The beginning of each new year is the time to contemplate friends and colleagues; those who helped make 2007 successful and those I've rediscovered and reconnected with - thanks for all of you!

The Chinese New Year of 2008 - the Year of the Rat - marks a period of new beginnings because the Rat is the first symbol of the calendar cycle. This should be an especially good year to start something new since in the Chinese culture the number 8 is the most auspicious of all lucky numbers. May all your new beginnings be profitable in all the ways you wish for and work for!

In this year of new beginnings, I have repositioned my business, launched a new website - www.business-strategies-etc.com - and started a new blog. I look forward to assisting companies to find cost savings, improve efficiencies, and implement environmentally sound processes for the use of direct mail, incoming and outgoing office mail, and marketing collateral.

Please visit my new site and join the conversation as I observe trends, identify new technology, and comment on developments in the graphic communications industry, printed and digital, mailed and e-mailed. Following are a few excerpts from my blog postings from December; enjoy!

All the best,

 

These macro-level challenges are causing corporate executives to think more carefully about new technologies, to try to position their companies as "green," and to look at operations and performance across all functions. Read the article>>> 

Rich Troksa, CEO of Extream Software, and I spoke recently and the interview was posted on WhatTheyThink December 12. I wanted to share some images of the holiday card we discussed; it really got my attention!

Personalized graphic communications can be done very effectively using some basic data you already have about your customers or prospects, especially when someone has a bit of imagination. Read the article and see the images in detail>>>

Trade shows let you meet a substantial number of potential customers face-to-face at a reasonable cost. They should be part of your marketing plans to both generate leads and to create brand recognition. In "Trade Shows - What Goes on Behind the Scenes?" I talk about the strategy and planning that goes on before every event.

While it may look to the casual observer like exhibitors just "set up their tents" and wait for attendees to make eye contact and then usher them in for a sales pitch; a lot of strategy and planning goes on first. Planning in advance ensures successful events. Yes, a trade event is a marketing campaign, much like a direct mail campaign, and should be part of a company's overall marketing strategy. More>>>