PMA Members Get Discount on Cutting Edge Consumer Education and Marketing Tool
from PMA
Looking for a simple way to educate consumers on digital photography? Digital 1 to 1 is a revolutionary new concept that utilizes informative video pod training to deliver short, easy-to-understand digital photography tips. A yearly subscription, available to PMA members at a 15% discount, allows specialty photo retailers to host the video pods on their websites, providing customers with free 24/7 access to digital photography education that is updated monthly. Available for web, cell phone and in-store display, Digital 1 to 1 helps maximize customer service and supports current education programs by encouraging conversations about better equipment and keeping customers informed about complex technology. Digital 1 to 1 will be featured in USA Today’s “Demystifying Digital” Thanksgiving weekend pull-out section as part of an article on photo classes. More

10 Tips for Managers
from Monster
Thanks to a soft economy and widespread lack of job security, a manager's job is more challenging than ever. So it's time for leaders to show their mettle. Here are 10 key principles for building and sustaining an effective team. More

Positive Attitude Vital to Business Success
from The Baltimore Sun
Successful small businesses come in all sizes and specialties, but their leaders share one essential attitude - a positive attitude that transcends everything they do. Believing in your ability to succeed does more than simply sustain you in the challenges of getting your business started. It also spreads through your company and beyond. When you "walk the talk" and follow through on your commitments, your managers and employees perform their jobs with more confidence. Vendors, customers and prospects know that you will come through for them as well. More

When E-mail Marketing Works and When it Doesn’t
from Forbes
The cost of stamps keeps going up, but small and midsize businesses still need to mail catalogs, sale promotions, and reminders to clients and customers. Or do they? Online advertising expert Thomas Harpointner, chief executive of e-business marketing firm AIS Media, has some wise words about snail mail vs. e-mail. He addresses customers' online security concerns, the (unavoidable) pitfalls of spam, and the future of online marketing (hint: smartphones). More

Five Steps for Embracing Crisis
from BusinessWeek
With Wall Street and the economy in upheaval, headlines understandably focus on what went wrong and what to do next. But there's another important and generally overlooked aspect of this financial crisis: the unfortunate but clear opportunity it affords to develop better leaders. As this crisis unfolds, the men and women in the middle of it still have the chance to positively influence the outcome. Those of us watching from the outside can pick up valuable lessons on how to lead when crisis comes our way, as it inevitably will. More

Make Your Best Offer: How to Get Them to Buy
from Entrepreneur
This holiday season, it's all about the offer. Spending at the gas pump and in the grocery store have taken precedence over other purchases as many consumers focus their spending on necessities and business purchasers tighten their belts in response to the economic downturn. With prospects scrutinizing almost every purchase, all your advertising must offer an incentive that will motivate buyers to take action. Make the offer itself an integral part of your marketing message that follows prospects through the sales process and not an isolated promotion in one medium alone. You'll keep your customers engaged by consistently making your offer throughout all channels. For example, a prospect may first be exposed to your offer in an ad, then visit your website to learn more, and then go to your retail store to take advantage of your offer. More

Motivation and Leadership
from The Art and Science of Leadership
People can be motivated by such forces as beliefs, values, interests, fear, and worthy causes. Some of these forces are internal, such as needs, interests, and beliefs. Others are external, such as danger, the environment, or pressure from a loved one. There is no simple formula for motivation -- you must keep a open viewpoint on human nature. There is a complex array of forces steering the direction of each person and these forces cannot always be seen or studied. In addition, if the same forces are steering two different people, each one may act differently. Knowing that each person may react to different needs will guide your decisions and actions in certain situations. More

Overcoming Negativity in the Workplace
from Brian Norris
It’s 8:00 a.m. The day is new and alive with possibilities. Then it begins. Employees are grumbling. The new guy is missing in action – again. Suddenly the phone rings and on the other side, an angry customer demands to know why the company employs such inconsiderate people. Then your star salesperson walks into your office with that icy-cold gaze and says, "I’ve been hired by the competition ... I’m leaving tomorrow." By 9 a.m. you’ve been drained of your passion, creativity and positive attitude. Irritable and stressed, you may feel like hurting the next person who says your name. Want to conquer negativity? Here are some suggestions. More