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How YP Helps You at Work

Melissa.Korslien — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:12:19 +0000

In college, I was one of those “over-achievers.” My first resume was full of campus involvements. Student Government, Residence Life, tutoring, campus tours – you name it, I had a shirt for it. But then I left college and all those little bullet points behind; I wasn’t really sure what to do with myself. I decided to join the Young Professionals to see if I could fill that involvement void. Over the years, I learned that YP is what you make of it – put in the time and talent and you will reap the rewards.

We all have our reasons for joining the Young Professionals group. Whether for service, social, or networking opportunities, YP is the group to join for our generation. One of the best reasons to be a YP member is that it can help you in your career, and not just as a listing on your resume. Here are a few reasons to keep renewing your membership:

Break Out of your Shell

At work, I sit at a desk all day long. I actually get sore muscles from not moving. I think it’s a human instinct to just collapse on the couch after a day of mental exhaustion. YP activities force me to move out of my comfort zone and into new situations. There’s an event at the bark park – I better take the dog! There’s a 5:01 social at a restaurant – an excuse to go out! The service team is doing bell ringing – I always wanted to do that! These opportunities correlate to my work life in that I am more confident when confronted with spontaneous work situations in and out of the office. It also gives me a chance to bust out of my routine and enjoy the presence of other would-be couch dwellers.

Learn Something

I love learning but I don’t always make the effort to seek out opportunities to try new things. Attending a YP professional development lunch or activity is a great way to get in some brain time on a tight schedule. I then can take that knowledge back to the office and apply it wherever needed – whether it’s team building activities, economic facts, or just business lunch choices.

Raise the Bar

Joining a Young Professionals organization shows your employer that you are willing to take that extra step to be involved in the community and continue to promote the company and its efforts in a positive light. When I nominated my employer for Best Place to Work and we got runner-up, management couldn’t stop talking about it – or me.

Make Connections

The most valued aspect of joining Young Professionals has been the people I’ve met. Not only have I met prospective vendors, partners, or clients, but also great friends! YP is a great place to pass out business cards and really get connected to one another and the community. The more people you meet, the more people that know about you and your potential.

Of course, there are countless ways that YP can help you in other aspects of your life besides work, but if I wrote a column on that – we’d be late to the next event!

Speak up! In what ways has YP helped you at work?

Add “Green” to your Valentine’s Day

laurie.dell — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:51:33 +0000

Red and pink may be the traditional colors of Valentine’s Day, but consider adding “green” to the mix this year.

Here are a few easy ways to show Earth your love this February.

Ditch the store-bought cards. Make your own from recycled paper or other scratch paper! That special touch counts. You can also send electronic greetings or e-cards, or, if your valentine isn’t that tech savvy, you can call them to brighten their day. You can also use your favorite candies to spell out cute little notes for your special valentine!

Recycle your cards. You can use your cards as bookmarks or other pieces of decorations for your office to make it feel loved!

Make treats you can eat with your hands. Eliminate the need to use unnecessary plastic utensils by bringing the office treats you can munch on all day and make everybody’s tummy happy!

Go for organic flowers. Guys, you can still give flowers, but be eco-friendly while doing so. Ask your local florists about eco-friendly flowers.

Choose eco-friendly gifts. Need I say more? Forgo those teddy bears and find some eco-friendly stuffed animals. Better yet, make a gift from your heart with your own hands!

Simply say what you’re feeling. Finally, above all else, the best Valentine’s gift that you can give doesn’t require you to generate any waste at all. It’s simply saying “I love you.”

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Creating A Slogan

Brian — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:11:40 +0000

A good slogan says a little about your company or entices people to come by your store. A great slogan positions your business and motivates customers.

Slogans are the glue that bonds your marketing campaign together. I have identified the main categories of slogans below:

Unique. Every slogan should be unique, and most slogans are registered by law for a given amount of time. Unique in this instance involves giving your business an angle to help gain top-of-the-mind awareness. For example, Taco Bell uses, “Think outside the bun,” to lure people away from McDonald’s. When most people think fast food, they turn to the golden arches. Taco Bell’s slogan positions themselves as different from a burger establishment – and it’s working. In a BusinessWeek survey, 34% of the 500 participants could recall the slogan.

Advantage. If you develop a similar product as your direct competition, your slogan needs to address an advantage. Consumers often ask, “What’s in it for me?” Everyone in the competitive business world thinks they have an edge on the competition. A slogan identifies the advantage and tries to swing public opinion your way. Let’s examine the pick-up truck industry. Recently, Japanese trucks have been infiltrating the traditionally American market. The Toyota Tundra uses the slogan: “The truck that’s changing it all.” The advantage demonstrated here is that Japan is bringing a new and innovative way of thinking to the consumer. Ford counters with the slogan “Built Ford Tough.” The Ford example does two things. One, it fits the rugged desire of consumers by being “tough.” Second, it caters to the consumers’ fear of losing domestic products to foreign countries. Ford is one of the oldest and most recognizable brands in America. Advantage slogans often give a glimpse into company values.

Inquiry. People love to interact and be a part of a specific idea. If you want to know people better, ask questions. A slogan phrased as a question can encourage people to engage your business because they take the question into themselves and in answering it, discover they are interested in what you are marketing. If you ran a business and wanted people to become involved with your product you might have one of the following slogans: “What’s in your wallet?” “Is it in you?” or “Got milk?” These are the slogans for Capital One, Gatorade and California Milk Processor Board. People seeing the slogan would ask the question and think about your brand. They assume that the product should be in their wallet or that they should drink the beverage. Question slogans must be set up in a way to solicit a positive answer, but they serve businesses well when it comes to customer buy-in.

Goal. People have repeatedly shown that we engage in goal setting behavior. A slogan that sets a goal gives people something to work toward in a structured fashion. What they don’t realize is the pursuit of their goal will bring them in direct contact with you. For example, All State’s slogan is “You’re in good hands.” For people purchasing insurance, being taken care of is the goal of making the purchase. In the same BusinessWeek survey, this was the most recalled slogan at 87%. Not only is it a good slogan, but they have used the same slogan for a very long time. The longevity is key for two reasons. One, it produces a higher recall rate because people are more inclined to remember it if they hear it more. Second, an insurance company that uses the same slogan is symbolic of stability. It’s the reason why consumers have investigated this company to see if it can help them reach their goals.

Humor. Comedy works, but be careful. Here are a few things to think about when developing a humorous slogan. Is the slogan a punch line? Remember that this slogan will go on every piece of advertising you do. If you don’t like it when an elder tells the same story every time, think about being that person and saying that joke to thousands of people a day. Some people just hate puns. A radiator company using the slogan, “best place to take a leak,” is funny. For most people, it would stick in their mind and send them to that establishment. But for others, the use of toilet humor could be seen as offensive and actually drive them away from your store. If you want to be humorous, please save the joke for the creative campaign elements. It’s better to be safe, than sorry.

Some tips on making memorable slogans:

Use a rhyme- “Plop. Plop. Fizz. Fizz. Oh What a Relief It Is” (Alka Seltzer)
Use a moniker or nickname- The Big Apple (New York City)
Use a verb with a variable noun – Shift_excellence, Shift_luxury (Nissan)

Creating a slogan requires a professional ability to analyze consumer behaviors and motivating factors that affect your business. With the right slogan, your message will break through the clutter and entice prospects to engage with your business.

What are some of your favorite slogans and why?

Reference: BusinessWeek, David Kiley, “Can You Name That Slogan?” October 14, 2004.

A Few of My Favorite Things…

Emily.Dalzell — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:18:54 +0000

The world of fashion and beauty go hand in hand. Some are odd but strongly appealing combinations (like burgers and fried eggs) and some are more commonplace (like chocolate and peanut butter), but what is so fantastic about these things is that they work. Take a look at my favorite things list to see if your product made the cut and add to your collection of your favorite things.

Two in one. I am all for multitasking when it comes to products. No product does that better than Aveeno with their tinted moisturizer. This lotion + foundation mix also incorporates SPF 30, which will give you a bit of a glow while helping reduce premature wrinkles and your chance of skin cancer. Perfect. Combo.

Lip protection. Add Blistex Lip Medex to your makeup bag and you will never have dry lips again. Makeup artists love this for its ability to quickly hydrate and mix as a base in lip primers. I love it because we live in a dry, cold state.

Shine on. Everyone talks about Clinique’s Black Honey, but I’m telling you Chanel’s “Boy” lipshine is where it’s at. This perfect pinky nude color says “I Mean Business” without making you look like you just stepped out of an ‘80s movie set.

Scents-ible. Remember the craze over the Sweet Pea scent at Bath and Body when you were in fifth grade? Forever Sunshine is the new sweet pea. Happiness in a jar.

For your eyes. Since we can’t all get the recommended 8 hours of sleep a night, cover those dark circles with Garnier’s new skin renew circle roller. This eye care and concealer combo delivers all kinds of nutrients to the skin and provides light concealer coverage.

Nail it down. OPI’s Rainbow Connection polish is like a party on your nails. For super sparkly manicures, add two coats after your favorite polish and shine on.

So there you have it – some of my favorite things for the start of a new year and fabulous you.

Traditional Marketing and Its Demise

Mark.Puppe — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:11:18 +0000

That headline’s bold, but I bet that you’ve amassed an arsenal of supporting evidence without even knowing it. Throwing information at people to convince them—the driving force behind traditional marketing—does everything except win favor. I could try to convince you I’m right, but how ready would you be to accept my point? In fact, you may already be searching Google for something to refute it. So I’ll use some of your own experiences to illustrate why losing the addiction to traditional marketing can help make your next audience an ally rather than a foe.

People don’t like being told what’s important. Actually, I’ll stick my neck out and say that my comment that I would use “your own experiences”—just two sentences ago—pumped a shot of “How can Puppe say anything about me!?” running through your veins. Bingo. Our audience will toss us out the window if they hear us even suggest “we think you…” This marketing approach still floods communication, but that doesn’t mean it works. After all, using broken and improper tools doesn’t create or fix a product; they wreck it.

The DVR. Have you ever seen someone fast forward to commercials? I didn’t think so. Why? People record material they want to see. Interrupting an audience with a glossy, widget-focused sales pitch irritates them to the point that they don’t even care what that widget might be. If you’ve seen one commercial you’ve seen them all.

Online Reviews. Sure, people read the 5-star reviews about a product or service, but remain skeptical enough to scroll through hundreds to find the negative one, “just in case.” The Internet makes it easy to find something incorrect about anything. That means working to convince someone now tends to trigger divisiveness.

Direct Mail. When was the last time you opened a “Sign up for this credit card!” or “Vote for me” mailer? Groups invest tons of money into them, but even if they do get some return, they don’t hear what’s being said, thought and remembered by those who throw them away. It’s costly in many ways and each will be a nail in that marketing tactic’s own casket.

When it comes down to it, traditional marketing can work in particular situations and times, but it’s in our overall best interests to identify with rather than convince the audience.

What is a QR Code and Why do You Need One?

Brian — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 21:29:48 +0000

It seems that more and more people are asking about QR (Quick Response) codes or are interested in implementing them into their marketing.
What can they do for you? QR codes provide a dynamic and interactive element that compels
your audience to take immediate action and engage with your brand. They bridge the gap
between the online world and the world of print advertising. These square-shaped, black-
and-white barcodes engage consumers in real-time marketing when they want it – meaning
they’re more receptive to the information they receive. And lucky for you, QR code scans can
be tracked, so you’ll know who your audience is, where they are, when they scan and what
campaign is the most successful.

Who can use them? To read a QR code, a user must have a barcode scanner that can read
2D barcodes, or a camera phone with the appropriate app installed. The most common way
of scanning a QR code is with a smartphone. Currently, nearly one in six Americans owns a
smartphone. Smartphone users, and those most likely to scan QR codes, span a variety of ages,
demographics and incomes. This means virtually any business can benefit by implementing QR
code technology into their campaigns.

Should you use them? When deciding if you should use a QR code in your marketing, always
consider it from the consumer’s perspective. Is this beneficial to the customer? How can you
make the experience better or easier for them? Explain why the customer should click your QR
code. Many times you’ll see a QR code printed on something with no explanation as to if it will
take them to your website, register them to win a prize or RSVP them to an event.

How can you use them? Like any marketing element, QR codes can be made more effective
by using them in the right way. As the technology advances and becomes more commonplace,
this list will evolve. For those new to QR codes, here are ten good places to start. Use a QR
Code to let customers RSVP for an event; download and use a coupon; fill out a survey; register
for a prize; watch a product demonstration on YouTube; download a smartphone app related to
your product; share content via social media; purchase a product online; compare prices at local
retailers; or read a review.

The opportunities for QR codes are endless and we’ll continue to see them used more often
in more places. That said, it’s important to remember that not everyone has access to this
technology. However you choose to use QR codes for your own marketing campaigns, be sure
your message doesn’t exclude non-smartphone users.

Go Green in the Winter

Carla.Newgard — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:14:44 +0000

Stay warm while making it a “green” winter

Old Man Winter is back in North Dakota. But we don’t have to resign ourselves to sitting in the cold!

We can all have a warm, toasty winter without breaking the bank—and without helping to heat Earth
beyond its comfort level.

During those long winter weekends, check for opportunities to use these tips and improve upon
energy saving efforts. These tips can help you prepare your house for optimal energy saving.

Seal drafts. One of the simplest ways we can stay cozy and save energy is to inspect our houses
for drafts sneaking in from the outside. If you find one, you can seal any leaks with insulation,
caulking, weather stripping, and door snakes, or make your own draft stopper.

Check the entrance. If your attic isn’t insulated, make sure to insulate the entrance so the cold
doesn’t seep into your house from above.

Spread the warmth. Install ceiling fans and set them to rotate clockwise during the winter. This
can help push warmer air down where you can enjoy it.

Dress for the temperature. Set your thermostat to 65 F or lower, and wear layers of warm
cotton clothing in dark colors that absorb light and heat.

Heat it when you need it. Consider investing in a programmable thermostat that fulfills heating
needs around your schedule. Then you can set it so the heat kicks on for a specified amount of
time before you arrive home or before you get up in the mornings.

Have a party! Better yet, invite all of your friends over and have a winter gala. (Who doesn’t
like a party??) Rumor has it that each guest is the equivalent of a 175-watt heater. The more the
merrier—and the toastier!

So while North Dakota turns white, use these tips to stay warm and safe, and to make your
winter green!

Soap Making

Kristine.Ubben — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:12:03 +0000

Explosions and meltdowns—these were parts of the experimentation process of creating handmilled soap. Once, it was made with beef tallow, ashes and lye. Today, we can buy it from the store.

However, if you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make soap, you should talk to Linae Bieber, of Bismarck.

It all started when Bieber had an excess of chamomile she didn’t know what to do with in her garden. Instead of throwing it away, she figured out how to make soap by reading books on the subject. In the beginning, she had a fair amount of trepidation, but since then, chamomile has brought her much success with handmilled soap. Bieber recently offered soap making as an enrichment course through Bismarck State College. “I thought it was a great topic for teaching and I liked to experiment with soap,” Bieber said.

Bieber fuses science and art with this class. One soap-making technique is to use a low-water mold, which can easily be created with a microwave. Bieber’s class used this technique to design soap balls. After grating the soap down with a grater, a small amount of hot or cold water is added to the soap shavings. The mixture is heated and stirred into a pasty consistency, and next, additives such as oatmeal and hibiscus and scents like orange and lavender are stirred in. Once poured into a mold, it quickly hardens, but doesn’t set up.

This method doesn’t require a mold, and the class was able to shape the soap withtheir hands. Finally, with the scraps from the high water molding, the class watchedas Bieber used a beater to make floating soap like ivory. The only differencebetween a regular soap and floating soap is that they beat a lot of air into it, like whipped cream.

Bieber’s soap has gained some renown. She said her family teased her about giving soap for Christmas: “If they were going to tease me about my soap, then they just weren’t going to get any,” Bieber said. But, fans are already lining up on Facebook and she said her friends want some.

Bieber has been an arts teacher for the past 15 years. Before teaching, she owned her own art business in Minneapolis, selling her own work. Recently, she taught a class on Mosaics, and is in her third section this term. Aside from art, Bieber is an Educator at St. Alexius in workforce and technical education. She continues to infuse art, creativity and healing into everything she touches.

Reasonable Doubt

Mark.Puppe — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 20:00:55 +0000

In 2005, a new state law mandated insurance agents to take a three hour ethics course every two years or lose their license. My employer at the time provided continuing education courses and condemned me to teach this one. It was among the most dangerous tasks of my career: people despise being told what’s right and what’s wrong. Nonetheless, the agents were required to attend, the state had codified what ethics meant and staying alive required me to find a way out. Well, I found a way and it’s the opposite of what an ethics class attendee might expect.

We live in a world of skeptics. People want to trust the person sending a message, but they’re also determined to find flaws. So when they find one, telling them it’s not so bad is the most effective to make things worse. The attendees had their own notions of right and wrong and were chomping at the bit to find flaws in the course and the person teaching it. My dilemma: how to communicate that I don’t think anyone can teach “ethics” with a clear conscience.

Irony can build credibility. Attendees expected me to allege unethical conduct, and then assert there’s only one way to do things right. So, rather than purport myself as impeccable and ethical, I shared how the state would take my driver’s license if it knew how many laws I broke to get to their class on time. What does that mean? Inserting some irony into a message can take a fault out of the arsenal of attacks skeptics can’t wait to make; it can actually give our message merit.

Questioning ourselves facilitates trust. Attendees expected an instructor to praise the new law and tout its necessity. However, my explaining how teaching the class scared the dickens out of me gave attendees a sense of authority (something they felt the state had deprived them) and a degree of sympathy for me; they wanted to hear me indict myself more. Relevance? Letting people know that you know they might not want or need your product, service or idea can actually elevate their interest in it.

My research on this subject is in a Rubbermaid somewhere, but these examples at least introduce a point: separating ourselves by ditching the gloss helps connect us to some very likely opponents.

Networking

Michelle.Wall — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:23:28 +0000

Networking events can be very intimidating. However, they can also be a resource thatwill help propel your career to new heights. It is always important to go into the eventwith enthusiasm and have a set goal in your mind. Here are a few more ideas that canmake your next networking experience a successful one.

Arrive early. Treat the event as if you were going to a big appointment. By arrivingearly, you can expect a more intimate setting. Walking into a room filled with people cantend to be intimidating, go early and let the room fill up around you.

Show confidence. Speak confidently, decisively and with authority. If you are confidentand have evidence, people will take notice and recognize that you know what you aretalking about.

Circulate. Don’t just talk to the people that you know. Get out there and go network!

Meet with VIPs or speakers. Compliment them on their speech or tell them about how what they talked about ties in with what you do.

Stay late. This is for the same reason as arriving early; if you stay late, there will befewer people around. It also provides a good time to connect with the coordinator of theevent. Thank him or her for hosting the event. The event coordinator can provide insighton who is in attendance and who might be at the event next time. It’s never too early toprepare for the next event.

Follow up. Connect with the people you met via email, LinkedIn, and Facebook, andkeep the relationship going.