It’s easy to see why food packaging is such a major concern among people who are worried about the environment. People routinely unwrap an item of food, then toss its wrapper carelessly on the ground. Many Australian food packaging suppliers are constantly looking for ways to make their products less damaging to the environment.

Consumers’ Influence Over Packaging And The Environment

Public opinion is, understandably, quite important when it comes to designing and manufacturing food packaging. Businesses and corporations want to make their customers happy, and public opinion and pressure is increasing turning toward protecting and preserving the environment. Consumers today are much more likely to prefer a product that is deemed environmentally friendly, as opposed to one that is perceived as contributing to the problem of pollution on the planet. It is highly likely that the public will continue approving environmentally friendly products as time goes by.

Commercial Influence Over Packaging And The Environment

As the direct customers of the food packaging industry, businesses hold a lot of sway over the direction that these products go in. These days, it is in most companies’ best interests to appear as environmentally friendly as possible; therefore, most businesses will choose packaging that is made out of recycled materials or that is biodegradable over synthetic packaging that creates more pollution. The stigma around things like many kinds of plastic and Styrofoam is prompting many companies to turn to packaging made out of more Earth-friendly materials. This trend is bound to continue and even pick up steam as the urgency surrounding saving the planet increases.

Government Influence Over Packaging And The Environment

Regulations and various types of legislation from governments around the world – including Australia’s – are putting additional pressure on packaging suppliers to create more Earth friendly products. The packaging industry is being held to certain standards, just as many other industries are, in terms of creating biodegradable and recyclable products. Numerous laws and legislations are targeting the issues of pollution of the planet which highly involves food packaging – as prevalent as it is – is seen as a natural place where positive changes can be made. Additional treaties, pacts and agreements are bound to occur in the future, and food packaging will continue to evolve into more environmentally friendly products as time goes by.

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How I Became The #1 Earner In My Network Marketing Company, Without Picking Up The Phone…
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This week I’ve joined the Bradford Chamber of Commerce.  I was keen to be part of an extended local business directory. As well as providing me with networking opportunities, the Chamber can give support with training, business information, legal aid and trade solutions.

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A privacy-advocacy organization took over 289 open Facebook groups Tuesday, sending off a wave of panic that the social-networking site had been hijacked. The organization, Control Your Info, says it accessed the groups using Google search and publicly available tools and used the takeover to spread a message about the security of online information. “Our method of choice only serves the purpose to prove our point and put emphasis on how easy it is to lose track of a part of your online presence,” the group said in a statement.  The Tech Herald

By Chris H. Sieroty
Special to The Press-Enterprise
A new warehouse planned in Ontario appears to be another distribution center for Atlanta-based Home Depot Inc.
ProLogis announced late Tuesday that it would begin construction in December on a warehouse at the southwest corner of Etiwanda Avenue and Fourth Street in Ontario within its Crossroads Business Park, a 281.7-acre master-planned project near the interstates 10 and 15 intersection.
ProLogis declined to identify who would occupy the 667,000-square-foot facility, but documents filed by the developer with the city’s planning department show the occupant will be Home Depot. Messages left with Paula Drake, senior manager of corporate communications with Home Depot, were not returned.
Earlier this year, Home Depot moved into a 650,000-square-foot building at ProLogis Park Redlands. Home Depot also operates a distribution center in Mira Loma.
“The retailer is a longstanding customer, and we are pleased to once again meet the company’s needs for distribution space,” said Richard Strader, ProLogis Global Corporate Services’ senior vice president, in a statement. “Upon completion of this facility, the company will occupy approximately seven million square feet of ProLogis distribution space in 13 markets across the country.”
ProLogis said the project would be built on a 55-acre parcel within the development. Terms of the deal were not released, but with an average construction price in the region of between $70 to $90 per square foot, the new facility at the low end of the scale would cost approximately $46 million to construct. It is scheduled to be completed next fall.
With an industrial vacancy rate of 9 percent at the end of the third quarter and construction of new industrial facilities all but halted since the recession took hold in late 2008, a new project has been welcomed by Ontario officials.
“Any construction jobs or permanent jobs in an (economic) cycle like this are welcome,” said Ontario City Manager Gregory Devereaux. “It will be occupied by a nationally known tenant and a builder that has developed other projects in the area.”
Devereaux said it also demonstrated ProLogis’ “faith in our market.”
Based in Denver, ProLogis has about 45 million square feet of industrial space in Southern California. At Crossroads Business Park, Home Depot would be located next to buildings occupied by Gillette and Oakley Inc.

Jaimie Dobson recently re-branded his company from iNetengineers to iNetinsights.  He invited me along to the ProNet meeting (a networking group) held at the Park Lane Centre in Bradford.   Although the ProNet group is new, it has a lot of potential, already attracting a number of local businesses to the fortnightly meetings.  For more information about the group check out the Linkedin and Twitter pages:

http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=2312663

http://twitter.com/joinpronet

Guest blogger: Media relations expert Jessica Killenberg, Vice President – Account Services, Bianchi PR      

       According to a recent 2009 Journalist Survey on Media Relations Practices by Bulldog Reporter/TEKgroup International, Web demands are “insane” for journalists. Digital media often requires more work without more staff. In some cases, triple the amount of output volume is expected from journalists, who are expected to feed the voracious web monster 24/7.

         As PR practitioners, we must be mindful of the strain journalists are under and be respectful when pitching story ideas. So, how can we help journalists cut through the clutter and deliver content that is applicable to their readers?

        Here are five tips that can help YOU help THEM:

 1.      It all starts with a well-tailored media list. And by that we mean pitching the right story to the right reporter on the right beat. There are plenty of resources that can help you accomplish this MediAtlas, Cision, specific publication Web sites, etc. You can also use Wikipedia as a starting point for media in a particular city or Google for publication categories, such as “healthcare management magazines” or “automotive aftermarket magazines.”

 2.      Opt for targeted one-on-one media pitching. While mass distribution of a news release is often standard, in most cases a targeted pitch to a few key media can bring the results you are ultimately looking for. Develop your media “wish list” and go for it one at a time. Keeping in mind that your topic needs to be worthy of that publication and its audience. Unfortunately, not every story idea will be front page Wall Street Journal material, but it could be just the right story for a key trade or local publication.

 3.      Provide the reporter with as much background information as possible. But make sure the information is synthesized for ease of use. Provide key points and important data. This can be in the form of a brief fact sheet, backgrounder or a chart/graph. It can even be past news releases, if they help provide bench depth on the topic you are pitching.

 4.      Have appropriate expert sources available. Not only within your organization, but perhaps outside as well, so the reporter can get the complete story. For example, consumers of your product, participants in your study, beneficiaries of your charitable contribution, etc. And make sure those sources are well prepared with a briefing memo that contains possible questions, talking points and information on the reporter and publication. 

 5.      Have hi-res images ready. We can’t say this enough … “EVERYONE READS PICTURES” and with every story you pitch, you ought to make sure there is a high-resolution image to go along with it. It will certainly help increase the chances of your story making it in print. For print publications, you’ll want to provide 300 to 600 dpi (dots per inch) images in a .jpg format. For newspapers, 300 dpi in a .jpg format will work best. And for online publications, resolution is irrelevant, as the web image will need to expand or shrink to 72 dpi due to computer monitor settings.

        Any other tips come to mind? Let us know …

Recruiters are losing their coveted space as liaisons between hiring managers and prospective employees, as more companies turn directly to social media to hire. “The world has changed — it will never go back,” says Razor Suleman, a small-business owner who has employees disseminate job openings through Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Suleman is expecting 1,000 applicants for 17 job openings — which he estimates would have cost $260,000 to fill through traditional recruiting and advertising.  The Globe and Mail (Toronto)

Google has announced plans to enrich existing Google Voice offerings with its purchase, made public Thursday, of Gizmo5 Technologies, a provider of Internet telephony software. The acquisition puts Google in a position to challenge Skype, with a multiplatform service to include IM and VoIP calling, video calling, chat across a variety of messaging services, mobile-phone calls and SMS messages.  MediaPost Communications/Online Media Daily

To the architects, engineers and other building professionals who attended a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) event recently at the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters’ training facilities in Elk Grove Village, Ill., the event’s more than 30 educational sessions provided an opportunity to receive high-value training at no cost. Yet ironically, Accountability Information Management (AIM), a leading business-to-business research and marketing organization that conducted surveys with event attendees, found that price/cost and value rank below other attributes in the product selection process.

During the two-day, inaugural event that covered water efficiency, renewable energy and other “green” subjects, AIM researchers interviewed 86 CEU attendees who also make product selection decisions. “The event attracted a diverse CEU population,” said James Nowakowski, AIM president.

According to AIM’s research, respondents consider an average of at least two product attributes when evaluating one product brand over another. “One might think that during this economy, cost/value would outrank other influential attributes,” said Nowakowski, “but that’s not the case. The majority, 48%, indicated that their experience, familiarity or reputation of a brand was key when selecting a brand they would purchase.

“Cost/value actually came in third with 32% after quality/durability,” Nowakowski continued. “And despite the eco-focus of the CEU event, only 12% of respondents named ‘green/enviro friendly’ as an important product feature.”

AIM’s research was designed to find out more about who and what drives the product selection process by talking directly to professionals involved in making product selection. Questions included:
• Who really pulls the trigger on selecting the brand of product used?
• What are manufacturers doing well or not so well when it comes to product selection?
• Where do you get information on products?
• Why do you select one brand over another?

The 275,000-square-foot Carpenter Training Center is part of the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters. The CEU program offered professionals a first-hand look at the extensive, thorough, state-of-the-art facilities and on-going training available to Chicago-area union carpenters.

Nearly 250 exhibitors participated in the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters’ CEU event in October, which offered one of the best forums for exploring what’s next on the horizon for the carpenter trade. The event hosted more than 30 free CEU classes, attended by architects, engineers, designers, specifiers, firm production staff, project managers, local building officials and inspectors, and facilities managers for hospitals, commercial real estate and other properties.

Accountability Information Management Inc., located in Palatine, Illinois, is a marketing research and marketing communications company with extensive knowledge in branding strategies and print advertising behavior through database management and technologies. Clients of Accountability include magazine publishers, associations, and public and private companies in manufacturing, construction and other industrial markets.

For more information about the AIM research, contact: Sue Garrison, Interline Creative Group, 847-358-4848.

1. Getting lost in the crowd.
Did you know ten years ago people were exposed to 3000 ads a day? How about today: The number of ads we are exposed to daily is 9,000, can you believe it? No wonder businesses report poor response from their advertising. The biggest change in advertising and marketing is the internet. Which just happens to be part of the number 2 most dangerous trend.

2. People can’t find you.
According to the Direct Marketing Association 42% of the people you are targeting want to respond to your ads through the web. That survey is from 2006, you know it has to be higher than that now. Think about how much time is spent online each day. The internet has changed everything about the way we conduct business. What is your business doing to adjust to the paradigm shift caused by the internet? One idea is take a look at the money you are spending on Yellow Pages advertising and consider redirecting some or all of it to internet efforts. To learn more about internet advertising, Google Adwords and search engine optimization go to http://tinyurl.com/2np4w2 to learn more about this vital topic. Then find a good SEO partner. We use Jennifer Adelman at www.theprojectfox.com

3. No follow up, and worse, no automated follow-up. 
What happens when someone shows interest in your product or service but does not buy right away? Too often any follow up is hit or miss and much more often miss. If you are like me you might do okay at follow up for a while but then something happens, such as a salesperson quits or you get busy. It happens and it happens a lot. You pay good money for advertising and marketing but without an effective automated sales follow up process you are losing money. That is something you cannot afford to do in this economy. I solved that problem with a selling software program. If you would like to learn more about how an automated sales follow up program works send me an email and I will get you that information. steve@digitalprintink.net

4. No way to track results. 
What sales and marketing efforts are working for you? How can you know if you don’t track results? Can you give a return on your investment amount for your marketing dollars spent? Most businesses do not know what their return is for each $1 spent. Now you can, especially with web-based marketing. Not only can you track results, you can get in touch with a lead within seconds after they respond. The MIT Sloan study found that the faster you follow up with a lead the more likely they are to buy. Well how about 5 seconds! How is that possible you might ask? It is possible and happens all the time with web-based integrated marketing. I have literally contacted people while they are still on the website reading about my company. Talk about a powerful impression. They usually just start laughing and say WOW that was fast! Great way to start a sales conversation!

5. NO PLAN. 
You need a plan. Most of us are not marketers; we are business owners, managers and salespeople. It takes time and knowledge to put a plan in place. Most small businesses cannot afford to have a full time marketing staff so they rely on outside help. We’ve developed a plan. It is easy to implement and can be in place in 30 days or less. Contact me steve@digitalprintink.net. I will show you how it works for us. 

Digital Print Ink started out as a Springfield, MO printing company 30 years ago and we still do that every day. We’ve added mailing and design and now the web response vehicle with PURLS that sets you apart and helps you get a higher response from your advertising/marketing. If you just want to talk and strategize I am open to that. No charge to talk, I love strategizing. You will learn something and so will I. I have a lot of experience in helping businesses grow. I helped grow a business from $2.5 million to $50 million in 6 years. I started a Long Term Care Insurance division for a $500 million dollar corporation that became the largest long term care insurance agency in America. We generated over 10,000 leads a month. I’ve interviewed over 3000 job candidates in my career and trained and managed over 500 salespeople. I know how to help people grow and manage their business. I love printing and mailing because it is a low cost and easy to implement strategy that gets results for business people quickly and it gives you a known return for your investment. 

You can reach me at steve@digitalprintink.net or call 417 881 5309.

Eine Online-Umfrage von 123 Führungskräften im Bereich B2B-Marketing befragte die Teilnehmer, wie sich deren Werbespendings nach einem dem Ende der Wirtschaftskrise entwickeln werden. Die Befragung, die von Media Business im September 2009 durchgeführt wurde, kam zu folgenden Ergebnissen:

• 36,6% der B2B-Marketingverantwortlichen sagten Sie werden nach dem Ende der Wirtschafskrise wieder genau so viel in Print-Werbung investieren wie vor der Krise.
• 19,5% werden mehr in Print-Werbung investieren als vor der Krise.
• 43,9% beabsichtigen nach dem Ende der Wirtschaftskrise weniger in Print-Werbung zu investieren als zuvor.

Zudem sollten die B2B Marketing-Verantwortlichen auf einer Skala von 1 (sehr wichtig) bis 4 (weniger wichtig) acht Marketingkanäle bewerten. 

Die Ergebnisse waren wie folgt: Online (1,51), Veranstaltungen (1,90), Webcasts (2,19), Whitepaper (2,24), Messen (2,36), Corporate Publishing (2,51), Print (2,53), Virtuelle Messen (3,13).

Anmerkung: Da Media Business aus den USA kommt, ist mit großer Wahrscheinlichkeit anzunehmen, das der überwältigende  Teil der Umfrage-Teilnehmer ebenfalls aus den USA kommt. Daher sollte man die Ergebnisse keinesfalls 1:1 auf den europäischen B2B-Markt übertragen.

Quelle: Media Business, October 2009, Seite 9

We all wish we had a crystal ball to see what was going to happen in the future. It would be really helpful in building our businesses. If you are in the business-to-business world and you are trying to promote your company’s products or services, there is one tool that I consider a type of crystal ball – Editorial Calendars.

Many people consider editorial calendars as tools for the advertising team and if you have no budget for advertising, why bother looking at them? Well, the editorial teams of your target magazines have spent significant time creating these editorial calendars as part of their media kits to drive advertising and also to provide direction for the publication for the coming year. Since they outline the topics they plan to cover during the year, these calendars are extremely valuable for promoting your business. For example, if you have a hot new technology gadget, then knowing when key magazines are going to publish their holiday tech gadget guides is essential.

If you don’t have tools like Cision or Vocus that provide databases of editorial calendars, make sure you visit the websites of your target publications to take a look at their 2010 editorial calendars and determine if they are focusing on any topics where your business might be a good fit. Then, get creative and pitch away!

The generation that grew up on text messaging, chatting and holding multiple conversations at once is growing up, and some believe these “hyper-socializers” will be great assets to their employers. “They know how to optimize and prioritize. They will call or set up a meeting if it’s needed. If not, they text,” says a tech analyst. Others disagree, saying the heavy reliance on technology to socialize has made their relationships shallow and their face-to-face interactions awkward.  The Wall Street Journal

Join the Winning Team!!

For over 20 years our Client has been a trusted window and door manufacturer for homeowners, contractors, architects and designers across western Canada.  They are currently seeking a motivated Sales Executive to work from their head office in Edmonton. The position will focus on the multi-family and residential markets. Position entails creating a window & door market in Edmonton and area, if you have:

- Experience in prospecting new business development
- 4 or more years selling experience in B2B 
- Confidence, tact and a persuasive manner
- Desire to be a proven top performer

Effective presentation, written, and communication skills are a must. Background knowledge and experience in window and the new construction industry is desirable. Other requirements include a degree, diploma, or certificate in marketing or sales related discipline.

This position is offering a salary between 50K- 60K per year, a generous commission structure, employee benefits and a dynamic work environment.

If this sounds like the position for you, email your resume to info@pgstaff.com or fax it to 780-426-3427 today!

Join the Winning Team!!

For over 20 years our Client has been a trusted window and door manufacturer for homeowners, contractors, architects and designers across western Canada.  They are currently seeking a motivated Sales Executive to work from their head office in Edmonton. The position will focus on the multi-family and residential markets. Position entails creating a window & door market in Edmonton and area, if you have:

- Experience in prospecting new business development
- 4 or more years selling experience in B2B 
- Confidence, tact and a persuasive manner
- Desire to be a proven top performer

Effective presentation, written, and communication skills are a must. Background knowledge and experience in window and the new construction industry is desirable. Other requirements include a degree, diploma, or certificate in marketing or sales related discipline.

This position is offering a salary between 50K- 60K per year, a generous commission structure, employee benefits and a dynamic work environment.

If this sounds like the position for you, email your resume to info@pgstaff.com or fax it to 780-426-3427 today!

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