The numbers are staggering. Since 2007, mail volume in the United States has dropped by 43.1 billion pieces, post office visits are down by 200 million, and retail transactions have decreased at least $2 billion. The figures, worry some in the direct mail industry, could eventually lead the United States Postal Service to reduce delivery to three days a week.
This issue's Shoptalkers: Fred Davis, CEO of Strategic Perception; Eric Hogensen, president of HSG Campaigns; Douglas Herman, partner at The Strategy Group; and Vince Monaco, owner of the Monaco Group.
If you’re a first-time candidate, you’ll soon discover that a lot of people are going to give you their two cents about your campaign. The thing is, many of them have no idea what they’re talking about.
Here are five terrible pieces of advice that you are likely to hear, and the facts that you need to remember.
“Eric and his team have helped us win several tough campaigns. The direct mail and campaign literature they produced was visually striking and effectively conveyed the messages and values we wanted to express to the voters. I highly recommend HSG Campaigns for organizations that want to have an impact in the next election.”
- Rusty Hicks, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor
This week Eric is recommending Why Buddhism is True: The Science and Philosophy of Meditation and Enlightenment.
"The practice of politics can be a bit intense. There are many outlets available to us, some healthier than others. This book dives into how Buddhism broadly and meditation specifically can help. Wright is a passionate writer and his ideas jump off the page. If you are interested at all in this topic, I can't recommend this book enough. In the preface Wright includes this quote from the Dalai Lama: 'Don't try to use what you learn from Buddhism to be a better Buddhist; use it to be a better whatever-you-already-are.' Wise words."
This week Dave is recommending "California: A History" by Kevin Starr.
"Raised in Wisconsin, I never had an opportunity to learn much about my adopted home state of California growing up. In 'California' Starr provides a solid, easy-to-read survey of the state's history from the early days of Spanish exploration all the way through to Jerry Brown's second administration. I definitely recommend it to my fellow transplants."
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