Junk or Gems?   Water Quality Products April 2003   Brad Linden, Xpedite
Marketers and sales professionals need to learn how to make their point quickly and effectively, without alienating their recipients. Following are some quick tips to ensure that your mass e-mail communications will be received well.
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Launching a New Product   Water Quality Products December 2002   Walt Denny
Bottled water is second only to soft drinks in volume sold. In a market that appears saturated with so many bottled water brands all promising similar benefits, how do companies keep making a splash with new products? It isn't rocket science, but how and when you launch a new product is key. It's one of the most effective ways of capturing the media's Attention--and if done right, it can be a company's ticket to success.
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Eight Ways to Build Employee Commitment   Water Quality Products November 2002   Adrian Gostick
Creating a fairy-tale work environment begins with recognition. Your employees need it more than money, perks or titles. Here are eight tips regarding recognition. Remember these, and your employees may just start whistling while they work.
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Where Is Your Operation Headed Next?   Water Quality Products July 2002   G.A. “Andy” Marken, Marken Communications, Inc.
Regardless of whether you are trying to determine where you are going tomorrow with your present company emphasis, or planning to enter prospective new areas, a strategy plan is necessary. Such a plan helps ensure that everyone in the organization is in agreement as to the posture and direction of the company. Equally important is the fact that your financial backers know where you are going and have the level of confidence necessary to support you in the effort. Putting the information down on paper is far from fun, but the rewards are well worth the effort.
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Bottled Water Quality   Water Quality Products May 2002   Barbara L. Marteney and Kristin Safran, National Testing Laboratories
Due to growing concerns about environmental contamination from industry and the use of everyday products as well as fears of intentional tampering of water supplies, people are becoming more conscious of water quality. Letting your customers know that bottled water is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a food product and that it is safe is an important part of your business.
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Promoting Your Company Through Local Media and the Community   Water Quality Products April 2002   Wendi Hope King, WQP Staff
Advertising in national publications and television stations is the standard route taken by businesses, even small ones. Promotions and advertising are key to any good business. However, it is small businesses that reach out directly to their communities that gain marketshare and a solid customer base.
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Ten Low-Cost Steps to Keep Employees from Job Hunting   Water Quality Products April 2002   G.A. “Andy” Marken, Marken Communications, Inc
The primary motivation for individuals who are job hunting seldom is simply a bigger paycheck. There are low-cost efforts you can undertake to retain the people you want to keep.
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Only Time Will Tell   Water Quality Products January 2002   Multiple Authors
The unprecedented events of Sept. 11 and the recession that began hitting our nation at the beginning of 2001 created havoc in the business world. The water industry was no exception; it also saw its share of fluctuation. With such an unpredictable economy, we move into 2002. WQP asked industry professionals nationwide to comment on what the water industry may see in the upcoming year. Although these professionals share their outlooks for next year, only time will tell what lies ahead.
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In Need of an Economy Upswing   Water Quality Products October 2001   G.A. Marken, Marken Communications, Inc.
Historically, the economy improves only when people are convinced that it is improving. Apparently, the Bush Administration hasn’t been all that convincing because the economy isn’t steadily improving. At least, not according to corporate managers and, most importantly, not according to consumers.
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Breaking Through the Financial Barrier   Water Quality Products June 2001   G.A. "Andy" Marken
As you drive along Highway 101 in California?s Santa Clara Valley, Route 128 near Boston, the Beltway around Washington D.C., the Carolina?s Silicon Triangle, Washington State?s Silicon Forest or nearly anywhere across the country, you almost can see the parched bones of entrepreneurial ideas that have died and been cast aside. They lie next to now healthy giants and soon-to-be-successful product and service organizations.
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Duty Calls For Local Awareness   Water Quality Products May 2001   Wendi Hope King
Editorial: May 6—12 is National Drinking Water Week (NDWW). It is our duty and opportunity as water professionals to make this week work for us by incorporating local companies, expertise and even the Water Quality Association (WQA) into NDWW.
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Top 12 Things We All Do That Kill the Close   Water Quality Products April 2001   Carl Davidson
Sometimes we are so close to the sale we can taste it until we do something that kills it in its tracks. To prevent us all from doing this, here are the top 12 things we all do sometimes to kill the sale.
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I've Never Met a Rich Sharecropper   Water Quality Products March 2001   Carl Davidson
Sharecroppers are poor tenant farmers. They farm the land for the owner in exchange for a share of or percentage of the crops they produce for the owner. They do what they are told and have no land to farm themselves.
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International Business: The Business Card   Water Quality Products January 2001   Eric Aparnieks
Have you ever wondered why we carry business cards? If you ever stopped to think about it, they really are unique in many ways.

The Business of Family   Water Quality Products September 2000   Mike Henning
A major predictable pitfall for business-owning families is their lack of policies that will eventually affect each family member in the present generation and for generations to come.

Collaboration: Personal Power, Not Position Power, Part II   Water Quality Products May 2000   G.A. "Andy" Marken
The following article is part two of a two-part series that began in the April issue. The most valuable asset a leader of any kind can have is the ability to determine the strengths and weaknesses of key people and leverage their talents and interests so they deliver results for the program and themselves.

Nine Highlight Audit Items for Small Business Owners   Water Quality Products March 2000   Mike Henning
The following are the key items that the IRS historically looks at in determining whether to conduct a personal audit.

Managing People: Your Most Difficult, Most Rewarding Task, Part II   Water Quality Products February 2000   G.A. "Andy" Marken
When you really understand yourself and your interrelationship with people who work with and for you, everyone can accomplish more. The following article is continued from the January issue.

Seeking Family Business Advice   Water Quality Products August 1997   by Edwin A. Hoover, Ph.D., CMC, and Colette Lombard Hoover, M.S.
For family business owners, knowing when and how to engage a professional family business consultant feels like trying to find the light switch in a dark, unfamiliar room. Most consulting relationships are great successes, but for those that end in frustration, it is lose/lose for both the owner and the consultant.

Elements of a Business Plan   Water Quality Products November 1995   Mike Henning
Having a sound business plan is essential for survival; ten reasons why businesses fail