2007 Q1 PDF File

Download PDF file 2007 Q1

Lights! Camera! Action!

Recently, I had the opportunity to facilitate a think-tank session where business owners were challenged to describe their “product” in 30 seconds. One business owner said: “That’s impossible!” Another owner asked: “What is this a TV commercial meeting?” A slightly irritated owner commented that the company has a brochure and a website to tell the story.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, we are writing a commercial. If you won a 30-second spot during the Super Bowl to showcase your company, what would you do and/or say? Wherever you go, network, explore, participate and spread the word with a well-designed commercial.
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Spring is in the Air

You can always tell that Spring is on the horizon. Sure the temperatures are rising and we even see some greenery but the real sense of Spring comes because of the activity at NARMS. Again this year your association will be sponsoring three different events that will inform, educate and provide an opportunity to network with all elements of the retail community.
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Beating the Winter Blahs

Some like wintertime for the sports of the cold and the snow. I hope those folks were in Denver or western New York over recent months to make the most of the snow, snow, and more snow that graced those areas. A brief power outage just prior to the holidays was enough adventure for me! I live in an area that offers up many outdoor winter activities for those that thrive on that sort of thing. I like winter because it means it’s time to go inside to watch a lot of basketball at this time of year. The sound of a pep band and the aroma of fresh popcorn at the concession area are tools of exhilaration for me and can quickly revive me, no matter what kind of day it’s been at work! I like high school and college the best with personal favorite UW-Badgers and UW-Stevens Point teams flirting with top rankings in NCAA Men’s Divisions 1 & 3 respectively as the season has progressed.
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NARMS News

New Voluntary Insurance Benefits Coming Soon

As a member of NARMS you and/or your family are now eligible for new member benefits that are available nationwide.

The primary cause for the decline in employers’ providing health insurance to their employees is the rising health care costs. This has led some employers to stop offering coverage and many others to shift a higher portion of the cost to employees, thus making it more difficult for low and moderate income workers to afford insurance for themselves and their families
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How Can I Be in Two Places At One Time?

The question we receive this time of year when the MSO membership is starting to register for the NARMS Spring Conference and looking over the program is: How Can I be in Two Places at One Time? Well, the answer might be that you should consider bringing more than one person from your company to this remarkably dynamic and robust educational and networking opportunity.
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Let Us Know. . .

Amazing. It is 2007 and by the time that you get this edition of the newsletter, we will be only a few short weeks away from the Annual NARMS Conference at the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort in Tucson, Arizona from April 14 – 17, 2007. I hope by now that you have all visited the NARMS website (www.narms.com) to sign up for the conference. The registration process is simple and painless, but be sure to book your hotel rooms separately as there are not many alternative hotel options nearby. There are still plenty of rooms available at the Starr Pass Resort, but act quickly! The discount price room block will be released on March 13, 2007 This year’s conference is really taking fine shape. The NARMS staff, fighting the bitter Wisconsin cold, has dutifully made it into the office each day and put together quite a show. At last count, over $85,000 in sponsorships have been secured, but there are still many opportunities to contribute. If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact Paulette Blaskey at membership@narms.com. There are opportunities for any size wallet.
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Cashing in on the Conference: The Tucson Take Away

The Tucson Conference is fast approaching. If you are like me, there is an annual evaluation of which conference and trade shows to attend. Trips like Tucson are of particular concern due to their non-revenue producing nature. Not only is the trip non-revenue producing, it is an interruption of the “things-to-do list”; which always is namely, to produce revenue. Besides, my travel is demanding enough without conferences. However, after reviewing the pros and cons, we find the trip a necessity because the reasons not to go are eclipsed by the reasons to go.
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Recognizing a Super Opportunity

Almost 100 million people tuned in to watch the most recent Super Bowl. Advertisers were willing to pay the going rate of $2.6 million per ad because it’s rare today to have such a large, captive audience. The Super Bowl is carried on one network and broadcast around the world. In addition to the game, it has been rumored that some people look forward to the new ads more than the actual game.
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Brokers Embark on Busy Year

Happy New Year to all! We’re off and rolling to a great year in 2007. Here’s what’s been happening with IFBA member activities:
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