Friday Fun: One Degree of Separation From Kevin Bacon

01/19/2007

Friday Fun is Diva Marketing's virtual happy hour from cosmos to Jack to lemonade. A waiting for the weekend 'playground' time to be sophisticated-silly. Or sometimes just plain silly.

Six_degrees Those non profit marketers sure get to have fun! In her role as VP Marketing for Network For Good, Katya Andresen, has been working on an innovative strategy that integrates celebrities, the web, viral/word-of-mouth marketing, traditional and social media PR and the Sundance Film Festival.

Ever hear of the game Six Degrees of Separation from Kevin Bacon? Kevin Bacon is taking that game to a new level and turning it into a charitable social network to inspire online giving - Six Degrees.

SixDegrees.org is about using the idea that we are all connected to accomplish something good. It is my hope that Six Degrees will soon be something more than a game or a gimmick. It will also be a force for good, by bringing a social conscience to social networking. Kevin Bacon

He's ask his celeb friends to this party - Kyra Sedgwick (Natural Resources Defense Council), Nicole Kidman (UNIFEM), Ashley Judd (YouthAIDS), Bradley Whitford and Jane Kaczmarek (Clothes off Our Back), Dana Delany (Scleroderma Research Foundation), Robert Duvall (Pro Mujer), and Jessica Simpson (Operation Smile).

And he's encouraging everyone to be celebrities for their own causes by joining the Six Degrees movement. Not only is Kevin Bacon giving his name to the cause but he's matching charitable dollars raised by the top six non-celebrity fund raisers with grants of up to $10,000 each.

Lucky Katya is on her way to the Sundance Film Festival to meet up with Kevin Bacon where they will launch the program. Girlfriend, you know what this means? I'm One Degree From Separation From Kevin Bacon .. and you are only Two Degrees From Separation From Kevin Bacon. Awesome!

Lessons Learned: A silly game can inspire a creative marketing program. We should - or rather we must - learn to color outside of the lines again.

Sidebar: Diva Taughnee gave the web presence a "little sparkle" .. including the final touches to the logo which was designed by Kevin's daughter. I understand that Typepad will be adding the ability to post charity badges as a widget.

Read more about Six Degrees in USA Today
Check the ebay auction of celeb swag to benefit Six Degrees.

Astrology_15

business astrology for fun -
from The Astro Divas Paula Dare & Donna Page

The Sun enters Aquarius the sign of groups Sat. 1/20. This would be a fabulous time to form a Master Mind group to grow your business by brainstorming new ideas. This is also the sign of humanitarianism. How can you make a difference in the world? How can you make a contribution
to your community?

On Mon. 1/22 Jupiter squares Uranus. This is the first of 3 – 5/10 and  10/9. If you are invested in the Stock Market, pay attention, as there could be volatility. You could also be experiencing restlessness and an urge to change something in your business. You won’t like the any restrictions. With Jupiter in Sagittarius, exaggeration is always a possibility. Try to remain calm. Don’t act on impulse. Think over every detail first.

Friday Fun: New Blogger Story Chapters

01/12/2007

Friday Fun is Diva Marketing's virtual happy hour from cosmos to Jack to lemonade. A waiting for the weekend 'playground' time to be sophisticated-silly. Or sometimes just plain silly.

It's a gray day in Atlanta. The type of day to brew a pot of tea or perhaps pour a glass of vino and curl up with a good book or read a couple of new chapters from Blogger Stories.

Stories_1 Blogger Stories is a special blog that I launched to tell the stories of how people have been touched by blogs, podcasts, vlogs and other online interactions. Building a library of stories gives us an opportunity to understand how lives have been influenced by social media .. from the heart.   

You never know where your blog/social media adventures will take you. They can lead to a place to hang out with a community of friends, as Lewis Green learned. Somethings your career can change directions as Ted Demopoulos relates in his story. Or every once in awhile a blog turns into a special tribute that becomes a living memory to a loved one as we learn in Connie Reece's tale.

Ted Ted Demopoulos - Blogging For Business
Lewis Green - Business Solutions
Connie Reece - Blog@bilities, CONnieVERSATIONS, Blogabillies

Sidebar: Blogger Stories now includes over 80 stories from business bloggers who say blogs have changed the direction of their careers to mommy bloggers who are using their blog to help people caught in the Katrina Hurricanes to a teenager from New Zealand who gets over 15k hits a day on her blog (and her dad who blogs too!) to a poet and more! Drop a comment if you have a blogger story to tell and I'll email you but please do not post your story. Thanks!

A special birthday wish for my favorite nephew Scott .. happy 17th!

Astrology_15

business astrology for fun -
from The Astro Divas Paula Dare & Donna Page

Conventional thinking doesn’t bode well as Mercury enters the revolutionary sign of Aquarius on Mon. 1/15. Think outside the box. Write down all wacky ideas, the zanier the better. You may just come up with a most brilliant idea that is enriched with endless possibilities.

Mars moves into Capricorn on Tues. 1/16. You can take all your brilliant ideas and run with it. This energy can help you organize and manage your plan of action. You can accomplish a great deal at this time. The ambitious desire for recognition can be seductive. Take care not to step on any toes on the way up the ladder. It will come to bite you in the butt later on. If you are the boss, watch out for dictatorial tendencies, you don’t want a mutiny.

The New Moon falls on Thurs. 1/18 with Venus conj. Neptune. Pay attention to your intuition. This is not left brain energy. Things may not appear very logical. You may be shown signs that give you the
solution so be open to new possibilities. This can also be very romantic energy. Be careful of falling for a co-worker. Office romances can end up in a disaster.

Friday Fun: Little Miracles Make The Difference

12/22/2006

Friday Fun is Diva Marketing's virtual happy hour from cosmos to Jack to lemonade. A waiting for the weekend 'playground' time to be sophisticated-silly. Or sometimes just plain silly.

Girlfriend, one of my most fav movies - holiday or not - is  Miracle on 34th Street. I even like the new updated version; but the film with Maureen Sullivan and Natalie Wood is still The Classic Christmas Flick - a little romance, a little conflict, Santa, children, imagination, hope for the future and simple miracles.  However, it is also one of the best lessons in customer service.

Favorite Miracle on 34th Street quote: Faith is believing when common sense tells you not to. Don't you see? It's not just Kris that's on trial, it's everything he stands for. It's kindness and joy and love and all the other intangibles.

Miracle on 34th Street offers a great lesson in customer service and in the philosophy of social media marketing.

Look Doris, someday you're going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesn't work. And when you do, don't overlook those lovely intangibles. You'll discover those are the only things that are worthwhile.

For your reading pleasure, here is a post I'd like to share with you from the 2004 Diva Marketing archives. Enjoy .. and happy holidays to you and yours!

Miracle_on_34th_street_1It was Christmas 1947. Before blogs, buzz marketing and building online community strategies.

The CEO of a major retail organization briefs the company's ad department. "No high pressuring and forcing the customer to take something he doesn't want. We'll be known as the helpful store. The friendly store. The store with a heart. The store that places public service ahead of profit. The plan sounds idiotic and impossible .. consequently, we'll make more profit than ever before."

With those words Macy's Department Store launched the most innovative sales program ever viewed...on the silver screen. It was a Miracle on 34th Street.   

Fast forward 59 years. The use of the internet is one of the most exciting sales and marketing strategies we've seen in the last 59 years. However, in this model there is no room for high-pressure sales techniques. The customer is in control of the sales experience. The customer is also in control of the marketing message.

Include a blog strategy to an internet marketing mix and yet another dimension is added. The company steps out from behind the shadows of traditional PR, customer service and research (all valid in their own right) and declares it's ready to listen and learn from prospects and customers .. on the their terms.

It's not afraid (ok. perhaps there are a few wobbles) to show the world that there might be a few warts. That's a giant step from old world marketing to open communication new world marketing.

The plan sounds idiotic and impossible .. consequently, we'll make more profit than ever before.

As the year 2007 approaches, high-tech developments spin even faster taking the possibilities of internet marketing into areas that were impossible in '47 or '57 or even '06.

Imagine a site that holds current inventory and pricing, allows for on-line financing and results in better, faster cheaper processing.

Imagine a site that allows for product customization.

Imagine a site where you can start a conversation with a real person about what matters to you regarding a product or service.

Imagine a site where you can talk to a real person who doesn't respond with an FAQ list.

Imagine a site where you can actually help change the direction of a product or service before it's even launched.

Imagine a company that doesn't close the door (or comment section) to you or your ideas.

The plan sounds idiotic and impossible .. consequently, we'll make more profit than ever before.

It's interesting to compare a 1940's film, where finding solutions to customers' problems was perceived as unique, to 2006 where finding solutions to customers' problems is considered ingenious.

The techniques may have changed. New buzz words may be added to the mix. Bells and whistles may be a little louder. However, after all is said and done, the premise remains the same:

  • Listen
  • Understand
  • Add value
  • Do what it takes to go the extra mile to delight your customer

The plan sounds idiotic and impossible .. consequently, we'll make more profit than ever before.

So Very Bloggy!

And with that I wish you and yours a very merry holiday season!

Sidebar: Based on an article written for Marketing News

Sidebar: Take a cue from Diva Marketing <wink> dusty off your classic posts .. with a little polish and  updating they will take on a fresh new read.

 

Astrology_15 business astrology for fun -
from The Astro Divas Paula Dare & Donna Page

MERRY CHRISTMAS, HAPPY HANUKKAH AND HAPPY KWANZAA

Take time to relax and have some fun after being harried from working and then shopping and decorating and wrapping packages and, on and on.

It maybe difficult to get anything accomplished this coming week after the Christmas Holiday and then preparing for New Years Eve festivities.

On Wed. Mercury enters Capricorn. The mind has a chance to settle down and focus on practical matters like “How on ea rth am I going to pay for all of those presents?” I wish everyone Many Blessings, Happiness and Joy this holiday season.

Sidebar: Special joyful wishes to my dear Astro Diva Bloggers friends Paula & Donna who have put a unique spin on Diva Marketing's Friday Fun.  Girlfriend, I ask you where else in the biz blogosphere can you find business astrology?

Friday Fun: Tag You're It!

12/15/2006

Friday Fun is Diva Marketing's virtual happy hour from cosmos to Jack to lemonade. A waiting for the weekend 'playground' time to be sophisticated-silly. Or sometimes just plain silly.

It's been a crazed week with minimum access to the old internet and more airports than I would like to see in the course of days. More on the Healthcare Summit (very well received) and the DC Bloggers Wonk (a blast!) later .. promise.

Children_playing_tag_1Today is Friday Fun so let's play a little virtual "tag" or as bloggers like to call it a meme.  These silly, fun games serve a larger purpose in the virtual world. They help build community and give us an excuse to get to know each other a bit better.

This week I was 'memed' twice .. by  Shel Israel, Naked Conversations,  and Nedra Weinreich, Spare Change, on the latest to make the rounds. This go round the game is What 5 Things You Don't Know About Me. Here goes .. a few silly things about moi.

Update Jan 9 -07: Thanks Chris Brown, Branding & Marketing, for the tag on this one too. Guess this game keeps going round.

1. I love musical comedies, Doris Day movies and yes, Christmas songs .. anyone for "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire ... ?"

2. It took me almost a week to decide to keep little Maxie, who was the best gift from a client I ever received; now I don't know what I'd do without him .. anyone for "a little puppy love?"

3. Grocery shopping is a fun activity .. I'll go extra miles to find a cool store. Trader Joe's opening in Atlanta was cause for celebration .. anyone for "$3 buck chuck wine" (due to distribution regulations (read: politics an extra buck is added to Atlanta's cheap wine?"

4. I toured the Greek Isles for free on a windjammer cruise .. anyone for "a little Retsina?"

5. Mystery and espionage novels are my traveling buddies .. anyone for "a Robert Parker - Spencer novel?"

Tag you are it! For Shel - Jane Genova, Carol Krishner, Wayne Hurlbet, Paul Chaney, Marianne Richmond and for Nedra - Sonya Neblett, Rajesh, Tish Grier, Peggy Payne, Fard Johmar

Update: Thanks for the tag Miss Moxie! And here's what you may not know about Max <wink>

Astrology_15 business astrology for fun -
from The Astro Divas Paula Dare & Donna Page

HAPPY HANUKKHA. Sat. 12/16

Today Mercury squares Uranus. Your mind may become very scattered. You may find yourself nervous or anxious. This isn’t a good day for making any major business decisions or talking with important clients. You will likely decide to act on impulse then change your mind. Many ideas may pop into your head and then pop out just as quickly. Jot all the ideas down. Sort through your list next week and implement the best ideas at the New Moon Wed. 12/20.

The Sun enters the ruling sign of business – Capricorn – as we begin the first day of winter at the Winter Solstice Thurs. 12/21. This is good for any restructuring you may need to do.

Friday Fun: Bloggers Do Have A Sense Of Humor!

12/01/2006

Friday Fun is Diva Marketing's virtual happy hour from cosmos to Jack to lemonade. A waiting for the weekend 'playground' time to be sophisticated-silly. Or sometimes just plain silly.

Sometimes it seems the blogosphere takes itself  way too seriously. However, a couple of bloggers, with cool wit and a bit of wisdom, put a humorous spin on social media or Web 2.0. Reach for one more holiday sweet .. make mine chocolate! .. and enjoy a giggle or two with me.

Katherdingscreengrab_1 The talented Jeneane Sessum - Allied (I love this diva's writing!) and Chris Locke- Rageboy introduce a new spin to character blogs with a very clever and spot-on satirical character blog. Kat Herding Media. Kat Herding and her hottie assistant Jeremy Outerbridge show the PR bloggers how to do it right .. or rightfully wrong. Kat Herding Media is a must, must read! And you gotta love the play on the name.

David Brazeal -Learfield Interaction, is bringing the retro Match Game to the blogoshere. Girlfriend, Diva Marketing has the honor of - Bottom Row, Seat 1! Here are David's other blogger picks.Matchgame

  • Top Row, Seat 1: Micropersuasion's Steve Rubel. He's got the name, and he's always got a new project to plug.
  • Top Row, Seat 2: Amy Gahran, The Right Conversation. As far as I know, Amy's not as loud as Bret Somers. But she does always have a strong opinion, and she's not afraid to share it.
  • Top Row, Seat 3: I'll say Hugh MacLeod of Gaping Void. Charles Nelson Reilly liked to draw little doodles on his answer cards.
  • Bottom Row, Seat 1: She's not ditzy enough to fill this seat, but with a name like The Marketing Diva, you can't pass up Toby Bloomberg of Diva Marketing Blog.
  • Bottom Row, Seat 2: This is a toughie. Joseph Jaffe of Jaffe Juice might work here. But I have a feeling that Seth Godin, like Richard Dawson, would be the panelist everyone else would want to play with.
  • Bottom Row, Seat 3: Godin and his unique outlook would fit here, if he were a woman. But since he's not, this spot goes to Tara Hunt of ::horsepigcow::. She's always got an interesting take on marketing, and has enough "scatter-brained goofiness" (her words, not mine) to sit in this final seat.

Astrology_15 business astrology for fun -
from The Astro Divas Paula Dare & Donna Page

The planets are calling for friendly aggressive promotion. Don’t be afraid to shamelessly self promote your product.

December 5th Saturn turns retrograde, slowing down some of the progress we have made over the last two weeks. Careful with driving and machinery this weekend, an accident prone influence is not the time to space out or multi task when you are in a potential deadly weapon we generally refer to as our car. 

The full moon on Monday is about sharing our ideas with others without judgment or attitude, but in the spirit of cooperation to learn and understand how others think and believe.

Friday Fun: New Blog Story Chapters

11/17/2006

Friday Fun is Diva Marketing's virtual happy hour from cosmos to Jack to lemonade. A waiting for the weekend 'playground' time to be sophisticated-silly. Or sometimes just plain silly.

Story_girl_1 Today's Friday Fun includes a couple of new chapters from Blogger Stories. Blogger Stories is a special blog that I launched to tell the stories of how people have been touched by blogs, podcasts, vlogs and other online interactions. Building a library of stories gives us an opportunity to understand how lives have been influenced by social media .. from the heart.

Bedtime stories site for bloggers, where blogging dreams and posts may change the world. - A Bugged Life

Girlfriend, ho ho ho present time is only weeks away so it seems appropriate to tell Pinny Gniwisch's story of bling and movie star gossip wrapped in a business blog strategy. Easton Ellsworth's tale combines both the head and heart of blogging .. nice to keep in mind as we head into the holiday season.

Easton Ellsworth, BusinessBlogWire, Know More Media
Pinny Gniwisch, Sparkle Like The Stars, Just Ask Leslie

Now 62 Stories .. Read A Blogger Story or two!

Astrology_15 business astrology for fun -

from The Astro Divas Paula Dare & Donna Page

There is a lot of planetary energy that is shifting this week. I know you’ll be happy to hear that Mercury is turning Direct tonight. Miscommunications should clear up and hopefully the gremlins that have invaded your computer will vanish.

Many of you – especially the Scorpios – may have been experiencing the intense effects this past month from 5 planets in Scorpio. You should begin to feel your load lighten as the energy moves to carefree Sagittarius.

The New Moon occurs on Monday which is a good time to start new projects, but you may not accomplish a lot at work this week as Thanksgiving approaches on Thursday, I can guarantee you will have a lot of work at home if you’re the one cooking the Turkey dinner. Uranus also turns Direct before the New Moon. Expect unexpected change.

Friday Fun: Little Acts Of Kindness

11/10/2006

Friday Fun is Diva Marketing's virtual happy hour from cosmos to Jack to lemonade. A waiting for the weekend 'playground' time to be sophisticated-silly. Or sometimes just plain silly.

When you're on the road for business, eating alone seems more the norm than not. Most times I'm okay with that. I use the time to catch up on "thoughts" or people watch and write blog posts in my mind that will probably never find their way to Diva Marketing. But Girlfriend, sometimes it can be lonely and awkward.

Last week my plane was late getting into Phoenix, where I was speaking about using blogs to build better service relationships, at the ASU's Compete Through Services Symposium. I was tired, hungry and a little frazzled when I walked into the Bistro at The Ritz Carlton Phoenix (sometimes these speaking gigs do have their perks!) to have dinner.  As the  waiter showed me to a table for one, two women, who were having dinner, waved to me and invited me to join them. Barbara Glanz turned out to be the end key note speaker and Krista Leintz was an attendee.  Little Acts of Kindness.

And little did I know that Barbara Glanz'sCarebig kindness would be a living example of her presentation - The Simple Truths of Service. Barbara is passionate about building customer loyalty through customer service. As Barbara told us, you can't mandate customer service. Excellent customer service comes from both the heart as well as the head. That usually doesn't just happen. The culture of your organization has to support and encourage Little Acts of Kindness.

I listened to her tell story after story of creative, but simple ways, people within companies engaged with their customers. Barbara tells people to, "Put you personal signature on the job."

Then there is Johnny The Bagger a young man who happens to have Downs Syndrome. Johnny puts a though of the day in every order he bags. Customers come into the store, patiently wait in Johnny's line, just to get Johnny's quote of the day. "Johnny brought his heart to his job. He focused on what he could do in his daily work to make his customers feel special and their lives a little better." Little Acts of Kindness.

Light bulb moment. This is so bloggy thought I. Why not incorporate blogs into your customer service strategies? Why not have a Johnny The Bagger Blog?

Ten Simple Truths of Service

1. Great Service Inspires Stories/Memories.
Tip: Collect and record customer service stories

2. Great Service Uses Outside-The-Box Thinking
Tip: Encourage and reward creativity and innovation

3. Great Service Is A Choice
Tip: Understand the choices you have to engage with your customers. Teach employees to look for these touch points.

4. Great Service Starts With A Clear Vision

Tip: Management must first have a focused vision and be enthusiastic about the importance of excellent customer service.

5. Great Service Requires That Everyone Catch The Vision
Tip: Ensure that all employees understand and buy-into the vision

6. Great Service Surprises People
Tip: Have fun. If you're having fun at your job it will spill over to other employees and your customers

7. Great Service Begins With Anyone
Tip: Everyone in your organization is responsible for creating Little Acts of Kindness.

8. Great Service Goes The Extra Mile
Tip: Give employees the authority to Serve customers without going through channels

9. Great Service Brings Customers Back
Tip: Benchmark and monitor customer retention statistics

10. Great Customer Service Comes From The Heart
Tip: Manage on both business and human levels

Bottom-line .. your customers have click-of-the-mouse choices. From the heart customer service builds stronger relationships and can differentiate you from your competition. Little Acts of Kindness .. works!

Lessons Learned: Let's take our cue from Johnny The Bagger. What little Acts of Kindness can you implement in your business that will make your customers feel appreciated and special? In doing so you will not only create a much needed point of difference for your business, but a memorable "signature."  I'd love to hear what you're doing. Please drop a comment and share your experience.
 

 

Astrology_15 business astrology for fun -

from The Astro Divas Paula Dare & Donna Page

Happy Friday Diva fans; this could be a very interesting weekend for many of us. The planets are lining up asking us to have a good time, Moon in Leo shouts let loose, play enjoy life from one corner with the other team of players in Scorpio wanting intensity passion and focus.

You may have plenty of homework to do on your business agenda but feel like throwing it to the wind until you are back in the mood. Set aside allotted time to focus and regroup your long term vision, then allow your inner child to come out and play.

Friday Fun: Talk Blogs In Your PJs

10/27/2006

Friday Fun is Diva Marketing's virtual happy hour from cosmos to Jack to lemonade. A waiting for the weekend 'playground' time to be sophisticated-silly. Or sometimes just plain silly.

It's a rainy Friday in Georgia and the weather guy says the storm is moving east towards the coast and then on to New England for the weekend. What do you do if you want to stay warm & cozy and Bunny_slippers wear your bunny slippers all day but still be productive?  Have I got a deal for you!

Tomorrow, Saturday 10-28 the WECAI Network™ is sponsoring an all-day Teleconference Event to "Help Women Do Business On and Off the Web."  Heidi Richards, Founder & CEO of WECAI asked me to put together a panel on business blogging: Harnessing the Blogosphere, the Future of Blogs and How to use them to Promote Your Products, Service or Organization.

The alone title called for ultra cool Divas. So I asked some of the smartest women working in social media to hang with me Saturday am and talk about one of our fav subjects - blogs!

The conference runs from 10a - 4p and includes 6 teleconferences/webinars covering: email marketing, affliate marketing, PR. how to create a marketing plan.

Heidi is charging a small fee of $47 to cover expenses. You get access to all sessions, access to the audio recordings so you can listen at your leisure, all Resources including a 40+ page Workbook, eBooks, Worksheets and eGuides. 

If you're around Saturday morning between 11:20a - 12:10p (and not at a Georgia Floria Game tail-gating party!) pour another cup of coffee and hang out with the Marketing Divas!

Astrology_15 business astrology for fun -

from The Astro Divas Paula Dare & Donna Page

Get ready for the fun to commence. Mercury goes Retrograde tomorrow 10/28. If you have any contracts to sign it is advisable to hold off until after Mercury turns Direct 11/17 at 7:25 PM. If you wonder why you’re having computer problems, people are taking everything you say the wrong way, your flight is delayed, your luggage gets lost, your car breaks down, you just maybe feeling the effects of the Retrograde cycle. This is a great time for sales people to reconnect with customers.

On Sunday Neptune turns Direct. Allow the creative juices to flow. Let your imagination take over and write down all of the things you would like see changed in your business, no matter how way out there you think it may be. Then you can go through your list of ideas and get to work.

Firday Fun: Virtual Bookmobile

10/13/2006

Friday Fun is Diva Marketing's virtual happy hour from cosmos to Jack to lemonade. A waiting for the weekend 'playground' time to be sophisticated-silly. Or sometimes just plain silly.

With the weather turning cooler a favorite Readingbookwinterwhite_1 for me is curling up in front of a fire with good book while sipping a brandy or cab or even perhaps hot chocolate or cup of tea. And of course a few sweet nibbles! And yes, Wayne, Max hangs out eating his special doggy chocolates. <wink> 

I can't remember a time when I couldn't read. When I was 5 years old something very special happened to me. I got my very own library card. It was a bright spring afternoon and my dad took me to the library. It seems now like one of the first 'rites of passage.' Perhaps in 2006, it's not a library card but your first computer that is your first rite of passage.

Since we're talking books, have you heard about the LibraryThing? It's social media for book lovers. You can build your personal library and share books, reviews tags, clouds, comments and more. There is even an Author Gallery that pulls pictures of your favorite authors. Pretty cool stuff.

One of the nicest benefits of business blogging is the opportunity to review books. Authors like bloggers. I have a pile of books that I'm anxious to dig into over the next few weeks. By the way it's a fun touch when the author signs her/his book and adds a personal note.

The interview Readingbookwinterwhite_1that I did a few weeks ago with Mary Hunt, In Women We Trust, was such fun and well received that I'm now asking authors to participate in mini interviews that will be posted on Diva Marketing.  The added insights from the author, along with the opportunity for you to add your comments and ask questions, seemed like a much better deal than another boring book report.

On The To Be Read Shelf
Most will turn into Diva Interviews with the authors.

The Corporate Blogging Book by Debbie Weil
What Sticks by Rex Briggs and Greg Stuart
Marketing Champions by Roy A Young, Allen M. Weiss, Phd, David W. Stewart, PhD
Writing White Papers by Michael A. Steizner
Kiss Theory Good Bye by Bob Prosen
Word of Mouth Marketing by Andy Sernovitz

This week I received a small brown box in the mail from a popcorn company. Couldn't image who would be sending me a present of popcorn so I quickly opened the package. I found a bag of Gourmet Popcorn along with Word of Mouth Marketing and a nice letter from Andy Sernovitz. Readingbookwinterwhite_1Here's proof that if you given them something unique and fun to talk about the buzz will begin!

Take a cue from a simple bag of popcorn. What can you add to your offerings that people will want to tell their friends? Think out side the box. Drop a comment and share your ideas.

With a book in hand there's always a friend close by. In search of a good book?
New York Times Book Review
Google Book Search

MySpace Book Reviews

Astrology_15 business astrology for fun -
from The Astro Divas
Paula Dare & Donna Page

Mercury, the winged messenger; ruler of communication and commerce has entered into its shadow. The shadow is the precursor for the retrograde at the end of the month (October 28th). It is a time when problems may arise and not be solved until after the retrograde (November 18th). Pay extra attention to any orders you need to place for the upcoming holiday season.

Wednesday the 18th is a magnet for mishaps in communication. Mercury will be at a very powerful point, known in ancient times as the accursed degree of the accursed sign (19 Scorpio) when repressed resentment and anger comes spewing out.

If you feel manipulated or misunderstood it will serve you well to find a healthy way to express and release your frustrations before you say something that could come back and bite you.

Friday Fun: Behind Enemy Lines

10/07/2006

Friday Fun is Diva Marketing's virtual happy hour from cosmos to Jack to lemonade. A waiting for the weekend 'playground' time to be sophisticated-silly. Or sometimes just plain silly.

Okay, I have blogger guilt. Not only have I been lame this week in posting to Diva but Friday Fun is now Saturday Smiles. Or will be if I beat the clock.

Marthe_cohn__behind_enemy_lines Every once in awhile you find a story that has to be passed along. I was clicking through TV shows and stopped to listen to a Book C-SPAN 2 repeat interview with Marte Cohn. I've never heard of Marte Cohn but the title of the book intrigued me Behind Enemy Lines: The True Story of a French Jewish Spy in Nazi Germany.

Few people knew what Marte Cohn did during WWII. Not her husband. Not her two sons. Not her friends or grandchildren. Few people knew that Marte Cohn was a true heroine. As she said on C-SPAN 2, she was "too busy" to tell her story living her life. It wasn't until she turned 79 years old that Mrs. Cohn found the time to write her book about joining the French Army and her covert missions behind enemy lines into Germay.

When she was eighty, Marthe Cohn was awarded France’s highest military honor, the Medaille Militaire for outstanding military service. With this award came official acknowledgment of the heroic exploits of a beautiful young Jewish woman who faced death every day as she sought to help defeat the Nazi empire. In 2005, she was awarded the title of Chevalier de l’Ordre de la Légion d’Honneur.

This compelling memoir is a testament to how extraordinary circumstances can transform a life—and how an extraordinary person reacts to difficult circumstances. Publishers Weekly

It is also a testimony to .. you are never to old to undertake a new venture. So I pass along what I hope will bring you a bit of inspiration to jump start your week.

Sidebar: When is  C-SPAN going to develop podcasts or vlogs from its author interviews?


Astrology_15 business astrology for fun -
from The Astro Divas
Paula Dare & Donna Page

This full moon on Friday is asking us to look within our heart, within our company policy, and our personal interaction with others to discover what is out of balance.

Are you playing the game of business to win at all cost? Even at the expense of your integrity? Create and reformulate the mission for your company to have enormous profits and success based upon tremendous value that you give to your customers and clients. There may be coworkers or people you are in negotiation with that may only be thinking about what they can get.

Be willing to walk away from any arrangement that you would eventually resent but first speak your truth without anger but from a place of clarity and peace. With the sun and Venus in Libra and the moon in Taurus Sunday and Monday are great days to bring home a purchase that supports a hobby you have that lets life be your own work of art.