老公，就是婚前總是早早赴約，婚後總是遲遲回家的那個人；
老公，就是婚前在你面前像孫子總是百依百順，婚後在你面前像老子總是發號施令的那個人；
老公，就是婚前只看你的臉蛋是否漂亮，婚後只看你的雙手是否會幹家務活的那個人；
老公，就是婚前對你常常發誓，婚後對你常常發火的那個人；
老公，就是婚前常替你做事，婚後常叫你做事的那個人；
老人，就是婚前向你送玫瑰，婚後向你交工資的那個人；
老公，就是婚前對你說十句頂一句，婚後對你說一句頂十句的那個人；
老公，就是婚前對你說“你是我的一切”，婚後對你說“我是你的一切”的那個人；
老公，就是婚前在你面前幹淨整潔，婚後在你面前不修邊幅的那個人；
老公，就是婚前常常盤問你，婚後又怕被你盤問的那個人；
老公，就是婚前對你的嘮叨百聽不厭，婚後對你的嘮叨火冒三丈的那個人；
老公，就是婚前總說你美麗，婚後總說別人老婆漂亮的那個人；
老公，就是婚前與你逛街時口袋裡裝滿鈔票，婚後與你逛街時口袋裡沒有鈔票的那個人。
這，可能對老公有點兒不公平了。
曾經有這樣的一個故事。
在很久很久以前，有一對老夫婦。他們總是步伐不一致，公公總是大步大步地走在前面，而婆婆總是在後面急步急步地追。婆婆整天都不明白為何公公總是那麼急，同樣的公公也不明白為甚麼婆婆總是那麼慢。雖然如此，他們始終沒放棄等待和追逐，因為他們是那麼地深愛著對方。
有緣千裡來相會，無緣對面手難牽。緣，讓我們愛，讓我們恨，讓我們癡，讓我們憾。而誰又沒有遺憾？若回首，千瘡百孔，不堪一擊。所有的悲歡離合，我們又經歷了多少？少之又少，但卻歷歷在目，刻骨銘心。
愛你所愛的人，珍惜愛你的人，祝願天下所有的有情人終成眷屬！
Showing posts with label Reference. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reference. Show all posts
21 March 2009
19 December 2008
10 Ad Words to Avoid in 2009
"Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is, I don't know which half." John Wanamaker
The economy, unemployment, companies folding, people losing their homes--2008 has left consumers wary of businesses. And that lack of consumer confidence requires straightforward, honest advertising messages to regain marketplace security. In 2009, perhaps more than ever, the words you use in your copywriting can determine whether you make a sale or lose a customer.
Here are 10 words to avoid in your 2009 copywriting.
Free
Ads that include messages about a free product or service promotions can work well during an economic downturn, but consumers need to see the products perform well. E-mail spam filters are tough on messages that include "free" in the subject line. While it might be tempting to use a subject line that says, "Open now to get your free widget," that's an e-mail spam filter red flag that will send your message to most recipients' spam boxes. When the economy is tough, you can't risk having your e-mails not make it to the intended recipients. Replace "free" with "complimentary" or "gratis" to sneak by spam filters without compromising the effectiveness of your message.
Guarantee
Few people believe in guarantees these days. Unless you can prove your guarantee is real, use the valuable real estate space in your ad for a more effective message that consumers are likely to believe and act on.
Really
If you want to waste space in your ads, include "really" in your copy. This word does nothing to help your messages. Instead, it slows consumers down, and they are not likely to wait around for the complete message. Don't risk losing them by loading your copy with useless filler words. Make sure every word in your copy is there for a reason.
Very
Does a message sound more compelling with "very" in it? Is "When you need very fresh flowers, call ABC Florist," more effective than "When you need fresh flowers, call ABC Florist"? If you answered, yes, reread the last paragraph.
That
Once you finish writing copy for your ad or marketing piece, reread it and make note of every time you use "that" in your copy. Chances are, you can delete 90 percent of them because "that" is a filler word that doesn't advance the consumer through the message. Instead, it slows down time-strapped consumers. Deliver the messages your audience is likely to respond to, and deliver them quickly.
A Lot
Don't use vague copy with words like "a lot" that do nothing to differentiate your business from your competitors. Instead, quantify your messages. If you offer 20 varieties of roses in your flower shop, say so. If you respond to customer service calls within five minutes, tell people. Which is more compelling: "You can choose from a lot of shoe styles at Sally's Shoe Boutique" or "You can choose from more than 100 shoe styles at Sally's Shoe Boutique?" No doubt, "100 shoe styles" is more intriguing than "a lot of shoe styles". A lot can mean different things to different people. Don't leave room for guesswork in your copy. Make your messages extremely clear with no room for confusion.
Opportunity
You're not helping anyone when you offer "opportunities" in your copy. Consumers don't want opportunities. They want to feel confident handing over their hard-earned money. They want to know they'll get the results they want and need, not the opportunity to perhaps get those results. Don't let them wonder what they'll get when they pull out their wallets. Tell them.
To Be (or Not To Be, For That Matter)
Write your advertising and marketing messages in the active voice, not the passive voice. If any form of "to be," "has been" or anything similar appears in your copy, rewrite it. Writing in the passive voice doesn't command action. Writing in the active voice does.
Synergy
This overused piece of jargon has had a long life, but it's time to move on. Leave jargon and 10-dollar words out of your advertising messages. There's no room in copywriting for buzz words and words that consumers need a dictionary to understand. Consumers don't care about your "unique value proposition." They care that when they pay for your product or service, it will deliver the results they expect. Naturally, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as B2B copywriting, where jargon might be expected. In most copywriting, however, keep it simple.
Drinkability
Budweiser is already using "drinkability" in its ads. Seriously though, the point is valid--don't copy your competition. Instead, differentiate your product and business with unique copy and messages that your target audience is likely to respond to.
The rules of successful copywriting don't change from one year to the next, but as the marketplace and environment change, so must your messages. Use the list above as a guideline to writing great advertising copy in 2009.
_________
The original article is available on http://www.entrepreneur.com/advertising/article199152.html.
The economy, unemployment, companies folding, people losing their homes--2008 has left consumers wary of businesses. And that lack of consumer confidence requires straightforward, honest advertising messages to regain marketplace security. In 2009, perhaps more than ever, the words you use in your copywriting can determine whether you make a sale or lose a customer.
Here are 10 words to avoid in your 2009 copywriting.
Free
Ads that include messages about a free product or service promotions can work well during an economic downturn, but consumers need to see the products perform well. E-mail spam filters are tough on messages that include "free" in the subject line. While it might be tempting to use a subject line that says, "Open now to get your free widget," that's an e-mail spam filter red flag that will send your message to most recipients' spam boxes. When the economy is tough, you can't risk having your e-mails not make it to the intended recipients. Replace "free" with "complimentary" or "gratis" to sneak by spam filters without compromising the effectiveness of your message.
Guarantee
Few people believe in guarantees these days. Unless you can prove your guarantee is real, use the valuable real estate space in your ad for a more effective message that consumers are likely to believe and act on.
Really
If you want to waste space in your ads, include "really" in your copy. This word does nothing to help your messages. Instead, it slows consumers down, and they are not likely to wait around for the complete message. Don't risk losing them by loading your copy with useless filler words. Make sure every word in your copy is there for a reason.
Very
Does a message sound more compelling with "very" in it? Is "When you need very fresh flowers, call ABC Florist," more effective than "When you need fresh flowers, call ABC Florist"? If you answered, yes, reread the last paragraph.
That
Once you finish writing copy for your ad or marketing piece, reread it and make note of every time you use "that" in your copy. Chances are, you can delete 90 percent of them because "that" is a filler word that doesn't advance the consumer through the message. Instead, it slows down time-strapped consumers. Deliver the messages your audience is likely to respond to, and deliver them quickly.
A Lot
Don't use vague copy with words like "a lot" that do nothing to differentiate your business from your competitors. Instead, quantify your messages. If you offer 20 varieties of roses in your flower shop, say so. If you respond to customer service calls within five minutes, tell people. Which is more compelling: "You can choose from a lot of shoe styles at Sally's Shoe Boutique" or "You can choose from more than 100 shoe styles at Sally's Shoe Boutique?" No doubt, "100 shoe styles" is more intriguing than "a lot of shoe styles". A lot can mean different things to different people. Don't leave room for guesswork in your copy. Make your messages extremely clear with no room for confusion.
Opportunity
You're not helping anyone when you offer "opportunities" in your copy. Consumers don't want opportunities. They want to feel confident handing over their hard-earned money. They want to know they'll get the results they want and need, not the opportunity to perhaps get those results. Don't let them wonder what they'll get when they pull out their wallets. Tell them.
To Be (or Not To Be, For That Matter)
Write your advertising and marketing messages in the active voice, not the passive voice. If any form of "to be," "has been" or anything similar appears in your copy, rewrite it. Writing in the passive voice doesn't command action. Writing in the active voice does.
Synergy
This overused piece of jargon has had a long life, but it's time to move on. Leave jargon and 10-dollar words out of your advertising messages. There's no room in copywriting for buzz words and words that consumers need a dictionary to understand. Consumers don't care about your "unique value proposition." They care that when they pay for your product or service, it will deliver the results they expect. Naturally, there are some exceptions to this rule, such as B2B copywriting, where jargon might be expected. In most copywriting, however, keep it simple.
Drinkability
Budweiser is already using "drinkability" in its ads. Seriously though, the point is valid--don't copy your competition. Instead, differentiate your product and business with unique copy and messages that your target audience is likely to respond to.
The rules of successful copywriting don't change from one year to the next, but as the marketplace and environment change, so must your messages. Use the list above as a guideline to writing great advertising copy in 2009.
_________
The original article is available on http://www.entrepreneur.com/advertising/article199152.html.
14 December 2008
Albert Einstein Beta
"Keep your faith in all beautiful things; in the sun when it is hidden, in the Spring when it is gone." Roy R Gilson
An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his class on the problem science has with GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his new Christian students to stand and...
Professor: You are a Christian, aren't you, son?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you believe in GOD?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Professor: Is GOD good?
Student: Sure.
Professor: Is GOD all powerful?
Student: Yes.
Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hm?
(Student was silent.)
Professor: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is GOD good? Or is Satan good?
Student: No.
Professor: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From... GOD...
Professor: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Professor: So who created evil?
(Student did not answer.)
Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who created them?
(Student had no answer.)
Professor: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son... Have you ever seen GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor: Yet you still believe in HIM?
Student: Yes.
Professor: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.
Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student: No, sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)
Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light... But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it is, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class was in uproar.)
Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class broke out into laughter.)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Professor: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student: That is it sir... Exactly!
The link between Man and GOD is FAITH... That is all that keeps things alive and moving.
That student was Albert Einstein.
An Atheist Professor of Philosophy was speaking to his class on the problem science has with GOD, the ALMIGHTY. He asked one of his new Christian students to stand and...
Professor: You are a Christian, aren't you, son?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, you believe in GOD?
Student: Absolutely, sir.
Professor: Is GOD good?
Student: Sure.
Professor: Is GOD all powerful?
Student: Yes.
Professor: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to GOD to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But GOD didn't. How is this GOD good then? Hm?
(Student was silent.)
Professor: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is GOD good? Or is Satan good?
Student: No.
Professor: Where does Satan come from?
Student: From... GOD...
Professor: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?
Student: Yes.
Professor: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And GOD did make everything. Correct?
Student: Yes.
Professor: So who created evil?
(Student did not answer.)
Professor: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?
Student: Yes, sir.
Professor: So, who created them?
(Student had no answer.)
Professor: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son... Have you ever seen GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Tell us if you have ever heard your GOD?
Student: No, sir.
Professor: Have you ever felt your GOD, tasted your GOD, smelt your GOD? Have you ever had any sensory perception of GOD for that matter?
Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.
Professor: Yet you still believe in HIM?
Student: Yes.
Professor: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?
Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.
Professor: Yes, faith. And that is the problem science has.
Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?
Professor: Yes.
Student: And is there such a thing as cold?
Professor: Yes.
Student: No, sir. There isn't.
(The lecture theater became very quiet with this turn of events.)
Student: Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat. We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy. Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it.
(There was pin-drop silence in the lecture theater.)
Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?
Professor: Yes. What is night if there isn't darkness?
Student: You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light... But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it is, you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?
Professor: So what is the point you are making, young man?
Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.
Professor: Flawed? Can you explain how?
Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good GOD and a bad GOD. You are viewing the concept of GOD as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it. Now tell me, Professor, do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?
Professor: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.
Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir?
(The Professor shook his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument was going.)
Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher?
(The class was in uproar.)
Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?
(The class broke out into laughter.)
Student: Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir. With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?
(The room was silent. The Professor stared at the student, his face unfathomable.)
Professor: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.
Student: That is it sir... Exactly!
The link between Man and GOD is FAITH... That is all that keeps things alive and moving.
That student was Albert Einstein.
29 November 2008
Match Beta
"For me an object is something living. This cigarette or this box of matches contains a secret life much more intense than that of certain human beings." Joan Miro
一根火柴棒價值不到一毛錢；一棟房子價值數百萬元。
但是一根火柴棒卻可以摧毀一棟房子，可見微不足道的潛在破壞力，一旦發作起來，其攻堅滅頂的力量，無物能禦。
要疊一百萬張骨牌，需費時一個月，但倒骨牌卻只消十幾秒鐘。
要累積成功的實業，需耗時數十載，但要倒閉，卻只需一個錯誤決策。
要修養被尊敬的人格，需經過長時間的被信任，但要人格破產卻只需要做錯一件事。
一根火柴棒，是什麼東西呢？
它就是下列四項：
1. 無法自我控制的情緒
2. 不經理智判斷的決策
3. 頑固不冥的個性
4. 狹隘無情的心胸
檢查看看，我們隨身攜帶幾根火柴棒？
20 September 2008
Touchpoint of Love Beta
When I first saw you
I was afraid to meet you...
When I first met you
I was afraid to hold you...
When I first held you
I was afraid to kiss you...
When I first kissed you
I was afraid to love you...
And now that I love you
I am afraid to lose you...
And when I finally lost you
I will forever miss you...
24 August 2008
你的世界由你的嘴巴建造
無論何時何地，請記住
急事，慢慢的說
大事，清楚的說
小事，幽默的說
沒把握的事，謹慎的說
沒發生的事，不要胡說
做不到的事，別亂說
傷害人的事，不能說
討厭的事，對事不對人的說
開心的事，看場合說
傷心的事，不要見人就說
別人的事，小心的說
自己的事，聽聽自己的心怎麼說
現在的事，做了再說
未來的事，未來再說
如果，對我有不滿意的地方，請一定要對我說！
急事，慢慢的說
大事，清楚的說
小事，幽默的說
沒把握的事，謹慎的說
沒發生的事，不要胡說
做不到的事，別亂說
傷害人的事，不能說
討厭的事，對事不對人的說
開心的事，看場合說
傷心的事，不要見人就說
別人的事，小心的說
自己的事，聽聽自己的心怎麼說
現在的事，做了再說
未來的事，未來再說
如果，對我有不滿意的地方，請一定要對我說！
14 September 2007
Two Traveling Angels Part I
Thank you Onki for this inspiring article.
_________
Keep reading to the bottom of the page... don't stop at the feet (You'll see why).
Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.
The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room.
Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.
As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.
When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied,
"Things aren't always what they seem."
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife.
After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.
When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears.
Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.
The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen?
The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused.
The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die.
"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.
"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it.
"Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead.
Things aren't always what they seem."
Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every out come is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later...
_________
Keep reading to the bottom of the page... don't stop at the feet (You'll see why).
Two traveling angels stopped to spend the night in the home of a wealthy family.
The family was rude and refused to let the angels stay in the mansion's guest room.
Instead the angels were given a small space in the cold basement.
As they made their bed on the hard floor, the older angel saw a hole in the wall and repaired it.
When the younger angel asked why, the older angel replied,
"Things aren't always what they seem."
The next night the pair came to rest at the house of a very poor, but very hospitable farmer and his wife.
After sharing what little food they had, the couple let the angels sleep in their bed where they could have a good night's rest.
When the sun came up the next morning the angels found the farmer and his wife in tears.
Their only cow, whose milk had been their sole income, lay dead in the field.
The younger angel was infuriated and asked the older angel how could you have let this happen?
The first man had everything, yet you helped him, she accused.
The second family had little but was willing to share everything, and you let the cow die.
"Things aren't always what they seem," the older angel replied.
"When we stayed in the basement of the mansion, I noticed there was gold stored in that hole in the wall. Since the owner was so obsessed with greed and unwilling to share his good fortune, I sealed the wall so he wouldn't find it.
"Then last night as we slept in the farmers bed, the angel of death came for his wife. I gave him the cow instead.
Things aren't always what they seem."
Sometimes that is exactly what happens when things don't turn out the way they should. If you have faith, you just need to trust that every out come is always to your advantage. You just might not know it until some time later...
13 September 2007
Two Traveling Angels Part II
12 September 2007
Two Traveling Angels Part III
Thank you Onki for this inspiring article.
_________
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present!
Live and savor every moment...
Right Now... someone is thinking of you.
... someone is caring about you.
... someone misses you
... someone wants to talk to you.
... someone wants to be with you.
... someone hopes you aren't in trouble.
... someone is thankful for the support you have provided
... someone wants to hold your hand.
... someone hopes everything turns out all right.
... someone wants you to be happy.
... someone wants you to find him/her.
... someone is celebrating your successes.
... someone wants to give you a gift.
... someone thinks that you ARE a gift.
... someone loves you.
... someone admires your strength.
... someone is thinking of you and smiling.
... someone wants to be your shoulder to cry on.
Never take away anyone's hope. That may be all they have!
Happiness and Peace! In Christ.
_________
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow a mystery.
Today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present!
Live and savor every moment...
Right Now... someone is thinking of you.
... someone is caring about you.
... someone misses you
... someone wants to talk to you.
... someone wants to be with you.
... someone hopes you aren't in trouble.
... someone is thankful for the support you have provided
... someone wants to hold your hand.
... someone hopes everything turns out all right.
... someone wants you to be happy.
... someone wants you to find him/her.
... someone is celebrating your successes.
... someone wants to give you a gift.
... someone thinks that you ARE a gift.
... someone loves you.
... someone admires your strength.
... someone is thinking of you and smiling.
... someone wants to be your shoulder to cry on.
Never take away anyone's hope. That may be all they have!
Happiness and Peace! In Christ.
08 August 2007
Geese Beta
Fact #1 – As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent greater flying range than if one bird flew alone.
Lesson Learned – People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the strength of one another.
_________
Fact #2 – Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.
Lesson Learned – If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are ahead of where we want to go and be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to others.
_________
Fact #3 – When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position.
Lesson Learned – It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.
_________
Fact #4 – The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson Learned – We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, and not something else.
_________
Fact #5 – When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again, or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or they catch up with their flock.
Lesson Learned – If we have as much sense as geese do, we too, will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
Lesson Learned – People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the strength of one another.
_________
Fact #2 – Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.
Lesson Learned – If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are ahead of where we want to go and be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to others.
_________
Fact #3 – When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position.
Lesson Learned – It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.
_________
Fact #4 – The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson Learned – We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, and not something else.
_________
Fact #5 – When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again, or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or they catch up with their flock.
Lesson Learned – If we have as much sense as geese do, we too, will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.
Crafting marketing strategies in the Internet era
This is an article posted in China Daily by Li Jing on 05 April 2007.
_________
When BMW put a selection of action movies featuring its cars on the Web six years ago, they became a big hit and boosted car sales. The auto giant might not have realized that the $10 million investment would lead to a brand new form of markting-digital marketing-with which companies can reach their target audience or manage their brands online.
Since then, digitization has typically been used a s driect medium in marketing.
People-or "users"-only log into a few key new portals for the latest news. Conversations about brands, products, or experiences are limited to newsgroups and mesage boards.
Search engine markeing meant adding a meta keyword tag to your homepage, submitting your site and hoping for the best. Knowing where target audiences congregated, what was being said, and how best to influence was, frankly, just easier.
But things have changed in the past few years. Today, the digital world has grown increasingly complex. While industry observers devote much attention to blogs, wikis, podcasts and other forms of personalized media, these trends merely symbolize the complexity of the digital landscape.
Digital challenges
In this new, complex digital environment, where anyone can be an influencer and we are all influenced in new ways, there are exponentially more users, there are more conversations and more places where users can congregate to converse.
"This environment allows for more opportunity to influence others and build brands, of course, but it also presents challenges," says John Bell, managing director and executive creative director of 360 Digital Influence at Ogilvy.
He says detecting that one rumor before it snowballs into a brand-damaging crisis is more difficult when there are 5,000 sites instead of five. Deciding where to seed a viral marketing campaign is harder when your target audience is dispersed across a larger number of channels online-or when those channels are in continuous change. As for bloggers, you can't control what they say and can't control what they do either.
To overcome these challenges and maximize benefits from the vast digital landscape, Bell suggests a company should first monitor what digital channels and websites are more effective at reaching target audiences, what is being said on these sites, and then develop a digitial marketing strategy.
Engagement
The next step is for a company to craft an engagement strategy. "Engagement is where we take action," Bell says. The digital spectrum includes not only personal media such as blogs and wikis, but also search marketing, content syndication, website design, online contests and more.
"Sometimes the engagement is defensive, such as if someone says bad things about your product or brand, and sometimes proactive, such as building relationships with some bloggers because they know all about the technology that you sell, and getting involved in the conservation."
He says there are different levels of an engagement strategy. Buzz, or word-of-mouth publicity, can help raise awareness for a brand or idea but does not often engage very deeply. And it does not last.
But active discussion, which involves people on a deper level, has a long-term effect. Bell cites Lenovo, a client of Oglivy as an example. Lenovo launched a series of blogs by its leading designers for carrying on active discussions with customers, influencers and even fans.
"These are ongoing discussions. Participants get to know and trust the authors of those blogs. That trust transfers to the brand," Bell says.
The most exciting idea is co-creation, which is at the deep end of the engagement pool, Bell explains. "A brand can invite its customers to help create part of its services, such as a new mp3 design or a new coffee flavor. The same can be true in business decisions. Say, when you open a store, you can invite people to talk about it," Bell says.
"If you listent to their suggestions and incorporate them like Samuel Adams did with Longshot Homebrew Challenge or LEGO did with Mindstorms NXT, you can build loyalty."
Active discussion and co-creation are powerful in dealing with Web criticism, Bell says.
"You should demonstrate quickly that you listen to them and know what they say. You should find ways to get into the conversation or even hold the conversation, rather than hiding behind public relations and legal departments.
"The key is that you should demostrate that you are willing to take their comments to heart and change the ways you do things. Then, criticism can be turned into a great opportunity for growth."
_________
When BMW put a selection of action movies featuring its cars on the Web six years ago, they became a big hit and boosted car sales. The auto giant might not have realized that the $10 million investment would lead to a brand new form of markting-digital marketing-with which companies can reach their target audience or manage their brands online.
Since then, digitization has typically been used a s driect medium in marketing.
People-or "users"-only log into a few key new portals for the latest news. Conversations about brands, products, or experiences are limited to newsgroups and mesage boards.
Search engine markeing meant adding a meta keyword tag to your homepage, submitting your site and hoping for the best. Knowing where target audiences congregated, what was being said, and how best to influence was, frankly, just easier.
But things have changed in the past few years. Today, the digital world has grown increasingly complex. While industry observers devote much attention to blogs, wikis, podcasts and other forms of personalized media, these trends merely symbolize the complexity of the digital landscape.
Digital challenges
In this new, complex digital environment, where anyone can be an influencer and we are all influenced in new ways, there are exponentially more users, there are more conversations and more places where users can congregate to converse.
"This environment allows for more opportunity to influence others and build brands, of course, but it also presents challenges," says John Bell, managing director and executive creative director of 360 Digital Influence at Ogilvy.
He says detecting that one rumor before it snowballs into a brand-damaging crisis is more difficult when there are 5,000 sites instead of five. Deciding where to seed a viral marketing campaign is harder when your target audience is dispersed across a larger number of channels online-or when those channels are in continuous change. As for bloggers, you can't control what they say and can't control what they do either.
To overcome these challenges and maximize benefits from the vast digital landscape, Bell suggests a company should first monitor what digital channels and websites are more effective at reaching target audiences, what is being said on these sites, and then develop a digitial marketing strategy.
Engagement
The next step is for a company to craft an engagement strategy. "Engagement is where we take action," Bell says. The digital spectrum includes not only personal media such as blogs and wikis, but also search marketing, content syndication, website design, online contests and more.
"Sometimes the engagement is defensive, such as if someone says bad things about your product or brand, and sometimes proactive, such as building relationships with some bloggers because they know all about the technology that you sell, and getting involved in the conservation."
He says there are different levels of an engagement strategy. Buzz, or word-of-mouth publicity, can help raise awareness for a brand or idea but does not often engage very deeply. And it does not last.
But active discussion, which involves people on a deper level, has a long-term effect. Bell cites Lenovo, a client of Oglivy as an example. Lenovo launched a series of blogs by its leading designers for carrying on active discussions with customers, influencers and even fans.
"These are ongoing discussions. Participants get to know and trust the authors of those blogs. That trust transfers to the brand," Bell says.
The most exciting idea is co-creation, which is at the deep end of the engagement pool, Bell explains. "A brand can invite its customers to help create part of its services, such as a new mp3 design or a new coffee flavor. The same can be true in business decisions. Say, when you open a store, you can invite people to talk about it," Bell says.
"If you listent to their suggestions and incorporate them like Samuel Adams did with Longshot Homebrew Challenge or LEGO did with Mindstorms NXT, you can build loyalty."
Active discussion and co-creation are powerful in dealing with Web criticism, Bell says.
"You should demonstrate quickly that you listen to them and know what they say. You should find ways to get into the conversation or even hold the conversation, rather than hiding behind public relations and legal departments.
"The key is that you should demostrate that you are willing to take their comments to heart and change the ways you do things. Then, criticism can be turned into a great opportunity for growth."
22 February 2007
Little Things Beta
"It is the little things that say so much." Anonymous
There are many things that everyone can do to deliver positive touchpoint experience. Yet the most effective involves the saying of just three words.
"I'll be there." - Being there for others is the greatest gift everyone can give. When people are truly present for others, important things happen. Everyone is renewed in love and friendship. Everyone is restord emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.
"I miss you." - Perhaps more marriages can be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely say to each other "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners that they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how ecstatic the person would feel, if he or she received an unexpected phone call from the better half in the middle of the workday, just to say "I miss you."
"I respect you." - Respect is another way of showing love. Respect conveys the feeling that another person is a true equal.
"Maybe you're right." - This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side to "maybe you're right" is the humility of admitting "maybe I'm wrong." When having a heated argument with someone, all the person does is cement the other person's point of view. Nobody is willing to change the stance and eventually runs the risk of seriously damaging the relationship. Saying "maybe you're right" can open the door to further explore the subject, in which everyone may then have the opportunity to get own view across in a more rational manner.
"Please forgive me." - Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Everyone is vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. Nobody should ever be ashamed to own up that he or she has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he or she is wiser today than he was yesterday.
"I thank you." - Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who do not take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.
"Count on me." - A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating that you can "count on me."
"Let me help." - The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they pitch in and help.
"I understand you." - People become closer and enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting others know in so many little ways that they are being understood is one of the most powerful tools for healing relationship.
"I love you." - Perhaps the most important three words that one can say. Telling someone that they are truly loved satisfies their deepest emotional needs - the need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Everyone needs to hear those three little words - I love you.
There are many things that everyone can do to deliver positive touchpoint experience. Yet the most effective involves the saying of just three words.
"I'll be there." - Being there for others is the greatest gift everyone can give. When people are truly present for others, important things happen. Everyone is renewed in love and friendship. Everyone is restord emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.
"I miss you." - Perhaps more marriages can be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely say to each other "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners that they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how ecstatic the person would feel, if he or she received an unexpected phone call from the better half in the middle of the workday, just to say "I miss you."
"I respect you." - Respect is another way of showing love. Respect conveys the feeling that another person is a true equal.
"Maybe you're right." - This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side to "maybe you're right" is the humility of admitting "maybe I'm wrong." When having a heated argument with someone, all the person does is cement the other person's point of view. Nobody is willing to change the stance and eventually runs the risk of seriously damaging the relationship. Saying "maybe you're right" can open the door to further explore the subject, in which everyone may then have the opportunity to get own view across in a more rational manner.
"Please forgive me." - Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. Everyone is vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. Nobody should ever be ashamed to own up that he or she has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he or she is wiser today than he was yesterday.
"I thank you." - Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who do not take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.
"Count on me." - A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating that you can "count on me."
"Let me help." - The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they pitch in and help.
"I understand you." - People become closer and enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting others know in so many little ways that they are being understood is one of the most powerful tools for healing relationship.
"I love you." - Perhaps the most important three words that one can say. Telling someone that they are truly loved satisfies their deepest emotional needs - the need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Everyone needs to hear those three little words - I love you.
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