Just a few Tuesday Links to Enjoy.
There’s a lot of anticipation and even more expectation as the new season approaches. Perhaps there has never been a season in the Heat history that will matter more than this one. We have a new coach, Randy Pfund is gone and we have an otherwise unproven roster of what amounts to young untested talent. Now, I have no doubt that Coach President Riley will eventually deliver, but one has to wonder this – ‘Will the Heat be any good this year’?
Ever since he came on the scene, we’ve always counted on Dwyane Wade to carry the team. Let’s face it, while Shaq may have led the team to the finals in 2006, it was Wade, Haslem and Zo who secured the trophy in game 6, and it was Wade who did the heavy lifting when it seemed that we were going to be swept in those finals. But, it’s 2008 and we’ve got a different Wade. Sure, there are those that are going to say that he will be vastly improved over last year, which I believe, but then there are going to be those who would suggest that D-Wade will never be the same guy he was circa June ’06. For Me, I simply wish him well and hope he’s even a fraction of what he was in our championship season.
One argument that people will certainly present is that Wade looked like a world beater at the Olympics. Sure, but he was also surrounded by BronBron, Kobe, Carmelo, and the entire Nike all-pro team. It’s pretty easy to look great when you’re Wade and playing with the best in the world. But, it’s another story altogether when you have to carry a team night in and night out.
The best case scenario is that Wade enters the season with his merry band of assassins and totally takes the league by storm. In my mind, the success of the team and Wade hinges on the following:
We find a strong Point guard solution – Okay, Shaun Livingston is not ready. I’ve had to tell myself that everyday since he signed with the team. I still can’t believe that we were able to get Shaun. I think that if he comes back and can be fully recovered, we have the steal of the decade. He was already showing signs of growth right before the injury, and if he can get back to where he was, we’re set. But……
Before any of that happens, were back where we were last season; pick your poison – Chris Quinn or Marcus Banks. Mario Chalmers? Well, to be honest, I fully expected him to be on his way out, what with the whole marijuana episode. I mean, remember Rodney Buford? But, let’s say Chalmers is the next great point in the league; that still doesn’t happen this year. So, we’re on the Chris Quinn Train, and I must admit, I’m not that worried about it. I think that Chris has the potential to be a decent 1 man in this league and besides, it’s really going to be D-Wade controlling the ball most of the time anyway.
I think the Heat and D-Wade should be looking a whole lot better in 08-09 considering the Heats’ record of resilience.
Good Times //
Okay, while the last article dealt with the overall need to put marketing principles in place at your congregation, this time we’ll delve a little into specifics.
Identity System
In today’s environment, any great marketing system has to first address the overall identity of the congregation, and what better way than to have an identity system as the cornerstone. Now, an Identity system, at its core, is simply a stationary set that provides identification for your congregation. In most instances an identity system consists of a coordinated letterhead and envelope set and a business card. In more substantial cases, there are various labels and note cards and other collateral pieces that are used. The key, however, is the seemless transition from one piece of stationary to the next. This is achieved through 2 specific factors; The Logo and the color scheme.
visitor card
The Logo – The logo, while important, is as simple to create as utilizing a stylized font in spelling out your congregations name. The key is consistency in usage, the fact that every time people see your name at your congregation it is always neatly displayed with the same characteristics, be it the same color and font, or any other way that generally sets your logo apart. At the Magnolia Park Church of Christ, there is both a primary logo and a secondary one. The Primary logo consists of a stylized spelling of “The Park”, the congregations name, with the title Magnolia Park Church of Christ directly underneath. This is done with the specific purpose of people associating the both the nickname and the congregation name. The nickname presents a friendly feel and is, in a sense, welcoming when seen and disarming, but at the heart is always the congregations name as to always remind people that The Park is a church. The Primary Logo is used mainly in-house for the members on all publications and there are plans to utilize it more on information that goes out to visitors and others.
The secondary logo is a much simpler logo that is just a styled capitalized M & P that appears on everything from the church bulletin to announcements and visitors cards.
The Color Scheme – It’s important to have a set of colors you work with when designing congregation materials. For one, with a defined color scheme, you’ll be able to always achieve a level of familiarity with those that receive your materials. Also, as an added bonus, you’ll not have to spend a lot of time with colors that may not work well. One of the prime points of creating a color scheme is great color usage. Think about it; on your bulletin board, which bulletins stand out? And which announcements wash out with their bland black and whites. Even if you’re pressed for money, a pre-designed letterhead with spot color will achieve both recognition and consistency in presentation.
Keep this in mind – The more time and effort that is spent on creating a smooth and consistent image for your congregation in print, the more likely it is that people will respond positively when your name is presented to them
In Part 3, we’ll look at utilizing the bulletin as a ministry tool
When I posted the The Millionaire Artist article two weeks ago I had planned to create a downloadable document that people could print but never got around to it. Well, a little quality time in front of the laptop during the debate and I am finished. The booklet is primarily the same as the article, though, the booklet has an appendix with links to my research that you too can look at as you work with your ministry.
Good Times //
I’ve been asked on more than one occasion why I think Marvin Gaye is the greatest artist ever; Well… I just think anyone who can jam while laying on a couch has to be the man.
There’s a trend spreading nationwide that involves the marketing of congregations. Now, the idea of “Marketing” a congregation is one that many people object to on the basis of misinformation. They look at the word marketing and automatically think in terms of people who are trying to pilfer and sell bills of goods to members. The exact opposite is the case here. In marketing, the local congregation has an opportunity to have their message at the forefront of their audiences mind. With the plurality of congregations who basically look the same on the outside, the proper exposure is important for congregations who want to present the truth.
Now, the concept of congregational strategic marketing involves defining the resources that are available to you and building a strong set of practices around those resources that will greatly enhance the percieved profile of your congregation.
There are a few necessities that every congregation should have in building this strategy;
WordPress, Joomla, Google sites, Blogger – all are good platforms to get started with, and best of all, all are free to use.
In Part 2, I’ll provide actual examples of how to implement a marketing strategy at your local congregation
Just announced – The CAMA 2006 DVD will probably be released in September through Acappellalife.
Okay, So I was in Miami for Family Day at The Park, and what happens? A Four Christian Stars reunion broke out. Nearly fifteen years since they last performed together and they still have it. Now, Mont wasn’t able to make it, but ET more that filled in. Hey, I even sat in on their set.
Pure Craziness! It was just like old times seeing those guys together.
I don’t know what it is about Saturday that makes me absolutely crazy. Whereas I would usually spend all my time at the library on Saturday, I now find myself in a rather interesting state – I’m out of school for the summer and I have no idea how to spend my lone day off.
I have never been one to use a day for sleeping, and with an abundance of things to play with already, there’s no need to go to the outlet malls even to look around.
I’d imagine i’ll just sit around all day and watch tv.
Even as NACAMA prepares for its own awards show, It’s interesting to see that the Members Choice Awards have released their field of nominees for their 2008 show. Not a commentary on what is in the field as much as that the field has some pretty glaring gaps in it. But, we’ll get to that later. For now, let’s just look at the field for their show.