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

1. Fix the problem asap or find someone who can.
   
2. 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.
   
3. 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.
4. 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.

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

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 

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 

-Sergio 

"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."

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."