You Can Make a Difference - Giving Strategies 2022

Give with a grateful heart!

Written by Robyn T. Braley

Robyn T. Braley is a brand specialist, writer, speaker, community leader and media commentator. He is the President of UniMark Creative Inc. 

The last day of December 2022 is the final opportunity to receive tax credits for donations to charitable organizations.

The needs are great. The residue of the COVID pandemic has been compounded by runaway inflation causing a worldwide economic crisis.

The COVID experience amplified the financial needs in our communities! Inflation means many people can't afford healthy food or rent costs. They are in constant search of cheaper prices.

Every day, worthy causes inundate companies and private individuals with letters, emails and phone calls pleading for help. The challenge is to decide which organizations to help when so many are worthy of support.

People are desperate. Healthcare is at a breaking point. Families are in distress.

All of this brings added pressure on food banks, family resource agencies, addiction recovery organizations, youth programs, and mental health services. Counsellors are overwhelmed by the number of people seeking help. 

Ebineezer Says Businesses are Making a Big Difference in a COVID Christmas

Ebeneezer says, "Make a COVID Christmas a giving Christmas" 

Written by Robyn T. Braley

The saying never gets old. Christmas is a time for giving. It’s a time for recognizing the needs of others and responding in meaningful ways. Christmas is a time for sharing out of a pure heart and a desire to make the world a better place to live. 

COVID-19 has increased the needs in our communities to uber-extreme levels. And now we are dealing with a steady flow of new variants. First, there was the Delta, and now we have the Omicron. 

I know many reading this post are without a job. You've been laid off or your job has been moved to other cities and you are faced with the choice and expense of moving.  

Perhaps you own a small business that failed due to the pandemic. Because of it, your employees are without jobs also. 

Families are in distress. All of this has increased pressures at food banks, family resource agencies, addictions recovery organizations and mental health services. I know counsellors who are overwhelmed by the number of people seeking help. 

I am truly blest to do business in Canada. I work with clients who have a passion for what they do. Giving back to the community is a key part of their business strategies.

 

Many do not limit giving to the Christmas season. As Ebeneezer Scrooge famously said, “I will honour Christmas in my heart and try to keep it all year round.”

A Media Release is a Perfect Tool for Promoting Your Company News, New Product or Big Idea to All Media

The role of a Media Release in today's world of blended media!

Ideal for promoting across mainstream, online and social media platforms! Part 1 of 2.

Written by Robyn T. Braley

You have exciting news! Your company has just developed a revolutionary new product that will change thousands of lives. 

Your assignment is to have hundreds of thousands of people read, see and hear the life-changing news about your innovative new product. Should you choose to accept it, your assignment is to pitch the story to mainstream, online and social media so it can be published, broadcast and posted. 

How will you do this? I have a simple answer! Write a media release so well crafted that it will convince global media to tell your story to the masses! 

Radically Improve Your Video Call Performances

Seriously? Do's and don'ts of Video Conferencing 

Written by Robyn T. Braley 

Video conferencing has been elevated to new levels of use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online communication has become the only way to have real-time visual and audio conversations in many situations. It has made self-isolation only slightly more bearable.

For business, it has established remote work stations as a new reality. Team meetings, client meetings, training along with consultations with professionals like doctors or accountants are a new normal.   

Like it or not, when you are onscreen, you are on stage baby! My tips in this post will help you to be an even better version of you when on camera.

 

Following these tips will make you look better and sound better. They will heighten your online confidence which will make you feel better about the process.

It doesn't matter whether you use Zoom, Skype, Go-to-Meeting, Blue Jean, Google Meet or any other platform. This post will help improve how you present yourself and how others like family, friends or colleagues receive the message you are communicating no matter how casual the conversation! 

I also touch on online decorum. For example, rolling your eyes while the host is speaking will be noted by the others on the call. Why? Because they are probably bored too! They will be filling time looking at each image, and what is showing behind it, of everyone on the call including you.   

How is Your Brand Performing in a Tough Economy

Calgary, Alberta, Centre of Canada's Oil Industry  

Written by Robyn T. Braley

When economies are threatened by domestic politics, international trade uncertainty, unexpected natural disasters or the threat of war, it's time to assess the strength of your brand.

Canada has been impacted by challenges in our petroleum industry which drives our national economy. Government, industry and climate change interest groups can't seem to find a compromise that will allow all parties to move forward for the common good.

Many companies will make it through this time. They will adapt, adjust and carefully manage their operations as they find ways to survive.

Others will not be so lucky. A client operating in the petroleum industry manufactured processing equipment valued at $5,000,000 per unit.

When the oil industry collapsed it happened in a hurry. They failed to find new markets for existing products and could not retool to make new products quickly enough. They were forced into receivership.

A client in commercial construction offers new construction and maintenance services for older high-rise buildings. When the economy sucks, their new construction business dives while their maintenance division soars. Owners of large buildings cannot afford to put off maintenance.