2006 20SM Upward Management/Best Boss Awards

by Jared on November 30th, 2006

Per a request, I am re-running the Best Boss Contest but after some thought we are re-dubbing it: The 2006 20-Something Marketing Upward Management/Best Boss Awards…

Synopsis:

We love stories about kicking some serious result-driven ass at work, especially if it required a 20-something using upward management to persuade their boss or co-workers.

In fact, we love those types of stories so much we created a contest in 2005 to see who had the best one.

Instructions/Rules:

1) Put together a short (less than 500 word) synopsis of your project, the process you used, and its results.

2) Please keep the stories fairly clean (i.e. no over-the-top raunchy intern stuff).

3) Entrants are highly encouraged to change the names of their bosses or co-workers unless you think they wouldn’t mind us reading them on-air.

4) Submit your entries by December 14th to jared@20somethingmarketing.com

The Awards:

The listener who submits the best story, as judged by the staff of 20-something marketing (meaning Jared), will receive the incredible 20-Something Marketing Mug and/or business card file.

Good Luck & We Look Foreword To Your Entries!

Now Avalible: Delta Sigma Pi Business Card-Folios

by Jared on November 27th, 2006

I mentioned a while back that a business card-folio is a great way to organize your contacts and bolster your networking efforts. Well, it just so happens that I have a few avalible for purchase. (Not to mention that I will be giving these away on the next show.)

If you are Deltasig or just love leather business accessories, check them out here:

As an added bonus, every purchase will help to go to keep this show on the air!

A word on the token customer birthday greetings

by Jared on November 19th, 2006

First, - why the heck is it that parents feel the need to call at 8 AM in the morning when they know full well you were out celebrating till 4 AM? Anyway, as long as I am up I decided to feed my ever-growing Internet addiction and check my e-mail.

Normally, there is no shortage of token corporate birthday greetings from companies who want to nourish a relationship with you. Sometimes they even send you something cool like a free coffee coupon (Thanks Caribou!). This year, however, something came in the e-mail that I want to share with you.

I have often stated that Cirque du Soleil is the best example out there of integrated marketing and once again, they blow me away. I opened my e-mail and instead of just a birthday one-liner they ask me to open up a flash link that entertains be for about a minute with a cute paper airplane that magically sweeps past cirque characters to the soundtrack of one of their shows.

When the paper airplane finally arrives at your feet, it magically unfolds to reveal this:

click image for larger view

Just take a look at it! Its simple, its beautiful and somehow they manage to interweave their marketing spiel into a birthday greeting. I want to just hug the creative mind that thought this up.

Wendy over at Kenises was spot on when she shared her thoughts that birthday greetings are an easy-simple way to keep up customer relations. Cirque takes it one more step to reinforce a unique brand characteristic and show that even though it’s an old customer tactic, hey can still inspire in the oldest of customer relationship tactics.

Thanks Cirque, (and thanks Mom;)) for the birthday wishes!

20SMF Episode #53 - On The Road With MBA Spin

by Jared on November 16th, 2006

On the road for MBA Admissions Interviews; Clay Lee (AKA - The Gay Apprentice); Game Plan: Learning To Let Go.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering we are on the 5th version of our album art and promise not to change it again…maybe.

Show Notes:

• MBA Spin: Tips for the MBA Admissions Interview
• OFW Feature: Clay Lee - The first gay contestant on NBC’s “The Apprentice”
• Game Plan: Letting Go

Referenced Links:

Out For Work Series: Landing Your Dream Career

by Jared on November 16th, 2006

Fiona Grant of Accenture Consulting highlights resume, interview and search strategies for GLBT and Ally job seekers.

The second in a 20SM-produced series from the Out for Work Conference in Washington, D.C..

MBA Spin: Freaking The Hell Out…

by Jared on November 11th, 2006

What if you could aggregate your entire MBA admissions process into a single day? No waiting by the mailbox, no checking your e-mail obsessively for months on end, just an interview in the morning with a response before you go to bed. Sounds great doesn’t it? More

MBA Spin: How to score great recommendations while keeping your sanity

by Jared on November 3rd, 2006

If there is a single piece of an MBA application that holds the distinct possibility of driving you insane, it’s recommendations.

I know I said the GMAT is difficult but at least that something that is somewhat under your control. Recommendations, on the other hand, can be a complete chaotic mess if you don’t know what you’re doing. Even if you have complete confidence your recommenders will accurately reflect your real value (which you should if you took the time to select them), there are numerous ways in which recommendations can snag the best laid application plans.

Here are some things I have learned from the past week of getting my recommendations completed and delivered: More

20SMF Episode #52 - Out for Work Series: Success and GLBT Professionals

by Jared on November 2nd, 2006

How GLBT professionals can succeed using what they already have.

The first in a 20SM-produced series from the Out for Work Conference in Washington, D.C.. This keynote presentation by Kirk Snyder, author of the “G” Quotient and Lavender Road to Success outlines the new rules for GLBT success in the workplace.

Show Notes:

• Be Out, Be Proud, Be Successfull
• OFW Keynote: Kirk Snyder - The New Rules For GLBT Success

Referenced Links: