By Michele Kelly, Senior Content Editor Or at least tell me that you love the things I love. Because if you do, I just might buy what you’re selling. Wait, what??!!? If I whispered those words of endearment to one of my clients, I might be escorted out of the building by a nice man in a blue uniform. Yet, that’s the sentiment behind cause marketing, the epitome of corporate marriages. The union of for-profits with nonprofits defies criticism. […]
It’s strange to think another year has come and gone. And it’s even stranger to think the year 2000 is just as far away as the year 2030. At the turn of the New Year, we often focus on what’s to come. And while that sort of optimism and hopefulness is welcomed, we must also remember what 2015 has brought to us and what we have brought to 2015. We need to assess what worked and what didn’t, what made […]
When I first started as a young entrepreneur, I had a meeting with one of my mentors and a client. Charged and wide-eyed, I was excited. I was so excited I said the word “amazing” several times throughout the meeting. It not only described the plans we had but the emotions I felt. After the meeting, though, I was told to tone it down with the word “amazing.” I was told it was too much. To me, it felt as […]
Have you ever stopped to think about what Thanksgiving truly meant? That the stress of making the perfect Thanksgiving dinner, having the juiciest turkey, the most beautiful centerpieces, and having the most outstanding pumpkin pie really does not matter? Thanksgiving is a holiday of gratitude, giving thanks and appreciating what we have in our lives. Although the meal is definitely something to be excited about, we need to remember the true meaning of Thanksgiving, because if that turkey burns, the […]
According to the dictionary, innovation means change, alteration, revolution, transformation, metamorphosis. You see, innovation isn’t purely thinking creatively. Innovation is thinking and then delivering. With innovation, you either invent something entirely new or augment something that already exists to make it better. However, there is a difference between the two. Creating something new asks, “What hasn’t been invented yet?” It constructs things that do not yet exist. Changing something that already exists begs the question, “How can this be better?” […]
Before you start reading this entry, ask yourself the following questions: Have you ever wondered… …what it takes to make things happen in your life? …what is one of the most powerful tools to make your dreams a reality? …why some people achieve incredible success while others don’t, despite their hard work? …why it is so hard to bring the physical manifestation of your desires to life? For many years, I have used journaling as a way to manifest my […]
Since Robert K. Greenleaf in “The Servant as Leader” coined “servant leadership”, an essay first published in 1970, it is generally accepted that being a servant first is the foundation of servant leadership. But what does this mean and can it possibly move your organization from good to great? At JJR Marketing, we like to keep our definition simple: Servant leadership is the act of serving others with pure intentions. Look out for other people and don’t expect anything in […]
A lagniappe is a small gift given to a customer by a merchant, something given out of good will as a way of saying thank you or expressing gratitude and generosity. This is a Creole word that dates back to 1844 New Orleans. The custom of giving a “little extra” is still widely practiced in Louisiana – and at JJR! Giving a lagniappe, or added value, is something that JJR does routinely, for all our clients. It goes above and […]