H1N1 Could Hurt Local Blood Supply

Donors Rewarded with Holiday Turkeys

PROVO (November 6, 2009) – “Our community could be at risk.”

That’s the assessment of Marilyn Peralta, director, MountainStar Blood Services. She fears the blood supply could quickly become depleted as the H1N1 flu continues to spread.

To date, few regular donors have caught the H1N1 flu. But many may become ill in the next few months – a time when blood supplies are traditionally low.

“A shortage of donors means the blood supply, which is in decent shape now, could change overnight,” continued Peralta. “We want to be certain blood is available for those who need it most.

“We still have patients who are having surgeries. We still have oncology patients who need platelets and plasma and red cells.”

Of course prospective donors with flu-like symptoms will be deferred. But MountainStar Blood Services wants them to come back in a week or so when they are again healthy.

“Getting the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines do not disqualify anyone from donating. But we ask that you also wait seven days after you have had the shots,” added Peralta. “If you are healthy when you donate blood, but become sick within two days after that, you need to call to let us know so we can quarantine your blood, stopping it from transfusion.”

To encourage donation, MountainStar Blood Services will give away a free turkey to one donor each weekday through November 24. Visit the local donor center (just west of the BYU campus) at 152 West 1230 North, Provo. It is open 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday.

For questions about donor eligibility, or to make a donation appointment, call 1.877.45.BLOOD.

New Chamber Member- Zip Me Info

Put YOUR name in the palm of your customer’s hand!

This is the slogan for new member Sean Yeager and his company - Zip Me Info, a.k.a. ZMI.

Mr. Yeager explains that ZMI specializes in promotions for all types of business using text messaging. “At ZMI, we help business owners increase their sales volume using their current customer base and advertising program.”

Yeager adds, “We create a client database for business owners– using a mobile marketing “opt-in” program. This is done by implementing a promotion or simply asking your customers to join your company’s Text Club to receive specials, discounts & promotions … The ideas are endless!”

Over the course of a few weeks, a client database is established and grows for the merchant. From the list, the merchant can communicate DIRECTLY to their customers promoting WHAT they want; WHEN they want and HOW they want. All you need to do is provide a promotion – ZMI takes care of the rest.”

TEXT RESPONSIBLY – DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE!

Zip Me Info

Lehi, UT 84043

801-602-8981

syeager@ZipMeInfo.Com

Branding or Positioning

By Tim Newhard of Serfwerks

Do you know the difference between the branding and positioning? Perhaps you use them interchangeably. Perhaps you use them instead of the word marketing. Let me posit that the two words mean different things.

First of all, why does it seem like I care so much about semantics? It seems like I care because I do care. For this reason: where there is a lack of common language progress cannot be achieved.

Branding

What is branding? When I think about branding, I immediately think about branding cattle (the process in which a rancher places his mark on a head of cattle, so as to indicate that said head of cattle belongs to him). Branding yourself, your product, or your business is no different, but you may have a logo and/or color scheme that defines something that belongs to you, your product or your business. Your name is also a part of your brand. You should not literally brand yourself or your business, such a thing would be kind of painful.

Branding ends with the physical appearance of a particular thing. Nike brands things with a “swoosh.” Apple brands things with simplistic design. Blackberry brands things with the Blackberry logo and track ball in the middle of its devices.

Positioning

What is positioning? When I thing about positioning I think about Target and Wal-Mart. The stores are very similar in terms of the types of things they sell, their prices, and even the quality of things they sell. But do I think about the two stores differently? Yes. And I bet that most people out there would agree with me when I say that Target sells better quality stuff than Wal-Mart. My wife, for example, will buy clothes by the cart-full from Target, but will not stop to dust her shoes off near the clothing section at Wal-Mart.

Positioning happens in the minds of consumers, employees, and competitors. Positioning is connected to the emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that the above mentioned have about your product and your business.

Many people think that positioning is branding.

How are they connected?

Your branding should be connected to your positioning goals.

For example, let’s say that you are starting up a retail boutique that sells accessories for pets. What kind of position do you want to win over in the minds of your prospective customers? You have done your research, and you have decided that you want to occupy the top luxury position.

Your products and prices are upscale, so that is a start, but what is next? You do not have a name, logo, store signage, website, or corporate stationary kit. All of these things are mediums for your brand and should all look and feel the same. In this case, they should all be high class -- befitting of a luxury product. Your brand should reflect the level of investment you expect your prospects to make and the position you want to occupy in their minds.

Why is this important to you?

Perception is reality. The position you have in your prospective customer’s mind will determine if they buy things from you or one of your competitors. That position is determined by many aspects of your business and your marketing, which includes your branding.

If you need help with your positioning strategy and branding you can always contract a marketing agency. Ensure that your agency is abreast to quantitative research and analysis because data are always the best guides to determining what direction you should go in.

www.serfwerks.com