CraniumSoft Announces Free Sign-Up for Its New International Platform Concept for Businesses and Organizations

Dallas, Texas (PRWEB) August 23, 2011

United by blood, driven by purpose, Marcus Barnes and Johnny Lynch believe they may have the answer to a simple question: What can we do to implement significant change?

The question may have been easy to come by, but the answer was not. Years of thought and sweat have, however, coalesced to form CraniumSoft, an Internet destination (http://www.CraniumSoft.com) that could serve to change the nature of community funding as we now know it.

Via a platform called Synapse, accessed through http://www.CraniumSoft.com, non-profit groups, booster clubs, agencies, any organization with a need, can partner with businesses to create a unique offer to bring awareness to its cause and drive dollars to the business.

The Synapse platform matches consumers and their organized causes to businesses that want to reach them based on location and compatibility. This platform uses these organizations as the conduit of communication to its members and each member then has an extended network of contacts outside of their group for explosive reach through social media and mobile communication.

To put it simply, Barnes and Lynch created a platform which causes businesses to become addicted to helping causes because doing so with the system not only improves consumer awareness but actually enhances revenue directly within their communities with real, verifiable sales.

A plan this groundbreaking needs just the right amount of chutzpah to pull it off, and in that regard first cousins Barnes and Lynch are the perfect men for the job. For Barnes, the father of two and an Internet technology whiz who started his own company in 1997, now is that moment to give something back.

I figure its time to use my experience to make the world a better place, says Barnes.

Lynch is a registered nurse working in an intensive care unit and father of three whose mantra is Its easier to love than to hate so why hate? If change can be willed, Lynch is the man to do it.

We cannot wait, says Lynch. People need this right now.

To change the world is no easy task. Why then, living comfortable lives, would Barnes and Lynch risk it all in a project with no guarantees?

I want to see a cure for cancer. I want to see that happen, says Lynch. Im tired of teachers getting fired. How can you get rid of teachers when you have more new students coming through the doors every year?

Some of this passion stems from seeing their own suffer. A treasured uncle is stricken with ALS (often referred to as Lou Gehrigs Disease) and Barnes and Lynch have seen how this has taken a toll on him and those around him. Its not cheap to be sick in American and as the bills have mounted so has the stress on everyone involved.

The cousins decided to put their minds where their hearts are and do something to affect a change for the better for all those families who are suffering from illness or economic collapse. And it all starts in the communities.

Bringing community organizations and companies together in a mutually beneficial relationship was the end goal. After years of research it came down to one simple matter: change can happen when you tap into that which people care about.

CraniumSoft is a vehicle to help the next person, says Lynch. We should give the community a chance to be a part of this.

Instead of an organization worrying about how to get the word out for a fund raiser or the business owner wondering if their advertising dollars are having any effect, both parties will see a direct result of the partnership via CraniumSofts proprietary platform.

This is an innovative program with nothing truly like it in our community. Using technology and the social media including Facebook and YouTube to empower organizations and businesses to be able to do good in their community, Barnes and Lynch have changed how the game is played.

The duo is starting in Texas but soon all across America consumers will work virtually hand-in-hand with companies that are doing good to improve their own communities.

Like any grassroots campaign, however, the plan needs funding. Barnes and Lynch have opened this process to the public and are using the new-era method of crowd funding to fuel the enterprise. Donations of $ 10 or more or being sought and perks are offered to those who contribute. For more information, and to view the perks visit http://www.indiegogo.com/CraniumSoft.

For interview opportunities and available video please contact Johnny Lynch with CraniumSoft at Johnny(at)craniumsoft(dot)com or Lynch460(at)gmail(dot)com

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Franchise Businesses Take Advantage of Local Search and Social Media to Drive New Business

San Luis Obispo, CA (Vocus/PRWEB) February 24, 2011

At this year's 51st IFA Annual Convention Franchises learned from industry leaders, fellow franchise executives and the likes of Ford Saeks that online marketing is about local search, mobile and social media.

The buzz this year was all about how franchises can leverage social media, local search and mobile apps. However, it was very promising to see that no one lost sight of the primary goal behind these tools: bring in local leads for franchisees. Saeks said it best when he said your website is your social proof.

Franchises clearly see that a comprehensive approach, from website to social, is needed to take advantage of online marketing. Below are ELEMENTS, Incs top 8 takeaways from the 51st annual IFA convention.

1. While at the previous years IFA Convention franchises were most interested in how to drive traffic, in 2011 those same franchises are now more interested in how to convert that traffic into leads or sales thereby create a positive impact with their already existing traffic. This is a direct reflection of how franchises are tightening their belts in these tough economic times by making the most of what they have already have. Rather than spending time and money generating new traffic that will effectively be thrown at a wall to see what sticks, spending time on conversion optimization through variant testing and data driven improvements can lead to a significant increase in overall leads both in the present & future.

2. Franchises are generally interested in a three step process for online success which begins with find-ability (how easy it is to find their brand online), usability (how easy it is for consumers to engage your brand) and profitability (how easy it is to convert leads into customers). If any of the links in this chain are broken the franchise risks never being found by potential customers, never converting those potential customers into paying customers and not being able to retain customers nor create brand loyal fans.

3. Another thing ELEMENTS noticed is that by and large franchises are becoming savvier in the realm of online marketing. Instead of franchise decision makers questioning whether they should have online marketing campaigns consisting of social media, pay per click advertising and search engine optimization, they are now asking how they can best utilize those campaigns for maximum profitability.

4. When it comes to social media, franchise companies are beginning to consider ROE (return on engagement) more appropriate than a typical ROI. This is a new way to look at social media where the end result isnt merely net sales or leads but can be measured instead by other factors including reach after reposts, number of subscribers and positive or negative sentiment. Social media campaigns judged merely on their conversion numbers look bleak, but by engaging customers in an open environment franchise companies can improve customer service which leads to improved customer sentiment and the creation of brand loyal fans.

5. Another big point of interest with franchises noted at the 2011 IFA Annual Convention was how effective your store locator is. Franchises have realized that not only can their locators help a potential customer find a local franchisee place of business but can be much more than that today. Locators can be integrated into a franchise website, have maps and directions, and also work seamlessly across both websites and mobile devices. We also saw conversations around exterior locators like a mobile or a Facebook app and Google Places.

6. While at the previous years IFA Convention franchises were mostly overwhelmed with local search and search engine optimization, in 2011 franchises there was a better understanding that its not a store locator or searches done solely on Google Maps. There was a general understanding of local search and the importance of it in Googles new merged Everything results that often place local results above national search results.

7. Mobile apps and mobile optimized websites were another big topic of discussion at the recent convention. Most franchise companies want a way to direct mobile users to their local franchisees which is exactly what the ElementsLocal mobile locator app does. Other franchises want their websites to be optimized to fit on a mobile device should one be detected. As mobile traffic continues to increase franchise companies want to make sure they are positioned to take advantage of this fluid demographic.

8. Perhaps the most important thing ELEMENTS took away from the 51st IFA Annual Conference was the testimony of corporations and noted speakers alike who claimed that success in all areas including social media stems from a good & valuable web property your website is your social proof, as Ford Saeks said. Without having a useful, easy to navigate, attractive website at both the local and corporate level none of your mobile apps, pay per click marketing or social media campaigns are going to be as effective as they could be.

About ElementsLocal

ElementsLocal provides online marketing solutions to franchise companies looking to leverage local franchise websites, email campaigns and social media marketing. The ElementsLocal platform can be seen at http://www.elementslocal.com which includes a virtual tour of the franchise solution software. Based in San Luis Obispo, CA, and founded in 1999, Elements clients include Maaco, Glass Doctor, Sport Clips, Paul Davis Restoration, Jiffy Lube, Weed Man and Curves.

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Small Businesses Combine Christmas Parties to Cut Costs, Increase Fun

Durham, NC (PRWEB) November 19, 2008

Companies across the world are being hit by a bad economy and canceling holiday parties. There are good reasons not to cancel the party. Save costs by combining parties with another small business and plan entertainment that boost employee morale with employee awards certificates.

The news is full of big companies canceling parties. There's Morgan Stanley, Hearst, Barclays Capital, ABC News, American Express, CitiGroup, and even MTV. It's enough to kill any Christmas spirit.

Small businesses don't have to follow AIG's example by throwing a lavish party and letting someone else foot the bill. Larry Weaver, author and expert in planning fun company parties says its time to be creative.

The tip to combine parties was mentioned in the article, More the Merrier at Christmas, in New Zealand's Star Times. "Auckland-based New Zealand Corporate Events is helping smaller companies make the most of their Christmas party budget by organising combined functions for businesses wanting a little extra for their money," it reads.

Renting a place to hold the party, decorations, entertainment, and food can add up - and combining parties means splitting the bill. "Find a small business with a similar company culture or one that you already work with as a vendor or partner. See if you can combine holiday parties. Not only will this help cut costs, but it can help solidify relationships," said Weaver.

Benefits of Holding a Combined Holiday Party:

Cost savings
More networking opportunities
Bigger company party atmosphere
Higher quality location and food
Better entertainment
Shared party planning responsibilities

Another way to make the party better is to add humor. Weaver's new book Funny Employee Awards: Your Complete Guide to Organizing a Humorous, Entertaining, and Rewarding Recognition Ceremony, has funny certificates which can be framed and presented to employees.

"Giving out funny employee awards can be part entertainment, part morale booster at your holiday party. It gives employees a chance to get to know each other better, and it keeps the mood things light. My book is full of awards and ideas for small businesses to make the most of their company party this year," says Weaver.

About Larry Weaver:

Larry Weaver is a professional comedian and creator of the Funny Employee Awards Show - the company party where your employees are the stars. With nearly 20 years as both a corporate comedian and office worker, Larry brings a unique and refreshing perspective to workplace humor. The Funny Employee Awards blog has stories from successful or humorous office parties around the world.

To see samples of funny employee awards or to order the book, visit http://www.funawards.com/

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