Design + Businesshttp://mcleodcreativeblog.squarespace.com/design-business/en-US2009-12-03T21:07:16ZSquarespace Site Server v5.8.4 (http://www.squarespace.com/)Facts for Businesshttp://mcleodcreativeblog.squarespace.com/design-business/2008/7/30/facts-for-business.htmlMonica Sawyer2008-07-30T21:29:16ZAccording to the Federal Trade Commission, advertisers must comply with the following:

Advertising must be truthful and non-deceptive;
Advertisers must have evidence to back up their claims; and
Advertisements cannot be unfair

Ask yourself if you or your company is following these guidelines. If not, you may be breaking the law!

-Sergio
]]>Downtimehttp://mcleodcreativeblog.squarespace.com/design-business/2008/7/30/downtime.htmlMonica Sawyer2008-07-30T15:39:41ZDowntime. It can be the result of a software bug, human error, equipment failure, or something else that can ruin a perfect business day. However, unplanned downtime is no reason to let your business suffer. Preparing for such instances may save your company valuable time and money. These should be on your list of things to do if this occurs:

Fix the problem asap or find someone who can.
Contact clients who's projects may be affected by the problem. While clients may not be pleased with the news, most will understand the situation and appreciate the call.
Encourage workers to stay on top of their duties. If they are incapable of continuing a project because of the situation, see what you can do to help them fix it or find something for them to do until then.
Make a list of who to call or what to do if it happens again.

If you have done everything possible but still have to wait on something to get started again, let it be a time to focus on what you can do to improve business. Get together with your team to brainstorm new ways to reach potential clients. Gather more information on your competitors and how you can make yourself stand out. Follow up with clients you haven't spoken to in a while. These are all just suggestions, I'm sure you can think of something you've been meaning to do, but just haven't made time for.

I firmly believe that downtime is not wasted time. I hope it isn't for you and your business.

-Sergio
]]>Design for Greenhttp://mcleodcreativeblog.squarespace.com/design-business/2008/7/29/design-for-green.htmlMonica Sawyer2008-07-29T19:12:16ZHey guys,

You need to see this car that runs on air and incorporates functional design!

-Sergio

Have a look:

http://www.theaircar.com/acf/air-cars/the_air_car.html

]]>The Onehttp://mcleodcreativeblog.squarespace.com/design-business/2008/7/25/the-one.htmlMonica Sawyer2008-07-25T16:56:18ZMcLeod Creative, strives to not only serve clients with greatest amount of respect, and customer service they deserve, we also pride ourselves in our ability to provide great resources for the community as a whole. The One Bride Guide offers the free off white page listings to wedding vendors as a way to get their information to the public. Yes, I said FREE. The magazine's website is www.theonebrideguide.com, if you're not listed, give us a call and we'll get you in. If you're interested in advertising, the website also provides sizes and rates, as well as distribution locations.

-Sergio

The One Bride Guide, produced and published by McLeod Creative.
]]>What do you bring to the business table?http://mcleodcreativeblog.squarespace.com/design-business/2008/7/2/what-do-you-bring-to-the-business-table.htmlMonica Sawyer2008-07-02T19:00:42ZWhat do you bring to the business table?

In order to provide superior service McLeod Creative provides marketing analysis, research and strategic planning as well as project management and successful execution of marketing and enrollment plans. Sounds impressive doesn't it? Well, all that means is that we provide great Account Management. We do our homework in order to provide clients with the most relavent information and service in order for their business to succeed. (The more business they have, the more we have.)

Ask yourself if you're providing clients with Account Management. Better yet, ask your clients.

Account Management involves developing and maintaining a positive productive relationship with clients. See how many repeating clients you have. (If you can count them on one hand then that's not enough.)

Bringing something to the business table like great Account Management is crucial in today's marketplace. Remember that everybody is hungry, so make sure your dish is the best!

-Sergio

]]>Have Fun!http://mcleodcreativeblog.squarespace.com/design-business/2008/6/25/have-fun.htmlMonica Sawyer2008-06-25T21:45:13ZJune is the scheduled release of The One Bride Guide! The free magazine designed for brides along the South Texas Coast. We are all very excited as we get ready for distribution and the magazine's kickoff party!

This brings to mind something that we like to to every day at the office. HAVE FUN! I know it may not look like it from our website and blog, but all of us like to enjoy ourselves even while we're at work. Believe me, you can have that balance of hard work and fun. For example, The One Bride Guide is our way of bringing together these two essential elements in business. It's something that we are able to put together, ensuring it retains MC's attitude while generating revenue at the same time.

So, go out and have fun in your business. Oh and by the way, pick up our magazine while your at it.

-Sergio

]]>Cutting Cornershttp://mcleodcreativeblog.squarespace.com/design-business/2007/12/11/cutting-corners.htmlSergio Perez2007-12-11T22:47:47ZLets face it, cutting corners in business is not a smart idea. Although we are all guilty of doing it at one time or another, cutting corners will inevitably cast a shadow on your professionalism and your work. Avoid it at all costs! As for cutting corners in design, this is also not a smart idea. Businesses that incorporate quality design into their company's brand are known and respected worldwide. Take Coca-Cola for example. When you see the distinct shape of their bottle, even without a label, you know its a coke bottle. That's great design! Cutting corners will only lead to going in circles while the competition is taking the lead in sales and revenue. Investing in great design means investing in yourself. Don't cut corners!

-Sergio

]]>Why Design?http://mcleodcreativeblog.squarespace.com/design-business/2007/12/11/why-design.htmlMcLeod Creative2007-12-11T00:26:28ZAIGA, The American Institute for Graphic Arts, publishes a nifty little book about why designers do what we do. Click here or on the image to download the .pdf of "Why Design"

]]>Why Design?http://mcleodcreativeblog.squarespace.com/design-business/2007/12/4/why-design.htmlMcLeod Creative2007-12-04T00:47:32ZAccording to a recent Fast Company article by Peter Lawrence
www.fastcompany.com/resources/design/lawrence/032006.html

"Design remains the most underutilized and misunderstood tool at the disposal of business.... Those who harness this resource may well see their business thrive and grow without the need for the acquisition of new technology or other companies."

]]>Marketing vs Advertisinghttp://mcleodcreativeblog.squarespace.com/design-business/2007/11/28/marketing-vs-advertising.htmlMcLeod Creative2007-11-28T22:17:25ZWhat is the difference between Marketing and Advertising?

Put it this way, marketing is the umbrella plan over advertising. You shouldn't really participate in advertising without marketing. Advertising is a component of the marketing plan. The marketing plan defines the who, what, where, why, and how to fuel your advertising elements and make them relevant.

About.com makes it easy as pie... "The best way to distinguish between advertising and marketing is to think of marketing as a pie, inside that pie you have slices of advertising, market research, media planning, public relations, product pricing, distribution, customer support, sales strategy, and community involvement. Advertising only equals one piece of the pie in the strategy. All of these elements must not only work independently but they also must work together towards the bigger goal. Marketing is a process that takes time and can involve hours of research for a marketing plan to be effective. Think of marketing as everything that an organization does to facilitate an exchange between company and consumer."

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