Tours Travel

Florida: Florida Fun, World’s Best Vacation for Your Money

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Take my word for it, Florida is a fabulous place to vacation and get a lot of value for your money. I have traveled to more than 50 countries and 6 continents of the world. I am very familiar with what is available to the tourist around the world.

Florida offers the largest variety of things to do at affordable prices than anywhere else you’ve seen. The Sunshine State remains the number one favorite among Brits and Canadians. Not to mention that Florida is extremely popular with Latinos from Central and South America.

Whether you like sunny beaches, world-class attractions, fine dining, or a luxurious place to just relax, Florida is full of options. I was born in Orlando, a paradise for children, which is home to Walt Disney World, Sea World, Universal Studios, various water parks and resorts. I even dated Cinderella when she was working at Disney World my first summer out of high school. I have been a lifeguard at Water Mania and Wetn’Wild, just two of our many water parks in Central Florida. I have surfed Cocoa Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach.

If you’re looking for a quiet getaway, try the West Coast, where you can catch a romantic sunset on the beach. Clearwater, Sarasota and St. Petersburg are all favorites among retirees. The Emerald Coast around Panama City and Pensacola (smaller coastal towns even better) are delightfully enchanting.

Tampa is one of our fastest growing cities and home to the Devil Rays and Bucaneers if you want to attend a sporting event. Spring in Florida is home to the boys of the summer with baseball franchises across North America who come here to train before the regular season. It’s a fun way to spend an afternoon and watch your favorite athletes all in one place.

If Latin flavor is your thing, try Miami, where you can tap your feet to the beat of hot salsa and spicy meringue. A little pretentious, to be sure, but always lively, Miami has a lot to offer.

If you like yachts and speedboats, try visiting Fort Lauderdale, one of the largest ports in the world. There are several cruises leaving Fort Lauderdale weekly to the Caribbean that are sure to satisfy.

The Florida Keys, four hours south of Miami by car, have some lovely islands and places to visit if you just want to relax and soak up the sun.

Florida manatees can be seen at some of our natural springs. Airboat rides can also be found along some rivers, where you can also see some alligators and fish.

These are just a few of the countless things you can do to keep yourself entertained in the great state of Florida. At the end of the day, though, you’ll just want to kick back and drink some fresh-squeezed orange juice, eat a slice of key lime pie, and enjoy the breeze with family and friends.

Technology

How to Optimize Google My Business Listing for (Generate Sales)

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20% of your local optimization efforts will give you 80% of your results.

Wonder how?

With Google My Business.

Google My Business (GMB): A free listing of your company’s operational information, reviews, posts, images, and more.

google my business

Most of the people you would meet; consider GMB as one more place to display business information.

But that’s not true!

If you haven’t used Google My Business to its fullest, you’re leaving money on the table.

If used correctly, Google My Business is such a powerful tool that it can bring you more and more business.

How?

Here it is…

1) Make sure the information is complete and consistent
Don’t let your audience guess or assume about you. Make sure your listing details communicate enough facts. Try to provide all the information that GMB requests.

If you just entered NAP (Name, Address, Phone) on your listing and expect wonders to happen, let me tell you, this is a complete waste of time.

Also,

Make sure the information you entered on the listing is EXACTLY THE SAME as on your website.

Inconsistencies in information will negatively affect your search ranking.

google-my-business2

2) Check your listing (if you haven’t already)
This is the key to unlock all GMB features.

To verify your listing, you will be asked to submit a code that is sent to your business address.

If you expect any business through GMB, it is very important that you verify your business. With so many fake business registrations every day, a user would not prefer to make a purchase from an unverified list.

After verification, you’ll need to keep an eye on the inbox associated with your Google My Business listing for any emails from Google. Google may unverify any listing if Google determines that the account is inactive for a significant period of time.

3) Google My Business descriptions ARE BACK!
Google My Business had descriptions in 2015-2016. Suddenly they disappeared and since then the businesses had no descriptions; which left users assuming your products and services.

Well, the good news is…

Trade descriptions are back!

With Google My Business descriptions, you have the opportunity to describe your business to your audience and explain what makes you different from your competitors.

Google My Business descriptions come with a character limit of 750. So you can get your message across to people while optimizing your listing by using relevant keywords.

Optimize Google My Business

4) Get more and more reviews (and respond to them)
As Neil Patel describes it in one of his articles,

Good reviews = dirty. More good reviews = more sales.

90% of people read reviews before buying because everyone likes a second opinion.

Ask your customers to review your business. But simply collecting reviews will not help. You need to recognize them.

All of them!

The positives, the negatives, the neutrals.

5) Update your business hours and payment options
Make sure your company’s business hours are accurate. Update your work schedule for any special events. Make sure you don’t lose any customers due to incorrect business hours.

Also, please update your listing for any changes to payment options.

Also read: 7 reasons why companies need to invest in SEO 2018

6) Choose the best Google My Business category for your business
Be specific when choosing a category for your business. Consider your specific keywords.

However, be careful. Don’t stuff your listing with keywords.

Remember to be specific. Do not put “Cosmetology” if you run a “Nail Salon.”

7) Images, images and more images
The images speak for themselves!

According to Google, businesses with photos receive 35% more clicks to their website and 42% more requests for driving directions on Google Maps.

Adding photos of your business is a great way to let your customers get a “behind the scenes” look at what your business is all about… And it can go a long way in promoting your business.

People don’t want to see stock footage, they want to see the real face of your business: who you are, what you do, and where you are.

The most important image in your GMB listing that gets the most exposure and has the most impact is your ‘Profile Picture’.

However, the cover image is also of the utmost importance as it is displayed front and center of your ad. You can also add other images depending on the business you operate; this may include images of the interior and exterior of the company, goods and/or services of your company, your staff or employees or any other image that may summarize or describe your company.

8) Google My Business Videos
You can also add videos. Videos must be:

30 seconds or less
100MB or less
Resolution of 720p or higher
Unlike images, videos are not ‘must haves’. However, adding one will make you stand out among other businesses.

Creating a video will not require any additional equipment or any video editing software. Just pick up your smartphone; take, save and share the video. This video must be taken at your location. All commercials or advertising videos will be removed.

9) Add posts to share business updates
Google launched its ‘POST’ feature on all businesses in 2017. With this feature, you can post updates and offers to your listing. You can announce the latest offers, share updates on new products/services or any special events for free.

Google Posts allows you to add text, photos, gifs, and even call-to-action buttons like ‘Buy’, ‘Sign Up’, ‘Learn More’, ‘Get Offer’, ‘Book’, etc.

You can create posts only after you have verified your Google My Business account.

However, Google My Business posts disappear after seven days unless you set a shorter time period. Therefore, be time specific as you craft your post.

Conclusion:
Google My Business presents your business information to potential customers. It gives you the opportunity to interact with your customers.

Not optimizing your Google My Business listing is like not opening the door to a customer who comes knocking on your door.

It’s an opportunity!

Local SEO takes time, but it can pay you big. On top of everything, it’s FREE!

If you need help with your local SEO or want to optimize your Google My Business listing, you can contact us.

Business

Hot Dog Stand Recipe – You Can Make Delicious Stadium Style Hot Dogs at Home

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I’ve made hotdogs the same way for years. They were always good, but nothing to brag about. I think maybe in the back of my mind, the humble sausage wasn’t important enough to warrant creative input from my imaginative culinary side. So one day I decided to try something different.

As a child, I was taught to boil sausage in water, put it in a bun, and sprinkle various condiments on top of it. But as I got older and advanced in my cooking skills, I knew there had to be a way to improve on this method of cooking a hot dog.

Things that go great with hot dogs are: French fries, baked beans, coleslaw, or potato salad.

This method of cooking the humble sausage is now a regular thing in my house. My family loves them, and they really are good. This is what you will need:

*All beef sausages (you can eat that other “stuff” if you want, we only eat beef sausages – we also prefer the length of the bun)
* Soft buns (you want fresh buns here, not stale, though you can steam stale buns if you insist on using old bread – I have other uses for old bread, like bread pudding with amaretto sauce)
* Hot dog seasoning
* sauerkraut
* diced onions
* Mustard and ketchup
* Kraft Shredded Mexican Style Four Cheese Blend
* Chili sauce for hot dogs (Castleberry’s is our favorite)
* Laura’s Homemade Coleslaw
* Butter
* Tin foil
* Crock pot
* Cast iron skillet

Now, you don’t have to do everything the same way I do. I’m letting everyone know how I do it, and they can adjust it as they see fit.

Keep in mind that the sausages need to spend some time in the slow cooker to be good, and the steaming method I mention below is excellent. Plan properly so the dog packs get hot and melt inside their “package” in the hot slow cooker. I usually make the dogs and leave them for 45 minutes to an hour in the pot.

  1. About an hour before dinner, turn on the slow cooker and let it heat through.
  2. Heat the cast iron skillet and add a tablespoon of butter.
  3. Fry the beef sausages in the iron skillet.
  4. When they get a good “fry” on the outside, kind of like if you grilled them, remove them and place them inside a fresh, not stale soft bun (I’m very particular about my bread being soft and fresh)
  5. Immediately wrap assembled bun and sausage in foil, sealing all edges.
  6. Place in a crock pot.
  7. Repeat with the remaining buns and sausages.
  8. Cover the slow cooker and leave it alone.
  9. Heat the chili in the microwave or on the stove.
  10. Prepare the other condiments.
  11. Put everything on the table, including drinks, chips, sauces, you name it.
  12. Then pull out one assembled dog at a time for each diner, keeping the rest in the slow cooker with the lid on so they stay warm.

These heat very well. Simply remove the bun and sausage combo from the foil (don’t forget this step to avoid a nasty microwave incident), wrap loosely in a paper towel, and microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Don’t overdo it, the bun will get hard.

Alternative method: I tried this once and it was even better. Place a rack in the bottom of the slow cooker before adding the sausages. Add a tablespoon or so of water. Be careful, you don’t want the dog packs to sit in liquid. The idea is to “steam” them lightly.

I usually eat two hot dogs, each made as follows:

Version #1: (ingredients are in the order they were used) mustard, ketchup, relish, hot sauce, cheese, onions

Version #2: (ingredients are in the order used) mustard, relish, onion, sauerkraut, homemade coleslaw

Now a note here about coleslaw. There are all kinds of different ways to make coleslaw. There is also cabbage mix that can be bought in a bag. I am as picky about my salad as I am about my bread. My mom made coleslaw pretty much the same way for years, and she always tasted good.

If you’ve ever had bad coleslaw, you’ll remember it. Some fast food restaurants have the audacity to CALLED it coleslaw, but it’s more like tasteless cardboard “stuff.” Have you ever thought that the coleslaw in many restaurants is often completely white, as if it is made entirely from the heart of the cabbage? Makes you wonder what happened to all the GREEN stuff.

I’ll be sure to link to my coleslaw recipe at the end of the article, so be sure to grab it and try it with these delicious stadium-style hotdogs.

I am very picky about certain things: fresh bread is one; fresh milk is another; good-tasting coleslaw is important; I think Castleberry’s Hot Dog Chili Sauce is great; I use the Kraft Mexican Style Four Cheese Blend almost daily; I want to know what’s in the meat I eat. However, to each his own. Enjoy!

Home Kitchen

Mind-Blowing Custom Closet Design Ideas

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One of the most efficient ways to organize personal items around the house is to design a custom closet space. There are two main types of wardrobes, walk-in closets and built-in wardrobes. Time should be spent taking inventory of the items to be stored while designing a custom closet. ‘Function’, that is, the purpose that the design intends to fulfill and ‘Aesthetics’, which is the design that appeals to the senses, are two basic principles that must be taken into account. Local certified carpenters are professionals who will be able to build the dream closet according to the wishes of each one.

1. Multiple rods

Clothes can be arranged more efficiently if multiple rods are present in the closet.

2. Closet drawers

Closet drawers are very important when it comes to storing smaller items of clothing like gloves, scarves, underwear, and socks.

3. Efficient Doors

Cabinets can have four types of doors. Three of them include folding, sliding and recessed doors. They are efficient in the sense that they help save floor space. A hinged door that opens into the room can provide space for small items by adding hooks, hangers, pegs, etc. on the back of the door.

4. Strong frames

Shelves are normally designed to store shoes and ties. Shelves must be durable and sturdy.

5. Adjustable shelves

Storage units that have built-in adjustable shelves provide closet flexibility because the items stored change with the seasons.

6. Shelf depths

The shelving must fit the items to be stored. For example, 14-inch wide shelves should be reserved for laundry, hand towels, etc. while shelves around 24 inches should be reserved for large bedding etc.

7. Shoe Cubicles

Cubicles can be designed to store shoes, but they must be cleaned frequently of debris accumulated on the soles of the shoes.

8. Removable slippers

Pull-out baskets and shelves in various sizes are available with many custom closet systems. These removable baskets are very useful as the content can be easily accessed. They can be installed near the cabinet floor.

9. Wardrobe accessories

Closet accessories are needed to store small items. They include jewelry trays, shelf dividers, drawers, and pull-out belt and tie racks. There may be storage space for a folding ladder and ironing boards.

10. Lighting

There are building specifications that govern what type of lighting can be used in a closet. Compact fluorescent light bulbs are safe. Incandescent light bulbs are prone to catching fire in confined spaces.

11. Wall Optimization

Walk-in closets typically offer three walls for storage, even if a window is included. When planning storage, the space covered by the drawers must be considered and the best use of the corners of the cabinet must also be ensured.

It will be helpful to discuss storage needs with reliable carpenters who know the best products and design solutions. Expert local carpenters understand that “one size does not fit all.” A professional will be able to assess the volume of space you have to work with and create drawings to optimize “function and aesthetics” of the closet storage space.

Auto

What is a concrete pump?

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What is a concrete pump? It is a tool used to transfer liquefied concrete by pumping. There are two types of concrete pumps.

One type is in boom trucks and they are self-contained units consisting of a truck and frame, and the pump itself. It derives its name because a remote controlled robotic arm called a boom to position it with precision. Boom trucks are primarily used for concrete on everything from slabs and mid-rise buildings to large commercial and industrial projects. They can range from single-axle truck-mounted pumps designed for greater maneuverability, able to work in small spaces and cost-effectively, to very large six-axle platforms used for their powerful pumps and very long reach in high-rise buildings and other large-scale projects.

Due to their reach, boom trucks are often parked in the same location the entire time the concrete is being poured. This allows ready-mix concrete trucks to dump their loads directly into the pumps’ hopper at a central location and helps create more efficient traffic flow on the jobsite.

The second type of concrete pump is usually mounted on a truck and is called a truck mounted concrete pump or placed on a trailer and is generally known as a line pump or trailer mounted concrete pump.

Line pumps are extremely versatile portable units typically used to pump not only structural concrete, but also grout, wet screeds, mortar, shotcrete, aerated concrete and slurries. Concrete pump manufacturers have a variety of line pumps to meet different needs.

Line pumps generally use ball valve pumps. While the smaller models are also known as slurry pumps, many can be used for structural concrete and shotcrete where low volume is needed. Another application is the repair of underwater concrete, the filling of fabric forms, the placement of concrete in heavily reinforced sections, and the construction of tie beams for masonry walls. Some of the hydraulically powered models have pumped structural concrete at rates in excess of 150 cubic yards per hour.
The cost of ball valve pumps is relatively inexpensive and there are few parts to wear out. Due to its simple design, the pump is easy to clean and maintain. The units are usually small and easy to maneuver, and the hoses are easy to handle.

This pump requires steel or rubber concrete placement hoses that are manually connected to the outlet of the machine. Those hoses are attached to each other and conduct the specific requirements that need to be poured and placed. These typically pump concrete at lower volumes than boom pumps and are used for lower volume concrete pouring applications such as swimming pools, sidewalks and concrete slabs for single family homes and most floor slabs.

Another type are skid-mounted and rail-mounted concrete pumps, but these are not common and are only used on specialized jobsites such as mines and tunnels. Concrete pumps are hardly ever noticed by people, but they play a vital role in our life.

Digital Marketing

Planning Your Career Goals: How To Achieve Your Career Aspirations

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  • How do you imagine your perfect job to look like in 5, 10, 15 years? weather? What would you have to be doing to achieve this?
  • If obstacles weren’t a factor, what would you be doing differently?
  • What do you really enjoy doing in life? Can you do it apart from your job on a regular basis?
  • Who inspires you? What admirable elements of his life or career can you translate into your own aspirations?

Create the vision…
You have to bring it all together in a concise statement of where you are headed and what you want to achieve in your work life. Experts advocate reaffirming this vision on a regular basis, to help him consciously and unconsciously stay on track and reinforce his ambitions.

Setting goals…
If the vision statement is the map, the goal statement represents the milestones. This is where most people fall down. Goal setting is what all the high achievers in life use, whether in sports, business, or on a personal level.

Describe these goals in broad terms: company culture, income, knowledge and experience, areas of responsibility, work-life balance, whatever your main “driver” is. If you define your goals as a succession of hierarchical job titles, you may miss out on amazing opportunities that come your way because you can’t recognize them for what they are.

Break them into smaller, more manageable parts right away. Wanting to run your own business three years from now is all well and good, but recognizing what you need to accomplish by ‘Year 1’ and breaking it down further into monthly/weekly goals makes it all more doable and less likely to completely overwhelm you.

Know that these are the drivers that will keep you motivated in both the short and long term. You can use them to clearly track your progress and allow you to take pride and recognition each time you get closer to your ultimate goal.

Keep them ‘SMART’: Specific, Measurable/Meaningful, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Write them down and keep them positive and optimistic in nature. Prioritize your goals when you have more than one to accomplish in a given time, to avoid getting overwhelmed.

We have a final note…
Pay attention to your goals and how you are achieving them, too easily or with great difficulty? Do you need to make adjustments in view of what you have learned along the way?

Planning and achieving the career you’ve always wanted is possible when it’s tailored specifically to you, for you, and broken down into achievable goals along the way. What is there to lose? Why not make this your ‘Goal for today’?

Health Fitness

How to cure Borborygmi (Borborygmus)

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Borborygmus (or Borborygmi being the plural) is the term given to the loud, rumbling stomach noise that occurs when food/gas passes through the stomach, intestine, and intestine. Borborygmus is the term given to this and it occurs in both humans and animals.

This condition can be a very embarrassing, painful and annoying condition for those who suffer from it. Many of its symptoms can be compared to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), such as diarrhea, bloating, stomach gurgling, and many more.

This condition is easily cured or remedied with a simple change in diet once the cause is known. I personally suffered from this condition and since changing my diet I have been symptom free for over a year.

What causes borborygmi?

Borborygmi is the sound of undigested carbohydrates inside your digestive system. Many foods produce carbohydrates, some foods are much worse than others. Those who suffer from borborygmus should carefully select the carbohydrates they eat and try to avoid “unnatural” or inappropriate foods that cause borborygmus.

The most likely foods causing your condition include:

  • Milk
  • Wheat
  • oatmeal
  • high sugar fruits
  • high sugar vegetables
  • Beans
  • bread
  • Sugar (particularly fructose)
  • Gluten

Many of the foods listed above are simply not natural for human consumption. Foods like wheat, sugar, bread and even milk. This may come as a surprise, but the foods that are ideal for human consumption are foods that the caveman would eat, such as meat, vegetables, fruits. significantly.

How to cure Borborygmus

With the cause of borborygmus now established, it gives us a better idea of ​​how to remedy this condition. Ideally, you should be looking to restrict your food intake to items that are very low in sugar. Very low GI items and very low carbohydrate items. These elements are digested over a longer period of time and are more natural and easy to digest. These foods, by their very nature, cause very little gas, it is the gas that is created that will cause severe abdominal pain, bloating, and… borborygmi.

A diet plan is the best approach to cure this problem. I have written a more in depth look at borborygmos called Common Causes of Borborygmos, check it out, many people have commented on how helpful it has been for them.

Once you eliminate these problem foods, you should ideally continue eating them for a couple of weeks to give your body enough time to adjust to this new way of eating. Once this two-week period has passed, slowly introduce high-protein, low-sugar foods into your diet, one week at a time. There is more information about this diet and the cure for borborygmus in the link above.

Good luck….

Legal Law

Who can adopt and common adoption problems

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Adoption is a big decision. Because the responsibility of raising a child is so important, courts will generally only allow those they deem “fit parents” to adopt. Some states and international adoption agencies have additional requirements for adoptive parents. They may have rules about where you live or your age in relation to the child.

Human culture has ensured that it is easier for heterosexual couples to adopt than for single men or homosexual couples. In addition to finding a suitable parent, states also have an obligation to look out for the best interests of the child. This has a lot of built-in bias, so if you want to adopt and are worried you don’t fit the classic idea of ​​adoption, you may need to work harder to prove that the child would be better off with you. Denver family lawyers will be able to tell you what you need to look like a good parent. If you are adopting from parents and not from an agency, you may run into these and other common biases.

Native American children are a special case handled at the federal level under the Indian Child Welfare Act. Some states give preference to parents of the same race as the child. There are some other unusual adoption laws, like in Florida and Utah, where homosexuals are specifically prohibited from adopting. It can still be difficult to adopt as a gay or lesbian couple in other states, even if the law doesn’t prohibit it. Colorado is pretty liberal in this regard according to Denver family lawyers. It may be easier for same-sex couples to adopt as singles than as a couple because states do not recognize same-sex unions.

Single people trying to adopt will have their own difficulties. They are often placed at the bottom of waiting lists, while married couples have first choice for healthy babies. A Denver family law attorney would recommend that you do some homework to prove that he will be a good father. Basically you will have to defend the fact that you are single and explain what will happen to you in the child’s future. You may need to be flexible about who you want to adopt if you find yourself at the bottom of the adoption waiting list. You might consider adopting a child with special needs or leaving the country. Be careful about adopting from other countries because the laws there can be significantly different. Do your research and make sure that the agency you are using is legitimate and that the adoption is considered legal in both countries.

Lifestyle Fashion

The dangers of over-inflated and under-inflated tires

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There are many reasons why you should take good care of your car. Not only is your vehicle a very expensive investment that you want to last as long as possible, but your safety may be at risk if your car isn’t performing at its best. One of the most overlooked factory scheduled auto maintenance requirements for ALL vehicles is tire care.

Tires must be in good condition at all times. And as soon as they start to show signs of wear and tear, it’s time to replace them. Between tire replacements, your tires require regular rotations and balancing, as well as daily air pressure checks.

If you don’t take good care of your tires, they can begin to lose their ability to do their job, which can put your safety at risk. Tire pressure is a common problem that can influence the performance and overall safety of tires. Be sure to routinely inspect your tires to make sure they are properly inflated; you don’t want them to be too much or too puffy.

The dangers of flat tires

Bulges can form in the tire walls, which can weaken areas of the tires and put them at greater risk of blowing out on the road.

Under-inflated tires will reduce fuel efficiency, which affects the driver’s budget and the reliability of the vehicle.

Under-inflated tires will impede vehicle mobility, which can be dangerous in defensive driving and inclement weather scenarios, and when navigating in tight spaces.

The dangers of overinflated tires

Over-inflated tires can cause the air temperature inside them to rise, which can lead to sudden blowouts while driving. They can also cause an imbalance of road contact between all four tires, which can make vehicle mobility and handling difficult.

According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

A tire that is 25% above the recommended air pressure is 2 times more likely to be involved in a collision.

A tire that is 25% below the recommended tire pressure is 3 times more likely to be involved in a crash.

There are nearly 11,000 tire-related motor vehicle accidents each year.

Nearly 75% of road punctures are due to improper tire pressure.

Flat tire?

If you get a flat as a result of over or under inflation, you can try to fix it yourself if you have a spare tire or roadside emergency kit. If you are unable to repair or replace your puncture, you can contact a local towing company for 24-hour roadside assistance.

They can respond to your location within a short period of time, repair your tire, or tow you to a location of your choosing. Whether it’s 3 in the morning or 5:30 rush hour, they have the resources to get you back on the road in no time.

Pets

Take a Big SWOT: Hit a Home Run of the Strategic Marketing Plan

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We are at the beginning of the 2009 baseball season and all the teams have already researched the other teams and all the players they will be facing. Can you say the same about your business or your marketing plan?

When you need a quick snapshot of your strategic marketing plans that explores your business performance, competitive climate, emerging market trends, and looming obstacles, try a quick SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Take a good SWOT into your marketing plan and you could hit it out of the park.

Whether you’re doing this on your own or with a team, taking a SWOT in your marketing plan helps you find ways to minimize weaknesses and maximize strengths. Match strengths with market opportunities that may result from your competitors’ weaknesses or shortcomings.

And remember, when you are taking your SWOT, there are no silly ideas or thoughts. Sometimes a seemingly inconsequential comment can lead to a huge opportunity.

How does the SWOT work?

Using a whiteboard, flipchart, or sheet of paper, create a grid of four cells or four lists. Label each grid with a yes for strength, W for weakness, EITHER for the opportunity and T by threat. Start your brainstorming. Even if you do it alone, it shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to get creative.

Think about the big picture and be painfully honest as you brainstorm the four SWOT components. Here are some sample questions to consider for each quadrant of the chart:

  • Strengths:What makes your company unique? What are the things about your company that make you good at what you do? How does your company stand out from your competitors? What advantages does it have over other businesses?
  • Weaknesses: What areas does your company struggle with? What are your customers complaining about? What are your employees complaining about? What are the unexpected needs of your sales force? What are your biggest operational weaknesses? Money? R&D? Dirty? Size of the company?
  • Opportunities: Where are your strengths not being fully exploited? Are there emerging trends that fit your company’s strengths? Is there a product/service area where you could do well but don’t compete yet? Can you take advantage of your competitors’ weaknesses? Can you take advantage of industry consolidation to acquire/merge?
  • Threats: Internally, what financial, development or other problem areas threaten your company’s performance? Externally, are your competitors becoming stronger than you in niche areas? Are there emerging trends that amplify one of your weaknesses? Are your threats economic, geographic, or political to your operational success?

Making the most of your SWOT

Start a SWOT analysis whenever you find yourself stuck in a strategic or creative rut. Use it to identify strategies and goals for creating complete marketing programs, content requirements for any writing project, essential components for internal communication programs, pros and cons of a new product introduction, or any other strategic project.

If you can afford the time, research your topic to approach the SWOT with a truly open mind and objectively grounded view. Customer, vendor, or market surveys can also help you gain valuable insights that will improve your SWOT, as well as your business. Conduct customer surveys to measure brand and/or company image perceptions, product attribute preferences, and web usage preferences.

Move along. Take a SWOT, come out swinging on your marketing programs.