Make sure to know which meta-tags Google likes, and ignores

Work Awesome has a great post on optimizing your meta description tags.  While Yahoo! used to place a high importance on meta-tag keywords, Google does not.

"The new kid on the block, Google, ignored it from day one."


Having a meta description can greatly improve your sites description on Google.  Read the full article for more great tips.

Ideas, by Don Draper

"The  best idea always wins, and you'll know it when you see it."

Pass this along, Google It Gets Better Video

Microsoft is Michael Jordan, Apple is Bo Jackson, Apple/Bo wins

This article got me thinking.  While Apple is a hardware company, they make some great operating systems.  Microsoft is a software company, that has not quite figured out the hardware game.

So Apple is Bo Jackson.  Equally able to play two different sports.

Microsoft is Michael Jordan.  He may be the greatest (or largest company), but wasn't the best baseball player.

With OS X Lion, Apple's Magic Trackpad finally makes sense

When Apple announced their Magic Trackpad, I asked myself why?  Why would you give up one of the main advantages of a desktop computer, a mouse.  Especially with Apple's new Magic Mouse.

With OS X Lion's multitude of multi-touch gesture controls, the mouse may no longer be the preferable way of navigating your shiny new OS.  After watching videos of Lion's new features like Mission Control, I'm starting to think that my Magic Mouse may be replaced by a to-be-purchased Magic Trackpad.

Gestures on a trackpad are more easily done than on a mouse.  Even with the great job Magic Mouse does.  I'm excited to try and navigate through Lion with a Magic Trackpad at the Apple store.  Here I thought my new iPad would fill my gesture needs.  You win again Steve.

How GM "Lied" about the Chevy Volt's 230mpg

Notice on the "All Electric" portion of the comparison the 98 mpg is only for the first 30 miles.  A large difference from their 230 mpg marketing blitz.

While the Volt is touted by many as a step in the right direction, and a fine car, others are saying that GM blatantly lied about it being an electric car.  Instead of the electric motor always powering the wheels, it seems the Volt is now more of an advanced hybrid.  Popular Mechanics' driving tests found that the Volt averaged just under 38 mpg in the city.  Don't throw away that company gas allowance yet.

Markstrat simulation experience - Period 2

Once again our group did very well after period 2.  We miscalculated the amount of inventory to produce but still managed to sell more than the other five groups.  For period 3 we plan to take the industry sales figures, take into account the estimated growth from our market research, and then calculate production using brand awareness and purchase intention.  This past period we only used market growth.

R&D is our big focus for this period.  We spend a large amount of our budget on new brand platforms.  We'll see the investment is worth it once the new brands go to market.

Proposed Michigan liquor changes and interesting current facts

This article from mLive.com details some of the interesting proposed changes, and current liquor laws for the state of Michigan.  Some of the points that stuck out at me:

• Proposed annual fee of $160 to serve liquor starting at 7am on Sundays, current fee is $90 to start at noon.
• Gov. Granholm apparently has concerns and wants to "review" the proposed bill.
• Sunday liquor laws date back to the 1930's repeal of Prohibition.
• Liquor sales are banned from 9pm Christmas Eve and through Christmas day.

Markstrat simulation experience - Period 1

In one of my marketing classes we're running the Markstrat marketing simulation.  So far it has been a fun and educational experience.  My group performed very well in the initial period.  We had the most growth and contribution out of the six groups in my class.  A few strategies we followed:

• Focus on demographics with high growth.
• Using the data given, we produced just over what we sold, very little left over inventory.
• Directed advertising resources and sales force to the types of stores that our best type of customers tend to shop at.

For the upcoming periods, we're going to focus on creating brands to specifically meet the needs of the demographic areas with high growth.  R&D will be a big part of this.

Facebook now offerring higher resolution photos and new pic viewer.

Facebook is trying to keep up with the Flickrs and Picasas of the world.  Starting today, users' photo uploads can be up to eight times larger resolution.  A new picture viewer is also enabled. (Facebook Blog)