Insight on Business – Sunday Morning Coffee

OK, it’s true..  Insight on Business with Michael Libbie is NOT on the air Sundays.  However, we can’t stay away…and a quick

 reminder that we’ll be back on Monday at 12:30PM Central with our Monday edition of Insight on Business.  We call that “Metro Monday” and our guest is Angela Clark.  

In the meantime…how about a sip of Sunday Morning Coffee?  What’s that?  A couple of stories, a little gossip and some insight.  It’s a great way to start…Sunday Morning!   Thanks for coming by…and we’ll catch you tomorrow.

Ahhhhh What was that?

Insight on Business isn’t on the air Fridays….however we can’t stay away!  Today I went to a social media seminar that was attended by about 70 other folks.  I was a bit underwhelmed…  Here is the story.  Have a great weekend and hope to catch you on Monday!

This morning I attended a meeting sponsored by the Des Moines Business Record and Hanser & Associates.  I wasn’t alone.  There were about 70 people in the room who had come to review the social media survey conducted by the DMBR and Hanser.  Here is that survey story.

I want to be kind…my goal here is not to bust the chops of anybody.  I do think that the majority of business people who came were expecting more meat rather than what they got.  While the participants on the panel were clear to the fact that they were “learning” about social media I was struck at the overall lack of understanding.  Now, to be fair, that may not have been the intent of the meeting.  But, I’ll bet many in the audience thought they might be able to get a nugget or two on “how to”.

They didn’t until panel member Christian Renaud from Palisadestarted to speak.  He spoke of the difference between a business blog, Twitter and Facebook.  He told the people  to understand that Social Media is not only an advertising vehicle it is a way to engage in conversation with consumers and a way to learn more about what in the world is going on “out there”.

Clearly Christian “gets it” and both Josh Fleming from Lessing-Flynn and I gave him major props.   He was clearly the most helpful on the panel.

One other very clear thing came to me and several other professional media people in the room.  Business continues to be very fearful of Social Media.  They want to put an ROI on it, want to control it, want to keep the conversation going in one direction…out.

However, that’s not what SM is about…and it was also clear there is enough business to go around for all of us.  This is a much, much steeper learning curve for business to business and business to consumer groups than what I had already known…

Have a look at the stats…you’ll see what I mean.  And, here comes the ad, if we can help…for crying out loud call…or write or…Tweet?  Thanks for reading.

“My Clients Are Dying…”

Insight on Business with Michael Libbie isn’t on the air Fridays.  But…we didn’t want you to have withdrawls.  Hey, that’s important.  We’ll return on Monday – It’s “Metro Monday” with Suzanne Hull and Unemployed in Des Moines as well as loads of local stories about the “Golden Circle”.  You know the greatest city in the greatest state in the nation – Des Moines, Iowa.  Insight on Business is part of Des Moines Local…LIVE and is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications.  Oh…here is a bit from today about…GULP – Dying Clients and what they..AND YOU…need to do NOW.

Sobering thought huh?  That’s exactly what I was told earlier this week by a well established firm in Des Moines.  “Michael, over the past six months, seven of our clients passed away.  We’ve got to find a way to replace them.”

At least he recognizes the issue.  But is it too late?

They have a couple of options…and if this problem matches your company, so do you. 

He can choose to spring into action and embrace a number of media opportunities to get his business recognized among a younger demographic or he can rearrange deck chairs on the Titanic. 

One decision will cost him time and money…the other will simply cost him his business.

It’s been our experience that panic will set in and for a brief moment they (and perhaps you) will start to consider ways to boost your market share.  But, in the end, the tough decision to move forward with new ideas and new technology will be replaced by a lack of understanding how, a lack of funds and a lack of time.

We hope not.

There is a message here for your business:  You can no longer count on the “old ways” to bring  you clients and customers.  I’m not saying abandon all traditional marketing methods but add to them or at least start to understand your options.  And, if you’ve gone for years without investing in marketing and advertising and think you can actually grow by keeping your head in the sand.  We’ve got the sympathy cards ready.

 

Metro Monday – Insight on Business – January 25

Join us today for Metro Monday where we focus on local stories…and a couple from other places.  Insight on Business is part of Des Moines Local…LIVE and you can hear us today at 12:30 PM Central.  Our guest today is Mike Lynch from Manpower.  We’ll be

 talking about their recent survey of jobs and what’s hot…and what is not.  Mike Lynch today. 

In other stories we’re doing a segment on customer service…the good…and the not so good.  And tell you what makes the difference.  Finally we’ll spend some time on the Iowa Caucus…did it work out?  Our thoughts today with Insight on Business.  Join us at 12:30?

Insight on Business – Just Another Metro Monday

Hi gang…and welcome.  Today is Monday…that means it’s METRO MONDAY!   We spend the day on local news and information.  Today we talk about the Urbandale Chamber, (good stuff and something else)  Look, if you are doing a roll out…you’ll find a nugget here.   Also we take on Hubbell Reality and what the heck they might think they are doing downtown Des Moines.  Let’s see…anyway loads of stuff here is the show…enjoy!

Timothy L. Johnson – Insight on Business – January 14, 2010

Hi and welcome to Insight on Business with your humble host, me, Michael Libbie.  We had a great live show today and if you missed our time with, writer, speaker and systems guy Timothy L. Johnson…we’ll you missed something!  We also had a great segment, in the opening portion about “Marketing to Women on Facebook”.  We thought a little sexist but what it says can work across the gender divide.  So…a little less of me and more about the show.   At first I’m groaning about “losing” my cell phone.  Honest…it get’s better with Timothy L. Johnson…enjoy!

Mike Lessiter & Tom Vander Well – January 13, 2010

On the show, Insight on Business we had two guests, Mike Lessiter here for the Annual No-Till Agriculture conference and Tom Vander Well about customer service centers.  Great information and two excellent guests.  Oh..and we also talked about Mingle360…WHAT?  Go ahead and watch/listen it’s a hoot with some real world applications. 

Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications and brought to you by:  www.LotusMoments.com, www.NatraTurf.com and www.ESP4All.com now…on with the show:

Isaiah McGee & Business News – January 12, 2010

Welcome to Insight on Business with Michael Libbie (yes, your humble host!).  On the show today we talked about the article in Forbes by Martin Zwilling and wondered out loud if anybody we know falls into these “arrogance traps”.  Good stuff to consider in the opening month of 2010.  Also we looked at a funny from our friend Jim Connolly on “What is a Social Media Expert“.  Worth the time.  Are you, or is somebody you know, a “Workaholic”?   We took the test…looks like we’ll have to get help…SOON!  Those stories in the first half hour of the show and our special guest Isaiah McGee during the second half of the show. The entire show is just below.

Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications and is brought to you by:

NatraTurf – Your lawn and/or garden has a chemical dependency problem.  NOW you can help it kick the habit with natural turf products from www.NatraTurf.com

Lotus Moments – Your wedding invitation or business announcement shouldn’t have to look like others and still cost a bunch.  Find out more from www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Speciality Products – Cindy Taylor can get your business noticed:  www.ESP4All.com

Here is the show…enjoy!

Sunday Morning Coffee – January 10, 2010

Insight on Business isn’t on Sunday Morning…but that doesn’t keep us from checking in with a hot pot of Sunday Morning Coffee….

It’s a habit…sitting down with friends and sharing some Sunday Morning Coffee.  Not a bunch of business just a look back and a glimpse forward into the new week.  Enjoy and, as always, I’m interested in your thoughts.

When was the last time somebody told you it was a “blessing” to do business with you?   Me either.  But that’s what happened this past week when my bride checked into a Super 8 Motel in Lamoni, Iowa.  That got us to thinking, “What if…what if we looked at every business relationship with that attitude?   Here is the original post… 

Back when we had a much kinder political climate I was avid with my opinion.  But, now that all of politics is hateful, mean spirited and has the charm of gorilla warfare I pretty much keep quiet.  I figure I’m not going to change anybody’s opinion and hysterical rants are best left to others.  But I have to offer a suggestion to Dave Funk who is running for Congress in Iowa’s 3rd District against incumbent Leonard Boswell.  Dave, smile more.   Really.   Saw you and Doug Mitchell (Operation Red State) at Panera Bread during Central Iowa Bloggers on Friday morning…  I know that what you are doing is serious but scowling at everybody you make eye contact with may not be the best way to influence folks. ;-)

They say we might reach 35 degrees this week…now there is something to smile about. 

Next week I get to speak to members of the Urbandale Chamber of Commerce about marketing, advertising and why social media is one of the tools they need to use.  The vast majority of the small business people attending will be confused and dismissive about the topic. Until I finish…sounds like fun!

Last week, because of the blizzard, we had to cancel a Des Moines based meeting for members of the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA).  I made mention of that on Facebook.  Except I didn’t spell out the actual name.  That prompted several to quip that if a little Iowa blizzard forced “FEMA” to cancel a meeting, “what would they do in the face of a hurricane?”  We would built hay machinery…not sure what THEY would do.  (See…another reason to smile!)

Staying on “farm” for just a minute.  This week will mark the debut of AG CONNECT a brain child of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM).  The idea is to put on an “international farm equipment show” in Orlando before and between other major farm shows like The World Ag Expo in Tulare, The National Farm Machinery Show in Louisville and AgriTechnica in Germany.  Prediction:  It will fail. (My opinion only…)  You see, unlike the construction industry, think Con-Expo the massive show produced by AEM, the farm show industry is very mature with at least a dozen huge events each year.  Adding another expensive show to the schedule…now?   We don’t think so…but they do win in the “website battle”…very cool logo as well.

Dear Treasury Department: “Thank you for the 2008 income tax refund check in the amount of $461 that came the second week of 2010. You guys have been pretty busy sending huge checks to everybody from AIG to Wall Street to Detroit so I can understand why it took so long.  One question:  Can you send more?”  ;-)

I was listening to Bob & Tom last week and they had this survey from Cosmo:  “The Top Five Things Men Notice about Women in the First Ten Seconds“.   1) The Smile (see Dave!), 2) The Hair, 3) The Makeup, 4) The Purse, 5) The Cleavage.   THE PURSE????   As one of the guys said, “They must have polled gay men!”  Ya think?

That’s it….have a great Sunday.  We’re back with more business stuff tomorrow.  In the meantime you can connect with us on Twitter:  @MichaelLibbie (personal & business), @InsightADV (business baby…all business) or @RuralLifeRadio (our love for all things rural). Take care…and smile dang it!

“Serving You Is A Blessing”

Insight on Business isn’t on the air today…we’ll be back on Monday at 12:30PM Central with more news about advertising, marketing, consumer trends and best business practices.  In the meantime enjoy this story we posted today from our advertising agency…we think it will stick with you.  Catch you Monday!

My bride spent the past two nights at a Super 8 in Lamoni, Iowa.   That’s as far as she made it on Wednesday afternoon coming back to Des Moines from Kansas City.  It was “white out” conditions on I-35 and with only 75 miles to go she, wisely, made the decision to find shelter and ”hunker down”.

But…at a Super 8?

I know, “any port in the storm”…right?   Only this story is different.

When she arrived, a bit overwhelmed, the man at the front desk listened to her story and said, (Now get ready folks…this is over the top.)  “Welcome.  God brought you to us safely and it is a blessing for us to serve you.“

Huh?   At a Super 8 a clerk/owner/manager says, “It is a blessing for us to serve you.”? 

And, it get’s better.  She had no cash with her and she wanted to write a check or use a debit card to get a dollar for the pop machine.  The man reached into his pocket and gave her a dollar bill and then, over a Coke, gave her directions to the store and a nearby pizza place.

So, what if…  What if we all had that in our mind each time we were allowed to provide a service or a sale to somebody?  What if we looked at that new or old relationship as “a blessing”?

What if….

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