Who Isn’t Looking For Ways To Increase Businesses and Profits?
June 8, 2009
Who Isn’t Looking For Ways To Increase Businesses and Profits?
…or to attract new customers? For those of you who read my blog regularly, you know I’m a big fan of new promotional ideas or marketing promotions that can help add some juice to your business. I recently cam across this innovative promotion and thought it was a pretty novel idea.
If you look at the tremendous success of the casinos, or the number of hits that IWON.com receives, it’s clear that people want hope, the chance to win something in these down times, or, anytime! If you attend a business expo, watch which table has the most people standing in front of it – it’s usually the one with a spinning wheel for a chance to win a plastic mug, even though the guy right next to it is giving similar items away just by asking for one!
People love the thrill of winning and something fun to do…it’s a psychological fact.
The goal for anyone with a web site is to draw attention to it, and it has been proven that people love to win things! The “Winning Prize Wheel” application creatively helps businesses garner new clients, and drive more traffic to their web sites while collecting contact data for future marketing initiatives. Taking advantage of this type of incentive marketing will boost profits and public relations. Visitors will be excited from the moment they enter your site for a chance to win a prize or perhaps a coupon.
Getting your visitors involved on your web site is a creative marketing technique, but incentive marketing has many faces. In a retail environment you might offer a chance at the prize wheel with the purchase of a specific product, or offer employees a chance at the prize wheel for reaching a sales goal. People love winning gifts, prizes, even discounts.
Engaged people in the excitement and enthusiasm of your business or website and keep them coming back. It is good for you and your current and future customers and employees. For more info on this really innovative marketing promotion, visit Winning Prize Wheel.
Phd Scholarships in Australia
April 11, 2009
Phd Scholarships in Australia
QUT’s School of Economics and Finance is seeking three PhD students to undertake study in the areas of behavioural economics and applied microeconometrics.
The scholarships are attached to a large international research group sponsored by the Australian Research Council, AusAid, the World Bank, the Ford Foundation and the German Labour Institute (IZA) as well as an international collaboration with European companies.
The successful applicants will work with researchers from the Australian National University and the QUT-based National Centre for Econometric Research.
They will be expected to follow standard economic PhD coursework in all fields of economics and to engage in a variety of analyses, such as handling large-scale data sets on migration in China, performing economic experiments in Australia with and without measuring heart rates, or developing a theoretical view of human decision making (including migration, network formation and attitudes towards risk and collaboration) .
Visit here
http://www.bus. qut.edu.au/ faculty/schools/ economics/
or here
http://rumici. anu.edu.au/ joomla/
Application criteria
* At least an Honours 2A or international equivalent thereof in economics or closely related subfield.
* Good verbal and written English language skills.
* A proven high ability in the use of analytical methods, as witnessed by courses in statistics/ economic modelling/game theory/mathematics, or else prior work of a high analytical quality.
* The ability to work with world-class researchers from many different countries (Australia, the United States, England, China, Indonesia, Germany) and the desire to become a research-oriented economist.
The scholarships
The school is offering three full-time scholarships to the value of $26,140 per annum (tax exempt and indexed annually) for three years. Top up scholarships and/or Research Assistant work may be available. The successful applicants will be based in Brisbane.
Application closing date
The closing date for applications is Thursday, 9 April 2009.
For more information about the research projects, please contact Professor Paul Frijters (phone (07) 3138 2947 or email p.frijters@qut. edu.au) or Associate Professor Uwe Dulleck (phone (07) 3138 9103 or email uwe.dulleck@ qut.edu.au).
For more information regarding the application process, please visit this website
http://www.bus. qut.edu.au/ faculty/schools/ economics/ research/ phdscholarships. jsp
Three gifts support urban education
Gifts totaling more than $1.1 million will support the School of Education’s Institute for Urban Education (IUE).
The IUE Active Community Collaborations Enhancing Student Success (Project ACCESS) received a grant for $356,450 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to help future teachers gain understanding through being in the cultural, family and neighborhood settings of urban public school students.
Three gifts support urban education
April 7, 2009
Three gifts support urban education
Gifts totaling more than $1.1 million will support the School of Education’s Institute for Urban Education (IUE).
The IUE Active Community Collaborations Enhancing Student Success (Project ACCESS) received a grant for $356,450 from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to help future teachers gain understanding through being in the cultural, family and neighborhood settings of urban public school students.
Obama to discuss N.Korea with China's Hu at G20 – Reuters
March 28, 2009
Obama to discuss N.Korea with China's Hu at G20 – Reuters Obama to discuss N.Korea with China's Hu at G20
Telegraph.co.uk
Reuters
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President Barack Obama will discuss concerns about a possible North Korean missile launch with Chinese President Hu Jintao at the G20 summit next week, White House officials said on Saturday.
Obama team deploys campaign tactics to get point across
Obama unveils agenda for first overseas trip
Russian craft docks on International Space Station – Reuters Russian craft docks on International Space Station
CTV.ca
Reuters
MOSCOW, March 28 (Reuters) – Astronauts on Russia's Soyuz TMA-14 spacecraft manually docked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Saturday after a malfunction of the automatic docking system, Russian mission control said.
Video: American-Russian crew ready to blast off to ISS
Madonna seeks to adopt baby girl Mercy in Malawi – Reuters Madonna seeks to adopt baby girl Mercy in Malawi
ABC News
Reuters
By Mabvuto Banda LILONGWE (Reuters) – Madonna's bid to adopt a second Malawian child, a baby girl called Mercy James, will be examined by a court in the southern African country next week, officials said on Friday.
Madonna Have Mercy? Adoption Hearing Set for Monday
Charity Against Madge's Adoption in Africa
Capel's journey brings him back against Carolina – SI.com Capel's journey brings him back against Carolina
Boston Globe
SI.com
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) -Blake Griffin leaned forward to the microphone to share what Oklahoma coach Jeff Capel – a Duke graduate – had told his Sooners about North Carolina.
Tar Heels, Sooners set for battle of big men
South Region Final: No. 1 North Carolina vs. No. 2 Oklahoma
The love of the gift
February 16, 2009
The love of the gift
In the wake of the obligatory Valentine’s Day “holiday,” I thought it might be interesting to discuss love and gift-giving from a different perspective.
In some ways, gift-giving can be even more important than love. After all, we tend to place a great deal of emphasis on giving gifts for occasions such as Valentine’s Day, even when we are not in love with the recipient.
Seminar Nasional Aktuaria 2008 (Yogyakarta)
Program Pascasarjana Matematika minat Aktuaria UGM dan Jurusan
Matematika FMIPA Universitas Gadjah Mada menyelenggarakan:
*SEMINAR NASIONAL AKTUARIA 2008*
Tema: /Actuarial Techniques in Health Insurance and Pension Plan**/
Hari, tanggal: Sabtu, 18 Oktober 2008
Waktu: 08.00 — 15.00 WIB
Tempat: Ruang auditorium (A106-A107) FMIPA UGM Yogyakarta
*Pembicara:*
1. Rianto A Djojosugito, FSAI, Ph.D. (Ketua Persatuan Aktuaris
Indonesia, Direktur Alianz Life Indonesia)
Subtema: /Be an actuary, statistician, or mathematician? !/
2. Adhitya Ronnie Effendie, M.Sc. (Dosen minat aktuaria UGM)
Subtema: /Pricing Health Insurance Product/
3. Didi Achdijat
Subtema: /The analysis of pension plan in Indonesia/.
*Target Peserta: *
Akademisi (mahasiswa, dosen, peneliti) secara umum, khususnya mahasiswa
matematika, statistika, dan teknik, karyawan asuransi dan dana pensiun,
konsultan aktuaria, dll
Kontribusi Peserta:
Mahasiswa S1: Rp. 75.000,00
Mahasiswa S2: Rp. 100.000,00
Umum: Rp. 150.000,00
*Tempat Pendaftaran: *
Program Pascasarjana Matematika UGM
Gedung Student Internet Center (SIC) Lantai 2 FMIPA UGM
Sekip Utara Kotak Pos: BLS 21 Yogyakarta 55281
Informasi dan pendaftaran hub: Agung (08122720526) , Yunita
(085232337665) , Putri (08193115443)
Conan O’Brien packing up for move West – WTOP Radio
February 14, 2009
Conan O’Brien packing up for move West – WTOP Radio
NEW YORK (AP) – Nearly two dozen guitars are scattered on the floor and sofa in Conan O’Brien’s office in Rockefeller Center, most of them gifts from musicians like Eddie Van Halen, Los Lobos, Les Paul and Brian Setzer. Moving day approaches. O’Brien is about to pack up the guitars _ and himself
Federal court: No link between vaccines, autism – Dubuque Telegraph Herald
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vaccines aren’t to blame for autism, a special federal court declared Thursday in a blow to thousands of families hoping to win compensation and to many more who are convinced of a connection. The special masters who decided the case expressed sympathy for the families, some of
Advisers: Obama to use sales skills – United Press International
People who read this also read Poll: Majority say Obama election historic Poll: Obama’s popularity grows Obamas in Chicago for Valentine’s weekend Obama praises passage of stimulus Pay bonus provision tucked into stimulus Senate vote sends stimulus to White House Emanuel says administration
Shopping for a new shopping cart?
December 29, 2008
Shopping for a new shopping cart?
I’ve been doing some new things to my Web site with the help of Alpha Five, and wanted to share experience with you.
Recently, I created an updated shopping cart feature for my site, Liberty Manuals. The new shopping cart uses a MySQL database. For years, we entered orders into Alpha Five manually. The new cart gives us the capability of exporting the data to a .csv file.
I then developed a series of operations that imports, appends, and posts. I then attached those operations onto a button using Action Scripting.
Now, the daily office routine is a piece of cake, and that’s what I think databases are all about. But be careful. Import first into a separate table, and then append to your main table. And check to be sure that the field types are the same in both tables.
For example, you might want the item ID to be a character field, but the import genie creates a numeric field. Then, when you go to append it to the main table, you get an error that the field types don’t match.
Yuck. I hate that message! The problem is easily fixed, but I like it better when things work the first time around. (Okay, call me a dreamer.) The reward is pressing the final button that makes everything work. Heaven!
With Alpha’s packaged e-commerce application, you can create a complete, fully functioning, “ready for business” online catalog, shopping cart, and e-commerce system. Or, it can be used as a framework for your own Web application. In either case, all you need is a copy of Alpha Five to edit the application, and the Alpha Five Application Server to deploy it.
Now, I must get to those gifts I was telling you about this weekend. From my home in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina to wherever this finds you, I wish you a very happy holiday. And happy shopping!
Rooney’s famous
I’ve recently been swapping some puppy pictures with Richard, and lo and behold, look what I found on a recent Alpha coupon! Better act fast, the deal ends Monday!
Absolutely the lowest prices of the year, but this coupon expires Monday, December 15th! Don’t be sad like Rover who missed out on a fantastic chance to save on Alpha Five v9. Take advantage of this great 4 Day Coupon 10% Off Already How to Redeem
Great Alpha Five V9
Sale Prices and Bundles!
Ends Monday
McCain, Obama 'Confident' That Bail Out Deal Will Be Made – ABC News
September 26, 2008
McCain, Obama 'Confident' That Bail Out Deal Will Be Made – ABC News McCain, Obama 'Confident' That Bail Out Deal Will Be Made
Seattle Post Intelligencer
ABC News -
By JULIA HOPPOCK and LAUREN SHER Presidential rivals John McCain and Barack Obama expressed confidence tonight that agreement on a $700 billion financial bailout plan is imminent despite growing concerns that the package could fall through.
Editorial: Bailout Plan
Stephen Colbert, Jon Stewart dress as the Obamas (after a fashion)
Lawmakers to tackle bailout plan again Friday – Reuters Lawmakers to tackle bailout plan again Friday
Boston Globe
Reuters -
By Tom Ferraro and Richard Cowan WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Congressional leaders will try again on Friday to save a $700 billion Wall Street rescue plan after talks broke down in acrimony against the backdrop of the nation's biggest-ever bank failure.
Video: Dems Blame McCain for Bailout Deal Breakdown
Prosecutor Says Senator Knowingly Hid Gifts – New York Times Prosecutor Says Senator Knowingly Hid Gifts
ABC News
New York Times -
Jose Luis Magana/AP Ted Stevens and his daughter Beth Stevens on Thursday in Washington. At the center of his case is a makeover of his home.
Prosecutor outlines charges against Alaskan senator
Contractor, wife blamed in Stevens corruption case
China milk scandal hits Japan firm, Taiwan victims – The Associated Press China milk scandal hits Japan firm, Taiwan victims
Boston Globe
The Associated Press -
BEIJING – China's tainted milk scandal continues to expand beyond its borders as three Taiwanese children and a mother are sick with kidney stones, a Japanese confectioner's cookies are found to be contaminated and the European Union joins other …
China Report Delays in Milk Scandal Are `Deliberate,' WHO Says
A Drop Of Milk
Hollywood Headaches: Britney Spears does MTV – Colorado Daily
September 8, 2008
Hollywood Headaches: Britney Spears does MTV – Colorado Daily Hollywood Headaches: Britney Spears does MTV
Sydney Morning Herald
Colorado Daily -
By Christy Fantz, fantz@coloradodaily.com Britney Spears won three MTV Video Music Awards? Jeez, that's like David Spade producing spawn with a Playboy Bunny.
Video: New Britney Still Owns the VMAs
Dixie Chicks, Hockey Games Could Figure in Next Congressional Scandal – ABC News Dixie Chicks, Hockey Games Could Figure in Next Congressional Scandal
ABC News
ABC News -
By EMMA SCHWARTZ Dixie Chicks concert tickets, ringside hockey seats and a private suite at Camden Yards. These are just a few of the gifts lobbyists allegedly gave a top lawmaker and his staff in exchange for help securing earmarks and other political …
Abramoff Associate Indicted in Federal Court
Ex-colleague of disgraced lobbyist faces charges
Prison guards move to recall Schwarzenegger – San Francisco Chronicle Prison guards move to recall Schwarzenegger
The Associated Press
San Francisco Chronicle -
(09-08) 15:12 PDT SACRAMENTO — The state's powerful prison guards' union launched a recall campaign today against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, charging that his "catastrophic leadership failings" have left the state "in far worse shape" than before his …
Calif. prison guards seek to recall Schwarzenegger
Prison guards threaten Schwarzenegger with recall
Increase Your Sales By Getting Personal
July 15, 2008
Increase Your Sales By Getting Personal
While that may seem exclusive to one of the world’s largest online retailers, even small businesses can take advantage of the resources used by Amazon. It’s not as difficult or expensive as you might think. Data-driven marketing applications are now affordable, easy to use, and something your must consider as part of your marketing mix.
What does your customer data say? In order to create personalized recommendations and maximize the value of your current customers, you must perform a thorough analysis of your existing database. To do so, organize and review your current customer list. Perform additional analysis to predict customer tendencies in terms of clusters, and other data modeled groupings.
Doing this will help to determine the type of message or offer to send to each group based on past behavior. Then you’re ready to leverage your data and analysis in order to move your best customers to higher purchase levels. This might take the form of making a specific set of cross-sell or up-sell recommendations to individual sets or cluster of customers.
If your current customer files are not in the condition necessary to take advantage of some of these types of analyses, make it a priority to clean up your data so you can maximize your ability to harvest your own greatest asset.
What about recommendation systems? The idea is that customers are not all the same so why would you treat them that way? Amazon was the first to really utilize the, “Customers who purchased this also were interested in the following items”, technique. But you can use the same approach (and even improve on it, as Amazon clearly does not always get it right) for your own Web site.
In the movie rental arena, Netflix, Blockbuster and FamilyVideo.com have used recommendation systems successfully, and Netflix is even running a $1 million contest offering programmers the chance to beat the current Netflix system by more than 10% and win the big prize. They are doing this because a better system will drive incremental sales well above $1 million over the life of its implementation.
Personalized recommendation systems can cost well over $100,000 for companies with a large number of product offerings. But for companies with a smaller amount of products costs can be less than $50,000 for set-up, and monthly maintenance charges can be tied to performance.
An added benefit is that creating a truly personal shopping experience for your customers engenders increased customer loyalty. Even though its suggestions may not always be on the mark, we return to Amazon again and again when looking for items for ourselves and gifts for friends and relatives.
The friendly service seems to know us — it certainly recognizes us — and it appears to have been waiting patiently for our return. Why not create a “My-store,” “wish-list,” e-mail alert, or an intelligent search function on your site and make your customers’ shopping experience truly unique? Today’s shoppers want to feel that they are in control of their shopping “experience” and affording them choices to make (but not too many) is a key to success.
Whether it is in print, on your Web site, or both, data-driven applications offer your precious customers new products, destinations and experiences — and provide you with stronger income opportunities.
