Welcome, Michele!

by Jack Burke 

High Velocity Communications would like to welcome Michele Miller to our staff. She'll be adding her skills to our staff as an art director.

Miller has more than 15 years’ experience in designing and executing marketing communications programs for various clients. Prior to joining High Velocity Communications, Miller served as Creative Director for JM Family Enterprises, a $10 billion diversified automotive company in Deerfield Beach, Fla. In that position, Miller oversaw creative direction of the company’s marketing programs and managed a nine-person design team.

 Welcome, Michele!

Working with the media beast

by Jack Burke

If you think your business has a great story to tell, one that would make every media outlet knock down your door to get to, ask yourself a couple of key questions:

1. Is it really that unique? You may think X is the greatest thing to ever happen, but maybe X is happening everyday to someone else.

2. What’s in it for the media? Just like most other businesses, media outlets have cut back and slimmed down. They need to make hard decisions on how to use their resources. Covering your event or story might not be a priority.

3. Is this just about you? Media outlets need to tell stories that affect or enlighten their overall audience. Can your story help them do that?

4. Why do you want coverage? Your ego isn’t a good answer. Neither is “building business.” Media outlets do something else besides cover events and do stories. They sell ads. 

A horrible first impression

by Pete Kennedy

Every day I receive a dozen or so photography e-newsletters. They’re more or less spam, but I usually don’t mind. Sometimes we use freelancers, so it’s good to see what’s out there. If the photography is interesting, and the e-mail arrives at the right time, I might take a look—though I usually hit “delete.”

As of today I plan to more aggressively unsubscribe. A photographer’s e-blast arrived this morning. Before I could delete it (or even look at it) I saw a dozen responses. All said something to the effect of “unsubscribe.” Some were much nastier than others.

Apparently, the guy blasted samples of his work without isolating the recipients from one another. The result: Not only did I get his unwanted solicitation, but I also received replies from those who were unhappy to have been contacted. Their irritation grew as they realized they would be getting e-mails throughout the day from those on the e-blast list.

Not exactly the best way to get new business. And not the best way to prevent recipients from selecting “unsubscribe.”

The Flip: From must-have to all-gone

by Jack Burke

Oh, how quickly time flies when it comes to technology. The Flip video camera went on sale in 2007 and quickly dominated the camcorder market.

Two million of the pocket-size, easy-to-use cameras were sold in the first two years, according to this New York Times story. Then, in 2009, the founders cashed out and sold to Cisco Systems, the computer networking giant, for $590 million.

On Tuesday, Cisco announced it was shutting down its Flip video camera division. A lifespan of less than four years, from top of the market to gone completely. In an industry segment where a 10-year-old product (think iPod) is a wizened veteran, a four-year lifespan isn’t surprising. But it’s sobering to think about the devices we use today and wonder which will be obsolete in a few years.

QR code puts builders on the spot

by Pete Kennedy

New Yorkers now have construction site information—including where to file complaints—at their fingertips.

During February, the city started placing QR codes on all construction permits. The codes, similar to barcodes, enable smart phones to instantly access information. A passerby can see the permit, access an app that reads the code, and find information including the architect, contractor, scope of the project and how to file a complaint.

“New Yorkers expect to be able to gather information instantly, and the use of QR codes will allow them to get all information about construction work while standing on the sidewalk,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who visited a construction site to launch the campaign. 

The latest RunReady magazine is out

by Jack Burke

The latest issue of RunReady magazine, a publication for the electric power generation market sponsored by Cat dealers, is available.

In this issue, we take a look at the amazing growth of i/o Data Centers, which delivers digital energy technology for the world's largest enterprises, governments, and service providers.

Another story outlines some of the aftermarket options available to meet current and future Tier 4 requirements. We also look at some of the differences between double conversion and flywheel UPS systems.

RunReady is supported by Caterpillar Dealers throughout North America. To get your copy, talk to your Cat Dealer.

Is a housing shortage on the way?

by Pete Kennedy

There is some good news on the homebuilding front. Shawn Tully, a senior editor for Fortune magazine, believes housing has recovered. And Tully has a good track record: A few years ago he was one of the first to say the housing boom was over. (It was.)

In the most recent issue of Fortune, Tully sings a different tune. “So let's state it simply and forcibly: Housing is back,” he writes. He points to the cost of owning vs. renting, and the demand for housing that will be caused by the dearth of new construction.

A housing shortage—yes, shortage—is heading our way, Tully reports. And he offers up an expert who has inventory numbers to prove the point.

Must be nice not to need new business

by Jack Burke

Exactly one month ago, I went to a trade show. All the people showing their wares were happy to see me, told me all about their great products and got my contact information. So far, so good.

In the month since, I’ve received exactly three follow ups. Three. That’s out of at least 30 vendors who received information.

It could be that business is so good for these vendors can’t handle any new customers. If so, good for them.

If not, why take the time, effort and money to go to a trade show just to ignore potential customers?