223….

There are 223 Hours Left To: Claim your New Year’s Resolution, relax before going back to “normal” work week, to kiss under the mistletoe, eat with our conscious and 223 hours left to Launch your 2011 Business Plan Strategy.

Don’t panic we have 10 Tips to get you  started.

1.Not all tools are created equally. Choose programs that will  play nicely together.  If you use an iPhone or Android choose programs that have Apps that are compatible.  The rest of TrueHero recommendations are friends – keep reading.

2. Start using a customer management system – no matter how many customers you have. A CRM (Customer Relationship Management) will organize your, your team and your focus. At TrueHero we love Highrise and we can help you get started!

3. Social Marketing is new wave and email is still leading the way. Using your CRM contact list start an email campaign. If you reading this you know we choose to use MailChimp

4. Survey says…. Take a survey to see what your customers like, need, want, hate and recommend. Give them something for helping you help them. Survey Monkey and Formstack can manage this.

5. Going out on the mountain with clients? Impress them with a new trick! Ride along the deck of the halfpipe and face into the pipe. Keep gentle pressure on your toe edge and look for a place to drop in…http://bit.ly/f9SUXi

6. Recycle – not matter kind of business you have – there is something that can be re-used or recycled. Don’t forget the most important thing in being green is REDUCE!     http://bit.ly/dHPwR3

7. Along with Highrise are a few more tools from 37 Signals – Basecamp to collaborate with your team and Backpack to organize your business. We just started using these tools but so far we love them. More on these later.

8. How do you know your site is working? Analyze it with Google!      http://www.google.com/analytics/

9. We are always looking for great articles and tips to include in our newsletters and to help our clients. To keep track of what we are reading we use Delicious for Bookmarking.

10. Measure twice, cut once. Create a plan and execute to plan. Great tips especially when planning an outdoor adventure photo shoot! Make an equipment list based on lighting, environment and athlete changes before heading out. Once your out there you don’t want to miss THE shot.

What programs, apps, tips do you have? Come on! Tell us!

Helly Hansen at evo

 

 

Helly Hansen is live at culture.evo.com!

La Nina is hitting the entire west coast and Mother Nature is poised to deliver a record winter all over the country. Temperatures are down and demand is up for high quality winter jackets and pants! Check out the new Helly Hansen Fall 2010 jackets and pants.

Go to evo either online or at the Seattle ski and snowboard shop. They have taken the extra time to single out Helly Hansen product and take high quality photos with their own in-house models. Some of evo’s favorites: include the Helly Hansen Swift Jacket – the photos feature the ultra functional qualities from pass holder to multiple pockets;  Helly Hansen Women’s Verglas 3L O2 Jacket and the Helly Hansen Mission Cargo Pant.

Check out the full offering of Helly Hansen at evo before they sell out!

The original Wetterhorn!

1. My favorite Photo and Travel Blog is Jack Bauer. I met him on a snow ascent of Holy Cross in Colorado. He is an extremely talented photographer as well as climber and snowboarder. He is spending the winter in the Swiss Alps – amazing! Subscribe to his newsletter, order a photo, check out his page! http://www.widerange.org/

2. Outdoor Retailer is in 34 Days. Do you have an APP for that? http://bit.ly/ezL6rj

3. If you have been reading the TrueHero Newsletter you know we love QR Barcodes. We are using them on Invitations, POP and Social Media Sites. Here is five other great ways to use them http://on.mash.to/gEO6Un

4. Specialty Retailer business increases: American Express $100 credit for shopping specialty or affluent shopping locally? Increase in independent business is a sign of a healthier economy. http://bit.ly/hVENKa

5. “Small and engaged is better than big and vaguely interested” – CopyBlogger. A hundred Quality followers that challenge, motivate and inspire you are better than thousands who do nothing.

6. Check out evo’s last minute Christmas List ideas – http://bit.ly/eLH8la

7. Helly Hansen Enigma wins Outdoor Enthusiastic Editors Choice Award. http://bit.ly/guZfSo

8. Some fun tips and tricks for Facebook – use them wisely! http://on.mash.to/fMsBWc

9. Rent from Hertz on your next trip – you can go electric! http://bit.ly/i7smSD

10.  How will you shop for your last minute gifts – On-Line, Specialty Retailer, Mass Market or Department Store? What’s on your list?

Subscribe to the TrueHero Newsletter, Like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter!

Execute to plan…

As a buyer at May Company (now Macy’s) we had to write extensive business plans. It took hours, days, weeks to finish each plan. Every sentence HAD to start with an action word – Take, Engage, Maximize – you get the picture.

After a month or two the business plans were finalized and forgotten by most buyers (most but not all). My very wise boss used our plans to make advertising decisions, give direction on products and determine pricing. “Execute the plan” – Ken Matovich

Most entrepreneurs start with a business plan and all them should. Writing an Executive Summary, Financial Plan, Marketing Campaign, etc takes time. So, why do we pat ourselves on the back and file the plan away?

Plans should be flexible and dynamic.

They can change with new ideas, developments and direction. Customer base could shift; Problems clients face expand and Solutions can and should evolve. The backbone, goal, mission and vision should remain.

Do you have a plan? Are you executing to plan?

Make time for a quickie

1. “If 15 minutes is all the time I have, I still run. Fifteen minutes of running is better than not running at all.” —Dr. Duncan Macdonald, former U.S. record holder at 5000 (set when he was in medical school) 101 Tips for Running – we LOVE these!! http://bit.ly/gso6jd

2. Are you an expert in your field? Have a service you could sell online? Here are 5 Ways to promote yourself online. http://on.mash.to/empfKD

3. I am checking this list twice! HubSpot posted 60 Ways to increase your online marketing presence. http://bit.ly/90lXTA

4. Do Christmas GREEN this year. http://bit.ly/e8O7cN

5. Do you still doubt that social media can make a difference to your business? http://bit.ly/gHeGNA

6. Where do you like to shop for athletic apparel?Most people in the US said Dicks. http://bit.ly/ggsiiG Apparel spending up 9.6% in November – can retailers keep the trend going? http://bit.ly/i0Y4sj

7. Do you dabble? Do you give yourself enough time each day to just let your mind go? http://bit.ly/hU6Gqx

8. For great action video shoot where things are going to be, not where they are. It provides a moment of surprise and makes for good transitions. It also makes you pay close attention to your subject’s movement. Anticipating can be hard, but when it works, it brings your action to life

9. “Time to nerd out on tech stuff” Niche Snowboards build eco-friendly boards. http://bit.ly/glHWFc

10. Freeski? How about skiing for free? Check this out. http://es.pn/dTfVV7

Add TrueHero News to your daily RRS Feed  – you never know where we may lead you….

TrueHero’s Letter to Good Old Saint Nick

Dear Santa –

TrueHero has been very good this year but we won’t bore you with details you already know here is what we want under the tree! 🙂

1. iPad  – since Apple sold nearly 9 iPads per store per hour on Black Friday I am afraid it will be impossible for me to find one and we need two. One for actual work and one to play video games.

2. A Snuggie – over 4 million have already sold this year. We will need a few of these – no sharing the snuggie! (this writer wants an Indianapolis Colt’s snuggie please)

3. I love my new favorite around-town hand-covers  – OR Flurry Mittens – with grip on the palm and pull tabs for easy on! But, I may need another pair – I lose mittens a lot. http://bit.ly/fVoUkz

4. Mountainsmith’s Messenger Bag in Sangria. I have the black one and LOVE it. The Sangria will match my new iPad.

5. Helly Hansen’s Women’s Eir Boot. Our model wore this in a photo shoot and loved them (and took them)- warm, comfy and adorable.

6. Canon’s VIXIZ HF S21 – True Hero loves taking videos on the hill, trail, road and sky. This looks like the perfect solution.

7. Instead of normal stockings can you use point6 Ultra Light Ski Sock? It is made from spun merino wool – warm, non-pilling and light. Love them!

8. To go along with the point6 ski socks….Bolle Quasar and Simmer Goggle – no fogging, adjusts as the light changes, cute, manly, love them.

9.Acorn’s Earthroamer Clog – warm, slip-on, inside and outside…what man wouldn’t love these?

10. What do you want? You pick something and tell us about it!

True Tid Bits – Can you ski/ride that?

A week ago we were talking Turkey.

Today we are talking great photos, your company online, shorter days, being green and backcountry awareness.

Check out our Newsletter tomorrow for social media tips and ideas. www.trueheroevents.com

1. A friend of mine who is amazing snowboarding, climber and even better photographer is spending the winter in the Alps. He said he an all time best powder day yesterday. See the chute? Yep, he rode that. www.widerange.org

2. And I quote “Let’s face it: online shoppers love reading reviews. The two reviews that matter the most are reviews of your store and reviews of particular products purchased from your store” Is your online website prepared for the 12 days of Christmas shopping? http://on.mash.to/htUacZ.

3. How is your landing page? Where do you point your customers, readers, friends? http://bit.ly/h1Dw5R

4. Did you know that Earthquake this February in Chile was powerful it shifted the Earth and shortened our days? http://bit.ly/gf4YN1

5. Most of you know, we love Mint.com and here 6 of their favorite (free) shopping Apps. (No surprise Shopkick is top on the list) http://bit.ly/fFUmhL

6. Oregon plans to be coal-free by 2020! http://bit.ly/hgP3vp What changes can you make over the next 5-10 years to make a difference in your town?

7. In answer that question…Nike is releasing their Environmental Apparel Design Tool to the Industry! Tis the season for sharing and this gift could make a difference for us all. http://bit.ly/hXjYjg

8.Do you like to ride in the park? What about urban riding? You could win an X-Games Gold Medal – check these guys out. http://es.pn/ig3cpF

9. Lots of us will be heading out for backcountry skiing/riding over the next few months. Do you have the skills to navigate a white out? http://bit.ly/eld9UD

10. For outdoor video there are an infinite number of angles to choose from. Look around you. How does the world look from ground level or 20 feet up? Don’t lock yourself into the easy. Move away from eye level. Get a different perspective on your subject. Our job is to take people to places they can’t or don’t want to go (call a HERO!)

Have a great rest of the week!

Stay on your side of the street

Wednesday November 24, 2010

True Tid Bits

1. Bike commuters and drivers continue to argue who has the right away….http://nyti.ms/eUSE21

2.Skip One Thing for One Day to help others. http://www.skip1.org/home

3.Facebook may soon own the trademark FACE http://on.mash.to/fhRZUA

4. For professional looking video move the camera only when necessary. Keep the shot steady for at least 10 seconds. Avoid “firehosing”, panning all over the scene.

5.Do you know someone who deserves an award for being eco? http://bit.ly/ff1nzv

6.All I want for Christmas….iPad http://on.mash.to/emfkud

7. Seven Social Networking Secrets from Mark Zuckerberg http://bit.ly/f1YAbx

8. A favorite quote: “Don’t wait. The time will never be just right” Napoleon Hill

9. What is your favorite Thanksgiving Dish? Check out http://www.cookinglight.com/ for lighter version of Thanksgiving Favorites.

10. What are you thankful for today?

You know that TrueHero  sends Tid Bits each week but did you know that we produce great content every day? Subscribe to the TrueHero Newsletter for gear reviews, industry insights, social media tips and the latest technology.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING..

You can’t afford not to…

A couple of years ago my Mom asked me to help her (pro bono) on a marketing piece. A few days later she asked for help ordering office supplies, online baking and form building. At the time I was the West Regional Sales Manager for a company in the Outdoor Industry and didn’t have time to be her assistant. After completing several assignments for the women who paid for my college tuition I told her she needed to hire an assistant. I convinced her that hiring a part-time office person would allow her time to do what she did best – network and sell houses.

Not everyone can afford a full-time marketing person, office manager, business analyst or general assistant. At times…you can’t afford NOT to hire someone at least part-time.

In the middle of a busy season, week, month or year – find someone that you can hire to help out where you are the weakest or less passionate.

Maybe you need someone to educate you on a new technology or software. Your time is money – don’t spend it trying to figure out something you can pay someone to teach you. If you average $50 an hour there is a company or individual willing to be paid $40 an hour to teach you how to create a Twitter account so don’t waste 2 hours doing it yourself.

Are there leads you should pursue? Could you expand to a new segment of consumers? Hire someone to create a marketing strategy, ChimpMail Campaign or get your coffee.

What do you spend more time on than you should?

Now here is our sales pitch.  . You don’t always need Superman but when you do – he is there.  Same with TrueHero – we can be there when and where you need us. Just call, email or Tweet. We are there to help. After all….Everyone needs a Hero.

Who and What is being tweeted….

True Tid Bits

Wednesday November 17, 2010

1. Adidas says they will reclaim #2 in China next year. http://bit.ly/dyCFDD On a sidenote: TrueHero is excited to work with Frontier Group in the NW and along with them comes Adidas Outdoor. If you read some of our Tid Bits last week you know that Adidas is gearing up for 45-50% increase in the next 5 years. We had the opportunity to get a sneak peek at the 2011 Adidas Outdoor Catalog and it seems possible. Keep an eye out….

2. Dad, this one is for you and every music fan in the world…“We’re really excited to bring the Beatles’ music to iTunes,” said Sir Paul McCartney http://bit.ly/9c6Bsi

3. Charities win with Location Check-in Apps. Would you state your location to help feed the hungry? http://on.mash.to/aUsHoO

4.  “Paper or Plastic?” No longer an option in LA Country. The only option is Paper bag for $.10. http://lat.ms/aRTUZ9

5. Google gives another place to shop online. Very chic and cool. Boutiques.com according to the NY Times. http://nyti.ms/9Ewybh

6. ChimpMail is a great way to send out an email campaign, autoresponder and subscriptions. You can track results and it’s Free.

7. You can build Branded iPhone Apps on a budget. Along with QR Barcodes this is our other favorite techy thing. http://on.mash.to/cq2cEL

8. In case you missed it, Prince William and Kate Middleton are engaged. The story has been trending for top Tweets since the announcement. In a one hour span of time there were 45,000 news stories indexed on Google. Think  what social media could do for you in a month?!

9. When shooting video, plan your shoot. Use a tripod or other image stabilization device and zoom to compose your shot. Avoid zooming too much during your shoot. You can always zoom in on a subject during the edit.

10. Very cool…“The Silent Evolution,” an underwater museum http://yhoo.it/cwu7eM

Thanks for reading! Let us know if there are topics you want to know more about; questions, comments, anything! We can help with QR Barcodes, Branded Apps, Social Media and Production. Just ask!

You can find us on Twitter, Facebook, WordPress, YouTube or just good old email! www.trueheroevents.com & wendi@trueheroevents.com & andy@trueheroevents.com

Have a great day!