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Black Friday is a popular label attached to the Friday following Thanksgiving Day in the US. This day marks the beginning of the busy shopping season during which most consumers typically start their Christmas/holiday shopping. While the word "black" often has a negative connotation, the use of black in this case alludes to profitability, which is traditionally noted in black ink (losses are noted in red). Traditionally, brick-and-mortar retailers see a surge in retail sales on this day as a result of the holiday shopping, putting their books "in the black". |
Every year it seem like the Christmas decorations go up earlier. I remember what mom taught me – don’t put up your Christmas decorations until after Thanksgiving. Wasn’t mom always right? I think that works in a normal economy. Retailers are pushing Black Friday because they need sales.
I understand the yin and yang of the issue. Conservatives want Christmas to be less commercial, see this page on the Advent Conspiracy. The Advent Conspiracy is an international movement restoring the scandal of Christmas by substituting compassion for consumption.Sounds great! Our society is one of excess consumerism.
If I put on my marketing hat, early retail sales info like Black Friday deals may help me as a consumer. The retailer gets the word out during a very competitive flat economy. Check out this web site on Black Friday deals and coupons. I love the countdown timer and blog.
My guess is that most Americans will spend less this Christmas but at what store? Choose wisely, and make your dollar work for you. The Black Friday site is a good start if you are thinking coupons and sale prices.
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Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and blogging. I love being able to keep in touch and sometimes I hit max overload and have to take a break, but not for long.
We all know how sketchy email can be, especially if the file must get there. Sending data by email has a well-known pitfall – You don’t know if your recipients ever received it!. Was the file too big, was their mailbox full or did it get caught in their spam filter?
DataSlap.com
Houston has always been home to great creative. I feel that OiH, 
Your Image in 2010
Published January 1, 2010 Marketing , Networking , Podcasting , Productivity , blogs , commentary , communication , news , social media , social networking , web 1 CommentTags: 2010, branding, image, impression, New Year, youth
Perhaps we need to refer to the new year as twenty ten, it is more concise and simple. I ran across an article that inspired me and thought I would write about this on January first, twenty ten.
Rule #1: Crest Whitestrips. This is a surface and shallow cosmetic-based tip. But people just don’t understand that having coffee-stained teeth doesn’t do you any favors. Then smile. Smiling makes you look and feel younger.
Rule #2: You need to be on Facebook. No friends? You already have one: just facebook me (dwightcook.) I will be your first friend.
Rule #3: Know how to use Google and Wikipedia and use them. Bookmark these sites on your computer, and set one as your homepage.
Rule #4: Watch an episode of “Big Bang Theory.” Discuss and Repeat.
Rule #5: Peruse your local Apple store. Learn the difference between an iPod Classic, iPod Touch and iPod Nano. You also need to what itunes and podcasts are all about and then you are on your way.
Rule #6: Do not disclose your past. Keep it to yourself. These are the “good old days!”
Rule #7: Don’t talk about how you’re addicted to Starbucks. Nobody cares and it won’t make you seem younger.
Rule #8: Keep up to date with Entertainment news and Sports. Set them as a favorite or add it to your custom home page on Google, Yahoo or Bing. This can help you with current relevant conversation.
Rule #10: Lose the newspaper. Young people get their news online.
Rule #12: Make eye contact. Eye contact is so critical to being perceived as young; don’t be afraid to use it.
Rule #13: Never refer to your grandchildren or great-grandchildren. Rarely mention your children – these topics make you sound old.
Rule #14: Go to the gym.
Rule #15: Never use ancient words like “groovy, dy-no-mite, or tubular.” Use current vocabulary.
Rule #16: Get a TiVo or DVR. Know how they work.
Rule #17: Record yourself to see how how old you sound. You will probably be your own worst critic. Note that youthful people talk much snappier.
Rule #18: Dress is very important: always dress age-appropriate with no frump factor.
Rule #19: Give your hairstyle a hard look. Get a young stylist to help with your look or ask a young family member that will be honest with you to help.
Rule #20: Skip cologne and wear deodorant. Young people don’t wear scented oils or strong cologne. You don’t want BO, so don’t skip that deodorant.
Rule #21: Make younger friends and hang out with them.