THE RACE: Obama and Romney both focusing on Sandy

President Barack Obama and rival Mitt Romney are both carefully navigating a path through disaster politics.

Both want to show their main focus isn't on the election just a week away but on relief and cleanup from one of the worst-ever storms to slam the East Coast and to show compassion for victims.

But with the race so close ? both in the polls and on the calendar ? the stakes remain enormous. And while active campaigning was dialed back by both candidates, the contest still simmered.

The sprawling storm that began as Hurricane Sandy could help Obama if voters approve of his leadership during the crisis.

Playing the presidential card, he canceled all campaign events Tuesday and Wednesday and held a late-morning conference call with storm-state governors and mayors.

He declared major disaster areas within hard-hit New York and New Jersey, drawing praise from New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.

Christie, a Republican Romney supporter, said he and Obama talked several times Monday, including a call at midnight. He said Obama gave him a direct phone number to reach him and promised to expedite federal aid. The president and federal disaster officials "have been outstanding with us so far," said Christie.

Obama earlier declared other states along the storm's path as disaster areas eligible for quick federal help.

Lacking a formal role, Romney Tuesday attended a "storm relief event" near Dayton, Ohio, and was helping to collect canned goods and other donations for storm victims. Never mind that Ohio is a must-win swing state or that Romney shared the stage with popular NASCAR driver Richard Petty and country music singer Randy Owen.

"We're looking for all the help we can get for families in need," Romney told the crowd.

Running mate Rep. Paul Ryan and Ann Romney separately participated in storm-relief events.

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Follow Tom Raum on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/tomraum. For more AP political coverage, look for the 2012 Presidential Race in AP Mobile's Big Stories section. Also follow https://twitter.com/APcampaign and AP journalists covering the campaign: https://twitter.com/AP/ap-campaign-2

Eds: With 7 days left until Election Day, here are insights into today's highlights in U.S. politics

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/race-obama-romney-both-focusing-sandy-161934136--election.html

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What If Growing Your Business Is Easier Than You Think? Accelerate

Sometimes growth seems difficult, complicated and overly expensive. Truth is it doesn?t have to be. Over the years I?ve found and revised tools that help entrepreneurs and leaders get clear. Clarity drives many things and growth just happens to be a byproduct of focus and intentional investments. What if growing is simpler than you?ve thought and what if marketing doesn?t have to be overly complicated to deliver results?

If you haven?t already devoured the book; The Business Model Canvas, I highly recommend you do?I?ve taken the liberty to build upon the model for my purposes in helping entrepreneurs gain clarity about their models.

1. ?The Vision:?The end in mind for your venture is?

2 The Mission:?The purpose of your business/organization is?

3. The success markers: How your organization defines success, what has to happen for you to be sustainable and successful?

4. Revenue/Value Streams: What are the value adding products and services that add value and or create revenue

5. Value Proposition: What is the brand promise of the venture?

6. Customer Segments: Who are the customer targets?

7. Key Activities: What are the key activities which when done well drive the success of your venture?

8. Channels: How do you deliver your products, services to the customer?

9. Customer Relationships: What types of customer relationships will drive success?

10. Key Resources: What are the key resources ( think intangible and tangible) that will be essential to success

11. Key Partners: What type of strategic partnerships might be mutually beneficial?

12. Costs: What are the primary costs of the business?

Now that you have a foundation for your basic business model go to market strategy, let?s delve in deeper ?to further vett out how we will get you growing?

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You?ve already confirmed your vision, mission and success markers ? KPI?s ( key performance indicators) and goals should align and support the big picture and drive the key activities necessary for success in your organization/startup or social business

Timing is everything. What are your competitors offering to your clients- currently? How are you different? And have clients validated they want your value? Of course you have competition and the better you understand them and their offerings the clearer you will be on how you differ and what nique value you offer your clients.

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Now sum up your competitive advantage into one sentence- we sometimes call this a brand promise, a positioning statement or a value proposition. It really doesn?t matter what you call it- only that you clearly describe your unique value succinctly in one sentence.

Who are your clients and what are the problems they have you want to solve?

What are your products, services, value added elements you will be providing?

How will you price your solutions; products, services- key pricing strategies?

How will you promote your products/services- key promotion strategies?

How will you distribute your products/services- key distribution strategies?

Now for each of the strategies above ( pricing, promotion, distribution) what are the key tactics you want to execute?

Who will be responsible for each tactic and what will it cost to execute it?

How will you measure your tactics, strategies?

How will you improve, tweak and playbook over time based on your results?

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Who says accelerating your growth has to be difficult. I think it?s simple. Call me if you?d like to chat further about how we might get you growing again?

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A few additional links:

Not Your Mothers Marketing?

Marketing Revolution?

Engaged Tribal Storytelling?

Pam

Source: http://seattlebusinessconsulting.com/what-if-growing-your-business-is-easier-than-you-think-accelerate/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-if-growing-your-business-is-easier-than-you-think-accelerate

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