In The New York Times article, “Don’t Marry Our Daughters After All” Brad Stone discusses MarryOurDaughter.com, a prank Web Site pretending to sell underage girls for marriage to older men for large sums of money. Science fiction editor John Ordover created the site to poke fun at the inconsistencies in state marriage laws.
Unfortunately not everyone is in on the joke. The site has receives thousands of angry emails a day and Mr. Ordover has had to explain himself to angry listeners on several radio shows.
Online pranks carry risks. Be aware of this when building a stronger business.
Thursday, September 20, 2007
Creative Ideas Don't Always Work
When Brian P. Tierney, the new chief executive of Philadelphia Media Holdings proposed to place two giant billboards and an inflatable giant bee by the newspaper’s landmark building to advertise the upcoming new “Bee Movie”, the neighbors strongly objected.
In The New York Times article, “No Bees on the Inquirer”, Pradnya Joshi notes that the new CEO received no complaints from staff.
Since his start with the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News, Tierney has been encouraging his staff to be more creative with promotions. He has proposed to sponsor the first national sudoku championship and has raised the marketing budget from $300,000 to $14 million.
But his proposal for the movie promotion really offended neighbors who believe in respecting the historical landmark.
Innovation is not always embraced when you’re building a stronger business.
In The New York Times article, “No Bees on the Inquirer”, Pradnya Joshi notes that the new CEO received no complaints from staff.
Since his start with the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News, Tierney has been encouraging his staff to be more creative with promotions. He has proposed to sponsor the first national sudoku championship and has raised the marketing budget from $300,000 to $14 million.
But his proposal for the movie promotion really offended neighbors who believe in respecting the historical landmark.
Innovation is not always embraced when you’re building a stronger business.
Shopper Calculations Often Wrong
According to The New York Times article by Alex Mindlin, “A Math Test for Bargain Hunters”, 59% of bargain hunters incorrectly compute sales percentages.
In a study by Florida researchers, shoppers were more likely to buy an item on sale for the second time, than the same item on sale for a higher, but equivalent amount.
A product on sale for 33% of a 25% discount would attract more shoppers than a product with a 50% discount. Although they are both offer half off, shoppers incorrectly added the first sale to be a 58% discount!
Taking advantage of customer perceptions help you build a stronger business.
In a study by Florida researchers, shoppers were more likely to buy an item on sale for the second time, than the same item on sale for a higher, but equivalent amount.
A product on sale for 33% of a 25% discount would attract more shoppers than a product with a 50% discount. Although they are both offer half off, shoppers incorrectly added the first sale to be a 58% discount!
Taking advantage of customer perceptions help you build a stronger business.
25 Year Later USA Today Continues to Stay Relevant
On September 15, 1982 despite much skepticism, USA Today launched as the first national newspaper. Today, 25 years later, it has the largest weekday circulation of any American newspaper and attracts 9 to 10 million readers to its Web Site every month.
Richard Perez-Pena reveals USA Today’s rocky start and controversial image in The New York Times article, “At 25 ‘McPaper’ Is All Grown Up' " Neuhart, creator of USA Today acknowledges that the paper, which distinguishes itself from its competitors with large graphics, color photos and short, light articles, borrowed much of its structure from television.
From day one, USA Today received heavy criticism from newspapers like the Washington Post and The New York Times, who condemned the paper for not being committed to serious journalism.
After a change of leadership in the 1990s, the paper has incorporated more serious, in-depth articles into its glitzy, lightweight image.
Finding a niche helps you build a stronger business.
Richard Perez-Pena reveals USA Today’s rocky start and controversial image in The New York Times article, “At 25 ‘McPaper’ Is All Grown Up' " Neuhart, creator of USA Today acknowledges that the paper, which distinguishes itself from its competitors with large graphics, color photos and short, light articles, borrowed much of its structure from television.
From day one, USA Today received heavy criticism from newspapers like the Washington Post and The New York Times, who condemned the paper for not being committed to serious journalism.
After a change of leadership in the 1990s, the paper has incorporated more serious, in-depth articles into its glitzy, lightweight image.
Finding a niche helps you build a stronger business.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Subway vs. McDonalds marketing techniques
According to The New York Times article, "Eating Up Calories and Propoganda", Subway customers underestimate the number of calories they are consuming, due to the restaurant marketing itself as healthy.
For a meal with 911 calories, Subway customers believed they had consumed 205 less calories then McDonalds customers believed they had eaten.
When Building a Stronger Business, remember that perception influences buying decisions, but net calories are the after effect.
For a meal with 911 calories, Subway customers believed they had consumed 205 less calories then McDonalds customers believed they had eaten.
When Building a Stronger Business, remember that perception influences buying decisions, but net calories are the after effect.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Co-Working Improves Social and Business Lives of Employees Who Work from Home
Feeling socially isolated as a result of working from home, Alex Hillman, a 23 year old Web entrepreneur, was inspired to create a local version of the new trend, co-working.
Co-working allows people who work from home to reap the benefits of working in an office, like socializing and sharing ideas. Without the distractions of home, it also helps employees stay on track and separate work life and personal life.
The article, “A Step Up From Working in PJ’s”, in The Philadelphia Inquirer highlights the co-working group using a work space at Independents Hall in downtown Philadelphia. With a chic interior design, conference room and kitchen, employees are willing to spend $175 to $275 a month to use the space.
To learn more about co-working visit:
http://coworking.pbwiki.com/
Independents Hall in Center City.
http://www.independentshall.org/
Workplayce in Elkins Park.
http://workplayce.net/
Decreasing isolation is an important step in building a stronger business.
Co-working allows people who work from home to reap the benefits of working in an office, like socializing and sharing ideas. Without the distractions of home, it also helps employees stay on track and separate work life and personal life.
The article, “A Step Up From Working in PJ’s”, in The Philadelphia Inquirer highlights the co-working group using a work space at Independents Hall in downtown Philadelphia. With a chic interior design, conference room and kitchen, employees are willing to spend $175 to $275 a month to use the space.
To learn more about co-working visit:
http://coworking.pbwiki.com/
Independents Hall in Center City.
http://www.independentshall.org/
Workplayce in Elkins Park.
http://workplayce.net/
Decreasing isolation is an important step in building a stronger business.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Pay for Performance a Bad Idea
Harvard economist, Roland G. Fryer, has devised a plan to keeping inner city children motivated to succeed in school. The controversial new program would give fourth and seventh graders from lower income families, $100 to $500 for performing well on ten tests throughout the school year.
In The New York Times article by Joseph Berger, “Some Wonder if Cash for Good Test Scores is the Wrong Kind of Lesson”, advocates of the program say similar incentive programs in countries like Mexico have increased school attendance. Others believe the program will not only help underprivileged children, but children from all economic backgrounds by creating a driven, highly motivated school environment.
Opponents of the program believe that instead of being motivated by a love of learning and an inner desire to succeed and create better opportunities for themselves and their families, children would only be motivated by money.
Other opponents like Suzanne Windland, a Queens resident and mother of three, believe the program is unfair as it only favors lower-income children, which could spur resentment among the other classmates who don’t qualify for the program.
In The New York Times article by Joseph Berger, “Some Wonder if Cash for Good Test Scores is the Wrong Kind of Lesson”, advocates of the program say similar incentive programs in countries like Mexico have increased school attendance. Others believe the program will not only help underprivileged children, but children from all economic backgrounds by creating a driven, highly motivated school environment.
Opponents of the program believe that instead of being motivated by a love of learning and an inner desire to succeed and create better opportunities for themselves and their families, children would only be motivated by money.
Other opponents like Suzanne Windland, a Queens resident and mother of three, believe the program is unfair as it only favors lower-income children, which could spur resentment among the other classmates who don’t qualify for the program.
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