John Pilmer will be meeting with Utah Governor Gary Herbert this next week.

We want to know: what question(s) would you ask your governor?

Tell us in the comments below.

“David After Dentist” racked up more than 37 million views, and “JK Wedding Entrance Dance” received more than 33 million. The rest were re-purposed content from television and movies.

But can small businesses get similar success with a household camera?

Inc. Magazine’s Technology blog posed the question to PilmerPR, specifically regarding the increasingly-popular Flip cameras. Would potential customers forgive the bad lighting and background noise if they were viewing the video online?  PilmerPR answered with a clear YES.

From the article, “Five Ways Pocket Video Betters Business“:

Since the cameras are easier to use, business owners are more likely to exercise a little creativity and shoot video more often. The drawbacks are relatively minor and include lighting, occasional sound quality issues (the Flip lacks a jack for an external microphone) and the lack of a professional producer’s eye.

The tradeoffs are well worth it in the age of online video says Andon Carling of PilmerPR, a Utah firm that specializes in public relations for small- to medium-sized businesses. “Some experts have calculated that TV-quality video can cost $2,000 a minute. The same minute with a Flip camera would cost a small fraction of the price,” Carling says. “Furthermore, online viewers may not trust a high-quality, production-studio film as much as they would a grass-roots ‘man on the street’ production. From a public relations standpoint, a shaky picture adds a level of sincerity.”

PilmerPR, has been using Flip cameras for the past few years with small-to-medium sized businesses. The cameras help us deliver Web-based video on a budget that meets their needs.

Here are a few examples of how we have used Flip cameras for the Web:

• John Pilmer, founder of PilmerPR and Chairman of the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum, was interviewed for a quick-turnaround video about the forum. We used Windows Movie Maker to edit the film, which also saved hundreds of dollars for the client. The video is now posted numerous places on the Web. See “What is UVEF?“.
• For the same client, John Pilmer interviewed the winner of a UVEF award. In the past year, this video has already received nearly 2,000 views. See “Agel - UVEF Top 25 Under Five Winner.”
• For Certiport, a global computer certification provider, we interviewed the CEO as he discussed the use of Certiport’s digital certifications. See “Retooling for Jobs - Certiport CEO David Saedi.”

PilmerPR specializes in new ways to get the most bang for our clients’ buck. Flip cameras are just one tool in that social media arsenal. Contact us to learn about other ways we can help your business.

As chairman, John oversees all Forum activities and management.

“This is an exciting place and time to be an entrepreneur,” Pilmer said in the official press release. “Organizations like Forbes and Inc. recognize Utah as a leader in aspiring businesses. As the economy turns around, investors and lenders are ready to put their money into promising ventures, and they look to Utah for compelling start-ups and exceptional entrepreneurs. UVEF is ready to make the most of this unique opportunity.”

John understands the challenges entrepreneurs face, and the strategies that can help them succeed. He founded PilmerPR in 2003, which specializes in small-business public relations. PilmerPR helped launch successful businesses like Mozy, ElectraTherm, iFollo and eComfort. PilmerPR, itself, has continued to grow and win numerous awards.

UVEF is a volunteer non-profit support group that helps entrepreneurs and small-business in Utah succeed through education and networking. John succeeds Roger Andrus, Executive Director of UtahAngels and Business Development Corporation of Provo, as UVEF chairman.

See the Official Press Release

Watch John Pilmer explain the benefits of UVEF membership, and the state of entrepreneurship in Utah:

A LinkedIn cleantech group member recently asked a question about the water shortage in Los Angeles. My answer was so good, perhaps you may enjoy reading it as well.

LA is at the tail of a tiger that is getting grouchy-the Colorado River, providing water to 25 million people in 7 states. Follow that river upstream and you will find a battle royal brewing over this symptom of man’s unsustainable management of this limited resource.  (see LA Times article)

Until the mid 20th century the river supported a rich marshland, now decimated, teaming with wildlife. The river, so wide and grand at points, now trickles into the Gulf of California, sucked dry by our determination to sustain the unsustainable.

Yes, PilmerPR would like to be the PR firm that fights for better stewardship of fresh water in the western U.S. And, let’s not stop there, we want to be the PR agency of record for stewardship of the ocean where our tons of waste and over fishing are really screwing up one of our most incredible food resources.

What’s the answer? Education and a view beyond the next drink are a start. Until we share a vision of mutual benefit and stewardship of resources, we are only treating symptoms of the problem.

http://pilmerpr.com/green_public_relations.html
jpilmer@pilmerpr.com
LinkedIn group: Office of Sustainability

Did you know that in the U.S. we consume 176 billion gallons of motor fuel per year? (source: USDOT) If 1% of our vehicles increased their MPG by 30%, that would save 528 million gallons of fuel the first year.

More more info: jpilmer@pilmerpr.com

Here are just a couple.

Sharpen the Angle. Dimensions of increasing the angle of attack for a new project or service include:

Customers must have a Need to Believe your message. Big perceived problem equals big opportunity.

You must give the customer a Reason to Believe. Make it easy for them to see why they need your stuff.

Blow Away Expectations.  You must demonstrate superior value . Focus on dominating in one area first.

You must make a Unique Claim about your product or service.  This can neutralize the competition.

UVEF will soon make audio of today’s terrific presentation available at www.uvef.net

Entrepreneurs aspiring for greatness would do well to pay attention to the lessons of the past as they forge the future.  That’s why I wanted to share a recent Forbes story that hits the mark in my view.  Here’s their list of 10 Arrogance Traps of Entrepreneurs:

“Business plans are for dummies”
Think business plans are just for investors? Wrong. Those plans are primarily for you.

“This is so cool!”
Just because you think your new mousetrap is extraordinary doesn’t mean the whole world will agree

“If we build it, they will come.”
…our product is so great that everyone will know about us anyway by word of mouth and through online social networks…

“We have no competitors.”
If you haven’t identified a competitor…you either 1) haven’t looked or 2) there isn’t any market for what you are selling.

“Me, myself and I.”
I recently watched a promising start-up wither and die for lack of funds because the founder refused to step aside as chief executive in favor of a more experienced candidate…

“We’re too nimble for the big guys to keep up.”
Serving a relatively small customer base well can yield a tidy little business,

“We have more features than anyone”
Truth is, marketing a flurry of features often puts off customers who would rather not have to deal with complexity, or the costs to switch to a new product or service. Simple sells.

“We have the first-mover advantage”
Right. Or, what you really mean, but can’t admit, is that you don’t have a patent or any differentiating competitive advantage.

“There’s no need to risk my own money.”
Investing your own capital is, in the eyes of investors, the difference between “involved” and “committed”–and investors like commitment even more than they like sweat equity.

“We’re funded, now we can relax”
The real work starts when the money comes in

(See entire Forbes story)

ElectraTherm previously announced integration with geothermal technology and industrial waste heat. This is the first solar project they have been involved in and the results look promising.

President Obama has crowned “energy efficiency” as an heir apparent for federal support going forward. ElectraTherm fits the energy efficiency definition very well, taking low temperature heat from any source and turning it into fuel-free, emissions-free electricity.

What do you think?

The challenge is not solely the bourgeois behavior of fans or a rude comment by an athlete. After further review from a business communications perspective, the problem is that high profile customers gave these schools a failing grade as a host.

The company (university) challenge is creating a safe environment and a positive buying experience for customers (fans)-both home and visitor. One could easily make a case that sports tourism, whether from city to city or nation to nation, has a huge impact on school, city and state revenue. Some states allocate funds to ensure they get their piece of the tourism pie through sports. In addition to tourism, think about the legal risk for a school for out of control fans. Read more at Utah Business Magazine.

The following sample public policy and statement (Public Relations Professionals can help with this) would apply to all NCAA sports programs whose goal is to insure packed, not boycotted, sports venues:

To our Fans, Visitors and Athletes

We deeply appreciate your attendance at [SCHOOL] athletic events. Your attendance is important to athletes, coaches and our university. Every individual helps create an exciting and unforgettable sporting experience.

Creating a safe, fun and enjoyable atmosphere for athletic competition has been and continues to be the goal of [            SCHOOL]. Such competition builds school spirit and builds character as athletes strive for excellence on the field or on the court. Welcoming visitors to our campus for these fierce competitions is a vital component of this effort. Treating our guests with respect creates ambassadors for this school and our community that greatly assist in making our university great well into the future.

In keeping with this commitment, any fan attending a [SCHOOL] athletic event, may text [TEXT NUMBER] to report a health emergency or security issue before, during or after the game. Any security concern will be investigated immediately. After assessing the situation according to policies posted at all sporting venues and on [SCHOOL]’s Web site, offending fans may be escorted from the facility.

[SCHOOL] prescribes to a zero tolerance policy for intoxication, extreme verbal abuse, or any physical abuse of another fan. For details regarding this policy, see [WEBSITE].

We encourage you to continuing assisting all the games you can in support of [SCHOOL] athletics. Thank you for providing a competitive atmosphere at [SCHOOL].

Sincerely,

[SCHOOL]