Business Coaching

As if you didn’t know that already. Heck, it’s been changing. But just so you know, it will continue to change.

According to an article in the Marketing Watchdog Journal, with social Media marketing picking up the pace, marketing and PR will converge, measuring and ROI will increase in importance, and CEOs are paying more attention to what’s being said about their brand to ensure their marketing efforts and customer service efforts are both promoting the company.

Read the full article here, and see what changes you might need to make at your own company’s marketing department.

Beetles have survived centuries by adapting.

It’s a new year, and if last year taught us anything, it’s to always be prepared for whatever the economy has in store, good or bad. It’s a basic law of Darwinism: adapt, or you won’t last through the winter. The survival of the fittest is precisely why some companies have gone under (resistant to change, stuck in their ways) in these times… but others haven’t.

Financial Times published an article early last year that still applies now about how surviving the recession could be compared to Darwinism and how animals that adapted to their conditions survived. The Financial Times is quick to point out in the article that “It is not the strongest species that survives, or the most intelligent, but the ones who are most responsive to change.” Know what the most adaptable being on earth is?

The beetle.

Beetles are some of the most adaptable living organisms in the world, and have survived centuries because of their talent for adapting as the times change. Companies have to sharpen their points of difference to survive.

Bears are strong, but now endangered. Eagles are smart, but now endangered. The beetle, however, is still around, due to its adaptability. It’s something for business owners to think about, especially since the recession is still very much here for many businesses. Being stubborn, resistant to change, or just plain being in denial won’t help you or your business through a recession.

How is your business doing? Fill out the Business Health Check and find out if your business has what it takes to adapt with any and every market change.

The New York Times published an interesting article today. It highlighted Brad Sugars and how he helped Cancer Schmancer raise money solely through a Facebook application.

The article focused on other charities using social Media to increase their donations, such as Twitter, blogs and YouTube.

Earlier this year, Facebook Causes recognized Sugars as an All-Star Contributor for raising about $8,000 for Cancer Schmancer. On Thursday, November 12, the New York Times recognized him as well, and applauded his use of social Media to give to a good cause.

The age of social Media has given people everywhere power to raise awareness and market just about anything; journalists, presidential candidate campaigners and corporate marketers have taken to Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter to promote what they’re working on. Now nonprofit groups are using those same sites to recruit volunteers, spread awareness and solicit donations.

On his 38th birthday this year, Sugars installed a Causes application, and as a birthday gift to him, asked each of his $3,000 friends to make a donation of at least $38, which he would match. By matching each donation, Sugars managed to raise $7,690 for Cancer Schmancer.

It’s an interesting article. Check it out here, or at www.nytimes.com.