NOWISM

Thought you might find this of interest. Trend Briefing on social networking and its shifting effects on how consumers (especially young consumers will) relate to business.

This article is a bit avant-garde but provokes interesting questions. Click here to read.

Puzzeled by the PowerCube's Construction

Avery Graphics made a large donation of vinyl that helped make Destination Imagination's "Power Cube Challenge" a reality. Destination Imagination is a unique program that helps young people all over the world build skills in the following areas: creative, critical thinking, teamwork, time management, and problem solving.

Destination Imagination had more than 10,000 students in 40 countries participate in the program over the past year. All year Destination Imagination designed challenges for participating teams which lead up to the Global Finals. The final ceremonies included the "Power Cube Challenge" where teams assembled a 15 x 15 x 15 foot giant cube puzzle.

To create this massive puzzle Avery Dennison donated over 2000 square feet of MPI 2120 Matte Permanent vinyl.

To read about the Avery's contribution to the Power Cube click here.

How to customize a Facebook fan page

It sounds fairly simple, but creating a customized Facebook fan page takes a lot of work. My goal was to create a customized fan page loaded with USEFUL applications. Fair warning... I'm not an expert. I'm only reporting what I learned to hopefully save you from a big headache.

So, I spent a majority of my work day (don't tell my boss) trying out different applications for Visual Communications Group's fan page. For those of you who are small business owners thinking about creating a fan page or have already created a fan page...follow along. You may find some helpful hints.

1) Start building an identity with uploading a company logo.
2) Use the small text box located under your logo to write a short blurb about your company. This is one of the first places prospective fans will look for information on your company. Keep it short!
3) Fill in the basic fields under the Info tab. You're not alone if you found this tab to be a bit limiting. Under the applications tab located in the bottom right corner search for an application called Extended Info. This application will allow to create a tab filled with customizable fields. You'll be able to hyperlink content, create categories, tag friends, etc. VERY HELPFUL!


3) I wanted a tab that allowed fans to easily invite others to join our fan page. For this I'd suggest you find the FBML application. You do need to know a bit of HTML. I actually found the HTML on the discussion board of the FBML application fan page. (Don't forget to use the application discussion boards to answer your questions. Most often you'll find your question already posted and answered on the discussion boards.) To create a fan page tab, simply copy and paste the HTML below into the body of the FBML box. Then, change Visual Communications Group to your company name.


4) Lastly, I wanted to stream the Visual Communications Group's blog onto the fan page wall. I found the Simplaris Blogcast application very easy to integrate. After I post a new blog entry it automatically publish to my fan page wall.


I've only touched upon a few applications available on Facebook. There are so many creative fan pages on Facebook. Target, Red Bull and TGIFriday's have some of the best customized fan pages out there.

Google AdWords - don't make these mistakes

Have you used Google AdWords in the past? Or are you considering using them now? In any case, I'd suggest you read this great article by the NY Times.

This article describes the experiences of seven small business owners using Google AdWords. One of the most important tips you'll get out of this article is that Google AdWords needs constant monitoring (unless you want to run up an expensive bill with little or no ROI.) If you're not ready to put in the time and commitment Google AdWords can become your worst nightmare. Just read about some of the experiences.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/15/business/smallbusiness/15adwords.html?_r=1&emc=eta1

The latest buzz - Agfa UV Inkjet Systems

Bill and Joan Belmont, FASTSIGNS franchise owners in Lawrenceville, NJ, have been able to expand their product offerings, increase revenue, and lower costs with Agfa's UV Inkjet System.

Click here to read the article.

Don't forget to check out their signsearch profile. click here

New from signsearch - 12 Ways to Save

signsearch is sending a digital card deck filled with sign industry supplier offers every other month. Check out this month's offers by clicking on the link or image below!

www.vcgcorporate.com/deck

We have great offers from the following sign suppliers:

Aries Graphics Int'l
Data Display USA, Inc.
Esco Manufacturing
Finest LED Signs
McLogan Supply Co.
Screen Printing Express
Sign Lights, Inc.
SpeedPress Sign Supplies
Tablet and Ticket Co.
Top LED Wholesale
United Wholesale Signs
VCG Stores

Daktronics remains bright despite dim economy

Daktronics, leading industry provider of digital signage is still shedding lots of light (especially in Minnesota).



Read the article below.

http://www.tmcnet.com/usubmit/2009/09/27/4392882.htm