by Frank Williams
Last month we began a discussion of the importance of business relationships. In that column, I made the case that trust is the foundation of successful long-term relationships, business or otherwise.
As we continue this discussion, please take a moment to reflect on the following question: when it comes to business relationships, are you a giver or a taker?
by Frank Williams
In this age of technology and social media, relationships (professional and otherwise) have become increasingly fleeting and superficial. In short, they are often a mile wide and an inch deep. With this in mind, our next few newsletters will focus on the timeless importance of business relationships.
by Frank Williams
My January column focused on creating your vision for 2013.
While it is important to spend time reflecting, strategizing and developing your vision, that vision isn’t worth the yellow pad it’s scribbled on unless you take action. Realizing your vision requires work.
by Frank Williams
I don’t know about you, but I find it hard to believe that we are already in late October. 2011 has flown by, and 2012 will be here before we know it.
If you are a business owner or organizational leader, now is the time to begin preparing for 2012.
While many retail businesses and other businesses that sell consumer products are gearing up for their busiest time of the year (the Christmas shopping season), many companies that offer professional services or sell primarily to other businesses are entering what is often a down time.
by Frank Williams
This Sunday marks ten years since the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Like you, I will never forget that day.
Below is an article I wrote on October 11, 2001, shortly after returning from a trip to New York City following the 9/11 attacks. The article is entitled An Unimaginable Experience in New York City. I hope you will take a few minutes to read it and join me in reflecting on 9/11 and the impact it has had on our nation.
Frank Williams
LELAND, N.C. – Pioneer Strategies, Inc., a Brunswick County-based public relations agency, is celebrating ten years in business this month. The firm was founded in August 2001 and incorporated in September 2001.
“As a small business owner, it is exciting to achieve this important milestone,” says Frank Williams, president and founder of Pioneer Strategies. “We are grateful to the numerous small businesses, entrepreneurs, non-profit organizations and other clients we have worked with over the past decade. Businesses exist to meet their clients’ needs, and without our clients we would not have made it to this point. We are thankful to be celebrating our first ten years in business, and we look forward to many more.”
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
These days, social media marketing is the “in” thing. Social media marketing “experts” are a dime a dozen, and everywhere you turn someone is saying that your business is doomed to the ash heap of history if you do not hire them to create your social media marketing program.
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
This weekend and on Monday we will once again celebrate the birth of the greatest free society this world has ever known: the United States of America. Every day, we in America enjoy a level of freedom that is unprecedented in human history. I pray that we never take our freedom for granted.
We call July 4 our “Independence Day.” With that in mind, we should consider what exactly our forefathers fought and died to gain independence from.
LELAND, N.C. — The North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce recently conducted an online citizen survey to obtain citizens’ input and feedback on issues that impact northern Brunswick County, including the state of the economy, the proposed port in Southport, residents’ shopping habits and the greatest challenges facing northern Brunswick County. A total of 237 people completed the survey.
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
The current economic climate leaves much to be desired, to put it mildly. Unemployment remains high. Gas prices have skyrocketed in recent weeks, a fact that cuts into many business owners’ bottom line. Every day I talk with small business owners and entrepreneurs who are struggling to make ends meet and scrambling to get through their to-do lists.
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
Tonight, President Obama will address the nation at 8 p.m. He will discuss Saturday’s tragic shooting in Arizona that killed six people, including a federal judge and a nine-year-old girl, critically wounded Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and wounded numerous others. The attack in Arizona has shaken and gripped the nation.
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
2011 is coming — it will be here before we can blink.
As the holidays approach, now is the time to step back, take a look at your business, and determine what, if any, changes or tweaks you need to make as you move into the New Year.
A few questions you should ask yourself are:
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
On October 20, National Public Radio (NPR) fired analyst Juan Williams for comments he made on Fox News. I have heard a wide range of opinions on Williams’ remarks and on whether NPR should have fired him. This column does not focus on the substance of his remarks or whether he should have been fired; instead, it focuses on a few public relations lessons we can glean from the manner in which NPR handled his firing.
LELAND, N.C. – Frank Williams, a Brunswick County native and president of Pioneer Strategies, Inc., has been named to the Brunswick Community College (BCC) Small Business Center Advisory Committee. BCC’s Small Business Center provides seminars, workshops, a resource center and local, confidential counseling for new and existing businesses.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” says Williams. “Brunswick Community College’s Small Business Center plays an important role in helping foster an environment in which small businesses and entrepreneurs can grow and prosper in Brunswick County. I am pleased to assist with their efforts by serving in this capacity.”
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
On far too many occasions, I have seen well-meaning and otherwise effective businesspeople and organizational leaders step on public relations landmines that blew up in their faces and greatly impeded their ability to do their jobs.
Here are five such public relations landmines:
1. Failure to plan in advance. Far too many organizations fail to plan in advance. Their leaders and team members must then scramble like mad — usually with no semblance of organization or focus — when trying to implement their communication campaigns. Advance planning can help prevent this crunch time pandemonium.
LELAND, N.C. – Pioneer Strategies, a public relations agency that does business in southeastern North Carolina and the Triangle area, celebrates nine years in business this month. The firm was founded by Brunswick County native Frank Williams in August 2001 and officially incorporated in September 2001. Williams is a 1988 graduate of North Brunswick High School. He currently serves on the boards of directors of the Leland Area Rotary Club, the North Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and Communities in Schools of Brunswick County.
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
On July 9, I posted an article entitled “Public Relations Lessons from the LeBron James Media Spectacle.”
I received several e-mails in response to that article.
One of the e-mails came from a friend I have known since college. The subject line was “Are you kidding?”, and the e-mail said the following: “LeBron did this publicity stunt for the Boys and Girls Clubs. He will not be hurt at all from this. You should know better.”
Frank Williams
OCEAN ISLE BEACH, N.C. – Frank Williams, a Brunswick County native and president of Pioneer Strategies, Inc., addressed the South Brunswick Island Rotary Club on Friday, Jul. 23. Williams, a charter member and president-elect of the Leland Area Rotary Club, discussed “Social Media 101.”
“Social media has become an increasingly important communication tool in the past few years,” said Williams. “My talk covered several important facts about social media, some tips for using social media as a public relations tool, and a few social networking land mines people should avoid.”
Frank Williams
RALEIGH, N.C. – Frank Williams, president of Pioneer Strategies, Inc., facilitated a public relations workshop Monday at the N.C. Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ inaugural conference in Raleigh.
“Public charter schools are an important and underrated piece of our state’s education puzzle,” says Williams. “We are pleased to support the N.C. Alliance for Public Charter Schools’ inaugural conference by facilitating this workshop, which focused on communication tools and strategies to increase awareness and understanding of public charter schools in our state.”
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
Over the past couple of weeks the media has made much of NBA star LeBron James’ free agency and subsequent decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and join the Miami Heat. When I look at this situation from the perspective of a public relations counselor, several things jump out at me.
First, let’s consider some background and context.
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
For the past two months, much of America’s attention has been focused on the unfolding disaster resulting from the explosion of BP’s oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. I believe we are all united in our hope and prayer that those charged with capping the well and getting the leak under control will be able to do so soon. As someone who lives in coastal North Carolina and values our coastal resources, that is certainly my hope and prayer.
Frank Williams
LELAND, N.C. – Frank Williams, a Brunswick County native and president of Pioneer Strategies, Inc., addressed a gathering of the Leland Business Association (LBA) on Wednesday, June 9. Williams discussed 12 keys to effective business networking.
LELAND, N.C. – The Cape Fear Council of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) held its first Leadership Breakfast in Leland on Wednesday, May 26, 2010. The Cape Fear Council has held similar events in Wilmington and other nearby communities. The event raised nearly $4,000 in pledges and contributions for the Cape Fear Council. The Boy Scouts of America celebrated its 100th Anniversary in February.
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
Social networking giant Facebook has released yet another series of new features.
Some of the changes are relatively minor — for example, rather than becoming a “fan” of a business’ page, users now simply click a button indicating that they “like” the page. The outcome is basically the same: people who “like” a page are connected to the page in the same way as those who previously became a “fan.” Not a big deal.
LELAND, N.C. — Frank Williams, a Brunswick County native and president of Pioneer Strategies, Inc., will conduct a workshop on Leveraging the Internet to Promote Your Business for the Brunswick Community College (BCC) Small Business Center on Wed., Apr. 7.
There is no charge to attend the seminar, which begins at 7:30 a.m. at the BCC Leland Campus, located in the Leland Industrial Park on U.S. Highway 74/76. Those interested in attending should call the BCC Small Business Center at 910-755-7380 to pre-register.
LELAND, N.C. – Pioneer Strategies’ president, Frank Williams, conducted a workshop on earned media and public relations in political campaigns for the John William Pope Civitas Institute’s Academy of Practical Politics in Raleigh on Wed., Mar. 24.
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
During these challenging times, the ability to effectively communicate your organization’s message is more important than ever.
However, good public relations does not happen on its own; it takes work, and it requires a clear, forward-looking strategy.
During these uncertain economic times, it is also more important than ever for businesses and other organizations to make the most of their resources. Again, this does not happen on its own: it requires a plan.
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
We are privileged and blessed to live in the United States of America — the land of the free, because of the brave. We are indebted to our forefathers, who fought and died to obtain and later defend our freedom – a legacy we should ponder as we celebrate this Veterans’ Day.
While not perfect, our nation is the greatest free society this world has ever seen. As Americans, we enjoy unprecedented opportunity, freedom and prosperity.
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
On the one hand, it is difficult to believe that eight years have passed since the terrorist attacks of 9/11/01. On the other hand, we seem remarkably far removed from the horrific events of that now infamous day.
Frank Williams
by Frank Williams
Benjamin Franklin once said, “Beware of little expenses. A small leak will sink a great ship.”
This principle applies in many areas outside of our finances. From a public relations perspective, a seemingly innocuous statement made or action taken without proper forethought can become a major problem. This is especially true in the rapid-fire world of Twitter and Facebook.
