Public Relations Expert Provides Crisis Management Tips
Dec. 16, 2011 Appearances count. But universities, presidential candidates and businesses have all demonstrated a lack of awareness about good public relations. Given their significant status, we would expect them to exhibit world-class PR expertise in their crises. But that’s not the case. Best practices in crisis management have been practically non-existent. Consider these [...]
[Read more...]Lessons for Struggling Businesses from American Airlines’ Bankruptcy
Nov. 29, 2011 Financially challenged businesses can learn lessons from the American Airlines bankruptcy. Ironically, AA is part of one my favorite childhood memories a half century ago in a recessionary time. As a 10-year-old with my younger brother in Oklahoma, our first airplane ride was aboard an AA propeller-driven plane to Los Angeles, [...]
[Read more...]Budget Debate: Will Legislature Read Seattle News Media Headlines?
Nov. 28, 2011 The headline on the Seattle PI Web site was startling. It read: “FACT CHECK: Has Wash. cut budget by $10.5B? Hardly.” The headline and accompanying story questioned what appear to be misrepresentations by Gov. Chris Gregoire when she claimed Washington has slashed $10.8 billion from the state budget in the last [...]
[Read more...]Frustrated in Looking for Clients or Job? Soften Your Approach
Nov. 26, 2011 Is the holiday season a misnomer for you? It probably is if you’re overwhelmed looking hard for income — either for clients or in job hunting. Take heart, there are options for a new approach. These days if you have desperation in searching for clients or a job, it doesn’t feel like a [...]
[Read more...]8 Tips on How to Ask Your Boss for a Pay Raise
Your food, gas and other living costs have increased. But you need tips on how to ask your boss for a pay raise. You’re mindful about the economy and that unemployment rates are high. With the exception of Wall Street, payroll budgets are constricted everywhere. But you haven’t had a raise recently. My question [...]
[Read more...]16 Safety Tips for Retail Therapy – Online, Bricks & Mortar
Nov. 23, 2011 If you want to be safe and avoid the holiday-shopping madness, have fun but beware. For starters beware that most small businesses make you vulnerable to credit card fraud, ID theft. For business owners, that’s why I’ve asked the question about cyber security: Is your business prepared with precautions and response [...]
[Read more...]The 22 Do’s and Don’ts for Successful Negotiations
Whether you face haggling with customers, salespeople or employees, there are easy strategies for negotiating anything you want. But you must first remember it’s important to reach a fair compromise – with win-win negotiating skills. You’ll want both parties to feel positive after the negotiation is complete. In other words, emotional needs for both [...]
[Read more...]Why the Sales Tax Debate Erupts in Washington State
Nov. 22, 2011 The buzz in Seattle and other Washington locales is over another attempt to raise taxes. Yes, Gov. Chris Gregoire wants to raise $500 million via a temporary half-cent increase in the state portion of the sales tax to offset continued budget deficits to prevent more state government cuts in spending. Either [...]
[Read more...]Is Economy Marginalizing Thanksgiving as a Holiday?
Nov. 21, 2011 As I work on my gratitude list this week, I’m mindful of a poll in a Seattle newspaper – and the reasons for the Thanksgiving holiday. Grateful for their religious freedom, 53 pilgrims enjoyed the first Thanksgiving 391 years ago in Plymouth, Mass. They were survivors of the original 100 separatists [...]
[Read more...]First Step in Fighting Lawsuit Abuse – Risk Management
Nov. 20, 2011 (corrects amount of compensatory damages in lawsuit) Published reports on two southern California media Web sites illustrate the polarizing effects of laws affecting business. The first article in Signon San Diego, Businesses fight ‘abusive’ lawsuits, explains the fears and concerns of many small businesses. Written by Tanya Mannes, it describes how a [...]
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