Small Business is America’s Canary in the Coal Mine

By Steve Stroum | September 28, 2012 | 0 Comments

Back in 1978, there was a report published by the ninety-fifth congress of the United States of America entitled, THE FUTURE OF SMALL BUSINESS IN AMERICA. (Report No. 95-1810).  In Chapter 3 was the following quote:  “This country’s small business people are believers in the rights and responsibilities of citizens, and strong participants in the…

Publicity Is Our Only Business

By Steve Stroum | September 21, 2012 | 0 Comments

What really distinguishes Venmark International is that we developed a business model and process that enables us to provide professional product publicity services on a fee-basis per project, rather than an open-ended hourly retainer.

Obama’s Brilliance

By Steve Stroum | September 21, 2012 | 0 Comments

President Obama understands that [at the core] people want to be told what to do and to be taken care of.  He masterfully appeals to that “visceral wish.”  Folks won’t acknowledge that fact because it is an emotional response, not a rational one.  They don’t even realize it.

Selling Competence v.s. Likability

By Steve Stroum | September 21, 2012 | 0 Comments

When my father needed quintuple bypass heart surgery we hired the best, most competent cardiac surgeon around.  He happened to be Henry Kissinger’s surgeon too.  Frankly, I don’t recall his name, it was almost 30 years ago.  But, I do remember that he fixed my father and was also abrasive, abrupt, impolite, and just plain rude!

Location, Location, Location

By Steve Stroum | September 21, 2012 | 0 Comments

You’ve all heard that old expression that the three most important factors in real estate are: location, location, location.  Do you know the answer to this question: What are the three most important factors affecting industrial and technical B2B marketing? 

Obama Campaign’s False Advertising

By Steve Stroum | September 1, 2012 | 0 Comments

President Obama claims that he’s for “insourcing” and Mitt Romney outsourced jobs.   Let’s do a fact check.  Let’s look more closely at General Motors, one of President Obama’s alleged successes, our government’s $80 billion bailout of GM (and Chrysler),

Following Focus Groups is not Leadership

By Steve Stroum | September 1, 2012 | 0 Comments

Steve Jobs had an instinct for what would help people.  Focus groups didn’t help him decide to invent the Mac, iPod, iPhone or iPad, he innovated.  Bill Gates operated the same way.

Product News Creates Sales Opportunities

By Steve Stroum | August 31, 2012 | 0 Comments

It doesn’t matter how effective a sales person you are, the events that stimulate a prospective customers’ buying behavior are outside of your control. He or she may be expanding their operations and need new equipment,

Romney’s Strength, He isn’t a Brand…

By Steve Stroum | August 31, 2012 | 0 Comments

No offense to the Nike swoosh, but is it smart to sell a president the way they sell shoes and clothing?  I recently conducted a Google image search for “Obama branding, Romney branding and Ronald Reagan branding.”

Make Commonsense the new Ideology

By Steve Stroum | August 14, 2012 | 0 Comments

I had lunch with an old friend recently.  We’re both baby boomers and our conversation turned to politics.  He said to me, “I’m going to hold my nose and vote for Obama.”  To which I asked, why?  And he said, “Because of women’s rights.”