Marketing Articles About Awards Search Results
- Warning to Direct Marketers: Asking These Questions Will Kill Your Conversions. Can asking a question in an ad increase sales? Some will argue vehemently that the use of a question is a non-starter, a pre-ordained copywriting disaster.
Craig Huey, founder and president of the award-winning Creative Direct Marketing Group, froths at the idea of a question in sales copy.
Nevertheless, a question is a tool. And as with any tool, any copywriting strategy or tactic, if a question is not formulated and handled with proper caution it could indeed do immeasurably more harm than good.
Well, let me correct that: If you're a direct marketer who tests, you can measure precisely how much harm a poorly phrased question will do... or how well a good one will convert.
(11/18/08 09:00 AM)
- MostChoice Forks Over $4.8M for Stuffing Rival with Fake Leads. A Colorado District Court jury awarded $4.8 million to NetQuote after ruling that its rival, MostChoice, submitted over 3500 false applications for insurance quotes to its website.
After receiving...
(11/14/08 09:00 PM)
- Invention Checks Brake Lights.
CampaignSeries.co.uk:
John Arundel of Quakers Yard grew up in Aberbargoed and has been a lorry driver most of his working life, which equated to 23 years of experience. He came up with an invention to check brake lights without being in the vehicle.
At the British Inventors Society Awards, John’s innovation was a winner.
John said: “It’s great [...]
(11/12/08 09:00 PM)
- Bright, Shiny Future for Green Cleaning. Last week I noted Clorox's earnings successes, credited in part to its Greenworks cleaners brand. Today a press release from Earth Friendly Cleaners, a small 15-year-old company dedicated to award-winning, plant-based, cruelty-free products, ...
(11/12/08 09:01 AM)
- Futuristic Z!n Hearing Aid Bags People's Design Award. Recognized as an unprecedented marriage of design and technological innovation, Stuart Karten's Z!n hearing aid walked away with this year's Cooper-Hewitt People's Design Award.
(10/27/08 09:00 AM)
- The 2008 Esprit Awards.
An annual institution in Boulder occurred last week - the Boulder Chamber of Commerce Esprit Awards. A bunch of my friends were winners this year and - since they were all nice enough to call me out for my contribution to them, I thought I'd reciprocate by congratulating them.
So, a big congrats to:
- Mike Platt at Cooley Godward
- Raj Bhargava at StillSecure
- Krista, Johnathan, Tom, and Brent at Kerpoof
Y'all are great - thanks for all of your hard work, vision, and contribution to the Boulder entrepreneurial scene.
(10/14/08 09:01 AM)
- Paul Krugman Wins Nobel Peace Prize.
Congratulations, Mr. Krugman!
From today’s New York Times:
Paul Krugman, a professor at Princeton University and an Op-Ed columnist for The New York Times, was awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences on Monday.
Mr. Krugman received the award for his work on international trade and economic geography. In particular, the prize committee lauded his work for [...]
(10/13/08 09:00 AM)
- Help Room to Read - Get mystery business books.
The team over at 800-CEO-READ have an awesome project in the works that benefits one of my favorite causes, Room to Read.Here's the deal:
For $20.00 we are putting together a MYSTERY BOX of three business books. In this box you are guaranteed one title that either won, or made the shortlist for best book of 2007 in its category, and 2 other titles that were submitted for the awards. 100% of the purchase will go directly to Room to Read, and we'll cover the shipping on all orders. Get on board and help us make a difference!
To take part in this special offer, visit The 800-CEO-READ Mystery Box page: http://800ceoread.com/mysterybox
(06/09/08 09:00 AM)
- Help Room to Read - Get mystery business books. The team over at 800-CEO-READ have an awesome project in the works that benefits one of my favorite causes, Room to Read.
Here's the deal:
For $20.00 we are putting together a MYSTERY BOX of three business books. In this box you are guaranteed one title that either won, or made the shortlist for best book of 2007 in its category, and 2 other titles that were submitted for the awards. 100% of the purchase will go directly to Room to Read, and we'll cover the shipping on all orders. Get on board and help us make a difference!
To take part in this special offer, visit The 800-CEO-READ Mystery Box page: http://800ceoread.com/mysterybox
(04/04/08 09:00 PM)
- How Long Does it Take....
for a relatively small government contract to be awarded? The answer is: it can take a verrry long time.
One of my clients sent me an e-mail yesterday. The client is a law firm that does some very specialized work for the government. I've assisted them with their proposals on a number of occasions. The last time I worked with them was last March and April, on a proposal that was due in April 2007. Hadn't heard a word from them since, which is not unusual. Clients don't always inform me about the outcomes of their bids.
Anyway, out of the blue comes the e-mail. It says that my client has finally been contacted by the government agency and that they were notified that all of the proposals submitted by bidders contained some kind of fatal error. So the government will now be giving all all bidders an opportunity to submit corrected or revised proposals.
I don't know what this fatal error is, but if all of the bidders made this same error, it would seem to me that the government screwed something up. And to allow a year to go by before leting everyone know -- well, that is pretty outrageous.
I've just finished with recompete #2. So I agreed to help my law firm client with their revised proposal. Somehow I'll have to fit it in between working on recompete #3. And oh joy, the manual has now landed back on my desk again for more changes, additions, etc. This will supposedly be the final, final version. We'll see.
Just when I thought I could take a little break.
(03/21/08 09:00 AM) - Sole Source Contracts.
Everyone likes a sole-source contract when their company gets one, but we don't like them too much when they are given to other companies. When other companies get them, it's unfair; when our company gets one, it's a good thing.
So what's a sole source contract, you ask? Well, according to the Federal Acquisition Regulations, sole-source contracting can occur "when the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source." That means, basically, that an agency can contract with a company without any competition. There are a few in's and out's to this -- you can read about them here.
I bring this up because I just got finished doing a quick sole source proposal for one of my clients. In this case, the federal agency decided that it needed to have a particular task done, and that the task could only be performed by two people that used to work there. My client had marketed to this agency, and it was "decided" that their company could hire these two people as consultants to perform the work. So the agency issued an RFP to my client, which no other company received. My client then had to respond to this RFP so that the agency would have the proper paperwork to award them the contract.
Fair? Not really. But of course it happens all the time. Most of the time we only hear about it when there is some type of investigation into possible improper practices and the media gets hold of it. But in reality, lots of companies receive sole source contracts. In many cases, it's just a matter of marketing and knowing the right people in an agency. In other cases, there is really only one responsible source out there, or there is a particularly urgent need for a product or service (another way that agencies can justify a sole source contract).
That's the lesson (or rant) for today.
(03/01/08 09:01 AM) - Sole Source Contracts.
Everyone likes a sole-source contract when their company gets one, but we don't like them too much when they are given to other companies. When other companies get them, it's unfair; when our company gets one, it's a good thing.
So what's a sole source contract, you ask? Well, according to the Federal Acquisition Regulations, sole-source contracting can occur "when the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source." That means, basically, that an agency can contract with a company without any competition. There are a few in's and out's to this -- you can read about them here.
I bring this up because I just got finished doing a quick sole source proposal for one of my clients. In this case, the federal agency decided that it needed to have a particular task done, and that the task could only be performed by two people that used to work there. My client had marketed to this agency, and it was "decided" that their company could hire these two people as consultants to perform the work. So the agency issued an RFP to my client, which no other company received. My client then had to respond to this RFP so that the agency would have the proper paperwork to award them the contract.
Fair? Not really. But of course it happens all the time. Most of the time we only hear about it when there is some type of investigation into possible improper practices and the media gets hold of it. But in reality, lots of companies receive sole source contracts. In many cases, it's just a matter of marketing and knowing the right people in an agency. In other cases, there is really only one responsible source out there, or there is a particularly urgent need for a product or service (another way that agencies can justify a sole source contract).
That's the lesson (or rant) for today.
(02/21/08 09:01 PM) - Top 10 Best and Worst Speakers of 2007. Every year Bert Decker (disclosure: my father), Chairman of Decker Communications, publishes his Top 10 Best and Worst speakers of the year. The top 3 speakers of 2007 are: Gov. Mike Huckabee Dr. Mehmet Oz Al Gore Click here to see all Top 10 Best Speakers The 2007 worst three speakers are: Attorney Alberto Gonzales Michael Vick Robert Eckert (Mattel Chairman) Click here to see all Top 10 Worst Speakers Bert Decker is a national communications expert, best selling author and entrepreneur, founding the communications training company Decker Communications, Inc. He has been featured in the NY Times, Business Week, 20/20, as well as being the communications commentator for the NBC TODAY Show for the Presidential Debates. Coach to Charles Schwab, U.S. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, former Mattel CEO's John Ammerman and Jill Barrad, Olympians Bonnie Blair and Tom Dolan, SF 49er All-Pro Brent Jones, and dozens of other executives Founder, Chairman and CEO of Decker Communications, Inc., a leader in communications training and executive coaching. Consultant to Siemens, State Farm, Schwab, Met Life, and many others Professional Speaker and best selling author of "You've Got to Be Believed To Be Heard" and "Speaking With Bold Assurance" Co-producer of an Academy Award documentary Entrepreneur, founder of four companies, Chairman of Bold Assurance Ministries, NBC TODAY Communications Expert commentator, Advisory Board Salvation Army
(01/05/08 09:00 PM)
- A John with a View. Speaking of hotels, this one gets the best view from the john (toilet) award. It's in Baltimore, from the view of my bathroom at the Peabody Court Hotel. That's the George Washington monument and the Cathedral church. I am having...
(06/14/07 09:01 AM)
- The B2B Lead Generation Blog Wins Best B-to-B Marketing Blog in MarketingSherpa's Readers' Choice Awards. Thank you all for voting! I won the best B-to-B Marketing Blog in MarketingSherpa's Readers' Choice Awards! I’m humbled and thrilled that so many readers have found the content valuable and informative enough to cast their vote for my blog....
(02/28/07 09:00 AM)
- Top 10 Best and Worst Communicators of 2006. Each year, for the last several years, Bert Decker (my father) reveals his picks for the Top 10 best and worst communicators of the year. I know from first hand experience that Bert sees the world through the lens of effective communications. He has over 25 years of communications experience, and coaches executives such as Charles Schwab, athletes and politicians worldwide. Every year he publishes this popular list. Here are his picks from 2005 (last year) and below are his picks this year. You can see Bert's commentary and full post here. The Ten Best Communicators of 2006 Senator Barack Obama -- A shooting star due to his communications Pastor Rick Warren -- The master communicator Speaker Nancy Pelosi -- Results with a smile Commissioner Israel Gaither -- Steady consistency under pressure Angelina Jolie -- Direct and honest, after her tattoo periodAngelina Nido Qubein -- Dramatic change due to communicating a vision Guy Kawasaki -- Versatile and a living SHARP Tavis Smiley -- Advocacy power from a new media star Jim (Mad Money) Kramer -- Total commitment to impact Jon Stewart -- Wry humor wins the Academy Award The Ten Worst Communicators of 2006 Nancy Grace -- Nasty and snarly Barry Bonds -- Arrogance won’t do Mel Gibson -- Rants (and DUIs) won’t do Ray Tillerson - New Exxon CEO continues the tradition, unfortunately Lindsey, Paris, Brittany Nicole -- The Mice Pack Senator George Allen -- One word too many OJ Simpson -- Once again, badly, and sadly, in the...
(12/29/06 09:00 AM)
- Sole Source Contracts.
Everyone likes a sole-source contract when their company gets one, but we don't like them too much when they are given to other companies. When other companies get them, it's unfair; when our company gets one, it's a good thing.
So what's a sole source contract, you ask? Well, according to the Federal Acquisition Regulations, sole-source contracting can occur "when the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source." That means, basically, that an agency can contract with a company without any competition. There are a few in's and out's to this -- you can read about them here.
I bring this up because I just got finished doing a quick sole source proposal for one of my clients. In this case, the federal agency decided that it needed to have a particular task done, and that the task could only be performed by two people that used to work there. My client had marketed to this agency, and it was "decided" that their company could hire these two people as consultants to perform the work. So the agency issued an RFP to my client, which no other company received. My client then had to respond to this RFP so that the agency would have the proper paperwork to award them the contract.
Fair? Not really. But of course it happens all the time. Most of the time we only hear about it when there is some type of investigation into possible improper practices and the media gets hold of it. But in reality, lots of companies receive sole source contracts. In many cases, it's just a matter of marketing and knowing the right people in an agency. In other cases, there is really only one responsible source out there, or there is a particularly urgent need for a product or service (another way that agencies can justify a sole source contract).
That's the lesson (or rant) for today.
(12/12/06 08:42 AM) - Vote for Bazaarvoice (Marketing Excellence Award). Bazaarvoice was nominated for ClickZ Marketing Excellence awards. We are helping clients such as Home Depot, Macy's, Sears, CDW, Overstock and many others capture, analyze and amplify online word of mouth from their customers. It's very exciting, we're learning a lot and producing great results. It's why I joined this adventure. It is truly excellent! :-) Please vote here. Note: if you don't know or have time to vote for other categories, you don't have to....
(10/31/06 09:01 PM)
- Mondays Contract Management News and Comment (28th August 2006).
Abu Dhabi Ports Company announces the awarding of program management contract for Khalifa Port and Industrial Zone (Mena Report)
The Abu Dhabi Ports Company (ADPC) announced today the appointment of International Bechtel Company Limited (IBCLTD) to act as Program Managers for the development of Khalifa Port & Industrial Zone (KPIZ). The ...
(08/28/06 09:03 PM)
- Sundays Contract Management News and Comment (27th August 2006).
Nuñez's wife got AQMD contract (Los Angeles Daily News)
SACRAMENTO - The South Coast Air Quality Management District awarded a $125,000 consulting contract to the wife of Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuñez at the same time the district was seeking legislation to cut train engine emissions.
Contract Given To Assembly Speaker's Wife (CBS ...
(08/27/06 09:03 AM)
- Fridays Contract Management News and Comment (25th August 2006).
Hansen wins big software contract (The Sacramento Bee)
Buoyed by a resurgence in state and local government spending on technology projects, Hansen Information Technologies announced Thursday that it has won its largest deal ever -- a $21.1 million contract to provide a software management system to San Antonio's water utility.
Raytheon Awarded ...
(08/25/06 09:03 AM)
- Wednesdays Contract Management News and Comment (23rd August 2006).
HHS Awards BearingPoint $13.7 Million Contract For Program Management Services (SYS-CON Media)
BearingPoint, Inc. , one of the world's largest management and technology consulting firms, today announced it has been awarded a contract, valued at up to $13.7 million over four years, to provide program management services to the Office of ...
(08/23/06 09:01 AM)
- Fridays Contract Management News and Comment (18th August 2006).
HealthQuest Wins CenBen USA Medical Management Contract (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
HealthQuest, the commercial healthcare management services division of the Keystone Peer Review Organization, Inc. , announced today that it was awarded a medical management contract by CenBen USA, the fifth-largest third-party administrator in the nation.
Raytheon Gets $16 Million ...
(08/18/06 09:00 AM)
- Tuesdays Contract Management News and Comment (15th August 2006).
PBS&J gets FEMA contract (BizJournals)
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded a contract that could be worth up to $250 million to PBS&J and an alliance of subcontractors.
Enova Awarded Contract to Integrate Service Vans with Hybrid Power Drive Systems for Major Fleet Operator (The Auto Channel)
TORRANCE, ...
(08/15/06 09:03 AM)
- Mondays Contract Management News and Comment (7th August 2006).
(AFX UK Focus) 2006-08-07 07:34 GMT: Petrofac gets Dubai oil & gas facilities management contract (Interactive Investor)
LONDON (AFX) - Petrofac Ltd said it has won the contract to provide turnkey facilities management services for Dubai's offshore oil and gas assets.
Enova Awarded Major Contract for Sport Utility Trucks (Business Wire via ...
(08/07/06 09:02 AM)
- Wednesdays Contract Management News and Comment (2nd August 2006).
Modis International Awarded Configuration Management Contract by the UK Ministry of Defense (PR Newswire via Yahoo! Finance)
Modis® International, the United Kingdom-based information technology services business unit of MPS Group, Inc. , today announced that it has been selected by the United Kingdom's Ministry of Defense to provide Site Configuration ...
(08/02/06 09:02 PM)
- Tuesdays Contract Management News and Comment (1st August 2006).
Energy Department Awards $2.5B Contract (AP via Yahoo! Finance)
The Department of Energy on Monday announced that it has awarded a $2.5 billion contract for the management and operation of Argonne National Laboratory to UChicago Argonne LLC, an independent entity owned by the University of Chicago.
1.15 billion contract awarded to ...
(08/01/06 09:04 AM)
- Enter to Win the NFIB/Dell Small Business Excellence in Customer Experience Award!. Enter to Win the NFIB/Dell Small Business Excellence in Customer Experience Award!
"Does Your Small Business Put Customers First?
Sixty-two years ago, the National Federation of Independent Business started with a sole mission: to give small and independent businesses a voice in governmental decision making. Twenty years ago, Dell, then a small business, revolutionized the personal computing industry with the introduction of the direct-sales model - a model, which starts and ends with the customer.
And now NFIB and Dell have joined together to recognize all that small businesses do.
In February 2004 NFIB and Dell announced the first NFIB/Dell Small Business Excellence in Customer Experience Award. This program honors small businesses that represent a spirit of innovation in applying information technology in their business practices to improve the customer experience.
Enter your small business to win the 2005 NFIB/Dell Small Business Excellence in Customer Experience Award!"
- Thank you BB for this great link! I like contests like this and hopefully one of the readers of The Small Business Blog (TM) will win! The deadline for submission is March 31, 2005 with the winner announced in September 2005. Good luck everyone! -ed. (07/29/06 02:29 PM)
