The Cascade Effect, is a one-stop-guide for small businesses, startups and those who want to learn how PR can grow your business, making you a successful entrepreneur!



Monday, March 30, 2009

Media Have a Sense of Humor Too

I had to share this link, which received nation-wide exposure today on MSN. It is (my) Chicago’s Very Own WGN-TV Noons at Nine, also available on the Superstation. Here we see what news anchors really do during the commercial break!

Hopefully, this will remind you that media have a sense of humor too and that we shouldn’t take the pursuit of achieving positive public relations too seriously ourselves.

The real question is how long have they been working on this routine?

Happy Monday!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7ehlw_phys

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

What The Prez's Proposals Mean to Small Biz


It's interesting, I get the same questions from just about everyone these days, one I'm sure you're familiar with: "How's business? Has the economy had an impact?" Oddly enough, the answer to that question is no.

A few months ago I was speaking to a small, quickly growing biz client who sent me an email saying "I'm beginning to think this recession thing is a joke. We're busier than we've ever been."

My initial thoughts were simply that the larger corporate and financial issues that we've been reading and hearing so much about have affected consumer confidence which made the market fall. It's like a snowball effect of behavioral economics which in the end we all feel and it goes on and on and.....

Remember that small business success, flexibility and determination will always pull an economy up. We may be small but we are mighty in numbers. Moreover, (I say this over and over again) it's times like this when small businesses can leap frog over competitors and you all know it's possible. The advent of the Internet has made it even that much easier.

I'm interested to hear from you about your feelings on the economy, how you feel it's affected you and what you think about the President's proposals (which mind you have already begun to drive the market back up).

Send me your comments!

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Point in Case for Crisis Planning


It’s SO SAD but a chance for me to reiterate why you need to plan for a crisis.

It took her almost a year to replace her beloved Sophie. When Oprah was finally ready she went to a highly respected no-kill organization in Chicago called PAWS, where she adopted two adorable blonde cocker spaniel puppies. Sadly, just days after sharing her exciting news with the world, one of the precious pups died from a virus.

Can you imagine? First the heartbreak but then being the organization receiving national, even international, press regarding the adoption and now this sad news. This could be devastating for PAWS’ public perception and positioning as a credible expert in caring for animals and adopting healthy ones out. How the organization deals with this situation (heartbreaking for everyone) will determine how they come out the other side. Yesterday they put out a statement for a Chicago Tribune article. It’s general and one I’m sure will be distributed to cover many media inquiries, but it’s something and it’s proactive and covers everything I mentioned Monday. I will be interested to see what they do next and if they will continue to be proactive in their approach.

So, case in point from my post this week on planning for a crisis. It can happen anytime to anyone and in any way. While I feel many people will have great sympathy for everyone involved, it’s still not the kind of PR you hope for when Oprah, media mogul and most recognized woman in the world, is supporting your organization. I’m sure there will be no hard feelings, but then again it’s a unique situation. You and your business/organization cannot hope to be so lucky.

Get crackin’ on that crisis plan!