The Backup Plan February 2014

The Future of Facebook

Recently many organizations have speculated upon the future of Facebook.  A recent study was done by Princeton University that compared the social media platform to a virus and predicted it would be all but extinct within the next ten years.  Many of the new social media platforms such as Snapchat and twitter have certain positives and applications that Facebook just does not have.  Studies show that the younger generations are just not using Facebook as much as their older peers.  What does this all mean?  Are we seeing the end of this social media giant?  Personally I think the end of Facebook is something we will not see for a very long time.

The Princeton study that was recently done was terribly pessimistic in regards to the future of the social media powerhouse and seemed to be presented from a very biased point of view.  It talked about Facebook as if it was an infection or an addiction that would eventually wear itself out as its users became more and used to its features and its applications.  The Princeton Study was officially addressed and fervently refuted by Facebook Spokesman Marc Zuckerberg.  The thought that Facebook could lose 80% of its users by 2017 is a bit extreme and founded on very precarious grounds, in reality there is very little evidence to support such a claim.

It is true that younger generations are starting to shy away from the social media platform that their older siblings and parents are so into, often times young teens want to be a part of something that is exclusive or more designed to be specifically for them.   Facebook understands this and is becoming more and more like the next generations Linkedin.   Facebook is also becoming much more mobile friendly with several new applications and options for its users.  Its young management team is on top of their game and will not stand idly by while their platform is surpassed by upstarts.

Facebook is here to stay.  There are several reason why including momentum, versatility and a huge following.  Yes there are many other platforms that offer a different experience but Facebook is the standard to which they are all compared.  This Social media giant is not one that will be quickly or easily felled, Facebook will be around for a long time.

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

Social Media Success for the New Year

We all understand the value of optimizing your digital presence and attaining that o so coveted social proof but for many businesses its still tough to see a recognizable ROI when it comes to social media.  There are many CEO’s out there who look at their marketing teams or the companies they hire and say well that’s great that we have 20,000  Facebook Likes but what’s that worth in dollars and cents?  A very valid question, and unfortunately it is one that is still a bit hard to answer. 

With metrics built in to almost every social platform, and free software that can be downloaded onto your website, to track impressions clicks and interactions is a simple matter.  Still that’s only about 90% of the loop it’s missing that vital last 10%, that part where your customer says “O yea I saw you guys on Facebook so I called.”  With a decent sales and marketing team you can get that last 10 percent by just old-fashioned asking.  What tends to happen however is people are very vague about there answer they say “the computer” or “the internet” very rarely drilling it down, and when your in the middle of a sale its tough to pressure the client for marketing information (You certainly don’t want to risk losing a customer because you were being annoying).

So what can be done?  Try different methods and campaigns with your social media, see what works and what doesn’t, what is getting more shares or likes or follows.  Stick to what works, if you are happy with what your social platforms are doing don’t change anything.  The best thing you can do is combine that old school marketing with these new digital platforms, have your people drill it down as best they can and make the most of what ever data you can collect.

Ultimately it will be somewhat obvious what works when it comes to your social platforms and attaining that social proof.  You will get the impressions and the exposure as well as the credibility it’s just the exact ROI may be difficult to attain.  It may be a little while until we can accurately say that one like on Facebook is worth x amount of dollars.  For right now do the best you can stay with what works and set realistic goals, if you stay on top of it and are diligent about it things will work for you.

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

The Comfort Zone

The comfort zone in the business world describes a state where innovation and invention have ceased.  The comfort zone is a place of stagnation and inactivity where employees, CEOs, departments, and workers are merely going through the motions.  No one and no thing are going above and beyond or thinking out side the box.   The comfort zone is that warm fuzzy place that businesses find themselves in right before they go off to die. Today, more then ever, more and more businesses are finding themselves in exactly that place.

This may sound a bit harsh but it is unfortunately very true.  When a business stops being innovative or becomes complacent it gives the competition the opportunity to surpass them.   Employees used to simply going thru the motions will never seek to challenge themselves or do more then what they are used to.  Simply stepping out side your comfort zone is often not enough, as Steve jobs once said “Stay hungry, Stay foolish.”  We need to be diving off the rooftops into unknown territory, taking chances and entertaining all new thoughts and ideas. 

The life cycle of most business across all industries is relatively typical, they rise they find some modicum of success then become complacent, they atrophy, they fall.  This cycle revolves around the comfort zone.  The comfort zone allows the competition to surpass and promotes lethargy in your employees.  To motivate by fear is not exactly the answer but it is important to be agile, always thinking always making moves.  Like the most interesting man alive likes to say “Stay thirsty my friends.”

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick

The 2014 Winter Olympics

The 2014 Winter Olympic games (XXII Olympic Winter Games) are being held in Sochi Russia this year.  Currently they are underway and, as all Olympic Games usually are, they have been intense, full of surprises, disappointments and of course triumphs.  Beginning with questionable living conditions in the Russian tundra and continuing with amazing feats and stunning upsets the Olympic games never fail to disappoint.

Currently the United States is tied for first place in regard to over all medals won, Russia and the Netherlands share the top spot with 17 medals each.  Germany so far has accumulated the most Golds in the XXII Olympic Winter Games.   These games began with Gold medals being won by the Americans in both Men’s and Women’s Snowboarding Slope Style event, a new event for this year’s Olympic Games.  Favorite Sean White dropping out of the event, claiming it was too dangerous.  White attempted to preserve himself for his snowboarding half pipe event for which he was also the favorite, but was upset by the next generation of snowboarders.

Evegeni Plushenko the Russian rock star figure skater has been a dominant force in the figure skating world for nearly a decade.  After securing Gold in the team event he disappointed his adoring fans with his withdrawal from the men’s singles competition.  A wise move considering his many surgeries.  His Claim “I am not a Robot.” May sound silly or obvious but the underlying meaning is profound.  Some of these athletes are pushed and pushed by the expectations of their fans and their countries and some are pushed beyond their limits to the determent of their emotional and physical selves.  I for one agree with Evgeni’s decision to withdraw, a prudent and mature decision.

The Olympic Game’s are always incredible, the joining of nations, the celebration of the best athletes in the world and of course intense spectacular competition.  These games have been no different and I am sure as they wind to a close we will continued to be amazed and surprised by the worlds most incredible and impressive individuals.

All Star Limousine is a Long Island, New York based company with an extensive global reach; we provide expert Wedding, Special Event and Executive Travel services throughout the Tri-State area and the world. We have over 30 years of experience in the travel industry; our attention to detail, 2013 top-of-the-line vehicles and professional trained Chauffeurs set us apart from the rest!

by Jarrad Kulick