RETAILER’s: Open on Holidays? Are we outraged or are we ignorant?

…… This is my take – Holidays mean 3 things to the average citizen:

• A paid day off from work (but not in retail)
• Football, Family, Food (But not in retail)
• Traditional family time (But not in retail).

So perhaps we shouldn’t leave it up to the hard working employees to suffer the consequences for our greed – perhaps we should support the retailers that choose to honor those employees with quality family time off, visit their stores (after the holiday) and simply NOT SHOP on holidays…..

There is the flip-side to this coin: Employees that don’t have or want family time.  Should they be forced to lose the income for those holidays?  Should the employer pay holiday pay to all that don’t work on holidays (this will never happen – perhaps for management – but not for the hourly workers) – or give them the choice to work?

There are always two sides (or many) to the coin.  Opinions??

Is the Legacy Marketing Professional extinct in today’s business arena?

I recently read a job posting for a
“Digital Marketing Coordinator” position (and have seen these increasingly over the past 10 years or so) which describes the position as follows:

“You will be a part of the Marketing Communications team and will
take on the launch of their new site as well as take on responsibility
for digital marketing strategy, campaigns, platforms, etc!  The right
fit will have;

– 2+ years’ experience in the digital marketing space
– Experience working in a very technical industry
– Strong background in all things digital (email, website, social,
SEO/SEM, Google AdWords, etc!)
– Writing chops

This team is looking for someone to come in and own the digital
marketing space, drive demand, and bring ideas to the table in a
knowledgeable and collaborative way. ”

Nice position, Right??

But….Note: The company is REALLY looking at 2 very separate positions – for the price of 1.
Don’t get me wrong – most creatives have a strong technical background (or at least, many do) but the true Marketing role is intense: Analytics, marketplace knowledge, market development and strategies, copy, print knowledge and MAJOR copy writing and visual placement “chops” – not to mention KILLER networking broad base knowledge and connects.
Now…throw in “all things digital”….Website maintenance? SEO/SEM, social media (daily, hourly, minute by minute – add Hootsuite and some of that is managed) – but you still have to come up with the copy and visuals.   ANYWAY………………

The point of this lengthy review is:

SHOUT OUT TO COMPANIES:  Hire what you need – know WHAT you need – and PAY for the expertise.

Defending Peace Production Services

If you’re a frequent traveler (by air)? You’ll want to read this report on scanners at our “safety conscious” airports….safety for whom??

………(Also – TSA agents: Think you’re safe? Think again.”)

Scanners can rip apart DNA

“Millimeter waves have been reported to produce a variety of bioeffects, many of which are quite unexpected from radiation penetrated less than 1 mm into biological tissues

.

Of particular concern is the citing of studies that show there is an irreversible water memory effect by millimeter waves operating in the 36GHz frequency, and that the millimeter wave effects on blood plasma vary greatly from one person to the next.

Does this information make you extremely uncomfortable? Well, it should. And it should also make every one of us mad as hell.”   – DR. KATHY J FROTI (CE: Collective- Evolution.com)

read on……………Scanners can rip apart DNA

I’m rethinking travel.  

 

I’m right…you’re wrong.

I recently read the following:

(Note: Below was a post from FB.  I’m deleting the name to protect the fool that wrote it….)

“What do people who reject the God of the Bible become? In America they have become the Liberal/Left Socialists. In Russia and China they became Communists. How about those who create another God, what do they become? In the Middle East they have become Muslims who enslave, torture and behead people.The choice of who to become is so crystal clear. It really only depends on who you want to be and how you want to live. It doesn’t take any imagination at all…the evidence is all around us.”

My response is as follows:

A) The president of a Virginia Ku Klux Klan group claims that “the KKK is a faith-based Christian organization that does not condone violence.”

B) The oldest reference to Allah (“God” Islam/Muslim) – was discovered in Northern and Southern Arabia dating back to the fifth century B.C.   To state that all Muslims enslave, torture and behead is beyond radical.  Muhammad was a peaceful prophet.

C) Buddhism was founded in 624 B.C. Buddha was a peaceful prophet.

They all had their “God” and Prophets and Bibles and martyrs to the faith, long before the Christian Bible.

Also, to claim that all non-Christian bible thumpers (NOT non-Christians, mind you) are Liberals/Socialists is incorrect. However, I do think it might be a great compliment: If not for the Socialists of this country our forefathers and children would not have the Unions – which protected the middle class and poor during the industrial revolution through today. Also, the Socialist Party has no combined or recognized affiliation with Communism.

To be so pompous and self-righteous as to state that one’s beliefs are more correct than another’s beliefs is purely ignorant.  And, to attach misguided lies to support one’s superiority, or belief, is egocentric – not religious.

If I choose to believe that blue eye shadow is an abomination to me – does that mean that those who choose to wear it are wrong??

Howling to the Moon? (Taxing Big Business)

      Agreed — but so did Target and Sears and most big retailers. Government must demand more in taxing large corporations, closing loopholes and requiring more in social and family responsibility from ALL retailers – not to mention many of the so called “non-profits” that make millions on the disadvantaged.

We must also look at all of the major corporations and medical product suppliers who continually pay their assembly workers and support staff $10-12 hour. Who is going after them? Banks were bailed out of the giant mess that they created in the mid 2000’s and yet they remain immovable in sharing relief to a desperate economy.

I see Walmart as the scapegoat for the bigger picture. Yes, they should be included into the solution most definitely, but they are no worse, nor better, than thousands of corporations – and our Government is giving them carte blanche.

Howling to the moon? Probably.

Hire Me!!!!

To:   My Friends and Network…………….

RE:  OPEN FOR BUSINESS – And “Thank You” before I proceed……..

To all of you who know me: You know that I am one of the best sales and marketing strategists in the business, I have superb acumen and proven experience…. and I NEED A JOB!!

I haven’t reached out to my network at large – until now. However, now I am now asking for your professional and much needed assistance:  Would you share with your company, or pass on to your network, my availability?

Need a fundraiser? Look no further.
Need a sales trainer or curriculum developer (and presenter):  I’m it!
Lead Development and Network/Partnership sourcing?  Bingo!!
I’m particularly versed in Nonprofits and will go (and have gone) above and beyond for any corporation.

Please read my blog: The Entrepreneur as an Employee  https://wordpress.com/post/4697040/239/

Also: This is my resume/portfolio website:  http://home.earthlink.net/~dfreeberg/index.html

I believe that my skill set and assets offer a win-win to businesses globally…..just give me a chance to prove that it was be the best business decision or referral you’d made for years!!

Thank you….Thank you….dear Network!

Donna Freeberg
612-325-4889

LinkedIn               http://www.linkedin.com/in/dfreeberg
Twitter                  https://twitter.com/dfreeberg123
Facebook             https://www.facebook.com/dfreeberg
Wordpress Blog   https://dfreeberg.wordpress.com

HIRE ME! The Entrepreneur as an Employee….what?? OMG!!

We’re leary as business owners, right? Will the Entrepreneur overshadow me, my current employees OR most importantly: Bring value and skills to my business, without being a gazelle, or a King/Queen? Insight 101: In this economy – with an 80% failure rate in start up businesses – the current entrepreneur has learned humility along with a solid business education – if they have been wise enough to take it in and stand tall.

Here is my answer to my business colleagues: Buy, Buy, Buy!!

The true entrepreneur thinks outside of the box and can bring a wealth of talent into your business:

Having tame yet empowered entrepreneurs within a company is the dream for most business owners. These are employees who will undertake something new, without being asked to do so. They are innovative and creative – they are people who can transform an idea into a profitable venture for your business. They strike the perfect balance – act like entrepreneurs, but they work for you.”
–The Barking Mad Blog http://www.neilsteggall.org/ SME Advice with bite!

Search within your Network for the entrepreneur (with the skills that match your business
model) as your next awesome employee.

It’s the no-brainer way to obtain growth and innovation within your company!!!!

Marketing, Social Media and Business Development:
Donna Freeberg
612-325-4889

Marketing, Social Media and Business Development:
Donna Freeberg
612-325-4889

Reposting in the New Year “2015” – Nothing much has changed as we go into a new House and Senate.

UNEMPLOYMENT: Has the Unemployment rate “actually” gone down, or have the 1.3 Million Unemployed Americans simply been abandoned?

It’s tough out there. People are still losing their homes to foreclosure, unemployment is very high, income and job stability is low, student debt is staggering.  So when the government can do something substantial for the unemployed by extending emergency (EUC) funding WHY aren’t they?

?            

[This is an excerpt from 12/2013; Benefits ended 1/2014; it is Now 1/4/2015]
Originally blogged in August 2014…….

Renewal of Federal Unemployment Benefits Blocked in the House of Representatives
                                                  –  Posted by: Mitchell Hirsch on Dec 13, 2013

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-8UWmvCYHA

” …….In the Senate on Wednesday, Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) attempted to bring up his bill for a full-year renewal of EUC on the floor for a vote, but his unanimous consent request was blocked when Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) objected.

On Thursday, following the Rules Committee chairman’s rejection of his amendment, Rep. Levin took to the House floor, along with other House Democrats, imploring the House to allow a vote on an EUC extension.”

“We want to vote. And you misunderstand if I might say so the issue. If we don’t act, on December 28 1.3 million people will lose every cent of unemployment insurance. These are people who have exhausted their state benefits. They have exhausted them. These are people who have been laid off through no fault of their own. They are looking for work,” Levin said.

“Historically we have never, never ended these emergency provisions when long-term unemployment has been as high as it is today, 37 percent. We have already reduced the average number of unemployment insurance weeks in this country to 54. I want to point out to the gentleman and everybody else if we don’t act it, another 1.9 million unemployed people will lose every cent of their unemployment insurance the next six months.”

“So, under this bill SGR is now extended for three months. We asked the Rules Committee to make in order an amendment paid for to extend unemployment insurance for three months. Here’s what we said. If we can prevent a 25 percent cut to doctors’ pay, surely we can prevent a 100 percent cut for 1.3 million unemployed. And so what’s been the response? The answer from House Republicans is this — an empty box.”

Recapping the Year? Perhaps a tad……but first: Happy Holidays to All from Dignity by Design!

First and foremost:
HAPPY HOLIDAYS to all and may we all have Enough….

May the holidays enlighten us to diversity, and usher in a new year of Dignity for all!

As for this year and Dignity by Design: We’ve had our ups and downs. It continues to be a challenge to enlighten the financial community on the importance of disability services and products for the disabled, veterans and elderly.  When I say may we all have Enough….I mean that we should all have enough dignity, enough respect, enough joy and enough Ability to love ourselves and feel blessed with what we do have…..

It’s not easy in these tough economic, employment and Social Media crazed times to be
grateful for the hard times, the sick times, the lonely times and the times of loss.  So with the Holidays upon us, I wish you Enough…. enough strength, love and fortune to anticipate 2015 with hope and a renewed joy!

Student Loans: Bankrupt Generations….let’s decide now!!!

$$ STUDENT LOAN CRISIS $$
[Please note correction below]

Nobody is listening as long as: Sallie Mae is making billions, For-profit  sharks (including every accredited higher education facility) are making billions.  The Government is not only ignoring this crisis  and subsidizing these loan sharks, but are literally supporting and endorsing high interest and inflated tuition rates – with no real progressive change in sight.  Has this country strayed so far from seeing a future, let alone protecting it?

How can we say that education is the key to our children’s future when they are forced into bankruptcy from student debt (Note: Student loans are protected FROM bankruptcy, no relief there) and cannot obtain jobs in their graduating field (Many because of for-profit non-accredited schools offering the “cheaper” and “more accessible” college solution, only to be 2-3 times more expensive, offering worthless paper “degrees”). And take note below: No SSI and No Medicare is available until paid off……surprise!!!

CORRECTION:  My apologies to my fellow bloggers.  This has come to my attention (Thank you BB) that I may not have done my due diligence on this issue:  Regarding SS: 

Sadly, this seems to be the tip of the iceberg. Recent research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New Yorkshows that more than 6 million Americans 50-plus are still paying off student loans. In the third quarter of 2011, about 17 percent were late or delinquent on their payments.

If they don’t find a way to pay that debt before they claim Social Security retirement benefit, they could be facing cuts as high as 15 percent, or $190 from a benefit of $1,234. Recipients who collect $750 a month or less won’t be docked, according to the SmartMoney report.

       

These are our future home owners, tax payers and
producers of future generations.

   Lowering the interest rate is only a band aid on the mortal wound we have blindly allowed this and future generations to bleed from.