Posts Tagged ‘Todays’

Successful Fundraisers in Today’s Economy

April 23rd, 2011

With constant reminders of the economic downturn in the news, it’s easy to understand why so many nonprofit organizations and schools have trouble fundraising via traditional methods. Many people are buying fewer fundraising items and donating less than before, but that doesn’t mean school and nonprofit fundraising efforts are inevitably headed for doom. There are fundraising ideas out there that can survive any economic situation, and in fact, even give the economy a boost.

Tips for Effective School Fundraising

Schools are constantly in need of money to cover the cost of textbooks, sporting equipment, or activities. Parents and students alike are well aware of the effort and time commitment that goes into school fundraising, such as door-to-door selling, bake sales, car washes, and asking friends and family for donations. The school fundraising methods listed above can be effective, but they have their time and place. For fundraising success in a down economy, it’s essential to take a unique approach. Rather than just receiving funds, why not give back to the community and local economy in return?

Local and national discount cards are a great way to raise much-needed funds for your school while giving the local economy a boost. In a recession, all businesses are looking for cost-effective ways to advertise and joining a discount card program allows them to do just that. Businesses set their own discounts or incentives for cardholders, encouraging them to become customers. This serves as valuable advertising for businesses, not only because it provides visibility, but also because it builds positive relationships within the local community.

Functionality versus simplicity in today’s automotive CRM solutions

July 1st, 2010

We all have heard of the saying “functionality over design”, but how can this phrase apply in today’s automotive CRM industry? After been in the Canadian automotive industry for the past 7 years, I have encountered many CRM solutions from the software vendors. There are a wide range of selections of software available in the Canadian market, but very few are catered towards the smaller dealers. Many CRM solution vendors are in a rat race to become increasingly more complex, this unnecessary growth in complexity usually forces the end user to make mistakes rather than profit. A poorly designed CRM solution often enforces many artificial business rules that are not a reflection of the real business world.

No two automotive dealerships are the same, hence no two business rules can apply exactly the same way. It is better to build a CRM offering the end users the option to manage the inventory and customer quote rather than trying to outsmart a human. Keep in mind a CRM system should be there to help the end user to run their business more efficient rather than forcing the end user for product training. The key concept when it comes to a successful CRM solution is the business models itself, as long as the business model is accurate, the vendors should leave as much options open as possible. A CRM solution that can be used to reflect the true relationship database model will be the most successful. Linear business process is a dangerous design and can cause a lot of headaches for the end user down the road.

What is Automotive Design and Engineering and Why is it so Important in Todays Wold?

February 6th, 2010

Aaron Lucas

Ashlyn C Williams

1101-001

12/10/08

What is Automotive Design and Engineering?

The art of designing a car or a truck is nothing short of a miracle.  In this piece I am looking at personal motor vehicles, those that are made with both form and function in mind.  This, to some people, is a very daunting task.  The amount of perfection that people demand in today’s market is almost unfair but somehow all of the engineers and designers can keep up.  People want a vehicle that can reach at least one hundred and thirty miles an hour, zero wind noise, twenty five miles to the gallon minimum, and a sleek attractive body to top it all off.  All the engineers and designers are the people with the amazing minds that create these amazing pieces of art.  What they do is what I want in this piece.  (Fujimoto, 3-24)

            To understand the reason for this paper, you need to know a little bit more about me.  I know this is unconventional but it’s the only way that this paper will make any sense as to why some one would ever want to investigate such a vast field.  Also, why stick to convention if you really want to live.  I am a first year mechanical engineering student at UNC Charlotte.  After I get my bachelors degree in mechanical engineering I hope to get masters in business administration.  With all this work I hope to become the head of automotive design for any car company.  (GM Announces, par.1)