Surveys- The Art of telling a Story?

For decades we wondered why survey results were somewhat hidden criteria. We scratched our heads wondering why the obvious issues weren’t addressed. Why employ consultants to be the middle man, wouldn’t a standard form with the right questions be quicker, accurate, cost effective and worthy? If some glaring issues needed to be resolved surely management could correct the situation.

Being naïve was the first mistake when we bought into the purpose of the survey.

The truth is surveys are a tool to gage how effective the organizations marketing campaign is perceived. Identifying what works and what needs tweaked. Surveys aren’t designed to identify your likes or dislikes. They don’t value your opinion, care about you or your needs.

It’s about perception and persuasion and buying into a story. It’s never been about fair, right or wrong.

The questions are skewed based on the marketing agenda. The consulting firm can offer suggestions on how to improve the organizational message. After implementation this ensures the same consultant group is brought back to follow-up with the next survey. Chances are improvement will be part of the results, once again ensuring the effectiveness of the organization and the consulting firm.

If the consultants can show desired output it’s a win-win situation for everybody.

Well not quite everybody.

When organizations settle for the outcome addressed on a typical roadside billboard, newspaper advertisement or media commercials the real story is never conveyed.

This is the reason most people forego Internet online marketing surveys- it provides no usefulness to the individuals needs.

Besides, we already know it’s a waste of time.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

A New Paper in Town?

Recently, I came up with the idea of niche marketing The Rust Belt Chronicles. Sometimes success isn't about something new. It can be achieved by tweaking a common idea and staying ahead of the curve. Doing something better at the right time, place and cost.

Perhaps, I could turn The Rust Belt Chronicles into a free local news magazine and challenge the status quo or I could just continue my current blog format.

Part of my reasoning is due to the lack of offering of in-depth local news coverage of stuff that matters, including investigative reporting. I’ve observed the reduction of articles within our local paper to the point of charging for online viewing while offering less substantial local coverage with additional regional network “filler” stories. It wouldn’t be unrealistic to see our newspaper reduce production to fewer days a week, much like The Cleveland Plain Dealer has proposed.

Today, we live in a society with the so many options to choose from and most of the “breaking news” is instant. No need to wait for tomorrow’s newspaper delivery. Those days are long gone.

While the newspaper industry has shrunk considerably Internet sources have exploded. The masses aren’t dependent on a local newspaper delivery system. Few care enough to subscribe. So the solution may is to change the way we do business.

Given those circumstances my idea morphed into an entirely different style of newspaper. A free magazine/journal that consists of only the best local stories: heart-warming stories, investigative stories, articles that give the local public the “inside” skinny including: court proceedings, fines, divorce proceedings, building permits, titles/transfers, events and obituaries. Editorials and blogs would be included. The rest of the detail is short and pithy.

No need to go into details on sports or weather. Those interested in what the Cleveland Indians did last night already follow their favorite sources for details. If I am travelling to Nashville or planning a cook-out tomorrow my best source of weather advice isn’t going to be the local paper.

If you can’t offer a superior story why bother when other sources specialize in that media? It’s just added noise in a crowded arena. Why charge for substance that is mostly open source news anyway?

I had a couple of hurdles to overcome to make this project a reality.

Would advertisers respond by supporting a local news magazine contingent on reporting un-biased news contribute if The Rust Belt Chronicles didn’t cater to the “Good Ole Boy’s Club” in Mansfield, Ohio? I believe so.

 I am not interested in their deep pockets, power or position. Our ability to change from becoming the new “Rust Belt Capital of the World” is dependent on new leaders, thinkers and businesses to replace the selfless promotion of the few who continue to line their pockets while we deteriorate from within.

The deciding factor on whether to attempt this project is based on one factor:

Does the local public care enough to follow a free news magazine with a goal to turn this town around?  

Years ago, we manufactured great products for people that cared about quality. As time passed and choices increased fewer people cared about quality. Once manufacturers recognized the people didn’t care about quality, the standard became mediocre products in mass for people who didn’t care.

So, does a local news magazine produced by those who care interest you?

**********Write me or comment- I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.

Should We Follow the Leader?

One of the common problems here in the Rust Belt is the lack of leadership. Perhaps it’s due to living in a “small town” mentality or because so few good paying jobs exist. Ducking the obvious questions and failing to recognize problems seems to be fashionable. When a leader allows position, money, or status to interfere with “doing the right thing” we have a bigger problem.

News Media

Years ago, news reporters built their reputation by asking the hard questions, un-covering stories and following leads. Now it’s about the advertisement revenue and in most cases- nothing else matters. Reporters used to take risks, a voice of reason and hold society accountable. Locally, all we are left with is a liberal newspaper seeking social media approval, being ever so careful not to hurt advertiser’s feelings.  

This lowers the bar for everyone.

Corporate Management

Corporate management is so concerned to move up the ladder or protect their positions, problems don’t exist. The only real problem is when they are able to avoid the leak. So, generally the problem is the person who reports the bad news. The plan to shutdown the point of question invariably becomes the point of attack.

Whatever happened to- Don’t shoot the messenger?

--Again, the bar is lowered and the outcome is a message of everything’s roses.

Hardly!

Stay in Line-Follow the Sheep

The saddest fact is young people witness these acts of poor leadership techniques and believe it is acceptable or the norm. The public believes everything is fine. Monkey see, Monkey do.

Eventually, a large part of society has been so blinded, so mislead that it fails to recognize right from wrong. The message sent is nothing matters except money, greed and position. Everything is fine, just sit back and let us run the ship.

That little ice-burg we just hit was nothing. Keep dancing. After all, we are the Titanic!

Just the Facts

Far better to question authority, use a fact checker or follow-up the situation yourself. Push the powers to be to ask the right questions and hold those responsible for answers. Never settle for- “No” or “I’ll get back with you.”

Settling for the norm ensures mediocrity or worse. Relying on someone else to have your best interests at heart is a mistake. It’s only their own agenda that matters to them.

If you are unable to get results going up the chain of command- stop contributing to the product, find a new job or remove yourself from the situation., Writing helps, because in today’s social media rage articles get noticed quickly and most businesses hate bad publicity. Sometimes, it’s the last source to seek change.

Encouraging integrity from our leaders  raises the bar of accountability, reduces the need for transparency and encourages truth.

By seeking purposeful questions we will hold those accountable for meaningful answers!

Anything less is lip service.

Until We Meet Again,
 Jim Carver

Author: The Legacy of David A. Wells- The Lexington High School “Band of Gold”
Something Meaningful that Matters!
www.successthroughmusic.com

http://jimcarver.blogspot.com/

Disclaimer- Books and links on this website contain affiliate marketing sources between Jim Carver and third party companies. I only recommend products, brands and businesses that I strongly support. Photos used on this site are used courtesy of the original authors and in no way endorse The Rust Belt Chronicles or my work. Thank you.