Insight on Business

WHO Should You Listen To & More - November 20

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 

 

 

 

 

Numbers, Hockey and More - November 27

Insight on Business is BACK after a day off yesterday and on Wednesday.  We were down to install new equipment.  It's great to be back.  I know that many of you have had trouble with "hook-up" times.  For some of you it has taken 3 minutes to connect to see or hear the shows.  We are working on that...today the hook up for my computer took 70 seconds.  We are working with our platform, LiveStream to see if there is a way to reduce those times.  Hang in there with us....

We're on today starting at 12:30PM Central and we are part of Des Moines Local...LIVE.  Click HERE to watch or listen to the station!   On the show today:

Living and Dying By the Numbers - We are all haunted by how many visits, how many readers, how many sales, how many customers.  Today we'll talk about the danger in simply taking a look at the numbers.  You could actually be losing...or gaining.  I'll offer you some interesting statistics from a client of ours.

Hockey in Des Moines- Many of you know that I love professional hockey.  Growing up in Detroit during the Gordie Howe years...it was exciting.  When Des Moines got an AHL franchise four years ago we purchased season tickets.  We were there at the beginning of the Stars and the end of the Chops.  I've been critical of John Pettit, the former president of the Stars, and last night at a Des Moines Bucs game we visited, at length.  A couple of insights about the future of professional hockey in Des Moines.

Simple and Clean - If you are looking for a way to connect with consumers make sure your website it both simple...and clean.  And nope...Des Moines Local...LIVE isn''t that way.  We'll talk about how to improve on the focus of your website...and ours...today.

Thanksgiving - What is it about us that says we can't be thankful everyday...rather than setting aside a special day?  Got an answer?  We'll bring it up today and love to hear from you.  Thanks to my friend, Andrew B. Clark for the thought starter.

Super Consumers- These are your "uber-consumers".  You know, the guy that eats five pounds of hot dogs a month, the guy that has eight staple guns, or the geek that must have the latest tech product.  Get this, in every product category these 10% of super consumers account for 50% of the profit for your business.  Wanna engage them?  We'll talk about it today.  A fresh view from the Harvard Business Report.

Black Friday and the Internet- We've got the numbers behind the growth of shoppers seeking bargains before today...Black Friday.  You are right...this "Internet Thingy" is never going to take off...

Twitter Lists Bad for Your Brand? - We knew it was coming.  In this article by Michael Gray you'll see what he did to dummy up a list and wake some folks up.  Good stuff and pay close attention to his suggestions!

All of this and more today with Insight on Business which is brought to you by:

Lotus Moments - Make your wedding invitations, business announcement and event announcements ZING with the help of Tammy at www.LotusMoments.com

NatraTurf - Your lawn has a "chemical dependency problem".  Get the cure at www.NatraTurf.com

Exceptional Specialty Products - Let Cindy Taylor help you push your brand awareness with some great new ideas.  www.ESP4All.com

Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications.  Keep up with us before, during and after the show on Twitter:  @MichaelLibbieor @InsightADV.  Thanks for watching, listening and interacting.

Michael Libbie - Host and Advertising Agency Guy....

 

 

 

 

The "BIG IF" - November 25

Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications and we are responsible for its content...whew.  We are part of Des Moines Local...LIVE and you can hear our show, dedicated to advertising, marketing and consumer trends each day, Monday - Friday starting at 12:30PM Central.  Watch or just listen by following this link! 

"The Big IF" - I know that many of you have had a hard time connecting to the radio/tv show.  Some of you have commented that it has taken up to three minutes to bring the show to your screen.  That inability to connect has cost us viewers/listeners and we've been working on the issue.  And, the "big if" for today is we may have this fixed by mid-day today.  And, IF we are on...we'll post the show here so you can see/hear it on your time.

We are installing a new line which the telephone company tells us is forty times faster than the old T-1 line.  That upgrade should allow you to link to us much more quickly and reduce some of the other issues we've had with speed.  This is our commitment to the success of Des Moines Local...LIVE.  And I want you to know how grateful we are that you've stayed with us even during these times of change. 

Thank you!

The show today?  That's a good question.  We may get bumped due to the install but then again...maybe not.  So we'll have some items ready for you starting today at 12:30PM Central.  I wish I could be more specific...but we're at the mercy of technology. 

Thanks for reading, watching and for interacting.  We really are grateful and yes, Happy Thanksgiving...

Insight on Business is brought to you, in part, by:

NatraTurf - Help your lawn kick its "chemical dependency" with natural products for lawn care from www.NatraTurf.com

Lotus Moments - Let Tammy and her folks help your next business event sizzle with quality business announcements and even wedding invites.  www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Specialty Products - Cindy Taylor can get your business noticed with great promotional products.  It's more than pens and pencils:  www.ESP4All.com

Keep up with us on Twitter, @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV and come on my our Facebook Page and become a fan already! 

Michael P. Libbie - Host and Advertising Agency Guy

 

Tweeting Favorites & 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 note...the audio comes up 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising/Marketing News - November 23

Welcome back to Insight on Business this nation's only daily, live, 90-minute radio/tv show with a focus on advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  We are part of Des Moines Local...LIVE and you can listen to the show or watch/listen to the show by following this link.  We're on today starting at 12:30PM Central.

On the show today...the END of the JC Penney printed catalog.  Oh...but I forget...this "Internet Thingy Stuff" doesn't impact business.  We'll talk about it.  Here is the story from the JC Penney corporate site.  We'll offer you our "insights".

In a related story, here is my post from today about "Living in the Dark Ages".  If you are failing to embrace social media as tool for your marketing toolbox...you too may become "history".

A quick newspaper story from Bill Grady in Fort Dodge.  He has been watching the circulation numbers from The Fort Dodge Messenger and, well, they are confusing.  Or so says his post on Facebook.  We'll talk about it.

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

NatraTurf - Let your lawn KICK its "chemical dependency" with natural lawn and garden products from www.NatraTurf.com

LotusMoments- Kick up your image with great business announcements from Tammy at www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Specialty Products - Let Cindy Taylor boost your image with some wild stuff from www.ESP4All.com

Thanks for coming by!  You can follow us before during or after the show on Twiter:  @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV.  Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications.

Michael Libbie - Host and advertising agency guy..

 

 

 

 

 

 

Staying Safe and other News - November 19, 2009

Welcome back to Insight on Business, this nation's only daily, live, 90-minute radio/tv show about advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  We're part of Des Moines Local...LIVE and you can hear us  Monday - Friday starting at 12:30 Central.

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

Are you "playing it safe" or are you playing to win?  If you wonder what the difference is, harken back to last Saturday as Iowa went against Ohio State.  Is the same thing happening in your business?  We'll tallk about how playing to win...works.

Today we're talking about taking advantage of your friends.  Especially when it comes to marketing a start up.  Why?  Last night I attended an organizational meeting of The Pet Project Midwest.  It was formed by five young women here in Des Moines and while not yet off the ground it is making some heads turn.  Think "cause marketing."  We'll visit about that a bit.  Also a "hat tip" to our good friend Holly for the nice mention in Juice regarding our client, NatraTurf.  Thanks Holly and Juice, you rock! (Photo from Juice.)

Seth Godin must stop!  HUH?  No kidding he is wonderful and he THINKS.  You see, for years we've been suggesting to corporate heads of companies that they should not get paid for "doing" but for "thinking".  Seth does just that with his latest post about the value of a customer and how you should reach out to them.  Is marketing for that new lifetime customer an expense or an investment?  Go ahead and read his piece.  We'll talk about it today.  Thanks (again) Seth!

I have a local Des Moines friend by the name of Sherry Borzo.  She and her husband David do a show here on Des Moines Local...LIVE called "The Delicious Story".  Long ago she had an idea about locally owned businesses banding together to raise awareness.  She worked, worked and worked at it.  dsmBUZZ is a great idea and one that meets the needs of members...if they get it.  Here is a story from FastCompany that says Sherry is/was on the right path.  It's just making it work and getting people to understand.  This is big and we'll talk about it.

Those stories and the latest update from our agency blog on social media...here is the link to our latest edition. It's called, "Make It Go Away".  Insight on Business is brought to you by:

Lotus Moments- Capture the attention of your target with really cool business announcements.  Visit with Tammy at www.LotusMoments.com

NatraTurf - Help your lawn kick its "chemical dependency" with products from www.NatraTurf.com

Exceptional Specialty Products - Cindy Taylor will help you make your brand ZING see what is new at www.ESP4All.com

Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications and you can keep up with us on Twitter: @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV.  Thanks for watching, listening and interacting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Newspapers and Trade Shows - November 18, 2009

Insight on Business is this nation's only daily, live, 90-minute radio talk show with a focus on advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  We're part of Des Moines Local...LIVE (55 broadcasters) and you can hear our show Monday - Friday starting at 12:30PM Central.  Here is the link for the LIVE show. You can choose to listen or watch.  It's a full experience. If you miss the live show, we'll follow up with the Podcast here later in the day.

On the show today we're talking about the latest data from Scarborough Research that indicates nearly three in four  U.S. adults (about 171 million) read printed news on a weekly basis.  We'll talk about that and why the newspaper makes sense for the right demographic.  Other items from the survey:

• 79% of white collar employed adults read a printed newspaper
• 82% of adults with HH incomes of $100,000 or more read printed newspapers
• 84% of adult college graduates read printed newspapers.

Is there a trade show in your future?  Well, if you are like most companies everybody and their dog has a trade show for you.  today we'll give you some additional trade show tips that may mean the difference between success and failure.

One of our clients is a pet food company so we're always interested in new news and information about the pet industry.  Today we'll share some interesting insights from Forbes.  It might surprise you that the pet products industry is BOOMING.  Here is the article from Forbes.  We'll talk about it.

Do you do work for your favorite non-profit?  Seriously...  How much time do you spend working for your favorite charity, congregation or other "cause".  I am really interested and we've already "tweeted" the question.  We'll talk about it later today.

All of this and so much more today.  Insight on Business is brought to you by:

NatraTurf - Help your lawn kick its "chemical dependency" naturally with www.NatraTurf.com

Lotus Moments - Make a BIG impression for your next business event.  Contact Tammy at www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Specialty Products - Cindy Taylor can make your brand sparkle. www.ESP4All.com

Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency - Insight Advertising, Marketing and Communications.  You can keep up with us on Twitter - @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV.  Thanks for listening/watching and interacting.  Michael Libbie - Host and Advertising Agency Guy..

 

So, You Want To Market That? - Nov. 17

Insight on Business is this nation's only daily, live radio talk show with a focus on advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  We're part of Des Moines Local...LIVE- 55 broadcasters bringing more talk radio than all the "regional" talk stations..combined.  Insight on Business is heard/seen Monday - Friday starting at 12:30PM Central. 

Missed the LIVE show?  No problem, here is the PODCAST  

Side note:  It is official!  I am "hooked" on "24".  We have been watching three episodes a night at home...not sure I could stay "in touch" with the show week to week because...well anyway, thought you should know.  Back to business!

Yesterday a listener contacted us through Twitter - @MichaelLibbie - and said that watching our show was like taking a college class in advertising but from somebody that actually "knows the business".  Thanks that was very kind.  Hope that today we can share some insights that make the effort worthwhile.

I LOVE the work of Seth Godin.  In just a few words he can share a complete story.  Today Seth had this post about "Breakthroughs and Drips".  If is worth the read so go ahead...I'll wait.  Today we'll discuss this AND what motivates some businesses to shed a great idea and direction in favor of something "new".  Come by for a listen?

Have you heard that Blackberry will launch, in 2010, a new Advertising App that promises to take advantage of the digital market and "engage" people with ads that are "interactive".  Here is the story from BrandRepublic.  Will you be engaged?

No doubt you've seen this story about Google Dashboard.  You know the "story of your life" made up of digital records gathered from all sorts of places.  It paints a pretty clear picture of who and what you are.  So, for those businesses that continue to shy away from digital marketing.  Wouldn't you rather KNOW what is being said about you, your product or service?   We think you should.  Here is the link to the story from the Boston Globe.

All advertising agencies don't embrace digital marketing.  Does that come as a surprise to you?  It didn't to us.  Knowing the depth of understanding of your agency or your business is critical.  You would be amazed as to WHY many advertising agencies keep mum about digital marketing.   And, it's shocking.  We'll talk about it.

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

NatraTurf - Has your lawn got a "chemical dependency"?  You can help it kick the habit with products from www.NatraTurf.com

Lotus Moments - Design ideas, great prices and fantastic looks.  It's all from our friends at www.LotusMoments.com.  Visit with Tammy and find out how much WOW you can get for so little...

Exceptional Speciality Products - Cindy Taylor from www.ESP4All.com can help your image sparkle.  We're not kidding...

Thanks for reading, watching, listening and taking part.  Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing and Communicationsand we are responsible for its content.  Follow us on Twitter, @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veterans Day & More - Nov. 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, no problem!  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

 

 

 

 

 

Do What You Do Or Else - November 10

Welcome back to Insight on Business the nation's only daily, live, 90-minute radio talk show about advertising, marketing and consumer trends.  We are part of Des Moines Local...LIVE and you can hear the show live at 12:30PM Central.  Here is the link to the station. Later we'll put up the podcast.  A word about the show from yesterday, for some reason there was a technical issue with the podcast.  It may not have "taken".  We can't figure it out so we're sorry for not being able to provide that for you.

Here is the show from today.  For the text see below.  Enjoy!

 

 

You've all heard about Seth Godin right?  If not, here is his BLOG...do yourself a great favor and follow and read him.  Good stuff.  This morning I was reading his latest piece about doing what you do...and do it well.  Ask yourself, "Is this what we do?" and then roll with the changes.  We'll talk about my reaction to his thoughts today.

We're back with a brief about Midwest Airlines.  Seems that this entire deal is causing some traction and we want to give you the follow up.

Bob Janet is a "sales guy".  He was at the FEMA conference I attended this past week pushing his sales seminars.  Today I read an e-mail from him regarding the difference between a clerk and a salesperson.  We'll expand a bit.

Dying by the numbers.  Metrics...they are everything right?  But are those metrics correct?  What is it they are measuring and are all metrics the same?  We'll talk about it today.

Finally...why do associations continue to plan their meetings in places that cost way to much to get to and far to much to stay in?  That thought came to me today while talking with a client who said they are slated to go to a conference in Chicago where the basic room rate will be $235 a night.  (He'll be there for four nights.) So...why?  Why would an association send their members to places where the costs are so high?  Anybody??? Anybody???  We asked Twitter...we'll let you know what folks said.

Insight on Business is brought to you by:

NatraTurf - Help your lawn kick its chemical dependency with www.NatraTurf.com everybody will thank you...well, most everybody.

Lotus Moments - Learn how you can make a dramatic impact and spend way less than you imagined.  Visit Tammy at www.LotusMoments.com

Exceptional Specialty Products - Cindy Taylor and www.ESP4ALL.com has something for you...honest.

Insight on Business is a production of our advertising agency, Insight Advertising, Marketing & Communications and we are responsible for its content.  You can follow us before, during and after the show by going to Twitter - @MichaelLibbie or @InsightADV thanks for reading and listening.