Not enough sales reps in the world
A worldwide shortage of job candidates? That doesn?t sound like today?s environment of corporate consolidations, bankruptcies and globalization; but that?s exactly the issue confronting businesses all across the globe, according to a survey by Manpower. The recent study found that 40 percent of nearly 33,000 employers in 23 countries are having a difficult time finding qualified job candidates. In North America, companies cannot find enough qualified sales representatives, engineers and technicians, in particular.
Reuters quoted Manpower CEO Jeffrey Joerres as observing, ?The talent shortage is becoming a reality for a larger number of employers around the world?. This is not a cyclical trend, as we have seen in the past. This time the talent crunch is for real, and it's going to last for decades."
Further, according to Reuters, Joerres speculated that, within 10 years, ?many businesses would fail because they had not planned ahead for the talent shortage and would be unable to find the people they need to run their businesses.?
?With the competition for qualified technical and marketing people rising to new levels, the way top candidates perceive a company?s brand image has become crucial to the recruiting process,? said Airfoil Vice President of Operations Laura Kelleher. ?The manner in which the company communicates its values, its advantages and its benefits also is critical to winning the best professionals in an extremely tight marketplace. Businesses should ensure that their brand marketing targets employment candidates as well as consumers and that their public relations planning includes the right level of communications effort directed toward the talent they will require in the months and years ahead.?
back
to top
The power of Gartner
In any strategic exercise, the quality of the work will invariably depend on the quality of the information available. It?s equally true when it comes to the development of strategic public relations initiatives, such as those created by Airfoil for its growing list of clients.
In developing and measuring client programs, Airfoil is now able to leverage the resources of Gartner, one of the world?s most respected analysts of trends and issues related to information technology, an area that impacts most businesses.
Through Airfoil?s subscription to this service, the company is able obtain the latest data and information as well as insight into the advice, opinions and approaches that the world?s top companies are adopting.
For example, in preparing a strategy for a new product launch, Airfoil may call on Gartner for information related to the market: competitive activity, barriers to entry and positioning.
As a subscriber, Airfoil also has direct access to Gartner analysts, bringing the company?and its clients?the ability to probe for deeper insights as the need arises. The results are more meaningful insights for Airfoil clients.
And a better strategy.
For more information on how Airfoil can leverage Gartner for you, please contact Chris Yoon.
back
to top
Let?s Talk Computers
If you?re a technology enthusiast, you?ve likely enjoyed Let?s Talk Computers, the longest running computer-oriented radio program of its kind. Let?s Talk Computers is produced in Nashville, Tenn., and is broadcast by stations there as well as in Alabama, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Texas and New Mexico. It also is broadcast on the Web from the show?s site at www.lets-talk-computers.com, so it is accessible to everyone.
The program offers computer advice from an insider?s perspectives. Listeners learn all the tricks, tips and inside information centering on computer applications and technology issues, as hosts Alan and Sandra Ashendorf interview technology-industry experts. The show?s staff actually tests the products offered by their guests, acquiring real-life in-store products (not pre-release versions) for evaluation. Prior to the date that the 15-minute on-air interview is aired, the show issues a news release announcing the guest?s appearance and distributes it to more than 40,000 journalists who are read and heard by 3.3 million consumers. The interviews are archived on the Let?s Talk Computer Web site; and, in addition, the Nashville Computer User monthly features a transcript of one of the program?s segments for its own readers.
?LTC offers an unusual opportunity for a tech-company executive to project thought leadership through a quarter-hour broadcast discussion of a technology product or issue,? said Airfoil Vice President Eric Kushner. ?The show has a large and loyal following, and most listeners also are potential prospects for technology products or services.?
back
to top
Automotive/manufacturing technology practice demonstrates Airfoil?s strengths
Airfoil?s recently established Automotive/Manufacturing Technology practice area builds on the agency?s deep experience in technology PR. The growing practice area is led by Vice President Kim Welch who has more than 20 years of automotive communication experience, most recently leading communications at global tier-one auto suppliers. The Airfoil auto team is developing and executing media relations and analyst relations programs, as well as customer and employee communications plans, for clients that are tier-one suppliers, alternative-energy providers, logistics-management companies, technology-solution providers and dealer-communication systems developers.
back
to top
Watch for Airfoil
State and national business sources have their eyes on Airfoil. Airfoil has been named one of the Edward Lowe Foundation?s ?50 Companies to Watch in Michigan.? The designation recognizes powerhouse small businesses and their role in the state?s economy. Selection to the list reflects performance in the marketplace, innovative or valuable contributions to the region?s community or economy, and significant potential for achievement. In addition, O?Dwyer?s Directory, the statistical bible of the PR industry, has designated Airfoil as the second-fastest-growing PR agency in America. The publication also ranked Airfoil 50th in worldwide fees among independent PR firms with major U.S. operations in 2005.
back
to top
eBay Dream Cruise event shines
The eBay Motors team from Airfoil turned in an Olympic-style performance in the 2005 Mercury Awards competition, nabbing the Gold Award in Special Events for bringing the online automotive site to life at the Woodward Dream Cruise program. The Airfoil program connected the client?s top executives with media in Detroit during the Cruise, which is the world's largest grassroots celebration of car culture, annually attracting more than 1.7 million visitors and more than 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, customized and collector cars, and special-interest vehicles. Airfoil created a highly visible hands-on exhibition at a key focal point on the Cruise route that attracted considerable attention and media coverage for eBay Motors.
back
to top
Airfoil develops new client services
Airfoil will be developing a range of new client services over the next few months. Highlighted at the agency?s recent annual meeting, they are expected to include:
- A new proprietary database for media relations
- New technology for more efficiently developing, producing and distributing electronic client newsletters
- Two new types of proprietary research capabilities to assist clients
- A new instant-messaging infrastructure to improve our real-time contact with clients and other team members
- Expansion of our editorial services department capabilities
back
to top
Business-to-consumer group expands
Increasingly clients in our business-to-consumer practice are turning to Airfoil for expanded communications activities, and four additional public relations professionals have joined our account teams to support these efforts.
- Account Executive Steve Rozewski provides leadership, support and high levels of service for Infor, eBay Motors and PayPal.
- Katie Brown is an account executive responsible for supporting eBay, PayPal, Starbucks Coffee Company and Fry Inc. communications programs.
- Assistant Account Coordinator Nicole Williams provides media relations and research support for eBay Motors, ProStores, Sikkens, PayPal, American Laser Centers and Starbucks.
back
to top
Giacomantonio joins research department
Lucia Giacomantonio has joined Airfoil?s Research Department, where she supports new-business development and supports research programs. Among her responsibilities is the assembly of data for Airfoil?s Media Radarsm research program that analyzes our clients? relative positioning in the news media.
back
to top |
