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The Amtower ReportVolume 7, #3, June 24, 2008(The Amtower Report is an e-journal on the Business-to-Government market featuring the opinions of Mark Amtower, and occasionally reader comments. This newsletter is only sent to those who request it. Sign up for your free subscription at http://www.FederalDirect.net and if you like this newsletter, please pass it along to your colleagues. To unsubscribe, see directions below. The newsletter is posted each Monday at www.FederalDirect.net, and the latest “Off-Center Observations” is on the home page. All back issues are available at http://www.federaldirect.net/newsletterarchives.html)
Item: Yes, it has been two months since the last newsletter – again! I will try to do this newsletter at least once each month. Thanks for constantly bugging me about getting it out. Item: One thing that has been keeping me busy is a new Thought Leadership coaching program I started in March. As we progressed through the pilot program, I saw that the program had to be broken up into chucks. Some people only wanted more PR for their activities, - and that is OK. If you have not noticed, I am good at getting publicity. I have been quoted in at least 14 publications (including FCW, Federal Times, B2B, Investors Business Daily, and the Christian Science Monitor) so far this year, been interviewed on other radio shows (not mine) 8 times, and have picked up another 25-30 references at web sites. The first product to come out of the new program will be a self-paced CD and workbook program on getting PR for you and-or your company. If you would like information on this portion of the program, go to http://federaldirect.net/PR/index.html . If you want information on enrolling in the next Thought Leadership group, email me at markamtower@gmail.com . I will add you to the early warning list. Item: I have said recently that Best Buy has vacated the government market. If you heard my interview on WFED with Joanne Woytek and Marcus Fedeli of the NASA SEWP program you would know that I have been in error. While Best Buy has vacated the GSA Schedule program, they are alive and well on SEWP. If you missed the show, check it out on the archives at http://www.federalnewsradio.com/?sid=&nid=356 Item: Government Marketing Best Practices went into its fifth (yes, fifth) printing this week. If you happen to be one of those attending the Fourth annual Veterans Small Business conference in Vegas in July (see events, below), you will get a copy. Item: I have had several inquiries lately on why I pick on certain companies. Let me put something straight – I pick on ANY company or person doing silly, stupid or unethical things. If your company falls into that category, and you want me to NOT pick on you, stop doing stupid, silly or unethical stuff. I do not have a hit list. And if you think you are being singled out, you have not read many of these newsletters, my off-white papers or listened to my radio show. I pick on any company or person in the news who has a negative impact on the B2G market. If the behavior is particularly egregious, I become somewhat sarcastic. It is a personality defect, but I live with it. Not that I have an opinion.
THE GOOD, THE BAD, and THE UGLY Here is a thought for you. It comes from one of my interviews with Ken Blanchard. Your mother taught you - that you are known by the company you keep. Ken takes this one step further – you become the company you keep. Pick your close friends and business associates and advisors carefully. Make certain they have the traits you wish to adopt and emulate. This is extremely important if you wish to migrate up the business food chain to become an influencer in your niche. Beware of the SCHLOCK EVENT PRODUCERS, producing minimal value events that eat your money with no significant return! The events listed below are among those I think are worth your time, money and effort. Just because an event is not listed below does not imply it is not worth attending. If you want my opinion on a specific event or producer, call me. This topic is addressed more thoroughly in the members section at www.GovernmentMarketingBestPractices.com. July 1-2, Federal Information Security Conference July 7-10, Fourth Annual Veterans Small Business Conference August 12, 2008 – Government Marketing Best Practices 2008 – with Web 2.0 Marketing Tactics
Amtower Off-Center airs Friday at 2:05 PM on WFED 1050 AM in Washington, DC and is simulcast and archived on www.FederalNewsRadio.com. Tune in to the only show for the government contracting market! Our archives now have over 30 shows covering a variety a topics, many of which you will fiond events for out there that will charge you money. I have some of the most knowledgeable people in the market on my show and it is FREE! Check out the Audio Archives at www.FederalNewsradio.com .
*** Thanks The Amtower Report is published by Amtower & Company, and is written for companies targeting the government marketplace. The opinions expressed are those of Mark Amtower unless otherwise noted. Contact us at Amtower & Company, PO Box 314, Highland, MD 20777-0314 (301-924-0058). This material is copyrighted and may not be duplicated, reprinted or otherwise replicated without written permission of the publisher. Email subscriptions are free by request: sign up at www.FederalDirect.net |
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