Envida Co-Owner Featured In Upstarts Book
The Upstarts Are Here!
They’re young, they’re brash, they’re smart, and they’re 77 million strong. Maybe you are one, maybe you want to partner with them, compete with them, or just get a good look at their playbook. You came to the right place. Upstarts! How GenY Entrepreneurs Are Rocking the World of Business and 8 Ways You Can Profit From Their Success is the result of more than two years of research on young entrepreneurs, but it’s just the beginning of an ongoing conversation. Here, I’ll not only introduce you to the amazing 60+ entrepreneurs in the book, but expand the tribe of Upstarts through blog posts, Q&As, and other dynamic content to which I hope you’ll contribute. The goal: to give readers of all ages a great set of tools for entrepreneurial success.
For more information visit: http://upstartsrock.com/
How to Create Your Company’s Best Logo
Your logo is a visual representation of everything your company stands for. Think of McDonald’s golden arches or the Nike swoosh-these two impressive logos embody these companies well. But many company’s still skimp on developing this key identity piece.
Ideally, your company logo enhances potential customers and partners’ crucial first impression of your business. A good logo can build loyalty between your business and your customers, establish a brand identity, and provide the professional look of an established enterprise.
Consider Allstate’s “good hands” logo. It immediately generates a warm feeling for the company, symbolizing care and trust. With a little thought and creativity, your logo can quickly and graphically express many positive attributes of your business, too.
Logo Types
There are basically three kinds of logos. Font-based logos consist primarily of a type treatment. The logos of IBM, Microsoft and Sony, for instance, use type treatments with a twist that makes them distinctive. Then there are logos that literally illustrate what a company does, such as when a house-painting company uses an illustration of a brush in its logo. And finally, there are abstract graphic symbols-such as Nike’s swoosh-that become linked to a company’s brand. ”Such a symbol is meaningless until your company can communicate to consumers what its underlying associations are,” says Americus Reed II, a marketing professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, who’s conducted research on the triggers that lead consumers to identify with and become loyal to a brand. But building that mental bridge takes time and money. The Nike swoosh has no inherent meaning outside of what’s been created over the years through savvy marketing efforts that have transformed the logo into an “identity cue” for an athletic lifestyle.
Read more at http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/71902
How To Create The Perfect Website Homepage For Your Company
Ever wonder what you really should have on your website’s homepage? It’s often the most over whelming portion of creating the branding that your company needs. Fitting in all the information that you think you need is not always the case. Get straight to the point! When a potential customer or client hits the homepage of your website you will have only about 15 seconds to catch their attention before they head back to their Google search page. Here’s a few tips from our team on how to make it clean, crisp and most importantly…effective!
1. Ask Yourself “What’s the first thing they will see?
This should be the main focus of your site. If its the fact that your company is the best in the industry at producing results or maybe its that you always hear how your companies people are the most friendly group in the biz. Somehow that needs to be portrayed. Most of the time its through an image or stand out text.
2. Grab a Pen and Paper
This is the step that will take you the most time. You will need to make a list of what your company is the absolute best and what you can place on the site to re-market. Your homepage highlights will be key to telling your audience what you can do for them. Don’t be afraid to be very straight forward and list them! What is re-marketing? Its gathering information or getting them to phase two with you. This could be through a newsletter sign up form or your social media marketing links. Always have them wanting more information from you.
3. Find A Site You Already Like
This is a great place to begin if you are completely lost on where to begin. Use a website that is based on your industry whether it be a service or product based site that is similar to you. Mark down what you as a viewer like and don’t like about the layout, graphics and messaging.
4. Don’t Be Afraid To Adjust For Clarity
Once you have a solid design concept, grab at least ten people to tell you what you what they really think and don’t be offended at what’s to come. Are they confused on what you do? What’s the first thing they think when they see it. Does it match what you want it to say about your company on first impression? Not only will this give you more input, but it allows you to make the changes before you are missing out on potential customers. A clean layout, clear messaging and effective content are the keys to a successful homepage.
Envida Creates Social Plan For Youth At Risk To Win Toyota Contest
Public Voting Will Determine 100 Winning Nonprofit Organizations to Receive Toyota Vehicles
- Five nonprofit organizations will be profiled on Toyota’s Facebook page each day (http://www.facebook.com/toyota) from Monday, May 9 – August 16
- The general public is encouraged to vote each day to help determine winners
- One vehicle will be awarded each day through August 16 for a total of 100 vehicles
TORRANCE, CALIF. (May 9, 2011) – Toyota today announced that public voting for its “100 Cars for Good” program is now open through August 16. The program will award 100 vehicles over the course of 100 days to 100 deserving nonprofit organizations based on votes from the public.
Beginning today, five organizations per day will be profiled on Toyota’s Facebook page where the public is invited to show their support by voting daily to help determine the winning nonprofit organization. Each of the 500 nonprofit organizations selected as finalists have created an online profile, which may include a video showcasing how the organization plans to use a new Toyota vehicle to do good in their local community. Voters may place one vote per day, each day, over the course of the program.
Each day, the previous day’s winner will be announced and five new nonprofit organizations will be featured for voting. Winning organizations can choose from the following vehicles: Toyota Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, Highlander Hybrid, Sienna or Sienna Mobility. With each vehicle, Toyota Financial Services will provide a six-year, 100,000 mile Toyota Vehicle Service Agreement to help provide extended protection beyond the vehicle warranty.
The 500 finalists were chosen by an independent panel of judges who are experts in the fields of philanthropy and corporate social responsibility. The finalists represent non-profit organizations servicing the community across a broad range of categories including animal welfare, arts, education, environment, health, safety and human services, among others.
For a complete list of finalists, please visit www.facebook.com/toyota.
Quote
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to shine a light on the outstanding work carried out by each of the 500 finalists,” said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. “The positive impact of these organizations in their respective communities is immeasurable. We encourage the public to learn more about these great nonprofits and actively participate by casting a vote. We wish all of the finalists the best of luck.”
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, including one under construction. Toyota directly employs nearly
30,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.
Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than $500 million to philanthropic programs in the U.S.
For more information on Toyota’s commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/community.
About Toyota Financial Services
TFS is the finance and insurance brand for Toyota in the United States, offering retail auto financing and leasing through Toyota Motor Credit Corporation (TMCC) and extended service contracts through Toyota Motor Insurance Services (TMIS). Lexus Financial Services is the brand for financial products for Lexus dealers and customers. TFS currently employs over 3,300 associates nationwide, and has managed assets totaling more than $87 billion. It is part of a worldwide network of comprehensive financial services offered by Toyota Financial Services Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. For more information, please visit www.toyotafinancial.com.
Envida Launches Grimaldi’s Contest
“Grimalday” Every Day!
Buzz on Facebook grows as Grimaldi’s new facebook contest launched this week. Each day prizes are awarded to facebook fans who enter. 31 days to be exact – April 20th, 2011 – May 20th, 2011. Hats, T-shirts and even better gift cards galore to everyone’s favorite pizzeria! Yum! To enter the contest visit the Grimaldi’s Facebook page.
