News/Blog Entries http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net/ Wed, 1 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST Infomedia ContentEdits http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=19942 Picture the entry way to your home. Is there a mat at the front door that says “Welcome”? Does the doorbell work? Does the front door need a little paint? When you walk in is the area well lit and inviting? Do you answer the door in your bath robe and slippers? All these little questions answer one big question.... Wed, 1 Sep 2010 00:00:00 EST 19942 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=19836 The Prophet Jonah shares an important lesson for all of us in Jonah 2:8 “Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.” This is a part of Jonah’s prayer while he’s in the belly of a fish. He’s teaching us that when we put our priorities on things other than God, we are missing out on the incredible blessings God has for us.... Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST 19836 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=19726 Your family will usually listen to you even if you’re boring. Shame on you for torturing them! If you want someone to listen to your idea, you’ve got to make it interesting, entertaining or both. You might have an idea that will change the world – a new book, movie, blog, website, business, mouse trap, etc.... Tue, 3 Aug 2010 00:00:00 EST 19726 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=19616 Two simple words, yet what an impact. You might have seen the commercials a few years ago where two women (one being overweight) meet in a grocery store. The smaller lady asks the overweight woman about her pregnancy. She tells the smaller lady she’s not pregnant and starts to get mad. The smaller lady, thinking quickly, says “Thank you.... Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST 19616 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=19557 I recently returned from a mission trip to Sudan. What an incredible experience! There are so many great stories to share. One day we visited a small market near our village. Many of the vendors had straw mats displaying fruits, vegetables or eggs. The more upscale retailers had erected crude wooden booths with tin roofs, each having enough room for maybe 2 to 3 people.... Fri, 9 Jul 2010 00:00:00 EST 19557 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=19231 No, you don’t need a measuring tape or two #2 pencils to mark either a, b, c or none of the above. That’s old school. These things could only tell us the size of our brain and to some degree how well it worked. I think we all agree our brains have a lot more to tell us. Now, there are companies like NeuroFocus that measure what’s going on with your brain.... Fri, 21 May 2010 00:00:00 EST 19231 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=19104 Much has been made of the Susan G. Komen/KFC Buckets for the Cure campaign. And I’m quite sure the “powers that be” at Komen regret the once bright idea to partner with one of the nation’s largest sellers of fried food. Nancy Schwartz in her blog, Getting Attention, did a wonderful job of analyzing the mistakes Komen made and the lessons any nonprofit or for-profit organization can learn from this situation.... Thu, 6 May 2010 00:00:00 EST 19104 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=18927 It’s that time of year when those of us who don’t look good in prison garb write our check to the IRS. My question to you is, “Does anyone like writing that check?” The obvious answer is NO. We don’t like writing checks to big organizations where our money seems to be wasted or not appreciated. You know the organizations I’m talking about…big government, big nonprofits and many companies.... Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST 18927 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=18795 Are you a prodigal? Our first thought is Jesus’ parable in the Bible about a son’s reckless spending and lavish living. With that thought in mind, wouldn’t you also describe the father’s actions in the parable as prodigal in how much he loved both his sons? Another definition of prodigal is giving profusely or generously.... Thu, 1 Apr 2010 00:00:00 EST 18795 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=18719 How many times have you heard, “I didn’t have a choice?” This usually means the person had no other options, and we all like options. When my oldest son was in high school, I always encouraged him to make good grades, so he’d have options. A 2.0 GPA equals limited college options. In the fundraising arena, donors are demanding more and more options in how they support an organization.... Mon, 22 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST 18719 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=18464 Is the sky falling? I’m not sure, but I do know Miley Cyrus left Twitter. And she’s not alone. According to a February 10, 2010 USA Today article, some people are starting to abandon social networking sites. The reasons vary but one common theme is the consuming nature of social media. How long does it take you to sift through all the Tweets, updates and links you’re sent? One of the individuals quoted in the article said he leaving sites because he had run out of things to say.... Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST 18464 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=18373 Victoria’s Secret seems to be a very popular place around Valentine’s Day. It’s filled with women and men looking for the right gift in the right color. This interest in color has been very prevalent recently on Facebook as well. Like me, you may have noticed that many of your female Facebook friends have been posting one word status updates like black, white, red, nude, cheetah, and so on.... Fri, 5 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST 18373 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=18313 Do you need to solve a problem, be more creative or think of a new idea? Forget playing with toys or brainstorming with a group. Go zone out. That’s right. Just stare off into space… Daydream. While daydreaming may be frowned upon in class and at work, it could be one of the best ways to discover new solutions and ideas.... Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST 18313 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=18191 Omg u r my bff. LOL This is how many of us communicate in this new social media world. Whether it’s a matter of convenience in texting and status updates or it’s a matter of necessity in tweets (only 140 characters), our communications have gotten shorter and shorter. Is this a good trend? Not if the meaning of what we’re trying to communicate is lost.... Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST 18191 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=18138 I’m having another birthday this weekend. So there is no doubt I am getting older. That’s easy. Here’s the really hard question I always need to be asking myself – am I growing? The NielsenWire recently reported 6 million more seniors (age 65+) are using the web compared to 5 years ago. That’s 17.... Fri, 8 Jan 2010 00:00:00 EST 18138 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=18014 As an adult, how many of your Christmas gifts do you really like? It seems that the older I get the more bad gifts I get. When I was little boy, all my gifts were wonderful except for the occasional pen & pencil set from a great aunt. In a recent blog by Symantec, the internet security firm found that 87.... Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST 18014 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17968 Do you remember the TV Christmas special, Rudolph, the Red-Nose Reindeer? Rudolph runs away from home and goes to the Island of Misfit Toys. This is a place where not so perfect toys are sent – like the bird that swims, but can’t fly. That sounds like a penguin to me. Many tweets are going to the Island of Misfit Tweets.... Wed, 9 Dec 2009 00:00:00 EST 17968 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17879 It’s that time of year when everyone gets together for a big turkey dinner with family and to watch the Detroit Lions lose. And that’s okay, but Thanksgiving is more than just family, cranberry sauce and having a couple days off. It’s a reminder to be thankful for all you’ve been given. That may be harder for some during these difficult economic times.... Mon, 23 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST 17879 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17817 What are you hooked on? Despite the fact that we’ve outlawed texting during dinner, there is still the occasional covert text under the table. My 15-year-old son often explains that his friend needed an immediate answer. In a 2008 AOL survey of 4,000 email users, 46% said they were “hooked” on email.... Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST 17817 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17715 Continuing with our Charlie Brown Halloween Special theme, Charlie goes trick-or-treating on Halloween in his ghost costume. After each house, the group would announce what they got. Do you remember what Charlie got at every house? His classic line is, “I got a rock.” How many of us feel like Charlie Brown when opening an email, letter, website, Facebook invitation, etc.... Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST 17715 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17647 I grew up in the 60s when all the wonderful Charlie Brown TV Specials were first aired. While the Christmas special is still my favorite, the Halloween special runs a close second. It has several great story lines – one being the Great Pumpkin. Linus believes that on Halloween night the Great Pumpkin rises from the pumpkin patch bringing candy and toys to all the good boys and girls.... Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST 17647 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17579 What do you carve on your Halloween pumpkin – a happy, scary or sad face, or you’re really not sure exactly what you’ve carved? I’m old school and have always gone with the triangle eyes, nose and teeth. However, last year Kathie wanted something fancy and purchased one of those elaborate designs.... Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST 17579 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17530 The Chicago Marathon is this weekend, and I had the pleasure of running it a few years ago. Running a marathon is a lot like having a successful marketing program. First, you need a plan. Starting months before the marathon, I followed a detailed training plan. I had a calendar showing the days and distance to run.... Thu, 8 Oct 2009 00:00:00 EST 17530 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17454 I love Walt Disney World. Where else would you happily stand in line eating a turkey leg with your hands and wearing mouse ears while you wait to ride in a teacup? And pay handsomely for that privilege. It’s because the people at WDW are the masters of customer service and marketing. What can we learn from them? 1.... Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST 17454 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17396 My mom was constantly telling me to be nice. As the oldest of five kids, it was hard being nice to my three brothers and sister. While my brothers were terribly annoying at times and my baby sister was bossy most of the time, Mom told me I still needed to be nice to them. Mom needs to have a talk with Joe Wilson, Serena Williams and Kayne West as well.... Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST 17396 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17297 Once a year in high school, I had the chance to write what I thought about my classmates. They gave me their yearbooks to sign. “Stay cute and sweet” “2 sweet 2 be 4 gotten” Today kids still sign their friends’ yearbooks with messages very similar to those of my day. A new phrase I saw in my son’s middle school yearbook was HAGS – Have A Great Summer! Unlike my high school days, both kids and adults can now sign their friends’ yearbooks any day of the year.... Tue, 8 Sep 2009 00:00:00 EST 17297 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17239 When I played high school basketball in the mid ‘70s, the shorts were a lot shorter, the socks were a lot longer, and there was no 3 point line. At 5’11” and 145 pounds, I was a force to be reckoned with on the court. A recent study, “When Losing Leads to Winning,” by two Wharton School professors found only 11.... Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST 17239 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17174 As a child, did you ever say anything embarrassing like use a word incorrectly or accidently reveal a family secret? Or have your own children embarrassed you in this way? Ever wish you could review your children’s words before they speak them? Businesses and organizations are facing a similar problem.... Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST 17174 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17140 Women rule the world or at least the bank account. A survey just released by The Boston Consulting Group says that women are responsible for $12 trillion in global spending and 70% of all consumer purchases worldwide. And, their economic impact will only continue to grow. This information comes as no surprise to me knowing my wife is responsible for $1 trillion of that spending.... Mon, 17 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST 17140 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17087 Growing up in rural Mississippi, we only had one TV station – CBS. That meant watching Captain Kangaroo in the mornings, playing outside during the soap operas and coming in at night to watch Gunsmoke or The Wild, Wild West. I thought we were really big time when we added NBC. Today there are hundreds of channels to watch.... Fri, 7 Aug 2009 00:00:00 EST 17087 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=17018 When I was in the third grade, my mom got me a Bonanza lunchbox. In the ‘60s, Hoss and Little Joe were okay, but they weren’t nearly as tough as Zorro or the Green Hornet. Likewise, the girls leaned toward a Monkees or Bobby Sherman lunchbox. After all, your lunchbox was a part of your identity.... Fri, 31 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST 17018 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16955 Growing up on a farm, I always had fresh vegetables, fruits, eggs and milk. This past weekend I was back home enjoying fresh tomatoes, plums, peas and some of mom’s hot cornbread. According to the National Gardening Association, 7 million more Americans plan to grow their own fruits, vegetables and herbs this year.... Mon, 20 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST 16955 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16888 Don’t become like peanut butter. In a recent IBM survey, less than 20% of American shoppers trust food companies to produce food that is safe and healthy and 83% could name a product that has been recalled in the last two years. Peanut butter was the most recognized recalled food at 46% followed by spinach at 15%.... Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST 16888 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16841 Want to grow intellectually, emotionally and spiritually? Start with these three simple words “I don’t know.” My friend and pastor, Dr. Gary Fenton, recently shared with me that saying “I don’t know” opens your mind to becoming a life-long learner and gives the other person permission to teach you.... Thu, 2 Jul 2009 00:00:00 EST 16841 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16750 Short has always gotten a bad rap. I remember our family’s first trip to Disney World. My brothers and I couldn’t wait to drive the race cars. Everyone jumped into his own car…except my youngest brother. He was too short and had to ride with my dad. No one ever gets turned away because he is too tall.... Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 16750 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16665 Are you one of the 10? A recent Harvard Business Review study revealed some very interesting information about Twitter and its users. For example, 10 percent of Twitter users account for over 90 percent of Twitter messages, and the median number of lifetime tweets per user is one. The researchers believe this implies that Twitter resembles more of a one-way, one-to-many publishing service than a two-way, peer-to-peer communication network.... Fri, 5 Jun 2009 00:00:00 EST 16665 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16625 Once is not enough. I had to ask Kathie several times before she agreed to marry me. Is your audience responding “yes” to your messages? Years ago, I took a sales training course that taught it takes 7 no’s from a prospect before you get your first yes. In a world that’s full of so much noise and so many distractions, you probably won’t be heard the first time.... Fri, 29 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 16625 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16575 I like me. Today I heard Andrew Keen, an author and speaker, share about our “narcissistic culture” and how Web 2.0 – Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, blogging, etc -- offers the perfect platform to express it. We love to share our opinions, talk about ourselves and open ourselves to the world. Does your marketing (including your social media) focus on selling your product/service or is it about you or your company? Are the TV ads featuring a company’s CEO more about promoting the CEO or selling the company’s products? It may be time to review your marketing to see if the focus is on selling or on you.... Fri, 22 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 16575 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16509 Growing up, I was the dishwasher in our home. Today, 21 percent of people think a dishwasher is a necessity. I certainly thought of myself as a necessity back then. A recent Pew Research Center survey asked whether various household items were a luxury or necessity. For example, 47 percent of respondents said a microwave is a necessity, which is down from 68 percent in 2006.... Fri, 15 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 16509 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16459 I feel like I’m in my 20’s. Sadly, parts of my body are starting to act their age, 50. I recently got a contact for one eye, so I wouldn’t have to keep up with reading glasses. And I’m not alone. Baby Boomers are a huge market segment with money to spend. They just have to be able to read and understand your message.... Fri, 8 May 2009 00:00:00 EST 16459 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16406 Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and I was thinking about my mom and a valuable lesson she taught me – smile. Smiling is one of the best marketing tools we have. . .and it’s free. From personal experience, I can’t count the number of times my smile has brightened someone’s day and gotten a return smile.... Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 16406 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16383 A ritual for many college students is spring break in Florida. In 1980, a couple buddies and I made the 16 hour trip to Ft. Lauderdale. And looking back, I was exposed to incredible marketing lessons that still apply today. First, know your audience. The companies knew what college students wanted - food, fun, a great tan and the chance to meet the guy or girl of their dreams.... Mon, 27 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 16383 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16278 Every April 15th (except for some in Washington) it's time to pay your taxes. And most of us don't like "writing that check." Maybe this idea would change our attitude. What if the IRS could be a little more like successful charities? First, they should allow you to direct your money to the causes you're really passionate about.... Wed, 15 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 16278 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=15566 Back in the 60's, Stuckey's was a favorite stop during our family vacations. It was one of the first companies to combine a gas station and restaurant. Dad could fill the car with gas, and we could get what would now be considered fast food. Looking back, the gas was the best part. Today, many fast food chains and gas stations are teaming up to meet 2 needs with 1 stop.... Mon, 6 Apr 2009 00:00:00 EST 15566 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=15406 I bet you couldn't wait to jump into your mom's or dad's lap and listen to a story. If we all love a good story, then why have so many marketers forgotten this incredible tool for selling their products? Nonprofits usually do a better job of telling stories in their direct fundraising than businesses do in their direct marketing, but neither one is really taking full advantage of this resource.... Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 15406 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=15402 Everyone wants a beautiful garden. And, now's the time to be working your garden to see which plants survived the winter and which ones need to be replaced. If you don't replace the dead ones, eventually your garden suffers. You also need to be doing the same thing with your organization. You have loyal donors who are with you year after year.... Fri, 6 Mar 2009 00:00:00 EST 15402 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=15403 It's almost spring and everything will be turning green soon...the trees, grass and your organization? That's right. Is your organization doing all it can to help the environment from a direct mail fundraising aspect? Here's where we are today: • Studies show all direct mail makes up only 1.8% of all waste and 4.... Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 15403 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=15404 Have trouble buying a gift for certain people? That's because everyone is different. There is a wonderful book by Dr. Gary Chapman called The Five Love Languages. Dr. Chapman shares in the book that we all feel love differently and it's important to understand the other person's love language. The five languages are words of affirmation, touch, service, quality time and gifts.... Tue, 17 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 15404 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16237 One of the ladies who works with me tells the following story. In the fourth grade, her mother bought a king-size Snickers bar for my co-worker to give her new "boyfriend" on Valentine's Day. Being the shy type, she didn't want to give him the Snickers bar during school and at the same time didn't want to disappoint her mother.... Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 16237 http://mamaslessons.infomedia.net//newsblog.asp?action=ind&pub_id=16238 In high school, there was nothing flashy about me. In 1974, my first car was a ‘65 VW Bug with no A/C or heat. The windows were rolled down in the summer, and you were wrapped up in a blanket in the winter. Most dates started with a Big Mac, fries and sharing a hot apple pie. I wore bell-bottom Levi's, t-shirts and either earth shoes or tennis shoes.... Sun, 8 Feb 2009 00:00:00 EST 16238