Measure Your Measurement - So You Know If It's Working How do you know if all your efforts to do with measuring organisational performance are efforts worthwhile? Do you know what impact your measurement system is having on the very things it's there to help improve (which is organisational performance, in case it's not obvious)? What we're talking about here is measuring the performance of your performance measurement process.Yes, it probably feels a bit like your brain is bending back onto itself, but there are some very good reasons why measuring your measurement process is so worthy a cause. You can do things like:* better convince people that performance measurement is worth doing* improve your measurement process like you'd improve any other process* evaluate different approaches to performance measurement to find the best* make the accountability of your Planning & Performance team more objectiveBut first, you'll need to think about how you go about measuring a performance measurement process. A sensible place to start is to decide what are the results you most want from measuring performance, then design measures for these results. And to give you a head start, here are some ideas about the main types of results you should consider.result #1: people understand their role in achieving organisational goalsPerformance measurement is (or should be) connected to the planning process like your ears and eyes are connected to your head. When measurement is done properly (that is, measures are designed and not brainstormed), it makes the goals of the organisation much less fluffy and much more tangible. And it puts persuasive pictures i
Advertising Balloons – Pretty and Effective There was a time when balloons were nothing more than kid’s toys but now they are used for so many different things. One of the most popular uses of balloons is for advertising. Advertising balloons are popular for so many reasons but the most important one is that people notice them. There is something about a balloon that is fascinating to adults and children alike. We all find out eyes drawn to these colorful floating things and we always want to see what they say on them.Advertising balloons are pretty and they are effective. They also come in many different sizes. Some advertising balloons are gigantic and are as big as a small plane while others are tiny. Some balloons float while others hand from different things, things like walls or poles or flags, anything really.These days the most popular kinds of advertising balloons are those shaped like different characters. You will see some shaped like giant gorillas or certain cartoon chartacters like Bart Simpson or Mickey Mouse. These are popular and they catch the eye as you drive down the road, some can even be seen from miles and miles away, they are colorful and fantastic.The vast majority of advertising balloons are filled with helium gas so as to float in air with one end tied to the support that does not allow it to wander away. One good quality about advertising balloons is that they do not burst as they are not made from flimsy material. They have thick skins that keep them from getting poked and exploded by birds.Though advertising balloons are dying out when compared to other neat things like laser beams that are used these days, they are certai
Recently, I’ve received a few e-mails from people asking me for advice on how to get started in the writing biz. When I stop to think about it, maybe I’ve been lucky to accomplish this much writing in a short time. I have accidentally discovered a way to self-promote my work. It starts with an interest in Web design and a friend who needs a Web site for her professional organization. I volunteer to do it to get Web design experience.
Do you hear an “Ah-ha!” coming? Before I take you there, let’s talk about catch-22. Most people just entering Web design or freelance get the old “Get experience before we can hire you.” OK, how am I supposed to get experience if no one will hire me?
Back to the “eureka.” What kind of business typically has little or no money to invest in a Web site? Let’s say it together, “non-profit organizations.” That was lesson number one. Build a portfolio by offering your services to charitable organizations. It’s win-win because you get the opportunity to add to your portfolio as well as make a contribution to a good cause. The only drawback is finding the time to do it outside of your “pays the bills” job.
Oh, you’re not a Web designer, programmer, or code-head? No problem! Get out pen and paper or load up your favorite word processor. Start writing about a topic you know well. You’ve come up with another excuse saying you are not an expert in anything? It’s time for my rebuttal and a confession. I’m only doing this for you to boost your confidence and to show you it can be done. The old, “if I can do it, you can, too!”
Here goes: I am a Jane of all trades. I kid you not. It’s not a bad thing and I’ve managed to continuously add to my writing portfolio. Guess what? I am promoting myself with this article. Whenever I publish an article with a popular online Web site, my own Web site, http://www.meryl.net, experiences a traffic boost. I’ll bet you that you’ll go to my Web site when you finish this one. No, I am not high on myself. Whenever I read a story or discussion list, I often click on the author’s link to learn more and see if there is anything else I’d like to check out. If you don’t find this article worthy, then how did you get this far?
There are plenty of places that want your articles (Hint: notice this Web site?). Not everyone pays, but it’s a good way to put you out there. One way I've gotten started was submitting an article to an email newsletter's open publishing initiative. It accepts articles in exchange for software and free publicity for you. You can write your own bio and add links to your Web site. Thanks to the newsletter, my portfolio grows and I gain new and paying clients.
If you want something bigger than a bio and you’re brave enough, then offer yourself up for interviews or presentations. If you’re involved with a new product or service, then you can suggest an article on that topic and be interviewed as a subject matter expert. For instance, in writing an article on Flash, I interview several experts and return the favor by including links to their Web sites. Again, it’s win-win. Remember to promote a topic of interest to readers instead of focusing on your company or its products.
Is there a conference coming to town? They’re always looking for proposals. Also, try checking around for user groups and offer up your services to speak about a relevant topic. I've given a presentation to a computer users group and my URL was in the footer of every page of the presentation. More free promotion.
There’s something for everyone. In summary, this is the advice I give to people on how to market their way to a new career:
Offering your services to nonprofit organizations
Publishing an article
Getting interviewed or doing a presentation
Give it a shot. One more note, I’m terrible at sales. These steps have helped me move forward without feeling like giving a sales pitch. Now, finish this off by reading the bio and clicking on the link.
Meryl K. Evans, Content Maven, is Editor-in-Chief of eNewsletter Journal and The Remediator Security Digest. She's a slave to a MarketingProfs weekly column and a Web design reference guide at InformIT. She is the author of the popular e-report, How to Start a Business Blog and Build Traffic. Visit her site at http://www.meryl.net/blog/ for free newsletters, articles, and tips.
Marketing Real World VS Real Marketing Degree; Who Will Win the Market? So many folks go to business school and just fall in love with marketing and I cannot blame them, as I have had a blast marketing for my companies although most of what I learned I learned the hard way, a different sort of school; yes you guessed: The School of Hard Knocks. Ah, so you too have had some of those ruthless classes and hardcore hits and lessons? Well, we share a common bond it appears? It would have been nice to learn it the easy way, but something tells me I might just have learned it slightly better.Many real entrepreneurs will say that most MBA fresh out of school kids cannot market their way out of a paper bag and without taking anything away from our American Business Schools some of the best in the World, I must say I do somewhat agree with those comments, pretty funny, actually. And mind you I am not attempting to laugh at someone else’s expense, rather the absurdity and the ego of some of these out of school folks is a little troubling and definitely problematic.In the market place when I was running the company, before I retired and do realize that’ it is my money on the line I only care about one thing; WINNING. And I must also say that there are issues with today’s Marketing MBA graduates so, I agree with such comments and I have given many speeches at so many colleges and the folks just have no clue about marketing ANYTHING.But lets not just pick on the college grads as it takes a lot to get those degrees and those kids are not stupid people, many of them have the finest genetics around and have gotten the best education money can by. However the winner in free markets goes to those who trul
w.meryl.net">http://www.meryl.net, experiences a traffic boost. I’ll bet you that you’ll go to my Web site when you finish this one. No, I am not high on myself. Whenever I read a story or discussion list, I often click on the author’s link to learn more and see if there is anything else I’d like to check out. If you don’t find this article worthy, then how did you get this far?
There are plenty of places that want your articles (Hint: notice this Web site?). Not everyone pays, but it’s a good way to put you out there. One way I've gotten started was submitting an article to an email newsletter's open publishing initiative. It accepts articles in exchange for software and free publicity for you. You can write your own bio and add links to your Web site. Thanks to the newsletter, my portfolio grows and I gain new and paying clients.
If you want something bigger than a bio and you’re brave enough, then offer yourself up for interviews or presentations. If you’re involved with a new product or service, then you can suggest an article on that topic and be interviewed as a subject matter expert. For instance, in writing an article on Flash, I interview several experts and return the favor by including links to their Web sites. Again, it’s win-win. Remember to promote a topic of interest to readers instead of focusing on your company or its products.
Is there a conference coming to town? They’re always looking for proposals. Also, try checking around for user groups and offer up your services to speak about a relevant topic. I've given a presentation to a computer users group and my URL was in the footer of every page of the presentation. More free promotion.
There’s something for everyone. In summary, this is the advice I give to people on how to market their way to a new career:
Offering your services to nonprofit organizations
Publishing an article
Getting interviewed or doing a presentation
Give it a shot. One more note, I’m terrible at sales. These steps have helped me move forward without feeling like giving a sales pitch. Now, finish this off by reading the bio and clicking on the link.
Meryl K. Evans, Content Maven, is Editor-in-Chief of eNewsletter Journal and The Remediator Security Digest. She's a slave to a MarketingProfs weekly column and a Web design reference guide at InformIT. She is the author of the popular e-report, How to Start a Business Blog and Build Traffic. Visit her site at http://www.meryl.net/blog/ for free newsletters, articles, and tips.
Dispel Thoughts of Meeting Mishaps with Hotel Event Planning Planning a meeting, corporate event or conference can be a trying task - particularly if you expect the event to be a large one. But before you despair over thoughts of potential meeting mishaps, remember that there is help at hand.There are a number of comprehensive resources to which you can turn when planning a meeting or event - from extensive checklists to professional event planners. And whether you're a practiced corporate event planner or are about to embark on your first ever event-planning effort, it's always essential to make full use of these resources.One of your most significant event planning resources will likely be the venue at which you choose to hold your event. That's because event venues are usually equipped with a range of internal event services and facilities, such as audio-visual technology and dedicated event staff. However, you'll likely still need to outsource various other services, such as transportation and accommodation (if the event requires travel) and possibly even catering services. In the end, all the outsourcing can amount to a lot more work than you had bargained for - meaning the organization of your event might face compromise.However, certain types of venues, such as hotels, can offer a comprehensive set of event services through a single facility, meaning that your event planning package can encompass all of your meeting requirements. For instance, many hotels operate divisions that specialise in organizing hotel meetings and events, in addition to providing meeting facilities, catering and eve
ganizations
Publishing an article
Getting interviewed or doing a presentation
Give it a shot. One more note, I’m terrible at sales. These steps have helped me move forward without feeling like giving a sales pitch. Now, finish this off by reading the bio and clicking on the link.
Meryl K. Evans, Content Maven, is Editor-in-Chief of eNewsletter Journal and The Remediator Security Digest. She's a slave to a MarketingProfs weekly column and a Web design reference guide at InformIT. She is the author of the popular e-report, How to Start a Business Blog and Build Traffic. Visit her site at http://www.meryl.net/blog/ for free newsletters, articles, and tips.
Are You Ready For A Home Based Business? Today many people are currently unsatisfied in their careers and are looking for opportunities to work at home. A home based business can have so many rewards, no boss, more income, less stress and spending more time with your family to name a few. The solution for this desire is quite simple, find the perfect work at home opportunity that meets your goals and interests.Locating the right work at home opportunity isn't very difficult. Everyone is unique and has their own gifts and talents. Learning your gifts and talents in the business world,will help you decide what type of home based business you will do best.The perfect home based business should include your interests. Any home based business requires that you be a "Self Starter" and motivate yourself to do better then working for that lousy boss you had at your last job.Anyone can easily create a work at home opportunity, but finding a home based business that can financially support you is a lot harder to come by. You can look for a business that offers telecommuting opportunities that allow you to work at home The benefit of working at home in these types of careers is a safer, more secure revenue stream then owning your own business. The down side, your still working for someone else.So your ready to start your own work at home business, and you have a concept you may like to do, then your ready to do some research. It's very important that you, focus on what you want to do before going through the vast amount of home based business opportunities advertised all over the Internet. A great place to start is with a reputable work at home directory, suc
Medical Billing Basics - How Medical Billing Differs From Other Specialties You might have already done enough research that you're familiar with the term "medical billing". But often times, people have different understandings of what medical billing actually is and how it differs from other similar aspects of the medical profession. Most often, medical billing is mistaken for medical transcription or coding, which are very closely related but different enough that they should really be considered 3 separate specialties. It's true that there is some overlap in terms of the actually work done in each of the three areas, but they all carry enough uniqueness and fill a specific role within the medical profession that they really are three separate specialties.Medical billing consists of a number of different tasks. First, it involves the process of submitting medical claims to the insurance company of each patient. In addition, medical billing requires an understanding of the front office skills required to keep a medical office running smoothly and in an organized fashion. These include billing and accounting, secretarial work to support the doctors and other staff, documenting patient visits and medical care and keeping all patient information organized and easy to find.Medical billing covers a wider scope with broader responsibilities when compared to medical coding or medical transcription. It covers the entire process, starting from scheduling the patient's initial visit to the office, making sure the patient keeps their appointment. After seeing the doctor, it involves ensuring the patient's medical records are updated and setting follow-up appointments if necessary.Based on the
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