The following list was graciously contributed by Marc Bonnemains, and is from a LinkedIn discussion about project management. The following items are referred to as frameworks and models. Many people distinguish between the two, and might explain that a framework is a structure within which an activity occurs, but a model also describes the functioning …

Understanding your target market will give you the information needed for an effective promotional plan. Your target market needs and buyer behavior are the basis for the plan. The market needs dictate your positioning and possible competitive advantage while buyer behavior will determine who you need to sell to and where you need to have …

We’ve all heard the saying “knowledge is power.” What we often forget to do is to stop and ask our customers and even ourselves if we are focusing on the right issues. WHAT is important to your customers? Is it the speed of service or response? Is it quality of service or response? Is it …

Last Thursday’s post addressed the participation of NPO staff in the fundraising process – staff other than those directly involved in development. A response to that posting suggested that there were other issues to be addressed. Staff members as donors: It would be a major plus for a nonprofit organization to be able to tell …

Implementing a marketing strategy is a multi-faceted activity. A good marketing stratetgy is driven by a clear, simple positioning statement. This makes it clear to your employees and market, where the company is superior to the competition. The marketing strategy encompasses the product or service offering, pricing, promotion and distribution – or delivery of the …

Here are highlights - along with my commentary - from the Social Network Benchmark Report:

Virginia Tech has just been handed a $55,000 fine for failing to notify students in a “timely manner” following the shooting incident of April 16, 2007. That morning, two students were found murdered in a residence hall, but no notification went out for over an hour, leaving thousands of students vulnerable to another attack, which …

When I asked friends for ideas on training for this article, here’s what I received: How to train your dog to use the toilet. How to make a mountain out of a mole hill. How to make an American quilt. How to extract your own wisdom teeth. How best to express road rage-flipping the bird …

am not a regular fan of reality television; however, I do really enjoy watching the show where the contestants are fighting to lose weight. You all know the show, right? Well, I love seeing how the contestants are able to lose weight and reduce risks to their health. I also really like that the show provides healthy tips on eating during the sometimes drawn out two hour episodes. But my favorite part of the show may just be the trainers. They are tough, but you really get the sense that they care about helping the contestants achieve their weight loss goals. The push the contestants, they call them out on t heir bull**** and excuses, and they don’t give up on them.

When you establish your brand - a memorable visual appeal, as well as a meaningful and compelling message - your audience will react positively and help you by passing your information on to others in their network.