CARY, N.C. — Dex has been honored with a 2008 Yellow Pages Publisher Recognition Award by the Association of Directory Marketing (ADM). ADM recently selected Dex for its “Communication Award,” which “recognizes efforts to improve communications between publishers and CMRs (Certified Marketing Representatives).” The award was announced at ADM’s Annual Conference in San Antonio, Tex.
Dex was selected based upon several criteria, including commitment to excellence in facilitating communications between the company and CMRs, who help develop, implement, manage and maintain Yellow Pages programs for national advertisers. Dex was also noted for its provision of high-quality, effective sales materials and marketing collateral and the continuous enabling of easy access to these materials. As a result, ADM recognized Dex’s ability to help CMRs improve efficiencies, solve challenges and implement successful advertising programs.
“Our goal is to provide CMRs with simple, focused communications that make it easier for them to access information and do business with Dex. This award is a reflection of that,” said Stephen Gibbons, vice president of national sales, Dex. “We’re happy to accept this award from ADM, and will continue to provide CMRs with exceptional communications tools that help them implement and manage their advertising programs.”
Dex is the market brand of R.H. Donnelley (NYSE: RHD), a leading print and online local search company. R.H. Donnelley’s products and services include the Dex(R) Yellow Pages; DexKnows.com(TM), a leading online local search site; 1-800-Call-Dex(TM), a free, voice-enabled local search solution; and Dex Search Marketing, which provides web site optimization and paid search advertising solutions.
Tips to Earn Extra Money and Stretch Your Dollar
(ARA) – With items like gas and groceries at record highs, it seems that virtually everyone is feeling the crunch from the increased cost of living. Many American families have been re-evaluating their budgets and contemplating ways to increase cash flow and still enjoy time with their nearest and dearest. As the cost of living increases and the holiday season draws near, it is worth looking at entrepreneurial ways to help ensure that your cash flow doesn’t fall short.
Believe it or not you can be your own boss and work part-time.
One way to earn extra money and still have a social life is to combine the two. Many popular brands have a direct selling arm, so you can become a consultant for them. For example, The Body Shop At Home is a business that is different, which allows consultants to throw parties and sell their favorite products, and represent a business that shares their own personal values. Consultants have flexible scheduling options and work as little or as much as they want hosting parties that feature a broad line of The Body Shop products, including some exclusives that can’t be bought anywhere else.
“Women and even men enjoy shopping this way because they get all their personal products in one place so as well as all the other great benefits they also save gas money,” says Jo Price, sales director for The Body Shop At Home. “Also they have the added benefit of knowing they are making a difference through their purchase. Many of the products contain Community Trade ingredients bought from small-scale farmers at a fair price, giving them a stable income and hope for the future. This means that every time you sell a product you know that you are supporting communities who would otherwise struggle to make a living wage, so when you buy The Body Shop At Home products you get the added feel-good factor of knowing you’re buying high quality beauty items made through fair business practices.”
“Additionally, the exclusive products we sell are really great and are something customers get really excited about because they can’t find them in stores or anywhere else. For example, the Rich Plum bath and body range is a best seller along with the Shimmer Cubes eye shadows, made with Community Trade Marula Oil. For the one stop makeover, women love the exclusive Eye, Lip and Cheek Palette that has everything you need for day or night. This job really allows women to do something they enjoy, be their own boss, and feel good about how they earn my money.”
If you’re looking for additional ways to earn or save cash, there are many options. Try having a garage sale, sell your items on eBay or to a second-hand store. When shopping, plan out your trips and stick to a budget. You might even consider trading services with someone. For example, offer childcare services in exchange for a neighbor fixing a leaky faucet.
For more information about becoming a Consultant for Then Body Shop at Home visit www.TheBodyShopatHome.com, call (866) 775-8049 or e-mail AtHomeLeads@TheBodyShop.com.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Raleigh, NC – Business Technology Solutions, a Raleigh based business consulting firm, announces today that the firm was named in the Business Leader’s Top 100 North Carolina Small Businesses. The rankings were published in the June issue of Business Leader Magazine.
“We are delighted to be included along with these other great organizations on the list of North Carolina’s Top 100 Small Businesses,” states Lissa Johnsen, President / CEO. “We feel this honor affirms our commitment to providing small and medium sized businesses exceptional services to solve their unique needs in accounting systems, business management, technology management and human resource systems.”
The rankings for the top 100 small companies were decided primarily on company growth and community involvement. Other criteria included staff size and the percentage of work completed within the state of North Carolina.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
(NewsUSA) - Advertising is telling the world how great you are, while publicity is having others tell the world how great you are. Companies and organizations that understand the importance of publicity are generally more successful than those who use advertising alone to reach their target audiences.
Newspapers, magazines and radio and television news programs are filled with stories about businesses and organizations. Those who know how to present materials professionally to the right people will get media coverage for free, while those who don’t understand how publicity works have to rely on large advertising budgets to reach their audiences, usually with less impressive results.
“If you can get a news organization to report about your event or praise something you’re doing, you have gained an enormous amount of credibility that simply couldn’t be generated through paid advertising,” said David Forman, a public relations veteran and author of “Publicity Professor,” a workbook that teaches business owners how to get free news coverage.
The first step in reaching out to media professionals is to create an appealing press release. Its main purpose is to get an editor or producer interested in what you have to say or in what you are doing. It should contain enough information, specifics and quotes that a writer can craft a story from it without ever having to call you.
A media alert is another tool for getting press coverage. Its purpose is to give news assignment desks the specifics about an event in a way that entices editors or television news directors to send a reporter or camera crew.
There are dozens of other ways to get news coverage, such as placing feature stories or writing pitch letters offering your expertise in a subject for quotes or on-air interviews.
Forman says you don’t have to hire outside help to get publicity.
“Nobody knows your business like you do,” Forman said. “You simply have to reach the appropriate person with your message, in a format that media professionals expect.”
Using real-world examples, “Publicity Professor” shows you how to give editors and producers exactly what they’re looking for to get your story covered for free.
The guidebook includes easy-to-follow templates of press releases, media alerts, feature stories and pitch letters; suggestions on creating newsworthy special events and awards programs; and resources for contacting local, regional and national media.
For further information on promoting your business, order a copy of “Publicity Professor” by calling toll-free (866) NEWS-400 or by visiting www.publicityprofessor.com.
HP is leading the way through microenterprise development.
(NewsUSA) - As many entrepreneurs in America know, starting up a small business and finding long-term success can be an incredibly difficult task. According to the “Monthly Labor Review,” only 44 percent of small businesses survive more than four years -; leaving 56 percent that may have the drive to excel but just can’t make ends meet.
Small businesses are very important to America’s working economy, however. The “Monthly Labor Review” also reported that small businesses employ half of all private-sector employees and generate 60 to 80 percent of net new jobs annually. Because one of the big reasons that small businesses become successful is an ample supply of capital, more big businesses are realizing that investing in microenterprises -; businesses that have five or fewer employees and seed capital of $35,000 or less -; not only improves the chance of hard-working businesses reaching their own goals, but it also improves the country’s overall economic growth.
Larger corporations like HP, itself a garage start-up nearly 70 years ago, recognize the important role these businesses play in the economy and the community. And HP recently awarded more than $5 million in cash, equipment and training resources to non-profit organizations serving small businesses in underserved communities across the globe.
The Microenterprise Development Grants provide start-up assistance, business training, access to capital and advice to entrepreneurs and very small businesses in underserved communities. The awards are focused on providing technology access for entrepreneurs and training for microentrepreneurs in the use of technology to build and grow their businesses.
In the United States, the HP Microenterprise Development Grants are worth $56,000 and include office items such as HP wireless notebook computers, printers, digital cameras, digital projectors and $20,000 in cash to be used toward the purchase of relevant software, equipment configuration and other expenses. Recipient organizations also receive the HP-sponsored small business technology training curriculum, “Smart Technology for a Smarter Business,” and are included in a learning community of HP Microenterprise Development Program grant recipients, facilitated by the Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO).
“HP is improving economic viability and quality of life for individuals and communities around the world through investments of HP resources and technology,” said Yvonne Hunt, vice president of Global Philanthropy for HP. “These grants represent one channel for us to support economic development to accelerate entrepreneurial growth and success.”
With the efficiency and effectiveness of microenterprises improving daily with help from big business, entrepreneurs can start making their small business dreams a reality. For more information, visit http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/grants/us/programs/microenterprise/recipients.html.
Religious organizations are using the Internet to spread their message.
(NewsUSA) - For an increasing number of Americans, the sky is the limit when it comes to receiving religious information online.
With the Internet’s ubiquitous existence in many people’s lives, Americans are no longer going online for only entertainment, news or communication. The Internet has changed the way that many consumers receive and distribute religious material and conduct faith-based activities as well.
In the early 2000s, Pew Internet Research polled more than 1,000 religious organizations and reported that 83 percent of respondents said their church’s use of the Internet helped congregational life, and 63 percent said that e-mail helped the church connect more with its surrounding community.
By 2004, the same research firm reported that nearly two-thirds of “wired” Americans had used the Internet for various spiritual or religious purposes. This number could grow even more with the continuing development of online technologies such as interactive streaming video players.
Greg Demetriades, chairman and chief executive officer of WhiteBlox, a developer of commercial online media players, says that large religious organizations represent one group that his company’s technology can benefit.
“Broadcasting faith-based services online is a fantastic way to provide 24/7 spiritual support and develop an even stronger sense of community,” said Demetriades. “In addition to live broadcasts of weekly services, an entire video library of services and workshops can be made available on-demand.”
Considering that religious services can be very social gatherings, the relative isolation of the Internet may at first seem like an inappropriate match.
But some online video solutions, like WhiteBlox’s, include chat rooms and viewer surveys within the player itself, so viewers can now experience a level of video interactivity and online community-building that was previously unavailable.
In addition, the Internet provides fertile ground for one of the most important functions of any religious organization: donations. With the ability to broadcast live or on-demand videos of services coupled with an easy online donation system, online broadcasting may prove to be the most divine gift of all for some religious groups.
For more information about Internet broadcasting, visit www.whiteblox.com or call 281-210-5214.
RALEIGH, N.C. – VisionPoint Marketing (www.visionpointmarketing.com) has announced that Diane Kuehn, president and CEO, has been named a 2008 Impact Women Business Owner by Business Leader Magazine. The awards recognize the outstanding leadership of women business leaders, in the professional arena as well as the community. For more information about VisionPoint Marketing, visit their Web site at www.visionpointmarketing.com.
“I am honored to be named an Impact Women Business Owner,” said Kuehn. “This award recognizes some of the most influential leaders in our community and I am humbled to be in their great company.”
About Diane Kuehn:
Diane Kuehn is President and CEO of VisionPoint Marketing, an Internet marketing agency for mid-size organizations that provides strategy, creative services and execution of integrated online marketing programs. Diane established VisionPoint Marketing after holding numerous executive sales and marketing positions at leading companies, including Cox Communications, SourceLink, High Speed Net Solutions, and ADVO ? the country’s largest direct marketing firm. An enthusiastic supporter of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Diane serves on the Board of Directors and the Communications Committee and is the current chair for the Women’s Executive Golf Tournament. Other civic and professional organizations in which Diane maintains membership include the Council for Entrepreneur Development (CED) and the Women Presidents’ Organization (WPO). Diane volunteers time to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, serves on the marketing committee for Triangle Family Services, is a board member of North Carolina’s International Affairs Council, and is a member of the Board of Advisors for the Me Fine Foundation. Her service and leadership have been recognized by the Triangle Business Journal’s Women in Business Award, which recognizes the top 25 female executives in the Triangle who display outstanding business and community leadership. Diane was recently named a 2007 Enterprising Woman of the Year by Enterprising Women Magazine.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
Raleigh/Wilmington, N.C. – Signal, a design, marketing, and technology firm located in Raleigh and Wilmington, NC, announced the launch of the newly designed web site for Kitts Creek, a new home community developed by ExperienceOne Homes in Morrisville, NC. The new web site highlights the community’s diverse selection of home styles and floor plans and also features streaming video, a photo gallery and list of current inventory, which is dynamically updated by the Kitts Creek sales team. To view the web site visit: http://www.kittscreek.com.
About Signal
Signal is a design, marketing and technology firm that uses creative power to produce engaging communications projects in diverse media. From Fortune 500 corporations to pioneering start-ups, Signal helps clients deliver their message in creative and intelligent ways, building stronger relationships with prospects, customers, shareholders, partners and employees.
Read On:CarolinaNewsWire
CARY, N.C. and ST. LOUIS — R.H. Donnelley Corporation (NYSE: RHD), one of the nation’s leading Yellow Pages and online local commercial search companies, and Amdocs (NYSE: DOX), the leading provider of customer experience systems, today announced the extension of their managed services agreement through 2012. Under the terms of the agreement, Amdocs will continue to provide R.H. Donnelley with services such as ongoing application support and maintenance, day-to-day data center operations and testing automation. In addition, Amdocs will deliver systems integration services to unify and modernize the directory publishing operations systems for R.H. Donnelley’s sales regions. This will help R.H. Donnelley enhance sales, marketing, publishing and customer relationship management capabilities across its operations.
“Amdocs has been a valuable partner for nearly 20 years, and we look forward to continuing to work with them as we further optimize our operational processes across R.H. Donnelley,” said George Bednarz, senior vice president - operations, R.H. Donnelley. “This agreement will help us improve service effectiveness and process efficiencies both internally and externally. Internally it will provide us with top-tier technology that will allow us to enhance our reporting and production capabilities; externally it will allow us to provide even better service to more than 600,000 advertisers who rely on our Triple Play product solutions to reach ready-to-buy consumers.”
Amdocs will unify directory publishing operations systems across R.H. Donnelley’s sales regions on the most advanced Amdocs A-CRM-based suite of applications. This will allow R.H. Donnelley to empower its 1,900 marketing consultants with a common advertiser view in all regions, consolidating complete and timely advertiser information across offerings. Amdocs A-CRM is an integrated, Web-based, customer-centric suite of business applications that address the full advertiser lifecycle from sales campaign planning to customer care across traditional print and emerging online offerings.
“Delivering a superior and intentional customer experience has emerged as the best way to compete in today’s converging digital market,” said Charles Born, vice president of corporate communications, Amdocs. “Amdocs has more than 25 years of experience in delivering end-to-end solutions to address the needs of directory publishers. We are in the unique position to help R.H. Donnelley deliver the best possible experience to its advertisers and end consumers, while reducing its total cost of ownership.”
Additionally, the two companies were recently awarded the gold medal in the “Best Use of Emerging Technology” category in the 2007 Brandon Hall Excellence in Learning Awards for the deployment of the Amdocs Online Performance Support (OPS), a central part of the Amdocs Smart Agent Desktop solution, at R.H. Donnelley. Amdocs OPS is a business intelligence-driven solution for workforce performance improvement and delivered as part of Amdocs Consulting’s Learning Services. By deploying Amdocs OPS, R.H. Donnelley is able to provide its users with the business processes view needed to complete tasks, thus enhancing service levels and driving higher customer satisfaction. This industry recognition underscores the success of the strong partnership between the two companies and how Amdocs has helped R.H. Donnelley deliver an improved, customer experience.
Helping Local Businesses Reach More Consumers
R.H. Donnelley’s interactive offerings are essential to its Triple Play(TM) solution suite — an integrated set of products and services that efficiently and effectively extend the marketing reach of local businesses. Spanning multiple media platforms — print Yellow Pages directories, DexKnows.com search site and the major search engines (e.g. Yahoo!(R) and Google(R)) via the Company’s Dex Search Marketing(R) tools — Triple Play delivers local businesses’ advertisements to a wider set of ready-to-buy consumers.
About R.H. Donnelley
R.H. Donnelley connects businesses and consumers through its portfolio of print and interactive marketing solutions. Small- and medium-sized businesses look to R.H. Donnelley’s experienced team of marketing consultants to help them grow their companies and drive sales leads. Consumers depend on the company’s reliable, trusted, local business content to deliver the most relevant search results when they are seeking local goods and services. For more information, visit http://www.rhd.com and http://www.DexKnows.com.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
Cid Cardoso, Owner of Inside Out Sports triathlon shop in Cary & Charlotte, NC, announced today that Raleigh native and two time Ironman, Edde Burgess, has been promoted to run the e-Commerce division. Ed has extensive knowledge and experience in bike fitting and sales and is excited to meet the challenge of increasing online sales for the company. He attends the annual Interbike Expo each year in Las Vegas to meet with vendors and manufacturers of the latest in triathlon cycling technology. He also travels to several of the Ironman competitions in the US to represent the company at various Expo events.
About Inside Out Sports
Inside-Out Sports is the Triangle’s premier specialty running store and the East Coast’s largest and most complete triathlon shop specializing in running and triathlon for 14 years. Excellent long-term rapport with top-notch vendors allows the maintenance of a large, cutting edge inventory to satisfy the needs of the most discerning customers.
Inside-Out Sports was founded in December 1993 and opened its doors on February 19, 1994. With its narrow focus and outstanding customer service, Inside-Out Sports quickly established itself as the leading specialty running store in the Triangle. In 1995 Inside-Out Sports took ownership and title sponsorship of Triangle Triathlon and began expanding its involvement in the multi-sport market.
Over the years, Inside-Out Sports has sponsored and supported numerous annual events, including the Raleigh Marathon, the Women’s Distance Festival, the Inside-Out Sports Classic Half Marathon and the Inside-Out Sports Turkey Trot. Inside-Out Sports has also helped with the development and sponsorship of both the North Carolina and the Palmetto State Triathlon Series.
Following great success as the exclusive multi-sport retailer at Ironman USA and Ironman Florida, Inside-Out Sports expanded its relationship with Ironman North America to include all four U.S. Events in 2002 and 2003, including the inaugural Ironman Idaho and Ironman Wisconsin
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
