MBUSA has officially announced the AMG Driving Academy details for three upcoming venues this fall. And, you can be one of the lucky few to drive the all-new 2011 SLS AMG, which is being offered at the Stage I Programs at Laguna Seca Raceway only. The 2011 SLS AMG is one of the most [...]
This is an article summary by AMG Mercedes-Benz Enthusiasts – read the rest of the story at the AMG Market.
Daimler’s interest in battery systems, electric drive systems and related vehicle projects leads to the automaker acquiring nearly 10 percent of one of the leading electric vehicle companies, Tesla Motors Inc. This investment deepens the relationship between the inventor of the automobile and the newest member of the global auto industry. Tesla is the only [...]
This is an article summary by AMG Mercedes-Benz Enthusiasts – read the rest of the story at the AMG Market.
AMG Market/PR News/MARANELLO, Italy – May 17, 2009 (Source RM Auctions): RM Auctions, in association with Sothebys, made history at the Ferrari factory in Maranello today as a 1957 Ferrari 250 TR, chassis no. 0714TR sold for $9,020,000 at the third annual Ferrari Leggenda e Passione event to set a new world record for the [...]
This is an article summary by AMG Mercedes-Benz Enthusiasts – read the rest of the story at the AMG Market.
Lack of capital can stymie an otherwise viable growing small business with excellent growth potential. Hence, the creation of SBA loans to assist small business owners and entrepreneurs with solid business acumen. And, certain banks welcome you at the door.
New York-based M&T Bank has purchased eight Richmond, VA, branches of Provident bank, which reportedly is one of the SBA friendly lenders. Richmond BizSense reports:
Eight local bank branches previously operated by Maryland-based Provident Bank are under new ownership.
Those banks are now run by New York-based M&T Bank and have been open under the new name for about two weeks. M&T, which also acquired three former Provident branches in Fredericksburg, has a reputation for being a big lender for SBA loans, which could be a welcome sight for local entrepreneurs.
The purchase was valued at 1 million, according to the Albany Business Review. M&T had .9 billion in assets as of March 31; Provident had .5 billion in assets at that time. << Full Richmondbizsense.com story here >>
So, what do you need to do to get an SBA loan to grow your business? Start with a complete and compelling business plan that includes solid financial and marketing plans. A bank’s first impression of your company is your business plan. Get it right the first time, get capital and grow your business.
Do you know the difference between brand awareness and brand engagement? Are you a small business owner that thinks branding is a marketing activity for only the large companies such as Mercedes-Benz or Sony? Branding is important for all companies, regardless of size and budget.
Consider these questions and answers provided to SCORE by Gemini Babla, Director of Creative Services who oversees branding initiatives for Sony Electronics Inc. in the USA:
Why Branding Is Important in a Tight Economy
Q: Is it important to continue brand building in a difficult economic climate? Why?
Babla: It pays off. Studies have shown that stocks of companies with both high brand awareness and high employee “brand engagement” return over 300% more than the S&P 500 and nearly twice as much as companies that just have high brand awareness.
Branding is often confused with advertising and marketing. That’s unfortunate, because understanding your brand is vital to the bottom line. Studies show that companies that market their product or services without first establishing their brand identity are not likely to achieve return on investment. If you’re spending money to advertise without being connected to a brand position, you may as well flush the money down the drain.
Q: What can a small business learn from Sony?
Babla: Large budgets aren’t the key to strong marketing. Instead, focus on your audience and provide quality, quality, quality in everything you do.
Q: What advice would you give a small business owner right now?
Babla: Do what you say you’re going to do. This may sound like common sense, but one of the primary drivers of brand loyalty is a consistent experience. If you say you are going to have the photographs ready on a set day, be sure they are ready. Positive experiences lead to good feelings, which lead to customers telling their friends. Don’t forget that bad experiences spread much faster and are harder to overcome…if you get a chance at all.
Also, your employees are the biggest stewards of your brand says Babla,
“Branding is as much about your people as anything else. The best interactions come from one-on-one conversations between executives, employees, suppliers and customers,” Babla says. “Employees who are engaged with your brand management philosophy will become brand ambassadors for your company.”
Low Cost Branding Tactics
By Greg Magnus, AIM Custom Media:
Additional Resources:
For service providers, event marketing is a staple in today’s business environment. The face-to-face time with prospects in a setting that highlights your industry expertise carries excellent marketing value. But first, you need people to show up. How do you market events successfully using the Internet?
Social Networks
Sites such as LinkedIn.com and Facebook.com allow users to add event information to searchable calendars that are viewed by thousands, if not millions. Also, the technology allows you to promote your event to your network of contacts, which in turn can share the event info with business colleagues and friends. When you are building your social network online, focus on new contacts that are prospects – not just former colleagues at your last job or high school friends.
Landing Pages
Whether your online presence includes a website or a blog (better), create a landing page for your upcoming events; well in advance of the event. Just adding the date and venue is not enough; include bios of the speakers, photos, testimonials from previous events and the benefits of attending. Ask each of the speakers to write a blog post or topical summary for publishing on your website. Subsequently, add a link to the event landing page to your online profiles and ask your social network contacts to share the info with their networks: Linkedin.com, Plaxo.com, Facebook.com, twitter.com, etc.
Blog About It
Once you have your landing pages and profile links setup, go out and join the conversation. Add valuable content to industry blogs and forums. Discuss the topics that will be covered during your event and offer solutions – avoid sales pitches for the event.
Press Releases
Create a press release for your event and distribute it to your email list as well as media outlets that target your intended audience. There are several inexpensive and free press release outlets – a quick search will give you all that you need: PRweb.com, PRlog.com and so on.
These are just a few ways to promote your event online and there are numerous others (Videos, Podcasts, Webinars, Teleseminars, email marketing, etc.).
