan and retirement plan that vests you after one term - as little as two years.
But back on topic again.
The banks ARE NOT making many new loans to businesses. Simplified economics lesson here. Businesses buy goods and services and employ people. The goods and services providers also buy goods and services and employ people. The cycle repeats itself to infinity. Cut cash to businesses they contract - give them access to cash they expand.
Now what do the employees do? Well they pay taxes which is good for government. They buy homes. They buy goods and services driving the cycle above. And by the way, state and local government collects sales tax revenue on most of the goods and services purchased by businesses and employees (think consumer).
What the nation needs is to get back to the basics. We need a citizen legislature (think strict term limits). These people need to have COMMON SENSE.
Will writing your existing senate and house members make this happen? Hell no, they created the system and will do everything they can to protect their "annuity".
We need a few everyday people (with common sense) to have the courage to risk the exposure of their skeletons (remember - no saints) for the greater good of the country and the world for that matter. These people will speak out, without political correctness and ambition. If they can build enough of a following they will get media attention. If they get media attention they can get elected.
And of course if they create a huge following , the few good representatives we have will also step up, and some of the bad ones will do the right thing to protect their turf. And change will happen.
We also need to DEMAND that our elected officials have the same retirement plan we do. Then watch how fast the Social Security System gets fixed. All it is now is a legalized ponzi scheme.
That is my view. Please comment either way. I am truly interested on your thoughts..
And on Sunday - Go AZ Cardinals!
Sincerely,
Chuck Trautman
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Radio Interview
Hi Readers,
Today has been an interesting day. Keith James, a friend of mine, has a golf magazine business and just launched a YourNews.com franchise in the Phoenix area. Keith has also been in the radio business off and on over the last several years. He has had his own shows in many major markets including Phoenix, Denver and Southern California.
He is currently doing two shows here in Phoenix on AM 1010. The shows are a golf show and a news show where he and his co-host Danielle Hampton discuss the news in a serious but humorous and entertaining manner. The show has a nationwide and international audience thanks to the internet.
I know, I know. AM 1010 is a Christian radio show. You are asking,"What are you doing on there, Chuck? Aren't you afraid you may say something irreverent?" Although the station is a family values station, and the programming is conservative, the station provides a lot of useful, everyday content. Irreverent is OK!
Keith ask me to be on the YourNews.com show today to talk about how small business needs to market themselves in our new economy. It was a blast. We covered everything from competing with Walmart to customer service. And the value of a customer list to yesterday's topic - tying into the AZ Cardinals hype.
We also discussed how businesses were built before our time - making the experience fun for the customer, treating the customer the way you like to be treated, etc.
The instructive part about this post is this. For Keith I provided some content for his show. In return I received exposure and some "celebrity" status as I was positioned by Keith as a marketing expert. A nice trade for both of us.
Of course I was able to "pitch" the chapter meeting tomorrow night and get in my web address a couple of time. Traffic was up on my www.NoBSPHX.com website today.
Another value to me is that the show was recorded. Soon I will have a CD of the show, edit my portion, and use the audio on my website or on a marketing CD. My 1 1/2 hours of time (counting driving to the station) will have some "legs".
Watch for this kind of opportunity for you and your business.
Until next time,
Chuck Trautman
Today has been an interesting day. Keith James, a friend of mine, has a golf magazine business and just launched a YourNews.com franchise in the Phoenix area. Keith has also been in the radio business off and on over the last several years. He has had his own shows in many major markets including Phoenix, Denver and Southern California.
He is currently doing two shows here in Phoenix on AM 1010. The shows are a golf show and a news show where he and his co-host Danielle Hampton discuss the news in a serious but humorous and entertaining manner. The show has a nationwide and international audience thanks to the internet.
I know, I know. AM 1010 is a Christian radio show. You are asking,"What are you doing on there, Chuck? Aren't you afraid you may say something irreverent?" Although the station is a family values station, and the programming is conservative, the station provides a lot of useful, everyday content. Irreverent is OK!
Keith ask me to be on the YourNews.com show today to talk about how small business needs to market themselves in our new economy. It was a blast. We covered everything from competing with Walmart to customer service. And the value of a customer list to yesterday's topic - tying into the AZ Cardinals hype.
We also discussed how businesses were built before our time - making the experience fun for the customer, treating the customer the way you like to be treated, etc.
The instructive part about this post is this. For Keith I provided some content for his show. In return I received exposure and some "celebrity" status as I was positioned by Keith as a marketing expert. A nice trade for both of us.
Of course I was able to "pitch" the chapter meeting tomorrow night and get in my web address a couple of time. Traffic was up on my www.NoBSPHX.com website today.
Another value to me is that the show was recorded. Soon I will have a CD of the show, edit my portion, and use the audio on my website or on a marketing CD. My 1 1/2 hours of time (counting driving to the station) will have some "legs".
Watch for this kind of opportunity for you and your business.
Until next time,
Chuck Trautman
Monday, January 12, 2009
Use the Cardinals Success as Your Success
Hello Readers,
All of us in the Phoenix area are in delirious disbelief over our good fortune. Not only did our Cardinals upset the heavily favored Carolina Panthers (I called that one), but the Eagle's win set us up for a home game "inside" at our Glendale stadium.
What does this have to do with your business? Plenty if you play your "Cards" right (sorry for the pun - I could not resist). In business we look for reasons to advertise, promote, or otherwise offer specials. These can be from the 6 or 8 major holidays to obscure calender events.
There are one or more "events" everyday. Do you know what Jan 12th is? I bet not. Not only is this "International Printing Week", but also "National Clean Up Your Desk Day" and "Organize Your Home Day". What an excuse for a print shop to have a promo, or an office supply store, or a business who sells and installs storage units, closet organizers, etc. These would be easy tie ins.
How do you tie into the Cardinals? If you have a store front you can offer 20.09% off to anyone coming in wearing any Cards apparel. Or massage therapists can give free 10 minute messages to overcome the stress of watching the game. If you sell team apparel, give away a Cardinals cap with a $30 purchase. Anything to drive traffic to your business. What can you think to tie your business to the team?
If you are a dentist you can give any new client a free teeth cleaning to celebrate the Cards cleaning up on Saturday. If you are a realtor, you can offer a free home inspection with a new listing if they mention the game this Sunday or say "Beat Philly".
Lots of people all of a sudden have Cardinal fever. They will be susceptible to a message that mentions the Cardinals. Capitalize on it!
Now. Be thinking ahead on how you can tie into the Cardinals playing in the Super Bowl. My prediction for this Sunday - Cardinals 31 Eagles 27!
Until next time,
Chuck Trautman
All of us in the Phoenix area are in delirious disbelief over our good fortune. Not only did our Cardinals upset the heavily favored Carolina Panthers (I called that one), but the Eagle's win set us up for a home game "inside" at our Glendale stadium.
What does this have to do with your business? Plenty if you play your "Cards" right (sorry for the pun - I could not resist). In business we look for reasons to advertise, promote, or otherwise offer specials. These can be from the 6 or 8 major holidays to obscure calender events.
There are one or more "events" everyday. Do you know what Jan 12th is? I bet not. Not only is this "International Printing Week", but also "National Clean Up Your Desk Day" and "Organize Your Home Day". What an excuse for a print shop to have a promo, or an office supply store, or a business who sells and installs storage units, closet organizers, etc. These would be easy tie ins.
How do you tie into the Cardinals? If you have a store front you can offer 20.09% off to anyone coming in wearing any Cards apparel. Or massage therapists can give free 10 minute messages to overcome the stress of watching the game. If you sell team apparel, give away a Cardinals cap with a $30 purchase. Anything to drive traffic to your business. What can you think to tie your business to the team?
If you are a dentist you can give any new client a free teeth cleaning to celebrate the Cards cleaning up on Saturday. If you are a realtor, you can offer a free home inspection with a new listing if they mention the game this Sunday or say "Beat Philly".
Lots of people all of a sudden have Cardinal fever. They will be susceptible to a message that mentions the Cardinals. Capitalize on it!
Now. Be thinking ahead on how you can tie into the Cardinals playing in the Super Bowl. My prediction for this Sunday - Cardinals 31 Eagles 27!
Until next time,
Chuck Trautman
Sunday, January 4, 2009
New Year's Resolution vs Affirmations
Hello Readers,
This time of year everyone is making New Year's resolutions. The trouble is most people don't keep them. Did you ever belong to a gym and see how crowded it is in January, but by the first of March the daily workout group size is back to normal?
How about weight loss? The new salad for lunch crowd is quickly back to fast food.
Speaking of weight loss, I am going public here as a means to keep me committed. I started my weight loss program in the first week of October. I weighed in at 207.8. On December 24, I was down to 187.6 pounds. I bounced around between there and 190.6 during the holidays. Today I am at 187.4.
I am very happy to have held my own and still enjoy a few extra cocktails and snacks. Now it is back to watching intake quantity and fat count again. My goal weight is 179 pounds and my goal range is 178 to 181.
Back to resolutions and affirmations. Saying your affirmations aloud, in present tense, and in a positive way is far superior to making a list of resolutions. Example: "I am a lean, mean, fat burning machine. I love the way I look and feel at 180 pounds". The daily reinforcement of saying that phrase with emotion is far better than making a resolution of "getting down to 180".
Try it with all your goals.
Until next time,
Chuck
This time of year everyone is making New Year's resolutions. The trouble is most people don't keep them. Did you ever belong to a gym and see how crowded it is in January, but by the first of March the daily workout group size is back to normal?
How about weight loss? The new salad for lunch crowd is quickly back to fast food.
Speaking of weight loss, I am going public here as a means to keep me committed. I started my weight loss program in the first week of October. I weighed in at 207.8. On December 24, I was down to 187.6 pounds. I bounced around between there and 190.6 during the holidays. Today I am at 187.4.
I am very happy to have held my own and still enjoy a few extra cocktails and snacks. Now it is back to watching intake quantity and fat count again. My goal weight is 179 pounds and my goal range is 178 to 181.
Back to resolutions and affirmations. Saying your affirmations aloud, in present tense, and in a positive way is far superior to making a list of resolutions. Example: "I am a lean, mean, fat burning machine. I love the way I look and feel at 180 pounds". The daily reinforcement of saying that phrase with emotion is far better than making a resolution of "getting down to 180".
Try it with all your goals.
Until next time,
Chuck
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