For the Singles:

Gone are the days when Valentine’s Day was reserved for only the smug, coupled friends in your life! Celebrate being single and unattached this year! Gather all of your best single friends for a fun, and festive cocktail party and be sure to use some of our tips to make your event a hit.

• Food: Serve a variety of simple finger foods and appetizers. Keep in mind that your single guests will likely want to look attractive while munching and mingling with other singles. Avoid messy or runny foods and keep poppy seeds and garlic off of the menu. Try interactive food stations, such as a taco station, or chocolate fountain where guests can mingle while making their food.

• Cocktails: Keep your event stocked with delicious drinks. Create a self serve bar where people can make their own drinks. Your single guests will have the chance to interact while preparing cocktails. Serve a signature cocktail themed for Valentine’s Day – it will be a great conversation piece!
• Atmosphere: Keep the floor open for moving and mingling and keep the lighting low and flattering. Play a continuous stream of fun and upbeat music that people can dance to. Avoid painting the setting in red and pink, keep the décor simple and chic with the occasional red accent.

For the Couples:

Skip the expensive and lavish dinner this year and spend your Valentine’s day mingling with other fun and interesting couples! Host an event for all of your favorite couples for a fun and social Valetine’s Day! Here are some of our tips to organize an excellent couples event.

• Food: Offer a variety of hors d’oeuvres and appetizers. Set up stations that feature a wine or cocktail, each with an hors d’oeuvres pairing. Couples will love interacting and sampling fun and unique pairings together. Try setting up a chocolate or dessert tasting tabel with bite-sized dessert portions. Or host a tasting event, such as a chocolate tasting party.

• Cocktails: Set up do-it-yourself drink making stations – providing fun, themed recipes. There are hundreds of Valentine’s inspired cocktails that can be found online. Check out a couple of our favorites:

Love Potion:

3 parts champagne

1 part raspberry liqeuer

1 spoonful of fresh raspberries

Flirtini:

1 part vodka

1 part triple sec

1 part champagne

2 parts pineapple juice

splash of cranberry

• Atmosphere: Invite couples that you feel will mix and interact well, to keep the vibe fun and friendly. Create the space for guests to mingle, but also provide some interactive elements to your event. Try setting up a Valentine’s card-making station with paper, markers, stickers, etc, where guests can create fun Valentine cards for their significant other. Or pre-bake heart shaped sugar cookies and allow couples to decorate them together.

Try some of these fun tips out at your Valentine’s Day event! Do you have any other ideas for a great Valentine’s themed party? Let us know!

Over the years, the TV commercials have become as much a part of the Superbowl as the players and coaches. So much so, that companies all over the world are willing to dish out $3.5 million for 30 seconds of air time at this year’s big game……a far cry from the $42,000 marketers paid for the same advertising spots back in 1967 during the first Superbowl

This creates an incredible challenge for the marketing departments at these companies. They have to come up with a creative campaign that will effectively market their company and products well enough to be worth the astronomical costs of the advertising.

Different companies take on this marketing challenge in very different ways. Traditionally, the most popular Superbowl ads are the comedic ones. Budweiser, Doritos and Etrade, among others, have mastered the art of creating funny Superbowl advertisements and many people look to see every year if they can top the previous year’s commercials. Some companies, like GoDaddy.com for example, take a different approach and go for pure shock value, showing provocative material and encouraging viewers to visit their website to see more. While others go with major celebrity appearances to try and appeal to their audience.

Here are two of my favorite Superbowl commercials that debuted at the 2011 game……Do you think they ‘re worth the $3 million these companies paid for them?

Etrade 2011 Superbowl Commercial

Volkswagen 2011 Superbowl Commercial

EO along with The Smith Brothers of Glastonbury will be hosting a sales training event aimed to inspire bigger and better business for its members and invited guests. The event is highlighted by a keynote presentation from nationally recognized sales expert Jack Daly, who has led similar sales seminars all around the world leaving viewers “Jack’d.”

The presentation, entitled “Building a Winning Sales Culture,” will include discussions on sales management, sales strategy, and workplace culture using proven techniques and methodologies learned throughout Jack Daly’s entrepreneurial career. Daly is a proven CEO/Entrepreneur having built six companies into national firms. He is currently co-owner/senior executive at INC #10, a promotional marketing agency based in Bellevue, WA.

Invitees include members of the Connecticut, New York City and Boston chapters of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization along with entrepreneurial groups at three local colleges, with the goal of pushing students toward one day owning their own business.

“We’re excited to welcome Mr. Daly to deliver his renowned presentation to our members and guests and are confident this will be one of our most successful event of the year,” said EO Connecticut Chapter President Bob LaBonne of LaBonnes Markets.

The Entrepreneurs’ Organization is a global group built on the idea that member entrepreneurs will learn from each other to promote better business productivity and an enhanced personal life. The Connecticut Chapter currently has twenty-three members with businesses in various industries.

Event Information:

1:00pm – 5:00pm Wednesday, February 1, 2012

University of Hartford

200 Bloomfield Avenue

West Hartford, CT06117

Wilde Auditorium (Lower Level) West Hartford, CT06117

(*Free parking in Lincoln Theater Lot)

Pricing:

$0- CT EO Members, CT EO Board Members, University of Hartford Undergrad students

$10 Non-University of Hartford students

$25- CT EO Guests

$50- Global EO members

$75- Pre-registered general admission/public

NOTE: There will be a $10 fee for those who do not pre-register.

The age of Social Media is upon us. Sites such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube are now household names, and for many of us, have become integral parts of our daily lives. Businesses too are adopting the world of Social Media, and an astounding number of companies are using social media as a component of Public Relations and Marketing Campaigns. But how many of these companies are using social media effectively?

A report published in 2012 by the Harvard Business Review titled, “The New Conversation, Taking Social Media from Talk to Action” gathered data from over 2100 companies, and provides an excellent analysis on how companies are using social media channels.

Out of the 2100 companies surveyed, a large 79% of them reported they are currently using, or planning to use, social media. Interestingly though, only 12% of the companies surveyed felt that they were currently effective users of social media.

As the Harvard Business Review put it, “Despite the vast potential social media brings, many companies seem focused on social media as a one-way promotional channel and have yet to capitalize on the ability to not only listen to, but analyze, consumer conversations and turn the information into insights that impact the bottom line.”

Clearly, many companies are struggling to use social media to its maximum potential. Focusing on the 12% of “effective users” in the report sheds some light on what makes social media effective. The report featured key findings that highlight the characteristics that the effective users share. Here is a summary of these characteristics:

1. Sixty-three percent of the effective users said they have developed and implemented a social media strategy. They have moved beyond seeing social media as a “shiny object” or fad, and have started to see it as a part of their overall marketing strategy.
2. Effective users are far more likely to use more social media channels – 4 or more.
3. Effective users are more likely to monitor trends, research new product ideas via social networks, have an online user group for customers, and collect and track customer reviews on their website. They know where customers are talking about them on the web and prioritize their social media activities accordingly.
4. Effective users are focused on measurements. They use of metrics and analytic tools to measure their efforts as well as the social conversations about them.
5. Finally, effective users were also far more likely to integrate their social media monitoring solution with their other marketing solutions, demonstrating an integrated approach to their social media initiative.

According to the report, “It will take new tools and strategies to create what Avinash Kaushik, Google’s Analytics Evangelist, describes as a new reality in harnessing the power of social media. ‘Too many companies have not evolved from what I call ‘shout marketing’ — think TV, newspapers, magazine ads — to influence by initiating and participating in conversations with consumers,’ he said. ‘There needs to be a generational shift. ”

Take a look at the report , and let us know what you think – http://www.sas.com/resources/whitepaper/wp_23348.pdf

1. Visit The Bijou Theater

The Bijou Theater opened in 1909 on Fairfield Avenue in Bridgeport amid public excitement over the new silent movies. Now, more than 100 years later, the oldest building used as a movie house in the country is poised for a revival. The Bijou Theatre is a multi–functional venue hosting film, theatre, art, comedy, music, and cabaret.

2. Play your Favorite Sport, No Matter the Weather!

Located on River Road in Shelton, The SportsCenter is a covered and weather-protected facility that offers a golf practice range, 18-hole miniature golf course, baseball and softball batting cages, laser tag arena, bowling, and the world’s only double-decker ice arena. If you love sports, don’t allow the weather to slow you down this season.

3. Take a Winter Sleigh Ride

The pretty fields and towns of the Litchfield region could have been designed for winter sleigh rides; complete with lap robes, harness bells, and a top-hatted driver. Wood Acres Farm in Terryville has 25 acres of wooded trails, sleighs, and teams of draft horses to take you over the river and through the woods. Particularly for Valentine’s season, couples may want to snuggle under a nice warm blanket and enjoy a ride on a private horse-drawn Victorian sleigh.

4. Pick up a New Hobby

If you want to dip your toe into a new hobby or art form, Brookfield Craft Center will set up a class or workshop to your specifications – from a half-day mini-workshop to a five-day adventure. You could study black smithing and blade smithing, ceramics, fiber arts, glassmaking, jewelry making, or wood turning. Contact Brookfield Craft Center to discuss the possibilities.

5. Check out the Winter Wine Trail

Come see what the local vineyards have to offer in the winter, and they will heat up the afternoon for you. Visit the six participating wineries on the Litchfield Hills Winter Wine Trail between January 1 and March 30, 2012, and be entered into a grand prize drawing. Participating vineyards and wineries include DiGrazia Vineyards (Brookfield), Jerram Winery (New Hartford), Haight-Brown Vineyard (Litchfield), Hopkins Vineyard (New Preston), Miranda Vineyard (Goshen) and Sunset Meadow Vineyards (Goshen).

Do you know of any other fun CT winter activities? Let us know!

1. Exercise

As if we needed another reason to get fit! Not only is exercise necessary for maintaining a healthy weight, it’s also excellent for relieving the stresses of our daily lives. Your brain releases mood-boosting endorphins (aka “feel-good hormones”) whenever you exert yourself through exercise. The mood enhancing effects of a good workout can last for several hours after you’ve hit the showers. A regular exercise routine will give you more energy throughout the day as well as boost your metabolism. As an excellent bonus to your improved mood and energy: by the time bathing suit season comes around you’ll be looking fantastic.

2. Make Plans

Winter seems endless! But making fun and exciting plans to look forward to is a sure fire way to elevate your mood. Plan an event that’s exciting to you; go on a weekend getaway, schedule a day at the spa, plan a party or special event, set aside an evening to go to a play or sporting event. Even on a budget, you can still find inexpensive ways to treat yourself! Have a game night with friends, host a potluck dinner party with a food theme (Italian, Indian, Thai etc.), or try taking advantage of the excellent deals that companies such as Groupon, Living Social and Deal of the Day are advertising in your city.

3. Brighten your Life

The weather might be grey, but your life doesn’t need to reflect it! Bring color into your home, clothing and corporate setting. Give an update to your wardrobe by adding bright and bold colors. Arrange a bouquet of fresh flowers in your home or workplace, paint a room with sunny, cheerful colors. Surround yourself with beauty and your spirits will be sure to lift!

4. Relax

You’re busy! Work, family, friends, events, and appointments—even those of us that enjoy the rush of a busy schedule could use some R&R at some point. Don’t be afraid to say “No” to extra opportunities. Try to dedicate a few minutes each day to yourself. Read a book or magazine, sleep in on the weekend, or take a warm bubble bath. You’ll notice that with more time dedicated to yourself you’ll alleviate stress and create a sense of calm.

These are four great ways to help improve your mood and well being during the Winter season. Do you have any other suggestions to share? Let us know in the comments below.

The holiday season has come and gone once again, but before we all start paying down those credit card bills and counting down the days until spring we just wanted to give everyone a quick recap on our holiday open house party. The event was a great way to celebrate the season and show our appreciation for all our clients and partner companies.

Now, there’s nothing we enjoy more than planning fun and creative events, especially during the holiday season. So, when it came time to begin planning our own holiday we had the bar set pretty high. Teaming up with the other two businesses in our building, Harry E. Cole and Son and the Law Office of Jeremy Taylor, we put together a holiday open house complete with festive decorations, specialty holiday cocktails, and a pizza truck!

We had a great turnout as each company hosted clients and friends from all around the state. I think it’s safe to say nobody went home with an empty stomach as all were able to indulge in the pizza stylings of the Chunky Tomato Pizza Truck which offered a variety of different pies, from traditional pepperoni to their unique “Irish Pizza” complete with potatoes, bacon, garlic and mozzarella. They even included dessert pizza (my favorite) made with sweet cheese, chocolate chips and peanut butter.

To wash down all that pizza, each company provided a unique holiday cocktail in their respective conference room. The drinks were named, St. Nick with a Kick, Holly-Day Cheers, and Naughty N’ Ice and were all a big hit as all three punch bowls were empty at the end of the night.

All in all the event was a huge success and we are already looking ahead for the next opportunity to have another office celebration.

I would like to wish you all a happy and prosperous 2012!

Visit our Facebook page for more event pictures!

 
Jolina Li is a 22-year-old entrepreneur with a recent degree from the University of Connecticut in Finance. Her Farmington-based company, Oh Capture This, is a digital photo booth company. The technology in Li’s photo booths allow for more than 300,000 different backgrounds that will provide partygoers with a unique picture to remember an event. While most recent graduates were looking for jobs Li was growing her own.
 
Caitlin Thayer is the founder of Barefoot Media, a social media marketing firm located in West Hartford. After managing the social media for the Mark Twain House calls began to pour in from more and more businesses asking for Thayer’s help with their own social media. Barefoot Media clients include the United way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut, the Hartford Marathon Foundation, and the Hartford Public Library. The name of her company, Barefoot Media, comes from Thayer’s love of barefoot running.
 
Unsworth, Sirignano,  Li, and  Thayer have all taken the risk of starting their own businesses at a young age. Although it is hard for most start-up companies in their first few years these entrepreneurs show that it is ability, not age, which makes for a successful company.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Enjoy some quality time with your loved ones and take a moment to reflect on all that you have to be thankful for.

(And don’t forget to indulge a bit. Thanksgiving food is by far the best!)

At Image Marketing we’ve recently begun a college coaching program to help students develop their “brand” and prepare for the “real world” by offering advice, tips and insight from the perspective of the employer. Everything from resume building, interview preparation and skills, how to make a lasting first impression, maintaining and monitoring social media sites, how to dress, and so much more. Save-a-Suit provided us with an excellent opportunity to reach more students and better develop our own program.

We met a variety of students from different backgrounds, nationalities, and races; all of them shared with us their major concerns about preparing to enter the work force. The majority of students have the same fears and questions, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to lend a helping hand, and steer some of these students it the right direction.
I actually grew up with the Chief Information Officer of Save-a-Suit, Jessica Ewud, she is such a doll and I’m so glad I was able to catch up, and learn more about what she’s been doing for the organization.

Check her out on FOX CT yesterday morning:

Working with Save-a-Suit seemed like a natural fit for us, and we hope to continue to work with them in the future. For more pictures from the event, visit our Facebook page!

You can get involved and learn more about  Save-A-Suit on their website www.saveasuit.org, their Facebook page“Save-a-Suit”, and on Twitter @SaveASuit.