﻿<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rss xmlns:itunes="http://www.itunes.com/dtds/podcast-1.0.dtd" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" version="2.0"><channel><ttl>60</ttl><title>Bakers Marketing Group - 630-264-1200</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com</link><lastBuildDate>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:40:20 GMT</lastBuildDate><pubDate>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:40:20 GMT</pubDate><language>en</language><copyright /><itunes:subtitle /><itunes:author /><itunes:summary /><description /><itunes:owner><itunes:name /><itunes:email>ideachef827@gmail.com</itunes:email></itunes:owner><itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit><itunes:category text="Arts" /><item><title>Marketing Mechanics - Specialty Advertising - 1</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2010/03/13/marketing-mechanics--specialty-advertising--1.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;P&gt;&lt;IMG style="WIDTH: 570px; HEIGHT: 181px" src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/Header_MarketingMechanics_SpecialtyAdvertising_1_Pos4.jpg?a=27" width=811 height=190&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Government surveyors came to Ole's farm in the fall and asked if they could &lt;BR&gt;do some surveying. Ole agreed and Lena even served them a nice meal at &lt;BR&gt;noontime. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The next spring, the two surveyors stopped by and told Ole, "Because you &lt;BR&gt;were so kind to us, we wanted to give you this bad news in person instead of &lt;BR&gt;by letter." &lt;BR&gt;Ole replied, "Vat's&amp;nbsp;da bad news? &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;The surveyors stated, "Well, after our work we discovered your farm is not &lt;BR&gt;in Minnesota.&amp;nbsp; It&amp;nbsp;is actually in South Dakota!" &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Ole looked at Lena and said," Dat's da best news I've heard in a long &lt;BR&gt;time. Remember, Lena, yust dis&amp;nbsp;mornin, I said dat I don't tink I can take anoder &lt;BR&gt;winder in Minnesoda."&lt;BR&gt;------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------&lt;BR&gt;Sometimes that's all it takes to make something special - an attitude, a new idea, new look.&amp;nbsp; Ole has the right idea!&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ff0000"&gt;Specialty Advertising defined:&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #47e946"&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #0e0e09"&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;The value of Specialty Adverising (imprinted promotional products) is the ability to create&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #dd0c29"&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #4de40a"&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #dd0c29"&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #dd0c29"&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #dd0c29"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;visibility&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt; &lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;to a well-defined audience&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ff0000"&gt;&lt;FONT size=2&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ead20e"&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;Because Specialty Advertising ideas/products are, generally,&lt;/SPAN&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #dd0c29"&gt;useful&lt;/SPAN&gt; &lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;for and &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #dd0c29"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;appreciated&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt; &lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;by the recipient, the items are &lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;retained and used providing &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #dd0c29"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;repetition&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;of the advertising message many times over without increased or further cost to the advertiser.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;An added bonus for the advertiser is the&lt;/SPAN&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #dd0c29"&gt;position&lt;/SPAN&gt; &lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;advantage of the idea in personal space of the recipient.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #dd0e31"&gt;The three product categories:&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Ad Specialties &lt;/STRONG&gt;-&amp;nbsp; are products that 1) carry an advertising message; 2) are useful items; and 3) are given with no strings attached.&amp;nbsp; They become &lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;silent salesmen &lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;for your business, brand, slogan and even provide specific information.&lt;BR&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;STRONG&gt;Premiums&lt;/STRONG&gt; - are offered as &lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;an incentive&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt; for an accomplishment or an action.&amp;nbsp; Premiums are, generally, consumer type products and may not be imprinted.&lt;BR&gt;&amp;nbsp; &lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;Business Gifts &lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;- are products given to customers, employees and centers of influence among others.&amp;nbsp; They are given to &lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;"Thank"&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt; people for performance.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;That's it for this edition.&amp;nbsp; Next time we'll give some "ideas in action", some ways to use and how to use specialty advertising.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;Our website, also, now carries our blog.&amp;nbsp;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;Mouse over and click here for our website&amp;gt;&amp;gt;&amp;gt;&amp;gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #e6eb0e"&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #e6eb0e"&gt;&lt;A href="http://www.bakersmarketinggroup.com/" target=_blank&gt;Click right here to go to our website:&lt;/A&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #3ed3c1"&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/SPAN&gt; &lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ecece6"&gt;Have a great marketing day!&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Fred Baker&lt;BR&gt;630.701.6630 or 630.264.1200&lt;BR&gt;315 W Downer Place&lt;BR&gt;Aurora, IL 60506&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;</description><category>Education</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2010/03/13/marketing-mechanics--specialty-advertising--1.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">847fce7c-7bbd-4e88-acf2-02f0414b7846</guid><pubDate>Sat, 13 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Marketing Mechanics - Selling - 1</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2010/02/14/marketing-mechanics--selling-thoughts--1.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;SPAN lang=""&gt; 
&lt;BLOCKQUOTE style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" dir=ltr&gt;
&lt;P align=left&gt;&lt;SPAN lang=""&gt;&lt;FONT face=Calibri&gt;&lt;FONT face=Calibri&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;&lt;IMG style="WIDTH: 528px; HEIGHT: 156px" src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/Header_MarketingMechanics_Sales_1_Post2.jpg?a=63" width=527 height=222&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Lena passed away and Ole called 911. The 911 operator told Ole that she would &lt;BR&gt;send someone out right away. "Where do you live?" asked the operator.&lt;BR&gt;Ole replied, "At the end of Eucalyptus Drive." "Can you spell that for me?" the operator asked.&lt;BR&gt;There was a long pause and finally Ole said, "How 'bout if I drag her over to Oak &lt;BR&gt;Street and you pick her up der?"&lt;BR&gt;&amp;nbsp;-Anonymous-&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P align=center&gt;&lt;SPAN lang=""&gt;&lt;FONT face=Calibri&gt;&lt;FONT face=Calibri&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/P&gt;&lt;/BLOCKQUOTE&gt;&lt;SPAN lang=""&gt;&lt;FONT face=Calibri&gt;&lt;FONT face=Calibri&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;
&lt;P align=center&gt;We are so PC anymore that we can't have fun telling any kind of joke it seems. Being that both sets of my grandparents came over from Norway, I guess that I can get away with "Ole and Lena" jokes. Most of the those jokes that I have on file are anonymous - maybe because a lot of them are groaners - but funny.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P align=center&gt;I started with this Ole and Lena joke because of the fact that Ole couldn't spell the street on which he lived. Now that's really what you call &lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;"situational unawareness".&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P align=center&gt;In sales, you must always be &lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;"situational aware". &lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;For our part, here at Bakers Marketing Group, we have always explored all areas of the companies with which we are working so that we have the widest possible "situational awareness" of those companies. (Besides that, it is a grand&amp;nbsp;Liberal Arts education - and fun.)&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; We don't sell "tchochkees".&amp;nbsp; We provide advice and counsel on "Building Your Image . . . Growing Your Profits". We can't do that properly without knowing about your business, without having insight into how you work and goals you want to achieve.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P align=center&gt;No matter what business you are in, except maybe mass marketing, you must find out &lt;BR&gt;about your customers to serve them the best way possible.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P align=center&gt;In training sessions here and in other areas and companies we serve, our mantra is, 1) "Questions Are The Answer!" and 2) "Listening Is Essential!" When you have completed the questions and digested the answers, then you can provide the ultimate service to your customer. We have a quick "Creative Analysis" card that we use at trade shows. It helps us get a capsule look at a prospect so that we can develop fast-start knowledge of the individual or that company. To get a leg up on your competition, you should develop your own "Creative Analysis". Puzzled on how? Give us a call, and we can work with you to&amp;nbsp;develop that sales aid.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P align=center&gt;I have "sold" an idea 3 times in my business career. Here's what I mean: I felt so strongly about the idea that I was promoting in each instance (I knew it would be beneficial to my client) that I did sell with pressure to achieve each of those sales. Three times in 40+ years of "selling" that I actually sold.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P align=center&gt;Here's what we really do (and so should you) to make a sale. We offer choices based on an informed and educated knowledge of the prospects/customers/clients needs. The choices are offered based on the answers to the questions that we ask to become better acquainted with a company; and, therefore, that knowledge makes us far better equipped than any of our competition to serve the needs of the company with which we may be working at the time. That hard work in learning about a company is, generally, rewarded with the loyalty of our customers to us. In fact, isn't it that loyalty for which we all work - or for which we should work! &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P align=center&gt;We classify what we do, not as selling, but as counseling or consulting.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; We have taken this approach so that our clients (and those with whom we come in contact) know that what we do is in their best interest.&amp;nbsp; It is an approach that has worked well for our company over these very short, looking back,&amp;nbsp;40+ years that we have worked in marketing, advertising and sales promotion.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P align=center&gt;I have a bible verse posted on my wall in the office, in big bold letters,&amp;nbsp;which became my slogan, motto, saying, expression, shibboleth, if you will, from a very early age. It is Mathew 7:7 and it reads: "Knock, and it shall be opened unto you; Seek, and ye shall find; Ask, and it shall be given to you." There is nothing more important or appropriate for&amp;nbsp;a&amp;nbsp;sales person than those words - those three admonishments.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P align=center&gt;Until next time, remember Matthew 7:7 and Bakers Marketing Group for your consulting and counseling on marketing needs to "Build Your Image . . . Grow Your Profits" in 2010 and beyond.&lt;BR&gt;------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------&lt;BR&gt;February 15, 2010, Copyright, Bakers Marketing Group of PBI, Aurora, IL 60506,&amp;nbsp; Phone:&lt;SKYPE:SPAN id=softomate_v3_highlight_9 class=skype_v3_tb_injection title=Call&amp;nbsp;this&amp;nbsp;phone&amp;nbsp;number&amp;nbsp;in&amp;nbsp;United&amp;nbsp;States&amp;nbsp;of&amp;nbsp;America&amp;nbsp;with&amp;nbsp;Skype:&amp;nbsp;+16302641200 skypeid="9" skypeaction="call" nof="" isfax="" freecall="" fwidth=".w16" type=".flex" mode=".compat" path="file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/" durex2="%DADDYHEIGHT%" durex="%DADDYWIDTH%" context="630-264-1200"&gt;&lt;SKYPE:SPAN style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/inactive_a.compat.flex.w16.gif)" id=skype_v3_tb_droppart_9 class=skype_v3_tb_imgA title="Skype actions" skypeid="9" skypeaction="drop" skypesms="0"&gt;&lt;SKYPE:SPAN style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/famfamfam/US.gif)" id=skype_v3_tb_img_f9 class=skype_v3_tb_imgFlag&gt;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&lt;SKYPE:SPAN style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/inactive_s.flex.compat.gif)" id=skype_v3_tb_img_s9 class=skype_v3_tb_imgS&gt;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&lt;SKYPE:SPAN style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/inactive_m.compat.gif)" id=skype_v3_tb_text9 class=skype_v3_tb_injectionIn&gt;&lt;SKYPE:SPAN style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/inactive_m.compat.gif)" id=skype_v3_tb_innerText9 class=skype_v3_tb_innerText&gt;&amp;nbsp;630-264-1200&amp;nbsp;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&lt;SKYPE:SPAN style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/inactive_r.compat.gif)" id=skype_v3_tb_img_r9 class=skype_v3_tb_imgR&gt;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt; &lt;SKYPE:SPAN id=softomate_v3_print_9 class=skype_v3_tb_injection_print context=""&gt;630-264-1200&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt; &lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/P&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;</description><category>Education</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2010/02/14/marketing-mechanics--selling-thoughts--1.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">a401c3c2-32f0-4895-a8bf-5432d9e9527c</guid><pubDate>Sun, 14 Feb 2010 20:28:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>The Man and His Eagle</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2010/01/29/the-man-and-his-eagle.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;This isn't a matter of marketing. This is just good, old lump in the throat&lt;BR&gt;life understanding.&amp;nbsp; There are two other pictures that wouldn't in this story, but the one below tells the most of it.&amp;nbsp; Health to all, good luck and good marketing. &lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;&lt;FONT size=5&gt;The Man with cancer and His Eagle&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;*This is the kind of story you need when it seems like the world is&lt;BR&gt;spiraling out of control..*&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Not many people get a picture of this proud bird snuggled up next to them&lt;BR&gt;&lt;IMG style="WIDTH: 362px; HEIGHT: 264px" src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/Eagle_1.jpg?a=74" width=362 height=361&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;*Freedom and Jeff*&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Freedom and I have been together 10 years this summer.&lt;BR&gt;She came in as a baby in 1998 with two broken&lt;BR&gt;wings. Her left wing doesn't open all the way&lt;BR&gt;even after surgery, it was broken in 4&lt;BR&gt;places. She's my baby.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;When Freedom came in she could not stand&lt;BR&gt;and both wings were broken. She was&lt;BR&gt;emaciated and covered in lice. We made the&lt;BR&gt;decision to give her a chance at life, so I took&lt;BR&gt;her to the vets office. From then&lt;BR&gt;on, I was always around her. We had her in a&lt;BR&gt;huge dog carrier with the top off, and it&lt;BR&gt;was loaded up with shredded newspaper for her to&lt;BR&gt;lay in.. I used to sit and talk to her,&lt;BR&gt;urging her to live, to fight; and she would lay&lt;BR&gt;there looking at me with those big brown eyes..&lt;BR&gt;We also had to tube feed her for weeks.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;This went on for 4-6 weeks, and by then she still&lt;BR&gt;couldn't stand. It got to the point where the&lt;BR&gt;decision was made to euthanize her if she&lt;BR&gt;couldn't stand in a week. You know you don't&lt;BR&gt;want to cross that line between torture and&lt;BR&gt;rehab, and it looked like death was&lt;BR&gt;winning. She was going to be put&lt;BR&gt;down that Friday, and I was supposed to come in&lt;BR&gt;on that Thursday afternoon. I didn't want to go&lt;BR&gt;to the center that Thursday, because I couldn't&lt;BR&gt;bear the thought of her being euthanized;&lt;BR&gt;but I went anyway, and when I walked in everyone&lt;BR&gt;was grinning from ear to ear. I went&lt;BR&gt;immediately back to her cage; and there she was,&lt;BR&gt;standing on her own, a big beautiful&lt;BR&gt;eagle. She was ready to live. I was&lt;BR&gt;just about in tears by then. That was a very good day.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;We knew she could never fly, so the director&lt;BR&gt;asked me to glove train her. I got her used to&lt;BR&gt;the glove, and then to jesses, and we&lt;BR&gt;started doing education programs for schools in&lt;BR&gt;western Washington .. We wound up in the newspapers,&lt;BR&gt;radio (believe it or not) and some&lt;BR&gt;TV. Miracle Pets even did a show about us.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;In the spring of 2000, I was diagnosed with&lt;BR&gt;non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. I had stage 3,&lt;BR&gt;which is not good (one major organ plus&lt;BR&gt;everywhere), so I wound up doing 8 months of&lt;BR&gt;chemo. Lost the hair - the whole&lt;BR&gt;bit. I missed a lot of work. When I&lt;BR&gt;felt good enough, I would go to Sarvey&lt;BR&gt;and take Freedom out for walks. Freedom would&lt;BR&gt;also come to me in my dreams and help me fight&lt;BR&gt;the cancer. This happened time and time again.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Fast forward to November 2000, the day after&lt;BR&gt;Thanksgiving. I went in for my last&lt;BR&gt;checkup. I was told that if the cancer was not&lt;BR&gt;all gone after 8 rounds of chemo, then my last&lt;BR&gt;option was a stem cell transplant. Anyway, they&lt;BR&gt;did the tests; and I had to come back Monday for&lt;BR&gt;the results. I went in Monday, and I was&lt;BR&gt;told that all the cancer was gone.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;So the first thing I did was get up to Sarvey and&lt;BR&gt;take the big girl out for a walk. It was misty&lt;BR&gt;and cold. I went to her flight and jessed her&lt;BR&gt;up, and we went out front to the top of the&lt;BR&gt;hill. I hadn't said a word to&lt;BR&gt;Freedom, but somehow she knew. She looked at me&lt;BR&gt;and wrapped both her wings around me to where I&lt;BR&gt;could feel them pressing in on my back&lt;BR&gt;(I was engulfed in eagle wings), and she&lt;BR&gt;touched my nose with her beak and stared into my&lt;BR&gt;eyes, and we just stood there like&lt;BR&gt;that for I don't know how long. That was a&lt;BR&gt;magic moment. We have been soul mates ever&lt;BR&gt;since she came in. This is a very special bird.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;On a side note: I have had people who&lt;BR&gt;were sick come up to us when we are out, and&lt;BR&gt;Freedom has some kind of hold on&lt;BR&gt;them. I once had a guy who was&lt;BR&gt;terminal come up to us and I let him hold&lt;BR&gt;her. His knees just about buckled and he&lt;BR&gt;swore he could feel her power coarse through his&lt;BR&gt;body. I have so many stories like that.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;I ever forget the honor I have of being so close&lt;BR&gt;to such a magnificent spirit as Freedom.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;Hope you enjoy this.&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;*Jeff*&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/P&gt;</description><category>Life Advice</category><category>Entertainment</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2010/01/29/the-man-and-his-eagle.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">fb2d92af-5d3e-4be9-a264-e15641e94d4c</guid><pubDate>Fri, 29 Jan 2010 18:24:22 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Teamwork and Fun</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2010/01/07/teamwork-and-fun.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;DIV&gt;&lt;IMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/2_SnowMen_Teamwork.jpg?a=47"&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;I saw the above graphic, and I thought of how &amp;nbsp;lucky we were this year.&amp;nbsp; The whole&lt;BR&gt;family was able to come in from California, Texas, Florida, Minnesota and one son &lt;BR&gt;and his famly&amp;nbsp;right here in Illinois.&amp;nbsp; The kids built snowmen.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;There were 18 humans and 3 dogs-all staying here in our house.&amp;nbsp; Feeding and&lt;BR&gt;sleeping conditions were on couches, blowup beds and sleeping bags.&amp;nbsp; We munched&lt;BR&gt;a lot and laughed more.&amp;nbsp; It made for a raucous but fun time.&amp;nbsp; &lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;The youngest boy of the family from Texas had never seen snow.&amp;nbsp; So in preparation &lt;BR&gt;for their welcome, grandpa put snowballs in a bucket and the bucket in the freezer &lt;BR&gt;during the snow before Christmas.&amp;nbsp; Kevin, the youngest, thought that Grandpa was &lt;BR&gt;kidding (which I do now and then to the grandkids), so the first stop had to be in the &lt;BR&gt;basement to look in the freezer to prove that "grandpa wouldn't kid about a thing like that".&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;We celebrate Christmas early so our kids can go to spouse's Christmas with their&lt;BR&gt;families on the 25th.&amp;nbsp; Tuesday, Wednesday brought snow which allowed family to builld&lt;BR&gt;snowmen and grandpa and grandkids to make snow angels.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;What I made a mental note of was the "teamwork" that the kids displayed in&lt;BR&gt;getting their snowmen built.&lt;/STRONG&gt;&amp;nbsp; It made me think that I should pass on to you that&lt;BR&gt;marketing efforts should be the same.&amp;nbsp; When we're asked to do a promotion for&lt;BR&gt;you, we become&amp;nbsp;a part of your team.&amp;nbsp; We're working with and for you to accomplish &lt;BR&gt;your goals.&amp;nbsp; Please remember that!&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Over the years, I've noticed some things from people who walk through our&lt;BR&gt;doors and call us on the phone for ideas.&amp;nbsp; Before I continue, I want to stress&lt;BR&gt;that this, generally, isn't our everyday "client".&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;Our clients know that we need to &lt;BR&gt;ask questions to help them achieve their goals.&amp;nbsp; The first&amp;nbsp;question &amp;nbsp;we ask &lt;BR&gt;is, "What's Your Budget?"&amp;nbsp; The second question we ask is, "Who are you&lt;BR&gt;promoting to . . .?", and the third question is, "When do you need it?"&amp;nbsp; &lt;BR&gt;(Sometimes we ask the third - first as people want something the next&lt;BR&gt;day sometimes)&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; We can't do justice to any promotion without answers to &lt;BR&gt;those 3 pertinent questions.&amp;nbsp; &lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Anyone reading this who disagrees, I challenge you to go get in your car, &lt;BR&gt;start it then blindfold yourself.&amp;nbsp; Put the car in gear and head out.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;How far do you think you will you get?&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Just about as far as we can get if &lt;BR&gt;we don't get honest answers to the questions that we ask.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Some folks over the years have treated us like we were competitors or&lt;BR&gt;adversaries.&amp;nbsp; We are your friend!&amp;nbsp; Maybe your best friend in this instance!&lt;BR&gt;Our clients know this.&amp;nbsp; They know that we are on the team.&amp;nbsp; They know that&lt;BR&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;we know &lt;SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"&gt;this &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;- we can't be successful unless our clients are successful&lt;BR&gt;and profitable.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;There are so many marketing ideas and services that we can provide&lt;BR&gt;to you, if you advise us of your needs and remember all the different&lt;BR&gt;things that we do that apply to those needs.&amp;nbsp; &lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;&lt;SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"&gt;One rule that I've always &lt;BR&gt;had is this&lt;/SPAN&gt;,&amp;nbsp;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ff0000"&gt;"If I can't do what you need done, I say that I can't do it, and, &lt;BR&gt;then, I will direct you to a person or business that can do what you need, &lt;BR&gt;if I know of one!"&amp;nbsp;&lt;/SPAN&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;
&lt;H5&gt;&lt;EM&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;Add us to your team in 2010! &lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/H5&gt;&lt;/DIV&gt;
&lt;H4&gt;
&lt;H5&gt;
&lt;H4&gt;&lt;EM&gt;Let us work with you&amp;nbsp;to "Build Your Image and Grow Your Profits." &lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/H4&gt;&lt;/H5&gt;
&lt;H5&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/H5&gt;&lt;/H4&gt;
&lt;DIV&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/DIV&gt;</description><category>Self Promo</category><category>Education</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2010/01/07/teamwork-and-fun.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">ef1cd229-74e9-4de3-adee-7602ed802505</guid><pubDate>Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Bakers Marketing Mechanics - #1 - A Definition</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2010/01/20/bakers-marketing-mechanics--1--a-definition.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;P style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px" dir=ltr&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;Thank you for reading our blog.&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&amp;nbsp; We do have to give a disclaimer and an apology, if necessary, for disturbing readers and customers that receive our blog posts.&amp;nbsp; I wrote this in Word, but it turns out that you cannot do that.&amp;nbsp; So as was trying to figure out why my copy was black on black, I was up and down off the blog.&amp;nbsp; Every time I sent this up you may have received another email.&amp;nbsp; The problems lie with GoDaddy NOT Bakers Marketing Group.&amp;nbsp; GoDaddy Tech has given me a new list of "rules" so, hopefully, problem solved.&amp;nbsp; Best to all and enjoy our postings.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;I'll first give you the definition of “marketing” as I have determined it to be in 40 years of business.&amp;nbsp; &lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;During these past months, I have attended meetings - morning, noon and evenings.&amp;nbsp; During those meetings and times, speakers and others have played the "marketing" card in so many different ways that it, literally, becomes confusing to most.&amp;nbsp; Listeners chime in saying, "Is that the best for me?"&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;When this question arises, we must be prepared to answer it.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;Just Remember - Marketing is all, marketing is everything in a business!&amp;nbsp; But, not all facets suits everyone all the time.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;BR&gt;We must be able to quantify&amp;nbsp;the very important differences in marketing approaches.&amp;nbsp; We must endeavor to make sure that marketing needs and goals to which we must address ourselves are met.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Whether an individual in a company or a person like myself who “hires out” his marketing services, we are hired (end result) to create profits.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;My definition: &lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;“Marketing is the umbrella that covers all of the efforts made to sell the products and services of a company.&amp;nbsp; Everything, every effort is covered under that umbrella – that term”.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;1) all advertising - print and broadcast, direct mail and billboards, etc.&lt;BR&gt;2) all promotion - from imprinted products to conventions and trade shows, etc.&lt;BR&gt;3) all sales efforts - from the cold call to telemarketing calls to entertainment, etc.&lt;BR&gt;4) Internet presence - social networking like facebook, twitter and the like as well as websites and blogs are covered here-and more.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Again, the term marketing covers all efforts used to move products and services from the producer/distributor of those products and services to the best use of a customer.&amp;nbsp; &lt;EM&gt;Please note the term: best use.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;That is my definition of marketing, and one that I have unfalteringly worked to communicate for all the years I have been in the business of promoting image and profits for the business community.&amp;nbsp; -J Frederick Baker-&lt;BR&gt;-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------&lt;BR&gt;And on . . .&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Peter Drucker, Claremont &amp;amp; Graduate University, talked about the business of business this way: &lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;"Because it is its purpose to create a customer, any business enterprise has two - and only two - basic functions: marketing and innovation. Marketing is the distinguishing, the unique function of a business." &lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;(Fred Note - The problem here is that he doesn't define marketing, but he does point up, which I want to emphasize, is that, "Marketing is the distinguishing, the unique function of a business.")&amp;nbsp; This is Step 1 toward true marketing activity.&amp;nbsp; Bear that in mind, that phrase as we continue to offer ideas to build your image and grow your profits.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Ted Leavitt, Harvard Business School, put it this way about the business of business:&amp;nbsp; &lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;"All industry begins with the customer and his or her needs, not with a patent, a raw material, or a selling skill."&amp;nbsp; &lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;(Fred Note - Here we are getting closer to the way marketing should work and what it should do - meet a customers needs.)&amp;nbsp; This is Step 2 in adjusting thinking to the true understanding of what marketing is all about.&lt;BR&gt;----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------&lt;BR&gt;Definition 2 is submitted as an amalgamation of others with which I've come in contact over the years - and it is a good one:&amp;nbsp; I wrote this down years ago but not the author that I can find.&amp;nbsp; So to whom I owe the attribution - my apologies to you.&amp;nbsp; Here's how it goes:&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt; "Marketing is the profitable identification, attraction, getting, and keeping of good customers.”&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Definition 3 - same disclaimer: "&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;Marketing is the epicenter of the organization.&amp;nbsp; Marketing is responsible for creating products that fill customer needs.&amp;nbsp; When establishing marketing guidelines, the smart business person cheerfully and enthusiastically pays attention to the needs of the customer."&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Dear Reader,&amp;nbsp; &lt;BR&gt;I'm sure that you have heard this old saw (but it bears repeating) about "millions of 1/4" drills were sold in the last few years - not because people wanted 1/4" drills - because they wanted 1/4" holes."&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;I will leave you with that thought and Thank You for reading, subscribing or coming to our blog and providing input that helps us all grow and to gain some insight into the "mechanics of marketing". &lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;If you are a customer, I thank you doubly, and I hope that we may continue to serve your needs to "Build Your Image . . . Grow Your Profits" over these next years.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Keep lighting those candles!!!&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;J Frederick (Fred) Baker, Bakers Marketing Group, 315 W Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60506 Phn:630-264-1200&amp;nbsp; EMail:&amp;nbsp; &lt;A href="mailto:Info@CallBakers.com"&gt;Info@CallBakers.com&lt;/A&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Website: &lt;A href="http://www.CallBakers.com"&gt;www.CallBakers.com&lt;/A&gt;&lt;BR&gt;-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------&lt;BR&gt;&lt;FONT size=1&gt;Copyright: Bakers Marketing Group of PBI - 2010&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;SPAN style="COLOR: #ffffff"&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0.14in" align=left&gt;&lt;FONT face=Calibri&gt;&lt;FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" size=2&gt;&lt;I&gt;&lt;B&gt;&lt;SPAN style="BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%"&gt;Thank you for reading our blog. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/B&gt;&lt;/I&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0.14in; FONT-WEIGHT: normal" align=left&gt;&lt;FONT face=Calibri&gt;&lt;FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" size=2&gt;&lt;SPAN style="BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%"&gt;I'll first give you the definition of “marketing” as I have determined it to be in 40 years of business. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0.14in; FONT-WEIGHT: normal" align=left&gt;&lt;FONT face=Calibri&gt;&lt;FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" size=2&gt;&lt;SPAN style="BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%"&gt;During these past months, I have attended meetings - morning, noon and evenings. During those meetings and times, speakers and others have played the "marketing" card in so many different ways that it, literally, becomes confusing to most - “What's best for me”, they say. Marketing is all, marketing is everything in a business. &lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0.14in; FONT-WEIGHT: normal" align=left&gt;&lt;FONT face=Calibri&gt;&lt;FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 11pt" size=2&gt;&lt;SPAN style="BACKGROUND: none transparent scroll repeat 0% 0%"&gt;We must be able to quantify, however, the very important differences in marketing approaches. We must endeavor to make sure that marketing needs and goals to which we must address ourselves are met. Whether an individual in a&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/P&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;</description><category>Marketing Mechanics</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2010/01/20/bakers-marketing-mechanics--1--a-definition.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">743c57c5-babb-4f18-9b0d-738bef9678f6</guid><pubDate>Wed, 20 Jan 2010 18:52:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>2010 -Happy New Year to You</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2010/01/07/2010-happy-new-year-to-you.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;IMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/HappyNewYear.jpg?a=40"&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;In our business, nothing much happens between Christmas and New Years which gives &lt;BR&gt;us time for a non-pressured vacation.&amp;nbsp; Now that we're into the New Year, this first week is &lt;BR&gt;dedicated to bookwork, boxing files, and other "housekeeping" business affairs.&amp;nbsp; I only&amp;nbsp;&lt;BR&gt;wish it was as easy as it sounds, but we've done it for 40 years and wish that it could last &lt;BR&gt;another 40 in this great business that gives us the opportunity to work with hundreds of &lt;BR&gt;wonderful people each year.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Unfortunately, each year that goes by sees the loss of friends in business through &lt;BR&gt;retirement, moving, and, unfortunately, death.&amp;nbsp; Fortunately, each new year brings an &lt;BR&gt;opportunity to which we look forward - that of making new friends.&amp;nbsp; So, whether old &lt;BR&gt;friend or new, we look forward to working with you in 2010.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Turn on the gas.&amp;nbsp; Pedal to the Metal.&amp;nbsp; The economy will grow stronger as the year &lt;BR&gt;progresses, and you can make your economy, your business better by working &lt;BR&gt;with us to increase your sales and build your image toward the building of your &lt;BR&gt;profits.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Stay with us to benefit from our marketing tips covering advertising and promotion &lt;BR&gt;ideas that we will be putting on our blog over the next months.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;All the best to you and yours - in your personal life and your business life in the New Year.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;/s/ J Frederick (Fred) Baker&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;</description><category>Holiday Cards</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2010/01/07/2010-happy-new-year-to-you.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">2f20c4f7-87e1-4b73-b2c6-54e4ec79b004</guid><pubDate>Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:25:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Our Wish for a Better New Year</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/12/16/merry-christmas-happy-holidays-and-our-wish-for-a-better-new-year.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;IMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/Christmas_2009_Blog_2.jpg?a=17"&gt;</description><category>Holiday Cards</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/12/16/merry-christmas-happy-holidays-and-our-wish-for-a-better-new-year.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">f9c217ad-5821-422b-9ace-0a40f4785307</guid><pubDate>Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:33:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Lighten the Load</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/12/10/lighten-the-load.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;FONT size=4&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;&lt;FONT face=Georgia&gt;&lt;EM&gt; 
&lt;P&gt;&lt;FONT size=4&gt;Life is for living.&amp;nbsp; We take the needs of our clients seriously but not ourselves.&amp;nbsp; Enjoy these couple of "kids" stories we received from a customer.&amp;nbsp; Brought a laugh to us and lightened the load for a few minutes.&amp;nbsp; Hope it lightens yours, too.&amp;nbsp; Fred Baker&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;-----------------------------------------------------&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;The children were lined up in the cafeteria of a Catholic elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The nun made a note, and posted on the apple tray: &lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;'Take only ONE . God is watching.' &lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. &lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;A kid scrawled the folloing&amp;nbsp;note, 'Take all you want. God is watching the apples.'&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;IMG style="WIDTH: 91px; HEIGHT: 118px" src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/Blog_ChildCookieStory.jpg?a=68" width=127 height=167&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"&gt;----------------------------------------------&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"&gt;Brothers and Sisters - &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"&gt;A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"&gt;After explaining the commandment to 'honour' thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, 'Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?' &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"&gt;Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, 'Thou shall not kill.'&lt;BR&gt;-------------------------------------------------&lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"&gt;Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing.. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"&gt;As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"&gt;The girl replied, 'I'm drawing God.' &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"&gt;The teacher paused and said, 'But no one knows what God looks like.' &lt;/P&gt;
&lt;P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"&gt;Without a breath or looking up from her drawing as she concentrated even harder, the little girl replied, 'They will in a minute!"&lt;BR&gt;----------------------------------------------------------&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;FONT size=4 face=Georgia&gt;&lt;EM&gt;Stay with us in the new year.&amp;nbsp; Like the little girl above says, you'll know in a minute (or in our case-maybe weeks&amp;nbsp;- well we wouldn't presume to draw God, but we can sure draw on our experience and knowledge to show you what&amp;nbsp;marketing looks like, generally.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;You will have a better idea of what it takes to make your business hum&amp;nbsp;as you view our how-to's, examples, case studies and other illustrations of marketing that we will be publishing for your benefit in 2010.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; I guarantee that you will find a few acorns just right for you as time goes on. JFB&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/P&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;</description><category>Entertainment</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/12/10/lighten-the-load.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">f1dde9e5-982f-4924-84a3-fecf6f113009</guid><pubDate>Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:03:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>25% Savings (for Christmas delivery) On Some of the Best Food Available - Ends Dec 11</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/12/04/25-savings-on-some-of-the-best-food-available--ends-dec-11.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;P&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;&lt;FONT face=Arial&gt;&lt;FONT face=Arial&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;Delivered to you for personal delivery or delivered by us for you (for the price of shipping and addressing). Save time, effort, gas and more; BUT get the full impact of this great food promotion and the savings we are offering for you.&amp;nbsp; Look at the beautiful presentation shown here.&amp;nbsp;2 lbs of tasty choice Virginia peanuts and your choice of mints, mixed nuts or pecan turtles.&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;It's something with which your customer will be very pleasantly impressed and enjoy eating.&amp;nbsp; There's still time to save and deliver these great tasting foods. Whip us into action for you - NOW.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Call Fred at &lt;SKYPE:SPAN id=softomate_v3_highlight_1 class=skype_v3_tb_injection title=Call&amp;nbsp;this&amp;nbsp;phone&amp;nbsp;number&amp;nbsp;in&amp;nbsp;United&amp;nbsp;States&amp;nbsp;of&amp;nbsp;America&amp;nbsp;with&amp;nbsp;Skype:&amp;nbsp;+16302641200 skypeid="1" skypeaction="call" nof="" isfax="" freecall="" fwidth=".w16" type=".flex" mode=".compat" path="file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/" durex2="%DADDYHEIGHT%" durex="%DADDYWIDTH%" context="630-264-1200"&gt;&lt;SKYPE:SPAN style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/inactive_a.compat.flex.w16.gif)" id=skype_v3_tb_droppart_1 class=skype_v3_tb_imgA title="Skype actions" skypeid="1" skypeaction="drop" skypesms="0"&gt;&lt;SKYPE:SPAN style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/famfamfam/US.gif)" id=skype_v3_tb_img_f1 class=skype_v3_tb_imgFlag&gt;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&lt;SKYPE:SPAN style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/inactive_s.flex.compat.gif)" id=skype_v3_tb_img_s1 class=skype_v3_tb_imgS&gt;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&lt;SKYPE:SPAN style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/inactive_m.compat.gif)" id=skype_v3_tb_text1 class=skype_v3_tb_injectionIn&gt;&lt;SKYPE:SPAN style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/inactive_m.compat.gif)" id=skype_v3_tb_innerText1 class=skype_v3_tb_innerText&gt;&amp;nbsp;630-264-1200&amp;nbsp;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&lt;SKYPE:SPAN style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(file://C:/Users/BAKERS~1/AppData/Local/Temp/Low/__SkypeIEToolbar_Cache/e70d95847a8f5723cfca6b3fd9946506/static/inactive_r.compat.gif)" id=skype_v3_tb_img_r1 class=skype_v3_tb_imgR&gt;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt;&amp;nbsp;.&amp;nbsp; &lt;BR&gt;Another Service of &lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;EM&gt;&lt;FONT face=Georgia&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;Bakers Marketing Group - &lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;FONT face=Arial&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;Serving the Business Community for 40+ years.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;IMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/MapleRidge_Save25.jpg?a=92"&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/P&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;</description><category>Food Promotions</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/12/04/25-savings-on-some-of-the-best-food-available--ends-dec-11.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">aaa99e75-58ff-4be8-a6cc-916917bd777c</guid><pubDate>Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:15:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Special Gifts for Someone Special</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/12/02/special-gifts-for-someone-special.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;FONT size=4 face=Georgia&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;FONT size=3 face=Arial&gt;If you lasted through this tough year, you didn't do it by yourself!&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Friends, Employees, Customers and even Vendors likely helped&lt;BR&gt;you through the 2009 tough times.&amp;nbsp; There are certain to be more&lt;BR&gt;tough times ahead (though it appears that the economy is gaining &lt;BR&gt;some steam) and those same people that helped you through 2009&lt;BR&gt;will be needed in 2010 and beyond.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Saying Thank You in a way that lasts, a useful item,&amp;nbsp;is what specialty advertising&lt;BR&gt;is all about.&amp;nbsp; Every time a person sees or uses your "Thank You" idea, they&lt;BR&gt;will remember that you cared.&amp;nbsp; &lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Casting your bread upon the waters truly does return many loaves in goodwill,&lt;BR&gt;in sales, in profits.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;That's what we have helped organizations accomplish over our 40+ years in&lt;BR&gt;business.&amp;nbsp; That's what our industry and our services are all about.&amp;nbsp; Over our 40+&lt;BR&gt;&lt;FONT face=Georgia&gt;&lt;FONT face=Arial&gt;years&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;EM&gt;&amp;nbsp;Bakers Marketing Group &lt;/EM&gt;&lt;FONT face=Arial&gt;has worked to stretch the budgets of business&lt;BR&gt;by providing input and ideas that will "&lt;EM&gt;Build The Image and Grow The Profits&lt;/EM&gt;"&lt;BR&gt;of each entity, each marketer with which we work.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;FONT face=Arial&gt;Let us help you stretch your budget while you say "Thank You" to those you should&lt;BR&gt;for 2009 and promote yourself for 2010.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;IMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/Gold_Bond_Gifts.jpg?a=54"&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;</description><category>Holiday Gifts</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/12/02/special-gifts-for-someone-special.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">8b579a05-8c19-4a48-9087-9b8e13b0390a</guid><pubDate>Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:53:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>What's Up For 2010</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/18/whats-up-for-2010.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;IMG style="WIDTH: 554px; HEIGHT: 336px" src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/2010_Numbr1_Question.jpg?a=72" width=753 height=421&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;FONT size=4&gt;Kermit sings that it's not easy being green.&amp;nbsp; &lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;He should try being #1.&amp;nbsp; It's &lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;&lt;SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"&gt;really&lt;/SPAN&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt; not easy &lt;BR&gt;shooting to be #1.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;It takes work.&amp;nbsp; It takes effort.&amp;nbsp; It takes time.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;When&amp;nbsp;you are trying to make your business grow,&amp;nbsp; &lt;BR&gt;sometimes there's not enough that you can do.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;When you need help, that's what we're here for - to work&lt;BR&gt;at understanding your market, adding to your effort, giving&lt;BR&gt;you extra time - to spend in your business or with your family&lt;BR&gt;or playing a little to get a breather.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Call Bakers Marketing Group to talk over your needs and goals.&lt;BR&gt;We've been working with firms &lt;EM&gt;Since 1965 &lt;/EM&gt;to "Build Their Image&lt;BR&gt;and Grow Their Profits".&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;We can do the same for you.&amp;nbsp; 630-264-1200&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;</description><category>Self Promo</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/18/whats-up-for-2010.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">f578aab8-2d61-4d82-8a92-008360e764d1</guid><pubDate>Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:00:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>End Quantity Promotion Pricing On Charms</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/25/end-quantity-promotion-pricing-on-charms.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;IMG style="WIDTH: 376px; HEIGHT: 386px" src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/EQP_Providence.jpg?a=68" width=361 height=417&gt;</description><category>EQP Promos</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/25/end-quantity-promotion-pricing-on-charms.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">950572ba-294d-49e5-a3de-99ccb015122f</guid><pubDate>Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:50:57 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>It's Time - Holiday Cards</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/23/its-time--holiday-cards.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>Save up to 30-35% depending on your quantity and how fast you can get this done.&amp;nbsp; A recent customer, saved 26% on their quantity.&amp;nbsp; But that's not the big deal.&amp;nbsp; Irrespective of the savings, look at some of the beautiful samples pictured below.&amp;nbsp; &lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;There are 100's of cards for every taste and need.&amp;nbsp; Religious, American, Family, Artistic, Winter Scenes, Chicago Scenes, Business and much, much more.&amp;nbsp;&lt;BR&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;BR&gt;It's easy.&amp;nbsp; All you do is select the card.&amp;nbsp; Then select a verse that reflects your feelings.&amp;nbsp; Decide if you want a return address printed and &lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;Write the order.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;Most all of the work will be done for you.&amp;nbsp; Then you print the order, or fax it to us at 630-566-3822 or email it to us at:&amp;nbsp; &lt;A href="mailto:CallBakers@gmail.com"&gt;CallBakers@gmail.com&lt;/A&gt;.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; &amp;lt;&amp;lt;&amp;lt;Mouse over to see our email.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;We'll be in touch to get your payment information.&amp;nbsp; Your cards will be delivered right to your house.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; We take Visa, Discover, MasterCard for your convenience.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Just click on this link below:&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;A href="http://www.fsgcrest.com" target=_blank&gt;Beautiful Cards to Reflect Your Good Taste.&lt;/A&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;IMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/Card_HolidayFun_1346TN.jpg?a=64"&gt;&lt;IMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/Card_ChicagoScene.jpg?a=77"&gt;&lt;IMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/Card_ArtisticPeople_1989TN.jpg?a=24"&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;</description><category>Holiday Cards</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/23/its-time--holiday-cards.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">fe0c93ff-5377-4b8e-807b-9a11a323adfc</guid><pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:45:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>2009-Holiday Gifting-Say Thanks to Your Customers</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/23/2009holiday-giftingsay-thanks-to-your-customers.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;SPAN class=WE_Links_Desc&gt;You could say a Holiday Thank You to your customers by taking my bicycle and exercise club cart picture below - great elbow exercising)&amp;nbsp;around to them or you could do it the easy way and buy a gift from one of our top idea suppliers by clicking on the&amp;nbsp;&lt;FONT face=Georgia&gt;&lt;EM&gt;FIRE&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt; above to see some great selections.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Your customers have kept you in business through these tough times.&amp;nbsp; Show them your gratitude.&amp;nbsp; A recent study showed the ROI (Return On Investment) in Specialty Advertising (imprinted products and gifts) was the highest of any medium, at this time, with the possible exception of billboards; AND, actually, when you imprint a product, you are creating a billboard there, too.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;EM&gt;Studies, also, show that the gratitude that you display to customers will result in loyalty and continued business from them.&amp;nbsp; An ROI of $3 to $7 return for every $1 invested has been shown time and time, again.&amp;nbsp; &lt;BR&gt;&lt;/EM&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"&gt;Don't short-change yourse&lt;/SPAN&gt;lf by short-changing your customer.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;People appreciate being appreciated!&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Shop now or call us&amp;nbsp;at &lt;SKYPE:SPAN id=softomate_v3_print_0 class=skype_v3_tb_injection_print context=""&gt;630-264-1200&lt;/SKYPE:SPAN&gt; to come up with ideas for you within your budget.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;IMG style="WIDTH: 597px; HEIGHT: 444px" src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/BikeClubPic.jpg?a=30" width=596 height=470&gt;&lt;/SPAN&gt;</description><category>Entertainment</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/23/2009holiday-giftingsay-thanks-to-your-customers.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">9ac1a844-6670-4f9d-8e5f-124268c03e65</guid><pubDate>Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:18:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>ADDRESS YOUR GOOD SENSE(S)</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/23/address-your-good-senses.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>Experience the Power of Promotional Products / Specialty Advertising&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Promotional products are the only medium that engages all five senses.&lt;BR&gt;Customers can see, hear, touch, taste and even smell them. Plus, promotional&lt;BR&gt;products are easily affordableâ&amp;#8364;"yet their impression is long-lasting and&lt;BR&gt;readily measurable. Make promotional products an integral part of your&lt;BR&gt;marketing mix and watch clients grab onto your message.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Promotional products will:&lt;BR&gt;â&amp;#8364;&amp;#162; Drive traffic to your tradeshow booth&lt;BR&gt;â&amp;#8364;&amp;#162; Improve response rates on direct mail campaigns&lt;BR&gt;â&amp;#8364;&amp;#162; Increase referrals&lt;BR&gt;â&amp;#8364;&amp;#162; Improve return business&lt;BR&gt;â&amp;#8364;&amp;#162; Improve employee morale&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;According to a recent study, 76.1% of respondents could recall the&lt;BR&gt;advertiserâ&amp;#8364;&amp;#8482;s name on a promotional product that they had received in the&lt;BR&gt;past 12 months. In addition, 75.4% of respondents said they kept their&lt;BR&gt;promotional product because it was useful.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Your Partner for Success&lt;BR&gt;Businesses, like yours, across the country rely on us as professional&lt;BR&gt;promotional products consultants because we have the expertise to help you&lt;BR&gt;build and execute a successful promotion/program to "Build Your Image . . .&lt;BR&gt;Grow Your Profits". We've been doing it successfully for over 40 years.&lt;BR&gt;AND, we have fun doing it which is what you should do with your promotions.&lt;BR&gt;We help "take the stress out of the mess" as one client told me not too long&lt;BR&gt;ago.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Bakers Marketing Group - doing it all - for you.&lt;BR&gt;One Call - One Stop - One Source&lt;BR&gt;Headquarters and Showrooms:&lt;BR&gt;315 West Downer Place&lt;BR&gt;Aurora, IL 630-264-1200&lt;BR&gt;</description><category>Self Promo</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/23/address-your-good-senses.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">2ef01449-ecdd-4be8-9e2e-9612a067d78c</guid><pubDate>Mon, 23 Nov 2009 23:14:38 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Blind Side - The Movie</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/21/blind-side--the-movie.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;P style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in"&gt;On our blog, &lt;SPAN style="TEXT-DECORATION: underline"&gt;we post the best&lt;/SPAN&gt; of the ideas sent to us by the top people in the country. Also, we don't just put up specialty advertising (imprinted products). We post life ideas, sales ideas, general marketing ideas, some specific promotions, even some jokes and, yes, we do post some special specialty advertising ideas. This is why we decided to put in a subscription option on our blog.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;To Subscribe just go to t he left panel toward the bottom and put in your email.&amp;nbsp; You will get a confirmation, and you can opt out, at any time.&amp;nbsp; This is all handled automatically.&amp;nbsp; We don't enter into the process at all.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;FONT size=4&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;NOW&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;On to what we want to talk about.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;FONT size=3&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;Actually,&lt;/STRONG&gt; you probably won't see much of this, but I felt compelled to talk about the movie, "Blind Side", starring Sandra Bullock and a cast of many others, which my wife, Barb, and I saw Friday on its release.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;I can only say that it was great.&amp;nbsp; I didn't realize until after the fact while watching the credits that it was based on a book and true story.&amp;nbsp; I was prepared for another SB slap stick comedy, and it sure wasn't.&lt;BR&gt;I hate to admit this, but there were several places where the tear ducts overflowed some.&amp;nbsp; So much for macho man.&amp;nbsp; This is a whole family movie.&amp;nbsp; There are some rough spots with tough language, but it isn't onerous like some movies where 4 letter words abound.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Anyway, enjoy.&amp;nbsp; See.&amp;nbsp; It isn't all pushing promotion.&amp;nbsp; We've got some sales ideas and marketing promotions coming up that you can use profitably.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Best to you.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Fred Baker&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/P&gt;</description><category>Entertainment</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/21/blind-side--the-movie.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">3d172f8f-3e70-4a49-861e-0b464af2faac</guid><pubDate>Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:34:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>For Travelers......</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/20/for-travelers.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;BR&gt;FYI for anybody that travels...Hotel, Car, Plane (with TSA approved locks, etc.&lt;BR&gt;You can tell from this video that it doesn't take long to get at your suitcase.&lt;BR&gt;Just turning your back for a few minutes can do.&amp;nbsp; Keep your eyes open and&lt;BR&gt;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; your bag close.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;STRONG&gt;&lt;FONT size=4&gt;*Subject: Locked Suitcase**&lt;/FONT&gt;&lt;/STRONG&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Subject: WATCH the Video How A Thief Opens Your Suitcase *&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;If you are using a zipper bag you must watch this video.This is the way a&lt;BR&gt;bag is opened at the airport without your knowledge. I've been to many&lt;BR&gt;airports ....... and many people would have things missing from their&lt;BR&gt;baggage, even when they received them at the arrival port UNOPENED and&lt;BR&gt;UNTOUCHED!!!!!!&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;How did the thief (at the airport) do it? EASY....&lt;BR&gt;But think of this in your hotel room!! How many of us lock things in our&lt;BR&gt;suitcases when we leave the room???.... just watch this video and never do&lt;BR&gt;it again.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Please disseminate to frequent travelers and your family members as&lt;BR&gt;appropriate..&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;a href="http://media.podcastingmanager.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/vlog/BakersPromoBlog_2009112014614.flv?ref=rss"&gt;http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/20/for-travelers.aspx&lt;/a&gt;</description><category>Education</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/20/for-travelers.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">f8f39dba-7cef-4655-b6e4-14d276de3db4</guid><pubDate>Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:58:24 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Recession</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/18/recession.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;IMG style="WIDTH: 644px; HEIGHT: 331px" src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/RecessionEnd.jpg?a=5" width=682 height=331&gt;</description><category>Self Promotion</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/18/recession.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">e1fc1e03-3e27-4bf6-ad5e-c94c810abbf6</guid><pubDate>Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:34:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Napkins can be a great promotional tool.</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/18/napkins-can-be-a-great-promotional-tool.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>&lt;FONT size=3 face=Georgia&gt;Napkins can be used for MORE than just eating at a buffet.&amp;nbsp; Spreading them around in lunch rooms, board rooms, etc. WORKS!&amp;nbsp; It is an inexpensive, direct promotion to go after those two or three top accounts that you want to crack.&amp;nbsp; Check out the colors and logos we've printed right here.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;IMG src="http://images.quickblogcast.com/7/2/0/4/4/153373-144027/Napkins_AdMatch.jpg?a=94"&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;/FONT&gt;</description><category>Promotion</category><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/11/18/napkins-can-be-a-great-promotional-tool.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">e355f212-40a0-4257-925a-7a6f342d59ab</guid><pubDate>Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:17:00 GMT</pubDate></item><item><title>Save Time - Make Email Work Better</title><link>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/10/31/save-time--make-email-work-better.aspx?ref=rss</link><dc:creator>BakersPromoBlog</dc:creator><description>*Billions of emails are sent every day and they're increasing. *&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Email has become an interruption in getting every day&lt;BR&gt;work accomplished. Here are tips to help you establish&lt;BR&gt;some control over your time and increase your efficiency as&lt;BR&gt;well as help the recipient of your emails.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;   -&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;   *Put Email on a schedule.** *&lt;BR&gt;   -&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;   *Adjust your application to check at a more appropriate interval. *&lt;BR&gt;   -&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;   *Read it and deal with it**. *&lt;BR&gt;   -&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;   *Use the subject line â€" Make it clear and complete as possible. *&lt;BR&gt;   -&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;   *Make the subject the message, to save time.** *&lt;BR&gt;   -&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;   *Keep your message â€œpunchyâ€ - easy to scan and read.*&lt;BR&gt;   -&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;   *Reduce attachments**, if possible.*&lt;BR&gt;   -&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;   *Make sure there are easy ways to respond to your email.*&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;Keep these ideas in your mind and make email work even harder&lt;BR&gt;and better for you.&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;&lt;BR&gt;*-Bakers Marketing Group-*&lt;BR&gt;</description><comments>http://bakerspromoblog.com/2009/10/31/save-time--make-email-work-better.aspx#Comments</comments><guid isPermaLink="false">c2ed37ee-9bbf-460a-ae2c-6204e305a74d</guid><pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:38:10 GMT</pubDate></item></channel></rss>