Travel Possibility

The world has become a much noisier place. Instead of choosing from a handful of local tv and radio stations and networks, the average consumer is bombarded by cable networks, satellite radio, and podcasts, to say nothing of the constant noise created by websites, blogs, online video channels, etc. Now even the simple telephone has been replaced by smartphones that provide access to content, programming and, yes, advertising, that was unimaginable twenty years ago.

Amidst all this noise, retailers have to find ways to be heard and noticed by potential customers. Some stick to the old school way of putting sale fliers in the newspaper and mail, but most have moved to using shoppers clubs, loyalty programs , and online communities as a means for reaching new customers and then keeping then engaged over time so that they become repeat visitors and even store advocates.

One of the most popular ways of giving a consumer a sense of ownership in a business is by issuing them a plastic card . In most cases these cards entitle the holder to additional discounts and savings when they purchase certain items. Some cards are used to accrue points against future freebies or to replace the old-style punch cards where buying five or ten of an item results in a free item on the next visit. In both of these cases the card creates a connection between the consumer and the store and provides an incentive for the customer to return again and again. The only noise the card has to compete against is any other cards in a given consumer’s wallet.

For centuries there’s been a belief that a man’s word is his bond , or his reputation. As modern means of communication evolved, the ability of the media and later of the public to investigate the actual actions of individual leaders and business tycoons put their reputations under greater scrutiny. Today, with the internet leaving no corner unturned, it is possible to investigate the reputation of anyone — not just political and business leaders and celebrities. Everyone, from the small business consultant to the college student can have their reputation smeared online and have to figure out how to fix it.

This is where the field of online reputation management enters the picture. There are definite strategies and actions that can be taken proactively to make it harder for someone to damage an online reputation. There are other strategies to use once someone’s reputation has been attacked or otherwise damaged.

In general, the quality of an online reputation is determined by conducting a web search for the name of an individual. If the highest results are negative or if most of the results are negative web pages, reviews, and other links, then the overall reputation is negative. If people are researching a potential employee, the CEO of a start up they want to invest in, or a candidate for a position on a local board or committee, a negative online reputation can be extremely damaging. This is why companies like elixir interactive work to provide advice and strategies to people looking to protect their online reputation. While they will do the actual management work for companies and individuals who can afford to hire professional help, they also provide tips on their blogs and websites that can be used by average people who want to protect their own reputation.