Signs, signs, everywhere a sign……
One of the best expressions of community pride is made in Diamondhead, MS. As I glide at a safe speed through these residential neighborhoods, passing walkers, runners, bicyclers, and gardeners, I see trees, gardens, homes and people working together with fundamental principles to live a civilized lifestyle. It’s like I suddenly have time to slow down and smell the flowers.
Like Diamondhead, Bay St. Louis is doing a great job of keeping our main roads clean. Jimmy Loiacano and his crew are always improving the community’s appeal to the locals and tourists.
In some parts of our community however (including Hwy 603), I see some of the poorest looking neighborhoods of any tourism destination that I have ever seen. Thanks to those who think they have a right to stick their advertisement on a pine tree or telephone pole in someone else’s neighborhood, we can look unattractive to future employers.
In other communities, these offenders have been fined for littering for each offense. I like the old system, where I can look in a phone book when I need to find my roofer or transmission technician rather than to create danger by stopping on a highway to write down a telephone number.
Prove me wrong with this simple marketing experiment: Remove any and every sign that is illegally placed on county properties, telephone poles, pine or oak trees, etc. on main routes around the county. After 6 months of living in a cleaner community, contact any real estate agent or construction worker that you know locally to ask them, “How’s business in your neighborhood”? Then you can proudly call yourself a proven economic development leader. It’s time we take more pride in our community.
Sincerely,
Henry Ward
Tourism Consultant
Wednesday, July 27, 2005
What a Great Governor
Some people are upset about our governor’s budget cutting tactics, but let me assure you that our economy is scheduled to grow with more heritage preservation as a result. When hearing Governor Haley Barbour’s radio address to the taxpayers, I felt that my message through the Mississippi Economic Council, (State Chamber) was well delivered.
After the last MEC Caucus meeting, I was asked in a phone survey of at least 10 different ways to justify a tax increase on cigarettes, beer, alcohol, tourism, etc. As an experienced salesman, I listened to every kind of emotional justification for the increase in taxes, but I knew of simply too much waste. The Governor apparently agrees with my positions.
I need your help however, to convince his new management of tourism that we must do away with Traveler Discount Coupon Magazine which cross-markets and quotes prices of out of state tourism destinations. For over ten years, I have scratched my bald head as I read a magazine with a better sales presentation for our competition, handed out by our state government.
Go to your State Welcome Center today and ask for hotel coupons. You will be directed to a magazine that hosts a picture of New Orleans on the front cover. View a message and picture on the back cover page from Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, 800-33GUMBO. I counted 65 Mississippi coupons and 82 Louisiana coupons inside.
While a coupon hungry tourist may initially want to use a coupon to book a Mississippi room, they can easily be tempted to re-use the same book to split their vacation to another destination Since this magazine crossmarkets New Orleans. Picking up a zoo brochure or racetrack brochure on the MS Coast can encourage a tourist to see value in splitting the vacation and utilize this coupon book to travel to New Orleans.
This is exactly what has happened since the enthusiastic introduction of “Where Magazine of New Orleans” into our hotel rooms beginning in April of 1999. As the most hospitable Mississippians shared a magazine with over 90% Louisiana advertisements, New Orleans convention hoteliers blacklisted Mississippi advertisements. Paul Buckley, GM of Hilton Riverside (New Orleans area largest hotel), was quoted in the Times Picayune, “I don’t think it’s something we want to be involved with, you don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
As a result, the average length of stay shortened in Mississippi and the repeat visitation rate reduced. Louisiana’s politicians and tourism leaders have had a good laugh at our ignorance all the way to the bank. This had a direct economic effect to every independent artist and business owner in the hospitality industry. Over the next three years New Orleans saw an 18% growth in the construction of hotel rooms, as the value of a non casino room in Mississippi fell rapidly. By 2004, the New Orleans momentum was measured at 226% increase in family tourism as Mississippi reports stagnation.
Every time these cross-marketing channels are successful, our economy loses money. For your government and local hoteliers to recommend your community’s competition has been a complete disaster.
In the fall of 1996, I began applying some of my research and marketed Bay St. Louis and Ocean Springs downtowns, just as I had for Pass Christian merchants since 1994. I could never have accomplished so much without the absolute cooperation of the state welcome center employees and exceptional donations and endorsements by Grand Casinos and over 300 front line employees throughout the MS Gulf Coast.
I’ve designed a strategic plan which involves greater cooperation with the State Welcome Centers. My plan includes breathing more life into every downtown from Pascagoula to Waveland at little or no cost to the state taxpayers. The removal of all cross-marketing channels in our State Welcome Centers is vital! Please show your support.
Contact your governor today to support my projects in restoring greater economy to South Mississippi @ Governor Haley Barbour, P.O. Box 139, Jackson, MS 39205, Ph. 601-359-3150 or fax 601-359-3741.
Some people are upset about our governor’s budget cutting tactics, but let me assure you that our economy is scheduled to grow with more heritage preservation as a result. When hearing Governor Haley Barbour’s radio address to the taxpayers, I felt that my message through the Mississippi Economic Council, (State Chamber) was well delivered.
After the last MEC Caucus meeting, I was asked in a phone survey of at least 10 different ways to justify a tax increase on cigarettes, beer, alcohol, tourism, etc. As an experienced salesman, I listened to every kind of emotional justification for the increase in taxes, but I knew of simply too much waste. The Governor apparently agrees with my positions.
I need your help however, to convince his new management of tourism that we must do away with Traveler Discount Coupon Magazine which cross-markets and quotes prices of out of state tourism destinations. For over ten years, I have scratched my bald head as I read a magazine with a better sales presentation for our competition, handed out by our state government.
Go to your State Welcome Center today and ask for hotel coupons. You will be directed to a magazine that hosts a picture of New Orleans on the front cover. View a message and picture on the back cover page from Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, 800-33GUMBO. I counted 65 Mississippi coupons and 82 Louisiana coupons inside.
While a coupon hungry tourist may initially want to use a coupon to book a Mississippi room, they can easily be tempted to re-use the same book to split their vacation to another destination Since this magazine crossmarkets New Orleans. Picking up a zoo brochure or racetrack brochure on the MS Coast can encourage a tourist to see value in splitting the vacation and utilize this coupon book to travel to New Orleans.
This is exactly what has happened since the enthusiastic introduction of “Where Magazine of New Orleans” into our hotel rooms beginning in April of 1999. As the most hospitable Mississippians shared a magazine with over 90% Louisiana advertisements, New Orleans convention hoteliers blacklisted Mississippi advertisements. Paul Buckley, GM of Hilton Riverside (New Orleans area largest hotel), was quoted in the Times Picayune, “I don’t think it’s something we want to be involved with, you don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
As a result, the average length of stay shortened in Mississippi and the repeat visitation rate reduced. Louisiana’s politicians and tourism leaders have had a good laugh at our ignorance all the way to the bank. This had a direct economic effect to every independent artist and business owner in the hospitality industry. Over the next three years New Orleans saw an 18% growth in the construction of hotel rooms, as the value of a non casino room in Mississippi fell rapidly. By 2004, the New Orleans momentum was measured at 226% increase in family tourism as Mississippi reports stagnation.
Every time these cross-marketing channels are successful, our economy loses money. For your government and local hoteliers to recommend your community’s competition has been a complete disaster.
In the fall of 1996, I began applying some of my research and marketed Bay St. Louis and Ocean Springs downtowns, just as I had for Pass Christian merchants since 1994. I could never have accomplished so much without the absolute cooperation of the state welcome center employees and exceptional donations and endorsements by Grand Casinos and over 300 front line employees throughout the MS Gulf Coast.
I’ve designed a strategic plan which involves greater cooperation with the State Welcome Centers. My plan includes breathing more life into every downtown from Pascagoula to Waveland at little or no cost to the state taxpayers. The removal of all cross-marketing channels in our State Welcome Centers is vital! Please show your support.
Contact your governor today to support my projects in restoring greater economy to South Mississippi @ Governor Haley Barbour, P.O. Box 139, Jackson, MS 39205, Ph. 601-359-3150 or fax 601-359-3741.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Cancer insurance with a little marketing strategy
On the next night, Hank was working a slow shift with captain Billy Bob, who always had an exciting criticism about politics or religion. He would often reflect to his jobs in some of the most unique places.
One of his wildest stories was about a boss that invented cancer insurance. Hank found it a little hard to swallow that one man could have possibly invented a new type of insurance, and own rights to the concept. He had toured the Lloyds of London and knew that it was conceivable. After losing all chance to win the argument and still sound more intelligent, Hank began to listen to the experience.
Billy Bob started by bragging about the heads of state, princes and other admirable royalty that would visit his boss on the sizeable yacht. “His parties were attended by people that can pick the next four presidents”, so he said.
After an hour or so, he finally got to the heart of the story. As captain of the yacht, he had many conversations with the retired attorney, William Regal of Destin Florida. Many times, Mr. Regal took him back to his poverty days when nobody was interested in cancer insurance.
Doctor’s did not see, in his telling of the story, any reason to endorse a new program that does not benefit their practice. In fact, it sounded as though your caring doctors were not interested in the benefits of specialty practice, which might detour many dollars to newly educated doctor. Mr. Regal went broke several times trying to get the public to respond to his advertising dollars, but no consumers, doctors, insurance companies, or politicians wanted anything to do with his product.
In those days, there was a stigma attached to cancer patients and was simply not discussed outside the family. Like today's Aids profile paints a picture of the infected's lifestyle, cancer was telling a story. People simply did not want to talk about it or hear about it because they did not care to think about it.
Public awareness was the key to creating demand for his product. He knew that all he needed was for the public to become fearful of catching cancer. If everybody suddenly feared the disease, insurance demand would be stimulated, and research dollars would come pouring in. He had already invested years in this project, and that last hurdle seemed enormous. How could he raise a few million dollars to scare people by advertising reasons to fear cancer?
In his mind, the ends would justify the means no matter how it is accomplished. So he immediately went to work addressing all the weaknesses of his project. He started by going to the medical schools to find specialists for every kind of cancer that was known. After all, school is where many technologies are advanced, and this would mean many research dollars in the future.
After exhausting fortunes in sales people, advertising and public relations, he finally hired a marketing consultant for a few hundred dollars. The consultant analyzed the situation and advised his client to incorporate a non profit to do all the marketing for him. He explained that a non-profit can raise awareness, receive tax deductable donations, recruit volenteers and educate the public of the dangers of cancer
He found a specialist (at a prestigious university) to head up a new non-profit corporation designed to raise giant funds, which then advertised (including free press releases daily) the needs for more research for this dreadful killer. The American Cancer Non Profit was formed and has been scaring the hell out of people ever since. Mass marketing fear or confusion to stimulate demand for an unwanted and much needed product has once again contributed to advancement of society.
One man became filthy rich overnite as Allstate, State Farm, etc. demanded immediate upgrades to their policies. Do you hate him as a successfull capitalist or love him as a healer of so many lives? Which political party do you think he supported?
On the next night, Hank was working a slow shift with captain Billy Bob, who always had an exciting criticism about politics or religion. He would often reflect to his jobs in some of the most unique places.
One of his wildest stories was about a boss that invented cancer insurance. Hank found it a little hard to swallow that one man could have possibly invented a new type of insurance, and own rights to the concept. He had toured the Lloyds of London and knew that it was conceivable. After losing all chance to win the argument and still sound more intelligent, Hank began to listen to the experience.
Billy Bob started by bragging about the heads of state, princes and other admirable royalty that would visit his boss on the sizeable yacht. “His parties were attended by people that can pick the next four presidents”, so he said.
After an hour or so, he finally got to the heart of the story. As captain of the yacht, he had many conversations with the retired attorney, William Regal of Destin Florida. Many times, Mr. Regal took him back to his poverty days when nobody was interested in cancer insurance.
Doctor’s did not see, in his telling of the story, any reason to endorse a new program that does not benefit their practice. In fact, it sounded as though your caring doctors were not interested in the benefits of specialty practice, which might detour many dollars to newly educated doctor. Mr. Regal went broke several times trying to get the public to respond to his advertising dollars, but no consumers, doctors, insurance companies, or politicians wanted anything to do with his product.
In those days, there was a stigma attached to cancer patients and was simply not discussed outside the family. Like today's Aids profile paints a picture of the infected's lifestyle, cancer was telling a story. People simply did not want to talk about it or hear about it because they did not care to think about it.
Public awareness was the key to creating demand for his product. He knew that all he needed was for the public to become fearful of catching cancer. If everybody suddenly feared the disease, insurance demand would be stimulated, and research dollars would come pouring in. He had already invested years in this project, and that last hurdle seemed enormous. How could he raise a few million dollars to scare people by advertising reasons to fear cancer?
In his mind, the ends would justify the means no matter how it is accomplished. So he immediately went to work addressing all the weaknesses of his project. He started by going to the medical schools to find specialists for every kind of cancer that was known. After all, school is where many technologies are advanced, and this would mean many research dollars in the future.
After exhausting fortunes in sales people, advertising and public relations, he finally hired a marketing consultant for a few hundred dollars. The consultant analyzed the situation and advised his client to incorporate a non profit to do all the marketing for him. He explained that a non-profit can raise awareness, receive tax deductable donations, recruit volenteers and educate the public of the dangers of cancer
He found a specialist (at a prestigious university) to head up a new non-profit corporation designed to raise giant funds, which then advertised (including free press releases daily) the needs for more research for this dreadful killer. The American Cancer Non Profit was formed and has been scaring the hell out of people ever since. Mass marketing fear or confusion to stimulate demand for an unwanted and much needed product has once again contributed to advancement of society.
One man became filthy rich overnite as Allstate, State Farm, etc. demanded immediate upgrades to their policies. Do you hate him as a successfull capitalist or love him as a healer of so many lives? Which political party do you think he supported?
1992 Testimony of international engineer concerning America’s Greatest President
After 4 weeks of sleeping in Veruzka’s bed, as she slept with her mother, Hank decided to leave with his last $150 of his original $524 and found a historic downtown hotel in Maricaibo, Venezuela in late October 1992. As Hank made conversation with another man sitting at the bar, he took criticism that Americans don’t know how to make cheese. As he argued the finer points, the Swiss engineer was having a great time communicating English with Hank as they shared beers, nuts and cheeses. He claimed to speak 5 other languages well. He also explained the cost of local labor market.
As Hank inquired about his career with 9 months of international travel on the job per year, Hank fished for stories of missing his homeland. Instead, Stefan told Hank the reason that he was no longer a resident of Switzerland. “Socialized medicine and retirement sound good to some people with lower job skills, however I put in my time working in other countries and could only enjoy many more benefits after retirement. Instead of paying 50%+ tax, I’ve made residency in Iran, where income is not taxed. I make a lot of money using a great education and working hard hours in other countries, I don’t deserve to be taxed so heavily.” So he steamed. Hank then realized he was talking to a more productive member of society that was chased out of society through higher taxes.
The TV displayed a picture of President George H.W. Bush and his primary contender Bill Clinton, Stefan asked Hank, “So, for whom are you voting in the election?” Hank didn’t hesitate to say, “George Bush.” “That’s good, since he’s your country’s greatest president in history,” stated Stefan.
Hank was shocked to hear such praise two years after his last visit to East Europe. While Hank agreed that he received a great welcome in Vienna, Prague, Dresden, Berlin and Budapest as many had praised the United States and President Bush in 1990. This was only months following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Hank agreed with American conservative gossip that Reagan was the hero deserving more praise from a European, so he asked for an explanation.
“It’s a matter of world economics, young man!” so he exclaimed. “Since America is the greatest trader with the richest foundations of which to build in the world, the relationship between other world leaders determines every economy around. The whole world rotates on the American dollar bill!” He continued, “The only thing you can pin on your presidency is international diplomacy, everything else goes for Congressional or Judicial approval. George Bush is the finest diplomat your country has every produced, and because of that, you should prosper for many years to come. His diplomacy made the whole world wealthier, and since you’re the greatest trading partner….. Hank was at first like, “yeah right buddy” but he kept quiet and continued to listen attentively.
Since he had toured a representation of the Hungarian Stock Exchange, United Nations Building, and London Stock Exchange in 1990, while studying international economics in Vienna, Hank was quite confident that he had a real understanding of world economics. Stefan looked at him, smiled, and began to explain, “You must imagine every country with rich people in it, who have money to invest. And assume a local stock exchange opportunity to invest in their’ own country.
However, to secure the investment, the investors around the world will only invest where they are confident in a return on investment. One of the things that built America is the investment by outsiders that weren’t confident in their own country’s relationship with the world’s greatest trading partners. So they converted their money (which lost money in the transaction), then invested in America where their money was secure.”
“Since George Bush is a diplomat, first, more investors gained confidence in their own county’s leadership, where they then invested, and are subject to grow their own economy with greater buying power for American goods. You see, it makes the whole circle as more people around the world become greater consumers of the opportunities in life.” All Hank could think of was that Zig Ziglar tape quoting, “You can get anything in life anything you want, if you simply help enough people get what they want.” Hank drew tears when he thought back to his international travels where he still prays for his international friends’ future.
Hank was then convinced that George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara were America’s greatest assets ever elected to the Presidency. If society could only have kept them in the presidency for 12 more years, Hank knows that all his people could retire early and travel the world spreading wealth. Economic Alchemy seemed guaranteed before that election.
The next eight years were the most depressing of Hank’s life. After all, honesty, character and integrity are what we should always maintain for leadership. Hank only hopes that their son, George W, can continue with the same diplomacy. God Bless America!
After 4 weeks of sleeping in Veruzka’s bed, as she slept with her mother, Hank decided to leave with his last $150 of his original $524 and found a historic downtown hotel in Maricaibo, Venezuela in late October 1992. As Hank made conversation with another man sitting at the bar, he took criticism that Americans don’t know how to make cheese. As he argued the finer points, the Swiss engineer was having a great time communicating English with Hank as they shared beers, nuts and cheeses. He claimed to speak 5 other languages well. He also explained the cost of local labor market.
As Hank inquired about his career with 9 months of international travel on the job per year, Hank fished for stories of missing his homeland. Instead, Stefan told Hank the reason that he was no longer a resident of Switzerland. “Socialized medicine and retirement sound good to some people with lower job skills, however I put in my time working in other countries and could only enjoy many more benefits after retirement. Instead of paying 50%+ tax, I’ve made residency in Iran, where income is not taxed. I make a lot of money using a great education and working hard hours in other countries, I don’t deserve to be taxed so heavily.” So he steamed. Hank then realized he was talking to a more productive member of society that was chased out of society through higher taxes.
The TV displayed a picture of President George H.W. Bush and his primary contender Bill Clinton, Stefan asked Hank, “So, for whom are you voting in the election?” Hank didn’t hesitate to say, “George Bush.” “That’s good, since he’s your country’s greatest president in history,” stated Stefan.
Hank was shocked to hear such praise two years after his last visit to East Europe. While Hank agreed that he received a great welcome in Vienna, Prague, Dresden, Berlin and Budapest as many had praised the United States and President Bush in 1990. This was only months following the fall of the Berlin Wall. Hank agreed with American conservative gossip that Reagan was the hero deserving more praise from a European, so he asked for an explanation.
“It’s a matter of world economics, young man!” so he exclaimed. “Since America is the greatest trader with the richest foundations of which to build in the world, the relationship between other world leaders determines every economy around. The whole world rotates on the American dollar bill!” He continued, “The only thing you can pin on your presidency is international diplomacy, everything else goes for Congressional or Judicial approval. George Bush is the finest diplomat your country has every produced, and because of that, you should prosper for many years to come. His diplomacy made the whole world wealthier, and since you’re the greatest trading partner….. Hank was at first like, “yeah right buddy” but he kept quiet and continued to listen attentively.
Since he had toured a representation of the Hungarian Stock Exchange, United Nations Building, and London Stock Exchange in 1990, while studying international economics in Vienna, Hank was quite confident that he had a real understanding of world economics. Stefan looked at him, smiled, and began to explain, “You must imagine every country with rich people in it, who have money to invest. And assume a local stock exchange opportunity to invest in their’ own country.
However, to secure the investment, the investors around the world will only invest where they are confident in a return on investment. One of the things that built America is the investment by outsiders that weren’t confident in their own country’s relationship with the world’s greatest trading partners. So they converted their money (which lost money in the transaction), then invested in America where their money was secure.”
“Since George Bush is a diplomat, first, more investors gained confidence in their own county’s leadership, where they then invested, and are subject to grow their own economy with greater buying power for American goods. You see, it makes the whole circle as more people around the world become greater consumers of the opportunities in life.” All Hank could think of was that Zig Ziglar tape quoting, “You can get anything in life anything you want, if you simply help enough people get what they want.” Hank drew tears when he thought back to his international travels where he still prays for his international friends’ future.
Hank was then convinced that George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara were America’s greatest assets ever elected to the Presidency. If society could only have kept them in the presidency for 12 more years, Hank knows that all his people could retire early and travel the world spreading wealth. Economic Alchemy seemed guaranteed before that election.
The next eight years were the most depressing of Hank’s life. After all, honesty, character and integrity are what we should always maintain for leadership. Hank only hopes that their son, George W, can continue with the same diplomacy. God Bless America!
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