311 Management Services, LLC

The Wonders of the Unconventional Use of Twitter
Congratulations goes to @twspassionplay for their unconventional use of twitter. On Good Friday, Trinity Wall Street Church in New York City used Twitter to Tweet the story of Christ s final hours between the hours of 12 pm. I spend a lot of time speaking and coaching small companies and non-profit organizations on the benefits of Social Media (including Twitter). I have encouraged them to be experimental to really THINK about their businesses and how Social Media can support their efforts

What Would Jesus Tweet?
What would Jesus do a phrase often abbreviated to WWJD, was popular in the 1890 s following Social Gospel leader Charles Sheldon s Book In His Steps: What Would Jesus Do? In the 1990 s it again was popularized on bracelets and bumper stickers as thousands used the phrase as a reminder of Jesus example applied to daily life. I wonder what our Lord would do and say today?

Fix that Aching Back
Studies show that 80% of you will at one point or another suffer from low back pain. Obviously, low back pain is not a lot of fun. (Having 2 herniated disks, I know of what I speak...)

The Resistance to Change is Not a New Human Trait
A friend of mine, Chip Noon, from Rochester NH Main Street , sent me a direct Tweet today asking if I had seen this The Growing Debate over Twitter and Social Media on the Loyalty Truth.Com website. I didn't and immediately click to read the article.... An interesting, two-sided, argument that focused on two key objections: (1) That the social media are yet unproven as a selling tool; and (2) that there is great potential to waste time on them. Hummm, I thought out loud, to myself... It reminded me, IN THEORY, of something I had read almost 20 years ago to this very day, March 6, 1989. I'd like to re-type it for you here to remind all of us:

What's the Deal with Stretching?
Today's Tip Of The Week answers a question that was sent in by a HWIC member. He was curious about stretching and what stretches a person should do, when they should do them, etc.

Inside Out
You and I live at the intersection of fear and hope in a perpetual fixer-upper at the intersection of economic, health, unknown fears, and hope. Hope for things now and those yet to be, things seen and those still hidden, hope in knowing that through Christ who we are and where we live will experience a divine extreme make-over. http://vicarbill.wordpress. com/2009/02/15/inside-out/

Come and See...
God calls and through the likes of a young boy, a blind priest Eli, and a man from Nazareth does new things, bringing light, hope and change. God calls and does new things through Martin Luther s and Martin Luther King s; Abraham s and Barrack s; and through you and me, because we belong to God. http://vicarbill.wordpress. com/2009/01/28/come-and-see/

Holly Terror!
While there is much to be afraid of in the world today, God is present, God is merciful, and we are to fear God Fear, a concept most North Americans are not truly accustomed to. http://vicarbill.wordpress. com/2008/12/21/holy-terror/

Holy Distractions!
Distractions (even devastating ice storms and prolonged power outages) can be holy, lifting us up, serving as moments where the love of God shines into the dark corners of our lives. http://vicarbill.wordpress. com/2008/12/14/holy- distractions

Building Customer Loyalty in A Global Economy
In the current economic situation developing and keeping customer loyalty is essentially. Recognize that in a global economy customers have many more choices than ever before. Tourism competition is no longer just down the road. In this new and interlocked world, we can determine tourism and travel competition by a number of options including the cost of travel, the languages spoken and the quality of the total product.

What's The 311? - Newsletter
Over the next several months Judi will be out and about helping business owners to learn more about how to use social media. What social media is, why it is important, and how to started.

Web Networking
Today, more than ever before, every one is trying to stretch their marketing and advertising dollars, if they have any at all! It is important to keep your name out there, to let perspective clients know that you are ready, willing and able to provide them with a service and/or product.

The Advantages of using Flash Videos
Uploading video clips in the Flash format (FLV or SWF) should be standard practice practice by now for companies or individuals (especially filmmakers) who are looking to efficiently incorporate video onto their websites.

An Interview with Professor and Author Mark Okrant
Mark Okrant is a professor of tourism management at Plymouth State University in New Hampshire. A few years ago, when the University cut back on his classes field trips, Mark wrote a murder mystery at a resort that dealt with tourism issues and now he and other schools use his novel as a textbook.

I Knew You When, Or Murder at the Grand Hotel
I set my Kary Turnell mystery series at some of North America's finest historic resort hotels. I Knew You When is my latest murder mystery, set at the Mount Washington Resort in stunning Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. Play Video

Focus on Being Healthy, Not Just Being Thin
The main reason most people begin an exercise program is to lose weight. . .

The State of Tourism in 2009
A series of interviews with Dr. Peter Tarlow on Travel Talk Radio regarding the state of tourism and other topics.

It's a Global World
The start of the year is a good time to take a deep breath and reflect upon the many changes and challenges that have occurred in tourism during these last 12 months. In 2008 few people imagined the economic earthquake that has not only shaken the world's stock markets but also much of the world's tourism industry.

The Simplest New Year's Resolution You Can Make
Well, it's time for those New Year's resolutions. You know those grand plans we dream up, always with the best intentions, but ultimately give up on by January 15th?

A Good Week and Happy Last Day of Chanukah
Because last week we studied the holiday of Chanukah this week we will combine last week's parashah with this week's. Last week (week of Dec.14) the weekly section was VaYeshev (Genesis 37:1-40:23) and this week's the section is Miketz (Genesis 41:1-44:17). Although the two sections both revolve around the life of Yosef (Joseph), they feel very different.

Happy Chanukah
Wishing you a very Happy Chanukah. The first candle is to be lit on Sunday night, December 21. This week's Torah portion is called VaYishlach.

Dave is not Invincible
Big surprise. I'm not invincible. Kind of bummer when you find that out, but that's reality. Guess what? You're not invincible either.

Wrapping-up 2008
Travel and tourism professionals may well be happy to say adieu to 2008. No matter if you deal with travel or tourism from the professional side or you are a customer, 2008 has been a year of travel and tourism frustrations and anger, disappointment and tragedy.

Tips on Merchandising
There is little doubt that December is all about merchandising. Due to the economic meltdown in many parts of the world, how we market may determine the difference between a successful year and a failure.

A Last Resort
Years ago, I came up with the idea of writing a murder mystery to teach tourism to my university students. That first book, Judson's Island, was a success.

Hurry-up and Wait!
Happy New Year! Today marks the beginning of the Church s liturgical calendar and we open a present that is the Gospel of Mark. This Gospel s focus is to proclaim Jesus as Son of God and not present a chronological story of the life of Jesus.

Holy Slowness!
But do not ignore this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like one day.

Dairy and Weight Loss
Dave Soucy -- So, according to all of those milk and yogurt ads, dairy foods containing calcium are supposed to help you lose weight, right? They've got studies and clinical trials to back that up, right? Uhhh, not so much.

Blogging is like Customer Service
Now I know why I have been drawn into the world of blogs and social media. It is like customer service, my specialty! Incorporating (or inculturating) customer service techniques into a social media campaign.

Chief Marketing Officers still don't belive in the power of Social Media
Judi Window -- Dear small business owners-Here is your chance to pull ahead of the big boys! In a recent article by Expositon CMO Surveys Only 10% percent of CMO survey respondents said they already are using these social sites in their marketing plans ...

Blackberry Storm or iPhone, I can't decide
Judi Window -- I have been trying to decide whether to buy the new Blackberry Storm or the iPhone. The iPhone users are so convincing! But, I have a little twing of conservatism deep in my sole that wants me to stay with Verizon (I changed to them from AT T for a reason!).

Post Crisis Marketing
Dr. Peter Tarlow -- While there is little doubt that the best crisis recovery-plan, is to do everything possible to avoid the crisis, at times crises occur despite our best efforts. The on-going global financial crisis is one that may have a wide impact on tourism. Also at times, what appears to be nothing more than a minor problem may become a major crisis for reasons that were impossible to predict.

Plowing Your Way Through An Economic Downturn
Judi Window -- Depending on your business, you can either hunker down for the winter or you can energize your brand, lower your rates, and plow your way through the down turn.

Getting Started with Email Marketing
Judi Window -- We use Constant Contact as our email marketing tool. Judi is trained to give seminars on how to better use Constant Contact and is also available to work with you and your company plan your email campaign strategies and tactics.

Web 2.0
Judi Window -- Thank you to the Monadnock Travel Council, Keene New Hampshire, for inviting me as the key note speaker at their annual meeting on November 12. My topic Learning to Use Social Media to Better Position your Small Business in a Down Economy .

No Time?
Judi Window -- If you don't have time to do the full 30 Day Challenge with Ed Dale, or if 'Internet Marketing' isn't your primary business, just do the Pre-Season training.

Managing Expectations for Meetings
Becky Berk -- I don't know about you, but I often think that traveling with another person by car is a perfect analogy for managing expectations at meetings. For instance, imagine two people traveling in New England in the fall.

Corporate Film/Video
Bill Millios -- When dealing with clients in corporate video production it's important to discuss not only the product at hand but also the intended audience as well. And, as technology continues to advance, it's equally important to alert clients to the many new options that are available to them.

Emotions of Color
Helen Ryba -- Each year color trends affect the latest fashions, they also can affect the way color is used in graphic design to help to evoke certain feelings and emotions. Color can affect a person in a positive, neutral or negative manner.

Utilizing the Power of Your Business Card
Helen Ryba -- Business cards are one of the most underutilized tools in marketing your business and / or service. Your business card is an integral part of the first impression you and your business will receive.

12 Days of Fitness is Back
Dave Soucy -- On Wednesday, December 10, Dax Moy and over 250 of the world's top fitness professionals will open the doors on the World s largest ever health and fitness gift-giving, set to generate positive health for over 500,000 people this Christmas

We Have Been Here Before
Bill Petersen -- It seemed like an eternity. The years dragged on as the nation tried to forget the experience of terror and fear. While the images faded and there was unity at first, the fighting continued.

Rabbi's Teachings - 11/14/08
Dr. Peter Tarlow -- This week's parashah is one of the great literary vignettes of history. Everything in it is open to interpretation and nothing in it seems as it really is. To add to the mystery of this week's section the Hebrew used is so profound that no foreign translation even begins to approach its meaning.

Rabbi's Teachings - 11/21/08
Dr. Peter Tarlow -- Last week's parashah, VaErah has as its leitmotif the theme of social justice. This week's parashah also brings us an overarching theme, however, at first, its theme may not be apparent to the non-Hebrew reader.

Living in Liminality
Bill Petersen -- It is late at night in the early 70s. The country is tired of war, experiencing financial uncertainty and weary of anyone in positions of authority or leadership. You are laying in bed listening to your local FM rock station.

Turning Information into Action