Copper Bella Wins Grand Prize at New Product Fair
Copper Bella Wins Grand Prize at the Wes Watkins New Product Fair
December 12, 2009 – Copper Bella, LLC has won 1st place in the Small Business Division and 1st place Overall Grand Prize Winner in the New Product and Process Fair in Oklahoma City, OK.
Founded over 20 years ago, the New Product and Process Fair has been challenging the creativity of inventors of all ages. Fair founder and former Congressman Wes Watkins says the annual event is designed to inspire people to envision new products and processes which are the seeds of economic prosperity. Categories included Elementary Student Division, Secondary Student Division, Adult/Collegiate Student Division, Open Class Division and Small Business Division. Winners received a cash award, certificate and trophy.
Copper Bella, LLC won the New Product and Process Fair with their copper plated thermoplastic architectural building products. On display were a 36″ copper plated finial and ball-shaped fence post topper. Future products include a line of several finial designs, fence post toppers, cupolas, attic roof vents and guttering accessories such as leader heads and decorative gutter straps. For more information about Copper Bella, LLC and their products, please call (918) 245-1140 or visit http://www.copperbella.com.
Dan Edwards and Teri Ward
COMPANY NAME CHANGE
Why the Name Change?
Summit Management Group, Inc. was incorporated in January 2002. Our goal back then was to start a management consulting business offering executive level services including strategic marketing, mergers and acquisition consulting, and industrial and environmental consulting services.
Early on one of the partners moved to Texas to teach at a university. In year two, another partner had an incredible opportunity to purchase a local company and has since moved on to purchase and grow several other companies. Summit naturally evolved into a marketing communications company and has flourished ever since.
Many of our clients wonder about the name. Are we a property management company (no)? Are we SMG, the BOK center folks (no)? An insurance agency (no)? An advertising agency (yes)? So with the urging and a gentle push from our amazing clients we have updated the company name to Laizure Marketing and Public Relations.
We have a new name, new website and some new products like Internet marketing and social media services. And we have partnered with industry experts to develop the Inventor’s Consortium, a resource area to help inventors take their ideas to market.
Our new website was built using WordPress so we can stay in touch. We’ll be jumping in head first with blogging and social media (Twitter, Facebook) so stay tuned. Or better yet, click one of the icons to the right and follow us. We’ll be posting information you can use including local business news, media specials and marketing tips and tricks.
So thanks everyone for the push. Laizure Marketing and Public Relations is here to stay.
Customer Service via Twitter & Facebook?
Social media is a two way street. It is a great way to get information and news out to people you want but it’s also good customer service. How does it make you feel when someone says something nice about you? Pretty great, right? And you remember the compliment. In fact, you will probably remember the compliment if you ever need something in the future….
Facebook business pages (or fan pages) make quick testimonials easy. By “friend-ing” someone you can be up on their latest news and they are up on your latest news. You can also give them an occasional “shout-out” to let them know you are #1 thinking of them, #2 care about their business, #3 are interested in a long-term relationship, because you are going the extra mile to make their business a success.
So be a friend (Facebook) or follow (Twitter) your customers today. Then write something to uplift and promote their business. They will appreciate the kind words, and appreciate you for doing it.
Welcome to the Inventors Consortium
“Imagination is more important than knowledge” - Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
We offer inventors:
- Product consulting services
- Product design drawings
- Prototypes
- Tooling molds
- Manufacturing consulting
- Intellectual property consulting
- Patent services
- Trademark services
- Copyright applications
- Product packaging
- Product image development
- Sales collateral
- Industry trade show
- Websites and social media
- Infomercials, TV and radio spots
- Marketing plans and budgets
Most of all, we provide guidance.
We are here to help you take that sketch on a napkin to a real product you can hold in your hands. We will help you design, protect and produce your product, as well as provide the sales tools to market your product.
Your product is your product. We are not investors and do not take shares of your product sales in return for services rendered. We also do not sell your product. You are the best salesman for your product because it’s your idea, your passion, and ultimately your hard work.
Although there are reputable manufacturer reps and sales companies for new inventions, please be wary about late-night, TV commercial type “marketing” companies that promise to sell your product for you. They are only interested in a “piece of the action”. We are only interested in your success.
Inventors Consortium team members include:
TERI WARDPlastic Engineer, Prototypes
Integrated Plastic Solutions (918) 630-3952 teri.ips@cox.net
MOLLY D. MCKAY, P.C.
Intellectual Property Attorney
(918) 742-5900
(918) 742-5901 fax staff@mckaypatents.com
www.mckaypatents.com
DEBRA LAIZURE
Marketing Consultant Laizure Marketing & Public Relations (918) 366-3342
(918) 366-3341 fax dlaizure@laizuremarketing.com www.laizuremarketing.com
INVENTOR RESOURCES
- Oklahoma Certified Business Incubators
- The Patent Process
- Trademarks
- Inventors Assistance Center
- Public Complaint Forum for Invention Promoter Firms
- http://www.asktheinventors.com/index.htm
- http://www.inventioncity.com/
- http://www.bpmlegal.com/pinvmktg.html
- http://www.lambertinvent.com/index.htm
- http://www.oklahomainventors.com/
- http://web.mit.edu/invent/invent-main.html
- http://www.everydayedisons.com
Is Social Media a fad?
Do you still think social media is a technological flash in the pan? That it’s for teenagers and is used only for entertainment? Click Here to learn more about the social media revolution.
Then call us at (918) 366-3342 to see how we can increase your business through social media and search engine optimization.
What is whatis.com?
www.whatis.com is a self-education tool about information technology, especially about the Internet and computers. Designed for IT specialists and computer programmers, www.whatis.com is a total geek-fest. However, it’s also an excellent resource for small business owners like you and me.
For instance, their cheat sheets and quick reference section (click here) is my favorite place on this website. Need to know an acronym used in manufacturing? Want to know more about Blogging terminology? Maybe you need a refresher tutorial for Excel. It’s all here and more. But be careful…you might get all “techy.”
Persuading a Prospect
According to sales coach Hilton Johnson, it’s easy to reduce sales resistance. The next time your prospect hesitates to move forward with your proposal, say this: “Based on what you’re saying, this is probably not for you. Shall I close your file?” Selling is a game, and fear of loss is a great motivator. Not that I’ve done this to any of MY clients 
.
Signage Works!
Do you have a brick and mortar location? Can you be seen from the road? Is your sign easy to read? Keep this in mind: A 1-inch letter is easily seen 100 feet away. Use 2-inch letters for 200 feet, and so on.
“But” vs. “However”
The way you use the words “but” and “however” can make a big difference. The word “but” usually precedes a negative thought – “Your product is incredible BUT it’s too expensive.” People block out the compliment because they are ready for a letdown. “However” is a softer transitional word. For instance, “You’re service is great, HOWEVER I’d like to see your customer testimonials before I buy.”
Prevent Mistakes
Wait 24 hours before sending any important information. This includes an important email, direct mail campaign or a brochure to the printer. You are probably too close to the project to see any mistakes. Time away to refresh your perspective can make a huge difference. Or better yet, ask someone else to proof it to reduce any embarrassing mistakes.
