Why hope is a business strategy
Posted on | November 14, 2008 | Comments
Yes, that word “hope” was used extensively during the U.S. presidential election. For entrepreneurs across the nation, hope isn’t a foreign concept. It’s the currency we use to fuel our imaginations and businesses.
OC METRO logo
For the past several months, I’ve had the pleasure of contributing to the NAWBO-OC blog on the OC METRO Web site. In my recent entry, I discussed why I believe that hope is a business strategy. I’ve received a ton of support and encouragement from fellow entrepreneurs. Please, take a read and let me know what you think.
Tags: blog > economy > NAWBO > OC METRO > recession
Domestic Violence Awareness Month Campaign Final Days
Posted on | October 28, 2008 | Comments
Public relations is playing a bigger role today in helping clients solve business problems and communications challenges. I’ve found that this is especially true with nonprofit client work. There is a few days left in a very important campaign we initiated for Laura’s House. I’d love your help.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Before the last goblin is tucked into bed on Halloween this Friday, I’d like to raise $20,000 to help fund Laura’s House. We need your help because the work Laura’s House performs is more critical now than ever before.
Could you donate $12.50 to Laura’s House right now and ask nine of your friends, family members and colleagues to donate $12.50 today?
Of course, you’re welcome to donate more, but all I am asking is that you donate $12.50 and tell nine other people who can donate $12.50, too.
Why $12.50?
Tags: domestic violence > fundraising > intimate partner violence > Laura's House > viral marketing
Teach Californians to prevent pollution
Posted on | October 7, 2008 | Comments
The campaign already has the support of the Ernest F. Hollings Ocean Awareness Trust Fund and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation to fund production of a podcast series. If you haven’t checked out the episodes yet, zip over to www.thankyouocean.org/podcast and subscribe.
You’ll hear:
- Congressman Sam Farr, who represents the 17th District in California, talking about House Resolution 21, the “Oceans Conservation: Education and National Strategy for the 21st Century Act.” He says he introduced this bill because no ocean-related legislation exists equivalent to national policies on clean air and water.
- Linda Sheehan, executive director of the California Coastkeeper Alliance, explaining that cleaning up pollution is half of the answer - the other half is teaching Californians how to prevent pollution in the first place.
A new Thank You Ocean Report podcast is posted approximately every two weeks. Subscribe and let us know what you think. I’d love to read your comments.
Tags: Congressman Sam Farr > conservation > fundraising > green > ocean > podcast
How to Compete for Corporate Reputation
Posted on | August 24, 2008 | Comments
Many of you know that I am a founding director of the Technology Leadership Political Action Committee, a bipartisan organization that will increase participation among Southern California’s high-tech community to impact public policy issues vital to economic growth and quality of life in our region. In my work with tech companies, I’ve seen first-hand how companies that set aside the time and funds to build their corporate reputation through public relations and government advocacy accelerate faster than those that don’t. In my new blog entry on the TLPAC site, I talk about how to compete for corporate reputation by garnering government support in doing business. I’d love to get your comments and hear your stories about your company’s own political advocacy work. Go to http://www.tlpac.com/?page_id=9.
Tags: advocacy > corporate reputation > government relations > PAC > PR > Public Affairs
Thank You Ocean podcast features ways to reduce polluted runoff
Posted on | August 19, 2008 | Comments
Did you know that polluted runoff is the largest source of water pollution to California’s coast? Fortunately, you can do something about it.
The newest Thank You Ocean Report podcast highlights ways to reduce polluted runoff. David Beckman, director of the Natural Resources Defense Fund’s (NRDC) Coastal Water Quality Project, shares some easy ways to reduce the amount of polluted runoff coming from our homes.
Listen to the podcast series by going to www.thankyouocean.org/podcast. The Ernest F. Hollings Ocean Awareness Trust Fund and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation support and sponsor the Thank You Ocean Report podcasts.
A new Thank You Ocean Report podcast is posted approximately every two weeks. You can subscribe to the podcast by visiting www.thankyouocean.org/podcast and clicking on the podcast feed of your choice (iTunes, Yahoo, Google, etc.).
Over the coming months, you’ll hear more about Thank You Ocean from me. Together, WunderMarx|PR and Jemal Public Affairs will be working on this campaign to raise awareness about critical ocean issues affecting California. Plus, we’ll reach out to corporate partners and major donors to help fund this campaign.
The ocean takes care of us. Let’s return the favor.
Tags: climate change > global warming > ocean > ocean protection > podcast
Tip of the day: Use e-mail more effectively
Posted on | August 10, 2008 | Comments
e-mail is one of the most ubiquitous business communications tools, yet one of the most poorly executed. Follow these tips to make your e-mail communications more effective.
1. Select your audience
Think about who should receive your message. Use the “cc” - carbon copy - function for those who should be informed about your message but don’t need to take action. Don’t send every message to every individual working on a project if it isn’t pertinent to them.
2. Control your replies
If you receive an e-mail asking you for information that also was sent to others, don’t automatically use the “reply all” feature. Chances are, only the author needs the information.
3. Consider your image
Refrain from sending jokes and other trivial e-mails as broadcast messages from your company e-mail account. It lessens the impact of legitimate e-mails you do send.
Tags: business communications > e-mail > etiquette
The greening of Orange County
Posted on | August 10, 2008 | Comments
WunderMarx|PR is taking a lead role in the effort to brand Orange County, Calif. as an innovation capital. In October, we’ll celebrate “Innovation Month” to spotlight the county’s corporate, investor, academic, government and political leaders in innovation. For the entire month, our partners AeA and Orange County Innovation (OCI) will promote events, organizations, companies and entrepreneurs that are driving innovation in Orange County. One of our goals is to bring together nationally renowned experts on green innovation and competitiveness. To do this, we’ll also help host the 2008 Innovation and Globalization in Green event. There, Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., Digital Products Division will present the second annual Toshiba Green Innovation Award to recognize outstanding companies and organizations in Orange County for their commitment to green innovation. The 2008 Innovation and Globalization in Green conference will be held Oct. 1-2 at the Hyatt Regency Irvine. We’ve put together a dynamic line up of speakers already. Learn more at http://ocinnovation2008.com.
Tags: AeA > green > innovation > OCI > Toshiba
The Girl Effect
Posted on | August 9, 2008 | Comments
I was just introduced to The Girl Effect, and I am moved to share it with you. At a time when our participation in the U.S. political process means so much because the global stakes are so high, the simple message of The Girl Effect shows us how to stamp out many of the problems that plague people around the world. Watch it. Act on it. Pass it along.
Tags: economic change > Girl Effect > politics > social change
Count Me In
Posted on | March 4, 2008 | Comments
The folks running Count Me In have a different take on economic stimulus. They want to turn a million women into million-dollar business owners. According to organizers of the Make Mine a Million $ Business program: Launched in 2005 by Count Me In for Women’s Economic Independence and founding partner OPEN from American Express®, Make Mine a Million $ Business was created for post-start up women-owned businesses to achieve the million dollar milestone, a benchmark only 3% of women-owned businesses have met. One of the program’s goals is to encourage 1 million women entrepreneurs to declare their intent to build million dollar businesses by 2010.”
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Tags: American Express > Count Me In > economic stimulus > NAWBO > Women In Business
About
Cara Good shares trends in communications and insights gathered as a public relations executive and social entrepreneur.