Posts Tagged ‘Allen Voivod’
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
We here at the No Bull Business Blog are dedicated to ridding the world of needless business jargon and acronyms. We believe that simplicity is best and that the business community wants clear and concise messages about the programs and services they require to succeed.
 With that goal as a backdrop, we are happy to unveil the newest addition to No Bull TV, a short video that combines dodgeball with business doublespeak. For those of you who’ve forgotten, No Bull TV is the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s new YouTube channel that is geared toward providing a video component to our communications efforts – right now, the channel is being used to draw attention to this blog and our social media efforts. As we speak, we are sifting through footage culled from the No Bull Motorcycle Run, Greenerpalooza and Social Media Night at the Manchester Wolves and plan to upload those videos soon. We will also be featuring some of our upcoming events, our Open Invitation initiative and our Innovation Rocks winners.
 In terms of the dodgeball shoot (http://www.youtube.com/user/nobulltv) , special thanks to the very creative John Herman and his film crew and actors, to our own awesome ad team at Square Spot Design and especially to Allen and Lani Voivod, our social media gurus at Epiphanies, Inc. for having a huge red ball launched at them countless times over a one hour period.
Stay tuned for more No Bull TV and until then, avoid all unnecessary business mumbo jumbo or be prepared to duck!
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Allen Voivod, Epiphanies Inc., Greenerpalooza, Innovation Rocks!, John Herman, Lani Voivod, Manchester Wolves, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, No Bull Business Blog, No Bull Motorcycle Run, No Bull TV, Open Invitation, Square Spot Design
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Ready….Aim…..DUCK!
Wednesday, September 9th, 2009
At this stage of my professional career, vanity is out the window. It’s all about creating the type of stir that will drive results in a creative, non-traditional fashion.
That’s why on one warm August afternoon, I found myself in the middle of a field at Miles Smith Farm (www.milessmithfarm.com) in Loudon wearing a matador outfit (complete with Jerry Seinfeld “puffy shirt”) and waving a red cape in front of 1,500 pound Scottish Highlander cattle.
 Square Spot Design Creative Director Lisa Williams and "El Matador" Steve Boucher The reason I was partaking in this activity was relatively simple – the NH Division of Economic Development needed to kick off its “No Bull TV” YouTube campaign in high energy, full speed ahead fashion. What better way to tell the New Hampshire business community about our desire to provide them with the best possible information (minus the bull) than by driving all of the “bull” out of the state?
Considering the fact that there appear to be few or no live, breathing bulls in the state and the mechanical variety seem to be in short supply, the Scottish Highland Cattle at Miles Smith Farm were a more than suitable substitute. With the tremendous assistance of Farm Co-Owner Carole Soule, we were able to craft a fun YouTube spot with the great setting of a farm that has been in operation since the 1850’s. Miles Smith Farm is a historic jewel in our state with 36 acres and a tremendous view that allows its owners to view the July 4th fireworks from five neighboring towns.
Our message of the YouTube campaign is simple – we’re listening to you. In every interaction with business leaders and private sector partners, we’ve heard the same refrain, Give us something different….present information to us in a way that no one else is so that we can stand up and take notice.
 NH Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher and Miles Smith Farm Co-Owner Carol Soule (sporting the "No Bull Business Blog" baseball cap) The job of a State Communications Director is to inform, entertain and interpret and somewhere down the line, the whole notion of entertaining and challenging our audience got lost. Let’s face it – there are millions of communications vehicles available to business owners so it is not only our mission but our mandate to reach out to our audience in ways that make them want to come back to us again.
So if our “No Bull TV” spots lead folks to the door, here’s what they’ll find on this blog – information about new grant opportunities, news about training sessions and economic development tools that save businesses time and money and invitations to events that increase the knowledge base of CEOs and line workers alike.
With that in mind, please take a moment to view our two new “No Bull TV” spots on our Youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/user/nobulltv. Make this channel a regular stop while you surf the Web or really go out on a limb and become a subscriber. In the days and months ahead, we’ll be featuring some “Innovation Rocks!” winners, shining a spotlight on some emerging business leaders and hyping some pretty awesome events.
Much thanks to Carole Soule at Miles Smith Farm for her assistance in bringing a neat idea to fruition, to Jud Bartlett and Lisa Williams at Square Spot Design for their logistical and creative assistance, to Allen Voivod at Epiphanies, Inc. for expertly setting up our YouTube channel and to John Herman whose excellent artistic direction and filming made for a great shoot. And oh, by the way, John is the guy you see in the second spot getting the rough treatment after “speaking in bull.”
Welcome to the debut of “No Bull TV” and please be sure to tell your friends about it!
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Allen Voivod, Carol Soule, Epiphanies Inc., Innovation Rocks!, Jerry Seinfeld, John Herman, Jud Bartlett, Lisa Williams, Miles Smith Farm, New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, No Bull TV, Square Spot Design, YouTube
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on No Bull TV Launches – Ole!!
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
From touchdowns to Tweets…..social networking will be on full display during the Manchester Wolves/W-B/Scranton Pioneers game on Friday, July 24th at The Acting Loft Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena. For the first time in North American professional sports history, computer terminals will be set up in a major sports arena’s concourse where fans can “tweet” about their experiences at the game.
 “This is an incredible coup for the State of New Hampshire,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher, one of the organizers of the promotion. “With social media becoming such an incredible phenomenon, especially with the business community, this is a great way to get the Granite State excited about Twitter, Facebook and other new communications vehicles.”
Developed by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development’s Business Resource Center, the Manchester Wolves and Gilford-based social marketing firm Epiphanies, Inc., the “No Bull Football Jam” will feature creative uses of technology, great football action and personalized assistance in learning more about social media. The “No Bull” moniker refers to the Division of Economic Development’s “No Bull Business Blog” accessible via the www.nheconomy.com Web site.
 “We’re really happy to be able to offer something new and fun for our fans – now, not only are they able to cheer every play, they’re also able to share their perspective with football fans worldwide,” said Manchester Wolves General Manager Stephanie Bike.
At specified locations throughout the VWA concourse, computer stations will set up by event sponsor Best Buy to allow fans access to a special Twitter account established specifically for the Wolves/Pioneers game.
 “The power of social networking is gaining more and more prominence not only nationally, but globally,” said Epiphanies, Inc. Co-Owner Allen Voivod. “Learning the new ways of sharing information is becoming a necessity for all of us and we’re thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking event with our great partners from the State, the Wolves and Best Buy.”
To purchase tickets for the “No Bull Football Jam,” call the Manchester Wolves at 627-9653. In addition to the “No Bull Business Blog,” you can also follow the Division of Economic on Twitter at http://twitter.com/Nobullblog or become a fan of the Division of Economic Development on Facebook at www.nheconomy.com/facebook.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT – Thanks to the generosity of our friends at the Manchester Wolves, the first 25 “No Bull” readers to email me at sboucher@dred.state.nh.us will be able to score a free pair of tickets to join us in the “No Bull” section at The Acting Loft Field at the Verizon Wireless Arena for next Friday evening’s “No Bull Football Jam.” See you at the game!!
Tags: Allen Voivod, Best Buy, Epiphanies Inc., Manchester Wolves, New Hampshire Business Resource Center, Stephanie Bike
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Wolves Fans “Atwitter” About Social Networking Promotion – Special Offer for “No Bull” Fans
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009
About four months ago, I was invited to poke my head in a meeting which would ultimately change the way that our Division conducts its business outreach.
 At the meeting, I was introduced to Allen and Lani Voivod, a young couple with a Lakes Region-based social marketing firm called Epiphanies, Inc. (www.epiphaniesinc.com) I was intrigued by their thought process and their passion for the power of social media in bringing people together. They seemed to be the type of entrepreneurial, forwarding thinking people who could infuse some new energy into our marketing efforts.
In a lot of ways, the first couple of meetings with Allen and Lani reminded me of the X-Men movie where the mutant students are gathered at the Xavier Institute for Higher Learning. They were superheroes of the highest power, with the ability to throw out creative thoughts and not to dismiss any concept, no matter how impossible it sounded. They would not be constrained by red tape or logistical hardships, nor would they accept the premise that positive action couldn’t be achieved. They wouldn’t let “the man” get them down. Clearly, I had found a pair of kindred spirits.
Fast forward to the present – we now have a fully operational blog, a Twitter account and a presence on Facebook. We also celebrated the success of the First Annual Social Media Business Summit, a standing room only event that took place at Public Service of New Hampshire (www.psnh.com) yesterday.
It was entirely fitting that the first summit was held at a facility called “Energy Park” because the atmosphere in the room was nothing short of electric. Ideas were generated, information was shared and all attendees left the event ready to incorporate social media into their companies’ communications strategies.
I’d like to thank Allen and Lani for their hard work as well as moderator Mo Bresee (www.mobresee.com) and logistical expert Leslie Sturgeon (www.wiwnh.com) for crafting a fabulous day. Thanks also to Public Service of New Hampshire (especially Pat McDermott and Nancy Rheinhardt) for their generous sponsorship and to the “Stay, Work and Play” initiative (especially Matt Cookson from the University System of NH -(http://www.usnh.edu/initiatives/55_swpincentive.shtml) for their partnership.
If you haven’t do so already, please further our social media efforts by signing up for our blog as well as our Twitter and Facebook accounts. Information is POWER.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: Allen Voivod, Epiphanies, Inc., Lani Voivod, Matt Cookson, Mo Bresee, Nancy Rheinhardt, Public Service of NH, University System of NH, X-Men
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on A Great Day for Sociability
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
Now here’s an opportunity you can’t refuse….learn how to network and build business relationships without having to blow a day on the golf course or get cornered by the widget salesman with the spitting problem at your 1,000th “Business After Hours” of the year.
Social marketing isn’t just a buzzword or a fad. It’s the way that more and more savvy business professionals are choosing to communicate. If you’ve never tweeted or posted a photo of your new product on your Facebook account, you’re missing a valuable, low cost marketing opportunity.
 Recognizing how valuable this productivity tool is, the NH Division of Economic Development, in coordination with its “social marketing gurus” Epiphanies, Inc. , Public Service of NH and the “Stay, Work & Play” initiative will host the first annual “A-Ha!” NH Social Media Business Summit at PSNH, 780 North Commercial Street in Manchester, on Monday, June 15th from 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
This event is geared towards entrepreneurs, marketing professionals, business owners, and companies of all sizes and industries.
Sessions for the event include:
« Beyond the Hype: A No-nonsense Introduction to Social Media’s Real Power and Promise for NH Businesses (especially in this untamed economic environment)
« 7 Powerful Ways to Use Social Media Right Now to Boost Visibility, Cultivate Relationships, Outshine Competitors and Get Results
« Yes, It Can Be Measured! How to Tell If Your Social Marketing Efforts Are Delivering Results
« Social Marketing Success Stories: Panel Discussion with Q & A
Workshop sessions will be presented/moderated by Lani & Allen Voivod, co-owners of Epiphanies, Inc., a social marketing & success strategies firm based in the Lakes Region, with other featured speakers to be announced. Outgoing USNH Chancellor Stephen Reno will deliver opening remarks, and there will be a facilitated networking lunch as well.
As a special gift to New Hampshire’s business community, admission is free. However, there are only 100 slots available, so early registration is strongly suggested. To register, go to www.AhaNH.com. For more information, call Epiphanies, Inc at (603) 524-5248.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Tags: "Stay Work & Play", Allen Voivod, Epiphanies, Inc., Lani Voivod, NH Division of Economic Development, Public Service of New Hampshire, Stephen Reno, USNH
Posted in NH Business Matters | Comments Off on Get Sociably Ahead of the Curve
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