July 2009 Articles (39)

Why Small Businesses Fail in Social Media (and How to Succeed)

If you are a small business owner, take a moment to think about your social media practices. How many profiles do you have? Which services are those profiles on? How are your employees using social media in your organization? I'd like to know how you rank in the comments below!

The common misconception around social media tools is that a business can create a profile, fill it full of marketing material, and be successful. In some cases, this may be true, but those… Read More

Added by Rob Laughter on July 31, 2009 at 12:16pm — 1 Comment

Clunker Stinker

Clunker Stinker

7-30-09… Knoxville TN… Sitting in a pouring rainstorm, and watching the lightening that is rocking West Knoxville this morning, I am thinking the weather is just like the federal government. No one can accurately predict either one. As the White House assesses the Clunkers for Cash scenario, many customers and all the dealerships are caught with their hoods popped in this looney tunes scenario that is messing things up right at month-end.

With the fed… Read More

Added by Jim Vogel on July 31, 2009 at 8:30am — No Comments

Integrating Your Social Media Presence: Why your fragmented web presence could be your biggest social media mistake

Whether you're a tech blogger, a corporate brand manager, or just an everyday Facebook user, chances are you have profiles on more than one social media service. While increasing your visibility across platforms is a great tactic in building your brand, it's important that every marketer pick the right tools for the situation and realize that each of these tools absolutely must be used in harmony.

Case in point: me. My college years were a very formative time for me. I went in as a… Read More

Added by Rob Laughter on July 30, 2009 at 1:15pm — 2 Comments

Food, Inc. at Galaxy Theater | The One Movie You Must See This Week!

Dear Friends

This movie FOOD INC is not getting much publicity probably because it is revolutionary and eye-opening. It is all about the food you eat, the production of that food and products which I would really call NON-FOODS.

I literally cried the entire movie, in the car going home and afterwards throughout a yoga class where I was supposedly releasing all these mixed emotions. I felt scared, frustrated, sad,… Read More

Added by Debby Bruck Homeopath on July 29, 2009 at 11:38pm — 2 Comments

FREE Teleconference Sunday August 2 at 7:30PM | Friends of NC Freedom | Swine Flu Pandemic

Friends of NC Freedom,

Alan Phillips has scheduled a conference call for Sunday August 2, 2009, 7:30 pm, for NC health freedom advocates interested in discussing and participating in ways to organize a state-level response to impending swine flu vaccines (which will not have religious or philosophical exemptions if mandated) and possible quarantine for those who refuse vaccines, if mandated (which quarantine could potentially be in state quarantine… Read More

Added by Debby Bruck Homeopath on July 29, 2009 at 11:05pm — No Comments

Deep Down Idle Thoughts

7-28-09 Apex, NC

For Toyota to drop NUMMI, an assembly plant in CA that was a partnering with GM, they must have serious money issues.

Of course, with the end of 2009 in sight (yep, Christmas is only five months out), this will indeed be the worst car year since 1900.

Has anybody else used their gardens this year as a deer, rabbit, and dog eating station?

With the Martians' landing near a Nigerian oil field, I knew gas would go up for a legitimate… Read More

Added by Jim Vogel on July 28, 2009 at 5:00pm — 1 Comment

Is it cup-holders, MPG or HYMF?

My wife and I are in the beginning stages of deciding if we are going to buy a new car. On a recent Sunday afternoon we decided to cruise the local car lots and see what new cars cost and what the new models look like. Sunday has always been a great time to check out the lots in peace and decide what we like then go back and research before beginning the great negotiation battle so many car buyers detest.

So we grabbed a pad of paper and a car magazine and off we went. I was not… Read More

Added by Tim Moore on July 28, 2009 at 2:32pm — 1 Comment

Back to School: The Other 3 R's (Repurpose, Reuse, Recycle)

Learn what supplies you need to organize your child’s learning

Don’t rush out and buy every cute gadget and gizmo at the office supply store hoping it is going to keep your child organized and more productive. It could end up becoming clutter.

Before heading out, check in closets and drawers and see what you have on hand. A few basics that most elementary-aged kids need are items such as poster board, markers, glue sticks, colored pencils, number 2 lead pencils,… Read More

Added by Geralin Thomas on July 28, 2009 at 9:35am — No Comments

Life is a Journey....SoCo Studio Moves On ...

Hi Everyone! As many of you know, I do a lot of consulting for entrepreneurs. When I talk to them I often have to point out that what they want to sell, may not always be what "people will buy!"

Chris and I started Soco Studio based on the belief that there were many independent entrepreneurs who worked from home or coffee shops, who could benefit from a "more professional" environment, a place to interact with others and not be isolated, and a supportive environment/people to help… Read More

Added by Heather O'Sullivan (HeatherO) on July 24, 2009 at 7:00pm — 14 Comments

What's in a Word? What Does "Entrepreneur" Mean to YOU?

I have been working for several months now on a conference for young entrepreneurs The first challenge was picking a word.

Many people said that “CEO” is a dirty word these days, and I was sure

that there are many out there who don’t identify with the word

“entrepreneur”. I have a friend who is a very successful artist, and

has very successful businesses. But she calls herself an artist, not

an entrepreneur.

So,what… Read More

Added by Heather O'Sullivan (HeatherO) on July 22, 2009 at 11:00am — 2 Comments

Take time to do less, so you can do more!

I am back at work today after a week of camping with friends at the lake. This morning I was up before five AM and was working in my office within an hour. I am excited about being at work and have so many ideas and things finish I am almost bubbling with excitement.

Strange isn’t it? I spend a few days on the lake, sitting around a campfire, boating and floating around the warm water and when I come back I have totally recharged and have twice as much energy as I did when I… Read More

Added by Tim Moore on July 21, 2009 at 1:08pm — 1 Comment

6 Mobile Phone Features That Are Incredibly Useful To Travelers

1. The alarm feature not only can wake you up in the morning, it can provide reminders throughout the day. For example, set it to remind you or family members to take medications, to phone for an airport taxi, or even to remind you that the Country Bear Jamboree begins at 11:00!

2. Load your frequent flier numbers, airline flight numbers, reservation numbers and hotel phone/addresses in your contacts list in the event that you misplace your paper copies.

3. Take advantage… Read More

Added by Geralin Thomas on July 21, 2009 at 9:35am — No Comments

A heartfelt thank you to all of you

Hello to all our wonderful friends! A heartfelt thank you to all of you who have sent messages of support –and birthday wishes—during my time of recovery. It has really meant a lot to me, since incidents like this are so perspective-changing. Before this, never having had any broken bones, etc., I never had a true understanding of what being injured was like, or what the recovery period would involve mentally and physically.

Your reaching out with get well wishes and more… Read More

Added by Barbara Carr Brossman on July 21, 2009 at 12:25am — 2 Comments

The Swine Flu Vaccine Issue - Are You Up To Speed?

DO NOT MISS THIS TONIGHT!

How to Write A Valid Waiver for Vaccines

Starts at 9:00PM tonight

CLICK TO a lot more information on my other blog.

CLG's BREAKING NEWS and COMMENTARY…

Read More

Added by Debby Bruck Homeopath on July 20, 2009 at 3:00pm — No Comments

The more things change…

Demand for American products surged as the country relied on paper currency rather than relying on gold reserves. Technology had opened new vistas for production. Credit had been so readily available that property prices soared setting the stage for trouble.

The President was concerned, warning that, “we are under a bank bubble” that will soon burst.

In fact, 1819 saw the first depression to affect a vigorous American economy and there are many parallels (along with many… Read More

Added by Steve Hand on July 19, 2009 at 10:05am — No Comments

It is Just Around THE CORNER Tavern & Grill

7-18-09 Apex, NC.

I am on an adventure. I am looking for the best breakfast and the best bar food in the Triangle. Yep. Anything comfort food is in this epicurean category. It does not mean I am eating carbs and fat grams all the time by any stretch, a big plate of house salad and a grilled chicken sandwich or egg whites and whole wheat; they all qualify. But if I am falling off the diet wagon, I am playing hard ball. I'm talking potato skins and hash browns. I'm talking food you… Read More

Added by Jim Vogel on July 19, 2009 at 9:30am — No Comments

Brossman’s Social Media & OnLine Resources Directory for Business NC Edition is coming soon!

BROSSMAN’S SOCIAL MEDIA & ONLINE RESOURCES DIRECTORY FOR BUSINESS NC Edition is coming soon! Two years in the making!

Contributors to the First Edition:

Martin Brossman, Success Coach/ Trainer/Author – ProNetworkingOnLine.com

Dave Baldwin, Freelance Writer, Editor, Consultant – Dave-Baldwin.com

Michelle Courtney, Editor, TriangleB2B Magazine – TriangleB2B.com

Whitney Hill, President, Carolina Web Consultants – InternetPeople.net

Pat… Read More

Added by Martin Brossman on July 17, 2009 at 8:00pm — 5 Comments

Seven Tips for Students with a Summer Job

Many students get a summer job during their time off from school. Here are the top seven things the IRS wants everyone to know about income earned while working a summer job.

1. Taxpayers fill out a W-4 when starting a new job. This form is used by employers to determine the amount of tax that will be withheld from your paycheck. Taxpayers with multiple summer jobs will want to make sure all their employers are withholding an adequate amount of taxes to cover their total… Read More

Added by Laurice Hewitt: Tax Accountant on July 17, 2009 at 6:30pm — 2 Comments

One Day Special for MetroZing Readers Only!

You probably already know what a big fan I am of The Clutter Diet, the innovative online program which gives registered members access to professional organizing experts, along with support and motivation to create a realistic, achievable, affordable plan to get organized.

For my readers: a free one-month trial membership!

Valid for today only and limited to the… Read More

Added by Geralin Thomas on July 15, 2009 at 10:10am — No Comments

Inside Idle Thoughts

Apex, NC 7-15-09

I just realized that I have lived in NC for 10 years. On Tuesday July 13, 1999, we rolled into Apex with our stuff. We soon discovered our new home still had wet hardwood. The builder forgot to tell us. We have been Marriott people since that day.

North Carolina is so fun. Street signs change as you drive as often as the direction does. Have you been on 55 West and noted your compass says south?

Where else can you be where getting lost is an… Read More

Added by Jim Vogel on July 15, 2009 at 9:00am — 2 Comments