Cut-It-Out Communications

Website Design

October 31, 2014/in Business /by Willy Gissen

Website design may seem like a very dry topic, but the average business owner should learn some fundamental concepts.

You should be guided by the golden triangle, an observation that visitors approach a web page by looking at the upper left, then horizontally across the page and diagonally downward.

First and foremost, no top navigation bar should contain more than seven items; too many choices confuse the visitor, and there are other ways to include additional web pages such as a list of links at the side of each page or section.

Next, any website worth its salt should contain internal blogging software. That means, the site should host the blog in a URL format such as www.mydomain.com/blog.

Game 7

October 30, 2014/in Domestic Issues /by Willy Gissen

The world of sports generally takes a back seat to what are viewed as more pressing issues in public policy and public relations, heavy matters of war and peace or even the proper technique for writing a press release.

Moments like this cannot happen in any other sport, where you can’t run out the clock, and the slowly building tension comes to a crescendo as the whole game hinges on the next pitch, the next batter.

But occasionally everything grinds to a halt as the nation remembers what it has in common more than what divides us. And when it does, the unifying point is often a sporting event.

One of those sporting events happened last night as the San Francisco Giants prepared to meet the Kansas City Royals in game seven of the World Series.

Social Collaboration Sites

October 27, 2014/in Business /by Willy Gissen

Social collaboration sites provide an excellent way to find content for postings on social media and, in the process, provide reliable sources for distribution to your connections.

Some of the most popular sites include www.socialbuzzclub.com and www.viralcontentbuzz.com, and <u>they work in a simple and effective manner</u>.

Some of the most popular sites include www.socialbuzzclub.com and www.viralcontentbuzz.com, and they work in a simple and effective manner. They provide an ongoing list of material contributed by their members, and each time you share it, you earn points. Once you have accumulated enough points, you can spend them to share your own content.

America in Crisis?

October 25, 2014/in Politics /by Willy Gissen

Many reporters, especially conservative commentators, are trying to depict our country as a land in crisis, under a confluence of events ranging from Ebola to ISIS. Nothing could be further from the truth.

What is occurring, however, is a manufactured malaise, drummed up by Republican political considerations and affecting few people directly.

Our economy is in the midst of a strong rebound, with job growth picking up and an unparalleled world dominance. The asymmetric threat of terrorism is just that, asymmetric. The events of 9/11 occurred more than a decade ago, and the isolated incidents ever since have hurt only a handful people and are thoroughly eclipsed by other dangers, including that of being struck by lightning.

Increase Your Conversion Rate

October 23, 2014/in Business /by Willy Gissen

New entrepreneurs are generally thrown into the competitive mix and forced to put their business through a sink-or-swim process. Most entrepreneurs start their organization because they have developed a marketable skill, but that skill does not generally include management. Here are some sure-fire ways to get through the gauntlet and get your first or seventy-first client.

Taking the prospect step-by-step through a structured process provides a familiar path for you and your potential client.

1. Hold your first meeting at lunch.

First impressions matter, and you are likely to generate favorable ones when sharing a meal. Holding the first meeting at lunch also provides an efficient vetting process — if the prospect does not want to have lunch with you, there may be many applicants for the position, and your chances are greatly reduced.

Nuanced Values

October 22, 2014/in Domestic Issues /by Willy Gissen

American values are not absolutes but are tempered by logic, common sense and prudent, moderate frameworks. Just as you don’t have the freedom to yell “Fire” in a crowded theaters, there are limits to other values as well. Clearly, equality and liberty can not co-exist next to each other without some sort of modification. Because liberty would imply the freedom to get ahead of your fellow man, and equality would then need to be imposed by force.

American values are not absolutes but are tempered by logic, common sense and prudent, moderate frameworks.

Capitalism, as well, does not exist in a pure, unadulterated form as Americans agree on the need for regulations to protect the American consumer and ensure other values are upheld as well, such as environmental protections and bans on children’s labor.

The Need for Unbiased News

October 21, 2014/in Domestic Issues /by Willy Gissen

I miss the news. No, I don’t mean the modified versions put out by Fox and MSNBC, or the affection for sensationalism displayed by CNN. I mean the non-biased serving up of the news on a day in and day out basis once provided by the three major broadcast networks.

It’s ironic that in an era of cable news and the Internet one must flee to radio to get a truly neutral take on the day’s events.

In a time of so many channels, with all news all the time available on some of them, thirsting for the real news is like being stranded in the ocean without any fresh water to drink. I like the format of some Fox shows and am a devoted fan of Hardball with Chris Matthews. But I need to keep on subtracting or adding to the presentation in order to get the neutrality I desire.

The Status of America

October 20, 2014/in Politics /by Willy Gissen

Republicans are desperately trying to convince the American people about the effect of a series of crises on our nation, spinning a tale about a world gone out of control. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Yes, events have transpired beyond the President’s control in eastern Ukraine and West Africa, but our nation should feel blessed to have such a sane and cautious leader, one who will take measured decisions for the safety of us all. God knows where would be right now if George W. Bush were still President.

And the most important thing for the American people, the economy, is showing robust signs of growth, with the unemployment rate dipping below six percent for the first time in years.

And the most important thing for the American people, the economy, is showing robust signs of growth, with the unemployment rate dipping below six percent for the first time in years. The stock market, despite some recent corrections, has nearly doubled in value, and if companies would relax about the large stockpile of profits they have amassed, we would be doing even better.

What if Baghdad Falls?

October 18, 2014/in Foreign Issues /by Willy Gissen

The American air campaign against ISIS seems to have emboldened the radical Islamic fighters, making them both more prudent and deadly on the ground.

When Baghdad falls, it will create wide-ranging repercussions throughout the Middle East.

The fighters of ISIS know how to adapt to various circumstances, and they have proceeded by sheltering their weapons more and hiding among civilian populations. On the ground, the Iraqi army seems to be unable to retake any territory even with the U.S. air force behind them.

Nor should we think ISIS will be automatically defeated. It was not that long ago historically when the United States was stymied in Vietnam despite throwing the force of our entire army into the battle. And if ISIS continues along the current course, they will take Baghdad in a few months. Most likely, they will do it in a sudden kamikaze push and surprise us again.

Handling a PR account

October 17, 2014/in Business /by Willy Gissen

Are you hiring a public relations firm? Before you make a final decision, there are a series of questions you must ask.

The first and most important one involves who will be handling your account on a day-to-day basis. Larger firms often use the President to find new business but then hand over your publicity to an account executive. This account executive will literally be writing your press releases and pitching reporters on your behalf.

Larger firms often use the President to find new business but then hand over your publicity to an account executive.

This glorified bait-and-switch practice means you will only see the President again on a monthly basis, maybe supplemented by a phone call or two about strategy. The smaller the PR firm, the more likely the President will be personally involved with your account.