Kamigo Marketing

4 Strategies to Turn Challenging Times Around

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 14:03:00 -0400

Although the economic indicators may be trending "up," the reality is many businesses are dealing with low customer confidence levels that affect them. So, what can we do about raising this confidence level? We can focus on strategies that will help raise ourselves, our customer's confidence and turnaround our businesses. This presentation will inspire you to take action and turn those challenges from darkness to brightness. This was part of the interactive workshop I gave at the MicroCreditNH Entreprenuerial Exchange a few weeks ago. 4 Strategies to Turn Challenging Times Around 1. Open doors to new trends and ideas 2. Generate enthusiasm with simple metrics 3. Increase customer loyalty 4. Rethink opportunities

Turning Challenging Times_Around

View more presentations from Charlene Andersen.

Grab Some Fun and Food at Local Grower's Dinner

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 14:11:00 -0400

The awesome North Country Farm Fresh Cooperative farmers are hosting a Grower's Dinner and Square Dance in a few weeks at the Colebrook Country Club. Yum and fun. I have had the pleasure of working with some of these great people who are innovative, hard-working, love what they do and just plain good fun folks. Now you have the chance to meet some of them too. They will be supplying the food while Clay and Michelle Hinds of the Colebrook Country Club prepare the buffet style dinner. Chef Steve Learned, Culinary Arts Instructor at White Mountain Community College and former Executive Chef at the Balsams Grand Resort, will compete with local chefs in a zucchini sculpture contest. Yes, you read it correctly, during the dinner chefs will be carving into those cucurbits to create...well...you'll have to go to see for yourself. The important details: Date: Saturday, August 28, 2010 Time: Starts at 6:00 p.m. EST Where: Colebrook Country Club 15 Abenaki Lane Colebrook, NH 603-237-8685 Donation: $30.00 per person (includes dinner and entertainment) Tickets: Tickets are availabe from the North Country Farm Fresh Cooperative farmers, Colebrook Farmers Market on Colby Street, Moose Alley Square Dance Club members, LaPerle's IGA, Colebrook Country Club., Hicks Hardware, or at the Moose Festival

Turning Challenging Times Around

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:22:00 -0400

Meet me in Plymouth. I am excited about heading to the Plymouth New Hampshire in a few weeks to share "Turn Challenging Times Around" for your business. This workshop is part of the MicroCredit-NH 2010 Entrepreneurial Exchange North Conference on Monday, August 16, 2010. I am honored to be presenting along two well-respected and successful business owners. Keynote Speaker Alex Ray owner and founder of The Common Man Family of Restaurants will be sharing his experiences and advice. Also, credit and debt collection expert Michelle Dunn will be sharing ways to streamline and maximize credit management policies. Here are the 2010 Entrepreneurial Exchange North details: When: August 16, 2010 starting at 8:30 a.m. (EST) Where: The Common Man Inn and Spa - Plymouth, New Hampshire Cost: Early-bird pricing before August 1st Pre-Registration Required: Find out more. Here is what participants of the workshop I'm giving have said about it: "Great food for thought and guidance. Thank you for an excellent presentation." "What a great overview of strategies and tactics I can use." "I've never thought of measuring some of the efforts you pointed out to help determine the impact of my efforts. Such an easy things to track my ROI." Hope to see you there! Let me know in the comments below (and/or on Twitter) if you're able to attend.

The MediaStory Engine

Tue, 22 Jun 2010 15:39:00 -0400

What do you get when you mix a political candidate and a stranger in your home? A friend. That is how Cynthia Wallace of MediaStory Consulting and I tell the story (actually, she tells it better). During the recent Presidential Primary Cynthia was living in New York and volunteering for a candidate whom I was supporting. Her volunteering led her to travel to New Hampshire to knock on doors and make calls to folks in the Granite State. I volunteered my guest bedroom to traveling volunteer supporters. This was a first for both Cynthia and I - she traveling for a candidate and I opening my house up to a total stranger. Through her 3-day stay we had great discussions about everything from organic farming to world-wide issues. We shared our love of New England, a good glass of wine and ethical marketing. Cynthia is professional, thoughtful and brings a relaxed style to her work. Her blog is filled with examples of greatness and not so greatness when in front of an audience or camera. Here's the interview: Q: Cynthia, what is it you do?

A: I help people tell their story and get results. Many, many people need help, aka Media Training, when they decide to speak to the news media, or when the news media come calling. With the insight that comes with 20+ years as a news writer, reporter and producer (Reuters TV, Fox News Channel), I'm able to prepare my clients to tell their story to a reporter or interviewer - and then enjoy the results of getting that story on TV, in print or on the Internet. Since coming to Dallas from New York in 2009, I've realized the serious need for Presentation Training, too, among people in businesses and nonprofits of all sizes. So, recently, I began offering help with Presentations. After all, presenting with slides is simply another means of telling your story. Every audience is a great opportunity, and with good content and technique, a presentation can inform and inspire action.

Q: Great point, whether one is in front of the camera or in a room full of people it's about telling a story. I'm sure we all can relate to being in the audience not listening to a speaker. When you are helping a client how does your process work?

A: I generally spend between a half-day and 2-days with clients, teaching skills and techniques through interactive seminars that always include videotaping the client's interview or presentation. After playback and critique, the client virtually always comes to realizations and makes significant improvements in understanding and performance. After the seminar, I stay in touch with clients as questions arise on topics covered or new situations develop. It's greatly rewarding for me to see improvements at the seminar and afterwards in the local or national news.

Q: I imaging the follow-up is equally important. If someone wants to learn more, how can we contact you?

A: MediaStory Consulting is on the Internet at www.mediastoryconsulting.com, and people can reach me via email at cynthia@mediastoryconsulting.com or by phone 972-827-8154. Based in Dallas, I service clients across the U.S.A.

Thanks Cynthia and keep those great blog posts going. I really enjoy them, always interesting and informative. Have you seen a recent mishap of someone in front of the media or an audience? Let Cynthia and I know and she will share some of her insights on it in one of her blog posts. Image Supplied & Copywrighted by MediaStory Consulting

Summer Solstice 2010

Mon, 21 Jun 2010 07:05:00 -0400

Today is the longest day of the year for those of us who live in the Northern Hemisphere. As business owners we can spend that extra time and sunlight on our business in our place of work or we can get outside to celebrate the day and our lives. My humble advice...get outside. Enjoy. Thanks for reading

Effective Business Marketing Discussion

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 08:30:00 -0400

Meet me in Kittery Maine. I'll be heading to Kittery Maine next week so if you want to learn how to turn these challenging times around for your business, meet me there. This talk is part of the Women's Business Center's Breakfast Table series. Here are the Effective Business Marketing details: WHEN: June 18, 2010 at 8:00 a.m. Where: Kittery Estates - 220 State Road, Kittery, Maine. Cost: $15.00 for Women's Business Center Members & $20.00 for non-members (includes breakfast and free parking). Description: Presentation Description LINK RSVP: CLICK HERE to register or call 603.430.2892 Here's what a few participants have said about other presentations I've given: "The information that Charlene presented was focused on one element (Marketing) which allowed me to hone in on my needs and develop a workable plan for my business." "Useful marketing initiatives. Outstanding information which can be used immediately to ramp up my business." Hope to see you there! Let me know in the comments below (and/or on Twitter) if you're able to attend.

Learn More, Learn Differently

Wed, 02 Jun 2010 07:57:00 -0400

"Listen to all the teachers in the woods. Watch the trees, the animals and all living things, you'll learn more from them than from books." -Joe Coyhis, Stockbridge-Munsee Image by Cheryl A. Smith P.S. - I will be sharing more about this quote in upcoming entries, on Twitter & on Facebook. Thanks for reading

Entrepreneur Lessons from Bert Jacobs of Life is good

Mon, 24 May 2010 20:14:00 -0400

Chief Optimist Executive (CEO) and Entrepreneur Bert Jacobs co-founder of Life is good was one of the speakers at Saturday's University of New Hampshire (UNH) graduation. The company makes T-shirts and other positive products depicting Jake and his simple message. It also give back via The Life is good Kids Foundation committed to helping children overcome life-threatening challenges. The company and its customer base has raised over $4 million for the cause through product, festivals and sponsors. Here are a takeaways from his talk: 1) "Optimism truly is powerful." Sixteen years ago Bert and his brother and business partner, John, started the business with a used van, discussion about all the negative information in the media and a box of crayons. The brothers looked at the situation and turned it into a business.

"We looked at a gloomy situation, something that bothered us, and saw opportunity."

2)"Simplify your life." Social networking tools, instant messaging, email, video and all the other information coming at us isn't all good.

"We get bogged down because we have access to the information. It's too much.

Instead, play ball with your son, talk to friends in person and have a cookout. 3) Give of Yourself.

"Now, people these days occasionally will ask me, what's it like to be rich? Well, let me tell you there's more than one kind of rich. And the rich that you get from acquiring things and from earning money, it means nothing to me. It really doesn't. But the richness that you get from giving, it's priceless. At Life is good we say that takers eat well, but givers sleep well."

Thanks Bert, you are spot on and I couldn't agree with more...ah...frisbee time. Image via University of New Hampshire Blog

What is Marketing?

Tue, 11 May 2010 17:30:00 -0400

Marketing is about Sharing, Communication and Building Relationships. I've upload a presentation I did a while back and wanted to share it with you all here. Enjoy.

What is Marketing?

View more presentations from Charlene Andersen.

Local Green Card - Greetings

Thu, 06 May 2010 15:33:00 -0400

Where can you find the combination of beautiful photography and information about that picture all in a high quality and "green" greeting card? Simply go to Artemis Natural Resource Designs, LLC owned by Kathie Fife. I met Kathie last year at the Stonyfield Farm Entrepreneurship Institute that founder and CE-yo, Gary Hirshberg conceived in 1998 and runs each year here in New Hampshire. Since we met, Kathie and I have kept in contact. So recently, I contacted Kathie and informed her I'd like to share what Artemis Natural Resource Designs is all about and posed to her 3 simple questions. Q: Kathie, what is it that you do?

A: I own a fine art photography and greeting card company that promotes sustainable business practices. I have a degree from UNH in Environmental Conservation, am a botanist and have a passion for New Hampshire's natural resources and historic places. The business evolved from my love of photography and growing demand from friends and townspeople who wanted to buy my work. I handmade the cards and sold them at the neighborhood store.

Q: What does Artemis Fine Art Photo Greeting Cards bring to people?

A: The greeting cards bring a very personal message to the recipient (all cards are blank inside) have unique nature or historic photograph, but they also have history and information that is shared with the recipient. We use renewable resource to create the quality greeting cards. The cards are made from 100% FSC recycled paper that is processed chlorine free and manufactured using renewable wind and water power. The cards appeal to a variety of people from nature and history buffs to gardeners and environmentalists. The cards mostly appeal to those who want to give someone a unique greeting card whether it is an individual or a business. Also, Artemis donates a percentage of profits to natural resource conservation and historic preservation programs and people really like knowing that their dollars go into such programs.

Q: How can people contact you to find out more and purchase the cards?

A: Several ways: 1. Through the website @ Artemis Natural Resource Designs, LLC, where you can also purchase cards. 2. On our FACEBOOK Page 3. And our cards are at several locations throughout New Hampshire

Thanks to Kathie for her time. I encourage everyone to check out her greeting cards. Thanks for reading

Meet Marketing Speaker Charlene Andersen in St. Johnsbury

Mon, 03 May 2010 14:45:00 -0400

Meet me in the Northeast Kingdom. I'll be heading to the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont in a few weeks so if you want to learn to make Facebook work for your business meet me there. This "how-to" workshop I'm giving is part of the Symposium Workshops going on during the Vermont WoodNet Woodworkers Symposium and Trade Show on May 21-22, 2010. Here are the Using Facebook as a Marketing Tool workshop details: WHEN: May 22, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Where: St. Johnsbury Academy - St Johnsbury, Vermont Cost: $10.00 per person (includes admission to receptions, keynote speakers, panel discussion and complimentary box lunch at Trade Show on Saturday). Description: Workshop Description LINK RSVP: CLICK HERE to register, before May 8, 2010. Here's what participants of the workshop have said: "I didn't think I would benefit from a Facebook page, but (after this workshop) I changed my mind and took the plunge." "I am geared up and motivated now to making a facebook page for my business." "Seeing how ads work and how to target them was extremely useful. I had been afraid to start the process since I couldn't find cost information. I will now try ads for my business." Hope to see you there! Let me know in the comments below (and/or on Twitter) if you're able to attend.

A Shift Towards Appreciation

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 10:14:00 -0400

We need to make a shift in work environments that begin to appreciate each other. In every organization there are a multitude of skills and strengths. Here are a few for example: The Connector - These people know who to go to when a certain task is required to get a job done. They know how to connect a person in upper management with someone on a manufacturing line to resolve a product problem. The connector is that kid in the schoolyard that everyone talked to no matter if they were a bully or a nerd. The Inspirer - These people are always "cup half full" and help keep a team moving forward. They can even make impact with the naysayer. The Inspirer is that kid in the schoolyard that got everyone together knowing the lost lunch money could be found. The Contributor - These people are behind the scene types who are quiet doers. Give these people a task and they get it done and usually add a pleasant surprise. The Contributor is the kid in the schoolyard that helped round up a group to jump rope and then held one of the ends while the rest took turns jumping. There is much strength that people have within one organization. Bringing the appreciation of these skills out in the open is often not done because people are so involved in their own responsibilities, projects and in their own overwhelm and deadlines. Or the culture of an organization does not allow this to happen in an everyday environment or at all. The Culture of an Organization I once worked for an organization (that will remain nameless) that gave no recognition to the talents of the dedicated people that worked for them. The culture didn't allow for it and that started at the top. The leader in the organization, Nancy (not her real name) would belittle people at meetings, not allow for open and honest discussion and not allow for ideas and innovation. This organization had about 20 full-time employees and another 10 or so part-time employees. Weekly communication meetings would be held with the department heads and some other identified key people to go over what was going to happen in the next few weeks. I was one of the "key people" that came to the meeting. I would sit and listen, as week after week the same information was shared with little to no change. Most dreaded the meetings because they viewed it as a waste of resources. At the meetings sat a Connector, an Inspirer and many Contributors, but not once did I experience a situation where Nancy allowed or requested the strengths be put forth with a new or innovative idea. The meetings, which Nancy could not attend, were quite different. In those meetings open discussion would occur and ideas would be generated and discussed. The skills and strengths would appear for a short while. In some of the meetings an action to bring an idea forward to Nancy would be taken. These ideas would need some level of "selling" to Nancy and some would succeed while most would not. I was a victim of both situations, (with and without Nancy) I made suggestions for ideas to either streamline a process or recommend a marketing concept. Appreciation of fellow colleagues can happen in an open and on-going natural way. Some questions for you: 1. Have you or do you work in an environment that I have described? 2. How did it make you feel or how did you survive that environment? 3. What skills and strengths do you have that either you or a colleague has not appreciated? I really want to hear your input on these matter because we need to make a shift in work environments that begin to appreciate each other. Share your comments and share this post with others and ask them to comment. Let's begin a shift towards appreciation.

Marketing Grants for Micro-Enterprises

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 08:30:00 -0400

The Vermont Community Loan Fund is currently offering grant funding to "emerging and established small and micro for-profit businesses or cooperatives." The funding will support the use of independent consultants to assist in a project that may involve a marketing or product problem or developing a new technology. Businesses must meet some basic eligibility requirements and the grant award will not exceed $5,000 USD. If you are a Vermont business you can find out more information at vclf.org

Got My Facebook On

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:37:00 -0400

It's been up for a short time now and still lots to add to it, but I'm announcing here Kamigo Marketing is on Facebook. Become a Fan

Facebook Network versus Groups: What's the Difference?

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 19:12:00 -0400

"What's the difference between a network and a group on Facebook?" This is a question that I have been asked often at introductory training workshops. The confusion is understandable because both allow you to connect to people. Groups were once utilized as a place to create a business, brand or product page. Once Facebook launched the Pages product; an advertising strategy that is experiencing some decent success, groups have taken a back seat in the business category. A network is a group of people that could currently work together attends school together or live near each other or could have done any of these in the past. When you join a network you get access to the Facebook profiles of the network's members and access to the groups, events and listings within that network. All this, of course, depends on the level of privacy of the members, but for the most part you have all access. A group may be within that network to connect people that may have common interests. If you participate in a group you can comment on the discussion board, write on the group's wall or invite friend to join the group. Groups can by closed requiring the administrator's approval to join or can even be an invite only group. You could think of it as a private club within the network. For example, if you were part of your College alumni network and within that network was a fraternity group which you were a brother of that group could allow only members of the fraternity to be part of the group. The network is the whole apple while the group could be just a seed inside the apple. How have you used networks or groups? Have you created your own group?