MarketSmart

2009-08-24T12:26:00.001-07:00

Sally On Media Corp. is official! A few weeks ago, I incorporated and trademarked my company in the state of Illinois.

My visual identity is coming together as this blog post indicates:

http://tinyurl.com/sallyon

In the weeks and months ahead, my website/blog will get a new look and feel, too.

Thanks!

2009-08-24T12:17:00.000-07:00

I must say that it is a pleasure working with my partners on behalf of my new client, Wealth Strategist Network.

As some of you know, I am doing the PR/integrated marketing for Wealth Strategist Network. Emily Lonigro, founder of Lime Red Studio, is redesigning their site and when it's done it will have a completely different look and feel, with fresh content, improved navigation, the works. Working with Metrist Partners, we will optimize the site so that people can find our client easily and frequently. Avery Cohen, the founder of Metrist, is a brilliant marketer and it has been a true delight working with him this summer.

Back to Emily...I know first-hand what a great designer she is. She designed my business cards and wrote about it here:

http://tinyurl.com/sallyon

Thanks for the nice plug, Emily!

2009-08-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

My client, Wealth Strategist Network, has some great advice for wealthy investors who are trying to protect their assets in our rough economy.

WSN recommends that wealthy families focus on three core areas of wealth management: investing, infrastructure and spending-and-saving plans:

1. Find investment options with low costs in terms of loading and management fees.

Ask yourself: Did that fancy hedge fund add value to my portfolio? Could I own one mutual fund to accomplish the same thing that I'm getting now with 5, 10 or 20, but with better tax efficiency, lower cost and more free time to do what I really want? Even to people of substantial wealth we recommend "target date" and/or index funds that are broadly diversified and easy to manage. You don't have to waste time asking yourself, "How much do I allocate into each of these 5, 10 or 20 funds?"

Furthermore, owning one diversified mutual fund simplifies the conversations you need to have with your financial advisor. Many of them push back and say they can add more value by making tactical investment decisions. But can they prove it? Ronald Reagan used to say "Trust, but verify". This principal works for the Soviets, teenagers and financial advisors! We always coach wealth owners to ask well-informed, pointed questions, and doing so is even more important today. If wealth owners can minimize the variables in their portfolio (today's economy provides enough variables) they will remain in better control.

Take emerging market hedge funds as another illustration. They might sound attractive until you consider the tax implications. Many hedge funds have a three-year lock-up, meaning you can't access your money for three years. Nevertheless, you have to pay capital gains taxes for each of the three years, and you can't use the money in the fund to do so. Consequently, you wind up using other assets to pay capital gains. Unless you are so skilled that you can identify a manager that, prospectively, can add enough value to beat the emerging markets index net of fees and taxes, we would recommend an emerging market ETF or index fund to get around this-you have more liquidity and it's more tax efficient. And the dealings with your financial advisor and accountant are that much easier. Plus, you get to keep more of the profits because the fees are a lot lower!

2. Know who is doing what with your money at all times. Have a sound wealth-management infrastructure.

Bernie Madoff managed to commit fraud because there were no checks and balances. When one organization is the money manager and the custodian, lots of bad things can happen that the wealth owner can't see. The failure of Lehman Brothers is also rich in lessons about good infrastructure. People who concentrated their hedge fund investments with firms that used Lehman as their prime broker had too much "counter-party risk". They were saddled with costs, illiquidity, worry and other headaches in the aftermath of the firm's demise.

This leads to an important lesson for wealth owners: learn about wealth management from people who aren't in the business of selling you investment products. Have un-conflicted experts coach you on what kinds of questions to ask your financial advisor or money manager. Learn how to measure your investment results - time-weighted returns are important, but you can't spend percents. And focus on the long term without getting too emotional about near-term market volatility. Again, the more in control you are of your assets and your impulses, the better your money will work for you.

3. Revise your spending-and-saving plans.

Let's take a 65-year-old couple. There is a one-in-four chance that at least one of them will live to be 92 years old. Experience a terminal illness such as Alzheimer's and the last few years of an elderly person's life can be quite costly, what with nursing-home costs and medications. Ergo, even the wealthy need to think: how much do I need to save to live my life in comfort without being a financial burden to my children - who may have children and even grandchildren of their own?

Indeed, the financial crisis has reminded us that the world is uncertain. Recent events necessitate an important discussion that wealth owners should have with their families: Entitlement no longer has a place in the family order. Nothing should be taken for granted - and, you have the power to achieve your own success. Each child in a wealthy family has the obligation and the opportunity to pursue his or her own career and contribute wealth to the family. A return to a sound work ethic and deferred gratification is good not only for the family and the individual but for society as a whole.

Several universities are revamping their wealth management courses for these and other reasons. For information on the University of Chicago's Private Wealth Management course, which Stuart teaches, please click here: http://www.chicagoexec.net/chicago.nsf/PROGRAM.html?opennavigator&id=230

2009-07-27T08:55:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

Writing with some great news and some valuable events to keep your business and marketing skills sharp this summer...

Last week, I incorporated Sally On Media Corp., a PR and marketing consultancy. A website will be coming soon, thanks to Emily Lonigro of Lime Red Studio. For the timebeing, you can find me here, on twitter @sallyodowd and on www.linkedin.com/in/sallyodowd.

A big thank you to brother-in-law- Kevin Ryan, whose law firm, Much Shelist, is handling my incorporation and trademarking. The National Law Journal has recognized Much Shelist on its “mid-size hot list.”

I have won my first client, a wealth-management company…more to come on that in due time!

A big thank you to Pete Marino, founder of Dig Communications, for the referral. And thank you also to Julie Thompson, Marc Landsberg of Lake Capital, and Margaret Douglas of the Kellogg School of Management for being references.

Thanks also to Karen Trimberger for her research into high-net-worth individuals as I pitched the business.

As for some business events, please make a point to join the Big Ooga on August 4. Lennie Rose, founder of Chicago-based Big Ooga, will unveil a plan to help entrepreneurs/solo practitioners grow their revenues by matching them to companies that need their services.

Lennie is also partnering with a friend of mine, Paul Caswell, the founder of weavethepeople.com, to make sure that attendee connect with the right people at the event. No doubt about it, you will walk away with actionable insights!

Become a fan of Big Ooga on Facebook and check out www.bigooga.com for more details and to RSVP.

On July 30, two friends, Mark J Carter and Justin Roy, are hosting a Networking for a Cause Event at Fado, the Irish pub. If you are trying to connect with social media wizards, and need advice on how to gain support for your cause, then "Carter" and Justin are your guys.

Speaking of good works, I was fortunate last week to meet Don Kotek, director of IT consulting, at Lumity, an organization that provides IT and financial services to non-profits. If you have a non-profit or if you are an entrepreneur looking for business advice, then please contact Don at dkotek@lumity.org.

And thanks to Avery Cohen, founder of Metrist Partners, an interactive marketing/SEO firm, for having his series of seminars, which take place at Lumity. I attended Avery’s seminar on goal setting last week; as an entrepreneur, I found it immensely helpful. Avery will have three other seminars this summer on SEO, email marketing and social media. For more details on Metrist’s offerings and seminars, please check out www.metristpartners.com.

Another entrepreneur, Jean Pickering, founder of The Tektite Group, is hosting a series of two-hour seminars this summer for small-business owners who want to build their technology skills. On August 25, Jean’s group is hosting an all-day seminar on Building Your Brand Strategy for the Internet.

I also want to thank Guy Kawasaki, who wrote The Art of the Start, and I highly recommend it to anyone starting a business. Guy and I share a favorite book in common: A New Brand World, by Scott Bedbury, the marketing genius behind Nike, Starbucks and other brands.

I think that is enough to keep us all busy for awhile!

See you around the blogosphere and in person J

Sally

2009-07-07T11:05:00.000-07:00

Greetings! I just found this great blog by Nicole DeFalco, a fellow alum of Northwestern University. Her most recent post at www.sayingwhatumean.com concerns ways to increase one's influence. I added a comment to her post, noting my belief in networking and a desire to share opportunities with others.

Networking for Entrepreneurs and Companies that Need Their Services

2009-07-06T08:40:00.000-07:00

As my readers know, I have been using my blog as a way to recognize the people who are inspiring me to pursue my entrepreneurial interests.

Today, I’d like to note conversations with Lennie Rose and Jim Ylisela in hopes that this information can help you, too.

Lennie Rose is founder of www.bigooga.com, a company that matches entrepreneurs to the companies that need their services. Solo practitioners of many stripes are "getting gigs" and Chicago companies of various sizes are moving their businesses forward--these connections are real and lucrative. If you're an entrepreneur or a company in need of contract or freelance help, then join us tomorrow, July 7, from 6-8 pm at Catalyst Ranch for a networking event.

Lennie has been more than gracious with her time, helping me get organized so that I can build my own business. In return, I am promoting her event. Please spread the word!

Speaking of inspiration, I have known Jim Ylisela since I was 22 years old and a graduate student at the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern. I will never forget the assignment where we listened to Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I have a Dream” speech. We were to write a story as if we were there on that historical day. Jim taught us what mattered--that words can make the world a better place.

Today, Jim is an investigative journalist while working with Ragan Consulting, a firm that helps companies improve their communications with their audiences. Allstate Insurance, for example, launched an award-winning publication with Ragan’s help. Jim has advised me to join myragan.com, a community of 15,000 communications professionals, and the International Association of Business Communicators. Word has it that Jim has a new venture or two in the works--Good luck, Jim!

Are people helping you start your own business? What are you learning and what best practices can you share? Let’s make sure our collective ship rises with the tide.

2009-06-30T10:12:00.001-07:00

Hello again! Second blog post in one day...I am feeling prolific after a funny and productive writing class at Second City last night!

Note that I have changed the URL for my blog to "sally forth in life" and the blog is now titled, MarketSmart. Thank you, Lindsay Landsberg, as you were the catalyst behind the name change.

I have gotten into the habit of saluting the inspiring people I am meeting and reconnecting with as I set up my own communications company. If we all help each other out, then our collective ship will rise with the ride. And if this is the second-shout out I am dong to you, then it's because you provide inspiration and mentoring on a continuing basis. Thanks to:

Anne-Emmanuelle Grossi of the French Consulate in Chicago. Good luck on your new adventure in Thailand, Emma!

Pascale Furlong, presse attache for the French Consulate, Chicago;

Tom Collinger, chair of the Integrated Marketing Communications department at Northwestern University;

Suzanne Fogel, Ph.D, chair of the DePaul University Marketing Department;

Steve Kelly, associate professor of marketing at DePaul University;

Scott Fishman, director of client services at Studio Satellite;

Lindsay Bray Landsberg, biz-dev ace, and Marc Landsberg, director at Lake Capital;

megan Washburn, director of media relations at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management;

Andy Miara, my writing teacher at Second City;

Margaret Douglas, long-time friend and marketing director at Kellogg;

Michael Griffing, diretor of multi-media sales at the Wall Street Journal;

Eric Benderoff, one of the best technology writers in the business and a good friend-www.twitter.com/ericbendy;

Mike Dwyer, improv comedian and business development manager at Paladin Staffing;

Sue Harrison, partner at Davis harrison Dion;

Adrienne Hill, senior editor at Chicago Public Radio and person behind the Hardworking series on entrepreneurialism--a real catalyst for innovation in Chicago;

Mark Hutchens, who has just started his own wine-importing company called Robert Houde Wines;

Michael Azrikan, emarketing manager at chicago.com;

Justin Roy, entrepreneur-extraordinaire who still writes hand-written thank you notes;

Paul Caswell, who helps people connect through Weave the People;

Lennie Rose, founder of the www.thebigooga.com;

Hope Bertram, founder of Windy City Social;

David Kadavy--what web-based service hasn't he thought of?;

doug Strubel, business development strategy at Slack Barshinger;

Pete Marino, founder of Dig Communications;

Mark Ailsworth, director of Midwest sales at Undertone Networks;

Jeff Ambrose, a new friend from Second City--who knew insurance guys could be so funny?--who introduced me to his twin brother: Joe Ambrose, practice director of MarketWerks and one of the best business consultants I know about brand promises needing to equal brand reality.

Thanks, everyone, let's stay creative. Let's stay connected.

2009-06-18T07:15:00.000-07:00

I attended the tweetnetworking.com event last night in Chicago. Thanks, Mark J Carter and Justin G. Roy, for organizing a great cause-networking event for Dreams for Kids! What an amazing group of people, and a terrific scene for sharing ideas in person. If you are looking for new career opportunities or want to learn from smart peeps, check out the following:

Ed Knittel, who has launched Tasty CMS with his wife to manage websites for clients-- a la a content management system. I met Ed because Justin said he was sitting at a table with great thinkers...so true.

Lennie Rose, www.bigooga.com -- a referral-based resource for connecting entrepreneurs and companies

Ryan Rasmussen, associate at Zocalo Group and self-labeled futurist and cyberpunk

Jean Pickeering, president of the Tektite Group, which empowers small- to mid-sized companies by demystifying technology, building websites, developing social media strategies. Ask about her Fridays in Maui!

Daliah Saper, an intellectual property attorney. All the things you should know about legal ramifications of all things social and beyond.

Julie Gorelik. Coach_Julia can help you find your true purpose--a real blessing in a world full of change.

Julia Kline of Green Island Marketing--has a great program for marketers looking to build their social acumen.

Jessica Ray of the famed Where I've Been Facebook app

Thanks to these and other interesting peeps for the great conversations on how social media is changing our lives, and how we can help each other to prosper!

Got a connection to share? Let me know...

My first blog

2009-06-12T08:04:00.001-07:00

Hello, self, as I don't have any followers yet.

I had a fantastic evening last night with the folks at Business Marketing Association in Chicago. www.bma.org. Thanks to Lynn Hazan for introducing me to this group. Not only is she a great recruiter in the marcomm space but she is a fantastic networker and friend. Thanks also to Jackie Kuehl for her inspiration.

I made so many new business contacts. As Pat Fitzgerald of Fitzgerald Marketing Communications said, "Chicago is a great business town."