WFIM Blog: How to Make a Splash in the Business World

by Blaire Kilbey

I find it amazing how everything is being reviewed on the Internet. From Yelp and Trip Advisor to finding a qualified doctor. But can they be trusted?

I stayed at beautiful vacation rental in Glen Ellen, smack in the middle of Sonoma’s wine country. Paradise. Perfect. Loving Owners. I enthusiastically referred friends to The Hacienda, loving everything about it.

Recently The Hacienda was beckoning me in my dreams and moments of stress, so I got on line to see if I could perhaps make a return visit. WHAT? I was bolted out of my fantasy by a scathing review about it.  Confusion set in. Had the owners changed? Is there another “Hacienda” in Glenn Ellen.  What the heck?

I called The Hacienda only to find out that it was indeed my beloved vacation rental and nothing had changed.  Apparently a recent visitor didn’t approve of the cabinets stocked with gourmet herbs, the wine and champagne in the refrigerator, and spa robes in the closets.  They felt the place was lived in….

I sure hope people don’t believe everything critical written on the Internet or some wonderful opportunities will be lost. Like most things, consider the source and find out for yourself.

The ink is drying (or is it a virtual contract?) on the long awaited agreement between two of the biggest names in the online environment. Yahoo and MSN search are to become one.

What does that mean for us? Nothing in the short term since the details of the program will not be released for months. In the long term however anyone who manages online branding and/or advertising will need to keep up to speed or be left on the side of the road.

For those of who need to be on the road, preferably in the fast lane, we should keep a close watch on the proceedings. On this trip there will be lane changes and off ramps we need to take to keep heading in the right direction.

Keep an eye out because as always the road to quality Search Engine Marketing is under construction.

by Michael Phillips

Did you celebrate National Boost-Your-Self-Esteem Month in February?  If you did, then you’re more observant than I am, and you deserve to feel as good about yourself as you evidently do!

Not a day, week or month goes by without some sort of national observance tied to it.  Oftentimes, more than one.  For example, January is both National Diet Month and Bread Machine Baking Month.  Can you say “Contradiction Month”?

Some of these observances are completely worthwhile.  National Book Month (Jan), African-American History Month (Feb), American Cancer Society Month (April), AIDS Awareness Month (Oct) and several more – I’m actually glad these exist to draw attention to people, issues and contributions that are often overlooked.

But honestly, do we really need Measure-Your-Feet Day (Jan 23)?  International Flirting Week (3rd week of Feb)?  If Pets Had Thumbs Day (March 3)?  Lasagna Awareness Month (July)?

I wonder how some of these celebrations ended up where they did on the calendar.  Was it an accident that National Stress Month is observed in April, when income taxes are due?  That Arthritis Month coincides with Correct Posture Month in May?  That Hunger Awareness Month is observed in June, which also celebrates Turkey Lover’s Month, Fruit and Vegetables Month, National Dairy Month, National Candy Month, National Seafood Month, National Soul Food Month, National Donut Day, National Chocolate Éclair Day and no fewer than three different days devoted to various ice creams?

Enough is enough.  I’m tired of the calendar trying to tell me what I should be paying attention to (that’s what spouses are for, right?).  If I could reclaim all the time I spent observing useless holidays like Lost Sock Memorial Day (May 9), Wiggle Your Toes Day (Aug 6) and National Name Your Car Day (Oct 2), I could have written that novel I’ve always had inside of me.

Or I could just wait till National Novel Writing Month in November.