In the wake of Election 2012: Let's get to work

By Sarah Cocchimiglio
PROFIT Communications PR Assistant-Writer/Editor

The election is over!

Votes cast, races conceded, the market saturation of political ads has run its course. The campaign signs have been - or should be - picked up from the sides of the roads. The pundits are moving on to other, only slightly less political areas of focus, including my personal favorite news item for today, in which a KKK rally is met by a large group of clowns and other colorful, peaceful protesters, with messages of love and tolerance and "white flour."

In Florida, voters stood in line for hours on Election Day, and it took four days to tabulate returns and a declare victor. Governor Rick Scott has ordered a re-evaluation of his state's election practices. Why? The presidential election was decided without Florida. And nobody likes not feeling needed.

Whether or not the candidate you supported for president won or lost the election, our hopes for the next four years are all the same: Economic recovery, sustainability, realistic healthcare and tax reforms, and of course, the responsible handling of this fiscal cliff.

As often happens in the real world of business, the president does not get to choose whom he works with to resolve these issues. The election continued congressional status quo with a Republican House and a Democratic Senate. And so partisan politics will have to go out the window. The political lines in the sand must be gone with the wind, so to speak, and replaced with a meeting in the middle.

Democrats and Republicans at both the federal and state levels will have to work together, make some concessions and compromises so that the America my new son inherits someday isn't shackled to Chinese debt and foreign oil. We've elected them to make changes, not to stand on either sides of that line in the sand and point fingers.

Just this morning I saw a glimmer of hope for our nation's financial future in CNN's headlines this morning: "Boehner: We can avoid fiscal cliff," and "Obama: I'm open to compromse." And the buzz on Twitter is that both "Republicans and Democrats proclaim optimism on fiscal cliff deal."

Ladies and gentlemen, let the partyless party begin!

Being cellulary unconnected may be hazardous to your health

By Kelly Smith
PROFIT Communications Marketing Communications


As an adjunct to my previous post [Sept. 27th] on society’s obsessive reliance on our cellphones and other portable devices…we’ve come to find out according to a recent article in The Philadelphia Inquirer by Carolyn Davis that the latest anxiety disorder, Nomophobia is very real.

Really?  Yes, really.  And I admit to having a mini-panic attack when halfway to an all-day sports tournament, I fear having left my phone on the counter for a quick charge boost.  What would I have done ALL DAY if I didn’t—whew—find it at the bottom of my purse?? 

Panic or obsession is the question you need to ask yourself.  Incessant stimuli tease us to respond to cellphone bells like Pavlov’s dog!  It’s human nature to desire connections and a whopping majority of us get those daily tech touches now via our smartphone and other e-gadgets.  Each connection provides an intrinsic reward and when that “treat” gets severed, it can become debilitating, provoke anxiety or hurt relationships.

High Tech / High Touch
Let’s rewind to kinder, simpler times when John Naisbitt, author of “Megatrends,” coined the popular phrase, ‘high tech – high touch.’  He wrote, “In other words, the more high technology around us, the more the need for human touch.” 

Even better, next time you feel yourself in a similar Nomophobia-like state, simply pause and reflect on the old saying:  everything in moderation...

Celling Yourself by Adhering to Some Communication Basics

By Kelly Smith
PROFIT Communications Marketing Communications


I learned the basic rules of etiquette at my family dinner table. Napkin on lap. No elbows on the table. Wait your turn to speak. Don’t talk with your mouth full. Say please and thank you, often.  When the phone rang, my sister, brother and I looked intently at each other knowing that it was against the rules to answer it.  If it rang more than once, we “took it off the hook” so as not to deter from OMG—family conversation! When we went “out” to a restaurant once every couple months, we better be on our best behavior. We waited patiently until the adults finished their meals and coffee without Game Boys, iPods, iPads and iPhones…can you imagine?

Enter 21st Century technology and these basic rules of etiquette have gone the way of the buggy whip!  Parents are still teaching table manners, albeit a condensed version, but the art of conversation is now fragmented with rings, zings and other electronic sounds. Today, it’s totally acceptable to dine at a four-star establishment with your spouse and your phone chirping away.  Table for three please!! 

Turn off and Tune in
My fear is that our reliance on our cell phones and other portable devices is at the expense of enjoying and fostering real-live relationships.  I dare you to ‘turn off’ whatever you’re dependent on at your next meal or face-to-face encounter, and tune in to some good old-fashioned food, fun and fellowship!

Last week I even heard on the radio that some restaurants are trying to improve ambiance by tantalizing patrons to check-in their phones at the door in exchange for a 5 percent discount.   Anyway…it’s a start.

Speaking of getting started, our cellular and other portable device etiquette ought to be viewed as running parallel with all other accepted modes of ‘verbal and non-verbal’ communication, which have been around for decades.   When in doubt, we suggest erring on the side of common courtesy and sense.  Communications etiquette is always in style and can result in getting YOU noticed while positively setting you apart from just about everyone else -- these days!

Take an Active Role in Your Project

By Sarah Cocchimiglio
PROFIT Communications PR Assistant-Writer/Editor

Our house, before the addition.

As a writer and editor professionally, I never really considered myself a project manager until my husband, Anthony and I recently assumed the role of project managers earlier this year after finding out we were expecting – unexpectedly – last November. We rushed into action to build the addition we had been talking about for years.

First we had to build our team. We hired a contractor, which was no small feat: We live in a log home, so our atypical building project  required someone with specialized skills and experience. After extensive research we settled on a small, family operated log-home builder out of Lancaster County.

Next, we had to consider budget and timing. Because we had a baby on the way, we had a very firm deadline and budget. It was surprisingly easy to stay on track, because the builders were here every day and saw my belly getting bigger and bigger (and bigger). I doubt any of them wanted to still be here working when “the time” came. To stay the line financially, we made thoughtful, researched decisions and did some work ourselves.

We discovered that successfully orchestrating a project of this size required us to be flexible. We had a plan, but it was revised, tweaked and adjusted many times over the course of the building process. We could have dug in our heels, but that would have cost more time and money.

During the building process, one or both of us interacted with the contractors every day. We did walk-throughs to check out the progress, asked questions, flagged issues and kept lists of what still needed to be done. We took pictures daily not only to document the process from start to finish, but also to identify potential problems and solutions. Sometimes there were things – from keeping the site neat and clean to helping install pine paneling on the walls – that we had to undertake ourselves to keep the ball rolling.

Real World - Plan Your Work and Work Your Plan
In the business world, organizational skills like these can be indispensable. Without the ability to stay on track, projects are likely to miss their marks and their deadlines, and sometimes you just have to get in there and lend a hand.

And, of course, to-do lists are a project manager’s best friend.

Since we were organized, reasonable, flexible and goal-oriented, and because we used some elbow grease of our own, our addition was completed on time, and within budget. If you’ve ever been involved in a similar process you probably know how rare that is.

Our PROFIT Communications team members are account and project-management experts. We live by the motto, "Plan your work, and work your plan." Check out PROFIT's planning and management processes here. We use research, action, communication and evaluation (RACE) to ensure we meet your project and program objectives, timeline and budget. We also believe that personal and professional expertise go hand-in-hand.

Our house, after the addition!

Each and Everyone of Us is an Architect of Change

By Deborah Israel, APR

President, PROFIT Communications

To be truthful, that headline alone inspires me. At PROFIT Communications, we use the tagline, PR & Marketing Architects and I’ve always really liked it because it signifies constructively building something in order to produce a cause-related effect or result. 

It’s amazing how many people I’ve met who selflessly manage to lend their support to local area boards and committees, coaching responsibilities and township, school and congregational initiatives.  Using your professional gifts and ‘human capital’ to help further the cause of an organization can be one of the most enriching and motivating experiences you’ll undertake. 

Situation Room 

I was approached late last year by the Upper Dublin Lutheran Church Transition Team in search of members with specific skills to chair and co-chair various task forces to move through the laborious and emotionally-charged process of finding a replacement for the congregation’s beloved lead pastor for the past 15 years due to retirement. 

Solutions-Oriented Process 

James, the Leadership Task Force co-chair and I shared the responsibility of managing over 20 passionate congregants and leaders to meet our objectives of producing a profile and essentially a job description if you will of what this new pastor would bring to the table to complement the now remaining highly talented, yet more senior pastor.  Our assessment work was to be completed within 60 days or less in hopes of producing and providing this document to the Synod decision-makers to review, process and begin the search. 

Cut to the Chase 

The document produced by the Leadership Task Force combined with the sum total of data from the four other groups provided a ‘razor-focused’ blueprint that enabled the multi-generational call committee to identify a candidate that was a near-perfect fit.  Brought before the congregation for a vote, they unanimously approved!  Further, Upper Dublin Lutheran Church will be welcoming its new pastor and family in August and officially installing him in January. 

“As a proven business leader and professional with exceptional personal connectivity and communications skills, Debbie Israel was selected to co-chair the Leadership Task Force for the pastoral transition process at Upper Dublin Lutheran Church.  Coordinating and directing a 20+ eclectic group of the church leadership with strong personalities and opinions towards a productive outcome was a challenge which Debbie accomplished with grace, precision and determination.  In a very tight time-frame, the group met and exceeded its mandate.  We were fortunate to have had her in this crucial leadership role.” 

Kent C. Griswold, PhD, MBA, Upper Dublin Lutheran Church Transition Team Leader 

If you or your organization is looking for a communications ‘Architect of Change,’ contact Debbie Israel at 484-681-9516 or disrael@profitcommunications.com.

Recruitment, Involvement & Engagement is the Name of the Game!

By Kelly Smith
PROFIT Communications Marketing Communications


WOW, has the college search and recruitment process changed since I earned my degree from PSU!  My first born just closed up her junior year and happily declared herself a High School Senior. I don’t know whether to rejoice or cry—the latter for the price tag of her future college education. 

12 – 24 Points of Contact Over Two Years

We began visiting colleges and attending “Junior Days” this past spring.  Quite impressive with ultra-intelligent student panels, colorful climbing walls, talented tour guides who can walk backwards, talk and chew gum at the same time.  Colleges are in the business to recruit the best students and do so by embarking on creative marketing campaigns like any other business.  Traditional marketing methods are still used but now many rely on the power of social media channels, which helps target those students best suited for their campuses. One study cites a college that averages 12 to 24 points of contact over the course of two years to build meaningful relationships with prospective students.  When considering PSU, I had zero contacts and a brief visit to campus with my Dad. Today, recruitment—involvement—engagement is the name of the game.

Social Media is the Ticket

Students require a quick and painless mechanism to create a list of ideal colleges.  Using various online college search sites (e.g., https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/, www.zinch.com, www.cappex.com) is so much more efficient than perusing the four-inch thick “Big Book of Colleges” from my generation. Today’s student spends 10 minutes completing a profile, and voilà, ideal choices at your fingertips.  This means my daughter has limitless information from many perspectives: admissions, professors, athletic coaches and current students. Social media is helping her build relationships and become a more informed consumer before making one of the biggest decisions of her life.

Bottom Line

As a parent, and marketing professional, I feel that my daughter is more likely to make the right choice and ultimately graduate from the school she selects.  Funny thing how “art imitates life”.  Regardless of the communication venues, college planning and recruitment is a proactive and planned process…the better the plan the better the outcome!

Celebrate National Small Business Week

By Sarah Cocchimiglio
PROFIT Communications PR Assistant-Writer/Editor



It's National Small Business Week!

This week, May 20-26, we celebrate the 27 million mom-and-pop operations (and others with up to 500 employees, which the federal government classifies as small businesses) across the U.S. National Small Business Week aims to empower small businesses by recognizing their importance and economic impact on the local and national levels.

On Monday, the White House issued a National Small Business Week proclamation celebrating the achievements of American small businesses, calling them the "backbone of our economy."

“As we observe National Small Business Week, I want to take this opportunity to commend my fellow small business owner colleagues and friends who chose the ‘road less traveled,’ and took the risk to go out on their own with a dream to ‘make a difference!'  It’s one of the most difficult, yet gratifying things an enterprising individual(s) can do.  Most, if not all of the entrepreneurs that we know and work with more than define the popular phrase, 'when the going gets tough, the tough get going!'  Let’s take a moment to celebrate our victories this past year, albeit small, medium or large, while knowing that we matter, we count and we are making a difference in turning this economy around!”
     Debbie Israel, APR, PROFIT Communications
     President / PR & Marketing Consultant

The lynchpin of National Small Business Week is a three-day conference, held in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Small Business Association. At the networking and educational event, the top entrepreneurs are recognized and celebrated, nominated by their peers and customers. The SBA began soliciting nominations for 2012's best small businesses back in October.

We encourage you to nominate your favorite small business for recognition in 2013, check the SBA website this fall. In the meantime, please continue patronizing your local mom-and-pop shops and organizations. Together we can keep our economy fueled up.

My Litmus Test for Life and Business is Based on a Powerful Four-Way Test

Jody Richwagen
Email Marketing Communications & Web Site Services

It seems as if I was genetically pre-disposed to become a Rotarian once women were approved to become members last century, actually 1987 to be exact.    When I became a charter member of the Rotary Club of Blue Bell in 1989, it marked the 4th generation of my family in Rotary, as my great-grandfather, both grandfathers and my father were all Rotarians. 
 

One of the first things a Rotarian learns and quickly adopts is the Four-Way Test.   I regularly find myself asking these questions in both my personal and professional experiences:

THE FOUR - WAY TEST Of the things we think, say or do Is it the TRUTH? Is it FAIR to all concerned? Will it build GOOD WILL and BETTER Friendships? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

The Four-Way Test is Still Relevant
Easy to say that this test developed nearly a century ago by Rotarian, Herbert Taylor, is out of step with today’s society and challenging business environment, although I believe these questions are now more relevant than ever.   If everyone asked themselves these four, important questions instead of “what’s in it for me,” perhaps the world would be in a better place, and global politics would look a lot different and by now, the economy would be in recovery mode versus stagnant? 

Just for fun, and as an example, I applied Rotary’s Four-Way-Test to one of my recent car repair episodes.  I was having some problems with my ignition so I took my car to a local small business mechanic who diagnosed a rather expensive repair.   However, before reaching that conclusion he spent a great deal of time eliminating the less-costly fixes and gave me his rationale.  As much as I would have preferred a different answer, he gave me the TRUTH.   He was FAIR because he identified other solutions and in the end gave me a reasonable estimate which he stood behind.   It was BENEFICIAL to me to have a reliable vehicle moving forward and of course, he was fairly compensated.  Most important, he succeeded in creating GOOD WILL for himself and his business by providing me with excellent customer care and service.

Engage, Develop, Repeat
We talk about “engaging customers, developing loyalty and building repeat business,” as the fundamental objectives of most marketing communication programs, most especially those involving Internet marketing / social media.   I encourage you to incorporate the four-way test into your personal and professional relationships and responsibilities, and see what kind of goals you can set and meet, not to mention the kind of results you can achieve!  We invite you to respond to this post by sharing one of your four-way test experiences with us.

Jody Richwagen served as a member of the Blue Bell Rotary Club’s Charter Board of Directors and in various club positions, including Club President in 1993 – ’94, and later served as an Assistant Governor in District 7430.  Scheduling conflicts have prevented her from maintaining her membership and attending regular weekly meetings, but she continues to exemplify the infamous Rotary motto, “Service above… self ~ he profits most who serves best!”

For Clear and Concise Communications – Avoid Circumlocution

By Laura Hale Brockway, April 9, 2012

Circumlocution is the use of many words when one or two will do. It’s a scourge of corporate writing. Circumlocution is so prevalent in today’s corporate writing that we may not even notice it.

In case you’re unfamiliar, circumlocution is the use of many words when one will do. For example, writing “at this point in time” when “now” will work.

As PR Daily publisher Mark Ragan often points out at his seminars, readers have “an incredibly shrinking attention span.” As writers and editors, we need to communicate as clearly and concisely as possible. One way we can do this—avoid circumlocution.

Here are some examples:

Instead of

Try

afford an opportunity	allow, let
as a means of	to
at this point in time	now
due to the fact that	because
during the period	during
has a requirement for	needs
in a timely manner	quickly, promptly
in accordance with	by, following, per, under
in advance of	before
in regard to	about, concerning, on
in the amount of	for
in the event that	if
in the near future	shortly, soon
no later than June 1	by June 1
pertaining to	about
provides guidance for	guides
under the provisions of	under
until such time as	until
with reference to	about
with the exception of	except

Readers, give this a try and any examples of circumlocutory writing that you would like to share?

Credit: PROFIT Communications loved this and couldn’t resist borrowing this ‘spot-on’ feature by Laura Hale Brockway, an Austin-based writer and editor that recently appeared in the LinkedIn Today E-Newsletter. She is also the author of the blog impertinentremarks.com.

Let PROFIT know if you need any help replacing phrases and awkward writing with just one word, as we’re just a phone call, 484-681-9516 or an email, disrael@profitcommunications.com away!

Social Media's Winners and Losers of 2011

By Sarah Cocchimiglio
PROFIT Communications PR Assistant-Writer/Editor

Social media is here to stay. And if you're one of the millions using social networking tools, you probably know why: They keep us more connected and informed than ever before.

As established social media giants continue to evolve, and new sites throw elbows in an effort to break into the market, 2011 saw some rising to the top, and others falling short of expectations.

According to BulldogReporter.com, the social network that came out on top last year was Twitter. Since 2010, Twitter users have doubled, due in part to Twitter's role in disseminating quick updates to world events, like the earthquake in Japan and the British royal wedding. Innovations include a new, simpler design, with which Twitter hopes to lure those not yet Twittering.

Facebook's 800 million users can't be wrong. Even with some "revolutionary" updates in 2011, it's experiencing a small decline in U.S. users, despite amazing gains in Latin American countries. Can Facebook stop the bleeding domestically, and keep the international momentum going?

Google+ has enchanted its nearly 44 million users since mid-2011 launch, showing promise with its new take on social searching. To prove itself, though, experts say Google+ has to keep the new-users numbers climbing at a feverish pace.

On the other hand, 2011 saw disappointing performances from Quora, the self-proclaimed easiest place online to write and share content on the Internet, and Diaspora, the open source social network project. Experts had high hopes for Quora at the beginning of 2011, but the network seems to have fizzled out, while Diaspora just seems to have entirely missed its launch date.

Start-up social media sites could learn a thing or two from their successful forefathers: There is no substitute for simplicity, and the site that comes out on top has to constantly evolve and implement innovations based on technology and users' needs.

Need some help getting your business-specific social media presence launched? Give PROFIT Communications a call @ 484.681.9516 or shoot us an email at disrael@profitcommunications or sarah.cocchimiglio@gmail.com.

Source: 2011's Social Media Winners and Losers, by Sylvia Moschini; Bulldog Reporters Daily 'Dog, Jan. 25, 2012.