Category: Excuses

Advertisement Ideas: How To Reverse A Negative Trend!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Reverse A Negative Trend!!!

Olive Garden: Free Kids Meal

As I skimmed the business news today and saw that Darden Restaurants had reported a downward trend in earnings and dividends for The Olive Garden Operations I immediately thought what would I do if I was a marketing director to reverse this trend? The answer came easily step up the marketing and advertising so as to drive traffic and increase the amount of visits a patron will make to the restaurant. This thinking is the opposite of what most companies do and as a result of cutting the marketing and advertising budget the downward earnings trend continues. The key to being successful and making your share holders happy is to constantly be in front of the consumer and give them a reason to patronize your business. It is imperative to look at why your sales are off and why the dividend payouts are dropping.  One key factor is inconsistency in the operational process of  the business.  In a chain like The Olive Garden it is important to empower the General Managers of the individual restaurants to make marketing decisions. A good general manager will know who his customers are where they are coming from and how to get them coming back.  I recently had the pleasure of having The Olive Garden in Boca Raton, FL sponsor the survivors/caregiver dinner at The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Boca Raton. The district manager was very supportive and is now sponsoring the survivors/caregivers dinner at many of The Relay For Life Events in South Palm Beach County. As a result of their support this particular Olive Garden is hosting The Relay For Life Wrap-Up Party that is being supported through other sponsorships. This Olive Garden will also see more business as every participant in Relay For Life is being promoted to patronize this Olive Garden. In sponsoring community events you have the chance to reverse a negative trend.

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Starbucks recently announced a price increase, which is one way to reverse a negative trend as people will pay for something they desire and perceive to have value. In increasing prices though you risk a loss of customers who may go to a competitor whose price is cheaper. It is very important to keep the perceived value in your product so that you can reverse any negative trends. Starbucks while raising some prices also maintained the perception that it was worth it. Starbucks also is running many special promotions so that the price increases will not be perceived as that bad by their customers. For Example you get a Starbucks Gold Card which allows for $.50 refills on ice tea and coffee so you pay the $.10 more for your first drink but you do a refill so you still save a substantial amount of money. In promoting The Gold Card Starbucks maintains their customer base as Starbucks customers tend to be very loyal to the brand. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How To Reverse A Negative Trend!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Using Charitable Involvement To Improve Your Bottom Line!!!

Advertisement Ideas:

Using Charitable Involvement To Improve Your Bottom Line!

 On April 8, 2014 I had the pleasure of hosting a give back night for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Boca Raton at Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries. That evening we raised $66.32 our percentage of sales. This made me think why are more people not approaching businesses to do this and why are more businesses not doing this. I normally would not have gone to Five Guys if it were not for the fundraiser, however that night I received my business. About a week later I was meeting with The owner of The South Florida Gold of The American Basketball Association. Guess where I chose to meet? You guessed it Five Guys. Why because of there involvement with The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Boca Raton.  The point is that this is one way you can use your charitable involvement to increase your bottom line. In aligning yourself with a charitable cause and advertising the event you will attract people who may not have ever done business with and have an opportunity to make them regular customers.

 After the event you can invite the charity to come and accept the check, take photos of them accepting the check, and then send out a media release to all media outlets about what you did for the charity. People may read the article and as a result want to set up a fundraiser with you or do business with you. In doing this not only do you increase your brand awareness but you also increase your bottom line.  The more you promote your charitable giving the more recognition you receive. I am from the old school where I support the businesses that support me.

 Dick’s Sporting Goods is a sponsor of The Lauderhill Broncos, a Pop Warner Football Team that I announce for. Guess where I shop when I need sporting goods and sports wear? You got it Dick’s Sporting Goods.  In sponsoring local sports teams your business gains exposure in the market place and thus creates a buzz that puts you on the top of the mind of your target audience. As a result of your community involvement you increase your bottom line. Again you can leverage your team sponsorship by taking photos of the plaques on the wall in your location, doing a video, and having a representative at games thus strengthening customer relationships.  The Lauderhill Broncos has 8 teams with an average of 26 players per team and each player will need cleats, practice shorts and practice jersey’s so if you are a sporting goods provider like Dick’s it makes sense to become a sponsor. The games are played on Saturday and after the games the players, coaches, and families need a place to eat so if you are a restaurant owner sponsoring the team has the potential to increase your bottom line. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Using Charitable Involvement To Improve Your Bottom Line!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Return The Darn Phone Call!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Return The Darn Phone Call!!!

Hello Mr. or Mrs. Business Person,

Do you know what this is? It is a phone and it is an integral tool that can either enhance your business or derail it.  How many times have you said oh business is slow and made excuses as to why you are not as successful as you would like to be?  One reason is that you may not be returning calls to those who can be of service and value to you. I have that the lack of returning calls is very prevalent in business today.

As I sat at Starbucks today (5/14/14) working on blog entries and Relay For Life one of my colleagues, Vanessa who is building a new home, sat down and told me how hard it has been to find a shower door person and a pool person and how she has called several and none returned her calls. I said this didn’t surprise me as it has become the norm. We then got to talking about how the same people who didn’t return calls are the same people who complain about how their business is struggling. I would recommend to every business owner or organization that they print a sign and put it prominently in their office that reads RETURN THE DAWN CALL!!!! as a reminder that not returning the call can be costing them business and thus they may be leaving money on the table. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Return The Darn Phone Call!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Okay America It Is Time To Wake Up!

Advertisement Ideas: Okay America It Is Time To Wake Up!

 

This is a call for all Americans to Wake Up especially business owners and non-profit leaders who are making excuses and not thriving. It is time to understand that until you all get together and work toward a common goal nothing will change. I met with a business owner today in a shopping plaza and he said my business is off because of the high price of gas? I recalled the scene from Animal House where Hoover covers his mouth and says B.S. I was tempted to do the same thing as it was just another excuse that business owners like to make. I didn’t I asked when was the last time you did an intensive advertising campaign with a specific strategy geared to not only drive business but to increase revenue? His answer I haven’t I do everything via word of mouth. Hello, time to wake up Mr. business owner. It isn’t the price of gas it is the fact that you don’t have a current advertising campaign. I pointed out that he was in walking distance to the town houses and single family homes around the plaza. His answer so. The point was if he did a targeted campaign to those people and gave them a reason to come to his business he may see an increase in business. Again it is time to stop making excuses and to take action and stop blaming gas prices and other outside issues.

 I called on a business this week to invite them to come on my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM. Their initial response was you are catching us at our busy time of the year. I answered well I thought you might be able to find 30 minutes to come up to the studio and tape an 8 minute segment to make sure you were busy all year round as my show reaches over 50,000 viewers each week of which 77% are in your immediate service area. He then said he might want to come in. I said okay sound great when would you like to come do a taping. His answer I have your number I’ll get back to you. I stated okay.  As I hung up the phone I thought wow another business that needs to wake up. Here a business had a chance to be on TV for 8 minutes and they had to think about it? Again another person to wake up.

 The reason your business or non-profit isn’t flourishing has nothing to do with the economy, gas prices, competition, or other factors it has everything to do with you and you’re not taking advantage of opportunities. It is time to wake up America and be proactive with your marketing. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Okay America It Is Time To Wake Up!

Advertisement Ideas: Be Interested!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Be Interested!!!!

Today’s blog post was inspired by a woman at a law office that I called on to set up a time to have the attorneys from the firm to appear on my TV Show.  As soon as I said Hello This is Jonathan JDOGG Lederman from WRPBiTV I was given the worst line you can give anyone if this is about advertising we are not interested. I explained that it was about appearing on my TV Show. She told me to email her the details. I emailed her and hopefully the attorneys will see the value of doing an 8 minute segment on a TV Show that reaches 145 countries with over 50,000 viewers each week of which 77% are in their immediate market. Think about how many times you have said to someone I am not interested only to lose out on an opportunity to promote your business. The key is to show interest in people when they approach your business as you never know where it might lead.

By being open to receive especially when it comes to promoting your business you begin to create relationships that  lead to more business. Think about it you do not know me I connect with you and you tell me you are not interested you lose an opportunity to reach my followers who may need your services.  It is not about knowing me it is having the ability to tap into the people who I know who can benefit from your services or products.  The same lady who said she wasn’t interested and asked for the email called me back as asked why would family attorney want to do my show? I felt like saying hello 8 minutes of TV time is why. She then says I never heard of you until you called us and I replied I never heard of you until I saw your but now we know of each other and I would like to be of service and value to your attorneys.  She then proceeded to tell me that our website was no good and that she didn’t think the attorneys would be interested. I now ask you would you use these attorneys services if you needed them. This is the problem of business in America Today, lack of interest.  This doesn’t bother me as I subscribe to the belief that some will, some won’t, so what, some waiting next. I have had many people in the studio and many have bought their clips and used them to further market themselves and thus continue to be successful. The key is to be open to receive as you never know who may be on the other end of the phone or walking into your business. By assuming the attitude of gratitude and being committed to be of value and service you will find that you strengthen your brand and increase your cash flow. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Be Interested!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Face And Fix Problems!!!

Advertisement Ideas: Face And Fix Problems!!!

Do Your Best Quotes - A problem is a chance for you to do your best. Sometimes it is in the face of adversity that we can face a huge problem and solve it so that all who are involved are satisfied.  As many of you know I recently had  a situation  with the owner of The Palm Beach Pelicans, a professional basketball team who did not pay me and then instead of making good on his promise to pay kept  making excuses. I had the facts and the back up in my favor so I took to Facebook. He did not like this. I told him he had until a certain time to pay and he did not meet the deadline so I took action.  Another person from another team decided to intervene when it was not their place to do so.  I found out that there was more to the  problems with The Palm Beach Pelicans than not paying me. I was told because of my complaint they lost their venue. My reply is you should have faced and fixed the problem and paid me by the deadline given.  My advice to anyone who is not directly involved in the situation should stay out of the situation.

All Programs open in Other Program – How To Fix .exe extension issue My suggestion to anyone who is hiring anyone to do a service make sure you have the money to pay them if you do not have the money then don’t hire the person.  My advice to those offering services make sure you get payment upfront. I have learned in South Florida there are many people who don’t share the idea that they need to pay for services. There are those who will make promises and break those promises such as The Miami Spice, who in 2013 hired me to do 4 games. I booked my schedule and agreed that I would do the games. I did the first game was paid. I was prepared to do game 2 when I received a text message that due to financial issues they would no longer be using my services. They did not reply to my response or did they return my phone calls.  So the two times I have had issues with teams is from start-up basketball programs who may have had good intentions but unfortunately lacked capital and support to take care of me as an announcer.  As a result I now get payment upfront or only work with those who have a proven track record. If you run a business thinking people will just do things for free because of exposure you will fail. I am very good at what I do and I command top dollar. If you are up front with me I will work with you as long as you make good on your promise and pay me.  Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: Face And Fix Problems!!!

Festival Of The Arts Not So Festive!!!

Festival Of The Arts Not So Festive!!!!!!

 I have always said that you never know who you may be speaking with so you may want to consider the idea to treat everyone with respect and allow them to shine their light as you never know what pull they may have in the community.  I ventured out to The Coral Springs Festival Of The Arts on March 15, 2014 with the intention of collecting donations for The American Cancer Society Relay For Life and to recruit guest for my TV Show, The Anything Bucket, which airs on www.wrpbitv.com on Tuesday at 6:30 PM EDT. It is always my intention to put people in a positive light by utilizing my many platforms to be of service and value to them. I arrived at The Coral Springs Festival of The Arts and began to ask for donations things were going well many people were very receptive, a former commissioner saw me and asked me what I was doing he said great let me take you to the main stage and you can make an announcement. The entertainment chairman allowed me to make an announcement and then asked for my business card, The mayor saw me and wished me luck, many on the committee saw me and said keep up the great work, one of the vendors a local chiropractor donated $20, then the experience went from festive to  melancholy as The President of The Festival Approached me and said I wasn’t allowed to collect donations as this was  not allowed. I simply said okay and she continued to go on and on. I took a deep breath and said I am leaving but before I go do you want good or bad publicity. This struck a nerve and she asked am I threatening her. I simply said no but you get better results with kindness and I walked away. As I went to my care I realized that in business there will be those who get it and those who don’t.

 In the president of the festival  not having the ability to see the forest beyond the trees she lost out on a golden opportunity to create an advocate and an ally who writes two blogs, has over 2500 Facebook Friends, over 1600 Twitter followers, and over 5000 connections on Linked In, not to mention his own TV Show and Radio Show, plus an excellent media and public relations specialist.  This made me think how many opportunities are you missing in your business by not being open to receive. Everyone that you come in contact has the potential to  help you in some form and until you peel back the onion and open your eyes you never know what they can do for you. Continue reading Festival Of The Arts Not So Festive!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How to Build Your Customer/Client Base!!!!!

Advertisement Ideas: How To Build Your Customer/Client Base!!!!

It doesn’t matter if you have a brick and mortar business, and internet based business, or  work from your home in each case there is a common thread needed to insure for your success. That common thread is customers/clients. When I worked for Forum Publishing Company as an Advertising Consultant I was always conscious of the # of clients I had because the more clients I had the more money I made based on the fact that the position was a commission only position. I always made every effort to have  a few smaller accounts, a few medium-sized accounts, and a few big accounts. I treated each account as an important part of my business. In selling of the advertising I became someone who would give my clients ideas because in many cases having someone like myself on the outside looking in can be a major asset as I am not so married to the business. Those that chose to listen and implement the ideas did well while those who were set in their ways seemed to struggle week in and week out. In the 2 1/2 years that I worked at Forum Publishing Group I learned a lot about the business people in my territory, which was Margate and Coconut Creek, Florida. In my initial consultation with a potential advertiser I would always ask how are you building your client/customer base? I usually knew where they were already advertising but I would ask anyway. One thing I learned was to never put down the other publications but to build up the reason they should be in my publications. In building a solid customer/client base you have to be aware of what the potential client wants.

 By finding out what your potential clients/customers want you will be able to effectively do a needs analysis and deliver what they are seeking.  I was in a recent meeting of commercial property owners and I asked them what is it they think is keeping their properties from being fully occupied. I heard answers like price, location, the economy, the banks, lack of interest. I asked when was the last time they did an interest intake evaluation? They all looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language. I explained that they all needed to ask their current tenants why they chose to rent or buy property from them, then asked what characteristics they look for when seeking office, warehouse, or retail space? I then used a case study from Jacky Smith’s Book Relevant Selling where she found out that it wasn’t price at all that led to the decision of where to lease or buy property but rather it was security as people wanted to feel they were safe when coming to the location. One landlord implemented a daily security concerns hotline where security issues were addressed as they came up.  As a result of meeting the desires of current and future tenants this developer now has 95% of all his properties full with a renewal rate of 89%. The lesson here is to find out what your target audience wants and then give it to them. Continue reading Advertisement Ideas: How to Build Your Customer/Client Base!!!!!