North Carolina Tornado: It Wasn’t Luck Nor A Miracle. It Was The Grace of God.

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Jason Houck

Wednesday afternoon, Mother Nature unleashed her fury upon the western areas of North Carolina with a possible Tornado. To be exact, this possible North Carolina Tornado affected the counties of Burke, Rutherford and Caldwell.

At approximately 5:30pm, I was sitting in my home here in Caldwell County doing some work as the local news station broke into regular broadcasting with the first tornado warning issued for Rutherford County progressing into Burke and parts of Caldwell.

Upon receiving the warning for Caldwell, I immediately began to see flashes of light from the fierce lighting and hear loud rolling thunder along with rain drops pelting against the windows. I then decided to secure myself in a closet where I was very frightened which was immediately taken away by my Twitter community as I had my iPhone with me checking for updates.

In closing, no damage is reported in my immediate community but just a short distance away in Granite Falls area a home was leveled with reports of boats at a Lake Hickory Marina being flipped over.

Photo Courtesy of Brad Panovich of WCNC TV

In the adjacent counties of Burke and Rutherford, total destruction is being reported in hardest hit areas, (Bradshaw RD, Icard and Ellenboro community), with at least 30-50 homes and structures suffering major damage and complete devastation along with many pets wondering around the rubble. I am happy to report that no deaths are being reported and around a dozen individuals with minor injuries.

Photo Courtesy of Burke Weather Inc.

Photo Courtesy of WCNC TV

Photo Courtesy of Diane Gallagher

Photo Courtesy of News Channel 13

Photo Courtesy of WCNC TV

After seeing all the major damage and interviews with neighbors, I am very thankful I was spared. Despite many families losing all they have, they are all optimistic and thankful to be alive by saying, “It wasn’t luck nor a miracle. It was the grace of God.”

I ask that you remember all individuals affected by the storm in your prayers including officials and others helping with cleanup. Burke Weather Incorporated is meeting today with Samaritan’s Purse and others to put into action a call for volunteers.

For further updates throughout the day and to see additional images, follow me on Twitter @JasonPromotesU and by following #NCWX

Wordless Wednesday: Redifining Luxury With New DNA Prototype Concepts from @Acura_Insider

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Jason Houck

2013 ILX

2013 RDX

Business Etiquette 101

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Jason Houck

As a business we all want to succeed and grow but a couple things must be kept in mind. Are you engaging, interacting, and practicing successful customer service skills? Below, I will be mentioning some ideas for you to put into action to help you meet these aspects of business etiquette.

- Be open to suggestions from customers of what they want to see.

- Have a rapid response time for customer service questions. Show the customer they are valued and you care.

- Do a short interview video with current clients conveying to others how you have helped them grow. Same goes for consumers who have bought your products.

- Follow up with every client. This shows you never forget them and are willing to keep a built relationship.

- Have a presentation ready showing your company in action doing business.

- Show you’re listening by responding.

- Be willing to build your services or products around clients/customers needs and wants, putting them first.

- Convey that you are willing to connect globally.

Basically, just make the client/customer feel at home and successful. All the things I have talked about can help mold your business into a success. Does your business or company practice Business Etiquette? I encourage you to add to my list of ideas and recommendations in a comment. Until next time, Happy Blogging.

How To: Make Your Brand POP with Awesome Online

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Jason Houck

The way a brand manages it’s online presence on Social Media is critical. If the brand is managed poorly, they experience no growth and a decline in business. In comparison, if a brand is managed successfully, success follows with their audience going global about how great and unique the brand is. Resulting in increased sales and likeability. Below, I am going to share with you tips how to manage your brand online successfully through Social Media.

Create a personal and memorable experience. Interact with your audience daily to ensure they know you acknowledge them. Surprise with a “Thank You” and “How is your day going?” Respond to all negative and positive feedback publicly. Show them you care and value them.
Handle customer complaints in a timely manner. Be ready with an answer to a question and solution to a problem. Do this by coming up with possible questions that may be asked or possible problems that may arise. Then activate a plan into action to be ready.
Let your audience know they are your brand. Ask what they want to see. Then listen, respond and deliver. After all, a brand with no audience results in no brand and no sales.
Work together as a team. Collaborate, hear all ideas and assign each person a task accordingly. Always have a back up person trained to handle online management in Social Media in case others are sick.
Make your online presence FUN. Let your audience know you are relaxed and inviting. Tweet and post humor, offer contests. Great aspect to have to show that you are friendly and ready to take the brand to relationship building.
Plan ahead for the week. Have a backup strategy plan in place. Do this by creating a weekly agenda to help the brand stay on task and moving forward. It is important to always think ahead.
Create content that defines the brand as a valuable resource and engages. Ask questions for feedback, share articles that answers commonly asked questions. Keep it relevant and to the point. Never confuse!

Brand Management on Social Media becomes a difficult task for some brands as they don’t take the time to adapt to where new media is today. Brand success begins when the brand works together behind the scenes planning to create an experience unlike any other. The main focus I am conveying here is give your audience reason to connect, share, build a relationship and go viral with your brand. The key ingredient to online brand management in social media is engage but do it in a unique and authentic way. Make the brand POP with awesome.

How is your brand handling online brand management in Social Media? Are you making it POP?

Wordless Wednesday: Stars of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Jason Houck

My Experience at Hotel Carmel in Santa Monica Beach, CA

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Jason Houck

As many of you know I attended a social media conference just over a week ago in Los Angeles. Since this was my first time visiting the area, I decided to arrive 2 days early and check out the Santa Monica Beach area with my friend Nicole Rosen. In searching weeks before arriving in the area, I was on the hunt for a boutique hotel that was inviting and made me feel at home.

I found that home away from home and it was Hotel Carmel, located just 1.5 blocks from the Santa Monica Beach, Pier and Pacific Park.

Once arriving at Hotel Carmel, we were greeted by very welcoming valet staff that took our bags and lead us into the beautiful, warm, rich feeling lobby where the front desk staff made us feel at home. Not to mention, the exquisite decor found throughout.

After checking in, hotel staff kindly lead us to our room. Upon walking into our room, we were amazed at the layout and the beautiful style of wooden furnishings. The room came complete with a separate living and bedroom with work desk and flat screen TV on each wall.

After waking up the next morning from experiencing our room, we felt so refreshed and like we had never left home. For the duration of our stay, we received constant attention from all the hotel staff ensuring our stay was the best ever. Nicole and I thank you Hotel Carmel and your staff for a superb hotel experience. The location of the hotel was in the perfect location as we were able to walk 1 block to Third Street Promenade to enjoy shopping, Starbucks coffee and experience Santa Monica Beach at it’s finest. Evidence is clearly shown that the hotel owners take pride in making everyone’s visit a special and memorable one.
Thanks again!