EdSoehnel.com

Links

• Some book marketing ideas in this post: ow.ly/aJ22B
• I get creative social media marketing ideas from @MichaelHyatt: ow.ly/aJ1uQ Here are a few around his upcoming book.
• I luv Amazon, but this seems to be getting way out of their focus: ow.ly/aHN5d
• 2012 food innovation product predictions: ow.ly/aHN42Not sure if these will be hot products/trends, but still interesting to…
• Private label food use climbing, but consumer satisfaction declining, finds survey: ow.ly/aF1Pq nice data on private label
• Five Tips to Optimize Your DRTV Media – American Market: ow.ly/aDOXj Some nice tips here for companies that use infomercials.

LinkedIn/Quora Answers

Posts

• Trouble spots to watch for in growing a consumer products company (subscribers)
• Sales Operations Calendar (subscribers)

Links

Products (food, farming, pets, outdoor, technology)

•  C-Stores Morphing into QSRs: ow.ly/ajdaG
• Dollar Stores Take On Wal-Mart, And Are Starting To Win: ow.ly/alKAL I’ve never sold to them; can’t remember when I was last in one
• RT @i2packaging: Tetra Pak is looking at entering #food & #wine markets; if done “properly” could account for 60% of company sales….
• RT @retail_sails: The Black Ops of #Retail: How startup predict what consumers want even before the product exists bit.ly/IkArjR
• A potential source of capital for start-ups and small companies in the CPG space.ow.ly/anfN7
• Introducing The Shops at Target: ow.ly/anXFtThis is interesting. Target using its estate to become more like a mall.
• RT @retail_sails: Expect more famous#retailers to disappear amid ‘strategic failure’ of big-box model bit.ly/HYuCMp
• The top 10 fastest-growing U.S. industries (Hint: Think hot sauce): ow.ly/aqo7h
• Is Retail Quietly Trending Away From Bricks and Mortar? ow.ly/asm6T Some insightful comments to this question
• ow.ly/asn99 I don’t work in fashion, but am fascinated how this industry shrinks concept-to-market timelines. Any lessons for food?
• Neat: “New Farmers Market to Include Small-Scale Backyard Farmers” bit.ly/I89C69 cc @EdibleSF @BKHomesteader@SlowMoneyNYC #urbanag
• Trend Briefing’s monthly: ow.ly/avDGa Covers retail trends.

Dogs

• These bulldogs know how to have fun:ow.ly/apKxq Awesome video!

Training (run, ride, hike,  alpine-telemark-XC ski, shooting, weightlifting, rock climb)/Outdoors/Health/Food/Weather/GPS

• Mystery of the disappearing bees: Solved!ow.ly/aniAC This is significant.

Miscellaneous 

• RT @brandchannelhub: What Makes Pebble the Most Successful Kickstarter Project Ever:bit.ly/JbkAoK This is amazing!
• Wefunder.com: ow.ly/apN4M In the crowdfunding space for start-ups.
• Got my access to Google Drive! I may have to say goodby to Mozy, who has been my 90 gigs backup source for 3 years now.  Follow-up:  Won’t work as backup, as it appears MS Office files are converted to G Drive files.  

LinkedIn/Quora Answers

• Anyone have experience with the sporting/surfing industry? I have patent and TM a product thats “changing” the industry. Need help with distribution or licensing
• How is Landed Cost computed by online retailers? 
• Can anyone suggest the best Conference/Trade Show in which to exhibit?
• How does a new product join shelves of large retails chains?
• Product Sampling… I’m looking for companies interested in sampling at large sports and entertainment events. Who makes the decision at CPG companies?

Posts

• Strategies and tactics for selling to retail category buyers (subscribers)
• Project plan methodology for bringing a consumer product to market (subscribers)

Links

Consumer Products (food, farming, pets, outdoor products)

• VC capital finding opportunities in consumer products: ow.ly/ahKoF
• Cash mobs swarm local shops to generate community spending: ow.ly/agnhk
• Earth Fare Sold to Oak Hill, Seeks New Growth ow.ly/afzFJ Looks like growth capital to be injected into this high end natural…
• Grocers launching mobile, digital couponing system: ow.ly/afzzO
• Kroger Doctrine Is Changing the Channel: ow.ly/a6d0e
• RT @kenclaflin: Wal-Mart pulls out all the stops in its competition with Amazon bit.ly/HO0qkH#in #retail
• RT @retail_sails: The radical transformation & innovation in the world of #retailentrepreneurship huff.to/HRgCzp
• RT @retail_sails: Why Cabela’s Has Emerged as the Top #OmniChannel #Retailerbit.ly/HKMsgW $CAB
• RT @kenclaflin: Creating Brand Gravity….Excellent Read! Mark Bonchek – Harvard Business Review: s.hbr.org/HM8bF6
• Smarter consumer products marketing:Understanding consumers, building brands: ow.ly/a3dQo Some interesting data in this IBM study

Miscellaneous 

• Word of mouth vs. online reviews vs. paid advertising: ow.ly/ad6H2 No surprise in this survey, but still good to know.

LinkedIn/Quora Answers

• What are good ways to sell generic brands products (in bulk quantities)?
• What is the retailers markup on men’s razor blades? If a pack of 10 costs $20, what is the retailers gross profit?

Posts

• Vision, mission, goals and strategy (subscribers)
•  Non-disclosure Agreement (subscribers)
•  Brokers: When to hire, how to find and manage and when to fire (subscribers)

Links

Consumer Products

• How Amazon’s Logistics Keep it Ahead:ow.ly/9ZM43 via @RetailNetGroup
• RT @InStoreTrends: Why So Many Retailers are Claiming EDLP shar.es/pOyS6 #retail#trends #li #fb #EDLP #pricing #strategy #news
• Big box retail under pressure: ow.ly/9YN3f
• Food retailers-growing their private brands:ow.ly/9SJ0t REI in outdoor category is great model/example for growing private brands
• Starbucks’ brilliant move into supermarket supply: sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl… #retail
• RT @retail_sails: What’s In Store, In-Store For U.S. #Retail In 2016 bit.ly/GN9hDZ
• RT @i2packaging: 52% of U.S. consumers say it’s more important to buy local produce than#organic options. goo.gl/4umhj
• RT @dhgisme: Another local farm directorybit.ly/GGUj2Q It seems I learn about a new one each week.
• Costco Makes SKU Rationalization a Fine Art:ow.ly/9OAm0 Good article and comments. I think this is a slow trend in retail.
• RT @dhgisme: USDA Offers School Districts Choice on ‘Pink Slime’ is.gd/6y7n6k by @hbottemiller

Dogs

• RT @TheLightOfDog: Backyard hazards for your pets: ow.ly/9XJkW
• RT @TheLightOfDog: What are the consequences for a dog who misbehaves? Part 2: ow.ly/9SYtl

Miscellaneous 

• We finally cut the satellite/cable cord per this article: ow.ly/9KdUM Using combo of digital over-air, online and Netflix

Posts

How to develop your brand (subscribers)

Links

Retail/CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods)

• Interesting service: they build and maintain your food garden for you. ow.ly/9tYm4 I think this is a viable biz idea
• Analysis: Wal-Mart’s price push tests manufacturers’ prowess: ow.ly/9ucwx
• RT @dhgisme Kleiner Perkins Explores Next-Gen Agriculture Investing bit.ly/wBlsAn Sorry, KPCB, fake chicken not for me.
• RT @RethinkRetail: CPGs Increase Account-Specific Marketing:supermarketnews.com/latest-news/cp…Great data here.
• A peak at some possible organic food trends here: Top 5 Organic Products at 2012 Expo West: ow.ly/9CSkP
• Nordstrom’s offering free shipping for items bought in-store: ow.ly/9Da9E I don’t foresee many other retailers doing this.
• Kale is hot, and other takeaways from a huge food show: ow.ly/9FSQn Expowest tradeshow write-up

Dogs

• RT @TheLightOfDog: Video: GUINNESS trained sheepdog to round up mates and ensure they get to pub on St Patricks day: ow.ly/9xedN
• RT @TheLightOfDog: Can My Dog Eat This?ow.ly/9xdPZ This might be an app worth getting!

Miscellaneous

• How to embrace Facebook’s Timeline:ow.ly/9x43W Nice how-to with the why for brands