Marshall Yard:

December 3rd Edition of the Carnival of the Capitalists has hit the online community.  Hosted by One-Man Band with some fantastic information in regards to Analytics, Small Business, Commodities, Economy, Management, Marketing and Productivity. 

With Christmas looming not to far away, yet how could we tell that in the Windy City with all the rain that fell this weekend.  I loved the post under management in regards to the Office Christmas Parties written by Wayne Hurlbert at the Blog Business World  he couldn’t be more accurate in saying that you are still at work.  I think we have all been tempted to tip back another, but remember your surroundings, and remember the consequences.  Which, so often now a-days, we do not do, and we do not want to take responsibility for our actions. 

Another great post that was included in the Carnival of the Capitlists is a post from The Money Walks Blog regarding negociating your salary and benefits packages, I loved this piece because this just happened to me over the weekend regarding a piece of artwork that I did.  I listened to my husband, and shot high, and low and behold.. I got it! Never under-sell yourself, it only hurts you.  And as stated in the Money Walks Blog, it cant hurt to ask!

Interactive Video and User Created Content are two phrases that are very vanguard in growing infatuation of what is called social media. Social Media chronicles opinions, content, insight and perspectives of individuals and business through online technologies and practices -

This weeks Carnival of the Capitalists is hosted by The Virtual Handshake - The first article posted was written by Charles H. Green and is titled The Cancer of Short Term Thinking, some of the points made in this article coincide with my rant on Customer Service.   A great closing statement - You can’t fake trust; trust is a paradox; motives matter. The act of justifying trust by its economic value destroys not only trust, but its economic value. The best economic results come as byproducts, not goals.

I really enjoyed Scatterbox by Steven Silvers his take on SEO, scattered, no pun intended all over the internet are forums on SEO, Google, Yahoo, and all other search engines.  Trying to keep up with this part of marketing is maddening.  I have researched and still can not figure out why it is that even though the time, effort and “white hat” is applied, we see website fluctuations with our SERP’s, but the guys on top, stay on top, number one.  What really does go on behind the scenes of the search engine algorithms? 

The Strategic Marketing site has some great tips on ways to improve your organic rankings, again stressing, time & patience and there is no one magic trick. 

Marketing Deviant shares how to market your business through the use of screen savers.  What a simple idea, that could make a powerful statement in the right niches.

Carnival of the Capitalist September 4th Edition is online and live hosted by Welcome to Help.  Among the highlights are some interesting articles:

Edith Yeung gives some great advice on how your words and attitude can help you be succesful.  This advice and information is so plainly simple, but yet we as a whole have a tendancy to find ourself using such phrases that she has included in her article.   When it comes down to planning your marketing strategy, some of these phrases that Edith Yeung has highlighted, are clear as the nose on your face, take a moment to be aware, and be concious of what it is you are trying to convey and why.

Another great piece that follows again stems on words;  Instigator Blog has 10 Questions that Venture Capitalists and Angels Investors Will Ask.  I found this interesting as well it can pertain to questions you can ask yourself about the exhibiting experience.   What is your business all about? How far does your money get you? What’s your marketing strategy? Those are some questions that we, as an exhibit house, always try to find out up front when we are dealing with a potential client.  Knowing the client, or investor in the case  of Instigator’s article will help you be prepared.

This week’s CotC has some great other articles and links for building business, and marketing strategies.   The Tongue always outpaces Understanding shows the importance of knowing what you are talking about, getting down to brass tacks for leadership skills,  it is my opinion that a great leader does need to be a great listener.  If we are going to lead you into the tradeshow arena, you need to feel confident with our skills of communication, the preparation of exhibiting is similar to the old party line’s - its a mass communication.

I read a book awhile back by: Masaru Emoto on Hado - pronounced hadou to rhyme with shadow, broken down means to move and wave.  “Hado creates words - Words are the vibrations of nature Therefore beautiful words create beautiful nature Ugly words create ugly nature This is the root of the universe.”  Masaru Emoto  This was  a book studying the power of words on water and the formation of ice crystals.  Because words are sound and contain vibration, it shows the effects that the negative words we use on a daily basis can change the structure of water crystals, as well as the effect of the positive words.  Considering the human body is comprised of more than 1/2 water, think about what impact the negativity can have not only on yourself but the person in front of you.

When we are faced with tough decisions, deadlines or  bump’s that are in every road of business, we can let words fly around as if they are on a 747 and coming in for a landing.  Constant, and honest communication, no matter the circumstances can help you, help your clients and give them a feeling of security when it comes to doing business with you.  Knowing they can count on your communication, will keep them coming back.