Owner of Grace Publishing, an online and print magazine company, likes to say there are three keys to creating unstoppable momentum for your business:
- Clarity
- Congruency
- Consistency
Clarity means discovering what you are designed to do. We can help you do that by identifying your greatest strengths and advantages.
Clarity gives you realistic expectations for business, which are often much higher than you presently expect. For example, a Jeep and an Indy racer are both cars, but designed to do very different things. You wouldn't expect a Jeep to be competitive in the Indianapolis 500. Nor would you expect the Indy racer to negotiate a logging trail. They are designed for different purposes.
So too it is with businesses. Clarity allows you to have realistic expectations of what you can and can not do.This is the same concept that drives advertising. You wouldn't expect a coupon clipper, or local newspaper ad, to build your business's image, and attract people who are not looking for bargains. Nor would you expect a newspaper to have the ability to reach the number of people that an online ezine has the ability to attract.
It's one thing to know what you are designed to do. It's another to do it.
The only thing that stops people from pursuing their full potential is lack of knowledge:.
FACT:
• 60% of all people who are linked to the Internet buy from the Internet
• Almost 100% of all educated, established professionals and business people, (with disposable income) consider a computer as a necessity - even those who do not own a television.
• The shopping trend of people using the net to shop and compare products is doubling every few months.
• Online regional magazines have already proven they are powerful advertising tools for small businesses with low advertising budgets.
The simplistic definition of congruency; How things relate to each other, interact to each other, and are dependent on each other. When it comes to congruency, you may need to make some adjustments. Most will be incremental, but some may be radical, such as changing the way you advertise and the type of people (demographic) your advertising targets. The goal is to spend more time and money attracting the right type of customers.
Many small business owners are caught up in the numbers of people who will see an ad, not whether those people are actually shopping for their product, can afford their product, or are even shoppers at the moment they see the ad.
Maximizing the number of shoppers who have money that see your ad, and minimizing the cost of attracting those people is where performance and satisfaction both peak. This is the secret of magazine and ezine advertising - the customer asks for the magazine or ezine, eliminating the 'intrusive factor' in the publication's advertising. Or, to put it in publisher terms; The ads become the content of the publication, not an add on.
Consistency means staying with it. Have you ever been caught in traffic in a large city? You accelerate as the light turns green, only to stop at the red light on the next corner. This pattern of starting and stopping repeats itself over and over as you make your way to your destination.
It's impossible to gain any momentum, which results in both lost sales, and higher expenses. The problem most small business owners have falls in their choice of advertising. Many small business owners choose their advertising based on three beliefs:
These two elements, consistency and congruency, can take a small business to the next level, and can be used by any work at home business to turn a passive stream of income into a viable wealth-generating business.
Saints Row Cheats and Codes
Getting through red barricades (demo version)
Take any car and slowly push it through the barricade, as your body does not allow you to. When the car door is half way inside the barricade and halfway outside the barricade, get in the car. Note: You may get stuck permanently. However, if done correctly you should be able to continue driving through the barricade until you are far enough to get to the other side and exit the car.
Achievements
Accomplish the indicated achievement to get the corresponding number of Gamerscore points:
Colombian Made (40 points): Take over Los Carnales territory.
Regicide (40 points): Take over Vice Kings territory.
Road Warrior (40 points): Take over Westside Rollerz territory.
Ruler of Stilwater (160 points): Help the 3rd Streets Saints take over Stilwater.
Thug (10 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Thug in any Multiplayer mode.
Killa (20 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Killa in any Multiplayer mode.
Gangsta (40 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Gangster in any Multiplayer mode.
Kingpin (80 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Kingpin in any Multiplayer mode.
Penny Pincher (10 points): Earn $1,000,000 in the city of Stilwater.
Grifter (10 points): Earn $200,000 in Insurance Fraud.
Shopaholic (10 points): Acquire 100 clothing and jewelry items for your single player wardrobe.
Coupon Clipper (10 points): Purchase 100 clothing and jewelry items for your Multiplayer wardrobe.
Leader of the Pack (10 points): Acquire all 7 Homies.
Getting Up (10 points): Tag all tag locations hidden throughout Stilwater.
Grease Monkey (10 points): Own a total of 50 cars.
Racket Lord (160 points): Successfully complete all activities in Stilwater.
Contract Killer (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Hitman locations.
Demo Demon (10 points): Successfully complete all levels of Demolition Derby.
Fast and Furious (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Hijacking locations and levels.
Fluffer (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Escort locations and levels.
Pimp (10 points): Successfully complete all the Snatch locations and levels.
Pusher (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Drug Trafficking locations and levels.
Scavenger (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Chop Shop locations.
Tuner (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Racing locations and levels.
Vandal (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Mayhem locations and levels.
Bulletproof (10 points): Successfully complete Co-Op level Turbulence at the highest difficulty level.
Errand Boy (10 points): Successfully complete Co-Op level Mob Rule at the highest difficulty level.
Canonized (10 points): Join the 3rd Street Saints.
Reclamationist (10 points): Retake Saint's Row.
Additionally there are thirteen secret achievements, all of which are unidentified at this time.
Check out Cheat Code Central's Cheats & Codes page for Saints Row for more cheat codes, hints, tips, and tricks for the game. For tons more cheats, reviews, previews, and much more for PS2, Xbox, PC, Xbox 360, GameCube, PSP, DS, GBA, check out Cheat Code Central.
Take any car and slowly push it through the barricade, as your body does not allow you to. When the car door is half way inside the barricade and halfway outside the barricade, get in the car. Note: You may get stuck permanently. However, if done correctly you should be able to continue driving through the barricade until you are far enough to get to the other side and exit the car.
Achievements
Accomplish the indicated achievement to get the corresponding number of Gamerscore points:
Colombian Made (40 points): Take over Los Carnales territory.
Regicide (40 points): Take over Vice Kings territory.
Road Warrior (40 points): Take over Westside Rollerz territory.
Ruler of Stilwater (160 points): Help the 3rd Streets Saints take over Stilwater.
Thug (10 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Thug in any Multiplayer mode.
Killa (20 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Killa in any Multiplayer mode.
Gangsta (40 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Gangster in any Multiplayer mode.
Kingpin (80 points): Reach a TrueSkill rank of Kingpin in any Multiplayer mode.
Penny Pincher (10 points): Earn $1,000,000 in the city of Stilwater.
Grifter (10 points): Earn $200,000 in Insurance Fraud.
Shopaholic (10 points): Acquire 100 clothing and jewelry items for your single player wardrobe.
Coupon Clipper (10 points): Purchase 100 clothing and jewelry items for your Multiplayer wardrobe.
Leader of the Pack (10 points): Acquire all 7 Homies.
Getting Up (10 points): Tag all tag locations hidden throughout Stilwater.
Grease Monkey (10 points): Own a total of 50 cars.
Racket Lord (160 points): Successfully complete all activities in Stilwater.
Contract Killer (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Hitman locations.
Demo Demon (10 points): Successfully complete all levels of Demolition Derby.
Fast and Furious (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Hijacking locations and levels.
Fluffer (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Escort locations and levels.
Pimp (10 points): Successfully complete all the Snatch locations and levels.
Pusher (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Drug Trafficking locations and levels.
Scavenger (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Chop Shop locations.
Tuner (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Racing locations and levels.
Vandal (10 points): Successfully complete all of the Mayhem locations and levels.
Bulletproof (10 points): Successfully complete Co-Op level Turbulence at the highest difficulty level.
Errand Boy (10 points): Successfully complete Co-Op level Mob Rule at the highest difficulty level.
Canonized (10 points): Join the 3rd Street Saints.
Reclamationist (10 points): Retake Saint's Row.
Additionally there are thirteen secret achievements, all of which are unidentified at this time.
Check out Cheat Code Central's Cheats & Codes page for Saints Row for more cheat codes, hints, tips, and tricks for the game. For tons more cheats, reviews, previews, and much more for PS2, Xbox, PC, Xbox 360, GameCube, PSP, DS, GBA, check out Cheat Code Central.
Skiing - Some of the World's Best Ski Spots
Many of us have had holidays spent breathing recycled air in "luxury" coaches, watching bad television in hotel rooms, eating beyond our capacity simply because meals were included in the "package" and there was little else to do. Yawn! But not if there's snow on the ground; don the long johns and get at it .
1. Austria: skiing for dummies - So maybe you're not the athletic type. You don't have to be to take advantage of the world's best sporting havens, particularly if you take a few professional lessons. St. Anton, in the Arlberg region of Austria, is the best place to go for ski instruction-the Arlberg School ski technique originated here and the area's 300+ instructors are all well-versed in the method. In the hands of these pros, you'll look like an expert after a few days on the slopes.
2. Chile's best skiing for mamas' boys (sorry.we mean "cautious athletic types") - If you've got nothing to prove and just want some sane, safe skiing, La Parva, located just minutes from Santiago, allows you to ski from your lodge to the lifts. If you're afraid of getting hurled into a tree, there's no need to worry here: the mountains are treeless. The slopes also have wind-curled cornices, so snowboarders can afford to try out a few new stunts. This is also a perfect spot to try heli-skiing in a friendly, nurturing environment.
3. Ski Whistler Blackcomb before the next Olympians do! When it comes to skiing and riding, Whistler Blackcomb with its 8,000 plus acres of terrain on both mountains, has variety and then some. Choose from steeps, deeps, chutes, high alpine bowls, glades, superb corduroy, long cruisers and gentle rollers. Riders and skiers will revel in the Parks and Pipes on both mountains plus natural launch pads, hits, wind-lips, cornices, cliff drops and ridges - the place is like a huge, natural terrain park! And the night-life is great too! This is the site of the next Winter Olympics.
4. World-class skiing for coupon clippers...in the Italian Alps - Sure, you'd love to go on a ritzy ski holiday but you're - well, how can we put this? ...broke. No worries. We appreciate a good bargain ourselves and have found that the deals in life are often a mere stone's throw away from the pricey stuff. Such is the case in the Italian Alps: Mount Livata and Pescasseroli are located very near Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy's most popular resort, but offer affordable accommodation and similar access to facilities. Same goes for Val d'Ayas, which is located near pricey Courmayeur and Cervinia and offers lower lift prices, more challenging runs and fewer crowds.
5. And if that's not cheap enough, there's skiing in Spain - You can ski in Spain on a busker's budget. While there is a certain aura about the Alps resorts in France, Austria, Italy and Switzerland, the Spanish Pyrenees area keeps up with the best of them (and certainly surpasses them with respect to value.) Baquiera-Beret, in Lerida, boasts a lengthy ski season (November through April), numerous slopes of varying difficulty, plenty of chair lifts, professional ski instruction and - this is the best part - far fewer crowds than the pricier resorts. A good place to stay is Hotel Montarto which offers spectacular views and easy access to lifts.
6. If you think you're a good skiier, try heli-skiing in the Purcells in British Columbia - Rk Heliski in Golden, welcomes you to 1,500 square kilometres/ 930 sq. miles of incredible terrain in the spectacular Purcell Mountains, on the edge of the legendary Bugaboos. Heli-ski/boarding tours are led by some of the world's best mountain guides to access wide open alpine slopes, scenic glaciers and gladed forests dusted with annual snowfalls of up to 1,100 cm/36 feet. Some of this is extreme skiing, definitely not for the novice, but hey, who wants to live forever?
7. Austria's least-known sport that'll make you feel like a kid again - Austria's Lake District boasts excellent ice-skating and skiing during the winter as well as water sports during the summer. The area around Wolfgangsee offers a little-known sport that'll take you right back to your childhood. Mountain tobogganing involves carting a metal saucer-of-a-thing up a hillside (we recommend the chair lift as opposed to a hike) and descending on a metal track to the bottom. It'll be the most invigorating five minutes of your life. Next step? Do it again!
8. And after lots of lessons and a stiff drink...Canadian daredevil's dream - Canada's ski-jump champs practice in Thunder Bay, Ontario, regarded as the world's biggest jump. You've seen the Bond films - now it's your turn. Mind you, there are also cross-country trails for beginners if you need to get up your confidence. The area includes four major Alpine areas. Daily flight service can be arranged from Toronto, Winnipeg and Minneapolis. This place can be crowded during peak season--who knew there were so many daredevils around?
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Tourism
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
1. Austria: skiing for dummies - So maybe you're not the athletic type. You don't have to be to take advantage of the world's best sporting havens, particularly if you take a few professional lessons. St. Anton, in the Arlberg region of Austria, is the best place to go for ski instruction-the Arlberg School ski technique originated here and the area's 300+ instructors are all well-versed in the method. In the hands of these pros, you'll look like an expert after a few days on the slopes.
2. Chile's best skiing for mamas' boys (sorry.we mean "cautious athletic types") - If you've got nothing to prove and just want some sane, safe skiing, La Parva, located just minutes from Santiago, allows you to ski from your lodge to the lifts. If you're afraid of getting hurled into a tree, there's no need to worry here: the mountains are treeless. The slopes also have wind-curled cornices, so snowboarders can afford to try out a few new stunts. This is also a perfect spot to try heli-skiing in a friendly, nurturing environment.
3. Ski Whistler Blackcomb before the next Olympians do! When it comes to skiing and riding, Whistler Blackcomb with its 8,000 plus acres of terrain on both mountains, has variety and then some. Choose from steeps, deeps, chutes, high alpine bowls, glades, superb corduroy, long cruisers and gentle rollers. Riders and skiers will revel in the Parks and Pipes on both mountains plus natural launch pads, hits, wind-lips, cornices, cliff drops and ridges - the place is like a huge, natural terrain park! And the night-life is great too! This is the site of the next Winter Olympics.
4. World-class skiing for coupon clippers...in the Italian Alps - Sure, you'd love to go on a ritzy ski holiday but you're - well, how can we put this? ...broke. No worries. We appreciate a good bargain ourselves and have found that the deals in life are often a mere stone's throw away from the pricey stuff. Such is the case in the Italian Alps: Mount Livata and Pescasseroli are located very near Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy's most popular resort, but offer affordable accommodation and similar access to facilities. Same goes for Val d'Ayas, which is located near pricey Courmayeur and Cervinia and offers lower lift prices, more challenging runs and fewer crowds.
5. And if that's not cheap enough, there's skiing in Spain - You can ski in Spain on a busker's budget. While there is a certain aura about the Alps resorts in France, Austria, Italy and Switzerland, the Spanish Pyrenees area keeps up with the best of them (and certainly surpasses them with respect to value.) Baquiera-Beret, in Lerida, boasts a lengthy ski season (November through April), numerous slopes of varying difficulty, plenty of chair lifts, professional ski instruction and - this is the best part - far fewer crowds than the pricier resorts. A good place to stay is Hotel Montarto which offers spectacular views and easy access to lifts.
6. If you think you're a good skiier, try heli-skiing in the Purcells in British Columbia - Rk Heliski in Golden, welcomes you to 1,500 square kilometres/ 930 sq. miles of incredible terrain in the spectacular Purcell Mountains, on the edge of the legendary Bugaboos. Heli-ski/boarding tours are led by some of the world's best mountain guides to access wide open alpine slopes, scenic glaciers and gladed forests dusted with annual snowfalls of up to 1,100 cm/36 feet. Some of this is extreme skiing, definitely not for the novice, but hey, who wants to live forever?
7. Austria's least-known sport that'll make you feel like a kid again - Austria's Lake District boasts excellent ice-skating and skiing during the winter as well as water sports during the summer. The area around Wolfgangsee offers a little-known sport that'll take you right back to your childhood. Mountain tobogganing involves carting a metal saucer-of-a-thing up a hillside (we recommend the chair lift as opposed to a hike) and descending on a metal track to the bottom. It'll be the most invigorating five minutes of your life. Next step? Do it again!
8. And after lots of lessons and a stiff drink...Canadian daredevil's dream - Canada's ski-jump champs practice in Thunder Bay, Ontario, regarded as the world's biggest jump. You've seen the Bond films - now it's your turn. Mind you, there are also cross-country trails for beginners if you need to get up your confidence. The area includes four major Alpine areas. Daily flight service can be arranged from Toronto, Winnipeg and Minneapolis. This place can be crowded during peak season--who knew there were so many daredevils around?
Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Tourism
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell
How To Choose a Qualitative Research Market
Qualitative research, whether individual interviews, in-homes, focus groups, ethnographies and the like are conducted all over the world, as everyone knows. But how are the markets to be studied selected in the first place?
New York, London, Paris, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, Boston and Dallas are all great places to see first rate entertainment, dine out and by their size, must be great places in which to conduct qualitative research or so the common thinking goes.
A little research into the demographics of a market can save researchers more than a little money, and get better research. Take for instance…The State with the most Dentists per capita - If you said Arkansas, you would be right. The City with the most new homes built in the last year - If you said Las Vegas you would be right. The City with the highest incidence of coupon clippers - If you said Buffalo you would be right. The City with the most new Volkswagens sold per capita - If you said Minneapolis you would be right. But how do you know?
Let's take Las Vegas; bright lights and a City that truly never sleeps. Most focus groups are conducted there in concert with the world class convention center. It's a great idea. Go where folks from all over the country or even the world converge for days of meetings, walking aisles and of course dining, shows and gambling. But Las Vegas is not usually considered for testing the folks that live there, outside of occasional television show tests for new programming. In fact, in recent interviews with several QRCA (Qualitative Research Consultants Association, 888 - 674 - 7722) researchers, not one had been to Las Vegas other than to conduct research in conjunction with a show or convention.
This is not a promotion for Las Vegas, as the City does enough of that on its own, but let's look back at those homeowners. Who are they? Retirees - Right - well some yes, but not so fast. The greater metropolitan area is building schools like crazy. So it may not be as you or your client suspected. This is the point. Are we in a location rut?
According to the website of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce:
* More than 5,000 people move to Las Vegas each month
* 69.9% have lived there more than 6 years
* 10% of the residents are over the age of 65
* 62% of the Households have incomes in excess of $35,000
Depending on the topic, Las Vegas might just be a selection for a market in which to conduct a qualitative project involving children, new homeowners, health issues, food, beverages and more.
The other argument for selecting a City is the ability to get a direct airplane flight from the client or moderator residence City. If one lives in a hub city like Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh or other hub town, direct flights are a breeze. Higher airfares to go anywhere direct, especially if there is no competition on the same leg prevail.
Many times a less populated City / area has more diet soft drink drinkers, cancer survivors, remodeling contractors, hog farmers, children ages 8 to 12 per capita than a major city with direct flights. What happened to the old "If it'll play in Des Moines, it'll play anywhere?" That is not an endorsement for Des Moines either.
Okay, so how does one determine where to go to conduct qualitative research? The answer can be simple in many cases. All one needs is a search engine connection from a computer to visit websites of Chambers of Commerce, International Trade Offices, Federal, State and local Government offices and more. There are also companies who assist researchers determining markets such as the Qualitative Research Network - 800-601-0834.
John Cashmore, President of Market Resource Associates, Inc.and member of the Qualitative Reseach Consultants Association specializes in qualitative as well as quantitative market research techniques. Mr. Cashmore is based in Minneapolis, MN and consults with many Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries.
New York, London, Paris, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Toronto, Boston and Dallas are all great places to see first rate entertainment, dine out and by their size, must be great places in which to conduct qualitative research or so the common thinking goes.
A little research into the demographics of a market can save researchers more than a little money, and get better research. Take for instance…The State with the most Dentists per capita - If you said Arkansas, you would be right. The City with the most new homes built in the last year - If you said Las Vegas you would be right. The City with the highest incidence of coupon clippers - If you said Buffalo you would be right. The City with the most new Volkswagens sold per capita - If you said Minneapolis you would be right. But how do you know?
Let's take Las Vegas; bright lights and a City that truly never sleeps. Most focus groups are conducted there in concert with the world class convention center. It's a great idea. Go where folks from all over the country or even the world converge for days of meetings, walking aisles and of course dining, shows and gambling. But Las Vegas is not usually considered for testing the folks that live there, outside of occasional television show tests for new programming. In fact, in recent interviews with several QRCA (Qualitative Research Consultants Association, 888 - 674 - 7722) researchers, not one had been to Las Vegas other than to conduct research in conjunction with a show or convention.
This is not a promotion for Las Vegas, as the City does enough of that on its own, but let's look back at those homeowners. Who are they? Retirees - Right - well some yes, but not so fast. The greater metropolitan area is building schools like crazy. So it may not be as you or your client suspected. This is the point. Are we in a location rut?
According to the website of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce:
* More than 5,000 people move to Las Vegas each month
* 69.9% have lived there more than 6 years
* 10% of the residents are over the age of 65
* 62% of the Households have incomes in excess of $35,000
Depending on the topic, Las Vegas might just be a selection for a market in which to conduct a qualitative project involving children, new homeowners, health issues, food, beverages and more.
The other argument for selecting a City is the ability to get a direct airplane flight from the client or moderator residence City. If one lives in a hub city like Chicago, Minneapolis, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Pittsburgh or other hub town, direct flights are a breeze. Higher airfares to go anywhere direct, especially if there is no competition on the same leg prevail.
Many times a less populated City / area has more diet soft drink drinkers, cancer survivors, remodeling contractors, hog farmers, children ages 8 to 12 per capita than a major city with direct flights. What happened to the old "If it'll play in Des Moines, it'll play anywhere?" That is not an endorsement for Des Moines either.
Okay, so how does one determine where to go to conduct qualitative research? The answer can be simple in many cases. All one needs is a search engine connection from a computer to visit websites of Chambers of Commerce, International Trade Offices, Federal, State and local Government offices and more. There are also companies who assist researchers determining markets such as the Qualitative Research Network - 800-601-0834.
John Cashmore, President of Market Resource Associates, Inc.and member of the Qualitative Reseach Consultants Association specializes in qualitative as well as quantitative market research techniques. Mr. Cashmore is based in Minneapolis, MN and consults with many Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries.
Disclosure Laws Favor International Terrorists
The Federal Trade Commission has rule that are supposedly in place to protect franchise buyers from fraud from franchisors who might attempt to mislead them into purchasing a franchise. Part of the franchise rules are addressing required disclosure paperwork. In this disclosure document, which is required to be given to franchisees 10 days before any purchase is made are the names, addresses, phone numbers of all franchisees in the system. For smaller home based franchises this means home numbers, addresses and personal information.
I am very concerned about our company, The Car Wash Guys and the possibility that International terrorists might use our mobile car wash trucks as tools to distribute biological weapons. We use trucks and trailer units that have capacities in excess of 600 gallons and low volume, high-pressure sprayers. Our team has washed cars at office buildings, military bases, mass transit districts, rent a car companies, airports, malls, QSRs, grocery stores, shipping and distribution yards, truck stops, parking structures, golf courses, media buildings, etc, etc. We wash things like shopping carts, wheelchairs, school buses, trucks, aircraft, boats, awnings, concrete, decks, playground equipment, etc, etc. In a single day our crews may be at 10-20 locations, in a week each truck/crew maybe as many as 120 locations, throughout a given city. And we have set up franchises in 23 states so far and that means in a lot of cities. What concerns me here is this:
In our UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offering Circular) there is a list of franchisees, with names, addresses, phones numbers, and areas. It contains the perfect information of everything an evil-doer needs, except a map of how to get to the franchisees location. Even of more concern. Many of our franchisees own multiple trucks (units) and many park such units at their homes. They are not guarded they are just parked there. Someone could easily walk up and put something inside of the tank and walk away and our franchisees would then be spraying chemicals of mass destruction all over the city the next day. That would be bad. Not only from a franchisor's stand point and damage of brand name, but also from a stand point of what damage it could do to America. I am not alone in this problem. Think about TrueGreen ChemLawn, Pest control franchises, etc. We are all at risk, yet nobody is thinking there.
We have set up special precautions to protect our Water Supply Tanks, have other franchisors? I believe it is up to each franchise system to do a RISK EVALUTION of such things, put it in writing and protect ourselves and our franchises. The franchising community, together can do our part. Think about the idea of a direct mail franchise company, there are many like Money Mailer, Coupon Clipper, etc. Additionally; I propose a simple idea. Delete the section of the UFOC with listings of franchisees, names, areas and addresses. Until a more final phase of the sale and after the franchisor receives a ten-year background check from the prospect. Or perhaps only if it is asked for from the prospect in writing later. Putting out a list of everyone who owns a ChemLawn truck in the country is just stupid right now. How about the name brands which are American icons, like McDonalds. After all last time they went after AMERICAN AIRLINES and UNITED AIRLINES. I have already had competitors who pretended to be a prospect, later dump hydrofluoric acid in the tanks of one of my franchisees a couple of years ago to cause him to damage the paint on customers car so he could pick up an account from an auto dealer our franchisee washed for. We did not figure out what happened for quite a while and only learned of it after the damage and an employee of the competitor became disgruntled and told us. What if that were anthrax?
Even more scary is the fact that I had several former franchisees who were Muslim, who often discussed their despise of our government. Which I guess was probably them exercising their free speech, which is allowed of course, yet now it does not seem so innocent. There are so many franchises out their that have free access to facilities, such as; Shred It, AmeriSpec, American Leak Detector, Environmental Biotech, Merry Maids, Service Master, Terminex, ChemDry. I have personally seen the ease at which our company transverses through airport fencing, security gates, etc. They see the truck and the uniformed employee and wave us forward. Now think about this problem, our team without knowing it could deliver a bio weapon simply by an evil-doer dumping something in a tank. Very few lawn companies or termite pest control companies lock their tanks, I know this because our company washes these trucks, and rarely are their any locks on the tanks. The smaller the franchisee the more unaware they might be. Are all these companies sure they have trustworthy employees, and even if they are, do they secure and lock tanks and vehicles? Not just parked behind a fence, anyone can scale a fence. If an evil-doer is willing to die for his cause, I doubt if a fence will slow down or stop him/her. An evil-doer could also order services and hijack the truck or unit. Remember in San Francisco when Thieves would order a pizza from Dominos and then shoot and kill the delivery driver for the $50.00 in cash on him? There are so many ways to use a franchised unit to do these things. We must protect the franchise model, reputation of brand name and the American people. We should not make it easy by giving away all this information freely for no real reason. That would only hurt all franchisees of any system all over the country. The American Federation of Scientists announced that it deleted 500 pages of sensitive information on their initial review, and this is one of the most pro-freedom of speech supporters in the country.
These are our most brilliant minds. We are smart enough to follow their lead. With all this said, I wonder why we are putting these UFOCs on the Internet at FranData, why state agencies copy them for mere copy fees to anyone who asks and why anyone expresses an interest to buy a franchise can get one, with lists of all franchisees, addresses and phones numbers. Since franchisors cannot discriminate based on ethnic sympathies, we must give out this information freely. WHY? Some information is dangerous in times of such threats. We should make this a new policy today, not tomorrow, there is no time for committees, no time to talk about it. Just do it. If a franchisee wants to call on other franchisees they are certainly allowed to do so after things have checked out and after they submit a written request along with a background check.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
I am very concerned about our company, The Car Wash Guys and the possibility that International terrorists might use our mobile car wash trucks as tools to distribute biological weapons. We use trucks and trailer units that have capacities in excess of 600 gallons and low volume, high-pressure sprayers. Our team has washed cars at office buildings, military bases, mass transit districts, rent a car companies, airports, malls, QSRs, grocery stores, shipping and distribution yards, truck stops, parking structures, golf courses, media buildings, etc, etc. We wash things like shopping carts, wheelchairs, school buses, trucks, aircraft, boats, awnings, concrete, decks, playground equipment, etc, etc. In a single day our crews may be at 10-20 locations, in a week each truck/crew maybe as many as 120 locations, throughout a given city. And we have set up franchises in 23 states so far and that means in a lot of cities. What concerns me here is this:
In our UFOC (Uniform Franchise Offering Circular) there is a list of franchisees, with names, addresses, phones numbers, and areas. It contains the perfect information of everything an evil-doer needs, except a map of how to get to the franchisees location. Even of more concern. Many of our franchisees own multiple trucks (units) and many park such units at their homes. They are not guarded they are just parked there. Someone could easily walk up and put something inside of the tank and walk away and our franchisees would then be spraying chemicals of mass destruction all over the city the next day. That would be bad. Not only from a franchisor's stand point and damage of brand name, but also from a stand point of what damage it could do to America. I am not alone in this problem. Think about TrueGreen ChemLawn, Pest control franchises, etc. We are all at risk, yet nobody is thinking there.
We have set up special precautions to protect our Water Supply Tanks, have other franchisors? I believe it is up to each franchise system to do a RISK EVALUTION of such things, put it in writing and protect ourselves and our franchises. The franchising community, together can do our part. Think about the idea of a direct mail franchise company, there are many like Money Mailer, Coupon Clipper, etc. Additionally; I propose a simple idea. Delete the section of the UFOC with listings of franchisees, names, areas and addresses. Until a more final phase of the sale and after the franchisor receives a ten-year background check from the prospect. Or perhaps only if it is asked for from the prospect in writing later. Putting out a list of everyone who owns a ChemLawn truck in the country is just stupid right now. How about the name brands which are American icons, like McDonalds. After all last time they went after AMERICAN AIRLINES and UNITED AIRLINES. I have already had competitors who pretended to be a prospect, later dump hydrofluoric acid in the tanks of one of my franchisees a couple of years ago to cause him to damage the paint on customers car so he could pick up an account from an auto dealer our franchisee washed for. We did not figure out what happened for quite a while and only learned of it after the damage and an employee of the competitor became disgruntled and told us. What if that were anthrax?
Even more scary is the fact that I had several former franchisees who were Muslim, who often discussed their despise of our government. Which I guess was probably them exercising their free speech, which is allowed of course, yet now it does not seem so innocent. There are so many franchises out their that have free access to facilities, such as; Shred It, AmeriSpec, American Leak Detector, Environmental Biotech, Merry Maids, Service Master, Terminex, ChemDry. I have personally seen the ease at which our company transverses through airport fencing, security gates, etc. They see the truck and the uniformed employee and wave us forward. Now think about this problem, our team without knowing it could deliver a bio weapon simply by an evil-doer dumping something in a tank. Very few lawn companies or termite pest control companies lock their tanks, I know this because our company washes these trucks, and rarely are their any locks on the tanks. The smaller the franchisee the more unaware they might be. Are all these companies sure they have trustworthy employees, and even if they are, do they secure and lock tanks and vehicles? Not just parked behind a fence, anyone can scale a fence. If an evil-doer is willing to die for his cause, I doubt if a fence will slow down or stop him/her. An evil-doer could also order services and hijack the truck or unit. Remember in San Francisco when Thieves would order a pizza from Dominos and then shoot and kill the delivery driver for the $50.00 in cash on him? There are so many ways to use a franchised unit to do these things. We must protect the franchise model, reputation of brand name and the American people. We should not make it easy by giving away all this information freely for no real reason. That would only hurt all franchisees of any system all over the country. The American Federation of Scientists announced that it deleted 500 pages of sensitive information on their initial review, and this is one of the most pro-freedom of speech supporters in the country.
These are our most brilliant minds. We are smart enough to follow their lead. With all this said, I wonder why we are putting these UFOCs on the Internet at FranData, why state agencies copy them for mere copy fees to anyone who asks and why anyone expresses an interest to buy a franchise can get one, with lists of all franchisees, addresses and phones numbers. Since franchisors cannot discriminate based on ethnic sympathies, we must give out this information freely. WHY? Some information is dangerous in times of such threats. We should make this a new policy today, not tomorrow, there is no time for committees, no time to talk about it. Just do it. If a franchisee wants to call on other franchisees they are certainly allowed to do so after things have checked out and after they submit a written request along with a background check.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Sell Hobby Items by Mail
You can, if you are ambitious, start a Mail Order Business selling collectables to hobbiest by mail. To begin, you must first find a hobby that appeals to YOU. Next, you must spend several weeks researching that hobby. You must learn what collectors want and how much they are willing to pay for it. You should also know what other dealers are willing to pay forthe merchandise which they sell. And you must be willing to pay the same amounts.
Perhaps you already know exactly what you want to sell. If youhave been collecting old Valentines, then start a Mail Orderbusiness buying and selling old Valentines. Or Stamps. Or Comic Books. The first rule of Mail Order selling is to sell what you yourself would buy.
To give you an idea of what collectors buy and sell by mail, here is a partial list of today's collectables:Phonograph Records, Cigar Label, License Plates,Beer Labels, Circus Posters, Music Boxes,Salt/Pepper Shakers, Greeting Cards, Old Pencils,Atlases, Military Medals, Sheet Music,Doll Clothes, Menus, Cigar Boxes,Train Photos, Old Calendars, MapsStreet, Car Tokens, Buttons, Postcards,Fruit, Car Tokens, Fruit Jar Labels, Old Magazines,Gun Catalogs, Paper Currency, Cartoon Books, Theatre Programs, Political Buttons, Baseball Cards,Children's Books, Stock Certificates, Old Toys,Gems, Minerals, Belt Buckles, Airplane Photos,FBI Posters, Newspapers, Coins,Arrowheads, Old Jewelry, Boat Photographs, Advertising Cards, Dog Pictures, Movie Magazines, Autographs, Dolls, Hunting Licenses,Valentines, Cookbooks, Beatle Items,Stamps, Indian Relics, Railroad Books, Fishing Licenses, Comic Books, Thimbles, Automobile Manuals, Diaries, Railroad Passes, Antique Barbed Wire
Once you have selected your field, start a file. Keep copies ofall the ads selling your kind of merchandise. Also keep adsshowing the dealer's buying prices. If price lists ar offeredin ads, send for them and STUDY them. MAKE YOURSELF AN EXPERTIN YOUR FIELD.
Try to locate any publications that deal with your field. Often, you can locate small mimeographed publications andnewsletters which will give you all kinds of useful information.
Your next step is to look for merchandise in your own community.Here are some suggestions:
Start by attending flea markets and antique shoes. Don't be afraid to make inquiries of dealers. They often have what they consider "junk" stashed away, assuming that it isn't of muchvalue to anyone. I once discovered a fabulous stamp collectionthat way!
Browse around through Thrift Shops.
Study the garage sale ads in your local newspaper. Visit any that sound promising. (Sometimes, it pays to telephone first. Also, by telling people what kind of merchandise you are looking for, they may be able to direct you to others who have exactlywhat you need!)
Place "Wanted to Buy" ads in your local newspaper. Be sure to list your phone number.
It is amazing what you can find in your local community if you work at it. However, if you can't find enough merchandiselocally, run ads in the Collector's Magazines listed above. Their rates are very, very low. And you will soon discover that they are widely read!
Once you have accumulated a decent stock of merchandise, you are ready to begin selling it. If there are publicationsspecializing in your field, by all means advertise there. Youhave a ready-made audience! Also run ads in the big hobbymagazines.
Type up a list of what you have and have an Instant Printer make a hundred or so copies for you. Hobbyists don't mind typewritten, mimeographed, or xerox copies . . . it's half thefund of collecting. Then run your ad. Your ad can merely offeryour list to interested collectors free (or for a stamp, to weedout coupon clippers). Or you can offer to make a sale straightfrom the ad. If you do the latter, stick in your price listwith the merchandise. It will be read . . . eagerly!
Here are a few sample ads run by hobby dealers for your
consideration:
"Railroad Timetables, 1940's
Four different - $4.00 postpaid..
"Old Children's Books and Texts. Stamp for List."
"85,000 Comic Books, Movie Magazines, Funnies, etc.
1900-1957. Catalog $1.00 (Refundable)."
"Original Movie Poster, Pressbooks,
Stills, 1919-1975. Catalog - 50 cents"
"Sleigh Bells! Stamp for list."
"Sheet Music. SASE for list."
Just in case you are not familiar with the phrase, "SASE" means "Self-addressed, stamped envelope". As you progress, you will learn continually. Most hobby dealers will tell you that they learn more from the collectors who buy from them than they could ever learn from any other source.
Note to editors:
To show my appreciation to the editors that use my articles, I offer a free solo ad. Simply send an email to me by using the form on the contact me page on my website to tell me the url the article was used on or send me a copy of the ezine it was used in.
Copyright 2004 by DeAnna Spencer
Are you content with your advertising budget?
Schedule a coaching session with Frugal Solutions Expert, DeAnna Spencer.
She will design an affordable online advertising plan for you.
Contact her by sending an email to deanna.spencer(at)gmail.com
Visit this small business resource for more information.
Perhaps you already know exactly what you want to sell. If youhave been collecting old Valentines, then start a Mail Orderbusiness buying and selling old Valentines. Or Stamps. Or Comic Books. The first rule of Mail Order selling is to sell what you yourself would buy.
To give you an idea of what collectors buy and sell by mail, here is a partial list of today's collectables:Phonograph Records, Cigar Label, License Plates,Beer Labels, Circus Posters, Music Boxes,Salt/Pepper Shakers, Greeting Cards, Old Pencils,Atlases, Military Medals, Sheet Music,Doll Clothes, Menus, Cigar Boxes,Train Photos, Old Calendars, MapsStreet, Car Tokens, Buttons, Postcards,Fruit, Car Tokens, Fruit Jar Labels, Old Magazines,Gun Catalogs, Paper Currency, Cartoon Books, Theatre Programs, Political Buttons, Baseball Cards,Children's Books, Stock Certificates, Old Toys,Gems, Minerals, Belt Buckles, Airplane Photos,FBI Posters, Newspapers, Coins,Arrowheads, Old Jewelry, Boat Photographs, Advertising Cards, Dog Pictures, Movie Magazines, Autographs, Dolls, Hunting Licenses,Valentines, Cookbooks, Beatle Items,Stamps, Indian Relics, Railroad Books, Fishing Licenses, Comic Books, Thimbles, Automobile Manuals, Diaries, Railroad Passes, Antique Barbed Wire
Once you have selected your field, start a file. Keep copies ofall the ads selling your kind of merchandise. Also keep adsshowing the dealer's buying prices. If price lists ar offeredin ads, send for them and STUDY them. MAKE YOURSELF AN EXPERTIN YOUR FIELD.
Try to locate any publications that deal with your field. Often, you can locate small mimeographed publications andnewsletters which will give you all kinds of useful information.
Your next step is to look for merchandise in your own community.Here are some suggestions:
Start by attending flea markets and antique shoes. Don't be afraid to make inquiries of dealers. They often have what they consider "junk" stashed away, assuming that it isn't of muchvalue to anyone. I once discovered a fabulous stamp collectionthat way!
Browse around through Thrift Shops.
Study the garage sale ads in your local newspaper. Visit any that sound promising. (Sometimes, it pays to telephone first. Also, by telling people what kind of merchandise you are looking for, they may be able to direct you to others who have exactlywhat you need!)
Place "Wanted to Buy" ads in your local newspaper. Be sure to list your phone number.
It is amazing what you can find in your local community if you work at it. However, if you can't find enough merchandiselocally, run ads in the Collector's Magazines listed above. Their rates are very, very low. And you will soon discover that they are widely read!
Once you have accumulated a decent stock of merchandise, you are ready to begin selling it. If there are publicationsspecializing in your field, by all means advertise there. Youhave a ready-made audience! Also run ads in the big hobbymagazines.
Type up a list of what you have and have an Instant Printer make a hundred or so copies for you. Hobbyists don't mind typewritten, mimeographed, or xerox copies . . . it's half thefund of collecting. Then run your ad. Your ad can merely offeryour list to interested collectors free (or for a stamp, to weedout coupon clippers). Or you can offer to make a sale straightfrom the ad. If you do the latter, stick in your price listwith the merchandise. It will be read . . . eagerly!
Here are a few sample ads run by hobby dealers for your
consideration:
"Railroad Timetables, 1940's
Four different - $4.00 postpaid..
"Old Children's Books and Texts. Stamp for List."
"85,000 Comic Books, Movie Magazines, Funnies, etc.
1900-1957. Catalog $1.00 (Refundable)."
"Original Movie Poster, Pressbooks,
Stills, 1919-1975. Catalog - 50 cents"
"Sleigh Bells! Stamp for list."
"Sheet Music. SASE for list."
Just in case you are not familiar with the phrase, "SASE" means "Self-addressed, stamped envelope". As you progress, you will learn continually. Most hobby dealers will tell you that they learn more from the collectors who buy from them than they could ever learn from any other source.
Note to editors:
To show my appreciation to the editors that use my articles, I offer a free solo ad. Simply send an email to me by using the form on the contact me page on my website to tell me the url the article was used on or send me a copy of the ezine it was used in.
Copyright 2004 by DeAnna Spencer
Are you content with your advertising budget?
Schedule a coaching session with Frugal Solutions Expert, DeAnna Spencer.
She will design an affordable online advertising plan for you.
Contact her by sending an email to deanna.spencer(at)gmail.com
Visit this small business resource for more information.
Boomers Are A Booming Business-Why Boomers?
Boomers are people just like you and me.
Boomers are a prime and growing target audience. Does your product speak to them? Does your product's packaging compel them to buy it? If not, you are missing a very important market segment. According to Rick Adler, founder of The Senior Network: "Simply based on population growth trends, if a product is marketed to the 50-plus audience and maintains its market share, it should increase in sales by 35 to 50 percent in the next 20 years. Conversely, a brand targeted at the zero to 50 age groups will be flat in sales."
Do you know these important facts?
ท Americans age 50-plus control $7 trillion, or 70% of all US wealth.
ท The 50-plus group brings in $2 trillion in annual income that they want to and are willing to spend.
ท One baby boomer turns 50 every 7 seconds of every day. Do a little calculating here about this market size? Think of all the boomers that you know besides me.
ท With 76 million U.S. boomers in command of today's buying decisions, the potential for profit and growth from this group is enormous.
ท AARP estimates 54 million baby boomers will be between the ages of 50 and 64 by 2010.
ท 90 million Americans will be age 50 or greater in 2010.
Here are some other interesting points about boomers that can influence your product packaging.
Boomers could still be parents or even grandparents and be in their 50s. This means they cross the gamut in their relationships with their families and can influence or are influenced by their purchasing decisions.
Boomers could still be working or in the early stages of retirement. Whatever the circumstances they don't see themselves as old. Most plan to work until retirement age. Many are starting new business ventures.
While boomers are still working they have the same convenience and lifestyle issues as other working families.
What this means to you is growth can come from unlikely areas. Markets that were once strong have become so diluted they have become unprofitable. Explore boomer product introductions in any category and look for new product innovations in all types of markets. See what can crossover into the health and beauty market.
Boomers view themselves as younger than they are (typically by 20 years). I can identify with this, I see myself in my thirties even though I'm well into the boomer years.
Boomers live active lifestyles and travel and mobility is high on their list. So think logically. Develop packages and products that go where the boomers go or are available where they travel ….. spas and resorts are an untapped opportunity. And most recently hotels with the added treat of airport security.
Gone are the days of over 50 being considered close to the end of life. Life expectancy is expanding. Boomers love discounts and don't feel at all intimidated in asking for them.
Regarding couponing -- if the deal is attractive enough will appeal to them. Example: Buy one meal and get one free or at a discount. They are not however coupon clippers.
Boomers grew up with TV so they understand advertising. The key is to choose the right message though the right medium. Packaging is a large part of the mechanism to reach them. Mainstream advertising is dying and packaging should step up to the plate to take its place.
Boomers are not children of the depression like their parents were. They expect lifestyles better than their parents and are willing to spend to make it happen. They want and can afford products that make them look or feel better. Hence the enormous potential of look good and feel good products especially in the cosmetics and wellness sector.
Boomers are connected. They are comfortable with technology and using the Internet. So don't overlook the online market in fact this is one of the fastest growing markets for packaged goods especially for women.
More thoughts to keep in mind when packaging products to the over 50 market:
Consider all the products that can reach an active lifestyle. Again: Simply based on population growth trends, if a product is marketed to the 50-plus audience, and maintains its market share, it should increase in sales by 35 to 50 percent in the next 20 years.
Don't look at boomers as an aggregate mass. Even within the boomer segment, there are differences in the age brackets. Some are just entering that age bracket such as me and yet others could be octogenarians.
Don't assume the 50+ are brand loyal. They grew up on branding but are willing to make a change after careful consideration. Give them the facts and show how your product or service will make their lives better.
Brand loyalty can and will be changed especially when a product fails to fulfill a boomer's expectations.
Don't hype or over exaggerate claims. This has a negative effect, not a positive one. If the claim is legitimate you will have a believer, one that will tell others about the product, but conversely if the claim is false they will tell even more people about their bad experience.
Use images boomers can relate to. Studies have shown that tapping into the "hey days" of the boomers' earlier lives don't always work. But boomers are nostalgic so do evoke positive memories, but also connect to their current life styles. Make your packaging relate to the audience though visual images or appeal and reflect their view of themselves.
Whether you use the word, "boomer," "senior over 50," or "aging," this age group doesn't want to be referred to as old. No "over the hill" context. Use words that are not considered negative. In a recent survey I conducted, the words "golden," "aging" and "elder" were disliked. More about this later in the presentation.
Sell Boomers the experience and the benefits that come in using your product or service. Lifestyle issues are important. Boomers expect to live well so conveying this in your product will create relevance.
Boomers are spending money to treat themselves luxury.
Go where the Boomers go. Reach out to them in places where there is a high level of comfort. When working on my survey I found out that even though boomers were connected to the Internet some of them just weren't comfortable with online surveys. They wanted to complete them on paper not electronically.
Keep this in mind when developing your product packaging. Emphasize convenience or ease-of-use. Boomers are busy people--making their lives easier or more simplified is important. They like to spend time on activities together. They just don't want to spend a lot of time.
What this means is products need to be simple to use or ready with minimal preparation time. The easier you make someone's life, the more loyal the will become to your product. Use language that connects with Boomers. In most cases they are literate and informed. Communicate with them as such. Hip hop and other "in style" messages create a negative image rather than a positive one.
Stress the values that boomers appreciate. Connect both intellectually and emotionally. "Engage" their interest in purchasing your product.
Boomers don't respond well to scare tactics. They are turned off with the threat, "If you don't do this it will be to your detriment." So no "scary" product description words.
Use role models or visuals that represent the audience. Having a 20 year old touting the latest product benefits means nothing. Conversely, having a 50+ year old speaking to her daughter or granddaughter creates relevance.
Boomers are in the prime of their life.
Under no circumstances should we refer to this market as old, over the hill aging, ancient or any similar nomenclature.
Keep the packages easy to use and open. In some cases this can't be helped but look for innovative new ways to make it easier for boomers to open.
Save your money on celebrity endorsements but keep in mind support from age related groups such as AARP
Make sure the labels are easy to read so they know what's inside. In this case bigger is better.
Keep it simple and easy to use.
They are tough crowd but easy to sell once you understand the parameters.
However you reach out and connect with boomers, it's important to visualize them as vital, active people. Eliminate the old stereotypes that we grew up with of people over the age of 50. Create relevance by using images of people who realize they have the best years of their lives ahead of them.
Packaging BootCamp For Entrepreneurs, Small Business And Inventors You have a product - RIGHT? You need a package - RIGHT?
You realize your package is your best sales agent - RIGHT? You know nothing or very little about packaging - RIGHT? You have no idea where to start - RIGHT?
That's what this workshop is all about. It has been designed to give you the nuts and bolts for packaging. It offers all of the fundamentals necessary to package your product to sell.
Before you ask why you need this workshop think about this: without a package you can't have sell a product.
You want to sell your product - RIGHT?
If you plan on selling ANYTHING you better have the right packaging. The package is vital to your product's success. You have invested in your product, don't stop short of the finish line and leave out the most important component.
In half of a day with the Packaging Diva, the number one consumer products packaging expert, learn how to package your product for sales success.
For details visit www.packagingbootcamp.com or email PackagingDiva@aol.com.
Boomers are a prime and growing target audience. Does your product speak to them? Does your product's packaging compel them to buy it? If not, you are missing a very important market segment. According to Rick Adler, founder of The Senior Network: "Simply based on population growth trends, if a product is marketed to the 50-plus audience and maintains its market share, it should increase in sales by 35 to 50 percent in the next 20 years. Conversely, a brand targeted at the zero to 50 age groups will be flat in sales."
Do you know these important facts?
ท Americans age 50-plus control $7 trillion, or 70% of all US wealth.
ท The 50-plus group brings in $2 trillion in annual income that they want to and are willing to spend.
ท One baby boomer turns 50 every 7 seconds of every day. Do a little calculating here about this market size? Think of all the boomers that you know besides me.
ท With 76 million U.S. boomers in command of today's buying decisions, the potential for profit and growth from this group is enormous.
ท AARP estimates 54 million baby boomers will be between the ages of 50 and 64 by 2010.
ท 90 million Americans will be age 50 or greater in 2010.
Here are some other interesting points about boomers that can influence your product packaging.
Boomers could still be parents or even grandparents and be in their 50s. This means they cross the gamut in their relationships with their families and can influence or are influenced by their purchasing decisions.
Boomers could still be working or in the early stages of retirement. Whatever the circumstances they don't see themselves as old. Most plan to work until retirement age. Many are starting new business ventures.
While boomers are still working they have the same convenience and lifestyle issues as other working families.
What this means to you is growth can come from unlikely areas. Markets that were once strong have become so diluted they have become unprofitable. Explore boomer product introductions in any category and look for new product innovations in all types of markets. See what can crossover into the health and beauty market.
Boomers view themselves as younger than they are (typically by 20 years). I can identify with this, I see myself in my thirties even though I'm well into the boomer years.
Boomers live active lifestyles and travel and mobility is high on their list. So think logically. Develop packages and products that go where the boomers go or are available where they travel ….. spas and resorts are an untapped opportunity. And most recently hotels with the added treat of airport security.
Gone are the days of over 50 being considered close to the end of life. Life expectancy is expanding. Boomers love discounts and don't feel at all intimidated in asking for them.
Regarding couponing -- if the deal is attractive enough will appeal to them. Example: Buy one meal and get one free or at a discount. They are not however coupon clippers.
Boomers grew up with TV so they understand advertising. The key is to choose the right message though the right medium. Packaging is a large part of the mechanism to reach them. Mainstream advertising is dying and packaging should step up to the plate to take its place.
Boomers are not children of the depression like their parents were. They expect lifestyles better than their parents and are willing to spend to make it happen. They want and can afford products that make them look or feel better. Hence the enormous potential of look good and feel good products especially in the cosmetics and wellness sector.
Boomers are connected. They are comfortable with technology and using the Internet. So don't overlook the online market in fact this is one of the fastest growing markets for packaged goods especially for women.
More thoughts to keep in mind when packaging products to the over 50 market:
Consider all the products that can reach an active lifestyle. Again: Simply based on population growth trends, if a product is marketed to the 50-plus audience, and maintains its market share, it should increase in sales by 35 to 50 percent in the next 20 years.
Don't look at boomers as an aggregate mass. Even within the boomer segment, there are differences in the age brackets. Some are just entering that age bracket such as me and yet others could be octogenarians.
Don't assume the 50+ are brand loyal. They grew up on branding but are willing to make a change after careful consideration. Give them the facts and show how your product or service will make their lives better.
Brand loyalty can and will be changed especially when a product fails to fulfill a boomer's expectations.
Don't hype or over exaggerate claims. This has a negative effect, not a positive one. If the claim is legitimate you will have a believer, one that will tell others about the product, but conversely if the claim is false they will tell even more people about their bad experience.
Use images boomers can relate to. Studies have shown that tapping into the "hey days" of the boomers' earlier lives don't always work. But boomers are nostalgic so do evoke positive memories, but also connect to their current life styles. Make your packaging relate to the audience though visual images or appeal and reflect their view of themselves.
Whether you use the word, "boomer," "senior over 50," or "aging," this age group doesn't want to be referred to as old. No "over the hill" context. Use words that are not considered negative. In a recent survey I conducted, the words "golden," "aging" and "elder" were disliked. More about this later in the presentation.
Sell Boomers the experience and the benefits that come in using your product or service. Lifestyle issues are important. Boomers expect to live well so conveying this in your product will create relevance.
Boomers are spending money to treat themselves luxury.
Go where the Boomers go. Reach out to them in places where there is a high level of comfort. When working on my survey I found out that even though boomers were connected to the Internet some of them just weren't comfortable with online surveys. They wanted to complete them on paper not electronically.
Keep this in mind when developing your product packaging. Emphasize convenience or ease-of-use. Boomers are busy people--making their lives easier or more simplified is important. They like to spend time on activities together. They just don't want to spend a lot of time.
What this means is products need to be simple to use or ready with minimal preparation time. The easier you make someone's life, the more loyal the will become to your product. Use language that connects with Boomers. In most cases they are literate and informed. Communicate with them as such. Hip hop and other "in style" messages create a negative image rather than a positive one.
Stress the values that boomers appreciate. Connect both intellectually and emotionally. "Engage" their interest in purchasing your product.
Boomers don't respond well to scare tactics. They are turned off with the threat, "If you don't do this it will be to your detriment." So no "scary" product description words.
Use role models or visuals that represent the audience. Having a 20 year old touting the latest product benefits means nothing. Conversely, having a 50+ year old speaking to her daughter or granddaughter creates relevance.
Boomers are in the prime of their life.
Under no circumstances should we refer to this market as old, over the hill aging, ancient or any similar nomenclature.
Keep the packages easy to use and open. In some cases this can't be helped but look for innovative new ways to make it easier for boomers to open.
Save your money on celebrity endorsements but keep in mind support from age related groups such as AARP
Make sure the labels are easy to read so they know what's inside. In this case bigger is better.
Keep it simple and easy to use.
They are tough crowd but easy to sell once you understand the parameters.
However you reach out and connect with boomers, it's important to visualize them as vital, active people. Eliminate the old stereotypes that we grew up with of people over the age of 50. Create relevance by using images of people who realize they have the best years of their lives ahead of them.
Packaging BootCamp For Entrepreneurs, Small Business And Inventors You have a product - RIGHT? You need a package - RIGHT?
You realize your package is your best sales agent - RIGHT? You know nothing or very little about packaging - RIGHT? You have no idea where to start - RIGHT?
That's what this workshop is all about. It has been designed to give you the nuts and bolts for packaging. It offers all of the fundamentals necessary to package your product to sell.
Before you ask why you need this workshop think about this: without a package you can't have sell a product.
You want to sell your product - RIGHT?
If you plan on selling ANYTHING you better have the right packaging. The package is vital to your product's success. You have invested in your product, don't stop short of the finish line and leave out the most important component.
In half of a day with the Packaging Diva, the number one consumer products packaging expert, learn how to package your product for sales success.
For details visit www.packagingbootcamp.com or email PackagingDiva@aol.com.
How To Get The Best Deal On A Hotel Room
If you are traveling and you need to stay in a hotel then you will no doubt want to get a room at the very best price you can. Nobody wants to pay more than what they have to and they certainly don't want to feel as though they were taken advantage of, that would be a shame. There are several ways that you can save on a hotel room but here are my personal favorites and I use these every time I travel in order to land some really great deals on my hotel rooms.
1. You better shop around. This doesn't only go for the old 60s' song, it also goes for shopping around for a great deal. I personally like to shop around by using the Internet. There are a lot of websites that will search area hotels for the best price and let you know what kind of deals they find. Put these tools to use for yourself.
2. Coupon Clippers - If you will be staying with a major hotel chain see if there are some coupons available online. Once you arrive at your destination check with some of the local travel brochures that you can find at rest stops and restaurants, these will often have coupons for local hotels.
3. Let Your Fingers do the Walking - Try calling the hotel direct to see if they will give you a better price than what you find on the Internet. They will often give you a great price so that they can fill their inventory of rooms.
Of course there are other ways to save money on your room but these will help you to land a great deal almost every time. Remember that competition amongst hotels gives you the advantage in the pricing game. Play that game till it is in your favor.
1. You better shop around. This doesn't only go for the old 60s' song, it also goes for shopping around for a great deal. I personally like to shop around by using the Internet. There are a lot of websites that will search area hotels for the best price and let you know what kind of deals they find. Put these tools to use for yourself.
2. Coupon Clippers - If you will be staying with a major hotel chain see if there are some coupons available online. Once you arrive at your destination check with some of the local travel brochures that you can find at rest stops and restaurants, these will often have coupons for local hotels.
3. Let Your Fingers do the Walking - Try calling the hotel direct to see if they will give you a better price than what you find on the Internet. They will often give you a great price so that they can fill their inventory of rooms.
Of course there are other ways to save money on your room but these will help you to land a great deal almost every time. Remember that competition amongst hotels gives you the advantage in the pricing game. Play that game till it is in your favor.
Direct Mail Marketing to Target Teens
For those businesses which generally sell to teens direct mail marketing advertising actually works quite well. For instance if you sell skateboards, Mp3 players, music CDs, video games or teen clothing you will be surprised how much bang for your buck you can get by using direct mail marketing and it does not take much to get their attention.
The offer could be as simple as giving away a free sticker, poster or come to a seminar on "how to" and they will come in record numbers. If you use a direct mail marketing coupon packages then you will be surprised how many kids go thru these things, as they like to see what is in them because they are curious about it.
In fact often it is the teens or young people who will shuffle thru the decks of these coupon direct mail marketing packages and not necessarily the adults or coupon clipper crowd. Direct Mail Marketing to Target Teens works and it works so well that many retailers find this their advertising method of choice these days.
Also since most kids are on the Internet it also makes sense to put a website address on the coupon to get them to look it up online. You will be surprised how well this works as not all kids have adequate transportation to get to your business. Be smart and try direct mail marketing to target the teen customers and you will be glad you did.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
The offer could be as simple as giving away a free sticker, poster or come to a seminar on "how to" and they will come in record numbers. If you use a direct mail marketing coupon packages then you will be surprised how many kids go thru these things, as they like to see what is in them because they are curious about it.
In fact often it is the teens or young people who will shuffle thru the decks of these coupon direct mail marketing packages and not necessarily the adults or coupon clipper crowd. Direct Mail Marketing to Target Teens works and it works so well that many retailers find this their advertising method of choice these days.
Also since most kids are on the Internet it also makes sense to put a website address on the coupon to get them to look it up online. You will be surprised how well this works as not all kids have adequate transportation to get to your business. Be smart and try direct mail marketing to target the teen customers and you will be glad you did.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
The Real Estate Investment With The Features Of A Corporate Bond
Why are so many investors, foreign and domestic, placing their money in NNN properties?
Net-leased real estate provides a unique investment opportunity to individuals or institutions interested in owning real estate without the hassles of management and leasing typically found in conventional real estate investments. Net-leased projects are most commonly single-tenant, credit-driven investments on long-term leases which require minimal or no landlord responsibility.
As a result, investors are not bound to their geographic markets, whereas they would most likely be with a traditional real estate investment, not just closely watched "backyard" opportunities.
A net-leased (NNN) property is effectively a long-term bond of a corporation in the form of a lease document encompassed by real estate. The investment appears to be a bond-type investment due to the "coupon-clipper" type of returns, 6%-10%. However, they also provide the added benefits of tax reduction and property appreciation found in conventional real estate.
The net-leased investment can be categorized three ways:
1. Retail refers to big-box users (i.e. discount variety stores, department stores, or home improvement stores) as well as small-box users (i.e. restaurants or drug stores).
2. Industrial includes facilities used for either distribution, manufacturing, or research and development.
3. Office refers to any single user such as an oil company or pharmaceutical firm occupying a facility as the sole tenant.
Pricing on net-leased projects is based primarily on the tenant's credit, the terms of the lease, and the location. Although each of these variables has an important role in the pricing of net-leased projects, it is the combination of all three that will determine a true purchase price.
Tenant's Credit
* Many net-leased projects are based solely on a tenant's credit.
* Tenants considered investment grade by a recognized rating agency usually trade at a premium (i.e. Walmart, Walgreens, General Motors).
* Tenants with junk bond (non-investment grade) ratings or minimal net worth typically trade for a higher return (i.e. UA Theaters, Dairy Mart convenience stores, Taco Cabana restaurants).
Lease
* Length of a lease is a another primary factor in determining the sales price on a net-leased investment. Primary terms of 15 or more years are preferred; 10 years is sufficient in 1031 tax-deferred exchanges and similar cases
* "Absolute" triple-net leases, where the tenant is responsible for roof, structure, and parking, trade at a premium.
* "Double-net (NN)" leases, where the landlord is responsible for roof and structure, trade at a higher yield and usually include a reserve taken for any potential repairs.
* Leases with "bumps"- rental increases or upside trade at a premium, with the exception of flat leases with investment grade credit.
Location
* NNN leases are credit-driven, causing location to be the least important factor.
* Investors often pay an added premium for the residual benefit of specifying a certain geographic location.
The combination of credit, lease and location can lead to paying a higher premium (i.e. Walgreen: 20 year NNN, flat) or receiving a higher yield (i.e. CSK Auto: 15 year NN).
The market for net-leased real estate investments is strong. The availability of attractive financing combined with minimal landlord responsibilities create highly desirable opportunities, especially for investors desiring a property for an IRS Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange.
Whether a risk-averse individual or institution is in need of a smart depreciation vehicle or a relatively safe "coupon-clipper," net-leased properties provide great investments in both credit and real estate markets.
Net-leased real estate provides a unique investment opportunity to individuals or institutions interested in owning real estate without the hassles of management and leasing typically found in conventional real estate investments. Net-leased projects are most commonly single-tenant, credit-driven investments on long-term leases which require minimal or no landlord responsibility.
As a result, investors are not bound to their geographic markets, whereas they would most likely be with a traditional real estate investment, not just closely watched "backyard" opportunities.
A net-leased (NNN) property is effectively a long-term bond of a corporation in the form of a lease document encompassed by real estate. The investment appears to be a bond-type investment due to the "coupon-clipper" type of returns, 6%-10%. However, they also provide the added benefits of tax reduction and property appreciation found in conventional real estate.
The net-leased investment can be categorized three ways:
1. Retail refers to big-box users (i.e. discount variety stores, department stores, or home improvement stores) as well as small-box users (i.e. restaurants or drug stores).
2. Industrial includes facilities used for either distribution, manufacturing, or research and development.
3. Office refers to any single user such as an oil company or pharmaceutical firm occupying a facility as the sole tenant.
Pricing on net-leased projects is based primarily on the tenant's credit, the terms of the lease, and the location. Although each of these variables has an important role in the pricing of net-leased projects, it is the combination of all three that will determine a true purchase price.
Tenant's Credit
* Many net-leased projects are based solely on a tenant's credit.
* Tenants considered investment grade by a recognized rating agency usually trade at a premium (i.e. Walmart, Walgreens, General Motors).
* Tenants with junk bond (non-investment grade) ratings or minimal net worth typically trade for a higher return (i.e. UA Theaters, Dairy Mart convenience stores, Taco Cabana restaurants).
Lease
* Length of a lease is a another primary factor in determining the sales price on a net-leased investment. Primary terms of 15 or more years are preferred; 10 years is sufficient in 1031 tax-deferred exchanges and similar cases
* "Absolute" triple-net leases, where the tenant is responsible for roof, structure, and parking, trade at a premium.
* "Double-net (NN)" leases, where the landlord is responsible for roof and structure, trade at a higher yield and usually include a reserve taken for any potential repairs.
* Leases with "bumps"- rental increases or upside trade at a premium, with the exception of flat leases with investment grade credit.
Location
* NNN leases are credit-driven, causing location to be the least important factor.
* Investors often pay an added premium for the residual benefit of specifying a certain geographic location.
The combination of credit, lease and location can lead to paying a higher premium (i.e. Walgreen: 20 year NNN, flat) or receiving a higher yield (i.e. CSK Auto: 15 year NN).
The market for net-leased real estate investments is strong. The availability of attractive financing combined with minimal landlord responsibilities create highly desirable opportunities, especially for investors desiring a property for an IRS Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange.
Whether a risk-averse individual or institution is in need of a smart depreciation vehicle or a relatively safe "coupon-clipper," net-leased properties provide great investments in both credit and real estate markets.
Money-saving Ideas
Good news: Consumers can save nearly $3 billion a year just by using coupons when shopping. According to the Promotion Marketing Association Coupon Council, spending just 20 minutes per week clipping coupons can save you up to $1,000 per year. It's easy. Over 85 percent of all coupons issued in the U.S. are found in Sunday papers. And it's popular. Seventy-six percent of Americans are already coupon users.
The following tips can also help you on your way to becoming a savvy coupon clipper:
Finding Coupons:
• Look in the store. You'll find coupons in retailers' advertising flyers, on the shelf, at kiosks, even at the checkout. Turn your register receipt over-sometimes there will be coupons there, too.
• Try samples offered in the store and you'll often be offered a coupon to take home a package of the products.
• Check product packages. Your favorite brands want to keep you loyal, so you'll often find coupons on or in the package.
• Look on the Internet. There are coupon sites where you can print coupons and find providers who will e-mail you coupons. A product manufacturer's Web site may offer coupons for brands you love. Check the store's Web site too. Be cautious online, however, of someone offering to sell you coupons...there's no need to buy them when there are so many available free.
Using Coupons:
• Organize your coupons in the order that you shop the store to save time and make sure you use them all.
• Make coupon-clipping a family affair--it can be a great math and savings lesson for the kids. Involve them in the process and let them "earn" coupon savings money.
• Use coupons with shorter expiration dates first.
• Shop on double or triple coupon days and use manufacturers' rebates to realize additional savings.
The following tips can also help you on your way to becoming a savvy coupon clipper:
Finding Coupons:
• Look in the store. You'll find coupons in retailers' advertising flyers, on the shelf, at kiosks, even at the checkout. Turn your register receipt over-sometimes there will be coupons there, too.
• Try samples offered in the store and you'll often be offered a coupon to take home a package of the products.
• Check product packages. Your favorite brands want to keep you loyal, so you'll often find coupons on or in the package.
• Look on the Internet. There are coupon sites where you can print coupons and find providers who will e-mail you coupons. A product manufacturer's Web site may offer coupons for brands you love. Check the store's Web site too. Be cautious online, however, of someone offering to sell you coupons...there's no need to buy them when there are so many available free.
Using Coupons:
• Organize your coupons in the order that you shop the store to save time and make sure you use them all.
• Make coupon-clipping a family affair--it can be a great math and savings lesson for the kids. Involve them in the process and let them "earn" coupon savings money.
• Use coupons with shorter expiration dates first.
• Shop on double or triple coupon days and use manufacturers' rebates to realize additional savings.
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