BCA FYI

bca — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:35:59 +0000

Editor’s Note: We release this issue of FYI with heavy hearts, joining the rest of the community in honoring the wonderful life and accomplishments of our Fire Chief John Callahan, while sharing the grief over his sudden passing.

BCA SOCIAL

bca — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:48:30 +0000

A common concern about monitoring your business’ social media presence is that it takes up too much of your valuable time. How do you fit the online conversation in during your already packed day? If you set up a solid routine, monitoring your online presence doesn’t have to be a hassle. Start with 10 minutes a day. Yes, it’s doable. Here’s how.

Listening and responding to customers and potential customers in the social media sphere is just as important as returning a client phone call, providing customer service at your front counter and making your customer feel cared for. So you know you need to make time for it. Start with these five easy steps provided by HubSpot. And in about 10 minutes each day, you can monitor what people are saying about your brand, set yourself up as an expert in your field and be prepared to be a part of the conversation when the time’s right.

Scott Morrell is a social media guru at Barnett Cox & Associates. He can be reached at 788-4432, @MorellScott on Twitter or smorrell@barnettcox.com.

SEEN & HEARD

bca — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:47:57 +0000

The No on Measure H group is working feverishly to make sure 20 years of planning and future sports fields aren’t done in by a crazy ballot initiative. No on H Campaign leaders John Spatafore, Stacey White and Hillary Trout are a trio that inspires followers, and they’ve amassed an impressive list of supporters. Check it out and sign up to help at NoOnMeasureH.com … The Central Coast Economic Forecast group is well underway to producing a bang-up event November 5th. Save the date and earmark some dollars to help sponsor the program that keeps solid economic data coming our way. Speaking of economic data – the City of SLO offers a quarterly sales tax report that is full of info. And while the most recent report (first quarter 2010) showed a .5 percent decline, it was the lowest decrease in several years. We’re hoping that means things will continue to improve.

LOCAL BEAT

bca — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:47:33 +0000

The first ever Central Coast Cancer Challenge, presented by Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, is a multi-sport event taking place at Laguna Lake Park Sept. 18 and benefiting the Wellness Center. Too much to tell here – 5k and 10k run/walk, 50k/100k cycling, kids run and bike rodeo; wellness expo and Damon Castillo Band – this event has it all … It’s a busy time for the Collaboration team. Tonight at 5:30, Collaboration hosts a “State of Small Business in SLO” mixer at the Crooked Kilt at 1865 Monterey. Free food and intriguing conversation; and Friday, Sept. 10 at noon their Business Education lunch features Andre, Morris & Buttery principal (and all around impressive) Beth Marino discussing buy-sell agreements. Reservations required … Corri Perry, manager of Fence Factory Rentals Atascadero, is the newly elected president of the SLO County Builders Exchange, joined by VP Patrick Kimbell (Kimbell-Brown Construction of Los Osos); secretary Mike Bray (Michael Bray Construction of Paso Robles) and treasurer Steve Stillman (Stillman Enterprises of Arroyo Grande). And welcome to Lindsay Newcomb, Fresno transplant and new marketing director for Limberg Lasik Institute. You could say she set her sights on the Central Coast.

GOOD WORKS

bca — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:46:51 +0000

A loud shout out to Jim Allen, marketing director for Hearst Castle and a guy who takes relationship building to the mat. Jim recently extended a VIP red carpet welcome to some ConocoPhillips folks who traveled from Houston for a team meeting in SLO. Not only did Jim dazzle the group with hospitality, he chased them down later at a Morro Bay restaurant – to deliver a pair of glasses left in the Castle van. That’s service.

BRAGGING RIGHTS

bca — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:46:32 +0000

John And Cindy Wallace at Fenway Park

John Wallace and the Wallace Group are a busy bunch of engineers, planners and landscape designers. John just returned from the American Public Works Associations’ annual congress in Boston, where he was one of a four-member local chapter delegation accepting a national award for excellence. He and wife Cindy hit Fenway Park while in town. Next up: Wallace Group takes on some major street redesigning for the City of Goleta, a plum assignment BCA will share. We were awarded the communications portion of the project. Carpooling to follow … Continued great news for Missie Hobson, former PG&E honcho here – she continues to win the fight against breast cancer, with clear scans and a six-month reprieve before she checks in again. Missie and hubby Larry are eagerly awaiting the September birth of a second grandbaby.

BCA BLURB

bca — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 17:46:04 +0000

Paul Zingg, former Cal Poly provost, centerish.

Admittedly, we at BCA are Chico State fans. Daddy Dave Cox hails from the school as does daughter Lindsay. Pals Jeff and Joan Buckingham just dropped their daughter off for her frosh year. And CSU Chico’s prez is our own Paul Zingg, former Cal Poly provost. Check out this fun video and see how Zingg and a few friends welcome the newbie’s.

BCA SOCIAL

bca — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 18:33:05 +0000

Social media is the current darling of the how-to-market toolbox, and for good reason – it works. But while every branding effort begins with identifying the target customer and determining the best venue for reaching him/her, there’s a critical next step when it comes to social media: conversation.

While traditional media tend to push the message through a one-way conversation, social media provides the ability to listen and respond in real time.

Brands that move their traditional campaigns online need to embrace, encourage and participate in the conversation. No one likes a one-way conversation at a party.

Does your current marketing campaign invite a conversation or merely present your brand’s wares? Does it have a social media strategy that’s thought provoking and engaging? Does it ask questions and listen for answers?

Check out these 12 Essential Steps to Social Media Strategy. Then let’s chat about your social media conversation. I’ll be listening.

Scott Morrell is a social media guru at Barnett Cox & Associates. He can be reached at 788-4432, @MorellScott on Twitter or smorrell@barnettcox.com.