Gerry is all too conscious that he's not promoting his company in the best way possible. The black and white photograph of his factory that hangs on the wall in the reception area is flat, stale, outmoded and boring, and really does nothing to convey the impressiveness, character and scale of the state-of-the-art building. The right image can speak volumes, but this one is merely saying the all the get-up-and-go has got-up-and-gone. It lacks 'oomph' - there's no 'wow' factor. That same uninspiring picture appears in his company prospectus and other promotional literature, and to be quite honest, if he were a potential customer, he would not be inclined to take the trouble to visit.
It's little wonder that the business seems to have taken a bit of a down-turn. Effective marketing is crucial for a company is to remain competitive, and survive. A new year is imminent, and Gerry decides that a fresh approach is essential if he is to enhance his market image. It's a case of 'out with the old and in with the new' - time to give the company profile the injection of energy it so desperately needs and deserves.
Looking on the Internet, Gerry soon finds an organisation that specialises in producing hand-drawn 3D artist's impressions, designed to bring out the very best characteristics of a building. As he views the case studies on the website, Gerry can readily appreciate how effectively a professional drawing can breathe life and true perspective into an image that would otherwise be dull and inert. He's convinced that this is the way forward, and wastes no time in calling on the organisation's expertise.
First of all, specially commissioned artists arrive to conduct a full physical and photographic survey of the site. Hundreds of photographs are taken from every conceivable angle, enabling the experts to go away and develop a selection of rough drawings which are submitted to Gerry for his agreement on perspective. Consulting with Gerry every step of the way, the artists produce various drafts until a final illustration is submitted for his approval.
Gerry is delighted with the end result. Every measure has been taken to ensure that the correct detail and colour is incorporated in the design. Now that all the hard work has been done by the professionals, the ownership of the artwork passes to Gerry, so it's entirely up to him decide how he wants to use it. He discovers that this innovative organisation can design and print a comprehensive range of promotional material in any sheet size or format, guaranteeing a quality product at a competitive price. They can even incorporate clear, sharp location maps which will leave Gerry's potential clients in no doubt as to where to find him. Together, Gerry and the experts plan an exciting range of presentational material that will catch the eye immediately and put the stamp on his company's corporate identity.
When his smart, glossy new prospectuses arrive, Gerry takes great pleasure in consigning his remaining stock of the old prospectus to the recycling bin. And as for the photo hanging in reception, it's now where it belongs - in the skip, having been replaced by a superb, full colour, three-dimensional artist's impression that seems to leap off the wall, portraying just the dynamic image needed.
Gerry can't wait to launch his brand new marketing campaign early in the New Year. Somehow, he feels he's just about to turn the corner...
After a particularly bad bout of flu last year, I took a long hard look in the mirror and saw a 55 year old man looking back at me. I was feeling and looking old and there and then determined to do something about it for the sake of seeing any future grandchildren I might be blessed with.
I gave up smoking that day and, despite the hard days when the cravings threatened to get the better of me, I feel like I have beaten it. My family tell me I look better, younger even, food tastes fantastic and apparently I smell better too.
However, there is one problem. Do you remember those sweets we used to have when we were young? Shaped like bananas, supposedly tasting like bananas, with all sorts of scary food colourings that would bring the brigade of mothers against additives out in force. I have become addicted to these beyond reason and have been known to drive miles at night looking for an outlet that sells them.
It all adds up. And it has. It has all added up to an extra 6 inches around the stomach area. A dangerous place to collect fat I am told, due to its proximity to the heart.
So, what to do? My family brought me a heart rate monitor for Christmas this year. I was hoping for an iPhone, one of those snazzy remote control helicopters from the big boy's toy shop or maybe even a lifetime's supply of banana sweets but I got a heart rate monitor. Wahey!
I know they mean well, really I should be flattered that they want me around so much longer. So, I cave in to pressure and aim to improve my health, lose this bulk and get fit. Not sure about the heart rate monitor - have consigned that to my bed side drawer for the time being.
Unsure that I can unleash my body on the general public just yet, I decide to try various home exercise DVD's. I begin with one that promises to gently warm me up, then tighten all muscle groups and burn fat in a routine decided by myself, followed by a cool down.
I start with the warm up and have to move straight on to the cool down. Gently does it I tell myself, no point in straining anything. On my second session with the DVD, I attempt some of the fat burning routines. Does the effort taken clearing up the smashed lampshade count as work out time? After kicking a passing child, which resulted in a black eye and a visit to casualty, I decided this was not a suitable DVD for home use.
Having read all the bumpf surrounding the benefits of Yoga, I think this sounds more me. Much more gentle and controlled, and hey, if women can do it, it must be easy.
A week later, I'm at home with just the dog for company and decide to give the Yoga a try. Tied into a knot, my backs given out and I can't move. This is when the dog decides to get over familiar and mistakes the mild weather for spring mating season. I bet the heart rate monitor wouldn't have an option for dealing with this one!
I have to face it and get out into the fresh air to get a grip on this exercise lark. On my first trip out speed walking my wife begs me to take my heart rate monitor and I give in. As if I don't feel stupid enough in my Lycra shorts I have to sear this on my wrist too. At least it looks similar to a watch.
I've had a quick tutorial in how to use the monitor and take the occasional glance to see I'm within optimum range. It's during one of these checks that I speed walk straight onto a patch of ice and go head over heels onto my back! Now the monitors working overtime.
A passer by calls for an ambulance, I am loaded in and carted off to hospital for a check. The paramedic is more interested in what I'm wearing on my wrist and spends the whole trip extolling the virtues of heart rate monitors. After a thorough check up at the hospital, I am declared free to go with a programme for fixing my back and the advice to get fit. What do they think I was trying to do?
I get home, recline on the sofa to rest my back and study this heart rate monitor. At last, it is of some use to me. It tells me I am now, at last, relaxed at my optimum relaxation rate for minimum stress.
Both Graham Baylis & Catherine Harvey are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Graham Baylis has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Information Technology and Computers and The Internet. The image a company portrays through its brochures and other literature to the outside world can make a whole lot of difference to it's success in what is normally a crowded market place. Graham Baylis, with his marketing background understands this and s. Graham Baylis's top article generates over 201000 views. to your Favourites.
Catherine Harvey has sinced written about articles on various topics from Culture and Society, Home and Wedding Gowns. Health expert Catherine Harvey looks at the use of a in the quest for good health. To find out more please visit. Catherine Harvey's top article generates over 1500000 views. to your Favourites.