Presentation Highlights from:

Social Media: How to Use it; Why You Can’t Ignore It

by David Nelsen

• It’s a “World of Mouth” on the Internet: Build and protect your reputation online– Know what current and former employees are

saying about you on Glassdoor.com– 8% of customers believe you; 78% believe what

your customers say.

Social Media: How to Use it; Why You Can’t Ignore It

21 Ideas to capitalize on the power of social media and create value: 1. Apply QR Codes2. “PIE” + authenticity3. Run an IdeaExchange4. Set-up Google alerts5. Tune in with Twitter search6. Yammer or Chatter7. Video your happy customers8. Website: WordPress (responsive)9. Read a blog & comment10. Subscribe to something11. Write a blog

Social Media: How to Use it; Why You Can’t Ignore It

21 Ideas to capitalize on the power of social media and create value cont…: 12. Keywords - Google & Alexa13. Set a social media policy14. GetSatisfaction for support15. Compare your site - 4 tools16. Make a Facebook fan page17. Use Google+18. Join LinkedIn & Groups19. Create a Ning network20. Crowdsource a design

21. Transform your monologue (email, blasts, newsletters, ...) into dialogue

Social Media: How to Use it; Why You Can’t Ignore It

Ten Steps for Developing Your Social Strategy:1. Objectives2. Competitive analysis3. Target audience(s)4. Keywords5. Value creation strategy6. Platform and frequency7. Content sources8. Budget (time & $$) and owners9. Promotion (awareness) initiatives10.Measurement plan

Insight from HOUZZ by David Mayer

A community of more than 20 million homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals—across the country and around the world.

Stats• 20 million+ monthly unique users• 450,000+ active home remodeling professionals• 3 million+ photos uploaded by remodeling and

design professionals• 150,000+ reviews with five-star average for the

Houzz App

Insight from HOUZZ by David Mayer

All segments of the industry need to be on Houzz. It’s about brand exposure. But don’t take our word for it. Listen to the video

below as real business owners talk about increased exposure for their products translating into more sales.

Insight from HOUZZ by David Mayer

2014 Houzz & Home Survey• Largest survey of residential remodeling and decorating

activity ever conducted with early 200,000 respondents globally

• Robust sample sizes yielded detailed data at the national, regional, and metropolitan area levels, which Houzz used to examine differences in priorities, plans and budgets among Houzz users across the United States

• In addition, this year’s study examines the connection between the housing market and building and remodeling plans, as well as the differences between Millennials and those in other age groups.

Insight from HOUZZ by David Mayer

Findings from the 2014 Houzz & Home Survey

• U.S. homeowners optimistic about local housing markets, home values

• Remodeling trumps moving, except for Millennials• Optimism about the housing market fuels renovation• Finding products a bigger challenge than funding renovations• Bigger isn't better• Hiring professional helpDownload at: http://info.houzz.com/rs/houzz/images/Houzz%26Home2014_U.S..pdf

Insight from HOUZZ by David Mayer

Questions about creating a profile or enhancing an existing one?

• How do I organize my Projects? • How do I make my photos more discoverable? • How do I add the Houzz tab to my Facebook page? • How do I complete my profile? • How do I thank my clients for their review? • How do I request reviews? • How do I get Houzz Decals for my business? • How do I upload photos?

Have a more questions or want one-on-one help with your profile? Contact us.

The Economic Outlook by John Paul Soltesz

The Economic Outlook by John Paul Soltesz

Home ownership a luxury purchase?

The Economic Outlook by John Paul Soltesz

That monster lurking in the shadows is not as scary as we had expected…

The Economic Outlook by John Paul Soltesz

“all signs show that demand is ready to burst” – 2010

“all signals indicate that demand is ready to pop” –2011

“all metrics forecast that demand is ready to explode” –2012

“no comment” –2013, 2014

Same old story…

Source: US Federal Reserve

Improving equity positions

=Market Value-Mortgages

If demand ever kicks in, watch out!

SAARSources: US Census Bureau, Haver Analytics

Housing Starts, 10 year averages

Room To

Grow 60%+

Still below average and slowing

893

SAARSources: US Census Bureau, Haver Analytics

Permits, completions also down

Remodeling still growing, less strong

6.2 is bad. For an earthquake.

Sources: Haver Analytics, Bureau of Labor Statistics

But….(there’s always a but)

Participation Rate =

(Those employed+

Those seeking work)

Labor Force / Non-institutional Population

(16+)

Participation rate

6 consecutive months of

200,000+

jobs added to payrollsfor the first time since

1997Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Home Ownership Rate

64.8 in Q1

DIFFERENT: A Lesson in Marketing: Better is not Better. Different is Better.

by Mike Michalowicz

DIFFERENT: A Lesson in Marketing: Better is not Better. Different is Better.

Disruption only takes 5% change… Determine your disruptive strategy to differentiate your

business & reach your sweet spot.

1. The E.S.T. Strategy: Be the obvious fast(est), cheapest(est), quick(est), and the not obvious slow(est), strange(est), funni(est), weird(est).

Ex: Crocs exploded to growth by being the Strange-EST; Southwest Airlines is the Cheap-EST; Apple dominates on being the most Innovative-EST; McDonald’s is the most Convenient-EST.

DIFFERENT: A Lesson in Marketing: Better is not Better. Different is Better.

2. The X-Factor (Leap Frog) Strategy: 10x different; lead in quality, convenience, priceEx: Local video store->Blockbuster->Netflix->Redbox

3. The Blend Strategy: Take 2 disparate industries and mix the best parts (circus with acrobats but no animals). Ex: Cirque du Soleil

DIFFERENT: A Lesson in Marketing: Better is not Better. Different is Better.

4. The Forgotten Exposure Strategy: A lot of effort is made to attract business; you have the opportunity to redirect phone numbers; websites, email addresses of competitors who’ve closed.

5. The Disruption Strategy: Intentionally cause confusion or disruption to a process that has always been done a certain way. Can be done with minimal/no budget.

DIFFERENT: A Lesson in Marketing: Better is not Better. Different is Better.

6. Journalist Strategy: Encourage people to share stories about your industry. Everyone loves to see their name in writing.

7. Office Whisper (Gossip) Strategy: Emulate the news. What’s the one statement that will keep your customer coming back? Remember: Unexpected appearances cause speculation and discussion. Start a secret with your customers.

8. Cost Shift Strategy: Charge more for overall savings. Best when customers pressure on price. Let your perceived value allow for higher prices. Ex: No longer a “chimney sweep” but a safety expert who focuses on chimneys.

DIFFERENT: A Lesson in Marketing: Better is not Better. Different is Better.

9. Unexpected Partners Strategy: Find a link to a partner that you may not have considered. Ex: holistic provider partnering with chiropractor.

10. The Labels They Give You Strategy: You are what they say you are. Use their vocabulary. Ex: The Geek Squad; the TV show, Dirty Jobs.

11. The Worst is Best Strategy: We are drawn toward the bad. Have testimonials coming in; ask for the worst in the best way.

Sports, Business & Life by David Cook

Performance = Potential – Interference

You overcome interference with mental toughness, gained when you:

1. Choose to Embrace Pressure. – That is our greatest competitive ally. You simply need to

control it.

2. Practice for Emergencies– Know your response to difficult situations by planning for

them in advance

Sports, Business & Life by David Cook

3. Paint the Masterpiece-- Imagine the putt sinking, the pass connecting, the deal

struck, the cup held high

4. Trust your Talent– Don’t underestimate what got you in the game to begin

with.

5. Be Persistent– Practice makes perfect