Since launching my own business after working within the formalized structure of a global PR agency five years ago, I’ve found golden nuggets of information that have helped shape the vision, processes and structure of how I conduct business. 

One of those is nuggets is this: it is important for independent PR agencies to get outside perspective to support the business overall and the professional growth of the individuals within the firm.  Ultimately, a business coach can provide guidance that supports (1) existing goal achievement and (2) enlightenment to create new visions.  They are there to ask you critical questions about where you’re heading, and then help you determine how you’re going to get there. 

With many type-A personalities in the PR profession, this can also serve as a useful resource to get feedback that might be in line with a year-end review provided within the traditional PR agency model.  It gives us a chance to ask, would I give myself a promotion?  Or, is it time to hunker down, get back to basics and fine tune our team’s client relations skill set?  Read the rest of this entry »

Every year the tax season shows up out of nowhere.  If you are like me, you are a control freak and do your taxes yourself. Or you are smarter than me, and have your accountant do them. Regardless of who prepares them, it is never fun. I recently spoke with a Kathryn Carlson of Carlson Accounting Services and she provided the following 2009 tax tips to help ease the pain:

The IRS estimates it will take taxpayers using Form 1040 an average 21.4 hours to complete their taxes this year. That includes record keeping, tax planning and completing and filing the return. The more complicated your return, the more time it will take to complete. Make this year less stressful, by being ready when it is time to prepare your 2009 tax return.  Read the rest of this entry »

Co-branding is a branding strategy used to form a strategic alliance between two companies. Many companies use this strategy to expand their customer base, gain financial benefits, strengthen their competitive position, introduce a new product, and increase media exposure.

In a winning co-branding partnership, both brands have a natural synergy that can leverage the loyalty of their customers. For example, Disney has been very successful in increasing its market exposure by partnering with McDonald’s to offer Disney toys that are exclusively made for Happy Meals. Nike and Apple are two strong consumer brands that partnered to create the Nike + iPod Sport Kit, a highly popular product amongst both Apple and Nike customers.

Read the rest of this entry »

Kimi Evans Joins the San Diego 6 News Team

Kimi Evans is the new prime weather anchor for San Diego 6 News at 10, 11@11 and San Diego 6 News Web casts. She started Mon., Jan. 25. Since Sept. 2008, Ms. Evans was the weekend weather anchor at CBS2/KCAL Los Angeles. Prior to that, she was the weather anchor/reporter at KHON, the Fox affiliate in Hawaii. Kimi is a So Cal native and graduate of USC. She is an active member of the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and the USC Alumni Association Group. Say hello and connect with her on Twitter at @KimiEvansSD6. Read the rest of this entry »