Archive for October, 2009

Recently, larger-than-life magazine house Condé Nast has nixed several publications and laid off staffers. Their Vogue September 2009 issue’s ad content was down 50% from last year. That equates to a lot of money lost. It’s a continual trend that print publications ad pages and subscriptions are tanking.

And now I’m faced with a moral dilemma: Do I renew my subscription to an industry-standards magazine or let it fall to the wayside? If I let it fall to the wayside, I’m not supporting my industry or the magazine which is a fantastic resource for all things design.

Maryland-based JoS. A. Bank recently launched a redesign of their eCommerce website – JosBank.com. Given the fact that JoS. A. Bank is a Maryland company and the fact that I’m a big fan of their clothes (and sales), I decided to take a look at their recently redesigned website and offer my personal review.

I was watching Squawk Box this morning with guest host Ted Leonsis, Vice Chairman Emeritus of AOL, and he threw out a figure on worldwide internet users and its effect on the global economy.  While I wasn’t quick enough to write down the exact figures, the point was that North America represents only a small part of internet users.

While many businesses are still chomping at the bit to understand social media, one local Baltimore company has proved you can taste success through developing a social following.

Kooper’s Tavern out of Fells Point began its “Chowhound Burger Wagon” service this summer and slowly but surely has developed a loyal group of followers. With their Twitter account @BRGRWagon and their Facebook page, they continue to release updates on their location for the day and other promotional information through these different channels. By utilizing these tools to deliver specific calls to action Koopers is able to see a direct return and reaction from their fan base, thus delivering the element that currently eludes and frustrates most businesses trying to grapple with their social presence.

95% of all statistics are made up.

The saying above is a tongue and cheek reference to a very real phenomenon: people’s willingness to fudge the truth in order to prove their point. If I’m arguing for something and say, it’s proven that 32% of people don’t like xyz, it’s harder for my opponent to argue otherwise. Statistics are powerful because people think of them as facts, as undeniable, set in stone truths. But statistics can easily be miscalculated, misrepresented and manipulated to serve an agenda.

It’s a little overdue, but Groove Commerce would like to introduce P.J. Gill as our new Client Services Director!

Welcome P.J. Gill

A graduate of Lehigh University and a C.P.A., P.J. started his career with a Big 4 accounting firm in New York City before the sweet smell of Old Bay (and his now wife) convinced him to move to Baltimore. After several years of public accounting P.J. took on a consulting role focusing on business performance management, and budget and forecast development.

When not at Groove headquarters P.J. can be found spending time in Federal Hill with his wife, Dorothy, and their French Bulldog “Iggy Pup” or running in Baltimore.

Welcome P.J.!