Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Keeping Sales Stats Fresh, Avoiding Stale Powerpoints

As a marketer, I reference industry statistics so I can more effectively communicate the need for solutions whether through a powerpoint presentation, newsletter, sales document or at a trade show.

Seth Godin hits the nail on the mark regarding how this data should and should not be graphically presented in a powerpoint. It's not brain surgery, but until he walked me through the thought process, I hadn't realized what an impact properly arranging the graphics could make. It takes me back to the days of my college psychology class and he is so right.

Read his thoughts here: http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/2123/21206835

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Tis the season for male guilt trips

It's that time of year again when my husband gets pissed off at holiday commercials. And rightfully so. The time where new cars appear in driveways with bows on them and jewelry ads hit us from all angles. I never realized just how bad it was until he pointed it out a few years ago. I hear Madonna now "We are living in a material world..."

If my husband bought a car and tried to surprise me with it, I would hurt him. We are on a budget and that is just not practical. But neither is the holiday shopping advertising campaigning going on since Halloween. Seriously.

This is why I think that Thanksgiving is possibly the best holiday on earth. We give thanks for friends and family, eat a luscious meal, drink heartily and watch football. No gifts or guilt appear anywhere during this holiday, and for THAT I give thanks.