“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.

 

Iowa Storm and Des Moines Local…LIVE!

Insight on Business is a daily, 90-minute radio show dedicated to advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  You can hear us Monday – Thursday if you follow this LINK.  We are part of Des Moines Local…LIVE and glad you found us!

Today most Iowa offices and retail centers were closed due to the first blizzard of the season.  On Twitter and other places they have named it the #IowaDeathStorm09 with it’s own hashtag yet.  (That is my bride bundled up like “Randy” in “Christmas Story“.)

While the hosts didn’t make it into the studio today that didn’t keep us from creating.  Four of us, Doug Mitchell, J. Michael McKoy, Thomas Allenand your humble host spent several hours doing a live broadcast from our home offices.  Doug from Clive, Mac from Clive, Thomas from Guthrie Center, Iowa and me…right here in Urbandale.

I’m sure it wasn’t very exciting to watch because most of the time we were fumbling around trying to figure out how to use the system.  But…it was a start and it opened up new doors for us.  So…out of the IowaDeathStorm09 came new ideas, new plans and new ways to communicate.  Watch for more coming your way soon.

Insight on Business is brought to you by:

NatraTurf – Your lawn has a chemical dependency problem help it KICK the HABIT with natural turf products from www.NatraTurf.com

Lotus Moments – Exciting does not have to be expensive.  For your wedding invitations, business announcements see Tammy at www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Specialty Products – Let Cindy Taylor help you spread your marketing dollars with some great new products that does the job.  www.ESP4All.com

Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications.  Follow us on Twitter – @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADVand yes we are on Facebook.

Michael P. Libbie your ever so humble host…and advertising agency guy.

Bill Grady on Sales and Marketing

Welcome to Insight on Business this nations only daily, live 90-minute radio show with a focus on advertising, marketing, consumer trends and best business practices.  We’re part of Des Moines Local…LIVE and you can hear us Monday – Friday starting at 12:30PM Central. 

If you MISSED the LIVE show, no problem – Here is the PODCAST:

 

 

 

It’s great to re-connect with old friends from the days of land based broadcasting and our guest today is one of those folks with plenty to share about sales, marketing and new technology.  Bill Grady is the founder of My Fort Dodge a social media platform that brings people together and dispenses news and information.  And…it’s in the black.

We had Bill on a couple of weeks ago but I wanted to bring him back to talk about sales and marketing issues along with his social media ideas.  If you have ever wondered how to measure advertising, setting media goals and thoughts on what works…and what doesn’t.  Join us starting today at 12:30PM Central with our special guest, Bill Grady.

Insight on Business is brought to you by:

NatraTurf – Your lawn has a “chemical dependency problem”.  Now you can help your lawn kick the chemical habit with natural turf products from www.NatraTurf.com

Lotus Moments – The best doesn’t have to cost a fortune.  See the unique announcement designs and experience the value from www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Specialty Products – Let Cindy Taylor spice up your image with some great products from www.ESP4All.com

Thanks for reading, viewing, listening and interacting.  Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications.  You can learn more by heading to our website, www.InsightCubed.com and follow us on Twitter: @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV and yep…we’re on Facebook too.

Michael P. Libbie – Host and Advertising Agency Guy

Who Should you LISTEN To and More! Nov. 30

Welcome to Insight on Business this nation’s only daily, live 90-minute radio talk show dealing with advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  We’re part of Des Moines Local…LIVE and you can hear us Monday – Friday starting at 12:30PM Central.  All you need to do is click here to join us!

Who do you listen to…and who should you listen to?  It’s a solid question for any business.  Last week we talked about the 10% of customers across all categories and how they account for 55% of business profits.  Do you spend your time listening to your “super consumers” or do you spend time listening to “everybody else”?  You might be surprised at what we think.

We thought this piece about Black Friday was interesting.  So…is “Black Friday” good for America?  And the deeper question might be:  With all of the tracking and of all of the numbers are we setting ourselves up for a fall?  Can too much information be bad for business?  We’ll take your comments and offer you ours.

This article from FORBES was fantastic.  It’s “Ten Questions You Need to Ask Yourself About Your Business.”  The first question, “What is our purpose for existing?”  Talk about a tough first question…a great piece by Marc Kramer of Kramer Communications.  Man…can I relate he too learned the hard way in the publishing world.  Shades of the past!!  We’ll talk about it.

Last Friday I made some comments about websites and how important it is that they be simple to use, simple to read, simple to understand and simple to interact.  I caught some flack because I used our Des Moines Local…LIVE home page as an example of a site that needed some “re-thinking”.  Here is my rational…written down…so nobody “thinks” I said one thing but meant another.  Fair?

Have you ever wondered WHO should be the VOICE for your company?  Should it be the CEO, the marketing department, the mascot?  Who?  Here is a wonderful article by Ann Handley that asks…and help answer those questions and more.  We’ll talk about it. 

Those stories and more today with Insight on Business proudly brought to you by:

NatraTurf – Your lawn has a ”chemical dependency problem” and now you can help it kick the habit with natural products from www.NatraTurf.com

Lotus Moments – Make your next business or non-profit event ZING starting with the announcements from www.LotusMoments.com 

Exceptional Specialty Products - Building awareness with cost effective specialty products just got easier…and better.  Visit with Cindy Taylor at www.esp4All.com 

Thanks for coming by for a read and for listening and interacting.  You can follow us on Twitter @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV and learn more about us from our “simple” website, www.InsightCubed.com and for those of you who need to connect with Facebook…no problem!

Michael P. Libbie – Host and Advertising Agency Guy 

Angry Customers and More – November 24

Insight on Business is a dedicated radio show for people looking for ways to boost their marketing message.  We talk about advertising, marketing and consumer trends Monday – Friday starting at 12:30PM Central.  We’re part of Des Moines Local…LIVE. IF you missed the LIVE show, no problem!  Here is the PODCAST – A quick note, the audio kicks in at about :42 sorry, operator error! 

Have you heard about TweetMeMe?  Well the UK company has beat Twitter to the punch allowing folks to pass along ads they find “interesting”.  It’s that little green button.  Oh, not using video to market your product or service?  Can you call me or send me an e-mail and tell me…why?

Customer anger?  Yep and it can be deadly to your product or service.  Just ahead of “Black Friday” we’ll talk about loyal customers and first time customers.  Where should you spend your time.  The answer may very well surprise you. 

Have you ever gotten into an argument on-line?  You know what I mean.  Somebody comes along and offers a different opinion and your react and then…it’s off to the races.  In our advertising business that rarely happens…but every once-in-awhile it does.  Seth Godin had an interesting take about arguments on-line.  It’s something we’ve subscribed to for sometime.  But…an interesting topic just the same.  We’ll talk about it today.

Gosh…sounds like we’re gonna get “angry” during the show…

Yesterday we finished the design on a new image for a client’s trade show programs this year.  We think LESS is MORE when it comes to booth designs.  How about you?   We’ll tell you why it’s so important to keep graphics high and wording low…listen in?

Back to “Black Friday” – Some major retailers are using Social Media to inform their customers about deals going down this Friday.  It’s not surprising seeing how 37% of the people that follow corporate social media sites do so for deals and coupons.  Here is the story from The Boston Herald.

Are you just a “MeFormer”on Twitter or do you share content that others can use?  There is a place for both and a recent study suggests that folks who “MeForm” do so to maintain relationships.  Hmmmm…who gets the largest group of followers?  We’ll tell you.

OK, those stories and more (we work right up to the show start) today during Insight on Business.  Insight on Business is brought to you by:

NatraTurf – If your lawn has a “chemical dependency problem” you can kick it and help the environment by learning more from www.NatraTurf.com

Lotus Moments – Now you can add some real zip to your business announcements and get the latest looks for wedding invitations from www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Specialty Products – Cindy Taylor can boost your profile with new ideas from www.ESP4All.com

Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications. You can follow us on Twitter @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV and we’re also on Facebook…right here.  Thanks for watching, listening and interacting!  Michael P. Libbie – Host and Advertising Agency Guy

Veterans Day and More – November 11

Insight on Business is this nations’s only daily, live, 90-minute talk radio show about advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  We’re part of Des Moines Local…LIVE and you can hear us Monday – Friday starting at 12:30PM Central. 

If you MISSED the LIVE show – Here is the PODCAST!

 

Today is Veterans Day.  A couple of thoughts about this:  1) I noticed because there is more and more awareness of the subject. 2) On my outgoing phone message for my direct line at work…I mentioned the fact it was Veterans Day.  What’s going on is a larger awareness of the subject and our tie to those who have served.  What is the consumer moved by and why?  This is one example, and we’ll talk about it today.

Traveling this holiday season?  Spending some time in airports?  You’ll be pleased to know that if you are going to the right places you won’t have to spend $10 to $15 for a Wi-Fi connection.  Google is picking up the tab until January 15, 2010.  Here is the story from LifeHacker.  Who is on the list?  Well, Des Moines is and so is Omaha!  Here is the ENTIRE LIST.  We’ll talk about this and the insane costs of using high-speed in the upscale hotels…while you get it free at Super 8.  What gives?

If you “Friend” brands on Facebook you are one of the 40% of the folks who do according to Richard MacManus and ReadWriteWeb.  And, there is more.  We’ll give you all the details later during the show.  The article is from RazorFish.  I know…too much huh?  We’ll share some AMAZING numbers with you if you really want to learn the power of Social Media…listen up!

Those stories and more today at 12:30PM Central.  Insight on Business is brought to you by:

NatraTurf – Help your lawn kick it’s chemical dependency.  Learn more about clean living for your family at www.NatraTurf.com

Lotus Moments- First impressions matter.  Make your business anouncement, wedding invitation and sales tools sparkle for much less than you imagined.  www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Specialty Products- Visit with Cindy Taylor and learn more about what’s new in advertising speciality items. www.ESP4All.com

Thanks for reading, watching and interacting.  Follow us on Twitter – @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV.

Michael Libbie – Host and Advertising Agency Guy

Brooke Benschoter – Cause Marketing – October 30

Our thanks to Brooke Benschoter who took over the show today.  Brooke is our regular standin when I get to go out of town on business.  Speaking of business, this is Insight on Business a daily, live 90-minute radio show dedicated to advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  We are part of Des Moines Local…LIVE and on Monday – Friday starting at 12:30PM Central.  Thanks for finding us…and thanks again to Brooke.

Here is the show:

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Proof from Dahls? and Other News

Insight on Business is this nations only daily, live, 90-minute radio/video show about advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  We’re part of Des Moines Local…LIVE and on the air Monday – Friday starting at 12:30PM Central.  To listen in…just head to this site and click the full video experience or the audio only (safe for work).  HERE is the show from today and text is under the Vid Clip:

 

 

If you were with us yesterday you heard me going off on “blah” products, services and customer services.  Last night I got to thinking about that and published a piece suggesting that if you have EXCEPTIONAL products and services and if they meet or exceed the customer (fan) expectations you will cut your advertising budget.  Why…because of the old Word of Mouth will take over.  Here is that post…and today on the air we’re going to flesh that out a bit.

On the same track is this interesting post that, by the way, proves my point.  I do not know Amy Dix and this is the first time I have read her blog, Housewife Hacks (that I found on Twitter) but she proves my point in her slam of Dahls Foods in the Des Moines Area.  Was she listening?  The point is pretty clear and we’ll talk more about it today.

In another story I read, Joe Duffy talks about GETTING out of the OFFICE to think.  Here is his piece and we couldn’t agree more.  When was the last time you had a killer idea sitting behind a desk, on the computer or the phone?   DUH…  We’ll talk about it.

That and more today on Insight on Business all being brought to you by:

NatraTurf – Chemicals, Lawns, Children and Pets…quick what word doesn’t belong?  Find out how you can kick your “chemical addiction” by heading to www.NatraTurf.com

Lotus Moments – Remember first impressions count.  Now with Lotus Moments…they really do.  Visit with Tammy and find out more from www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Specialty Products – Cindy Taylor (I need to Google her name…) is the person behind www.ESP4All.com.  See what is new in specialty products….you’ll be amazed.

Thanks for reading, watching and listening!  Let’s keep in touch on Twitter – @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV should catch us. We monitor before, during and after the show.

Michael P. Libbie – Host and Advertising Agency Guy

Is Advertising the Result of Poor Creative? Oct. 26

Hi and welcome to Insight on Business this nation’s only daily, live, 90-minute radio talk show about advertising, marketing and consumer trends. We’re part of Des Moines Local….LIVE and you can hear us Monday – Friday starting at 12:30PM Central. Here is the link to the station!

On the show today we’re talking about FEAR. Fear of treading into new areas, fear of being successful and fear of not being like everybody else. I think you’ll be interested.

Des Moines BUCS say…Des Moines IS a “Hockey Town” citing 10,000 people each week that were going to see the Stars, Bucs or Chops. And, at $230 FOR A SEASON TICKET to the Bucs…hmmmmm Not bad!

Trade shows? Did you say, “TRADE SHOWS”? Yep…so what are the THREE top things you should focus on during the show? We’ll tell you.

We’re also going to talk about the failure of creativity…which leads to “advertising”. WHAT? “I thought you were an advertising agency! How can you say that advertising is a failure?” We’ll tell you based on an interesting thought starter we picked up this weekend.

And, while we’re at it we thought we’d through in a little about Human Resources…how come most people give the entire hiring adventure failing marks? Might it be that we’re doing the same thing over and over…expecting different results?

And, finally, for those of you interested we’re talking about the pet industry and the money that is being spent…even during the recession.

Insight on Business is brought to you by:

NatraTurf – Chemicals, Lawns, Kids and Pets…pick the word that doesn’t belong. We’ll give you a hint: “It starts with a “C”. Learn more by heading to www.NatraTurf.com for more.

Lotus Moments – Design, price and personal service. Start your next adventure in business or life with quality announcements from www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Specialty Products – See Cindy Taylor for the latest at www.ESP4All.com

Thanks for watching and reading. Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications follow us on Twitter, @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV. Thanks for coming by.

Michael P. Libbbie – Host and Advertising Agency Guy

Marketing News & Information – October 15

Insight on Business, that’s us…and we’re here daily, Monday – Friday starting at 12:30PM Central.  Our show deals with advertising, marketing, consumer trends and business practices.  It’s the stuff that makes business run.  We are part of Des Moines Local…LIVE and we’re glad you found us!  You can read…and/or watch the show.  Here you go!

 

 

On the show today we’re going to talk about a story that has to do with a post I wrote yesterday.  It seems Wellmark sent out thousands of brochures to senior citizens encouraging them to call a Wellmark agent to discuss how they might find a better deal…  The problem, as my post explains, is that somebody changed some numbers in the “800 Number” and rather than a cheery Wellmark employee the caller got to listen to a pitch for phone sex.  Opps.  Look, it’s not about poking fun at anybody…but it is reality when those of us in the advertising and marketing business fail to do the proof read and do it right.  The other side of the story is, if it can happen at one of the biggest companies with millions to spend on marketing…it’s might, at some point, happen to you.  We’ll talk about HOW to overcome issues like this.

We love it when we are right…which is most of the time…in my humble opinion.  Thats’ why when I saw a recent article by Mike Thimmesch from Skyline I had to bring it to your attention.  Yesterday, if you were with us, we commented on not only marketing errors many people make but also errors made during trade shows.  We talked about having goals and plans and a process for follow up.  Again, it’s nice to see other experts weigh in on these things.  Like we’ve said so many times before, there are no really “new ideas” but, there is always poor follow through.  While this article has a focus on individuals we’ve altered some of the observations to match your company.  You can read his article here…but for our take…listen in.

Fake Flakes?  Yep, that’s what Kelloggs is fighting with some high-tech ideas to laser on each flake…it’s logo.  Sound strange?  What are YOU doing to protect your brand?  We’ll talk about it.

These stories and more today with Insight on Business brought to you by:

NatraTurf - Isn’t it time you took control over the environment.  You.  And now you can begin by using environmental natural products for your lawn.  Head to the site and learn more from this fine Iowa company.  www.NatraTurf.com

Lotus Moments – Make a great impression with your wedding announcements or your business invites.  The folks from Lotus Moments have great designs and better prices.  www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Specialty Products – Getting your business name to your potential customers is just half the battle.  If the presentation is bad…  Don’t let that trap you.  Learn more from Cindy Taylor at www.ESP4All.com

Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing and Communications and we are responsible for its content.  Keep up with us on Twitter before, during or after the show – @Michael Libbie or @InsightADV thanks for tuning in.

Michael P. Libbie – Host and Advertising Agency Guy

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