quarta-feira, 8 de julho de 2009

The Jackson Effect

As the memorial service for pop star Michael Jackson got underway a half hour late on Tuesday, millions of people around the world watched as cameras lingered on the oversized sign reading "Staples" at the Staples Center in Los Angeles where the ceremony was held.
It was a marketing boon for the company, which paid $116 million in 1999 for the 20-year naming rights to the arena. Some estimate it could draw as many as 40 million viewers.
In the week following Jackson's death, the top 10 most visited entertainment sites, collectively registered nearly 30 million unique users, almost double the week prior, according to comScore.
In downtown Los Angeles, 17,500 fans who won free tickets in a lottery, filled the Staples Center, while about 50,000 more fans crowded the streets outside the venue. Kyser estimates the event also brought a $4 million economic stimulus to the city of Los Angeles, particularly in the struggling downtown area.
Around the country people skipped work to fill movie theaters at 37 multiplexes where Cinedigm digitally broadcast the same ad-free feed of the memorial that was being broadcast to press at the Nokia Theatre across the street from the Staples Center. Theater owners from Redlands, Calif., to New York City gave away free tickets (but not soda or candy) to the event, which could draw an estimated 5,000 fans.
Another potential winner: Jackson's estate. Though he sold more than 750 million records worldwide in his lifetime and won 13 Grammy awards, the singer died $400 million in debt. Renewed interest in his work may help foot some of the bill.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/07/michael-jackson-staples-center-business-entertainment-jackson.html

terça-feira, 30 de junho de 2009

Body Language Decoded

In this article the author says that every twirl of your hair, crossed leg or micro-expression gives off a message. Learn how to take control over how people view you.
An image is worth 1,000 words: No matter how illustrious our resumes, how brilliant our ideas, how Calvinist our work ethic, we are judged by how we present ourselves. Research shows that it takes four minutes to make a first impression, and, according to a widely cited study body language accounts for 55% of that impression (38% comes from tone of voice; the remaining 7% from our actual words). Unfortunately, says Carey O'Donnell, president of Carey O'Donnell Public Relations Group, "many of us have no idea that our non-verbal cues are making an impact. There are thousands of micro-expressions, and people are reading these, even if they are only subconsciously translating these cues."
Some of the visual ticks common to women: Tilting your head--a sign of listening that can be misinterpreted as one of submission or even flirting; Folding your hands on your lap--hiding your hands under a conference table or desk, for example, signals untrustworthiness; a cue from ancient times, when men would reveal their palms to show they were unarmed;Crossing your legs--a sign of resistance ;Excessive smiling--an indication that you lack gravitas and seriousness;Folding your arms in front of you--translates to insecurity or defensiveness; Playing with or tugging at your hair, jewelry or clothes--can signal distress or, again, be misinterpreted as flirting.
Many of these habits are deeply engrained and, even when we think we have expunged them, tend to flare up when we are in stressful or nervous situations.
So, how do we mitigate these ticks if we aren't even aware we are doing them?
"A mirror can do a lot," says Kinsey Goman. "Practice your speech a variety of ways--with your head tilted, your head straight--and note the difference. Practice your gestures. O'Donnell also recommends videotaping presentations and then watching them without sound. "When you watch yourself without sound, pay attention to visual cues--are you waving your hands frenetically, laughing inappropriately when no one else is laughing, looking around nervously? Then watch it a second time for voice tone and bridges [such as] likes and you knows.
Some businessmen and women balk at this idea--or at the idea that we have to transform ourselves in order to get ahead. But, assures Zagnoli, it is not a compromise. This--the mirroring, the mimicking and the suppression of bad habits or impulses--"doesn't change who you are," she says. "It doesn't change your heart, what is in your head, your ideas. In fact, changing how you carry yourself allows us to communicate those thoughts and feelings more fully
http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/23/body-language-first-impression-forbes-woman-leadership-communication.html?feed=rss_popstories

segunda-feira, 22 de junho de 2009

In digital age, can movie piracy be stopped?

When the highly anticipated movie "X-Men Origins: Wolverine" opened Friday in theaters, many fans had already seen it. The pirating and distribution of "Wolverine," starring Hugh Jackman, is being investigated by the FBI.
The online leak of a pirated, unfinished version of the 20th Century Fox film a month ago sent federal authorities springing into action and stoked a heated conversation within the entertainment industry about digital piracy.Piracy of upcoming films is not new, but the theft of "Wolverine" is especially troubling for an industry concerned with a stalled economy and the financial bottom line. It's rare for high-quality copies of a big-budget blockbuster to appear on the Internet more than a month before the film's release, experts say. 20th Century Fox issued a statement vowing to prosecute the "Wolverine" thief "to the fullest extent of the law." The FBI is investigating, but as of Thursday, no arrests had been made. The FBI meets routinely with studio representatives to share intelligence, to discuss strategy and to detect and fix vulnerabilities in security measures, he said. Given how pirated materials often damage computers with viruses, spyware and other problems, consumers will continue to embrace the innovative, legitimate sites that are becoming more and more available," Berman said. Malcolm agrees. He said there are more than 350 sites that legitimately distribute digital content. If a person is a true movie lover, they will want to respect the art, the artists and the countless people behind the scenes who make the magic happen, Malcolm said.
Source: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/05/01/wolverine.movie.piracy/index.html?iref=newssearch

terça-feira, 16 de junho de 2009

GOING ABROAD? HERE’S HOW TO SAVE ON CREDIT CARD FEES

In this article the author give some tips on how to save some money when using ATM or credit card overseas. He alerts that companies charges different taxes and it is our choice to choose the ones with low-cost. He also advices about what we can not forget to contract when traveling abroad.

With international airfare down 35% on some of the most popular routes in the last six months, this summer may be the time to travel abroad. One area that travelers frequently overlook is the rate that they pay when using an ATM or credit card overseas. Americans are used to swiping a debit or credit card to pay for practically everything because few banks charge a fee on domestic purchases. Internationally, however, it's a different story. HSBC, Bank of America and Wells Fargo charge a fee of 2% of the dollar amount of a credit card purchase, according to a recent survey by CardRatings.com. Visa and MasterCard then add a 1% processing fee on top of this, for a total fee of 3%. Debit cards have similar fees, but there are a few more low-cost options. What about forgetting cards and using old-fashioned traveler's checks? Banks will convert them for you, but that may mean waiting in long lines and a less than great conversion rate. When you're spending time sweating conversion fees, it may be worthwhile to think about buying short-term traveler's health insurance. Check with your card company before you go, and ask for a description of all possible medical benefits in writing.

Source: http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/08/credit-card-overseas-personal-finance-international-fees.html

segunda-feira, 8 de junho de 2009

10 TIPS TO RECESSION-PROOF YOUR CAREEER

With the economy still in turmoil, job security is a concern for many. Executive Education talked to three experts to find out what steps you can take to recession-proof your career
Here's what they had to say:
1 -- Go back to basics. Keep your skills sharp in all the core disciplines, whether it's HR management, marketing or finance. Keep yourself up to date with the latest thinking and trends.
2 -- Now is the time to network. Taillard says that in times of economic uncertainty, networking is an area that is often neglected.
3 -- Network smart. The Internet offers great networking opportunities, but work out which are suitable for you.
4 - Be flexible. The days of "a job for life" are long gone. In times of recession not even the biggest companies are a safe bet, so it's important to be adaptable and keep an open mind about what career paths are open to you.
5 -- Broaden your horizons. If there are lean pickings in your domestic job market, look overseas.
6 -- Choose wisely. If you're considering changing profession or industry focus your search on industries that are on the up or those that tend to be robust during recessions. A job in finance is clearly not a safe bet at the moment, while the energy and healthcare industries are hardy perennials. "
7 -- Sell yourself. If you're looking to change job, then it's time to dust off your resume. Enelow says, "Resume writing is all about creating the perception that you want someone to have about you. It's about writing to the future rather than rehashing the past." She recommends targeting your job search, rather than posting your resume all over the Internet.
8 -- Back to school. In a cutthroat job market it's crucial to maintain a competitive edge. Taillard says that ESCP Europe's courses in problem solving and communication skills are proving popular in the current economic downturn. Equally, if you have been made redundant or don't currently have promotion opportunities, it could be the ideal time to invest in your education.
9 -- You're the boss. If you can't rely on your employers to keep you in a job, create your own. Working as a consultant can give you much greater control over your career and doesn't leave you at the mercy of your employer's fortunes.
10 -- Don't panic. Keep a long-term perspective. "In times of economic crisis, when you're worried about the short term, it can be hard to think about the longer term but remember that your career will last several decades, so try to take the long view," says Diarte-Edwards

Source:
http://edition.cnn.com/2009/BUSINESS/06/02/recession.proof/index.html

terça-feira, 2 de junho de 2009

GREAT CEOs ARE ALWAYS GREAT CMOs

Note: CEO: Chief Executive Officer
CMO: Chief Marketing Officer

According to this article CEOs and CMOs know the same thing about what makes companies thrives.

Chief executive officers understand that building a great company and a great brand are inseparable. The better the company, the better the brand. And when a CEO leads a company so that it serves a higher purpose, both it and the brand are stronger.
The CMOs of such great companies have to think like CEOs. They have seek out legitimate needs in the marketplace and create solutions that build their brands in real, significant ways. CEOs and CMOs build their organizations and extension their brands on the three pillars of purpose:

1- They have business models that are about making a difference
2- They know their primary job is to build, nurture and sustain their organization’s core purpose and values
3- They make all their branding purposed-based.

As the author says behind every great brand is a great company led by people who know what they stand for, make purpose-based decisions and tell a powerful story in the marketplace. In the highest performing organizations with brands that endure over time, CEOs and CMOs are united in purpose.

source: http://www.forbes.com/2009/06/01/ceo-cmo-purpose-leadership-ceo-brands.html

segunda-feira, 25 de maio de 2009

Job losses up in 44 states as recession drags on

All but six states lost jobs in April and double-digit unemployment persisted in every corner of the country as companies squeezed by the recession slashed payrolls.For the fifth straight month, California led the nation in net job losses, with 63,700 jobs disappearing in April. Among the handful of winners were Arkansas, Montana and Florida - a state battered by the housing collapse and badly in need of good news.Michigan, the heart of the teetering American auto industry, posted the highest unemployment rate in the nation, 12.9 percent, the Labor Department said Friday. Oregon came in at 12 percent, South Carolina at 11.5 percent and Rhode Island at 11.1 percent.Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke has said he expects the economy to begin growing again later this year, but the recovery is expected to be slow, with companies in no rush to hire.Nearly 6.7 million people nationwide are drawing state unemployment insurance, the highest on records dating to 1967. The crush has exhausted unemployment funds in California, New York and elsewhere, forcing them to turn to the federal government.
source:http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2009/05/22/ap6458554.html