Carrots? Why incentive programs work for business

Everyone knows these idioms - "carrot and stick approach" or "you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar."  These are old sayings that are true in every sense of the word, and work well for business.

Motivating employees is key to every business' success, especially in this market.  Money is an obvious motivator -  bonus programs, Visa cards, etc all work wonders, especially in sales-oriented businesses.

With Safety programs, providing premium brand name items work wonders with motivating employees to maintain safety standards in the workplace.  Rewarding success at any level is a must in today's workplace, where keeping employees is a huge issue in the millenial world we live in.

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Custom Imprinted Eraselets: Fun-ctional School fundraising product!

My wife gets full credit for finding this fantastic product!  Custom imprinted Eraselets are essentially eraser bracelets!  With the silicone bracelet still growing in our industry (I should know, I'm wearing two as I type) the Eraselet is a perfect off-shoot that is made specifically for kids to use in the classroom.

Made in the ole USA, I have placed the custom imprinted Eraselets in to several programs, including the Atlanta Silverbacks, who used it for giveaways at youth soccer games, to Gwinnett Science, who is using this for their Science Fair program, to Alabama's Safe Routes to School program, promoting awareness of walking safely to school.

Here's a video of how this unique eraser bracelet works, try this out for any of your back to school promotions!

Bless those who Keep our Country Safe

Today is Veteran's Day, where we remember those that have fallen, and those who continue to serve our Country in the military.  Words cannot describe the appreciation we have for our Military heroes, their sacrifice and strength are the backbone of this great nation.

If you have not gone to Arlington Cemetery, I urge you to do so, not only does it put in to perspective what is truly meaningful in our lives, but the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier demonstrates our gratitude to our troops.  God Bless the Military, and the United States of America!

Non-Woven Grocery Totes: Is it the end as we know it for plastic Grocery bags?

Back in the day, I remember being a bag-boy at the Stop n' Shop in Acton, MA.  We'd use straight-up paper bags for everything - double bagging the heavy stuff, separating the cold & hot - I'm sure many of you remember the drill.  Once plastic bags came in to play, we'd have to ask if the customer wanted paper or plastic, and then go from there.

Well, nowadays with the Green generation, the Custom non-woven Grocery Tote bags have become the rage of the shopping world.  Publix was one of the first Supermarket chains to really bring these to market, and now that has caught on across the board within almost all of the major chains.  The motive behind the introduction of these to the marketplace is all in the conservation movement away from plastic-based products which don't break down easily and contribute to the degradation of our ecosystem.

In 2007, San Fransisco instituted the first single-use plastic bag ban, and it has caught on 81 other cities and counties - and that list keeps growing.  With the ever-increasing demand by the consumer for eco-friendly products - the Non-woven materials have become increasingly popular. 

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These items are great for fundraising, events, and non-profit giving programs.

Government Slimdown? How the impasse has affected Small Businesses

Whatever side of the aisle you are on, the current Government shutdown/slimdown has affected us all in some way, shape, or form.  Be it directly as in income, indirectly, or emotionally, to take a phrase from the movie Campaign:  It is a Mess!

A current poll of a 100 small business owners states that 46% have felt a financial impact of the government unrest, and that if this drags on further, they can expect a 20% loss in revenue - not good for any Small Biz owner.

And for those in the event and catering business, the Mess (I believe we can definitely call it that..) has hurt business in relation to site planning, etc.  So what does this mean to other businesses?

Any business that caters to government contracts will have a significant impact - be it direct revenue or lag time in responsiveness.  Financial firms, hospitality organizations, food distributors - all will have some sort of a dip in their business.  The longer this continues, the more unrest and uncertainty will hit the market, leading to companies holding back on spend - which will in turn affect every facet of the Economy.

So small business owners - what is there to do?  Yes, there is the waiting game for Congress to come to its senses, but we all have to also diversify our client base - and spread the risk, so to speak.  Just like our 401K's, our client base needs to be widespread!

For more on this poll, click Here

Brand Consistency: Did the new Apple iOS7 hurt?

Well folks, it's here - love it or not, we'll have to get used to it if we want to keep up with Apple.  iOS 7 is a complete change in brand consistency for Apple - the fonts, color schemes, motion and graphics, etc all have changed - so much so that our phones can be classified as brand new!  Apple has even enlisted its chief designer Jony Ives to describe how these design changes are a good thing - another departure from the Steve Jobs past.

These changes may or may not hurt Apple's brand loyalty - I am a die-hard Apple-ite myself, however, and it's a BIG however, drastic changes to your Brand WILL affect your business.

Consistent branding is not just a buzzword, it is the cornerstone of your overall business strategy.  All of the innovation in social media, advertising, and experiential marketing puts more ammo in our marketing arsenal, however staying true to our branding message is more important than ever.

Check out this infographic that Jessica Brandenburg created to visualize the importance of Brand consistency:

Breast Cancer Awareness: October awareness products!

Breast Cancer is a serious disease that affects 1 in 8 women over the course of their lifetime.  That's not a pretty number for anyone to see, and although the death rates have been decreasing, finding a treatment is no closer to reality.

Organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Susan G. Komen have done a lot to help raise money and awareness for Breast Cancer, and branded products have been a focal point in raising money.  In that regards, there is an opportunity for brands to show their support for continued research and awareness, plus show that their employees' health is an important issue.

Check out some of the items we have for your Breast Cancer Awareness efforts:

Fundraising: Why not use promo products?

My wife found an interesting site that was leveraging t-shirt sales to help raise money and awareness for seven areas in our world that need help:  Feeding the hungry, healing the sick, Hope for peace, house the homeless, quench the thirsty, teach people well, and save the Earth.

Noble causes, but as is always the case - it takes money to help in these seven areas.  So, Project 7 created a storefront that sells branded t-shirts, mints, bottled water, coffee mugs and iPhone covers to raise funds for select non-profits.

We have found that promo products that have utility - Tervis Tumblers, Nalgene water bottles, T-shirts, and coolers are great items to look at for schools, non-profits and awareness programs.

Custom 32 oz Nalgene Bottles - The Green alternative to bottled water!

I for one have found lately that I am using an inordinate amount of plastic bottles lately as I have made an extreme effort to keep hydrated this summer.  Between the Gatorade and Dasani bottles, it's a bit much to say the least...

So we partnered with Nalgene to start using their BPA free 32 oz Nalgene Bottles, and well not only is the hydration issue taken care of, but I'm not recycling a whole case of plastic stuff a month!

We've done these for the Appalachia Service Project and they have used it for a fundraising gift with great success.

Look to using these for any sports-related promotion or fitness program!

What do Walter White and Steve Jobs have in common?

Hmmm, now that's an intriguing question to ask on a Wednesday.  How can a science teacher turned meth kingpin have anything in common with the Apple guru?

In actuality - quite a bit!  You think about how Apple came on to the computer scene in the 70's, how it's design techniques and customer-driven laser focus created several industries, and then apply that to the drug business, and well you have synergies that can be applied to basic branding principles.

1. Market recognition:  Steve Jobs saw the future of personal computing very early, and recognized the vastness of the emerging market.  Jobs also was able to hone in on what the end user wanted, and simplified it so that it applied to everyday life - i.e. creating the MacIntosh desktop graphical interfaces that, well mimic someone's desktop.  Very simple, yet applicable to everybody's life!  Walter White saw that Methamphetamine was rapidly becoming huge, and took his expertise in chemistry to a new level by developing a better product which his market truly wanted.
2. Product Integrity:  Walter's formula in the show is a 99% pure product - well above anything in the marketplace, and its distinctive blue coloring made it easily identifiable.  To the consumer, it was a mark of drug excellence and created a huge demand for the Blue.  Jobs created a closed product, so that anyone who wanted to create an application or software had to utilize Apple's parameters, thereby ensuring that any software or hardware component worked seamlessly with Apple products.
3. Distinctive Design:  From the branding to the packaging, everything that Apple creates has a distinctively clean and intuitive design.  The iPod/iPad/iPhone have limited product directions as earch are easily implemented - kids can operate them without any real instructions.  Walter White's Blue meth is completely different than anything in the fictitious marketplace, and it's brand name of Heisenberg appeals to the end user, and strikes fear into the competition.
4. Market Dominance:  Apple has revolutionized 4 industries, and in each has been an industry leader, leaving competitors, particularly in the cellphone industry lagging behind.  Walter White's ruthless attention to his marketplace has placed his product as the standard, and his competition has not been able to copy and/or destroy it's way back.

Yes, we're talking fiction vs. reality, but these four principles can be put in to your own branding culture.

Post Office reports loss - again...

The US Postal Service's financial woes continue with losses of $740 million in its 3rd Quarter.  This brings the total loss for the year up to a whopping $3.9 BILLION.

No business can sustain this, and it is an unfortunate situation when the entire country depends upon their Postal Service delivery day in and day out.  The significant problem lies in the legislative handcuffs attached to this service that does not allow it to adapt to today's marketplace.

The good news is that as far as services go - there are no changes forthcoming.  This bodes well for direct mail marketing campaigns and whatnot.  However, marketers need to be aware of this as the mail is a vital part of our everyday marketing plans.

Brand Messaging: Common mistakes that deflate your Message

Any fighter will tell you, if you want to win - you have to come out swinging and make a solid connection quickly.

This is the same with any product or service - you want to make a solid connection quickly with your audience - and that is done with a powerful brand message that empowers action.  Yet, this is a constant struggle with today's marketers.

Brand messaging doesn't have to be all about the Pro's of your product or service - rather it must embody your target audience's core values.  That old adage, sell the "WHY" remains somewhat true in this respect - if you don't zero in on what your audience cares most about in relation to your Brand, then you risk inauthenticity, or basically pissing off your key demo.

Read more to avoid the 5 common pitfalls of brand messaging so that your Brand scores a knockout in its next campaign!

24 oz. Tervis Water Bottle - Great Fundraising opportunities for school!

It's that time of year folks - back to school!  For Parents, well it's a beautiful thing, the kids - not so much...

But, for the schools, it is the start of fundraising time, especially the Private schools.  We have found that a great vehicle for making some extra cash for our schools has been the Tervis brand of products, particularly the 24 oz. Custom Tervis Water bottle.  A lot of schools are allowing kids to bring water bottles to school, but they have to have lids and straws, so as not to make those lovely messes in the hallways.

The Tervis brand of products is great for home and school, as it's pretty much bulletproof, and has a guarantee from the factory.  Plus, the tumblers and water bottles are Made in the ole USA, which is also a nice upgrade.  As a fundraising project, look to sell these at your school for between 20-25.00, with a profit to the school of 4-8.00 per bottle.

Great for showing your school spirit - and raising some extra cash, look at the Tervis Tumbler section on whiteboardpromotions.com

The Umbrella - a timeless brand opportunity

Yesterday was the first day in quite a while here in Atlanta where that big yellow thing in the sky was visible all day.  We had soggy fireworks and the ducks were quite happy for a good long time.

Which brings me to the Umbrella - yes it was a valuable commodity for us in the past week, but I do think it doesn't get the proper branding respect it so deserves.

Originally, umbrellas were made to ward off the sun - not rain.  The Chinese started to apply wax for waterproofing purposes, and the trend migrated over to Europe, where it evolved in to a fashion item for the elite.  Nowadays, you can get one on any NY corner for $5-10.00, but utilizing it to market your brand has now gained a better following.

Yes, it's old school, but at an outdoor event, on the city streets, or in your car, the reliable umbrella is a fantastic brand vehicle.

Keeping your Rep: Your game plan for Brand reputation management

We all had a reputation to protect when we were younger - either being the baddest, coolest, or smartest kid on the block was a big thing back in the day. 

Well, in the brand world, keeping your rep is equally important, especially with the ever-changing social landscape of today.  It's easy to see the downfalls of letting down your Brand Guard - ask anyone at ExxonMobil after the Valdez incident, or recently the disaster at the radio station 790 the Zone here in Atlanta and you'll see what improper Brand reputation management creates.

So, here's a 7 point game plan to keep you on track of managing your Brand Rep!

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They're BACK! The Twinkies Comeback Story

Several months ago, I lamented about the downfall of an icon - Twinkies.  And yes, Hostess Cupcakes, Ding Dongs, etc. some of the best memories of my youth.

Well... they're BACK!  Yes, the Twinkie lives on and will be back on shelves in July.  Look, I know it's not healthy, I know those things will live as long as Keith Richards and cockroaches, but who cares!

You know you went out and bought a Hostess product when you heard they were going out of business, don't deny it!  I did - and loved every bit of those Ding Dongs...

All I can say, welcome back you processed yellow hunk of sugar lovin!

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Brand Building - key tenets from Steve Jobs

I am a big fan of Apple, and have been for years.  We have 7 Apple devices in our house, all of which have now become staples in our everyday lives.  And I remember my first computer - the Apple II.  Yes, a total dinosaur by today's standards, but at that time another innovation by Apple and it's co-founder Steve Jobs.

I will say I was upset when he passed away, as I saw in him some similarities to my life, specifically on the transplant front.  So, when he passed away, I read his biography, and came to realize how influential he truly was as an entrepreneur and brand builder.

His brand building philosophy boils down to a simple tenet - laser-like focus on your brand's identity in the marketplace.  Yes, product innovation, expansion, marketing, creative, design - they are all part of the process of building a great company.  However, in Jobs' mind, branding is not a peripheral - building and maintaining your brand's integrity is central to everything about a company.

Here are some quotes related to Steve Jobs' branding philosophy that you may find interesting:

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Wherefore art thou o' J. Peterman?

What's happened to the J. Peterman company, and no I'm not talking about the Seinfeld character.  (for those of the millenial generation, google Seinfeld TV show, and Peterman - or go here)

The J. Peterman company is a catalog retailer that had a cult following and a brand personality that was completely unique.  Their catalog was a work of art in and of itself, but somewhere between the dawn of the Internet and web 2.0, they went by the wayside. 

So how could that personality and flair fail to resonate with Internet browsers?  Its all in one, little, distinct word - engagement.  The company didn't engage with its consumers online, a place where it's uniqueness and creativity could actively create dialog with its prospective users.  In other words, J. Peterman didn't embrace the social aspect of the Internet to truly create one on one relationships with its buyers.

Read More of how engaging your audience can help boost sales and create new relationships with your customers.

Custom Beach Towels - Branding the Summer!

Face it folks - it's HOT outside!  School is long out, and we're all headed to places that can relieve the heat - be it the pool, lake, beach or sprinkler!

So why not get your brand out where the peeps are?  Custom Beach towels provide that solution, with a large imprint area, your brand is front and center!  Package it with a Striped Tote, and you are ready for the water!

Custom Beach Towel

Wear your Brand out poolside with Custom Beach Towels!

Monday Motivation: Paying it Forward

I watched this article last week and thought that it really embodied what we as Americans really hold dear to our hearts.

This is about overcoming extreme adversity, collaborating with others to achieve goals, and maintaining the tenacity and discipline to get the job done.  But, more importantly, this is about the human spirit helping others in need.  I know how hard and humble it is to know that you need help to sustain, and how gratifying it is to see people rise to the occassion and offer a helping hand - or organ.

Folks, it is a monday and I'm sure we're all just trying to get it going this week.  I offer up this as a way for all to stop and think about paying something forward to someone - be it a small token or what Ernest did below.  We as Americans are the most charitable people in the world, and its a beautiful thing indeed when you help another soul - Pay it Forward folks, and have a great Monday.

Promo products: Do they really drive brand recognition?

It's time to drive new revenue to your company, so you've put together a fantabulous marketing plan that will bring your company to the next level.  You have your T.V. spots, your advertising placements, billboards and your website is all SEO'd with amazing online ads dialed in.  You are ready for some explosive growth - or are you?

Did you forget an important marketing medium in your mix?  What, you don't think a promotional product is worth it?  Not so fast my friend...

Those trinkets and trash work man!  Surveys show that 70% of consumers remember receiving a promo item, and 88% of them REMEMBER who gave it to them!  How's that for brand recognition or ROI?  So that little lip balm, promo sunglasses, or custom t-shirt might not be a bad investment after all.

Read More of the power of Promo products in you marketing mix!

Promo Sunglasses: Keeping your Brand cool for the Summer!

Everybody wants to look cool during the summer, so find some promo sunglasses for your next event!  With all of the summer events going on, these make great giveaways to showcase your brand to new - and younger - audiences.

Great color selections, and fantastic pricing make these an affordable solution to any promotion.

Promo Sunglasses

These stock sunglasses are available in several colors that will fit your brand identity.  However, if you are looking for a completely custom look, try these on for size.  These promo sunglasses are completely designed to fit your needs - from color matching, to all-over printing, these will fit the bill

Custom Sunglasses

Or if you are looking for a low cost alternative as a quick giveaway, these Rubberized Sunglasses fit the bill as well, and for as low as $.79 each, they hit any budget point.

Custom Rubberized Sunglasses

At Whiteboard Promotions, we'll keep your Brand cool in the heat of Summer!

Tervis Tumblers: A fundraising dynamo!

I'm a big fan of the Tervis Tumbler in general - that sucker won't break, holds hot and cold beverages, and doesn't leave the dreaded sweat stain on your furniture.  Plus, the added bonus of it being made right here in the USA, make it the ideal product for promotions.

What my clients have been using these for currently are as fundraising items, specifically because the tumblers will undoubtedly be used in the household - have you been to an SEC tailgate these days, Tervis Tumblers are ALL OVER the place!  Perfect to hold, um, sweet tea...

Anyway, Tervis has now partnered with us to offer special pricing to Whiteboard Promotions clients, so come on by and take a look at the 16 oz. Custom Tervis Tumbler with the Embroidered Patch for your next project.  I especially recommend this logo treatment as it won't rub off and has an upscale look.

16 oz. Custom Tervis Tumbler

Event Swag - the Good, the Bad, and The UGLY!

There is always that one person who goes to the trade shows and is not there to learn about new products or services - they are there for the free stuff.  You know who I'm talking, the person with the pull cart that shovels giveaways in at every booth like it's the buffet line at Denny's - that guy!

The challenge that event planners have is providing Swag that works not only for their brand, but provides something useful to the end user - yes even to the shovelers.  Some things have definitely lost their shelf life in the promo products world - mousepads, keychains, and yes to some extent - the USB drive.  Some items have been relegated to the "oh no they didn't" category such as the round stress ball or the clic pen - how many pens can one have!

However, there are some tried and true items that have stayed the course - drinkware, umbrellas (yes, I said it), and journals - and some new-school products such as mobile items and stylus pens that are great trade show giveaways.  Companies have also put out the low-priced items on the tables to satisfy the shovelers, but have used mid-priced items for qualifiers or prize options.

Here is a great article on some good and bad ideas to think of for your next event!

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How NOT to have your Brand represented

So, Abercrombie & Fitch's CEO went public with its policies of hiring only good looking people, and not catering to a clientele that isn't "cool".  I understand the need for a company to focus on its perceived target audience, and to exploit a niche in the marketplace.  However, broadcasting that mantra is definitely a no-no, and causes backlash such as this:

Not the image that a retail brand wants, and yes sometimes publicity is not good - see Lindsay Lohan and Kim Kardashian for what it's done for their image...

Whiteboard Promotions at the Atlanta Silverbacks Game!

We are proud to announce that we are an official partner of the Atlanta Silverbacks NASL soccer team this season!  We will be providing branded merchandise to the team, and assisting in its marketing efforts throughout the season.

Here are some pictures of a few of the items we provided at the game day opener, which was a big W for the home team!

The modern Storyteller - YouTube!

Storytelling.  We all do it, heck we've all heard a tall tale or two hundred - and in my family that is one holiday meal!  So, what does that mean in the times of instant gratification and social media?

Our Facebook and Twitter feeds - along with every other social outlet - are full of videos that our friends, family, co-workers, etc. have posted at one point or another.  The bottom line is that people post videos and pictures for three core reasons:

1.  To amaze and entertain our friends
2.  To reveal aspects of our true selves to our network in order to build stronger relationships
3.  To help people by providing meaningful information and insight

Now think about it, who hasn't posted some crazy video of some person doing a stunt gone horribly wrong?  I am a consistent poster of articles and videos that relate to organ donation, or of positive affirmations.  And, who didn't receive some sort of political video/joke/picture during last years elections?

Great, you've nailed exactly why I post something on a personal level, so what does that mean for my brand?  It goes back to the first word in this post - Storytelling.  We are social creatures, and social media, particularly YouTube and Facebook, allow us to share the stories that Uncle Jack told us from back in the day, but utilizing visuals and acoustics to enhance the social experience.

Brands have been making TV ads for years, which is great for the Super Bowl, but otherwise you end up taking a shotgun to an archery contest.  Social Media allows a Brand to fine-tune its message on a personal level - by bonding with the recipient through those core reasons.  Creating a Brand Story that relates your product/service/mission/values to the individual promotes not only the Brand, but the social aspect that we all have to share.  You may have 100,000 twitter followers, but release a YouTube video that grabs your audience on a personal level, and that tweet may explode to Millions of people - and potential customers.

Read more on how to create a Storytelling experience with your Brand videos

So... Does Swag really work?

Look around your desk - I'm quite positive you will find a branded item somewhere near you.  Be it a pen, coaster, mousepad, USB drive, Coffee Mug, water bottle, sticky note - these dern things are everywhere!

So what!  I have some company's logo on my stuff, that doesn't mean anything to me!  I just like the thing they gave me.  I hear that all the time in what I do - it's just trinkets and trash/Swag/Tchotchkies/junk...

Au contraire my friend!  A recent study shows that branded items do in fact impact a targeted audience in a tangible way!  More importantly, it left favorable, long-lasting impressions upon recipients.  Here's the figures:

PPAI research shows:

• 88 percent recall the advertiser on promotional products
• 85 percent have done business with the advertiser after receiving a promotional item
• 83 percent like promotional products
• 81 percent keep them because they are useful
• 53 percent use promotional products once a week
• 47 percent keep them for more than a year

For you Marketeers - that's good stats!  Promo items may not be glitzy, but they work.  for more info on the study, read here

Brand Integrity in a knock-off Marketplace

When in doubt, knock it off!  Yes, it's an easy thing to do in our industry, with 1000's of factories overseas ready - and willing - to knock off anything at any time with no real fear of consequences.  Unfortunately, what we as distributors don't necessarily think about is the fallout associated with knocking off a product, or putting a client's logo on a pre-made knock-off import.

Before this year's Super Bowl, $13.6 millon dollars worth of fake NFL merchandise was confiscated by federal authorities.  You might think that's a big haul, but really it's a drop in the bucket when compared to the unlicensed merchandise that is sold via the internet and retail outlets.  It's a big business, and the counterfeiters have sped up the production process to such an extent that they outrace the Federal authorities to the dollars, and undersell the licensed properties by more than 50%!

John Q. Public gets cheaper goods with their team/college/brand's name on it, however the brand receives no royalties - and John Q. Public is the one who is potentially on the hook if authorities want to go after him for damages.  The only winner is the retailer, and the chances of them being caught is minimal.

So, what is the harm?  Well the main thing is that it tarnishes your brand, aside from dropping your royalty rates considerably.  It's not relegated to the Sports Franchises, brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Google, etc have all been knocked off at one time or another - and still have that done today.  Worse still, if you have a specific patent, God help you if unscrupulous foreign manufacturers get a hold of your product, you will see cheaper replicas of your stuff on the internet faster than you can Google it.  Ever bought one of those Green-wrist Rolexes in NYC?

How can a Brand protect itself?  One, work with suppliers who are reputable and, more importantly, work with ISO9001 factories overseas who have social compliance audits on hand. Secondly, license your brand with a recognized Brand Licensing company.  Thirdly, trademark, patent and register your brands or products correctly, if you haven't done so already.  That way, in the event of a knock-off - which will come - you have legal retribution available to you.

What is that thing with the numbers on your desk?

I read an interesting blog post today that really made an impact on how technology has changed us - some might say for the worse!  Email, Facebook, Twitter, Text, etc. - we've forgotten as a society that we have a new "old school" form of communication - the telephone.

Yes, it's really easy to simply email or text someone, or even show that YOU ARE PISSED OFF!!!! in worded diatribe, but whatever happened to simple conversation?  Is the written word easier in problem solving, showing emotion, or conveying urgency?  I struggle with that at times, and I'd like to hear from you - by phone preferably - what you think.

If you don't know my phone number, text me...

Read More on this article.

Who's Team are you on?

So I saw this video on Facebook the other day, and I thought we needed to include it on the main Whiteboard site as well as here. It's always good to have a little pep talk now and then, what I like about it is that id resonates in all aspects of life.

We were made to be awesome - how succinct is that line?  And yes, the road less travelled does hurt, it is hard, and yes there is always an easier road in our lives.  But, it is the ones who go down that road who truly are awesome, who fight diversity, achieve against all odds, those are the people that are make a difference.

So, who's team are you on?  Let me know...

What are the Top Brands in Non-Profits?

We all know that the non-profit world is very competitive, and to get your name out there, well is challenging to say the least. Here's a list of brands that really got their names out there in 2012. Some of these are household brands, and some are a bit surprising in their rankings and trajectory to the top.

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Pitfalls of the Modern Day Brand

Thomas Friedman wrote a book that I quote from time to time called The World is Flat which details how today's business world has shrunk in terms of time and space.  Because of the internet, social media, etc you can be skyping with someone in China, or having a customer service call with someone in India, or have a video conference with people from 3 different continents while editing the same document!

So what, we've been doing that for years, what does that have to do with my brand?  It is because of this flattening phenomenon that brands can become household names much faster than ever before.  Look how quickly Google became a term for looking something up vs. how long it took for say, Coca-Cola to become a worldwide term for soda.  Yes, the barrier to becoming a household name is considerably lower than ever before, however at the same time, there are major pitfalls that you need to be aware of in your rise to brand supremacy. 

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This Month's Non-Profit - GA Transplant Foundation!

The GA Transplant Foundation holds a special place in my heart, and is this month's featured Non-Profit for Whiteboard Promotions.  As many of you know by now, I was blessed to receive a kidney from an amazing person, Cristina Zakis my Angel on Earth in November 2010.  What you don't know is that the GA Transplant Foundation paid her family's mortgage while she recovered, and helped pay for our health insurance as well.

 The GA Transplant Foundation is an organization that provides financial and educational assistance to those who are undergoing or awaiting an organ transplant.  The organization helps with fundraising, job training and placement, Insurance needs, financial planning, and many other functions that help reduce the stress involved with the transplant process.  As some of you may know, getting a transplant is really only the beginning of the journey for a patient, every month there is an enormous cost in terms of doctor's visits, drugs, etc.  Drug costs alone can run upwards of $25,000 a year, so the GA Transplant Foundation offers a unique opportunity to assist the transplant community.

For more information on this wonderful Non-Profit, please go to https://gatransplant.org/ and look at helping out in any way.