Friday, April 16, 2010

Quick thoughts on developing a Conflict of Interest Policy...

In the age of Enron and bank bailouts and derivatives , some fear ethics in business are dead.

Here are just a few of our core values...

  • Trust
  • Mutual respect
  • Transparency
  • Mutual Loyalty... in a world that where churn and burn, wham bam thank you maam are far too common.

    When an opportunity arises to serve a competitor in a niche we feel our obligation is to our first client -first.

    If the request is similar and them market competitive, our first step is to disclose the nature of our relationship and commitment.

    If that disqualifies us for the deal, so be it.
  • in reference to:

    "A conflict of interest can only exist if a person or testimony is entrusted with some impartiality; a modicum of trust is necessary to create it. The presence of a conflict of interest is independent from the execution of impropriety. Therefore, a conflict of interest can be discovered and voluntarily defused before any corruption occurs."
    - Conflict of interest - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (view on Google Sidewiki)

    Wednesday, March 31, 2010

    Yahoo Store Floating Cart-Just released!

    Thanks to the Yahoo Team for this great new feature!

    Our clients have seen the benefits of custom floating carts with our customizations before, but now it is easier and more accessible for more stores!

    Our initial testing is showing some minor issues with IE, but Yahoo is aware of the issues and is working thru them.

    For stores with custom templates and those unfamiliar with CSS, contact www.fastpivot.com for help!

    in reference to:

    "Using Floating Cart Manager, you can now set up and customize a mini-cart and floating cart for your store pages. These features are designed to keep your customers in the shopping flow until they’re ready to complete their order, which helps optimize their shopping experience and encourages increased order values."
    - Official Yahoo! Store Blog tips and tricks for ecommerce success » Introducing Floating Cart Manager (view on Google Sidewiki)

    Tuesday, March 16, 2010

    Comparing conversion rates chaps my chaps

    This recent Marketing Sherpa chart got my hackles up because it reminded me of so many conversations with newbie etail and ebusiness folks who ask "what should my ideal conversion rate be"?

    Jen Doyle's post alludes to the fact that conversion rates are so site specific and 'user defined'...

    The main issue isn't comparing conversion rates with other sites but:
    Having proper site specific unique conversion events defined,Measured and in a
    State of continuous improvement FOR YOUR SITE and business!

    Your ideal conversion rate should be something better than your current rate, but isn't really productive to spend much time comparing it to others...

    Whew. Had to get that off my chest.

    in reference to:

    "In analytics, a conversion event is what is known as a user-defined event. In other words, it can be anything you want it to be."
    - MarketingSherpa: New Chart: How Do Your Search Conversion Rates Compare? (view on Google Sidewiki)

    Friday, February 12, 2010

    Masters Athletes Goals: All American Anyone?

    It seems that through college, many of us found competing easier and benchmarks closer at hand.

    Enter jobs, kids and responsibility and athletic pursuits (and often our own health and fitness) take a priority backseat.

    After becoming thirty-something, it is great to rediscover the joys of youth again! (Or at least some of the pursuits of youth!)

    Enter USA Track and Field (USATF) and their "age graded standards for long distance running"!

    What a hoot it would be to see how many of these marks me and my fitness/triathlon training buddies could achieve in the next five years!?! Any takers? Are you an "All-American"? Check it out! I challenge you to begin where you are and go for it!

    in reference to: http://runtrails.blogspot.com/2010/01/hey-masters-runner-are-you-all-american.html (view on Google Sidewiki)