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Article: Putting on the best virtual conference — Part 1: A successful pandemic pivot. Linda discusses the steps on how to put on a virtual conference on MultiBriefs: Exclusive.
Article: Putting on the best virtual conference — Part 2: Learning to be more virtually perfect. Linda discusses the key learnings from holding a virtual conference on MultiBriefs: Exclusive.
Podcast: Linda Popky interviews Karen Jackson who talks about some of the reasons companies have trouble integrating sales and marketing - and how that hurts profitability. - Listen.
Podcast: Deb Zahn talks with Linda Popky and Lisa Anderson, SAC Executive Directors, about what SAC (Society for the Advancement of Consulting) does and how it helps consultants build successful businesses. A Craft of Consulting podcast. - Listen.
SAC® Press Release: "Increased Customer Focus Will Help Business Thrive in 2021" - Linda recommends focusing on what matters to customers now. – Read release.
Video: Just a Moment for Marketing: One-minute marketing tip videos. – View over 100 videos.
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Top of Mind Thursday November 26, 2020: A Different Kind of Holiday
Today is Thanksgiving in the US–a holiday where we give thanks for the many blessings we have in our lives.
Normally, this is a time of feasting with family, watching football games and parades, and preparing for big shopping events tomorrow, Black Friday. But this year, Thanksgiving–like everything else in our lives–is different due to COVID-19.
Travel is problematic–because of the spread of the virus. Large get-togethers are highly discouraged–because of the virus. Football games and the Macy’s parade are dramatically different this year–because of the virus. Black Friday sales are happening across a much longer time period–because of the virus. Many people have lost jobs and can barely feed their families–because of the virus. And many families are facing the holiday after losing loved ones–because of the virus.
There’s no doubt this is a difficult time for everyone around the world. But it’s also a time to offer gratitude for the good things around us:
People and organizations are stepping up to help those in need. Working from home has allowed many of us to rethink how we organize our lives and to refocus on what really matters. Many businesses have changed their focus to adapt to the new environment–whether it’s outdoor and takeout dining, curbside pickup and delivery, offering more virtual offerings, or creating a brand new market in designer masks and PPE. We’ve all learned how to be proficient in using Zoom, and numerous vaccines appear on the horizon for early next year.
This year, Thanksgiving is not so much a time of celebration as it is of reflection and gratitude for all we have. Sometimes it take a major disruption to appreciate what we have in our lives, and to teach us what’s really important. Let’s take time today to be grateful for all we have now and all we have to look forward to in a brighter future ahead.
Contact me to find out how you can get heard above the noise–even in a crisis situation.
Check out our marketing thought leadership podcasts and the video trailer for my book, Marketing Above the Noise: Achieve Strategic Advantage with Marketing that Matters.
.
Let us help your business rise to the top.
linda@popky.com
(650) 281-4854
www.leverage2market.com
Top of Mind Thursday November 19, 2020: Flying High
It’s been a horrible year for the travel industry–and airlines in particular. The number of passengers carried this year vs. last year may be off by as much as 65%.
In this kind of environment, it’s expected that airlines will retrench–cut flights, retire aircraft, furlough (or fire) employees. And that’s what most of the world’s largest airlines are doing.
But not Southwest. Instead of following the rest of the industry, Southwest is using this time to expand–adding new cities to its network this year and looking to add even more in 2021.
Why? Because they realize that this too will pass. Eventually, the pandemic will be controlled and there will be demand for air travel again. They also realize the actions of other airlines give Southwest a unique opportunity.
The airline’s chief commercial officer says while it may sound risky to open up new routes in the middle of a crisis like this, the alternative is worse: “You could wait til Covid is over. But that’s far too long.”
The airline industry may be experiencing severe turbulence right now, but when the skies clear, Southwest will be ready.
Are you making the kind of moves now that will prepare your for future success? Or are you stuck at the gate waiting for better flying conditions?
Contact me to find out how you can get heard above the noise–even in a crisis situation.
Check out our marketing thought leadership podcasts and the video trailer for my book, Marketing Above the Noise: Achieve Strategic Advantage with Marketing that Matters.
.
Let us help your business rise to the top.
linda@popky.com
(650) 281-4854
www.leverage2market.com
Top of Mind Thursday November 12, 2020: Know When To Fold ‘Em
It was 5 days after last week’s presidential election before we had a projected winner. Today, nine days later, the losing candidate has still not conceded.
Other candidates have graciously conceded and moved on in much closer races (including Al Gore in 2000). But not this time. Not this president.
Several Republican officials have publicly said they understand the race is over. But too many are still trying to find a way to discredit the election and keep Trump in office.
There are multiple allegations being tossed around by the Trump campaign, most of which focus on some sort of theory of voter fraud. The problem is that there seems to be little if any actual fraud–election officials of both parties have confirmed that the process was straightforward, transparent, and correct. Recounts very rarely change more than a handful of votes–not enough to change the results in key states.
Meanwhile, the transition process is stalled, and the continuing saga foments distrust and division throughout the country as the COVID-19 pandemic surges out of control.
In his song The Gambler, the late singer Kenny Rogers famously said, “You need to know when to hold ’em. Know when to fold ’em. Know when to walk away and know when to run.”
It’s time to move on. Time to heal. Time to come together and address what needs to be done. There’s too much at stake to keep propping up this house of cards.
Contact me to find out how you can get heard above the noise–even in a crisis situation.
Check out our marketing thought leadership podcasts and the video trailer for my book, Marketing Above the Noise: Achieve Strategic Advantage with Marketing that Matters.
.
Let us help your business rise to the top.
linda@popky.com
(650) 281-4854
www.leverage2market.com
Top of Mind Thursday November 5, 2020: Split
In bowling, a split is where you wind up with pins on opposite sides of the lane. It’s possible to hit both pins to get a spare, but it’s fairly difficult.
What we saw in Tuesday’s election was a political split. More people came out than ever before to vote and the results were pretty close to even. Nearly as many people wanted four more years of Trump as those who wanted a change with Biden.
More importantly, though, is the polarization that’s developed between the two sides. There doesn’t seem to be a common middle–just people gathered on two sides of every issue–like the pins in a bowling lane split.
It’s time we put the divisiveness and animosity aside and start to look for common ground. We need to reach out to the people on the other side (at a proper social distance, of course) and find a way to have a dialogue.
Just like in bowling, where the only way to score a spare on a split in bowling is to use one pin to reach the other.
Contact me to find out how you can get heard above the noise–even in a crisis situation.
Check out our marketing thought leadership podcasts and the video trailer for my book, Marketing Above the Noise: Achieve Strategic Advantage with Marketing that Matters.
.
Let us help your business rise to the top.
linda@popky.com
(650) 281-4854
www.leverage2market.com