Weekend Digest: Zig Ziglar’s Legend And A Better Use For Social Media

For our weekend business readers:

ZIG ZIGLAR, MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER, PASSES AWAY
Zig Ziglar died this week at the age of 86 in Dallas.  His books and speeches changed countless lives and became part of the corporate culture for many organizations.

With an aim at helping people achieve success in their careers and personal lives, in addition to a focus on Christianity, Ziglar was a prolific speaker who appeared at events alongside world leaders including several U.S. presidents and former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

ABC News has more on this remarkable man's life, career and how “he also had the uncanny ability to make everyone he ran into feel like they were his friend.”

Clink on this link for the full story.

ONE COMPANY'S SPECIAL WAY TO GIVE BACK TO EMPLOYEES FOR CHRISTMAS
Vanessa Nornberg's company is called Metal Mafia, a small wholesaler of body and costume jewelry. Nornberg says how she treats the holidays for her employees is special and very different than other companies. It starts with a bountiful, happy Christmas lunch.

One day in mid-December, I set up one long banquet table using worktables, cover them with bright table cloths, and order take out from the restaurant everyone loves to get lunch at. Then the whole team takes an hour during which we stop working and eat together. I find my staff members appreciate that I hold the holiday lunch during office hours because it shows I respect their personal time and place their needs at the center of the business mission.

But the lunch is just the beginning. Inc. reports on the remarkable payback Nornberg gives her employees for their loyalty and hard work during the year.  And each gets another special gift as well.

I believe my staff is Metal Mafia's greatest asset, and as a result, should be valued in every way possible.

How is this generosity received in her industry especially for retailers she markets to, and what's the effect on the bottom line?  Go to this link to find out.

WHY BOTHER BLOGGING AND USING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR YOUR BRAND?
Well, blogger Jeff Bulas has 44 reasons why.

Television, radio and modern mass media made it easier to be discovered and break through the influence glass ceiling. In reality it still required money and other people’s networks and the new kings and queens were now the journalists, editors and media moguls. They were the new gatekeepers to fame and influence.

Blogs, social media and social networks have turned this traditional and glacial model of influence, attention and self-expression on its head. It is mobile, multimedia rich and its free. The power is now in your hands.

Click here for 44 reasons to make blogs and social media “your” media and take control.

GROWING MORE WITH LESS
It took awhile but when an irrigation company wanted to increase sales with its high-tech equipment it realized along the way, “To really get your new technology off the ground you'll have to look at innovating your business model as well.”

That's what Netafim did and how it decided to totally realign its business model was a smart gamble because “Netafim now controls over one-third of the market for this seemingly commoditized micro-irrigation equipment market.”

What is Netafim's secret? Like many of its competitors, Netafim invested in R&D to produce improved products. In the 90's it introduced modern electronic control technology, including sophisticated sensor arrays that help fine-tune water application to respond to water content, salinity, fertilizer and meteorological data. By Netafim's measures, such a contemporary drip irrigation system increases crop yields by 300-500% and is a very lucrative investment.

But despite these exceptional economics, the system simply didn't catch on.

So what was the secret?  Click here to find out.

SO WHY IS IT 57?
Ever wonder where the 57 came from in Heinz 57 ketchup?

So did Kitchen Daily and now you'll know the answer if you click this link.

SOCIAL MEDIA IN FUNDRAISING
Surprisingly one expert boldly asserts fundraising “is not the best tool to solicit a gift.”

But it can't be overlooked and when used properly the guest blogger for Goalbusters Consulting gives some tips on the most effective use of social media for fundraising.

Her advice is at this link.