Recession Marketing........... on TV

Months, perhaps years, after I first mentioned Recession/Gloom/Depression/Dooms Day Marketing on this blog....it appears to have found it's way to the Nightly News. Seems that Savvy(sic) Marketing folks have dreamed up this concept recently. Bad times can make money...well duh!

If I had a dollar for every idea I thought of first I would have a lest $10...or $500,000,000. After the "blind eyed optimists" and folks wearing "Rose Colored Goggles " loose steam, they get all excited and adopt the concept that Pessimism, like Greed....is good. Uh huh. Where you nimrods been sleeping?

I predict they will be teaching this in college MBA classes someday..because we will never, ever get out of this miss. A 500 point gain in the stock market is trivial when you see how much the DIA falls when the first Nuke detonates on London, Tel Aviv, or NYC.

Reputation Management: How to Manage Your Reputation Online

Here is a repost of an interesting article. I recently became a member of Twitter and Multiply.

If you've ever Googled your name, you know how important managing your reputation online can be. Each day, thousands of individuals are searching online for information about others simply by searching on Google or other leading search engines. With information being so readily available, managing your reputation is more important than ever.

How to Manage Your Reputation Online
Fortunately, managing your reputation online isn't all that difficult, but it does take work. Here are 7 basic steps you can take to ensure that your reputation doesn't become negatively impacted by what's being said about you online.

1. See where you stand. Start your reputation management initiative by Googling your name. Try it with quotes and with out (first and last name together). Look through each of your results on page one and page two of Google. Are there any there are are negative or you wish to remove?

2. Set up a Google alert. Visit Google and set up an alert for your name. After setting up the alert Google will send you and email to confirm that you wish to receive the updates. Accept the alert and each time your name is published to the Web, you'll know about it.

3. Contact website owners for name removal. If there are sites that include your name and commentary that is less than desirable, contact the appropriate websites requesting that the information be removed. More often than not, website owners will agree to remove your name and/or inappropriate information.

4. Purchase a domain with your name. Add sites and webpages associated with your name and watch negative search results get pushed lower on Google rankings. Visit GoDaddy or another provider of website URLs and hosting, and purchase a domain that contains your name. Even if your name is rather common, experiment with variations until your name can be established in the form of a dot com. Once you own a domain, publish a webpage with your personal profile.

5. Start a blog under your name. Blogger is a great tool for setting up your own blog which can be used to publish information about yourself. Popular blog sites are often picked up by Google and you can control the content. Be sure to sign up for Technorati after your blog has been published. Submit your blog for review and its popularity will increase, improving search rankings and continuing to push down negative search results.

6. Free press release. Use free-press-release.com or a similar free press release site to publish favorable information about your and your reputation. This form of reputation management is easy and costs nothing. Be sure to use your name throughout the release and in the release title.

7. Author articles in your field. Publish article relative to a particular topic or area in which you've done some work or have experience. Use article distribution serivces to build online references to your content. Make sure your articles contain an about the author section that links back to your main website.

There are a variety of strategies you can use to manage online references about you, your family, or others that need to manage their reputation online. Other online sites like Facebook, MySpace, Flickr, YouTube, and Squidoo, offer ample opportunity to deliver favorable search results that can push unfavorable results down in search engine rankings. The key is to start today - proactively manage your reputation and put yourself in a favorable light.



About the Author
Michael Fleischner is an Internet marketing expert and founder of MarketingScoop.com. He has more than 13 years of marketing experience and has appeared on the TODAY Show, Bloomberg Radio, and other major media. Michael is also the author of SEO Made Simple: Strategies for Dominating the World's Largest Search Engine and The Webmasters Book of Secrets: Improve Search Engine Rankings.

How to Invest in a Depression

Reprint from CNN Money

How to Invest in a Depression
Posted by Two Cents Editors
March 6, 2009 10:09 am
The Dow Jones Industrial Average seems to be on a permanent downward track. The nation’s GDP has plunged into negative territory. And something once considered unthinkable—a depression—is now a real possibility. That’s the finding of Harvard economists Robert Barro and Jose Ursua, who studied the long-term data for stock market crashes and depressions from 25 countries, including the U.S. In a recently published paper, the economists conclude there’s a 20% chance that U.S. GDP and consumption will fall by 10% or more, something not seen since the early 1930s—in other words, a depression.

Of course, that would mean there’s an 80% chance a depression won’t happen. (I know which outcome I’ll be rooting for.) Still, for investors who want to prepare for the worst, you have options. “If you invest like it was the 1930s again, you can still make money,” says Lou Stanasolovich, CEO of Legend Financial Advisors, who shifted to a defensive strategy last fall. Stanasolovich’s moderate low-volatility portfolio, for example, invests two-thirds of its assets in hedge-style funds that counterbalance their exposure to stocks, such as Caldwell and Orkin Market Opportunity, Diamond Hill Focus Long Short and Rydex Managed Futures. Another 30% of the portfolio is stashed in high-quality fixed-income funds for additional safety. Since October this asset mix has generally delivered small but positive returns.

For nervous investors who don’t have enough assets to spread among a large number of funds, a simple alternative would be to shift a portion of your portfolio to safe accounts, such as bank CDs or money market funds. Granted, you will probably have to settle for yields of 2% or less these days. But inflation is also relatively low, so those yields actually give you decent real returns. And as Stanasolovich points out, “In times like these, where we are looking at deflation rather than inflation, even a 0% yield is a positive return.”

Still, a defensive allocation, while ideal for a Grapes of Wrath scenario, makes for a poor long-term investing strategy. You won’t get the growth you need to rebuild your nest egg. And sooner or later inflation is bound to spike again—some forecasters even worry that the ballooning government debt will eventually spark hyperinflation. If that were to happen, Stanasolovich says, your best strategy would be a heavy allocation to commodity funds and other inflation-beating assets. So if you do decide to revisit the 1930s, be prepared to shift your portfolio back to the future, or at least the 1970s.

Depressions have occurred about once every generation and it is complete arrogance to think it can’t happen in our time. The pattern speaks volumes about human behavior and our tendency to expect something for nothing. We are a bit overdue for the current adjustment that is upon us.

http://moneyfeatures.blogs.money.cnn.com/2009/03/06/how-to-invest-in-a-depression/

Sacrifice

The "War of Terror", the "Economic Depression/Recession" and all other social issues...where is the sacrifice? From the dawn of history, sacrifice for the common good has been essential for civilization, nations, businesses, and families to suffer through hard times.

Yet, during these current pressing times, where is the sacrifice? Sure, people are losing their homes, jobs, income, and retirement investments. But not by choice, not by self-sacrifice so that others may survive. Major company’s layoff thousands daily. How many would be laid off if all employees took a 25% pay cut, so that all may continue to work? Where are the people voluntarily offering to pay more in taxes so that projects, social services, and tax funded employees can weather the storm?

Citizens claim to be "Christians, Muslims, Jews, or other tenants of major or minor religions each holy day, but in practice, few follow their faith to serve others. Worldwide in the last 100 years people have become so self-centered, in their own little issues that helping others before self are merely a means to get on talk shows or reality television.

Sacrifice could be the solution for all of humanity to overcome war, poverty, homelessness, unemployment, and all the ills of civilization. "The rights of the many do indeed outweigh the rights of a few." From a numbers view I would say it requires more than a tithe of 10% or 15%. I would estimate as much as 50% of an individual’s time/money/assets/help for the good of the group society, or mankind. OK, now that your jaw has fallen into your lap, think about what everyone would get from such an arrangement. If 50% of your efforts and time go to help others, then 50% of their time/efforts go to help you, help your community, your nation, your world. It seems like a win-win situation, a no brainer.

Will it be done...probably not. Should it be done, of course, the survival of mankind demands it.

The End is on the horizon...sacrifice for others are the only solution!

TABLE TOP TRADE SHOW DISPLAYS 101

As a former Manufacturers Rep for Expo Systems and Expo Communications, I know the importance of this information, but realize that "Table Tops" are just one of many ways to exhibit your product.

Once you've taken the time to understand "who" you should be marketing to and have researched the appropriate shows to exhibit at, you will need to be certain that you are making an impact on the attendees' mind through your messaging, booth staff and Trade Show Display.

Depending on the size of the booths or table top expos that you exhibit at there are a wide variety of options to choose from, ranging anywhere from table top displays, panel systems, "Pop-Ups", banner stands, stretch fabric displays, custom modules, to full custom exhibits.

This article will focus on Table Top Exhibiting displays, which are The "Budget Exhibiting Option" of choice! Table Top Expos are offered by many Chambers of Commerce, Business Groups, Associations and sometimes as a "Budget Option" at many of the larger Trade Shows; so businesses with smaller budgets can take advantage of the opportunity to participate in a large show.

THAT'S ALL THEY COST!: For several hundred dollars, you really can't go wrong; Table Top Expos are typically very inexpensive to participate in and can be particularly beneficial if you are looking to reach prospects in a certain local market. Visit the websites of your local Chambers and business groups to look for these Table Top Expo opportunities - I guarantee that there is one being planned by a local organization "as we speak"!

WANT THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE?: If you take the time to target your exhibiting efforts with a clearly defined plan, you will have a competitive advantage and leave with many QUALIFIED business opportunities.

I CAN USE MY DISPLAY EVERYWHERE!: You only need to spend several hundred dollars on a Table Top Display to present a polished image for your business. An added benefit with many of the Table Top options is the ability to use the display in unlimited ways; in your showroom, at meetings where you can set up signage, sales meetings, client presentations and MANY MORE -- just think outside the box to maximize the minimal investment spent on your display!

OK, now let's move on so I can describe the type of Display options available for your Table Top exhibiting!

PANEL TABLE TOP DISPLAY

Pro's:

- Inexpensive
- Easy to set up
- "Entry Level" type of display
- Many can be converted into a larger display
- Easily Portable

Con's:

- My personal opinion about these type of displays are that many of the Panel Table Top Displays make your image look "dated" and "cheap"
- Takes up most of the Table Top area available

POP UP TABLE TOP DISPLAY

Pro's:

- Inexpensive
- Easy to set up
- Easily Portable
- More visually appealing than the panel systems and makes a better statement about your company

Con's:

- Takes up most of the Table Top area available

DOUBLE SIDED BANNER STANDS

A personal favorite of mine that my clients find to be the most effective for Table Top Shows is Double Sided Banner Stands; they fit up against the side of the table and allow you to create MANY messages about the benefits of your company and products!

Pro's:

- Inexpensive
- Easy to Set Up
- Easily Portable
- Lightweight
- Leaves your table top space available for collateral, demonstrations, etc.
You can place them in your larger exhibits when you are ready for that type of booth, or even the lobby of your office, or bring them to meetings where you are allowed to place signage; the possibilities are limitless!...

Con’s:

- Contains small pieces that can get misplaced or lost


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Linda Musgrove, the TradeShow Teacher helps companies improve their Trade Show Results through customized Trade Show Marketing Help; with programs for individuals, or entire departments and with the Trade Show Training Manual she authored, titled: Trade Show Training, for Increased Return On Investment. Visit www.tsteacher.com to register for the FREE Monthly Trade Show Tactics Newsletter!

Article Source: http://www.marketingarticlelibrary.com

Doomsday Marketing

Domesday is coming, the Apocalypse, Armageddon, The End. It even has a date, December 21, 2012 at 11:11 AM.

All ready hundreds of books, magazine articles, TV documentaries, fictional movies are coming out or in the works. Hundreds of "Survival" companies and web sites exist to sell supplies for freeze dried food to bunkers.

This is perhaps a Billion dollar industry with world wide implications for marketing and advertising revenue. Hey someone will be selling this, may as well be you!

Here are some related links:

http://www.greatdreams.com/survival.htm

http://www.northwestsheltersystems.com/

http://www.earthmountainview.com/shelters.html

Identity Theft, Part 3

I haven't heard too much about identity theft here in the poor, meth driven NW. But the subject came to mind once again, as I received a "free" computer via "Craig's List".

The NW makes a humongous deal about being "Green" and recycling, so the thought of personal financial information left on those donated or trashed Hard Drives, never came to mind before. I have since remembered a HP 386 I bought many years ago, at a pawn shop, which contained among other things, "Quick Books" with the previous owners account info, etc. Being honest, I deleted all that crap.

Now for my present PC, the nice lady who gave donated it to me was concerned about not erasing "all data", so I simply removed her hard drive, returned it, and installed my old 80 Gig drive with all my software. I was dismayed to find out it had been erased. Oh well, I have downloaded all kinds of new software, etc. and will have to start over without my only copies of family photos & genealogy information. There may be some kind of program that can bring my data back, or anyone's info?

I have a simple solution, don't load all that info on your PC, laptop, etc. in the first place. I can't think of any reason to have credit card numbers, social security number and other confidential information saved to my computer!

Make Real Money Online Through Social Networking Websites - Be a Great Social Citizen

A lot of people are attempting to make real money online through social networking. Websites like MySpace and Facebook are no longer places where friends get together and discuss their favorite movie or book; these are now proper grounds to make some business. A lot of entrepreneurs are realizing this potential. They are building groups of people who would be interested in their product and promoting their products to them. People are buying into these products too because they are already interested groups who are looking for products such as these.

You can make real money online too. You need not have something concrete to sell too. You can make a great deal of money from the cuts that you can keep by forwarding some services to clients that are looking for them. Many webmasters look for writing, designing and SEO needs. If you get professionals in your social networking group who can give these services, you will have made a pretty bundle of money for yourself.

Many ingenuous people make real money online through networking. You could do the same too. But you will need to go about it the right way. Here are some beginner tips.

Start with a Great Profile
A good profile means half the battle won. If your profile can tell people what they can expect from you, you can expect a lot of people to join your group. And these would be targeted people who are really interested in what you are trying to promote.

Make Invitations to People
People are not going to find you just like that, at least initially. You have to put in the effort to search those people and get them to visit you. This is your preliminary activity.

Targeting your Niche
You need to find the people who would be really interested in whatever it is that you are trying to promote through your social group. Once you have these people, they become your niche.

Increasing your Exposure
Once a profile of yours has been established, move over to another website and make a profile there. That will give you a different section of people to work with and you will be able to enhance your online exposure that way.

Copyright (c) 2009 Buddy Shearer

The Grim Reaper

Oregon's unemployment is a record 9%, This past week over 2,000 jobs were lost and up north in Redmond, Washington, Microsoft announced 5,000 layoffs.

At the same time, there is a huge (up to 85%) surge in applications for Food Stamps and Public Assistance, not only here in the NW, but all over the country.

Bailout or Stimulus Package aside, there is no short term fix, and the economic picture looks dark & gloomy through 2010. In fact State economic problems are just beginning to trickle down to the local county and city level. Those layoffs and budget deficits are months away.

The "Obama Bounce" so far is a joke. Liberal Obama supporters say this is the bounce.......that the DOW instead of going down 1,000 points, would have gone down 4,000 points if McCain had won the election. Uh huh.

Gear up for survival mode folks cause it will get much worse, and in fact, may never get better. These may be the "good old days" of prosperity in 5-10 years.

Special Prosecutor for Hank Paulson?

Would you buy a used car from this guy?

I suggest that instead of trying to impeach George W. Bush, that a special prosecutor be enabled to investigate fraud and corruption charges against the Secretary of Treasury Hank Paulson.

His actions, abrupt demands, and maleficence of the use of the $700 Billion "Bailout" is not only outrageous, but I think possibly, even criminal. His original 2.5 page "Demand" for the money, with no oversight, and basically a blank check, poured money down a rat hole. His plan allowed mergers and acquisitions of major banks and did nothing for homeowners or stockholders. Could he be corrupt? Could "kickbacks" and bribes be involved? Only a Special Prosecutor can sort this out, but taxpayers should demand it!

Communication: Learning From the Past

If President Elect Obama has learned anything from studying the past he seems to have learned that the incentive to stimulate the economy must, arguably, start with jobs. After all, if consumers do not have jobs, they have no money and cannot support businesses. The big fear is that President Elect Obama's grand plans for a 'New Deal' type of job stimulus plan is not geared toward a quick fix. It is true that changes will happen slowly and the fact is there probably is no quick fix to an economy that has fallen so heavily into despair. Even in the past with the Great Depression the New Deal did not solve the problems of the economy, it only made it possible for millions of people to once again have hope—it allowed them to survive.

Survival is the key here. Getting through these troubled times without a total collapse of our way of life is the issue only this time it is not merely a U.S. problem it is global. Technology has linked every continent to the economic crisis in ways that while in good times is invigorating; in bad times it is catastrophic. Now more than ever in history the world as a whole has a stake in the well being of each and every nation's financial health.

Statistics show that a recession usually lasts about a year. We have gone beyond that time span and it is reasonable to assume this is not going to go away by itself. The economy is not going to right itself without a great deal of help and the plan proposed by President Elect Obama is at the very least a lofty goal that shows incentive and desire to provide relief to a scrambling nation. At its best over time it may just divert the scary inevitability of what a prolonged recession leads to—depression. The job stimulus plan attacks the problem at its core. Bailing out industry, shoring up banks, and other methods of salvaging a defunct economy are attempts to bandage the symptoms rather than fight the problem at its root.

Like the New Deal of the past the new stimulus programs are varied and widespread and do indeed include some aide to struggling corporations and banks. Like the New Deal of Roosevelt's time, however, it focuses on the people and getting the economy working again from the bottom up. Keeping people in their homes, putting food on their table, and giving them jobs so that they can stimulate the industrial world like no stimulus program possibly can is what worked in the past and will work again.

Right now it is hard for anyone to focus on anything other than fixing what is broke. Perhaps once things are working once more we can study our own recent past to see what errors were made to cause such critical failure. Certainly our rosy outlook on credit and spending are the crux of a problem that must not be allowed to happen again. It is common knowledge that those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. It is time we stopped repeating this particular portion of history. Some day it may be impossible to keep it from becoming total annihilation.

For more information on the job stimulus plan, visit http://www.jobstimulusplan.com.

Communication: Learning From the Past
(Thu Jan 8th, 2009, by John Parks)

Automatic Forex Trading Systems - Which Automatic Forex System Is The Best? by James V. Jackson

The Forex market is the largest financial market in the world. It is open 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. The trading volume in this market is 3-4 trillion USD a day. But even though there is huge profit potential, the 95% of traders fail.
Why do most Forex Traders Fail?

1) They lack discipline ( Being unable to keep your emotions under control can result in huge losses ).

2) They over leverage ( They fail to select the proper amount of leverage ).

3) They have a poor money management strategy ( They don't keep track of their gains and losses and They don't calculate their risk ).

4) They lack education. Many beginners believe that they can open an account, throw a couple of thousands dollars at it and make a profit. But this is not the case. In order to become a successful trader, you need to educate yourself in every aspect of trading, like learning how to read charts, practicing in a demo account and many others.

5) They don't use the right tools. It is essential to follow a solid trading plan and to use a reliable Forex software.

A trading software can give you all the free time you need to devote to analysis. This way you don't have to spend the whole day monitoring the market to find changes. A good automatic Forex System can actually trade better than the majority of traders, because it's not influenced by emotions. You can also trade faster using a software. Monitoring the Market 24 hours a day is nearly impossible. By using an automated system you can minimize your losses and maximize your profit, with very little effort.

Do you want to break the Forex Code and gain huge rewards?

Read this Forex Systems Review to find out which is the best forex software!



About the Author
Choose the Best Automatic Forex System. Read this Forex Systems Review!

Grim Marketing

OK, the economy, the stock market, and life as we know it, is going into the deep void of recession, faster day by day.

Like many companies, the first reaction is to cut expenses to the bone, whittle out dead wood, become either depressed or super/hyper aggressive and burn out.

Well, cutting out dead wood is always a good thing. Rules of thumb say that 80% of your accounts are from the result of 20% of your best account executives efforts. Time to get rid of, at least some of that non-preforming 80%...or at least move them into some other position.

Advertising and marketing budgets should and will come under review. However, gone are the days when some corporate heads expected $3-$5 in sales from every $1 in advertising. Did that expectation ever work?

You generally advertise:

To keep current market share, or increase market share with new customers.

Keep your brands out in front of peoples decision making buying power.

To introduce a new product or product improvement.

To stop 100% of advertising/marketing expense is to die!

Think, brainstorm, ask vendors for assistance or co-op funds, get creative and think outside the box. Evaluate current & past results vs expense, and do research. You'll cut costs and get more "bang for your buck".

Political Science for Dummies.

Some economic humor in these trying times:

DEMOCRATIC
You have two cows.
Your neighbor has none.
You feel guilty for being successful.
Barbara Streisand sings for you.

REPUBLICAN
You have two cows.
Your neighbor has none.
So?

SOCIALIST
You have two cows.
The government takes one and gives it to your neighbor.
You form a cooperative to tell him how to manage his cow.

COMMUNIST
You have two cows.
The government seizes both and provides you with milk.
You wait in line for hours to get it.
It is expensive and sour.

CAPITALISM, AMERICAN STYLE
You have two cows.
You sell one, buy a bull, and build a herd of cows.

BUREAUCRACY, AMERICAN STYLE
You have two cows.
Under the new farm program the government pays you to shoot one, milk the other, and then pours the milk down the drain.

AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You sell one, lease it back to yourself and do an IPO on the 2nd one.
You force the two cows to produce the milk of four cows. You are surprised when one cow drops dead. You spin an announcement to the analysts stating you have downsized and are reducing expenses.
Your stock goes up.

FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You go on strike because you want three cows.
You go to lunch and drink wine.
Life is good.

JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.
They learn to travel on unbelievably crowded trains.
Most are at the top of their class at cow school.

GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You engineer them so they are all blond, drink lots of beer, give excellent quality milk, and run a hundred miles an hour.
Unfortunately they also demand 13 weeks of vacation per year.

ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows but you don't know where they are.
While ambling around, you see a beautiful woman.
You break for lunch.
Life is good.

RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You have some vodka.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You have some more vodka.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
The Mafia shows up and takes over however many cows you really have.

TALIBAN CORPORATION
You have all the cows in Afghanistan, which are two.
You don't milk them because you cannot touch any creature' s private parts.
You get a $40 million grant from the US government to find alternatives to milk production but use the money to buy weapons.

IRAQI CORPORATION
You have two cows.
They go into hiding.
They send radio tapes of their mooing.

POLISH CORPORATION
You have two bulls.
Employees are regularly maimed and killed attempting to milk them.

BELGIAN CORPORATION
You have one cow.
The cow is schizophrenic.
Sometimes the cow thinks he's French, other times he's Flemish.
The Flemish cow won't share with the French cow.
The French cow wants control of the Flemish cow's milk.
The cow asks permission to be cut in half.
The cow dies happy.

FLORIDA CORPORATION
You have a black cow and a brown cow.
Everyone votes for the best looking one.
Some of the people who actually like the brown one best accidentally vote for the black one.
Some people vote for both.
Some people vote for neither.
Some people can't figure out how to vote at all.
Finally, a bunch of guys from out-of-state tell you which one you think is the best-looking cow.

CALIFORNIA CORPORATION
You have millions of cows.
They make real California cheese.
Only five speak English.
Most are illegals.
Arnold likes the ones with the big udders.

I got this from an MSN Group I am in and here is the original link. I really like this one.
http://www.ramblestrip.com/blog/2006/01/political-science-for-dummies-this.html

Recession? What Recession?

I went to check out a new Safeway store in the Pearl District. The Pearl is home to $350,000+ high rise condos, and the Baby boomer "yuppies", and their "yuppie puppies".

http://www.explorethepearl.com/

Everything about it is new, upscale, and well, chic. My observation is that none of these folks think they're in an Recession or soon, a coming Depression. One couple, twenty something, was buying six-packs of wine (not Ripple), and had a $30+ floral centerpiece. Remember all those news stories about declining retail sales, and folks barely able to buy food for their baby....well if your buying $30 flowers, your off in a different world.

I live about 15 blocks south of there, and looking out my window, the average car is a BMW or Mercedes. The West Hills, about 4 blocks west, is covered with $Million homes. These folks, lord knows where they work and can afford such digs, have no conception of recession. Their world is peachy keen, bright, and kinda Rosy through those pink glasses. I have heard them talking, while on the Streetcar, and avoiding the "R" word, thinking if they ignore it , they won't be effected. Uh huh.

Then take a further extreme. Folks in the "Home" I live in get/subscribe to lots of upscale magazines like GQ, Details, Architectural Digest, Vogue, etc. Pick one up some time...filled with dozens of ads for $50,000 watches (How many do you need? I'll bet a $30 Timex is as accurate by 5%), diamond jewelry, Aston Martins, BMW, Lexus, Jaguars, private Jets, Mega Yachts etc. Things to entice the masses, while ignoring the fact that most who have such things, got their money the old fashioned way...inheritance!

Which brings me to the crux of the whole matter. Our economy is entirely based on consumerism....buying crap we want, but don't need. Buying on credit for instant gratification. How many shoe stores in a mall do we really need? Many sell the same brands and/or are owned by the same company. Automobiles...do we really need hundreds of various models at various prices that all have four wheels, and go from point "A" to point "B"on the same road?

The Pacific NW prides itself, (a legend in their own minds) on "Sustainability" and "Green" environmental and economic policies, which in reality are a marketing gimmick to sell things and continue growth.

True "Sustainability" maintains a constant level of economy and does not need to grow. It is self sustaining, environmentally friendly by nature, does not require addition limited resources, imported cheap labor, outsourcing, etc. It is a class leveling economy...a truer "Middle Class". Unfortunately, it is also much an illusion.

The Last Election of 2008

Election Day is finally here, thank God. Two years of hell, hours of negative commercials, and rants from folks like Rush Limbaugh. Tonight, the victor will take the spoils of all this home and put it on a shelf!

2008 is the first time I have voted since the fiasco of 2000, and it will also probably be my last vote, for many reasons. One being, who really knows what happens to that ballot once it leaves your hands? Can you say "Hanging Chads"?

I fail to appreciate "Representative Government".....that's not democracy, that's a Republic...like ancient Rome. I would be content on removing all "Professional Politicians" and vote via the Internet, on all major policies. (Yes the Internet is safe for voting. You do your taxes, banking, and pay bills on it don't you?)

From my viewpoint, of the poor and working poor, the future of the USA seems lost in a fog of hopelessness and greed. 2012 approaches and many feel the End is near, in many ways. War, famine, overpopulation, depression, pandemic disease, etc. are just some of the many, and perhaps simultaneous crisis to End our world as we know it.

How does this affect our jobs, lifestyle, retirement, families and businesses?

Well, for one thing, strategic planning for worse case scenarios, can't hurt. Not planning and going ahead with wide eyed optimism may be fatal...to the country, to the world, to your family, and yourself.

More in future posts.

Global Recession: Causes

Here is an interesting article about the glabal financial mess:


The truth is, we are going through the most severe global financial crisis since the days of Great Depression. Originated in USA, economic recession is affecting all the major players of world economy. Governments and major policy makers of world economy have taken notice of the urgency of the situation and frantic steps are undertaken to stem the rot. At the core of the term 憆ecession? spirals of several financial mistakes are intermingled.

The biggest problem with economic turmoil is; it creates fear and panic amongst general people. Rumors are thick and they fly, resulting into even more fear amongst the households about their savings and hard earned income. Economic problem of 2008 is of gigantic proportions. If we look closely at the problem, we find few fundamental causes. Foremost among them is, complacent regulatory norms in USA. USA has enjoyed sustainable economic development with cushion of low inflation rates over last two decades. This resulted into complete ignorance of essential business cycle of economy. The first signs of this problem were visible 20 months ago when America was struggling with excess liquidity in the market. That was an ample sign of coming of real estate bubble and asset price inflation.

Another responsible factor is cushion enjoyed by private and investment banks. Taking their cue from good economic condition, most of these high flying banks took higher risks. Most of their business deals were highly leveraged transactions. The kind of risk undertaken by investment banks proved to be their nemesis as they failed to gather enough capital to support their risky investments. Third responsible factor is size of investment banks. Many of them witnessed huge growth when economy was on the rise. They made huge profits based on their high risk propensity ventures. These FIs (financial institutions) also contributed heavily to US corporate profits.

Another important reason was failure of top echelons of management to provide sense of direction to their dealmakers. Greed took over and the rest is history. However, USA has started taking serious policy decisions to control the worsening situation. The $ 700 billion bailout package was first step in helping the doomed institutions. Apart from that, taking over of AIG, orchestrating Bear Stearns?merger with JP Morgan, taking control of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, merging Merrill Lynch with Bank of America are other crucial steps. Though, all these steps won抰 prove to be of much help in the short term. It is being said that, it will take another one year to stabilize the market and credit flow.

For more information on economic recession and recession proof business refer these links.


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About the Author: jennie.gandhi



This article was printed from: http://www.easyarticles.com/article-212424.htm

Bailout? Hell No!

Why the Bailout/Rescue won't Work

It won't work

It's too little too late

It's Facism, not Free Market Economy

The American People don't want it

It won't work!

2009 Stevie Awards

Schedule for 2009 American Business Awards Announced


The Stevie Awards have announced the schedule for The 2009 (7th annual) American Business Awards. The ABAs are open to all organizations operating in the U.S.A. The 2009 edition will recognize achievements since the beginning of 2008. Complete information on the ABAs is available at www.stevieawards.com/aba.

The ABAs will open for entries in mid-September. At that time the 2009 entry kit will be emailed to all past entrants and entry-kit requesters. There will be two early-bird entry deadlines this fall - October 17 and December 12 - at which the entry fees will be discounted.

The final entry deadline will be March 31, 2009, but late entries will continue to be accepted through April 30 with payment of a late fee.

Preliminary judging will begin in April and will continue through mid-May. Finalists will be announced and notified on or about May 18. Final judging will be conducted in late May, and the final results will be announced at the 7th annual awards gala at the Marriott Marquis hotel in New York City on Monday, June 22.






http://www.stevieawards.com/

Affiliate Marketing: Succeed Online

Affiliate marketing is one of the most popular ways for website owners to earn some extra cash. Millions of products are sold each and everyday online, and with each transaction, many individuals earn a commission.

So how can you get a piece of this ever-increasing affiliate product pie?

Simply stick to the tried-and-tested methods that have worked for many years and still continue to work well in the affiliate marketing world of today - you'll be sure to win! With the top three affiliate marketing strategies given here, you will be in a very good position to increase your sales and be successful in the amazingly profitable sphere of today's affiliate marketing programs online.


1. Having unique web pages to promote each separate product you are marketing. Do not just throw them all in 'en masse' to save a little money on web hosting.It is desirable to have a site focusing on each and every product and nothing more.


Actually, having said that, there are quite a few web hosting companies that will allow you to host Unlimited Domains on your account - so hosting charges should not be a problem if you go down that road.Always include product reviews on the website so visitors will have an initial appreciation on what the products can do for those who purchase them.


Try to include testimonials from users who have already tried the product. Be sure, however, that these customers are willing to allow you to use their names and photos on the site of the specific product you are marketing.


You can also write articles displaying the uses of the product and include them on the website as additional pages. Try to make the pages attractive and compelling. Also, don't forget to include a few requests for them to act on the information.


Each headline should attract the readers and encourage them to try and discover more, possibly even to contact you. Draw attention to your product's special points. This will help your readers to learn what your page is about and will possibly make them want to find out more.


2. Offer free reports to your readers. If possible, locate them at the very top of your page so they simply cannot be missed.Try to create personal-type auto responder messages that will be mailed to those who input their personal information into your sign-up box.


According to research, a sale is closed usually on the seventh contact with a prospective client.Only one of two things can possibly happen with the web page alone: a) a closed sale or b) the prospect leaving the web page never to return again.By placing useful information into their in-boxes at certain specified periods, you will later remind them of the product they were interested in and may find out that the sale is soon closed.


Do make sure that the content of your messages is directed toward specific reasons for buying the product. Never ever make it sound like a sales pitch.Focus on important points showing how your product can make life easier and more enjoyable. Include compelling subject lines in the email.


As much as possible, avoid having the word "free" in there because some of the earlier spam filters dump those kind of contents straight into the junk so no-one even gets the chance to read them beforehand.Convince those who signed up for your free reports that they will be missing out on something big if they do not take advantage of your products and services.


3. Get the kind of traffic that is targeted to your product. Just think, if the person who visited your website has no interest whatsoever in what you are promoting, they will be among those who move on and never come again.


Write articles for publication in e-zines and e-reports. This way you can locate publications that are focusing on your target customers and what you have put up might just grab their interest. Try to write a minimum of 2 articles per week, with at least 300-600 words in length. By continuously writing and maintaining these articles you can generate as many as 100 targeted readers to your site in a day.


Always try to remember that only 1 out of 100 people are likely to buy your product or subscribe to your services. If you can generate as many as 1,000 targeted hits for your website in a day, this means that you can make 10 sales, based on the average statistics.


The methods defined above are not really difficult at all to do, if you think about it. It just involves a small amount of time and a definite plan of action on your part.Try to use these tips for several affiliate marketing programs. You can end up doing something that not every affiliate marketer can do and that is, maintaining a really good source of income and being successful in this business. Besides, when you become successful, think of those regular massive pay-checks you will be receiving!

About the Author
Michael Fleischner is an Internet marketing expert and owner of The Marketing Blog. Learn how to improve search engine rankings with The Webmaster's Book of Secrets.