tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27354261573198445912024-02-18T21:31:56.700-08:00SWJ Strategic Marketing and AdvertisingStrategic Wow!SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-21356877712750334542014-06-20T12:53:00.000-07:002014-06-20T12:53:10.791-07:00Never Too Busy for Courtesy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UEm3Wf1uWDg4EKE7sy4JwY6AnHkq_4M7mGarhMDEMTSDjv0MWOV5kny-D7GKcqedR1Ae2HMnj6zO8Fd9Zle9UXMr8YpEK34ozZCWsD_It-rjyARHk9ohamMswKTY-odNH8fDTHEPjjI/s1600/iStock_000015616297XXXLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2UEm3Wf1uWDg4EKE7sy4JwY6AnHkq_4M7mGarhMDEMTSDjv0MWOV5kny-D7GKcqedR1Ae2HMnj6zO8Fd9Zle9UXMr8YpEK34ozZCWsD_It-rjyARHk9ohamMswKTY-odNH8fDTHEPjjI/s1600/iStock_000015616297XXXLarge.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>By Pam Hadder</b><br /><br /><i style="font-weight: bold;">The Blame Game</i><br />Some blame it on technology, some blame it on the fast pace of living, and some blame it on an uncertain economic future, but basic courtesy is falling by the wayside - on that point most of us can agree! You will have your own examples, but maybe you can relate to some of these: no response to emails, voice mail hell versus living voices, and service people who begin talking before you can communicate your needs. At SWJ, we still believe that basic courtesy is essential, so regardless of the underlying causes, we are never too busy or too jaded for basic courtesy. Not only does courtesy assist with efficient use of time and resources, courtesy is noticed and appreciated and it builds collegial relationships; whether by digital communication, by phone or in person. Committing to basic courtesy shows our respect for others and that we appreciate their time and contribution. <b>Basic courtesy is the first vehicle we use to acknowledge other human beings - it tells others that they matter.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Everything New is Old Again</i><br />It's not NEW - the trend began several years ago. SWJ used to send out seasonal promo items to key suppliers and clients. <b>Although we sent thousands, we could count the thank you responses on one hand! </b>After years of this we have opted to support a select number of worthwhile community causes instead. For example, donations to a local theatre group working for social justice, a pizza party for a core area daycare or educational support for a single parent. We find that these small gestures of support are always acknowledged with a sincere thank you. However, when we mail out correspondence of any kind - supplier client, personal or service - we are somewhat mystified as to why people do not acknowledge receipt. It takes repeated follow up by phone or email to cajole, or sometimes extrude, a response. We hate to use the dreaded "Request a Delivery Receipt" or "Request a Read Receipt" but sometimes, in a critical business context, we have to resort to robotic insistence for some acknowledgement.<br />
<br />
<i style="font-weight: bold;">Bucking the Trend</i><br />I recently read in an online forum that if we are frustrated by the epidemic lack of basic courtesy, we can address the problem by: a) committing to basic courtesy ourselves; and by b) <b>embracing random acts of courtesy every day</b> - such as opening a door for a busy parent with kids in tow, taking out garbage for an elderly or infirm neighbour, letting a car merge into a busy traffic lane, or stopping to allow pedestrians to safely cross a street versus rushing to turn our vehicles ahead of them.<br />
<br />
<b><i>WE Still Matter</i></b><br />
Yes, we are all working harder with greater uncertainty - and yes, technology is training us all to be knee-jerk reactionaries who sometimes confuse social media with in-person realities. Rather than normalizing aggression and rudeness, consider that basic lesson of leadership; <b>we are each capable of influence </b>and our actions affect others, whether or not we consciously connect to or buy into those impactful realities.SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-88539984283234172102014-02-03T13:07:00.002-08:002014-02-03T13:07:47.102-08:00Brands of Influence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezpFrDhK4n01rY2px05yWHiMoXO4wqWWaLkHHkLrIfvJRYYsDmMoOT9ia8zL178d2i0qRRKdkXrlInsagCBO4d_OCb5LIjfu9J2ws1ZCHNpvzW1UgGnXkMV5dl5COCcJPqPY7znSghKw/s1600/iStock_000003066815Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiezpFrDhK4n01rY2px05yWHiMoXO4wqWWaLkHHkLrIfvJRYYsDmMoOT9ia8zL178d2i0qRRKdkXrlInsagCBO4d_OCb5LIjfu9J2ws1ZCHNpvzW1UgGnXkMV5dl5COCcJPqPY7znSghKw/s1600/iStock_000003066815Large.jpg" height="412" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>The Globe and Mail</i>
featured an article (Jan. 31, 2014) containing results of an annual list of
influential brands as released by Ipsos Reid.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Roughly 5,000 Canadians are surveyed and asked branding
questions about a brand’s trustworthiness and innovation, and whether it plays
a central role in those consumers’ lives (presence; corporate citizenship; and
engagement). </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Included in the Top 10 Most Influential Brands in Canada,
according to Ipsos Reid, were:</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Google</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Facebook</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Microsoft</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Apple</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Visa</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Tim Hortons</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
YouTube</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
President’s Choice</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Walmart</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
MasterCard</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
President’s Choice and MasterCard were both new to the
top 10 this year. Other fast-growing
brands included Netflix, Hudson’s Bay Company, and McDonald’s Restaurants of
Canada.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Interesting differences were seen in how the genders,
generations and regions view brands. The
Millennial generations love YouTube, Pinterest and Netflix, while Gen Xers find
The Weather Network as more influential than their Boomer or Millennial counterparts. Among iconic Canadian brands, Tim Hortons is
very influential in Ontario, while the CBC ranks particularly high among men,
Boomers, and those from Quebec and the Maritimes.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In 2013, the Most Influential Brands study was also
conducted in 15 other countries to find the most influential brands in the
world, including the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, UK, France, Germany,
Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, Australia, China, Taiwan and Singapore.</div>
SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-77335578427777960802013-10-08T14:28:00.000-07:002013-10-08T14:28:31.451-07:00Easy as X-Y-Z<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAQq3UbyD0s7MZUV9WtKwoajTxz-N0GXAOSZw4wQ1yR1S0sSLVtJg4PzsjODEMQ__IFJ9GNiNshduwVj8i-fdLTRfJ77VmMcKTDqNEYeIlpyajbcT_4JoygcoFUFPmcIzjhcSJyeCiyg/s1600/iStock_000007070391Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAQq3UbyD0s7MZUV9WtKwoajTxz-N0GXAOSZw4wQ1yR1S0sSLVtJg4PzsjODEMQ__IFJ9GNiNshduwVj8i-fdLTRfJ77VmMcKTDqNEYeIlpyajbcT_4JoygcoFUFPmcIzjhcSJyeCiyg/s400/iStock_000007070391Large.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h2>
<b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px;">By Wendy J. Miller</b></h2>
The basics of marketing are simple. Take a product or service, which we’ll call <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">X</span></em>. Anticipate what potential consumers want, <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Y</span></em>. Align <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">X</span></em> with a promise to deliver <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Y</span></em> to produce the client’s goal, <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Z</span></em> – be it trial, positive perception, or brand loyalty. Repeat. Here’s the rub: to be successful, the formula needs to ring true in reverse too: <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">product/service X + trial/perception/loyalty Z</span></em> needs to deliver on brand promise <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">Y</span></em>.<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">The formula works wonders with concrete brand promises, which marketers make when a product is different in a meaningful way from its competitors. For example, Apple makes a new computer. Recognizing consumers’ frustrations with their PC’s knack for crashing, Mac creates a series of ads poking fun at its counterpart’s inadequacies. The message resonates with Steve, so he goes and buys an iMac. It doesn’t crash. Steve tells his friends. Some, encouraged by his testimonial, buy one too, and tell their friends. The story practically writes itself, especially advertising supports what you friend has already told you. It’s a “true” confirmation of the message you need/want to hear. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">But when a product is materially similar to its competitors’ (like in the soft drink industry), marketers often need to make intangible brand promises to differentiate the offering. Ultimately, their goal is to link their brand with a highly desired feeling or esteemed value so that consumers have something to buy into – a perceived reason to favour one product over another.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">In the past, this has been accomplished this through traditional advertising. For example, Coca-Cola has been selling “happiness” for decades through cinematics. First there was “I’d like to buy the world a Coke” (and, of course, that would lead to world peace) and now there’s “Open Happiness” which continues to market Coke to the world. But these days, people are much more media savvy and reluctant to drink the corporate Kool-Aid, er, Coke. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">So rather than just <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">tell</span></em> consumers through traditional media that Coke is happiness, Coca-Cola has begun to <em><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">show</span></em> consumers how great Coke-flavoured happiness can be by bringing it to real people, and then sharing it with others through social media as a form of brand testimonial. This act makes an abstract brand concept more concrete, more tangible, more real.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span lang="EN-US">Does it make everyone want to run out and buy a Coke? Probably not. But that’s not what it aims to do. It is intended to increase positive perception about the drink and support its brand promise – happiness – so that you, and your friends, can share a global feel good moment, courtesy of Coca-Cola. </span></div>
SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-46740173093992002832013-08-07T09:31:00.000-07:002013-08-07T09:31:47.623-07:00Summer is a Loaded Word!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-cvJy2OyK2TpOuAkI__a2ncG_0SEC1PMUiSQRiNRAlKYNwRnDU55NWiXS89t2C4Ol3xWT6OCq8cQlU3pi5v8epCzKr8LQV7yznD8hbSoBg1-LWOu-CcRP3fZrxbW9YK5OKsdWLX3n8E/s1600/iStock_000012126244Small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-cvJy2OyK2TpOuAkI__a2ncG_0SEC1PMUiSQRiNRAlKYNwRnDU55NWiXS89t2C4Ol3xWT6OCq8cQlU3pi5v8epCzKr8LQV7yznD8hbSoBg1-LWOu-CcRP3fZrxbW9YK5OKsdWLX3n8E/s320/iStock_000012126244Small.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">By Pam Hadder</span></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Industrial
revolution economists imagined how time-saving technologies and devices would
reshape our world. It was predicted that a </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><b>20-hour work week</b> would be the norm
by the 1980s, resulting in the luxury of more free time, increased wealth and
improved health for the average worker. These
benefits were expected to arise out of the time-saving and productivity-boosting
efficiencies of increased mechanization.
Despite some good intentions, this humanistic vision has not been realized. Yes, working conditions have improved over
all, and people are living longer, but women, children and the poor are still
exploited around the world for a minority class of wealthy business owners. Global
capitalism and corporate greed have burgeoned, ensuring that the financial
benefits reaped by technological development remain polarized – the <b>gap between
the haves and have-nots</b> remains and widens. And the real kicker – the average person is
working longer and longer hours with less and less leisure time, and with
limited power to change the established structures of control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sometimes I
wish that I did not know about the potential good for mankind presented by the
industrial revolution. Instead of
working more efficiently and having more time for family, recreation and
creative pursuits, people are increasingly pushed to be constantly engaged and
plugged in for business. To do otherwise
is to risk being labeled as out-of-touch, un-hip, washed up, unmotivated and so
on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">And so, what
to do about summer? <b>Summer adds a layer
of complication</b>; yes, summer is problematic!
Despite the constant pressures of busy-ness and the dog-eat-dog
aggression of our neo-capitalist world, summer still elicits steamy, soft-focus
images of relaxation, repose and the simple appreciation of our natural
environment. Summer gently engages our bodies
and our imaginations, leading us on a very human path to our origins and most
basic instincts for living. Pair
“vacation” with summer and you risk some extraordinary push back – you’re doing
what, going where, for how long? Don’t
you know the world will stop if too many of us unplug, take off our shoes and
head off barefoot down dusty trails?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Henry James,
an American writer born during the industrial revolution, once said, “Summer
afternoon, summer afternoon: those have always been the two most beautiful
words in the English language.”
Beautiful yes, and precious, and significant – so, why not serve yourself
a generous piece of summer. <b>Savour each taste, each sound, each colour; every
scent and every memory – and be conscious of their importance to your well being.</b> Summer remains a loaded word, so resist the
pressure to deny your humanness, and layer your summer moments with all of the
positives you need to remain whole and connected to your personal purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-87327728679771345562013-06-17T08:36:00.000-07:002013-06-17T08:48:21.328-07:00It's All Relative<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqzjCtHmS9Ay8DVHeD25KcIagwt88VjuXewneq0r9w-Z6Vx_bC_7ftTtP0FW0o4VUnckDNmvKirlDaQfrWR7mh7W65BN6ywv4LWxsVOZ8_XF22n-hACVJR7A-5GnAkvPizwy6sCdOvjI/s1600/iStock_000005714488XLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEqzjCtHmS9Ay8DVHeD25KcIagwt88VjuXewneq0r9w-Z6Vx_bC_7ftTtP0FW0o4VUnckDNmvKirlDaQfrWR7mh7W65BN6ywv4LWxsVOZ8_XF22n-hACVJR7A-5GnAkvPizwy6sCdOvjI/s400/iStock_000005714488XLarge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>By Pam Hadder</b><br />
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Recently
newspapers have been discussing the Bank of Canada’s concern over the glut of
condo developments in Toronto – the worry is that the current condo building
spree is out-pacing demand. The result
could be a significant drop in property values, and the Bank of Canada has a
healthy stake in urban real estate, so that would never do! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The Bank of
Canada is also bemoaning our country’s slow recovery from “economic crisis” – a
crisis that we know is as contrived as all other financial wheeling and dealing
around the globe. Stop for a moment and
consider who valuates currency – who
decides which country has more economic clout versus another, and who waves the
magic wand to determine what commodities are the top contenders? Really, nothing has changed and the only
crisis is one of ongoing, age-old power struggles. We have unlimited human ingenuity and a finite
but vast storehouse of materials for survival and enjoyment – it’s the same
basic playing field that humankind has wrestled over for eons. However, we must buffet the storms of
contrivance generated by regulatory bodies in our country and across the globe
– the vocal few, the minorities with decisive power; the crisis generators who
enact code red situations. And to what
end? Simply to decide who gets a bigger
piece of pie, and who dies because they go without.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is
more than enough talent, raw material and food for all to share. No person should be struggling to get by
without water, food or shelter. It’s all
about the leveraging of minority perspectives – how certain self-serving views
are marketed to the masses. No matter
how bad the outlook seems, and no matter what blather is spun by governments
and popular information channels, know this to be true – nothing has changed
except perception, and individuals need to understand their power to oppose
these human mythologies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-46096909686650612692013-05-14T12:28:00.001-07:002013-06-17T08:50:43.766-07:00Perpetual Interview???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cVf1Ds19eDKtJ05R6n8F-67WT4h9oPylUqYPWgDNvax0OGageNkpSpaMAGz9CMMalAGa-lqh81lLVHvFmgflUzkMeI-eeCihpzYow42vuEIDWY43yqLnRAaAe5kn8UL7-eluC-Plmj8/s1600/iStock_000003066815Large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0cVf1Ds19eDKtJ05R6n8F-67WT4h9oPylUqYPWgDNvax0OGageNkpSpaMAGz9CMMalAGa-lqh81lLVHvFmgflUzkMeI-eeCihpzYow42vuEIDWY43yqLnRAaAe5kn8UL7-eluC-Plmj8/s400/iStock_000003066815Large.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>By Pam Hadder</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Through thick and thin, the majority of our core business
has come via referral – a natural byproduct of work well done. However, SWJ President, Wendy j., once
remarked on how working in our industry is like being on an </span><b style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">endless job interview</b><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">. It is true that
sometimes there is a sense of having to prove oneself, despite repeated
demonstrations of ability! So, like other firms, we have been known to compete
for business. Enter the world of RFQs
and proposals – oftentimes a dark-skied place of fuzzy lines, fiery hoops and
highway robbers!</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sound less than appealing? Well, truth be told, very few of the current RFQs
that cross our path are properly written and administered – we are becoming
increasingly wary and discriminating of any RFQ/RFP offers. Typically what unfolds
is an unrealistic list of demands, at times even including the supply of our
recommended strategy and creative solutions – all this without payment, and within
short timelines. Some false assumptions
are at play here: a) we work for free,
even though no one else does, and b) we are willing to compromise professional
standards and ethics for the almighty dollar.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">People pay us for our strategy and for our creative
ideas, that’s our bread and butter!
Consider if you needed life-saving surgery, would you ask the surgeon to
do a demo for you before you committed to the procedure? What about a meal in an established
restaurant known for its signature salad – would you demand the recipe? How about electrical services – would you try
and dicker with the red seal professional about his approach? If so, you are NOT our potential client. As a very basic first step, there needs to be
a climate of trust and respect before we agree to move forward with any new
client. <br />
<br />
Maybe you’ve been “burnt” before? We
agree that our field has become over-run with posers and talkers. In one month
alone we had three clients come to us, all of whom had been underwhelmed by the
same web firm. They had each spent
thousands and did not yet have what they were promised – like them, we were rather
astounded! Obviously the web firm had a
very effective salesperson, and a sketchy implementation process. As such, we
recommend that you do your homework – ask about relevant work samples, ensure
that you are clear about your budget and expectations, and don’t fall prey to the
“friend-of-a friend” mentality. The bottom line is you need capability,
integrity and results.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Want to work with us?
We are friendly, good-natured people with extraordinary passion and
purpose in our chosen field: <b>strategic marketing
and advertising</b>. We will work alongside
you and your team within your defined budgets and timelines to help you achieve
your personal and business goals. We can
also guide you through a strategic process to define goals and priorities
and/or refine existing goals. Most of all, our solutions are timely and
effective – and we can demonstrate real results, proving the effectiveness and
value of our strategy and tactics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Since 1999, we have lived and breathed our corporate
motto: <b>On time. On budget. On strategy. </b>Life
is just too short for mediocrity. We are
interested in partnering with like-minded individuals to achieve meaningful,
powerful business results, while opting out of futile dances with
disrespectful, disengaged thinkers. From where we stand, the time for
interviews is over – we’re ready to work; now how may we help you?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-20434584907056692562013-04-08T10:14:00.000-07:002013-04-08T10:14:21.099-07:00Working Naked Day and Other Crazy Holidays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TeQovwZlsOQ0uc0EUlT4ovZ4NpuYdjYP-YUJ5rPQwREHUsScoIMyzigAFubTPHa52gNNBDkOT_IzaKcb8IHVVJ85QZ_oYGOiFw8YdtpTVD6cMKg6e1nvjxF13xq3ZTeptseSOwbBR64/s1600/PuddleJump.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-TeQovwZlsOQ0uc0EUlT4ovZ4NpuYdjYP-YUJ5rPQwREHUsScoIMyzigAFubTPHa52gNNBDkOT_IzaKcb8IHVVJ85QZ_oYGOiFw8YdtpTVD6cMKg6e1nvjxF13xq3ZTeptseSOwbBR64/s400/PuddleJump.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>By Wendy J. Miller</b><br />
Who knew that February 1 has been celebrated as Working
Naked Day since 2010? It was created by <span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #050505;"> home office expert Lisa Kanarek created the
event to celebrate the sort of freedoms that one gets from working at home. She
could have gone with “Work in Pajamas Day” but she was trying to make a serious
statement.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I felt so bad missing Working Naked Day so I thought I’d
better check what “special” holidays there are in April. Here’s what I found:</div>
<b><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;">April 2013 Daily Holidays, Special and Wacky Days:</span></b><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">1.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/april1.htm">April Fool's Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://holidayinsights.com/other/dyngusday.htm">Dyngus Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/January/funatworkday.htm">International
Fun at Work Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">4.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/tatting.htm">International Tatting
Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">5.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/childrensbookday.htm">Children's
Book Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">6.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/pbandjday.htm">National
Peanut Butter and Jelly Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">7.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/reconciliationday.htm">Reconciliation
Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">8.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/dontworkfunday.htm">Don't
Go to Work Unless it's Fun Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">9.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/tweedday.htm">Tweed Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">10.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/huganewsmanday.htm">Hug
a Newsman Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">11.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/walkaroundthings.htm">Walk
Around Things Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">12.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/schoollibrarian.htm">School
Librarian Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">13.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/tellalieday.htm">Tell a
Lie Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">14.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/goforbrokeday.htm">Go
for Broke Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">15.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/walk.htm">National Walk to Work Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">16.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/planyourepitaphday.htm">Plan
Your Epitaph Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">17.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/sorrycharlieday.htm">Sorry Charlie
Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">18.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/caramelpopcornday.htm">Caramel
Popcorn Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">19.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/nohouseworkday.htm">No Housework Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">20.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/worldhealthday.htm">World
Health Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">21.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/allisoursday.htm">All
is Ours Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">22.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/picturebirdday.htm">Draw
a Picture of a Bird Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">23.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/nameyourselfday.htm">Name
Yourself Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">24.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/winstonchurchillday.htm">Winston
Churchill Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">25.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/golfersday.htm">Golfer's Day</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">26.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/siblingday.htm">National
Siblings Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">27.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/eighttracktapeday.htm">Eight
Track Tape Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">28.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/barbershopquartet.htm">Barbershop
Quartet Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">29.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/March/submarineday.htm">National
Submarine Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">30.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/bigwindday.htm">Big
Wind Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">31.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/cosmonaut.htm">Russian Cosmonaut Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">32.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/scrabbleday.htm">Scrabble
Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">33.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/exspouseday.htm">Ex
Spouse Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">34.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/momentoflaughterday.htm">International
Moment of Laughter Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">35.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/lookupatskyday.htm">Look
up at the Sky Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">36.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/March/pecanday.htm">National
Pecan Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">37.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/reachhighday.htm">Reach
as High as You Can Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">38.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/patriotsday.htm">Patriot's Day<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">39.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/rubbereraserday.htm">Rubber Eraser
Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">40.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/titanicday.htm">Titanic
Remembrance Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">41.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/eggsbenedictday.htm">National
Eggs Benedict Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">42.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/nationallibrarianday.htm">National
Librarian Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">43.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/stressawareness.htm">National Stress
Awareness Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">44.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/blahblahday.htm">Blah,
Blah, Blah Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">45.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/cheeseballday.htm">National
Cheeseball Day</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">46.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/petownerindependenceday.htm">Pet
Owners Independence Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">47.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/jugglersday.htm">International
Juggler's Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">48.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/highfiveday.htm">National
High Five Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">49.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/columnistsday.htm">Newspaper
Columnists Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">50.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/nationalgarlicday.htm">National
Garlic Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">51.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/lookalikeday.htm">Look
Alike Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">52.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/volunteerrecognitionday.htm">Volunteer
Recognition Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">53.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/kindergartenday.htm">Kindergarten
Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">54.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/girlscoutleaderday.htm">Girl
Scout Leader Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">55.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/nationaljellybeanday.htm">National
Jelly Bean Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">56.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/loversday.htm">Lover's
Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">57.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/zucchinibreadday.htm">National
Zucchini Bread Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">58.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/takeachanceday.htm">Take
a Chance Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">59.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/worldlaboratoryday.htm">World
Laboratory Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">60.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/secretary.htm">Executive Admin's Day
(aka Secretary's Day or Administrative Professional’s Day)</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">61.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/piginablanketday.htm">Pig
in a Blanket Da<span style="color: #0f0f0f;">y</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">62.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/eastmeetswestday.htm">East
meets West Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">63.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/tyd.htm">Take Your Daughter to Work</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">64.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/penguinawareness.htm">World Penguin
Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">65.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/hugaustralianday.htm">Hug
an Australian Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">66.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/nationalpretzelday.htm">National
Pretzel Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">67.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/richterscaleday.htm">Richter
Scale Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">68.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/baberuthday.htm">Babe Ruth Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">69.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/primeribday.htm">National
Prime Rib Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">70.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/tellastoryday.htm">Tell
a Story Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">71.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/astronomyday.htm">International
Astronomy Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">72.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/poetryreadingday.htm">Great
Poetry Reading Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">73.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/other/kissyourmateday.htm">Kiss Your Mate
Day</a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">74.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/greenery.htm">Greenery
Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">75.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/shrimpscampiday.htm">National
Shrimp Scampi Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">76.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/hairstyleappreciationday.htm">Hairstyle
Appreciation Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri;">77.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #0f0f0f; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><a href="http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreholidays/April/honestyday.htm">National
Honesty Day</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Come on! How crazy
are some of these? Notice there isn’t a
Puddle Jumping Day - yet...</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-71444342086264463232013-03-11T11:58:00.003-07:002013-03-11T12:01:11.076-07:00International Women’s Day – Why It Matters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8503qx0onNdJCQOoYtkgdXLXs4A_sJTQV0O0-zPu_SfCwtnDKuf_DVFprmR22S5Phb5PzevqlUFcqIceMPuBcVZfvujgLDjbihpiPFYRdpukP97PNCWyG6FFcWeIDxK-j4tCsq5QaTM/s1600/iStock_000011216171XLarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8503qx0onNdJCQOoYtkgdXLXs4A_sJTQV0O0-zPu_SfCwtnDKuf_DVFprmR22S5Phb5PzevqlUFcqIceMPuBcVZfvujgLDjbihpiPFYRdpukP97PNCWyG6FFcWeIDxK-j4tCsq5QaTM/s400/iStock_000011216171XLarge.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>By Pam Hadder</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What were you doing on March 8? March 8 was <b>International Women’s Day (IWD)</b> in Canada and around the world, and
it is typically marked by events celebrating the achievements of women. It also is a critical time to address global
structures that continue to disenfranchise and disempower women, while seeking
ways to narrow gender equity gaps. In
many countries including China, Nepal, Viet Nam and Uganda, Women’s Day is a
national holiday, but this is not the case in Canada. Many countries also acknowledge International
Women’s Week (IWW), in an effort to both be inclusive and to extend the
messaging and interaction time for women’s issues and celebrations.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>So, why is IWD/IWW so important, and how did it originate?</b> As a result of growing social consciousness
movements, and the awareness of female oppression, 1975 was declared the <i>International Women’s Year</i> by the United
Nations. <b>Why March 8?</b> March 8 coincides with the famous 1917
“bread and peace” protest by Russian women which deposed its oppressive monarchical structure and marked a time of great societal change. Today we are not engaged in a World War like
the Russian women were, but violence, murder and starvation are very real
issues on a global scale, and the appalling truth is that <b>one in four women and
girls will be the victims of sexualized violence in their lifetime</b>, and that many
women and children around the world live in poverty and without political
agency to escape their plight. Within
global structures of masculinized and militarized power, women are denied equal
participation, a voice, and even life itself.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Forbes recently released its updated list of global
billionaires – there are <b>just 1,426 people that monopolize world fortunes</b> –
less than 2,000 out of billions of human beings on the Earth. The majority
of these uber-wealthy types are males, with Americans leading the way, despite
their vocal complaints over depressed economic conditions in their nation. The gap between the haves and have-nots is
widening within tumultuous, uncertain times – somehow, a select few
manage to hoard massive stockpiles of wealth while others starve.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Often nations like Canada look to “others” or “Third World”
countries, and speak of their need for aid – we are told how lucky we are to
live in our great nation, and the “other” is deserving of our charity; our
pity. Canadians like to distance
themselves from poverty, violence and inequity – as if it is an isolated issue
in a far off land. We like to see the Third World other as less educated, less
technically adept and less empowered.
But did you know that India’s literacy rate is far higher than our own
and that <b>Afghanistan has more women in political leadership roles than Canada,
Britain or the USA</b>? And did you know that Canada is on World Vision’s giving
list – for meals and school supplies for needy kids, but that only 1% of the
funds they raise actually go to Canadian kids?<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Denying gender-based inequity is almost criminal in its
ignorance, but those who speak out are often labeled as frustrated radicals or left wing malcontents. The
uncomfortable truth is that women and children are much more likely to live in
need, and are more likely to experience physical violence in Canada and around
the world. Indigenous women face further
barriers and they suffer increased levels of poverty and violence, exacerbated
by endemic racism in our country.<br />
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So does International Women’s Day matter? <b> Hell yes! </b>
What can you do? Read, stay
informed, share your findings and make choices in work and in your personal
dealings that reinforce fairness regardless of race, gender or sexual
orientation. I leave you with the profoundly powerful words of Winnipeg
Indigenous mother, poet, activist and humanitarian, <b>Althea Guiboche</b>. Althea recently began making bannock to feed
to hungry and homeless people in Winnipeg; we hope you will visit her Facebook
page, “Got Bannock?” and consider how you might be part of the solution:<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>AGIMAAWAG AKINA –
Everyone Counts</b><br />
<b><i>By Althea Guiboche</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>I feed those people<br />
who are wandering around<br />
the cold, the hungry<br />
the homeless sitting on the ground<br />
the down on their luck<br />
the ones asking for a buck<br />
the ones who need someone<br />
to show them some love<br />
to show that they care<br />
These are someone’s loved ones too<br />
everyone has a story<br />
everyone has a past<br />
whether good or bad<br />
I don’t look at that<br />
we are all connected<br />
we all belong<br />
agimaawag akina<br />
Everyone counts.</b></div>
SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-45230050169029063652013-02-12T08:04:00.002-08:002013-02-12T08:10:33.009-08:00Whoa...it's Valentine's Day???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX39PjjH7BfSABwmMjrCyTE5Wi33aSRJFpyjSbjr7tQFkUe191jShOMyQRvMtSKdvRP1-8VLmrJi2M_HHSzlYxlBDdbeTXEUGF8N_VzH9XTda2Xd6proHT2CTfZrI6y8MetprugALz08Q/s1600/LoveU.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX39PjjH7BfSABwmMjrCyTE5Wi33aSRJFpyjSbjr7tQFkUe191jShOMyQRvMtSKdvRP1-8VLmrJi2M_HHSzlYxlBDdbeTXEUGF8N_VzH9XTda2Xd6proHT2CTfZrI6y8MetprugALz08Q/s400/LoveU.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
<b>By Pam Hadder</b></h3>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">It looks
like the annual-reminder-of-all-things-romantic is upon us! Depending on where you are at in life,
Valentine’s Day can be fantastic, stressful, lonely, dreamy, or anticlimactic
– or some crazy mixture of many emotions! The Buddha once said that “He who loves 50 people has 50 woes; he who loves none has no woes.” It
appears that <b>love is high risk and high maintenance</b>, yet it continues to reign
supreme as humanity’s elusive muse, inspiring writers, artists, scholars and
everyone in between.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">No matter how you define it, or whether
you feel you have ever known it, love is a hot topic. Wildly paradoxical, love
is jet fuel for commerce, and a beacon of hope in a world of power
struggles. So when it comes to the
complexities of love, we hope you can take time to reflect on what really
matters: <b>self-love</b> so you can be vital and energized for interactions with
others, tolerance to allow room for
other viewpoints and values, and humour
to let joy shine through – even in difficult spaces and places. And what about <b>human kindness</b>, gentleness, and paying it forward (just because)? These
accessible feelings are the humble stepping stones and the smaller bits that
make up the much glorified version of LOVE to which we are taught to aspire.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But, hey, don’t take our word for it –
here’s what some other folks have to say about love:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“My love, you know you are my best
friend. You know that I’d do anything for you…let nothing come between us…” –
Sarah McLachlan </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">"We've got this gift of love...like a precious plant...keep watering it"</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> – John Lennon</span></b></div>
<br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">
“Love does not dominate; it cultivates.” – <span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Johann Wolfgang von Goethe</span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="background: white; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“If you judge people, you have no time
to love them.” – Mother Teresa</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background: white; font-size: 12.0pt;">“All that we love deeply becomes part of us.” </span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">– Helen
Keller</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Love makes your soul crawl out from its
hiding place.” – Zora Neale Hurston</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“To fear love is to fear life…” –
Bertrand Russell</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Only do what your heart tells you.” –
Princess Diana</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Love is all we have; the only way that
each can help the other.” – Euripides</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">“Love is what you have been through with
somebody.” – James Thurber</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Your words are my food… you are
everything to me.” – Sarah Bernhardt</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“What love we are given, we’ll have
forever…” – Leo Buscaglia</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Love…it surrounds every being and
extends slowly to embrace all that shall be.” – Kahlil Gibran</span></b><b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">“Do you have to have a reason for
loving?” – Brigitte Bardot<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-73913022011787253912013-01-28T13:44:00.003-08:002013-02-08T13:29:43.537-08:00Holding On...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOgNaARcWJzLXCzVFNS8Ew__VkC2SKap5C-gunwub8cfh3ZITmy9cwT3dP6bn3zzNq10uSksUufWL7qFOT2RwjKlna0HYoROL34oEM-bY051YhzccWmHbPdzuptdjbrGL7Kz8a8nGAxE/s1600/ImageHoldingOn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOgNaARcWJzLXCzVFNS8Ew__VkC2SKap5C-gunwub8cfh3ZITmy9cwT3dP6bn3zzNq10uSksUufWL7qFOT2RwjKlna0HYoROL34oEM-bY051YhzccWmHbPdzuptdjbrGL7Kz8a8nGAxE/s320/ImageHoldingOn.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><b>By Pam Hadder</b><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">Let’s talk about business. Things are different, very different – the only thing that is certain it seems is uncertainty. Are you feeling like things are in a holding pattern? Are you finding customers are slow to make decisions but<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>quick to judge</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>based on minimal information? Everyone is an expert, but<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>few embrace quality or accountability</b>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />Are you<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>frustrated by negativity, short attention spans, and lack of vision</b>? Are you puzzled by the huge investments being made in material assets such as new construction, building refurbishment, and equipment, while<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>human issues and the day-to-day working realities take a back seat</b>?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u1:p></u1:p>Much of what is marketed in popular culture is aimed at youth and young adults, but who is actually holding the cash – who is actually in a position to approve projects and spend money? Dazed by the onslaught of technology and social media, the borders between real and perceived value are easily blurred. It is estimated that 80% of the real wealth in North America rests in the hands (investment capital and bank accounts) of adults aged 50 and older. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Despite progress with gender equity in education, government and the workplace, these adults are primarily white and male. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>What we are seeing is a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>polarization of wealth and power</b>, an eroding middle class, and a focus on maintaining the masculinized machinery that feeds capitalist growth.<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span> In uncertain times, the rich are fortifying their reserves of wealth.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">What does our future look like if we continue on this path? What happens when the individual can no longer access the business world? Small business was the fastest growing sector in 2002 – the local restaurant, the little gift shop, the florist, the consultant. Currently, these small entities do not receive government benefits or support that we see offered up to big business (sports teams, developers, etc.), and small business owners are finding it increasingly hard to compete with huge multinational entities: think of Shoppers Drug Mart selling groceries or Costco printing brochures. Unchecked,<span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span>globalization, neoliberal, and neoconservative strategies<span class="apple-converted-space"><b> </b></span><b>erode the power of the person</b>. These factors are creating a new age of feudal living, where a rich minority exploits a desperate peasant class, willing to do anything to survive.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br />Ridiculous? Open your eyes see the signs, take care with your choices – we can still choose how we work, who we work with, and where we spend our money. <span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b>Our daily choices shape the world</b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>and we need to choose wisely and lobby for fairness and distribution of wealth and resources.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-10311606309639822452012-12-11T08:27:00.000-08:002012-12-11T08:35:59.591-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUqQdN7sGImEq49G5ZVLSzwxFVhOLL0ilps13RkYO45mvPLizfwOVBoFAaWlNemoCokNcB5Di9My1nKpc42siWSO7VzLe3FZlLa9IFPDxCjUcq3n4V8-zFgnHxAksL0RZRYDQzXjzRto/s1600/shes_pink.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitUqQdN7sGImEq49G5ZVLSzwxFVhOLL0ilps13RkYO45mvPLizfwOVBoFAaWlNemoCokNcB5Di9My1nKpc42siWSO7VzLe3FZlLa9IFPDxCjUcq3n4V8-zFgnHxAksL0RZRYDQzXjzRto/s400/shes_pink.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
Gender Neutrality</h3>
<strong>by Wendy J. Miller</strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Why is pink used by manufacturers to represent items that
are targeted at women?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Do we only like
pink or purple?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did anyone ever think
that it might be an actual product that we want to buy and if it only comes in
pink – oh well – but women aren’t necessarily buying the item because it’s
pink.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s already old news that BIC has developed pink and
purple pens for women called “for Her.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Beautifull
smooth with an easy glide,” t<span style="background: white;">he pens are
described in the technical specs as being "designed to fit comfortably in
a woman's hand" with an "attractive barrel design available in pink
and purple."<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To think we’ve been
using man pens for all this time – and without any instructions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is new, however, that
Honda has manufactured a vehicle called “Honda Fit She’s” – available in the
predictable pink, OR – here’s a new one – “eyeliner brown.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently it’s only being sold in Japan, but
the features designed to attract women include a “Plasmacluster” climate
control system that is claimed to “improve skin quality,” a windshield “that
prevents wrinkles,” a pink interior stitching, “tutti-frutti-hued” chrome
bezels, and a little heart shape instead of an apostrophe in the word “She’s.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What about toys being
manufactured as gender neutral so anyone can play with whatever appeals to
them?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Currently, McKenna Pope, a
13-year-old girl from New Jersey has written to Hasbro (the manufacturers of
the Easy Bake oven) to ask them why the toy is available only in pink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You see, her little brother wants to be a
chef and she is challenging the notion – as traditional as the little oven
itself – that cooking is a female domain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>More than 18,000 people have already signed a petition in support of her
initiative.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="background: white;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="background: white;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lego developed some
“girly” products – one with a hair salon, a rehearsal stage with dressing room
furnishings, a pet salon, and a city pool – all in pinks and purples.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Games are also<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>being developed (like Hasbro’s “Guess Who”)
that has fewer female characters than male ones, thereby giving anyone who
picked a woman for the guessing game a clear disadvantage.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Courier New";">What kind of message do gender-specific products send? How can
we change the minds of manufacturers to make their products more gender
neutral? Let’s hear from you...<o:p></o:p></span></i></strong></div>
<br />
<br />SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-53477261973583774442012-11-22T08:10:00.000-08:002012-11-22T08:10:05.481-08:00Blue and Gold!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYtHXZBJEMSKmIYViv4W7QR1EjKRFSpUkMAOmsfEKcmqhI7SOVTWlQyqqCbqisLci8cJgMr4Y5ibLv6Mz-Est4TJOTLNaMuirEka27goYF47FuP3m_4l0VlKueAiKARqCOTcM-N6ze6Q/s1600/Ikea-in-Belfast-002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiYtHXZBJEMSKmIYViv4W7QR1EjKRFSpUkMAOmsfEKcmqhI7SOVTWlQyqqCbqisLci8cJgMr4Y5ibLv6Mz-Est4TJOTLNaMuirEka27goYF47FuP3m_4l0VlKueAiKARqCOTcM-N6ze6Q/s400/Ikea-in-Belfast-002.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<strong>By Wendy J. Miller</strong><br />
<br />
So the <strong>magic day</strong> is here! For those of us who have been waiting for years for <strong>IKEA</strong> to open a store in Winnipeg, November 28, 2012 is historic.<br />
<br />
As an advertiser, I am grateful that IKEA is supporting Winnipeg's industry by purchasing lots of media and being publicly visible. As a citizen, I appreciate IKEA "speaking" to Winnipeggers - calling us by name and welcoming us to their new 395,671 square feet of home furnishings. As a consumer, I love that IKEA is <strong>inclusive</strong> and <strong>accessible </strong>and that they distributed their catalogue right to my door. Normally novel or valuable things don't get delivered to the part of town where I live.<br />
<br />
Will I be one of the first to use their 1,619 parking spaces, 800 shopping carts, 40 check-out lanes or to sit in their 651 seat restaurant? No. I think I'll let the first rush move through from opening until the end of the year. The store will never be "quiet" and without significant volumes of consumers. IKEA stores around the world attest to that. I will go, however, when I get a day off work and can wander around at my comfortable speed, taking as long as I like to look and touch and buy.<br />
<br />
I do appreciate you being here, IKEA. <strong>Good things</strong> do come to those who wait.SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-24256699426621075702012-10-15T13:36:00.001-07:002012-10-15T13:36:03.314-07:00Women in Advertising - The Real Story (Part 2)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MG26-Q-ltBObklDsuo5pKi3-PSaZm8ClafqVjOMUYeWWe53AdUx6eZUCWh98vRq8CDe-dVCa__AhXnJoWGv_Hc-C1_TneZE2JkjTVr_FazWshz8iFYoHIGorukWxBfe1wVdmHZTp0pY/s1600/female-green.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MG26-Q-ltBObklDsuo5pKi3-PSaZm8ClafqVjOMUYeWWe53AdUx6eZUCWh98vRq8CDe-dVCa__AhXnJoWGv_Hc-C1_TneZE2JkjTVr_FazWshz8iFYoHIGorukWxBfe1wVdmHZTp0pY/s320/female-green.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>By Wendy J. Miller<br /><br /><i>1977 and Onward! Milestones for Women...</i></b><br />
<ul>
<li>1977 - Caroline Jones became the first black female VP at a major ad agency (BBDO)</li>
<li>1981 - Rochelle Udell heads Calvin Klein's in-house agency and creates the "You Know What Comes Between Me and My Calvins?" campaign</li>
<li><b>1992 - Charlotte Beers </b>became the chairman and chief executive of global ad agency Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide in 1992. Charlotte Beers was adept at combining her business acumen with a little Southern Texas charm and was highly successful in the extremely competitive of advertising. Exceptionally hard working, she carved out successes for her company and herself at a string of jobs. First as a market researcher for Uncle Ben's, next as an account executive at J. Walter Thompson, where she became the first female VP in the firm's 106-year history. Disappointed when she was denied further promotion, she left Thompson for Tatham-Laird & Kudner where she worked 100-hour weeks for two years to turn around the firm's low morale and shaky finances. Beers became CEO, and under her reign over the next decade increased profit margins to double the industry average, tripled billings to $325 million, and lured in major new business accounts. She resigned in 1992 and was heavily courted by several firms, before accepting a position with the $5.4 billion, 8,000 employee Ogilvy & Mather. She stayed at Ogilvy & Mather for four years, increasing billings by $2 billion, before passing the reins to Shelly Lazarus, a long-time Ogilvy employee. In October, 2001, Beers joined US Secretary of State, Colin Powell as Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs, where she introduced modern marketing and communication techniques to jump-start dialogue with areas of the world where the US faced silence or hostility. Ms. Beers held this position until 2003. </li>
<li>1997 - Linda Kaplan-Thaler began her career at J. Walter Thompson, but she left JWT to start her own agency: The Kaplan-Thaler Group - known for the "duck" campaign created for insurance company, Aflac.</li>
<li>2004 - Janet Kestin and Nancy Vonk, with client Silvia Lagnado caused a stir when they used real women, not models, in Dove's "Campaign for Real Beauty." The now legendary campaign was shot by another female legend, photographer Annie Leibovitz.</li>
<li>2008 - Nancy Hill is appointed the first female CEO of the 4As (American Association of Advertising Agency) - a national trade association founded in 1917 that represents American industry.</li>
<li>2012 - the American Advertising Hall of Fame has inducted thirteen women into its fold as of this date - the earliest being Erma Perham Proetz in 1952, and the most recent, Tere. A. Zubizarreta, aka Tere Zubi, in 2012.</li>
</ul>
<b><i>Other notable women in advertising include:</i></b><br />
<div>
<ul>
<li>Andrea Alstrup - retired as corporate vice president, advertising, Johnson & Johnson; her 37-year career began in 1964.</li>
<li>Laurel Cutler - first woman to be honoured as "Man of the Year" in 1995, her career in advertising spanned over three decades.</li>
<li>Jo Foxworth - began work as a copywriter at McCann-Erickson in 1955, and broke through barriers against women with her work for Westinghouse, Buick, Exxon, Hilton Hotels and Coca Cola.</li>
<li>Katharine Graham - chairman and CEO of the Washington Post Co., and publisher of the Washington Post, Ms. Graham was the first women to head a Fortune 500 company, first to serve as director of the Associated Press, and the first female director of the American Newspaper Publishers Association. She received a Pulitzer Prize for her 1997 memoir, chronicling her remarkable life and career.</li>
<li>Geraldine Laybourne - founded Oxygen Media, LLC, and launched Oxygen in 2000 to fill a void in the television landscape by creating a network targeted to younger women.</li>
<li>Patricia Martin - the first woman chair of the American Advertising Federation, Ms. Martin championed and exemplified the ethics of advertising, serving as a role model to many in the industry.</li>
<li>Tere Zubizarreta (Tere Zubi) - displaced from Cuba by the Castro revolution, Ms. Z. arrived in the US in 1959 and has been instrumental in helping shift perceptions about Hispanics and Latinos to the dynamic reality of multi-faceted consumer segments.</li>
<li>Helen Landsdowne Resor, Mary Wells Lawrence, Shirley Polykoff, Phyllis K.Robinson, Jane Trahey, Charlotte Beers, Bernice Fitz-Gibbon, and Peggy Charren have also been included in Advertising Age's Top 100 Advertising People of All Time list.</li>
</ul>
<h4>
<b><i>Oh Canada, Oh Boy...</i></b><span style="font-weight: normal;">It is very encouraging that these women were trail blazers in the industry and that they opened many doors for other women in advertising. It is also quite revealing and disturbing that there are extensive sources for advertising women and women in advertising, but that all sources lead to the US. From all sources, it appears that women have never existed or participated in the Canadian advertising industry!</span></h4>
</div>
SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-84923347238880937222012-10-10T14:39:00.002-07:002012-10-10T14:39:57.084-07:00Women in Advertising - The Real Story (Part 1)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eIwQkO0IszKpB63bqtTsRUUzHf3Cdl4nUbO2245yJN8J-xzv5wroxR4GLLidzbJWmZ6tOmlxYjnKCp6pgTIb8yTnj_e2thRRSH6ivSnUbgGw8KA_UAc5Fjp-lLRdMfu_wcbXm4YK_xU/s1600/female-abstract.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6eIwQkO0IszKpB63bqtTsRUUzHf3Cdl4nUbO2245yJN8J-xzv5wroxR4GLLidzbJWmZ6tOmlxYjnKCp6pgTIb8yTnj_e2thRRSH6ivSnUbgGw8KA_UAc5Fjp-lLRdMfu_wcbXm4YK_xU/s400/female-abstract.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>By Wendy J. Miller</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b><i>Who said it wasn't until the 1960s?</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
For those TV viewers who think, as a result of watching the series Madmen, that women weren't involved in advertising until the 1960s, here's the real story.<br />
<br />
The first ad woman (or Mad Woman) <i>on record</i> was Mathilde C. Weil. In 1870 she moved from Germany to New York, and not long after her husband died, leaving her with no means of support. Ms. Weil thus began her career in advertising by booking magazine space for a friend, eventually starting her own agency - The M.C. Weil Agency in 1880.<br />
<br />
What follows, is a list of other important historical dates relating to women in advertising. There is inconsistency in documentation of dates, but the general time frames are in keeping with public records:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>1907 - Helen Landsdowne was hired by Stanley Resor as a copywriter for a small Cincinnati agency</li>
<li>1916 - Helen Landsdowne become Creative Director of J. Walter Thompson (JWT, New York)</li>
<li>1917 - Helen Landsdowne Resor (now married to Stanley Resor), formed the JWT Women's Editorial Department, a creative group comprised solely of women - soon these women were overseeing 75% of the agency's billing of what was America's largest agency</li>
<li>1917 - Helen Landsdowne Resor created famous Woodbury's Facial Soap ad, using sex appeal to sell the product: "A skin you love to touch."</li>
<li>1926 - Nedda McGrath became the first female art director</li>
<li>1936 - copywriter, Dorothy Dignam, launched the Ford V-8 "complete style plan" for female consumers</li>
<li>1940s - Bernice Fitz-Gibbon specialized in retail advertising and became the highest paid women in advertising, earning over $50K ($800K in today's dollars); she did groundbreaking work for Macy's and Gimbel's, later publishing a book about her colourful career: <i>Macy's, Gimbel's and Me</i></li>
<li>1946 - Jean Wade Rindlaub became BBDO's first female VP</li>
<li>1949 - Phyllis Robinson was hired by Bill Bernbach when he started his agency, and he named her Copy Chief. It would turn out to be the most influential agency of all time, called Doyle Bane Bernbach (DDB). Robinson supervised some of the best and toughest admen of the era (1950s and 1960s). Their "Think Small" campaign for Volkswagen revolutionized the ad industry.</li>
<li>1950 - Mary Wells started as a copywriter at DDB. In 1966, she created her own award-winning agency, Wells Rich Green, where she masterminded the timeless phrase, "Try it, You'll like it." She also created the renowned "I Love New York" campaign, and introduced the 60 second television commercial (mini movies). In 1969, Wells was the highest paid ad executive.</li>
<li>1952 - copywriter, Erma Perham Proetz is the first woman inductee into the Advertising Hall of Fame.</li>
<li>1955 - Shirley Polykoff started her career in magazine and retail ad sales before taking a position at Foote, Cone & Belding where she created Clairol's famous "Does she...or doesn't she? Only her hairdresser knows for sure." campaign, earning her a place in the Advertising Hall of Fame.</li>
<li>1960s - Peggy Charren created Action for Children's Television to lobby reform on children's TV, which she felt was exploiting youngsters and using insensitive and over-commercialized TV shows to target children. By 1971, Charren's works had sensitized advertising to excessive violence, as well as inappropriate cereal, toy and fast-food spots. In 1990, the Children's Television Act, setting standards for child-oriented programming, merchandising and advertising, was passed.</li>
<li>1968 - Jane Trahey launches the campaign, "What becomes a legend most?" for Blackglama. She went on to become the first woman in advertising to earn $1million a year.</li>
<li>1970 - Barbara Proctor opens Proctor & Gardner Advertising and is the first <i>woman of colour </i>to own and manage an ad agency</li>
</ul>
<div>
<i>(to be continued...1977 and Onward!)</i></div>
<br />
<br />SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-64155733648274992452012-08-13T10:12:00.000-07:002012-08-13T10:12:32.442-07:00Eternal Summer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_0bomm2HupyyPZm_MSfYe3DMWsShAp32IGV4_y2YGHp7f2NWyusZvg3IzyOrudzIZ0z_l7xKFMA9mUGvNp4bi6IW6fIJ7od3X6sKgN25pB-gxPHPa2RLkjlpEUG0ENWreJXWU4PjIiA/s1600/clouds-PH.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK_0bomm2HupyyPZm_MSfYe3DMWsShAp32IGV4_y2YGHp7f2NWyusZvg3IzyOrudzIZ0z_l7xKFMA9mUGvNp4bi6IW6fIJ7od3X6sKgN25pB-gxPHPa2RLkjlpEUG0ENWreJXWU4PjIiA/s400/clouds-PH.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<b>By Pam Hadder</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
It's happening, like the flip of a switch -- one morning you get up and there's a slight chill in the air, the sun is rising later, wasps are swarming and a faint scent of autumn is lingering on the breeze. As we near the midpoint of August, there are still a few days (perhaps weeks, if we are lucky) of summer to enjoy, evidenced by delightfully scant traffic queues on the daily commute.<br />
<br />
Living on the Canadian prairie, we learn early on in life to savour each hour of summer sunshine, because the hot days are limited and the winters have a history of being way too long and inhumanely cold. I freely admit to my personal dream of eternal summer -- if only winter was just one month long, that would be perfect; ideally around the holiday season with just a light dusting of snow to light our way through our darkest hours. Sound good to you too?<br />
<br />
It can be challenging to break from our cloud watching, bubble blowing, easy, dreamy summer phase and get back into the working groove for the final quarter of the calendar year. But <b>shifting gears</b> is essential, particularly with the speed of transition and change in our world. We really cannot afford to be sluggish or disconnected from our living reality. There is simply less fat on the bone and less time allowed to respond, making efficiency a vital component of our personal and working lives.<br />
<br />
There's no need to panic if you are feeling a bit out of sorts and resistant to the changes around you. The summer to fall shift is not the only change you are up against -- our lives are layered with personal, professional and environmental changes. There really are just two main components needed to manage these speed bumps: <b>cultivated awareness</b> and <b>forward vision</b>.<br />
<br />
Cultivated awareness is an interesting animal because it marries the personal and professional pieces of our lives with our personality -- it requires identifying what aligns with our values and then working within that harmonious slipstream. The front-end effort is very worthwhile, as cultivated awareness is a pathway to a more efficient lifestyle. Increased efficiency, in turn, <b>reduces stress and increases productivity</b>.<br />
<br />
Forward vision is a bit more complex for most of us -- we may not be accustomed to looking to far down the road, and may even be afraid to do so! Within traditional business models, the vision comes from the top and trickles down. Individuals are not solicited to contribute to that vision, and are not encouraged to develop unique POVs. However, forward vision is <b>the magic ingredient</b> that makes life sparkle with appeal. <br />
<br />
Put in simple terms, vision comes with the knowledge that <b>opportunities and options, like change, are constant</b>. We each shape our results with our choices and contributions, and there is an essential sense of excitement, of anticipation that is stirred up when forward vision activities are implemented. Perhaps you've met those rare individuals who share how they love their vocation so much that it doesn't feel like work? Know that forward vision is not just for corporate moguls or political bigwigs -- it's for all of us, and the ability lies within each of us to excel within our areas of interest.<br />
<br />
Imagine... looking forward to each new day, harnessing change like a new, wild power source; excited by the options for growth and transformation. So, maybe eternal summer is more achievable than we first thought?SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-38211219724295832242012-07-13T11:34:00.001-07:002012-07-13T11:37:42.989-07:00Living & Giving<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFrCNyiSC6vkX3PBe7Ay0gBYwQ858F391V0kySK2rB2ekUUDfX5nFiv9-lgGIguS9QE-y3JCljw0nfRttrHgGR3tQ3uBfiCI9nA25dABXHwILLh2_S0FdSxUy4HuxqFCwVs2M1lsmqEw/s1600/giving_receiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFrCNyiSC6vkX3PBe7Ay0gBYwQ858F391V0kySK2rB2ekUUDfX5nFiv9-lgGIguS9QE-y3JCljw0nfRttrHgGR3tQ3uBfiCI9nA25dABXHwILLh2_S0FdSxUy4HuxqFCwVs2M1lsmqEw/s400/giving_receiving.jpg" width="328" /></a></div>
<strong>By Pam Hadder</strong><br />
<br />
We've all seen it -- in fact, sometimes we feel bombarded by it. No matter where you look there is the contrast of <strong>need versus greed</strong>. Sometimes overt, sometimes barely discernible, the gap between the haves and the have-nots, in business and in everyday life, is growing.<br />
<br />
On the subtler side we see large retail chains hawking products to support the Canadian Olympic team, to put an end to prostate cancer, to support breast cancer research, and so on... On the surface, it all seems good and right -- we are shopping at Sears, Safeway or Canadian Tire anyway; sure we'll give a buck or two (or ten!), or buy a couple of cartons of something "for the cause." <strong>Piggybacking sales</strong> on a charitable cause has become so commonplace that very few of us question the ethics of it; including just how much of the money actually reaches those in need, and how much cash is eaten up by administration and marketing. Thus we are gently misled into thinking we are making a positive difference in our communities.<br />
<br />
Perhaps you've been wondering what happened to <strong>corporate social responsibility</strong>? If a business is making a profit, shouldn't they give back to the markets that provided fertile conditions for their success? Why should customers have to purchase a product before corporate donations are given? Isn't it really the customer that is giving in this instance, and not the corporation?<br />
<br />
If your heart is shouting out "YES!" then you are onto the ruse -- yes, it is the customer and not the corporation that is giving when a product is purchased to support a charity. For the corporation, the benefits are <strong>increased sales and PR</strong> -- see what a great company we are? The corporations achieve all of this by giving nothing -- they just increase markups on the charitable products. By paying the higher prices on the merchandise, the consumer allows for the charitable "donations" to happen without a cent of profit being relinquished by the corporation. If big business really cares about our future Olympians, or cancer, or poor kids, or any other worthy cause, they could just quietly write a nice fat cheque, and save all the hoopla!<br />
<br />
What's the answer? From a consumer perspective -- give directly to the charity. Choose an amount that works for your budget and select a cause or causes that are near and dear to you. Low on dough? Consider volunteering for a favourite charity -- just a few hours a month will make a big difference. <strong>Sharing your time and expertise</strong> is not only valuable to the charity, it can be very rewarding for the volunteer as well.<br />
<br />
From the corporate viewpoint, it's even easier to address charitable work -- simply give, give, give! As with personal giving, add the charitable amounts to your budget and select causes that are important to you. Profits too slim? Don't forget that <strong>corporations can volunteer too</strong>. Maybe your staff can donate cold treats for a day care or youth drop-in on a hot day, or serve at a soup kitchen once a month, or help the neighbourhood green team with litter clean up.<br />
<br />
The most important thing to remember with corporate giving... <strong>NEVER guilt or manipulate staff or customers</strong> into buying your product or service because of a charitable cause -- it's unethical. Keep charitable fundraising separate from the daily business. It's one thing to hang a poster for a charity event, or have a few handouts in your reception area, but beware the shame game!<br />
<br />
The ultimate shame game example is likely <strong>pinkwashing</strong>. Haven't heard of it? Pinkwashing was coined to describe the exploitation of the breast cancer cause by big business. It has become very popular for corporations to slap pink ribbons on merchandise, but how much actually reaches the charities? Even more heinous is the issue that some of these companies actually produce items that may jeopardize women's health -- so consumers really need to do their homework!<br />
<br />
Breast cancer has become a billion dollar industry and has such high profile on the public agenda that many of us don't realize that breast cancer is not the number one health concern for women -- heart disease is. But maybe <strong>breasts have more sex appeal</strong>; are more salesy? By no means do I wish to devalue the serious health threat that breast cancer presents -- my sister is a survivor, I have lost two friends to the disease, and I have two other friends living with breast cancer. The outrage is not with the cause, but with the exploitation and <strong>manipulation of the breast cancer cause</strong> by big business for their own profit and PR building.<br />
<br />
Personally or corporately, <strong>GIVE</strong> generously because it matters, give because you can, give without thought of material gain - just <strong>please give for goodness sake</strong>.<br />
<br />
<em>Here are some links you may wish to explore:</em><br />
<a href="http://thinkbeforeyoupink.org/?page_id=13">http://thinkbeforeyoupink.org/?page_id=13</a><br />
<a href="http://www.pinkwashing.org/pinkribbon/welcome/welcome.html">http://www.pinkwashing.org/pinkribbon/welcome/welcome.html</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.canadahelps.org/">http://www.canadahelps.org/</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.whrfcinc.com/">http://www.whrfcinc.com/</a><br />
<a href="http://sarasvati.ca/">http://sarasvati.ca/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.unpac.ca/">http://www.unpac.ca/</a> <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-27575851408241452902012-06-22T10:45:00.000-07:002012-06-22T15:31:26.742-07:00Adventures with NEATO XV-11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGvEs8yNXnQKqbxYFTc7pa0jx5fCH8VlNTDe60u52gvsYbNZJnEBUzm5bqm3J4YS737EsCbklccUJP0RqYZEcww870t-fufs6-XswHDO5UQU3M7rlEus0L7P0SSH72WbwrUFliy35uzk/s1600/xv-11-hero-shadow.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGvEs8yNXnQKqbxYFTc7pa0jx5fCH8VlNTDe60u52gvsYbNZJnEBUzm5bqm3J4YS737EsCbklccUJP0RqYZEcww870t-fufs6-XswHDO5UQU3M7rlEus0L7P0SSH72WbwrUFliy35uzk/s400/xv-11-hero-shadow.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h4>
By Wendy J. Miller</h4>
<em><strong>"My battery needs to be charged."</strong></em><br />
<br />
NEATO continues to get himself into compromising situations and today was no different. When I got home in the evening, I was surprised to find my little buddy stuck between the wall and one of the legs of my<strong> "creeping the 'hood"</strong> full-size telescope! <br />
<br />
He delighted me with a new message for this conundrum: <strong>"My bumper is stuck. Please free it."</strong> More than the bumper was stuck, let it be known... the sturdy telescope tripod had NEATO in a full leg lock: telescope - 1; NEATO - 0.<br />
<br />
Of course, NEATO had spent the day as a captive, and his battery was run down. So I had to carry him back to his docking station. Seems to me that he likes getting carried around, even though he always ask to be down on the floor. <br />
<br />
Like most interactions today, I don't know if he's even listening, and, although NEATO has lots to say, only once has he said, "thank you."<br />
<br />
So far, his messages have included:<br />
<br />
<em>"Please check my dirt bin an filter. Empty them as needed."</em><br />
<em>"Please put by dirt bin back."</em><br />
<em>"Thank you for cleaning my dirt bin and filter."</em><br />
<em>"Finished. I'm returning to my base station."</em><br />
<em>"Please dust me off so that I can see."</em><br />
<em>"I am unable to navigate. Please clear my path."</em><br />
<br />
And... <strong>my favourite message of all,</strong> "Cleaning house." Way to go, NEATO! That's exactly why I got you. Maybe one day I'll get the message, "Here's your martini" from some bot-ty else ;)<br />
<br />
<em><strong>The End</strong></em>SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-28108183548870918612012-06-18T12:57:00.000-07:002012-06-22T15:30:12.888-07:00MORE... Adventures with NEATO XV-11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2BUJZMpp899UoOWgFzSrQ1HO2yz26hlGtYej-mkLAMY2P76iWhEQPISZ5RcaiBcsW2PeDFOaLMm1gQop24FSCD_REHMubnk4VvZiYHYbF1sfCK8bn5pSpFugRRo_nZpQ8ycjxTHqllE/s1600/xv-11-hero-shadow.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2BUJZMpp899UoOWgFzSrQ1HO2yz26hlGtYej-mkLAMY2P76iWhEQPISZ5RcaiBcsW2PeDFOaLMm1gQop24FSCD_REHMubnk4VvZiYHYbF1sfCK8bn5pSpFugRRo_nZpQ8ycjxTHqllE/s400/xv-11-hero-shadow.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3>
By Wendy J. Miller</h3>
<br />
<em><strong>"Please put me down on the floor."</strong></em><br />
<br />
<br />
The other day when I got home, <strong>NEATO was AWOL</strong> -- the docking station was empty. I searched for him in the living room, the kitchen, the bathroom, the bedroom and the studio. <br />
<br />
He wasn't visible anywhere -- I was mystified. And he's supposed to <strong>return to the docking station when his battery gets low</strong>. I admit I was in a bit of a panic - what could have happened? I promptly went into<strong> CSI mode</strong>, flashlight in hand...<br />
<br />
Crawling on my hands and knees, I peered into every nook and cranny; in the process noting that NEATO was doing really great work! Even though his jobs sucks, he was getting around and under all furniture and keeping my floors dust-free.<br />
<br />
The final stop was the entertainment unit in the studio. Aha! There he was lurking in the shadows under the unit! NEATO had latched onto a power bar cord and had no intention of letting go. Either that or the power cord was enamored with my robot buddy - he's pretty darn cute, after all... Desperate to free him, I enlisted my former dust collector -- <strong>the SWIFFER</strong>, and was able to hook the underside of NEATO and I pulled him carefully toward me.<br />
<br />
He is pretty heavy and was really hooked up tightly with his new power bar friend, but at last I was able to get to him. His battery had depleted to the point where he couldn't have made it back to the docking station. I picked him up and as I carried him down the hall, his message to me was not "thanks" or "I really appreciate your help" -- his read out said <strong>"Please put me down on the floor"!</strong> I replied aloud, "Sure, you've got no juice and when I put you down how will you manage"? NEATO responded, "My battery needs to be charged". No kidding!<br />
<br />
I placed NEATO at his docking station and once again emptied his dust bin -- but this time I washed it out and cleaned his filter with soap and hot water. In the morning, after everything was dry, I replaced the bin and filter; NEATO's message: "Replace my dirt bin". <strong>Hey.... who's the boss here?</strong><br />
<br />
<em>To be continued...</em>SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-30624524163354864882012-06-11T14:42:00.002-07:002012-06-11T14:42:43.204-07:00Adventures With NEATO XV-11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyd7QuHDh9LRyNHQVMX0ggQpAx5MypxK7xpkOzI_f_-e-IIupIlgflYT7mLSjpfMXKAw1NPkfKXlYsK1Uj0nmtsF4KXPYnc7Dy-kizIYXytkqilw4xuHNSrVqRlWRv4u4OQXDkAEBD4E/s1600/xv-11-hero-shadow.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyd7QuHDh9LRyNHQVMX0ggQpAx5MypxK7xpkOzI_f_-e-IIupIlgflYT7mLSjpfMXKAw1NPkfKXlYsK1Uj0nmtsF4KXPYnc7Dy-kizIYXytkqilw4xuHNSrVqRlWRv4u4OQXDkAEBD4E/s320/xv-11-hero-shadow.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
By Wendy J. Miller</h4>
<strong><em>"Thank you for cleaning my dirt bin and filter."</em></strong><br />
<br />
<strong>NEATO XV-11</strong> arrived in a shiny box with a carry handle and weighed in at 13 kg. A big baby, yes, but included were a docking station, instruction booklet and a special magnetic strip to control what area of the house was to be cleaned. I eagerly studied the instruction book so that my robot would know that I paid attention to detail and cared enough to set everything up properly. <br />
<br />
First of all, I set <strong>HIS</strong> clock (the idea of a guy helping with the chores was appealing to me), and then I set <strong>HIS </strong>cleaning days and hours. He had a big backlog of dust to tackle, so I wanted him to get right at it as soon as he was fully charged! It only takes two to three hours to fully charge NEATO, and when his battery gets low he makes a bee-line to the docking station to recharge.<br />
<br />
I couldn't wait! Monday. 7:00 a.m.! I staked out the living room sofa waiting for him to back out of the docking station for the first time. Right on time, with a whirring sound, NEATO was on the move. I watched him scope out the living room, buzzing along, butting his sturdy body on the furniture and rearranging some floor decor items: NEATO was here!<br />
<br />
It was great fun watching him work thoroughly throughout the living room, and then suddenly he veered off down the long hallway. It was<strong> like watching your firstborn leave for kindergarten</strong> for the first time! Off he went, unaware of the adventures in dust and debris that lay ahead. I followed him at a slight distance for a bit - to see how he would do. Then, I thought better of it, or I'd be late for work! I would check in on things when I got home that evening.<br />
<br />
And check in I did! The kitchen throw rug's tassels were all askew; it was flipped over on the corners with its underlay exposed. A book and stuffed animal in the back studio were turned on end and NEATO had encouraged a few chairs out of his path. I checked his dustbin and was not surprised that it was half full, and its filter coated in dust. I emptied the bin, cleaned the filter and gave NEATO a day off.<br />
<br />
Two days later, he was back in action, powering his way around furniture with finesse. He seemed to be doing so well - then I heard the <strong>loud noises of altercation</strong>...dashing down the hall, I found NEATO had a run-in with an extension cord, and had actually succeeded in unplugging a lamp! NEATO: 1; extension cord: 0. Lesson learned - move all cords out of his path.<br />
<br />
<strong>There is always something new</strong> with NEATO. He seems to have made peace with the kitchen throw rug, but he still likes to ruffle its fringes.<br />
<br />
<em>To be continued...</em>SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-58655550447306838872012-06-07T10:02:00.000-07:002012-06-07T10:03:22.498-07:00Adventures with NEATO XV-11<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQQquNUODkpLOkmkW8D6H8bOCwDtcjGNqn8UENpgKrPQ0nrN1N5xZc8qAdFaWFAevgl3B3Ov3rGXHgLuYgubwvMqp-2NS02af9NzLKq7ZcDLrV4IkI8_Xwz_SuRmVztOcZsYOvpYlU74/s1600/xv-11-hero-shadow.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" fba="true" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQQquNUODkpLOkmkW8D6H8bOCwDtcjGNqn8UENpgKrPQ0nrN1N5xZc8qAdFaWFAevgl3B3Ov3rGXHgLuYgubwvMqp-2NS02af9NzLKq7ZcDLrV4IkI8_Xwz_SuRmVztOcZsYOvpYlU74/s320/xv-11-hero-shadow.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
By Wendy J. Miller</h4>
<br />
<em><strong>"House cleaning PAUSED"</strong></em><br />
<br />
I love technology - and although sometimes it baffles me, I appreciate the brilliance that goes into its development.<br />
<br />
<strong>Robotics</strong> are a particular area of interest for me. I dream of the day when I will have a robot servant who (notice how I've already humanized it) brings me my slippers and a cocktail at the end of a hectic day. For years I've longed for one of the Star Trek food replicators - the <strong>magical gizmo</strong> that will instantaneously prepare any food or beverage you desire!<br />
<br />
About eight or nine years ago I purchased a <strong>robotic lawnmower</strong>. It had a very stylish shape and was bright yellow, but it required getting down on your hands and knees to carefully lay out a thin perimeter wire so that the robot would not go AWOL. As most of the area I wanted cut was grass layered over rock bed, it was almost impossible to set the work area. <br />
<br />
Just as I was reaching my peak of frustration, I found out that the robot only wanted to communicate in Hebrew! The mower had been manufactured in Israel and did not have an English language option. Alas, it proved to be a huge OY VEY and I gave it to an auction house to sell. I don't think anyone ever "bot" it...<br />
<br />
For the past few years I have been intrigued by <strong>robotic vacuums</strong>. Different makes and models appeared and became locally available. I continued watching flyers, hoping that I would develop an actual NEED for this machine; not just a "WOW! That would be cool!" inkling.<br />
<br />
Last month I couldn't wait any longer. A new model, the <strong>NEATO XV-11</strong>, was on the market - with better suction (the size of my dust bunnies required an engine akin to that used for an A320 Airbus), improved manoeuvrability, and with more clever design to tackle corners! And online purchasing with free delivery would have it in my hands within five days. My dust had been waiting for weeks - another five days would be no problem.<br />
<br />
<em>to be continued...</em>SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-63424429334447168632012-04-30T15:10:00.000-07:002012-04-30T15:21:02.769-07:00May Day!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV2eWpnRa7bvpEOlSvY7IRB9-nDLTA5ZlmADCGbqEbCOMQtb2Gs9Q6F_EpwkpC2WcwYrl629NGnsPS9ClhcSTuv7O-QyypP_5VcuroCBbH4Kc2FxRaI85KhyphenhyphenAgWmkpMDrrGSYjagLuCA/s1600/Folk+Fest+2011+064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiV2eWpnRa7bvpEOlSvY7IRB9-nDLTA5ZlmADCGbqEbCOMQtb2Gs9Q6F_EpwkpC2WcwYrl629NGnsPS9ClhcSTuv7O-QyypP_5VcuroCBbH4Kc2FxRaI85KhyphenhyphenAgWmkpMDrrGSYjagLuCA/s400/Folk+Fest+2011+064.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<strong>By Pam Hadder</strong><br />
<br />
Have you noticed that much of the world is on code red - or at least code <em>orange</em> - most of the time? Fiscal constraints, fickle world economies and frenetic electronic communication have combined to mold human behaviours: <strong>trigger-happy</strong>, <strong>indecisive</strong>, <strong>judgemental</strong>, <strong>cynical</strong>, and <strong>aggressive </strong>have replaced careful planning and grander visions. Of course, one could argue that the world has always been short of visionaries and high on conflict. <br />
<br />
Imbalances of power, most often erroneously based on gender and cultural elements, have left a legacy of real human carnage. The message: if you are stronger, faster and more persuasive you can grab more than your share of the global bounty - sound familiar? What has changed, however, is the speed at which human actions can alter the earthscape.<br />
<br />
Within the science of anthropology, <strong>culture</strong> is accepted as the main advantage which allowed Homo sapiens to evolve into the dominant Earth species, surpassing other primates with the ability to learn and to share knowledge with new generations. In fact, humans have been so successful, that we pose the single greatest threat to survival for every other plant and animal species. This holds true within our own species - without a doubt, <strong>humankind is the greatest enemy to humankind</strong>.<br />
<br />
In marketing, we recognize the <strong>power of words</strong>, the impact of actions, and the accountability that is innate in our creative works. We also wonder if the frenzy and knee-jerk decision making will self-destruct any time soon! Will quality be appreciated again? Will time be allowed to rest and rejuvenate; will time be restored to simply "be"; to ponder, and perhaps to dream?<br />
<br />
May 1 is May Day, traditionally a labour holiday established to welcome spring and to celebrate the renewal of living things. However, every coin has a flip side, and "may day!" is also a radio operator's cry for help: "may day, may day, may day!" - the words broadcast three times to prevent misunderstanding. <br />
<br />
It appears the choice is ours, and inherent in our decision-making is the <strong>one thing we fear</strong> - responsibility, responsibility, responsibility!SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-57071033122844923912012-03-07T12:50:00.010-08:002012-03-07T13:51:12.993-08:00Women 101<strong>By Pam Hadder</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqA72IhEeJZFqTzBT5m0QU_9NbwBInidOLQgwh4xTstFmhKrHsSpVGSpJNV6NidMgfV8dahyphenhyphenMZn8EwmRKKialhhvZeYo5UZSil8KQMFjXObIh8mRCIil489oNqbHOByzSGLIVmTCq5y8o/s1600/picasso-dove.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 314px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5717260758910828226" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqA72IhEeJZFqTzBT5m0QU_9NbwBInidOLQgwh4xTstFmhKrHsSpVGSpJNV6NidMgfV8dahyphenhyphenMZn8EwmRKKialhhvZeYo5UZSil8KQMFjXObIh8mRCIil489oNqbHOByzSGLIVmTCq5y8o/s400/picasso-dove.jpg" /></a><br />2012 marks the 101st anniversary of <strong>International Women's Week</strong> (IWW), and the occasion is marked worldwide with events, seminars, and peaceful demonstrations, all in support of <strong>gender equality</strong>. Although much has been achieved in the past 101 years, there are still many inequities in society, and females are subjected to ongoing sexual oppression -- the problems vary in degree and context from country to country, but that these type of issues are endemic and global cannot be refuted. North American women often think that women are only <strong>exploited and marginalized</strong> in other countries -- in fact, we are constantly coached about how fortunate we are to live in the western world. The problem with this <strong>disillusionment</strong> is that by comparing our issues to others that may seem more dire/extreme, we under-value the life impact of our own gender equity issues.<br /><br />For example, North American medical research is most often based on male population groups, with complete disregard for feminine biology and experience. Did you know that Aboriginal women in Canada do not have the same property rights as non-aboriginal women? When living in reserve communities, they can be ousted from their homes when a marital relationship dissolves. And consider that women continue to be relegated to lower paying jobs with less decision-making power, and despite having equal education and experience, women do not receive equal pay for the same work. And what about the all-too-common mini-skirted server we see in popular restaurants today, being sexually harassed by men old enough to be her grandfather, and having to "smile and bear it" to get her tip money.<br /><br />Yes, we've heard about honour killings in India, female castration in Muslim countries and sexual slavery in Thailand, but these are rare in North America, right? That's what we would like to believe, but like many forms of oppression, the victims are afraid to speak out for fear of further violence against them or their loved ones. This makes it even more important for men and women who are aware of gender equality issues to take action, and to offer support however they are able. What is a particular concern is the lack of activism among North American women. If we as women are complacent about our rights and freedoms, and if we turn a blind eye to sexual oppression of our gender, haven't we given up our power to evoke positive change?<br /><br />The math is very simple -- <strong>complacent behaviour</strong> in the face of oppression gives the aggressor power. So, why don't we see more women involved in governing bodies, and why aren't women equally represented in decisions affecting the status of women? Why aren't the streets full of women, girls and their families during International Women's Week? Why doesn't Canada have a federal IWW holiday? (btw, many other countries do!)<br /><br />Part of the problem is that feminism often gets a bad rap -- it is wrongly stereotyped as man-hating or as a niche area of concern, relevant only to lesbians. This erroneous view is simply "bad press" to diffuse, downgrade and mask the real issues. Feminism <strong>benefits both genders</strong>, as it focuses on equal opportunity and fair treatment for both genders. All of humanity has to co-exist; if not, we would be in a state of <strong>gender apartheid</strong>, leading to our eventual extinction. No matter what your gender is, your culture, your education, your age, your interests, or your personality -- the female experience is interwoven to your own. In fact, many characteristics that have traditionally been categorized as feminine or masculine are not actually based on gender, but on cultural norms. These include things like a love of athletics, colour preferences, and clothing styles.<br /><br />Gender equality progress has been very slow, and some academics have theorized that it will take another 200 years for gender equality to be achieved on a worldwide basis. However, the global gender equality movement persists, working diligently to achieve a state of true harmony and balance. It is interesting that newer feminist scholars are establishing connections between militarism and globalization and gender oppression.<br /><br />American author, actor and activist, Maya Angelou once said, "I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw some things back." The ball is in our hands; we just need to know that we can hold it, or we can take careful aim and throw it - throw it anywhere, at any time, and to an unlimited distance.<br /><em>Looking for a way to participate in IWW 2012?<br />Check out: http://sarasvati.ca/season/iww-monologues/</em>SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-15098674854625689252012-02-23T14:32:00.004-08:002012-02-23T14:59:43.944-08:00Getting What You Need?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXAOwrQcGDtUNnyEXWpGaNUQUKrMbOmLkKOX5SIf21KkU4aaY0EsiqFL3sERxuUvB5_sGb-OKU7GTYc0R5MQCQjyYHPtcGiheRVn2YHln5-W-6U_HuHEPbtXt5aLFTciFmPun9NairXI/s1600/childcraft.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712462738161730050" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhXAOwrQcGDtUNnyEXWpGaNUQUKrMbOmLkKOX5SIf21KkU4aaY0EsiqFL3sERxuUvB5_sGb-OKU7GTYc0R5MQCQjyYHPtcGiheRVn2YHln5-W-6U_HuHEPbtXt5aLFTciFmPun9NairXI/s400/childcraft.jpg" /></a> <strong>By Pam Hadder</strong><br /><br /><div><br />As a small kid living in northern Manitoba, our Childcraft Encyclopedia series was a vital part of play time. From those magical volumes, we not only learned about the outside world, we read stories and prose, and kept ourselves occupied with a wide variety of crafts and role play activities. (This was pre-Internet, of course, but not <em>quite </em>prehistoric!)</div><br /><br /><div>I remember an excercise in entrepreneurship that facinated me at age seven - you had to choose businesses to create a vital community. Would it be the bakeshop, a fruit stand, or a shoe repair shop - which was more important and in which order would you select them? I used to love imagining my ideal village where everything would be "just so!"</div><br /><br /><div>In recent weeks, I have had the opportunity to work in rural Manitoba, and it has been interesting to survey the types of enterprises that comprise small town business districts these days. I was pleased to find a local bakeshop with wonderful "fresh daily" goods that also sold homemade sandwiches and soup for take-out. But an ATV shop - how can you make a living in a tiny community by solely selling and servicing ATVs?</div><br /><br /><div>Our cityscape is equally interesting - you can't drive more than a couple of blocks without seeing all of the following: tattoo parlour, nail salon, yoga studio, and sushi take-out; oh, there's another tattoo place! And, those businesses weren't included in the Childcraft selections, by the way...</div><br /><br /><div>Something is definitely afoot - either what we need has dramatically changed since I was a little kid building my imaginary model community, or everyone eats Japanese three times weekly with fake nails, full tattoo sleeves; in the lotus pose. Many urban environments suffer from what is called "sprawl", and the result is a dilution of services like access to public transit, door-to-door mail delivery, and proximity to food retailers and other requirements for daily living. As a result, suburbanites rely on the use of motor vehicles in order to work, shop, and participate in community activities.</div><br /><br /><div>Rural people are accustomed to driving a distance for work, for activities and for shopping - consider how much additional time and effort each rural child spends justs to get to school five days a week! Nonetheless, many rural communities are seeking to diversify, keep up with the times and offer local alternatives to city bound pilgrimages - that's how the fried chicken/bus depot/post office/laudromat/small appliance repair centres come into being!</div><br /><br /><div>Services typically arise as a result of need - no matter if you live in a small hamlet or in the midst of a metropolis. It is interesting, however, that many of us move to urban centres for <em>convenience - </em>to access education, employment, health services and so on. But then we drive hundreds of kilometres per week, all within our "convenient" environment. It's a funny kind of progress if you think about it.</div>SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-63254359061583260072012-01-14T17:03:00.001-08:002012-01-14T17:24:59.465-08:00Your Voice, Your Way<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBUSivLTQPTW1uS58jm8QApDwWWW4OvQTBJpwT25YHR8vM-raC1OSFonYBxqj6mcvZxOkMqkKzPAx2wUZBoGbN7O2IS3rMZfAbROWC5j0UG_I3bWt5odPNuvxYn0P7n_E98iiu-Z_4tc/s1600/Vicki_I-I_Thought_I_Heard_Your_Voice_Lichtenstein_866-5277.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 391px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697658250170675922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBUSivLTQPTW1uS58jm8QApDwWWW4OvQTBJpwT25YHR8vM-raC1OSFonYBxqj6mcvZxOkMqkKzPAx2wUZBoGbN7O2IS3rMZfAbROWC5j0UG_I3bWt5odPNuvxYn0P7n_E98iiu-Z_4tc/s400/Vicki_I-I_Thought_I_Heard_Your_Voice_Lichtenstein_866-5277.jpg" /></a> By Pam Hadder<br /><br />Social media - can you imagine a day without it? Have you thought about how much social media has changed the way we interact and communicate? The impact has been <strong>massive and global</strong>, crossing cultures and borders - all within a very short period of time!<br /><br /><br />Yes, there have been well-documented ups and downs and pros and cons in the fast forward evolution of the <strong>social media scene's fab four</strong>: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn. But social media is here to stay, and positive feedback has far out-weighed the negative.<br /><br />Hot on the heels of these new media icons, many other online apps and services have arisen - some have been of the "flash in the pan" variety, but others are gathering steam to rival the social media big guns. There is no doubt that the growth of social media and related products and services is nowhere near the saturation point; like the famed Energizer Bunny, it just keeps going and going -and growing! Interestingly, the fastest growing demographic in the Facebook community is currently the age 55+group - some see this as a seal of legitimacy or rite of passage; like a nod of approval from an older, wiser mentor.<br /><br />Good or bad, necessary or trendy, the majority of us have welcomed one or more social media applications into our lives. Many of us keep in touch with friends, family on Facebook, or follow our favourite celebrities and topics on Twitter. Even if social media has not seeped into your personal lifestyle, you likely have had to acquaint yourself with it to some extent in order to be up-to-date in the workplace - because you know that being out of touch in our technically-fuelled world is a shortcut to professional obsolescence!<br /><br />But what is the greatest impact of social media? Whether you love it or hate it, social media has enabled each of us to have our say, and to express ourselves when, where and how we choose. Sometimes the voice is part of a carefully planned and executed business campaign, or in support of a cause. Sometimes it is simply random self expression, or connecting with like minds. Sometimes inane, sometimes profound, sometimes enlightening, sometimes disheartening or disturbing - <strong>social media is your voice, your way, in the moment</strong>.<br /><br />We are in a time of immediacy - we think it, we create it and we share it almost instantaneously. Choose your actions and words wisely - they now have far greater potential to become a very big deal.SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2735426157319844591.post-56308263850567754652011-12-19T07:48:00.000-08:002011-12-19T08:05:02.254-08:00Planning to Succeed?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdgNxsLTNbQVwWYsB_HLAksNCKlEhnJIvr4n0-JcqYxsKiTL2CwmfvTrOtuqXrf8e_oLT2eEP9vRJZJX8QvSym1fIJ20DZ85BqUgvAkfIXQYkv0YZeI3nx6JnFVG68TLxfjqhyGQJGLA/s1600/Caesars-Lion.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687866946435968178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFdgNxsLTNbQVwWYsB_HLAksNCKlEhnJIvr4n0-JcqYxsKiTL2CwmfvTrOtuqXrf8e_oLT2eEP9vRJZJX8QvSym1fIJ20DZ85BqUgvAkfIXQYkv0YZeI3nx6JnFVG68TLxfjqhyGQJGLA/s400/Caesars-Lion.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div><strong>By Pam Hadder</strong></div><br /><div><strong></strong></div><br /><div><strong><em>"No man ever wetted clay and then left it, as if there would be bricks by chance and fortune." -- Plutarch</em></strong></div><br /><div><strong><em></em></strong></div><br /><div>We are living and working in very interesting and challenging times -- everyone is struggling to do more with less, while cynicism grows and mistrust festers in the background. It is a scary and frustrating thing to work harder, with uncertainty looming, and with the knowledge that our best efforts may be in vain.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So does this mean that we should abandon our dreams? Should we eschew ethical and quality standards? Does anyone really value our diligence and attention to the details? No doubt there are always those who will profit greatly in a depressed economy, cleverly finding any opportunity to gain market share or some financial advantage -- all too often as a result of another's demise. Why should we be any different? Why travel the high road if it's a dead end or leads to nowhere? Shouldn't we just grab what we can, while we can and say "screw the other guy?"</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Despite what the newscasters report on the evening news, money is still being spent. What's really interesting is how and where it is being spent. Consider all of the new construction in the private sector, as well as the purchase and refurbishment of commercial real estate. Ask any staffing recruiter or HR manager, and they will tell you about the higher than ever demand for skilled trades workers. Where is the money coming from for all of the construction, and why is investment in commercial property on the rise, if there is no hope for business and the working person?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>It has been statistically proven that, over time, real estate is the most stable and secure form of investment -- with the rise and fall of markets and of currency values, real estate retains its value. So in uncertain times, it makes sense to store one's golden eggs in bricks and mortar -- this explains the mass appeal of investing in infrastructure.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But of what value are impressive, gleaming office towers and business properties if not to house vibrant companies with brilliant dreams, achievable objectives, and marketable services? Perhaps the future is grim, but perhaps it is not -- either way, we have only one true choice, and that is how we as individuals respond to the cues and challenges each day presents. Why not choose SUCCESS, and work with that goal , accepting only those choices that support our positive outcomes? </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>We can't all be multi-millionaires, but we can each engage in purposeful activities that are positive and life-affirming, and which provide a valuable contribution to our world.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>SWJ Marketinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14200322014401020238noreply@blogger.com