tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69538534041359594482024-02-19T00:22:40.089-06:00RPL Ventures Inc.This is the description found in settings/basic...RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-20633674786617653312008-05-26T10:14:00.005-05:002008-07-30T10:27:56.061-05:00Help WantedWe are STILL looking for a few good people. If you have retail sales experience, print experience, retail management experience and enjoy a fast paced environment then consider the UPS Store Winnipeg Downtown. We have the following openings: Store Manager and Sales Associate. Please send resume and salary expectations to <a href="mailto:gaduke@theupsstore.ca">gaduke@theupsstore.ca</a>.<br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italic">Store Manager, The UPS Store, Downtown Winnipeg & Selkirk</span></span><br /><br />SUMMARY: To manage and be responsible for the successful operation of a The UPS Store franchise in Downtown Winnipeg.<br /><br />ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES<br />Include the following. Other duties may be assigned:<br />• Motivate, train and develop all center associates, focusing on excellent customer service and rapport building.<br />• Ensure that center achieves its targeted revenue projections.<br />• Ensure that the center is fully staffed with a competent team and ensures necessary training to perform job requirements effectively.<br />• Maintain staffing levels to ensure the smooth operation of the center open to close.<br />• Develops the skills of store associates to ensure maximum profit potential.<br />• Maintain a high level of cleanliness and orderliness throughout the center.<br />• Consistently maintain and improve center imaging, impact zones and display areas. Train staff to effectuate the above.<br />• Communicates with General Manager regarding all areas of center operations.<br />• Ensures that operational systems are in compliance with company guidelines.<br />• Pro-actively handles customer concerns to resolution.<br />• Accurately performs daily close-out procedures, general ledger administration, bank deposits and other accounting functions in accordance with company policy and procedure.<br />• Efficiently utilize computer systems in support of communication, reporting and other business requirements.<br />• Plans, prepares and conducts meetings, develops incentive programs and other associate related activities.<br /><br />Requirements<br />To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.<br /><br />Education and/or Experience<br />1 – 5 years retail sales experience. Printing sales, marketing or graphic arts experience preferred. A degree or diploma in related field or equivalent combination of education and experience.<br /><br />Language Skills<br />Ability to use tact and diplomacy to maintain harmonious relationships with customers and co-workers, in person and over the phone.<br /><br />Other Skills and Abilities<br />Ability to lift 50 lbs. regularly. Ability to stand for extended periods of time. Manual hand dexterity required to operate POS, printers/copiers and complete customer paperwork.<br /><br />Salary<br />We offer a generous base salary plus commission and bonus. A successful manager can expect to earn $50k upwards. Salary is unlimited for the right person.<br /><br />This is an excellent opportunity for the right person. Please send resume to <a href="mailto:gaduke@theupsstore.ca">gaduke@theupsstore.ca</a>.<br /><br /><span style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-STYLE: italicfont-size:130%;" >Store Associate, The UPS Store, Downtown Winnipeg</span><br /><br />The UPS Store, Canada's leading franchiser of business services, has an excellent opportunity for a customer service associate in a fast-paced, upbeat and fun team environment. We have 3 locations in Downtown Winnipeg with open full-time positions available.<br /><br />The ideal candidate will have at least six months retail experience, must be customer service oriented, well organized and possess excellent attention to detail skills. The candidate must also be dependable, professional and be able to lift up to 50lbs safely. Experience with Microsoft Office and other office equipment is desired. Graphic arts skills and related software experience is a plus.<br /><br />Compensation consists of an hourly wage plus additional team bonuses and commissions, depending upon your experience. We are an equal opportunity employer with friendly, diverse and professional staff members.<br /><br />Please send resume and salary expectations to jwilliamhogan@theupsstore.ca.<div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-69494355150809214152008-04-19T19:46:00.002-05:002008-04-19T19:50:33.851-05:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.winnipegadsheet.ca/images/h_banner.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://www.winnipegadsheet.ca/images/h_banner.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>There are <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">5,000</span></strong> businesses in downtown Winnipeg.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"> <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">70,000</span></strong> people work downtown.<strong>*</strong><br /><br /> <strong class="txt1">Thinking of advertising in downtown Winnipeg?</strong><br /><br /> Then consider <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">winnipeg</span><span style="font-size:+1;">AD</span><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">sheet</span></strong>. <!-- <img src="images/1title2.gif" class="title" alt="" /> <span>release date: 22.06.2007 / 17:14:32<br />client: <strong>Companyname</strong></span> <img src="images/1f1.jpg" class="ind_img" alt="" /> --> <span>Why? winnipegADsheet will reach <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">5,000</span></strong> businesses in postal codes R3A, R3B, R3C & R2A. Winnipeg's largest corporations are located downtown including Cargill, the Governments of Canada, Manitoba and Winnipeg, James Richardson & Sons, Great-West Life, Manitoba Public Insurance, Manitoba Hydro...<br /><br /></span> <!-- <img src="images/1title3.gif" class="title" alt="" /> --> <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">To the point...</span></strong><br /><br /> <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">What:</span></strong> We publish the winnipegADsheet monthly, featuring Business-Business, Automotive, Retail and Health adsheets.<br /><br /> <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">Location, location, location:</span></strong> We distribute in Downtown Winnipeg, reaching <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">5,000</span></strong> Winnipeg businesses (every business in postal codes R3A, R3B, R3C and R2A), who employ <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">70,000</span></strong> Winnipeggers.<br /><br /> <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">Frequency:</span></strong> We publish once a month, every month.<br /><br /> <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">Economy:</span></strong> A winnipegADsheet card sized ad reaching <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">5,000</span></strong> downtown Winnipeg businesses and up to <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">70,000</span></strong> Winnipeggers will cost as little as $0.003 cents each.<br /><br /><br />To learn more about <strong><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">winnipeg</span><span style="font-size:+1;">AD</span><span style="font-size:+1;color:#94c804;">sheet</span></strong> click here. <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.winnipegadsheet.ca/index.html">CLICK...</a><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-61907319014636043692008-04-04T07:32:00.002-05:002008-04-04T07:38:53.501-05:00<h2 class="posttitle" id="post-2013"><a href="http://positivesharing.com/2008/03/top-5-reasons-why-the-customer-is-always-right-is-wrong/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to Top 5 reasons why “The customer is Always Right” is wrong">Top 5 reasons why “The customer is Always Right” is wrong</a></h2><img src="http://positivesharing.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/07/surprise.jpg" alt="The customer is always right?" /> <h2>When the customer isn’t right - for your business</h2>by Alex Kjerulf<br /><blockquote><p>One woman who frequently flew on Southwest, was constantly disappointed with every aspect of the company’s operation. In fact, she became known as the “Pen Pal” because after every flight she wrote in with a complaint. </p> <p>She didn’t like the fact that the company didn’t assign seats; she didn’t like the absence of a first-class section; she didn’t like not having a meal in flight; she didn’t like Southwest’s boarding procedure; she didn’t like the flight attendants’ sporty uniforms and the casual atmosphere.</p> <p>Her last letter, reciting a litany of complaints, momentarily stumped Southwest’s customer relations people. They bumped it up to Herb’s [Kelleher, CEO of Southwest] desk, with a note: ‘This one’s yours.’ </p> <p>In sixty seconds, Kelleher wrote back and said, ‘Dear Mrs. Crabapple, We will miss you. Love, Herb.’”</p></blockquote> <p>The phrase “The customer is always right” was originally coined by Harry Gordon Selfridge, the founder of Selfridge’s department store in London in 1909, and is typically used by businesses to:</p> <ol><li>Convince customers that they will get good service at this company</li><li>Convince employees to give customers good service</li></ol> <p>Fortunately more and more businesses are abandoning this maxim - ironically because it leads to bad customer service.</p> <p>Here are the top five reasons why “The customer is always right” is wrong.</p> <p><span id="more-2013"></span></p> <h2>1: It makes employees unhappy</h2> <p>Gordon Bethune is a brash Texan (as is Herb Kelleher, coincidentally) who is best known for turning Continental Airlines around “From Worst to First,” a story told in his book of the same title from 1998. He wanted to make sure that both customers and employees liked the way Continental treated them, so he made it very clear that the maxim “the customer is always right” didn’t hold sway at Continental.</p> <p>In conflicts between employees and unruly customers he would consistently side with his people. Here’s how he puts it:</p> <blockquote><p>When we run into customers that we can’t reel back in, our loyalty is with our employees. They have to put up with this stuff every day. Just because you buy a ticket does not give you the right to abuse our employees . . . </p> <p>We run more than 3 million people through our books every month. One or two of those people are going to be unreasonable, demanding jerks. When it’s a choice between supporting your employees, who work with you every day and make your product what it is, or some irate jerk who demands a free ticket to Paris because you ran out of peanuts, whose side are you going to be on? </p> <p>You can’t treat your employees like serfs. You have to value them . . . If they think that you won’t support them when a customer is out of line, even the smallest problem can cause resentment.</p></blockquote> <p>So Bethune trusts his people over unreasonable customers. What I like about this attitude is that it balances employees and customers, where the “always right” maxim squarely favors the customer - which is not a good idea, because, as Bethune says, it causes resentment among employees. </p> <p>Of course there are plenty of examples of bad employees giving lousy customer service. But trying to solve this by declaring the customer “always right” is counter-productive.</p> <h2>2: It gives abrasive customers an unfair advantage</h2> <p>Using the slogan “The customer is always right” abusive customers can demand just about anything - they’re right by definition, aren’t they? This makes the employees’ job that much harder, when trying to rein them in.</p> <p>Also, it means that abusive people get better treatment and conditions than nice people. That always seemed wrong to me, and it makes much more sense to be nice to the nice customers to keep <em>them</em> coming back.</p> <h2>3: Some customers are bad for business</h2> <p>Most businesses think that “the more customers the better”. But some customers are quite simply bad for business.</p> <p>Danish IT service provider ServiceGruppen proudly tell this story:</p> <blockquote><p> One of our service technicians arrived at a customer’s site for a maintenance task, and to his great shock was treated very rudely by the customer.</p> <p>When he’d finished the task and returned to the office, he told management about his experience. They promptly cancelled the customer’s contract.</p></blockquote> <p>Just like Kelleher dismissed the irate lady who kept complaining (but somehow also kept flying on Southwest), ServiceGruppen fired a bad customer. Note that it was not even a matter of a financial calculation - not a question of whether either company would make or lose money on that customer in the long run. It was a simple matter of respect and dignity and of treating their employees right.</p> <h2>4: It results in <em>worse</em> customer service</h2> <p>Rosenbluth International, a corporate travel agency, took it even further. CEO Hal Rosenbluth wrote an excellent book about their approach called <a href="http://positivesharing.com/2003/01/book-review-the-customer-comes-second">Put The Customer Second - Put your people first and watch’em kick butt</a>.</p> <p>Rosenbluth argues that when you put the employees first, they put the customers first. Put employees first, and they will be happy at work. Employees who are happy at work give better customer service because:</p> <ul><li>They care more about other people, including customers</li><li>They have more energy</li><li>They are happy, meaning they are more fun to talk to and interact with</li><li>They are more motivated</li></ul> <p>On the other hand, when the company and management consistently side with customers instead of with employees, it sends a clear message that:</p> <ul><li>Employees are not valued</li><li>That treating employees fairly is not important</li><li>That employees have no right to respect from customers</li><li>That employees have to put up with everything from customers</li></ul> <p>When this attitude prevails, employees stop caring about service. At that point, real good service is almost impossible - the best customers can hope for is fake good service. You know the kind I mean: corteous on the surface only.</p> <h2>5: Some customers are just plain wrong</h2> <p>Herb Kelleher agrees, as this passage From <a href="http://positivesharing.com/2003/01/book-review-nuts">Nuts! the excellent book about Southwest Airlines</a> shows:</p> <blockquote><p>Herb Kelleher […] makes it clear that his employees come first — even if it means dismissing customers. But aren’t customers always right? “No, they are not,” Kelleher snaps. “And I think that’s one of the biggest betrayals of employees a boss can possibly commit. The customer is sometimes wrong. We don’t carry those sorts of customers. We write to them and say, ‘Fly somebody else. Don’t abuse our people.’”</p></blockquote> <p>If you still think that the customer is always right, read this story from Bethune’s book “From Worst to First”:</p> <blockquote><p>A Continental flight attendant once was offended by a passenger’s child wearing a hat with Nazi and KKK emblems on it. It was pretty offensive stuff, so the attendant went to the kid’s father and asked him to put away the hat. “No,” the guy said. “My kid can wear what he wants, and I don’t care who likes it.”</p> <p>The flight attendant went into the cockpit and got the first officer, who explained to the passenger the FAA regulation that makes it a crime to interfere with the duties of a crew member. The hat was causing other passengers and the crew discomfort, and that interfered with the flight attendant’s duties. The guy better put away the hat.</p> <p>He did, but he didn’t like it. He wrote many nasty letters. We made every effort to explain our policy and the federal air regulations, but he wasn’t hearing it. He even showed up in our executive suite to discuss the matter with me. I let him sit out there. I didn’t want to see him and I didn’t want to listen to him. He bought a ticket on our airplane, and that means we’ll take him where he wants to go. But if he’s going to be rude and offensive, he’s welcome to fly another airline.</p></blockquote> <p>The fact is that some customers are just plain wrong, that businesses are better of without them, and that managers siding with unreasonable customers over employees is a very bad idea, that results in worse customer service.</p> <p>So put your people first. And watch them put the customers first.</p><h2 id="post-671">About Alexander Kjerulf</h2> <p><img style="width: 190px; height: 197px;" src="http://positivesharing.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/jumping3.jpg" alt="Alexander Kjerulf" align="right" />Alex is the world’s leading expert on <em>happiness at work</em>. He has long known that happiness at work is the most important factor that contributes to good careers, happy lives and business success.</p><div id="content"> <p>Here’s how you can contact Alex.</p> <p>Alexander Kjerulf<br />Phone: +45 70 26 26 47<br />Email: alexander@kjerulf.com<br />Skype: alexanderkjerulf</p> <p>Address:<br />Tagensvej 126, lejl. 613<br />2200, Copenhagen N<br />Denmark</p><p><a href="http://positivesharing.com/2008/03/top-5-reasons-why-the-customer-is-always-right-is-wrong/">Source</a><br /></p> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-41470012888867810042008-02-26T13:04:00.001-06:002008-02-27T13:55:19.152-06:00FOURTEEN WAYS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJrCGill-saZyWFZHW2L2wQvU2U3hs6IsVWEHbEwLNuV_OdpxyfzQEXj2om7z6rP0Q3O3wnnNl0sJ79WoLFBOAGAWY1m9wR4NIoabZcvHtgOKIjhTC0OGDpmBFaRLPmNLvKVBZnnLtnE/s1600-h/productivity.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 379px; height: 287px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAJrCGill-saZyWFZHW2L2wQvU2U3hs6IsVWEHbEwLNuV_OdpxyfzQEXj2om7z6rP0Q3O3wnnNl0sJ79WoLFBOAGAWY1m9wR4NIoabZcvHtgOKIjhTC0OGDpmBFaRLPmNLvKVBZnnLtnE/s200/productivity.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5126452667944297602" border="0" /></a>The idea of increasing productivity and efficiency often brings up images of someone with a stopwatch timing every activity with a watchful eye. Henry Ford first used the talent of an efficiency expert to build cars faster and more economically. What resulted was the assembly line where the same motion is repeated over and over to eliminate any wasted motion. You don't have to work on an assembly line to take advantage of the time-saving tips they offered, however. By taking a little time to plan and prepare, you can find extra hours in your day to complete the work you want to do and still have fun. These useful and effective exercises will only be beneficial if you are productive and efficient with your time. Victor Hugo says, "He who every morning plans the transactions of the day and follows out that plan, carries a thread that will guide him through the labyrinth of the most busy life." <p>Listed below are ways to use your time in the most productive way possible:</p> <ol><li><strong>Plan your work.</strong><br />Plan your work and work your plan. Set aside 10 to 15 planning minutes at the start of each day or at the end of your day to create a to-do list for your upcoming activities and you will know what your important tasks are before you start the day. This advance planning can save more than an hour a day.<br /><br />Action step: Take a moment right now and decide which time of the day is best for you to set aside for this planning period. Whether it's 6:00 a.m. or midnight, commit to a time period now.</li><br /><li><strong>Use time efficiently.</strong><br />Be productive with your time. Remember, we all have exactly the same number of hours each day as were given to Helen Keller, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Da Vinci and Einstein.<br /><br />Action step: You can use time waiting for appointments or waiting in line to catch up on material you need to read and use today's tools to greatly increase productivity. Look at the activities that fill your day and determine ways they could either be done more efficiently or eliminated. By shaving minutes off of several tasks throughout the day, you can free up a larger block of time later. Think of two ways you could save time in your daily schedule. </li><br /><li><strong>Use your most productive hours for your most important tasks.</strong><br />Some of us are early risers, and others are night owls. If you need time to wake and truly get started in the day, don't attempt to force an early morning deadline into your schedule. Ask yourself, "What do I need to get done today in order to feel complete?" and "When am I most productive?" Focus more on what is important and less on how fast you are going. Spend 20 percent of your day on the most important tasks and you will accomplish 80 percent of your results.<br /><br />Action step: Choose a daily goal you want to achieve and decide what time of the day you have the most energy or creativity to get the job done. Commit that time to your goal. List one sample goal here to get you started:</li><br /><li><strong>Prioritize your most important activities.</strong><br />Write down the important tasks and set them in order of priority. Focus on only the three most important projects. What are the most important tasks?<br /><br /> <ul><li>If I can only accomplish one item today, which will it be? </li><li>Is this activity the best use of my time, knowledge, creativity, and experience? </li></ul><br />Concentrate on the most important activity until it's finished. After completing this task, recheck your priorities and tackle the next most important one. This process leads to a greater sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. Schedule appointments with yourself to work on the projects that are most important to you.<br /><br /> Action step: Think of those tasks you want to accomplish and write the top three here in order of importance:</li><br /><li><strong>Start now.</strong><br />However big your long-term project may seem, it's important to begin. Hesitancy, fear, and self-doubt fade with action. For example, if you want to write a book, write one word on a piece of paper. Expand this one word into a sentence, then a paragraph, and before long you will complete the entire chapter. What steps can you take now? Don't wait; do it!<br /><br />Action step: List a first step you can take for the number one task you listed above. Commit to taking action on that first step today.</li><br /><li><strong>Say no to small projects.</strong><br />Learn to say no to activities that may seem urgent but distract you from accomplishing your important, long-range projects. If you spend the majority of your energy putting out fires, you'll never find the time for the important activities in your life. Action step: When someone asks you to do something that doesn't specifically need YOUR particular touch, memorize this phrase and say it with a smile: "Oh, I'm sorry. I'm afraid I don't have the time to take care of that in the way it deserves. Thank you for thinking of me". </li><li><strong>Take baby steps.</strong><br />Many long-term projects are never started because the whole endeavor seems so daunting. We take on the entire project all at once and overwhelm ourselves. Take small steps that you know you can accomplish. The more realistic your expectations the better. When you gain momentum, you can let the energy and excitement of the project take over, and you'll be fully engaged.<br /><br />Action step: Look at the number one task you chose and the first step you listed above. Break that step into its smallest components and work on the first one of those.</li><br /><li><strong>Organize life on a weekly basis.</strong><br />On Sunday evening, plan your long-term projects for the week. During the week, spend time each day focusing on prioritized projects, and you'll be pleasantly surprised with the results. Integrate aspects of the long-term goals into your daily to-do list, and you will accomplish your most important projects.<br /><br /> Action step: Choose a quiet place and plot out your activities in a daily planner for the week ahead.</li><br /><li><strong>Carve out time for non-urgent activities.</strong><br /> Schedule time during your day when you work only on non-urgent activities (For example, phone, e-mail, paying bills).<br /><br />Action step: Try to set aside a 30-minute period when you don't have a project deadline filling your mind. The best time may be after a break or meal when you can come to this task fresh.</li><br /><li><strong>Using an as-you-go task system.</strong><br />As activities and information come into your day, complete them on an as-you-go basis, instead of putting them on your to-do list to complete later.<br /><br />Action step: Your goal should be to "handle it once" and then be done with it. This increases your productivity and also enhances your sense of accomplishment when you see all the tasks you have completed. </li><li><strong>Treat each day as unique.</strong><br />As you schedule each day, take into consideration the most appropriate activity for that day. Fridays might be your creative, planning days, while Mondays can be for organizing. Action step: Look at the activities that fill your days and try to group them by what you do. For example, by organizing all of your errands on one day and your creative pursuits on another day, you can increase productivity and efficiency on all fronts. List the activities that take up the major part of your day and see if you can group several similar tasks into a specific day or time period.<br /><br /> </li><li><strong>Manage your voice mail and email messages twice daily.</strong><br />Allow for two discrete sessions per day to check and respond to voice mail messages and email messages. During these sessions you will be doing only this activity and nothing else. Sort your phone calls and emails into low and high priority. During the rest of the day you will limit use of your phone and email in order to focus only on the project at hand.<br /><br />Action step: Decide the time frame that works best for you. Possibly first thing in the morning and right after lunch, or just before lunch and just before the end of the workday. Write down the times of day you think will work best for you.</li><br /><li><strong>Take breaks.</strong><br />When your energy level drops or you are becoming too reactive to others, take time to rejuvenate yourself by taking a break.<br /><br />Action step: A break may involve physically moving away from the work area and getting some fresh air, listening to some relaxing music, or talking with a friend. Find something that helps you recharge. List some activities that rejuvenate you.</li><br /><li><strong>Have an end of day review.</strong><br />Review your to-do list to examine what you accomplished, what you could have done more efficiently, and what you need to get done tomorrow.<br /><br />Action step: Look at your daily planner and actually check off those items you've completed. This will give you a great sense of accomplishment and help you determine those tasks that require more time than originally anticipated.</li><br /><br /><table align="center" bgcolor="#f5f5f5" border="0" cellpadding="10" cellspacing="0" width="80%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="margin-left: 10px;" 10=""> <p> Copyright 2004, Joel Garfinkle, All Rights Reserved<br />Joel Garfinkle leads managers and executives to higher levels of professional and personal achievement. Partial client list includes: BofA, HP, GAP, Citigroup, and Eli Lilly. Visit Joel on the web at <a href="http://www.garfinkleexecutivecoaching.com/">Garfinkle Executive Coaching</a><a href="http://www.garfinkleexecutivecoaching.com/" style="color: rgb(128, 0, 0);">.</a><br /> </p> <hr width="50%"></td> </tr> </tbody></table></ol><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-3566773668690386152008-01-10T12:37:00.002-06:002008-02-19T10:12:39.612-06:00<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Time Limited Sale</span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">$100 off</span></span></span></span><br /><br /></div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Any print order. On orders of $1000 or higher.<br /></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><br />This week only.</span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;color:black;" ><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;color:black;" ><span style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Offer good for the week of February 19 through February 23, 2008.<br /></span></span></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-family:arial;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">For more details and to order, contact any of our four stores...</span></p><div style="text-align: left;font-family:arial;"><ul><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">The Shops of <st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on"><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on"><st1:street st="on"><st1:address st="on">Winnipeg Square, 958-4240</st1:address></st1:street><u1:p></u1:p></st1:address></st1:street><u2:p></u2:p></st1:address></st1:street><o:p></o:p></span></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">cityplace, St. Mary & Hargrave, 958-4243<u1:p></u1:p><u2:p></u2:p><o:p></o:p></span></li><li style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:130%;">Downtown West, 955 Portage, 784-6500<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">63B Main Street, Selkirk, 204-452-4960</span></span></li></ul></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-90394249078356725942007-12-06T09:16:00.000-06:002007-12-06T09:49:59.712-06:00HOW TO SURVIVE THE YEAR END CRUNCH<div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaby1uKUohsOwuqbchGGYyTLH-ckCijwJgX8d2gPU_X5SbFH4XNcG4GY09We-D8lVxp3qyEPRU3UwwejELfjUJ1sbG3nSq2SLLY60gmdHJjDFpSlNDQPr1W5xBxIHStASidoEvHMd1VVo/s1600-h/stress.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaby1uKUohsOwuqbchGGYyTLH-ckCijwJgX8d2gPU_X5SbFH4XNcG4GY09We-D8lVxp3qyEPRU3UwwejELfjUJ1sbG3nSq2SLLY60gmdHJjDFpSlNDQPr1W5xBxIHStASidoEvHMd1VVo/s400/stress.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140885887573627682" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >Every year at this time business struggles with the dreaded year end crunch. That means there are too many things to do but not enough time and resources to do them.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >With the holiday season upon us, staff vacations and not enough money in the budget, how to cope?</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >We can help. We are your Business Services specialists. We know what you need to get done and we have the staff and skills to meet your needs.</span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >You're shorthanded. But the big Christmas mailing still needs to get out. Why not save the hair-graying and have us do it. We can print, stuff and mail your Christmas proj</span><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >ect, on time and affordably. Just give us a call.</span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >At year end your budget is tight. But your work still needs to get done. If you have a business services need, be it printing or copying, mailing, word processing, newsletter creation and distribution... Give us a call. We'll deliver, ensuring you can enjoy your holiday worry-free.</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Of course many companies have a year-end budget surplus as well. We can help by providing you with a print card in any denomination. By prepurchasing today you can enjoy the cost savings benefit tomorrow. Contact any of our Winnipeg Downtown and Interlake locations to find out what options we have available to you.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">You have that HUGE print job that must be done before Santa arrives. We have the capacity to handle just about any size job, and we can meet your delivery needs. If sleeping stress free is important to you, why not give us a call.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">You don't need any more stress in your life at this time of year -- and we thrive on stress. Why not give us your stress-inducing business service projects and enjoy the holidays the way they were meant to enjoy.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The UPS Store Winnipeg Downtown and The UPS Store Interlake, Your Business Services Specialist’s, </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Wish You a Wonderful Holiday Season full of Warmth, Joy and Magical Moments.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Happy Holidays from The UPS Store Winnipeg Downtown and The UPS Store Interlake!</span></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-89395063342598051042007-10-06T06:58:00.001-05:002007-10-22T11:22:17.389-05:00Identity Theft: A Most Personal Kind of Theft<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0er8l6MfPJ0gNhWfcuqVX40Acxl-zUVxkggvyzUXjTosAjZK9XIMyXgMPqL1qlw6_TiaIfFBGZCU7b7arG2sMUCjvTW0dXe_l2cewKYh98_FPq7CGUw3xP27ipk2jZcinhsWOOaI7CjI/s1600-h/IdentityTheft.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0er8l6MfPJ0gNhWfcuqVX40Acxl-zUVxkggvyzUXjTosAjZK9XIMyXgMPqL1qlw6_TiaIfFBGZCU7b7arG2sMUCjvTW0dXe_l2cewKYh98_FPq7CGUw3xP27ipk2jZcinhsWOOaI7CjI/s400/IdentityTheft.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5118194634455166226" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="">by Licia Corbella</span></span><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">"A good name, like good will, is got by many actions and lost by one." - Lord Jeffery Amherst (1717-1797) <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">That adage has likely never been more true than today even though morals have slackened to the point where the vulgar, crass and immoral often seem to be the most revered in this age of celebrity worship. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">Rather, a good name nowadays can simply be stolen by crooks in a crime that can destroy lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">Identity theft is one of the fastest growing areas of crime in the world as more of our personal information is stored on computers that are vulnerable to hackers. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">The only thing that isn't fast, it seems, is the response so far by legislators to keep pace with these hi-tech criminals and to therefore protect citizens against this often devastating crime -- a crime that can rob someone not just of their good name, but their good credit rating and much more. The ramifications are immense. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">On Tuesday, </span><span style="">Canada's </span><span style="">federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said the Conservative government will change the laws in order to make it illegal for thieves to collect and keep other peoples' personal information, even before it is used to steal from those individuals. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">Currently, these identity thieves can only be charged if they use the personal information to commit fraud and steal. That means those who collect the information and then sell it to other criminals, cannot be prosecuted. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">It is a gaping hole in our legal system that needs to be quickly sewn up. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">In Canada last year, more than $290 million in credit card fraud was reported to the major credit card companies. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">The Interac Association, reports that almost $95 million in debit card fraud occurred last year alone. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">Often this crime was done by store clerks who would use a hidden skimming machine to collect the cards' data onto other fraudulent cards. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">This is legislation all of the political parties in Ottawa should work to pass as quickly as possible. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">After all, to respond to that famous question: "What's in a name?," the answer is: our very identity.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">Lucia Corbella, Winnipeg Sun, October 6, 2007</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;">For more information on ID security, visit one of our three The UPS Store Winnipeg Downtown locations or <a href="http://www.theupsstore.ca/article.aspx?aid=318">click here</a>. Or if you are in the Interlake region call or visit our Selkirk location.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 6pt; line-height: normal;">When you use mailbox services at The UPS Store, you get security, convenience, professionalism and other services to help run your business (or your personal life) more efficiently.<br /><br />Discover the benefits of mailbox services at The UPS Store:<br /></p><ul><li><strong>A real street address, not a P.O. Box</strong><br />A street address can provide a professional image for your business.</li><li><strong>Secure, 24-hour access</strong><br />Pick up your mail when it’s convenient for you. Your mail and packages stay safe and confidential.</li><li><strong>Package notification</strong><br />We’ll let you know when your packages arrive.</li><li><strong>Full-service mail and package receiving</strong><br />We accept packages from all carriers, so you’ll never miss a delivery.</li><li><strong>Mail holding and forwarding</strong><br />We’ll hold your packages in a secure location for pick-up at your convenience or forward them to you, wherever you are.</li></ul> <strong>Call-in MailCheck®</strong><br />Save time. Save a trip. Call us to find out if you have mail. <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=""> <o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-11526683128591745792007-09-26T10:39:00.000-05:002007-09-26T11:09:19.712-05:00Small Business Week 2007<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bdc.ca/en/about/events_publications/small_business_week/default.htm"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuFEQoyvwKGZwL6S7KTic1qNd9aJsNWYMIgx2fQyP0PkR_nacujlHptaYLCjK6dEnkx6zxnfkoAxnBS5Nic9yGk8_SyEfx0ZooVaLOKU51NJYWPZ9g29lUKye5n56RrII1FGJQzjhvVHY/s200/bdc+small+business+week+graphic.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5114539754725223666" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Did you know October 14 - 20, 2007 is small business week?<br /><br />As a small business professional, we know you are under constant pressure to increase profits. We know you have little (if any) time to spend on print and copy projects.<br /><br />We are fully prepared to come to your rescue with a full range of document services. Look to us for:<br /></span><ul style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><li><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Experienced staff will provide personable, efficient and reliable service. Our staff has been specially trained to provide the level of quality and accuracy our small business clients expects and deserves when it comes to document services.</span></li><li><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >Full-colour and black-and-white digital printing and copying</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Flyer's, newsletters, brochures, manuals, business cards, stationary, and more</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Large format printing and copying</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Commercial printing </span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">File delivery either in person or by email</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">A range of finishing options</span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Shipping of documents around the world<br /></span></li></ul><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >If you are looking for a business services company you can trust with personalized service, look no further than The UPS Store Winnipeg Downtown for quality, reliable service at a fair price.<br /><br />_____________________________________________<br /><br />The Manitoba Home Business Advisory Council is hosting a seminar to coincide with small business week. Details follow.<br /><br />When: October 19, 2007 ,8:00 am - 4:00 pm<br /></span><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:100%;">Where: Winnipeg Convention Centre, Pan Am Room, 2nd Floor,375 York, Winnipeg<br /><br /><strong>Small Business Week Event</strong><br /><br />Organized by: Manitoba Home Business Advisory Council<br /><br />Spend all or part of the day taking advantage of seminars and panels about tax tips, marketing, financial management, benefit packages for home businesses, legal considerations, online advertising and email marketing.<br /><br />Meet people who are actually running their own home based businesses and find out for yourself what challenges and opportunities a home business presents.<br /><br />If you have a home based business or are thinking of starting one, don't miss this event!<br /><br />Cost is $25 and includes seminars, panels, coffee & lunch!<br /><br /><strong>Click on this link to register:</strong> <a href="http://www.homebusinessmanitoba.ca/" title="http://www.homebusinessmanitoba.ca/"><strong><span style="text-decoration: none;">www.homebusinessmanitoba.ca</span></strong></a><o:p></o:p></span> </p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>or contact:</strong><br />Janine Guinn, Conference Coordinator<br />Manitoba Home Business Advisory Council<br />Ph: 771-7280</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-65300423213068903612007-09-13T09:17:00.000-05:002007-09-13T09:56:35.645-05:007 Client Interaction Blunders That Blow It Every Time<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOTEgZLxMKVZPA6N88WIVZSUf_o5cTXSj1IerK6OmJQAJnB7r2uDJag3atbfIbh1GKfKMusWybQuJo9mc6b7whStIf9PlkZJMBrokUUmhXOkk5kWsutSwc_wa4Cl0Bk5MIlob1oDmrog/s1600-h/first+impression.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOTEgZLxMKVZPA6N88WIVZSUf_o5cTXSj1IerK6OmJQAJnB7r2uDJag3atbfIbh1GKfKMusWybQuJo9mc6b7whStIf9PlkZJMBrokUUmhXOkk5kWsutSwc_wa4Cl0Bk5MIlob1oDmrog/s200/first+impression.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5109697171129286290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >by gerry riskin</span><br /> <p>I am asked frequently why some lawyers create such amazing rapport with their clients. Much of this stems from the art of the first impression. The first client interaction is more about not making a bad impression than it is making a good one.</p> <p>Here are 7 first client interaction blunders that virtually guarantee you <span style="font-style: italic;">won’t</span> develop healthy client rapport:<br /></p><ol><li>Talking only about yourself </li><li>Revealing too much </li><li>Not listening </li><li>Not looking your best </li><li>Trying to be cool or aloof </li><li>Not being yourself</li><li>Not listening to your gut</li></ol><span style="font-size:85%;">Gerry Riskin, B.Com. LLB, P. Admin, is a Canadian lawyer and Business School graduate with a global</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> reputation and is a co-founder of</span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-family:arial;"> <a href="http://www.edge.ai/index.html">Edge International</a>.<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">RPL Ventures Inc. will scour the earth in our attempt to provide you with features and articles of value to you and germane to your business. If there are items of interest to you that you don't see here and you want us to include them in this forum, please contact us. We're only too happy to accommodate you.</span></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">© 2007 RPL Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-5429661572192392752007-09-10T17:49:00.000-05:002007-09-13T09:52:47.207-05:00Small Business Corner-Avoid HR burnout<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.newscanada.com/article_images/44729.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 158px; height: 229px;" src="http://www.newscanada.com/article_images/44729.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><div style="width: 140px; float: right; margin-top: 0.25em; margin-left: 0.5em; text-align: left; font-family: arial;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em;"> </div> </div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">(NC)-Everyone knows it's the people that make or break a business especially a small business - and most entrepreneurs say human resources issues keep them awake at night. The trouble is most entrepreneurs don't have the time or the know-how to manage their human resources (HR) needs. </span></span> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Employees want their HR issues addressed quickly and efficiently, regardless of the size of the business," says Rod Dobson, president of ADP Canada. "Disorganized HR practices often lead to employee departures, which can be a major distraction for the entrepreneur." </span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Even with the help of an employee entirely responsible for HR, the burden is quite significant, especially when that individual additionally handles things like accounting, scheduling, office management and payroll. </span></p> <p style="font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It's a myth that only large companies can afford to outsource HR-related processes. Countless small businesses are taking advantage of employer services companies for a broad range of affordable, tailor-made services, such as: </span></p> <ul><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Employee record-keeping </span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Management of salaries and pay grades </span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Tracking employee benefits and absence plans </span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Documentation of employee performance and attendance </span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Management of government compliance requirements </span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Streamlining recruiting and hiring </span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Development of strategic career and succession plans </span></li><li><span style="font-size:100%;">Link-ups to payroll systems. </span></li></ul> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">"Entrepreneurs don't get into business because they like dealing with administration and HR related issues," says Dobson. "In fact, most business owners tell us every minute they spend on HR is another minute they're not out building their company."</span></span> <script><!-- D(["mb","\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp\>More information about this topic is available online at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.adp.ca\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\>www.adp.ca\u003c/a\>.\n\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp\>Credit: \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.newscanada.com\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\>www.newscanada.com\u003c/a\>\n\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp\>Word Count: 247\u003c/p\>\n\u003chr size\u003d\"1\" width\u003d\"100%\"\>\n\u003cp\>\u003cu\>Terms of Use\u003c/u\>\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp\>Articles are provided free of charge. Articles appearing on web sites, must credit \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.newscanada.com\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\>www.newscanada.com\u003c/a\>. 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Usage of News Canada articles constitutes your acceptance of these terms and an agreement between you and News Canada.\u003c/p\>\n\u003chr size\u003d\"1\" width\u003d\"100%\"\>\n\u003cp\>Image Instructions - Note: Illegal to use without News Canada editorial.\u003c/p\>\n\u003cp\>To open/download image(s) used in this article, please click the following links:\u003c/p\>\u003ca href\u003d\"http://newscanada.com/article_images/44729H.jpg\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onclick\u003d\"return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\"\>Click here for image file: «44729H.jpg»\u003c/a\>\u003cbr\>\u003c/div\>\u003c/div\>",0] ); //--></script></p> <p><span style="font-size:78%;">More information about this topic is available online at <a href="http://www.adp.ca/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">www.adp.ca</a>.<br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size:78%;">Credit: <a href="http://www.newscanada.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">www.newscanada.com. Photo Courtesy of </a><a href="http://metrocreativegraphics.com/" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)">metrocreativegraphics.com</a></span></p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">RPL Ventures Inc. will scour the earth in our attempt to provide you with features and articles of value to you and germane to your business. If there are items of interest to you that you don't see here and you want us to include them in this forum, please contact us. We're only too happy to accommodate you.</span></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">© 2007 RPL Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.</span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-11229626048172679012007-09-10T08:41:00.001-05:002008-04-20T08:12:33.087-05:00The UPS Store Celebrates Selkirk Grand Opening<b style=""><span lang="EN-CA" style="font-size:14;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><i style=""><span lang="EN-CA">Interlake location marks RPL Ventures Inc. Fourth store<o:p></o:p></span></i> <p class="MsoNormal"><st1:city st="on"><b style=""><span lang="EN-CA">Selkirk</span></b></st1:city><b style=""><span lang="EN-CA">, <st1:state st="on">MB</st1:state>, August 28, 2007: </span></b><st1:place st="on"><st1:country-region st="on"><span lang="EN-CA">Canada</span></st1:country-region></st1:place><span lang="EN-CA">’s largest franchise network of business and communication service centres, The UPS Store, now has a location in Selkirk to serve the Interlake region.<span style=""> </span>The store is owned by Glen Duke<b> </b><span style="">who now owns four Manitoba The UPS Store franchises - three in downtown <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Winnipeg</st1:city></st1:place> and his newest in Selkirk.</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZAEx6ms8nUH2Amc4n1_wRupUfo1Pnr4mBnBY1PS4aPHFND0sC6jY9Y17N3ndPDjHOMVllX2kyuzobZDgv95SbSceg-sz7UuXWgsarFafi4NNLR120RXxcabJhUHnUlbUJp9lAqOKQo0/s1600-h/Selkirk,+Sept+07+008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ZAEx6ms8nUH2Amc4n1_wRupUfo1Pnr4mBnBY1PS4aPHFND0sC6jY9Y17N3ndPDjHOMVllX2kyuzobZDgv95SbSceg-sz7UuXWgsarFafi4NNLR120RXxcabJhUHnUlbUJp9lAqOKQo0/s200/Selkirk,+Sept+07+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5108572074120086050" border="0" /></a><span lang="EN-CA"><span style=""> <b><span style=""> </span></b></span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">On a national level, The UPS Store is one of the fastest growing franchises in the country due i</span><span lang="EN-CA">n large part to the role it plays servicing <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>’s vibrant small business sector and offering quality copying and packing and shipping services to consumers. Duke saw the opportunity for The UPS Store locally as he witnessed the growth currently happening in and around Selkirk.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">“I’m a small business person myself,” comments Duke. “I know how important good business support services are. Now, as a The UPS Store owner, I’m able to provide these services to a huge sector of our economy, and our community. Small businesses really drive our economy and with proper support, such as what The UPS Store provides, the sector can continue to flourish.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-CA">The UPS Store offers complete business support services such as full document finishing, digital colour and black and white printing, worldwide packing and shipping services, mailbox rentals with 24 hour access, commercial printing, mail forwarding, package/mail and fax receiving, and mail fulfillment. Essentially the store operates as a back end administrative support hub for business, freeing up time for busy business owners.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;" align="center"><span lang="EN-CA">###<o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-69648819922986446952007-08-27T19:21:00.000-05:002007-09-13T09:52:30.929-05:00make marketing effortless<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">Marketing is a constant challenge—but it does not have to be daunting. </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQExemowjPywj5Pm_tbGldGvtpsTiMvRcCSMonb8glR3rydKzRK9AAG4JDGY9jvjm_Gb7ZbORxwrbbVieM1U44mfXVJDZw-JN9nxL7Ru6nIYMEKFUM5LqsqsebEubgA1O-pioRyIdGxds/s1600-h/marketing_cat+and+fish.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 244px; height: 178px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQExemowjPywj5Pm_tbGldGvtpsTiMvRcCSMonb8glR3rydKzRK9AAG4JDGY9jvjm_Gb7ZbORxwrbbVieM1U44mfXVJDZw-JN9nxL7Ru6nIYMEKFUM5LqsqsebEubgA1O-pioRyIdGxds/s320/marketing_cat+and+fish.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5103549612378587666" border="0" /></a><span style="">The most successful marketers make it look easy because they have found a way to effortlessly market the products their company sells.</span><br /><span style=""><br />But marketing is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour.</span><span style=""> What works for one company does not necessarily work for another and you can't rely on</span><span style=""> imitation. Marketers have to find their own unique path where they will encounter the least amount of resistance from both the</span><span style=""> marketplace and from inside themselves.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">Here are six steps to put you on the road to effortless</span><span style=""> marketing:<br /></span><br /><span style="">1. Be willing to let go of struggle.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">You may believe you want marketing to be easier, but stop and think. Is there some part of you attached to making things difficult? It's easy to get wrapped up in the hype of a campaign and just as easy to get frustrated when ideas aren't readily flowing. Whenever you find yourself struggling, pause and ask yourself, "How could this be easy?"<br /><br />2. Market to the audiences you like—and who like you.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">Many marketers focus on attracting large global clients—that's where to find the big money. But those clients might not always be the best fit for your company's services. Determine your target—major organizations, smaller businesses or solo entrepreneurs—and strategize accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">3. Start with the people who are ready for your message.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">You can't sell your services if people don't understand what you offer and how it will help them. Make education part of your long-term mission, but in the interim, focus on the customers who already understand the value of what you do. If you are an alternative healing service, you need to be speaking at the Whole Life Expo, not at the Chamber of Commerce. If you offer a workshop on corporate ethics, start networking with members of Businesses for Social Responsibility instead of the Millionaires Circle.<br /><br />4. Choose the marketing strategies that match your talents.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">Not everyone can be a stellar cold caller. As a marketer, focus on the strategies that are natural to you—whether writing, networking to build referrals or managing the latest project to completion. If you are a marketing manager delegate work according to the talents of your staff.<br /><br />5. Find people who can pay what you need to charge.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">If you persist in marketing to people who cannot afford your fee, you might as well be speaking a foreign language to your audience. Conduct research not only to find the demographic that would want your services, but also one willing to pay for your product. Look for the intersection between your chosen market and people who have enough resources to buy from your company.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style="">6. Pay attention to how people respond.<br /><br />As a marketer, it is your job to inspire others to get excited about the products and services you represent. If people fall asleep when you detail your latest project, chances are you were not moved by your words either. If you really want your marketing to be effortless, get involved with a business that excites you. Take the initiative and ask your manager for the responsibility to head some of the campaigns that interest you.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal;"><span style=""><br />From the Management Advisor Newsletter, By C.J. Hayden.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">C.J. Hayden is the author of Get Clients Now!. Get a free copy of her "Five Secrets to Finding All the Clients You'll Ever Need" at www.getclientsnow.com.</span></p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">RPL Ventures Inc. will scour the earth in our attempt to provide you with features and articles of value to you and germane to your business. If there are items of interest to you that you don't see here and you want us to include them in this forum, please contact us. We're only too happy to accommodate you.</span></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">© 2007 RPL Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.</span></p><b><span style="line-height: 115%;"></span></b><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; line-height: normal;" align="center"><span style="font-size:78%;"><b><span style=""></span></b></span><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-69753454765616559052007-08-27T14:16:00.002-05:002007-09-13T09:54:06.777-05:00the seven minute rule<span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:'Arial','sans-serif';font-size:8;" >by bill hogan</span><div class="postentry"><div class="snap_preview"> <p>We are all so busy these days it seems impossible to get caught up. This has never before been more true than today. We’ve been down-sized, right-sized, overloaded, micro-managed and middle-managed to death.</p> <p><img src="http://www.goodexperience.com/broken/i/04/01/clock.s.jpg" alt="Time" align="right" height="214" width="351" />Are you caught in eMAIL hell? Too many eMAILs in your in-box? Are you convinced you’ll never get caught up?</p> <p>Try this simple time management rule. Once or twice a day set aside a fixed amount of time (say one hour) to manage your workload. I follow this rule myself first thing every morning.</p> <p>I put my phone on call waiting and close my office door. I then spend one hour following my seven minute rule.</p> <p><strong>The Seven Minute Rule </strong></p> <p>Take all your tasks, mail and eMAIL, assignments, over-due projects…</p> <ol><li>Read it (if you can read it in seven minutes, read it…)</li><li>Handle it (if you can get it done in seven minutes, do it…)</li><li>File it</li><li>Defer it (can’t get it done in 7 minutes? Set aside the time during the rest of the day or several days.)</li><li>Toss it</li></ol> <p>If you follow this process you will quickly dig yourself out of the hole. Your sense of being overwhelmed will fade away. And, you’ll be on top of everything.</p> <p>Now, take a breath. Enjoy. Let me know how you make out.</p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">RPL Ventures Inc. will scour the earth in our attempt to provide you with features and articles of value to you and germane to your business. If there are items of interest to you that you don't see here and you want us to include them in this forum, please contact us. We're only too happy to accommodate you.</span></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">© 2007 RPL Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.</span></p></div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-15208487151968721572007-08-27T14:16:00.001-05:002007-09-13T09:54:25.945-05:00change is evil...<div class="postentry"><div class="snap_preview"><p>Change is good, right? Not always. But when is it bad? Is it a question of good or bad? A friend of mine says change is evil. Sounds philosophical. Maybe it is.</p> <p><img src="http://images.pingmag.jp/images/title/change01.jpg" height="216" width="325" />Consider this… why would one take something that is going good - no… great — and change it? Obvious answer is to make it better. Not!</p> <p>In business or in marketing, change is not always good. When you have certain promotional actions that are in place making things happen, or in better terms, making you money - don’t change them! Why do I say this? Because I see it time and time again. Someone has a marketing campaign that is bringing in a good return on investment and they up and decide to change their postcard! What?!?! Change your postcard - why??? “Er uh, we just decided to do something different.”</p> <p>And then some three or four months down the road, they call back with their tail between their legs and ask - no demand to have everything back the way it was before. In this latter case - change is good.</p> <p>I am not just saying that to say that one should always keep their postcard marketing campaign the same and never change it. Quite the contrary. Change your marketing, change your habits, change your way of life when it warrants it. There is really some truth to the old adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Maybe it is human nature to want to change everything once something gets going just the way they planned it. Who the heck knows? All I can say is step outside the human-nature box. Change only when things are drastic or when change is warranted.</p> <p>Drastic circumstances deserve drastic measures. But how do you determine drastic? Sometimes that is really easy. Your company’s income is crashing. Do something! Change! Or better yet, figure out what you changed and get it back to what was working.</p> <p>How about a plateau? Does that deserve change? Depends on how long that plateau lasts. I have never seen things leveling off and staying level forever. It either goes one of two ways - up or down. I know an optometrist who had a very successful practice in a small town. He never really marketed. He never really had to. People knew of him from kilometers around. Mainly he did PR stuff - a fundraiser here, networking there, etc., etc. His good works made him well known and respected and the community ooo’ed and ah’ed over him so much the paper loved printing it.</p> <p>But things changed. Malls started opening up. People started shopping in the bigger cities. The environment changed. But he didn’t. He still kept a good practice, but you could see something interesting - his gross income started to plateau. And over time - many years - that plateau gradually started to show where it was really going. I actually don’t have to say where - you’ve got the picture.</p> <p>Now, would that demand drastic measures? Taking into account inflation, cost of living and other factors that are on the rise - yes, I would say that would demand drastic measures. Did he take them? Not until the direness became all too apparent. But yes, he finally did take them. He started postcard marketing his you-know-what off!</p> <p>So, next time you think about changing your marketing plan, look to see if it needs it. Look at your numbers. Are they improving? Declining? If your income is going up - don’t change one single thing. But if it is going down or flat-lining - for heaven’s sake, change!</p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">RPL Ventures Inc. will scour the earth in our attempt to provide you with features and articles of value to you and germane to your business. If there are items of interest to you that you don't see here and you want us to include them in this forum, please contact us. We're only too happy to accommodate you.</span></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">© 2007 RPL Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.</span></p></div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-33747538652908446102007-08-27T14:04:00.001-05:002007-09-13T09:54:45.178-05:00direct mail: marketing<div class="postentry"><div class="snap_preview"><p>The number of businesses using direct mail marketing now compared to how many used this medium 10 to 15 years ago is staggeringly higher. More and more marketers understand its effectiveness and are on the bandwagon.</p> <p><img src="http://www.euroworld.co.uk/img/euroworld_bg_directmail.jpg" alt="direct mail" align="bottom" height="222" width="356" />Years back the novelty of receiving an advertisement in your mailbox was such that any direct mail pieces were not only looked at but also mulled over. Not so anymore. The term ‘junk mail’ was coined sometime since then and I’m sure you’ve thrown out your fair share of unread pieces enough to understand why. So, what can you do about it as a marketer? How can you ensure you get the biggest bang for your direct mail dollar? Now more than ever, you have to understand how to put together a direct mail piece. More than ever you have to expertly target your mailing to go to a specific market. And more than ever you need to be patient and learn how to campaign - because that is the key to success. Don’t get me wrong… direct mail is not dead - and I don’t see it dying any time soon. It is still the quintessential part of the largest company’s campaigns.</p> <p>Because it works.</p> <p><span id="more-31"></span>In this article, we will teach you some of these three topics:</p> <ul><li> <address> Designing a direct mail piece</address> </li><li> <address> Targeting your specific market</address> </li><li> <address> Campaigning</address> </li></ul> <p>A Great Design</p> <p>Many people think that the quality of any graphic design is determined by how aesthetically pleasing it is: Although making the card look good is important, this couldn’t be further from the truth. The only true measure of any design, at least commercially, is “How well does it pull?”. By pull we mean what type of response does it elicit? Does it pull in calls, or pull people into the store? In essence, does the design accomplish what it set out to do?</p> <p>From this fact, it is not a reach to conclude that the merit of a graphic designer is based on the performance of his or her designs. You may be able to put together the most beautiful ad that the world has ever seen, but if it doesn’t make the phone ring it isn’t worth the paper that it is printed on.</p> <p>You need to make designs that are not only attractive but, more importantly, that get the response needed to turn a profit. You want to ensure people see your ad and want your services. In short, if the ad doesn’t make you any money, it’s not a good ad.</p> <p>To BE or not to BE</p> <p>Easy. Say there is a monkey loose in your office and you can’t seem to get any work done. The only solution is to catch the little distraction and ship him back to the jungle that he came from. Question: How do you catch a monkey? You have to get into his head, think like him. You have to “BE” the monkey to find out what is going to bring him close enough for you to catch him.</p> <p>Every potential customer is like the monkey. They are going to do whatever they want unless you can persuade them to listen to you. You have to get into their head, think like them, “BE” them. A monkey is a simple animal so you can probably get his attention with the stereotypical banana.</p> <p>Human beings on the other hand are extremely complex. Then you add in the fact that the mailing list is targeted and it can get quite challenging. To help you answer the question of what you should say in your ad, you should use three things:</p> <ul><li>Reasoning</li><li> <address>Experience</address> </li><li> <address>Research</address> </li></ul> <p>Take an unrelated subject to your own industry - sometimes it’s better to learn that way. Pick something. Say you have an upscale Italian women’s shoe boutique. You want to appeal to women that like that sort of thing. Get in her head. What would make her want to buy from you? Remember, she is bombarded with advertisements every day. What can you say that really draws her in? How about “Tired of Wearing the Same Styles as Everyone Else?” Have a graphic that<br />supports the message - show a fantastic pair of shoes or better yet a good-looking woman with a great pair of shoes on.</p> <p>Now pretend you are a family man or woman with a household income of the $75k with revolving debt of $15K and you’ve got two kids! Kids can be expensive. So, why would you like to refinance?</p> <p>Find a Specialized Mailing List</p> <p>If there is one thing I can’t say enough it is that the most important part of your mailing campaign is your mailing list. It is vital that you put the right amount of energy into learning about lists - who to mail to - so that your mailing efforts aren’t wasted. There are a few different ways that you can get an adequately targeted list.</p> <p>As always the first step is to determine who your target market will be. Say you want to market to homeowners. Good, now we have narrowed it down to only 291,324 people in your area. As a minimum, your mailing campaign should send to the same names three times. So all you have to do is send out 873,972 postcards at $0.185 per piece & you get the point. We need to narrow it down some more.</p> <p>So how do you accomplish the narrowing of your list? Many factors can be considered, including age, gender, postal code, annual salary, profession and numbers of children are some of the more common qualifiers. It may take a while to figure out what combination works for your specific product. Don’t worry about political correctness when considering whom you should mail to. It is perfectly acceptable to test certain lists that may be considered stereotypical”. Many times these lists will work well. But you never know until you test them.</p> <p>No matter how great an idea you have about a certain market, ALWAYS DO A SMALLER TEST MAILING FIRST! Average test mailings run around 1000-1500 names. Once you see acceptable returns on the smaller mailing then you can jump in with the larger numbers. Test, test, test!</p> <p>The purpose of special mailing lists is to target a specific type of customer for your specific type of business. The eventual result is more customers and a better bottom line. And this is what we all want, right?</p> <p>Repeating Your Message</p> <p>cam-paign n.</p> <address>1. A series of military operations undertaken to achieve a large-scale objective during a war.</address> <address>2. An operation or series of operations energetically pursued to accomplish a purpose: an advertising campaign for a new product; a candidate’s political campaign.</address> <p>intr.v. campaigned, campaigning, campaigns To engage in an operation planned to achieve a certain goal.</p> <p>[French campagne, from Italian campagna, field, military operation, from Late Latin campania, open country, battlefield, from Latin campus, field.]</p> <p>Definition number 2 above is the one we’re using. But from studying the entire definition along with the derivation (the word origin) you can see how all the definitions tie together. Campaigns for marketing are, in a nutshell, a series of advertising steps including repeat mailings that are strategically planned so that there is maximum benefit (more new customers) for your business.</p> <p>Nota bene (that means “take note” in Latin - and I do mean take note): If you are not doing repeat mailings then you are flushing money down toilet. Sorry, I know. The truth sometimes hurts.</p> <p>Why is this true? One mailing of one postcard once is barely going to get anyone’s attention for more then the minute they see it. Think about it. How many times have you seen the same TV commercials repeatedly? A one shot in the dark postcard mailing is not going to change your business, your bottom line, your life or your anything.</p> <p>So, if you are not up to confronting that you need to do a campaign then maybe you shouldn’t be in business. And that may sound harsh - it is harsh. It’s a harsh world. And I want you to succeed in it.</p> <p>There is another reason. Credibility. In some cases people will hold onto your postcard for a while. They can hold onto your postcard for six months. They may even hold on to your card for three years. But in most cases they’ll think “Oh, I may need that some day” and then while tidying up they’ll throw it away. When you repeat your mailings to those same people and they see your image, logo, slogan, message over and over you become credible to them. Your chances of them responding just got greater. Repeat mailings cannot be repeated enough.</p> <p>To give you an example, I call it the ‘Trickle Down Effect’: Say you send out 5000 postcards. Out of that 5000, 150 hang onto your postcard. Out of that 5000, so many call the 1st week. Out of that 5000, so many call the 2nd week. Out of that 5000, so many call the next month. Out of that 5000, so many call in 6 months. Out of that 5000, so many never call…</p> <p>There is a dwindling inflow from that first mailing and therefore can give a false impression of what occurs from one mailing. Someone sends out a postcard and says, “I only got four responses from my mailing!” But there is a whole dynamic that is going on that is continuing from that one mailing way after the person who sent the mailing expects things to happen. Think about it. Do you jump at every single advertisement that you get bombarded with that you think is a good idea? If you do, you are either a millionaire or broke. But most likely, you see some advertisement that catches your interest and say to yourself that you’d like to check that out some day. Then, you see it again and remember that you wanted to check that out one day. And then, you see it again and this time you decide to check it out.</p> <p>You want continuous and consistent growth. So what do you do? Look at this scenario:</p> <p>What if…</p> <p>You send out 5000 postcards one week and you have all that going on that I mentioned above. You send out 5000 the next week and you have all that going on that I mentioned above. You send out 5000 the next week and that dwindling flow chart is going on, on each one of those outflows. What is going to happen? Eventually it is going to snowball - it is coming in from all different places!</p> <p>You are really putting your communication out there consistently in a big way.</p> <p>And yes, it costs a lot of money to do it. Once you have your list - which you will use repeatedly - only paying for it once - postage is more then 55% of your costs. So, FIND THE MONEY. If you are going to borrow money to do a business, spend that borrowed money on marketing!</p> <p>Start with a list and mail to one list one week, another list the next week and another list the following week. Then you rotate those lists - again. And again. And again.</p> <p>Now you ask - what if you only have one list? You can still rotate one list. And it is always good to put it on a spreadsheet or a flow chart to track what you are doing and what you have already done.</p> <p>For instance: You get one list of 6000 identities. You can mail to 2000 one week, 2000 the next week and 2000 the third week. Then you rotate. There are your three different lists!</p> <p>A campaign is mailing to the same people over and over and over again. The point is you want to hit your prospects with different communication about the same thing or hit them with different products with the same look and feel or both. The rest will come.</p> <p>Because what you are building with a marketing campaign is credibility. You are building your business through communication. You are communicating consistently, so much that people will believe you (credibility) and they will respond; they will come, they will spend.</p> <p>In 1744, Benjamin Franklin published and mailed the first direct marketing catalog that sold scientific and academic books. Direct Mail has come a long way since then, so DON’T let your piece get lost in the mail, so to speak, make it stand out by applying these three basics of successful marketing</p> <p>Contact <a href="http://www.theupsstore.ca/storehome.aspx?storeid=320">The UPS Store Winnipeg Downtown</a> to get your marketing campaign off the ground.</p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">RPL Ventures Inc. will scour the earth in our attempt to provide you with features and articles of value to you and germane to your business. If there are items of interest to you that you don't see here and you want us to include them in this forum, please contact us. We're only too happy to accommodate you.</span></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">© 2007 RPL Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.</span></p></div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-21748522477657012512007-08-27T13:30:00.000-05:002007-09-13T09:55:01.959-05:00direct mail: postcards<div style="text-align: justify;">I receive postcards all the time. The other day I received a postcard trying to sell me a copy machine. It had tiny, tiny lettering slathered all over the front and a large portion of the back of the card.</div><div class="postentry"><div class="snap_preview"><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">It was extremely hard to read, so hard in fact that I threw it away.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;"><img src="http://www.hawthornemedia.com/portfolio/images/ts_postcards.gif" alt="direct mail postcards" height="354" width="471" />Several days later, I received a postcard with 32 words on it telling me that I could get complete information on unrestricted long distance telephone service for 5.5 cents a minute with no additional monthly fee by calling the 800 number on the card.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">I did call. I got the information, had my questions answered and ordered my long distance service changed. The company who offered me the long distance service was using a time tested 2 step selling process:</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Step 1. Generate a lead - Get me to call them.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Step 2. Provide the requested information - Provided to me on the phone by one of their sales representatives, who was able to answer my questions and make me feel confident that I could save quite a bit of money on my long distance bill and that the service would be as good or better.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">What’s So Good About Two Steps?</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">It is much easier to create interest (a lead) than it is to get a person through an entire buying process (a sale).</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">You are not getting the prospect or existing customer to part with any money just yet.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">You can use postcards to inexpensively promote to your target prospects and customers and generate leads (inquiries about your products and services) to then be followed up on and converted to sales.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">This two step process also helps you to create a list of people who were interested enough in what you offered to contact you.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">You can then contact the ones who you did not complete a sale with when they first inquired, preferably until they do buy from you.<br />IMPORTANT: Be sure to get the information you will need to contact the people who responded to your postcard offering.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Repetitive follow-ups with the people who contacted you will result in increased sales. Make it a company policy to follow up with those people who contacted you about your products and services.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The Most Effective Use of Postcards:</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">The purpose of your postcard’s message is to generate a sufficient level of interest in the mind of your prospect to get him/her to contact you to ask you about your offer.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">You are generating interest, not collecting their money (not yet anyway). That is what the 2 step marketing process is about. Generating interested prospects and customers who contact you for more information.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Your message needs three parts to be most effective:</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><ol style="text-align: justify;"><li> <address>A clear statement of the biggest benefit of your product or service (in the long distance example, it was cost savings).</address> </li><li> <address>A good reason for them to contact you NOW.</address> </li><li> <address>A simple, easy way for them to respond (an 800 number for example).</address> </li></ol><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Your message should be short and to the point. Short messages on postcards produce more leads than long ones.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">For example:</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><ul style="text-align: justify;" class="unIndentedList"><li> Call 800-555-1212 for Your Copy of Our Free Report: What 99% of Business Owners Don’t Know and Will Never Find Out About Using Postcards to Explode Their Profits</li><li> Offer ends 5-5-01 (Print a date 3 weeks from your mailing date to create some urgency)</li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Many people will respond to find out what they might not know. Don’t forget, they responded, which is least some interest in the information you have created a curiosity about.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">This method works and is sure to produce a large number of inquiries if sent to your proper market. This two-step marketing process works.</p><div style="text-align: justify;"> </div><p style="text-align: justify;">Use the tips you have read here to create your next postcard’s message and see what happens. You will generate a bunch of leads from people who are truly interested in your products and services.</p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 78%;">RPL Ventures Inc. will scour the earth in our attempt to provide you with features and articles of value to you and germane to your business. If there are items of interest to you that you don't see here and you want us to include them in this forum, please contact us. We're only too happy to accommodate you.</span></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">© 2007 RPL Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.</span></p></div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-70435266267070422702007-08-27T12:23:00.001-05:002007-09-13T09:55:26.076-05:00getting things done...Too much on your plate and not enough time on your hands? We all have too much to do. How can we get more done in the same time? First, get organized. Some tips and tricks to do that are listed below. Second, use The UPS Store Winnipeg Downtown as your virtual marketing department…<div class="postentry"><div class="snap_preview"> <p><img src="http://www.presentationhelper.co.uk/business/BH_graphics/cluttered_desk.jpg" alt="cluttered desk" height="316" width="286" />Categorize your tasks</p> <p>Use Windows or Mac folders or Outlook Tasks to do this - or any other system that works for you (yes, you can set up multiple, custom-labelled Outlook Task folders). Do not use more than seven categories. If tasks have deadlines, add them to your Calendar or set deadlines in the Outlook Tasks area. Otherwise, categories like “Professional”, “Personal”, and “Someday” might work for you. (”Someday” is a powerful one — it’s a place to put long-term goals like “get a pilot’s license”.)</p> <p>First thing each day, empty your inbox.</p> <p>Process every single item in your inbox by either filing it in one of the category locations you have created (more on this below) or completing it, and never make exceptions to this rule.</p> <p>Label actions with next step.</p> <p>As you are filing tasks to do later, make sure the label of the tasks (file name, subject line, or Outlook Task heading) contains two elements:1) Clear, concise description of the task; and 2) the next step. So a task might be labelled like this: “Set Up Monthly Budget Meeting | Call Steve for Availability.”</p> <p>Follow the “seven-minute rule”.</p> <p>Every time you read or handle a step or a task (or entire tasks) that might take less than seven minutes, complete it right then and there. <a href="http://tupsswd.wordpress.com/2007/08/18/time-management/" title="the seven minute rule">More</a>.</p> <p>Read every task, every day.</p> <p>Once your inbox is empty, go through each of your task-category folders, and just read what’s there. While doing this, you will be able to delete items that are no longer valid or that have been completed, “tweak” items with new information, and generally remind yourself what tasks are pending.</p> <p>Create a “today” folder or list.</p> <p>Create a short list of things you have to complete everyday (daily tasks like “review week in calendar” and “clean desk”). Add to that list the most urgent and/or important items as you are going through you inbox and task-category folders, Grab items you really want to complete today, and add them to your list. Then go through that list slavishly — doing exactly what it tells you to do, in the order it tells you. You can also do this with task-files in a folderor in an Outlook Task folder labelled “Today”.</p> <p>The concepts above will relax your mind by getting to-do items out of your head and into your trusted system; give<br />you 24/7 “situational awareness”; and will motivate and propel you as you find yourself, yes, actually getting things done.</p> <p>Also, note that it is not easy to see how these concepts help you until you actually do it. So try it.</p> <p>Source: David Allen’s “Getting Things Done” edited with a few of my proven time management tricks.</p><p><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">RPL Ventures Inc. will scour the earth in our attempt to provide you with features and articles of value to you and germane to your business. If there are items of interest to you that you don't see here and you want us to include them in this forum, please contact us. We're only too happy to accommodate you.</span></span> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">© 2007 RPL Ventures Inc. All Rights Reserved.</span></p></div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6953853404135959448.post-89303199613849065272007-08-27T12:01:00.001-05:002007-09-04T15:51:33.292-05:00RPL Ventures Inc. Acquires the Assets of Paper Plus<span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:11;" >FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span><div class="postentry"><div class="snap_preview"> <address><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><br />Contact: J. William Hogan<br />Tel. 204.784.6500 </span></address> <address><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Cell Phone: 204.998.2837<br />eMAIL: jwilliamhogan@theupsstore.ca </span></address><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">Paper Plus is under new management.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">Glen A. Duke, President and CEO of RPL Ventures Inc., has acquired the assets of Paper Plus and will immediately assume the day-to-day management of the company. RPL Ventures inc. is a <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Winnipeg</st1:City></st1:place> based The UPS Store franchisee. Paper Plus is a <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Winnipeg</st1:City></st1:place> off-set printing company.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">Said Duke: “Under our management we will exceed all Paper Plus’ customer expectations, bringing the same high-quality standards that our clients have come to expect from The UPS Store. We can provide the full range of business services business needs, from design to delivery. Our current offer includes Marketing and Communication Services, Document Management Services and Mailing and Distribution Services.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">Continues Duke: “This is an exciting time for RPL Ventures Inc. We will be celebrating the grand opening of our fourth The UPS Store in Selkirk on September 6th with an open house and bar-b-cue, and now the acquisition of our new offset printing and business services hub.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: Arial;">“We plan to make it easier for our clients to get quality end results according to their satisfaction. I offer my personal commitment to ensure that we continually meet their business needs. I look forward to serving yet another satisfied customer.”<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">Glen A. Duke<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">CEO / President <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Arial;">RPL Ventures Inc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 6pt;"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size: 9pt; font-family: Arial;">RPL Ventures Inc. is a private <st1:city st="on">Winnipeg</st1:City> based business services company with three The UPS Store franchises in Downtown Winnipeg and one The UPS Store in Selkirk serving <st1:place st="on"><st1:state st="on">Manitoba</st1:State></st1:place>’s <st1:personname st="on">Interlake</st1:PersonName> region.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 6pt; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:78%;"><span style="font-size: 8pt; font-family: Arial;">###</span></span><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:8;" >Publications</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 6pt; text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:8;" ><a href="http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/business/local/story/4033020p-4643361c.html">The Winnipeg Free Press...</a><br /></span></p> </div> </div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Lorem Ipsum Dolor</div>RPL Ventures Inc.http://www.blogger.com/profile/09483125344102606121noreply@blogger.com1