Jack G. Hardy's experience as a senior manager, marketing executive, teacher and consultant was forged in both large and small business. At Young & Rubicam and IMC-International Marketing Communications, Hardy guided the creation of world-class advertising and promotion programs for P&G, Colgate-Palmolive, Chrysler, Lever, Nestle, Seagrams and Kraft Foods. His management know-how comes from shirtsleeves, hands-on experience. As Colgate-Palmolive's Western Hemisphere marketing director, he guided marketing for 22 companies. As CEO, his vision revitalized sales, market shares and profits for Colgate in Brazil and Venezuela and for Standard Brand's group of companies in Brazil. His book, The Core Value Proposition, establishes a new starting point and a powerful anchor for innovative business thinking. Hardy is active in SCORE-Counselors to America's Small Business, the Direct Marketing Association, NJ Bank Marketing Association, Florida International Bankers Association and Miami's Venezuelan-American Chamber of Commerce. Hardy is fluent in both Spanish and Portuguese.
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Jack Hardy answers your questions on small businessesMost Recently Answered Questions
Questions 16 - 35 of 194 (Page 2 of 10)Submitted by Tony from Coral Gables
Q: Has any of the new tablet computer including the IPad have a storage capacity (i.e hard disk)
Answered 05/25/10 11:13:39 by Jack G. Hardy
A: The iPad has either a 16GB, 32GB, or 64GB flash drive. It does not have a conventional hard drive. A solid-state drive (SSD) is a data storage device that uses solid-state memory to store persistent data. An SSD emulates a hard disk drive interface, thus easily replacing it in most applications. An SSD using SRAM or DRAM (instead of flash memory) is often called a RAM-drive, not to be confused with a RAM disk.Submitted by Lawrence Patrick from Miami Beach, Florida
Q: Hi Jack, I recently started my company Koverus Technology Group and our website is www.sqlmarksman.com. My question is about generating new leads for my small business. Budget for marketing is low right and I would like to get creative ideas to promote my business. What are the three best free marketing strategies or tools? Lawrence, 1-888-950-DATA
Answered 05/17/10 12:57:14 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Lawrence, First - you need to make your value proposition easy to understand in your website. I saw what you do but not what you do for others (problems you resolve). Second, focus upon those prospects that can benefit from your value proposition. Your target market: Who and where are they? Pick 4 to explore and develop. Do your homework before contacting management. Then make contact with a decision maker at one of the targeted firms.Submitted by Cristina Scavuzzo from Miami, FL
Q: Mr. Hardy, I am staying up late tonight trying to see how to "awaken" our napping business. I came across your Q&A forum and am reaching out for help/advice/anything I can take. My husband and I have a solar contracting business. We find that people with money in S. Florida just don't care about going solar and people without so much money are not qualifying for financing. We have been taking a back-door approach to marketing by cold-calling to show people how much they can really save in the long run. I am working on getting certified and registered with counties and cities to attract government business. We need help all around from organization to website design to management, but its too much to take on everything at once. Please take a look at our website and if you would offer any words of wisdom on what to change to attract more interested consumers I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you. www.prestigesolar.net
Answered 05/11/10 16:33:26 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Cristina, I can understand why your business is "napping" -- Solar heating is a difficult business! You are introducing a device nobody really wants until benefits are clearly understood and given value. I found your website to be in need of improvement - to say the least - it is a confusing mishmass of copied information that is difficult to apply to one's life -- and budget. So start there - What is your value proposition? You can find more info on my website -- please visit http://www.jackghardy.com/MeetJack.html and you can contact me using jack@jackghardy.comSubmitted by Pascal from Paris
Q: I have a business in france and i want a partner in Florida to Developper this affair(business) of preparation of paella in front of the guests, from 300 to 1000 persons for ceremonies If you want to see my job: My web: www.olebodega-paella.com
Answered 04/13/10 09:56:22 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Pascal, I visited your website - excellent menu and presentation. We have several people who present a similar menu here in Miami. Perhaps you should try www.craigslist.com (or similar) to reach prospects. (Ask for help in editing your message)Submitted by William OBrien from Miami Florida
Q: Dear Jack, Wow! Your column in this morning’s paper seemed to speak directly to me. Why does my gymnasium seems to focus too much on getting members and not enough on keeping old ones? It is NOT a very compelling customer experience. I have been going to the local LA Fitness for four years and may be among the few customers who stay with them so long. Many customers I meet and familiar faces I get to know vanish within six months or a year. During the entire four years, I have yet to have a staff member greet me by name when I check in. Occasionally I get a mumbled “Have a good workout” and a quick glance at my face to verify that someone else is not using my membership card. On the gym floor, there is little interaction with customers unless they have hired a specific trainer. Perhaps the staff finds it is easy to forget what it is like to be a stranger to the gymnasium environment – confused, a bit embarrassed to ask questions, lonely in the crowd. On the other hand, the gym’s classes which have active customer involvement – Spinning, Step Aerobics, Yoga – are usually full. At my age – 75 – I am not interested in starting a competing chain of gyms but does it seems to you there is an opportunity for someone with the imagination of a Tony Hsieh or Jeff Bezos to create a more compelling customer experience? William O’Brien
Answered 04/12/10 11:30:32 by Jack G. Hardy
A: William, You're 1000% right. When owners and CEO's allow their people to forget customer satisfaction, eventually their business will fall off - especially if a gym offers special attention. At 75 you are part of an excellent market development segment. But Spinning, Step Aerobics, Yoga are not for you (or me/I'm 80) They should have a special program for us seniors. Why not tell the manager your suggestion. Let me know the response.Submitted by Daniel Victoriano from Miami, FL
Q: Hi Jack, I actually just got off the phone with the last person to post a question, Darma Rodriguez, who is a cousin of mine. It sparked my interest to post here when she told me how helpful you were. I'm a student at Florida International University and the owner/creator of www.ineedapricequote.com. The concept isn't anything new, a lead generation service for businesses. The main difference and certainly the most appealing is the cost to the vendors, free! I decided to remove any fees as an effort to get the site off the ground and build up our vendor registration. I'm also on a "shoestring budget" and am trying to get the website to rank naturally on the first page of search engines for various keywords as this seems to be the best long term solution. The big problem I'm facing is my lack of SEO (search engine optimization) knowledge. I'll admit that I've put in quite a bit of effort in learning web design and SEO over the past year or so, but ultimately to get the site ranking high in the search results for many different keywords with a lot of competition, it's just not enough. Would you happen to know of any reputable SEO experts that I could turn to? I would also appreciate any other tid bits of advice that you're willing to share with me on how to market the site on a very low budget. Thanks a lot for taking the time to read this! :) Feel free to give me a call if you'd like. 305-609-6218
Answered 04/09/10 07:13:38 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Daniel, I think your problem is more than just SEO. I checked you website content. You don't make it clear what you do. When I clicked inside I found I had to give you full info on my project and wait for you to gather info and provide rate. No mention of time required. Then looked for competition. Got to bizrate.com/printers. In seconds bizrate gave me a group of potential sources with prices for each. I don't see the value you offer. Jack G Hardy jack@jackghardy.comSubmitted by Darma Rodrigeuz from Miami, FL
Q: Hello Mr. Hardy, in the wake of the economic crisis that annihilated our family-owned business, we find that we are having to re-invent ourselves. Having a fully equipped office, and being the die-hard entrepreneurs that we are, we've gone back to basics and are offering the skills and knowledge that we have acquired over the years as business-owners . . . back-room business support services geared for small and single operator businesses. Being on a shoestring budget, what would be the best way to go about advertising our services?
Answered 04/06/10 15:50:44 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Several ways: Make yourself known to SCORE, counselors to small business - they are all volunteers but perhaps can recommend you. The get yourself on the web - try CityMax.com - you can easily build your own website. Don't hesitate to ask more questions. You've got a good idea! Contact me at jack@jackghardy.comSubmitted by Ralph F. Geronimo from Miami, Florida
Q: Mr. Hardy, This is an invitation. Please visit miamibusiness.com. We would welcome you as a speaker at one of our monthly conferences. My cell # is: 305-785-6434. Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to having you address us on the topic of "Referrals and Recommendations". Regards, Ralph F. Geronimo Lic. RE Broker
Answered 03/01/10 14:53:06 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Ralph, I'd behappy to accept your invitation to speak to your group about Referrals & Recommendations. I'll call. Jack G HardySubmitted by Steve from Jacksonville, Florida
Q: Hi Jack, I found you through Score and can't wait to buy and read your book. What's the best way to attract angel investors to a realty information technology company which is a patented Google-like semantic search engine "pull" technology coupled with a large database universe of all property types in the real estate industry, namely, residential, commercial, industrial, agricultural, and special use / special purpose properties. The unique core value proposition allows realty buyers, sellers, and renters to quickly, easily, and efficiently search the universe of realty available in a defined geographic marketplace and find the best available realty opportunities based on the consumer's criteria and "pulled" from the organized, ranked, and rated realty information in the database universe of listed and non-listed (For Sale By Owners) realty parcels available. It's a 24-7 high level customer service FREE Internet accessible universe of properties ranked and rated into the best realty parcels available using the consumer's criteria. Thanks for your feedback. Best regards, Steve, 904-415-5263 cell (24 / 7), or stbelding@gmail.com
Answered 02/24/10 06:33:53 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Steve, First, I'd say you want to find rather than attract angel investors. Then I'd suggest you prepare an investor presentation. Start with your "elevator talk" (lookup on Google). Once you have that in hand, work on a presentation - no more than 15 minutes - that makes your case. Enter "angel investor presentations" for more details. Once prepared, practice with interested friends for their critique. Now enter "angel investor directory" and screen results for investors.Submitted by K Brock from Hollywood, Florida
Q: Hi Jack: I read with great interest your article in today's herald about WOM/ social media. I am working on a project right now, the launching of a new, online gaming application. Not gaming per se, but an app that will allow one to participate in a simple game of chance...spinning of a wheel, to win prizes. The minimum prize is a $75 gift card, other prizes are offered by various sponsors... that's the quick background. The question: I am strongly leaning to only utilizing social media and online opportunities to market this product...foregoing any "traditional media". Most of my projects have a combination of them all. But in this case, I believe since this is a social media product, my best prospects will be found via SM marketing. My objective in marketing is to obtain members, where membership is free. Essentially gathering names of individuals interested in playing. Do you have an opinion on this? Did I provide you with enough info to form an opinion? I read you religiously and respect your insight/ guidance. Thanks. Kathy Brock
Answered 02/16/10 08:26:09 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Kathy, Your reasoning seems sound. However, like all those using new media - you have to test for results. Did you download the Inc. materials I suggested - They were very helpful to me (I'm learning too) Go over the materials for all the tips you can find. If you'd like to exchange ideas contact me at jack@jackghardy.comSubmitted by Shirley Oneil from Miami Beach ,Fla
Q: Hi Jack,I have been reading your articles for last 6 months or so about the lack of new technology company's in Fla. We have a new company that is just getting off ground . We are in Latin America now .We have a installation in a warehouse on South Beach for launching. Touch Me Marketing is an interactive technology with 3 different products: Glass The glass moves,changes color and talks Floor Displays an interactive ground platform for a full bod experience, that captures movement and also records Market Data' Wall Turns any surface into interactive screen. Reacts to gestures and movement and the content changes with special effects and can have multiple underlining ads. This is exciting and I would like to know if it is something you would review? Thank You Shirley Oneil Touch Me Marketing 617-448-7804
Answered 02/09/10 06:49:24 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Shirley Thanks for being a Bootstrap Marketer! Without a firm promise - I'd surely like to receive more information on your project- contact me at 305-775-1759 or jackh2132@mac.com Jack G Hardy jackghardy.comSubmitted by Alex B from Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Q: Hello Jack: I love your columns and read them regularly to get ideas about how to market my small business. Basically, I own a social networking website called VentNation (www.ventnation.com), and I am trying to find new ways to get the word about my site out there. So far I'm doing okay using the traditional means - press releases, Twitter, Facebook, etc., but I think there is so much more I could do. I was thinking about getting article write-ups/reviews in publications (such as newspapers or magazines), forging partnerships with businesses, or other traditional network marketing channels. Do you have any tips? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you in advance!
Answered 01/21/10 09:13:41 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Perhaps you could consider using Users to spread the word - prize (from advertisers)for new members. My impression is that your core of "Venters" enjoy venting that would not appear on other sites.Submitted by Zac Hall from MIami FL
Q: Jack: I read your columns regularly and look forward to them. In the penultimate paragraph of your December 7 column you suggested that readers "visit vistaprint.com for a selection of key chains, calendars, . . . and more." That's not a bad suggestion but a much better one would be to direct readers to check their local business association or chamber of commerce or online yellow pages for printers and promotional prducts suppliers. This would encourage businesses to spend locally and perhaps convert vendors into customers. Of course a perfect response would be to direct them to MinutemanPressAtTheFalls.com! Thanks for listening. Zac
Answered 01/08/10 06:53:06 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Zac Thanks for your readership. And yes I could have focused upon using local printers. Before moving to Florida I provided counsel to several franchise printers. In each case I found that by helping them create a customer development and maintenance program, their business grew significantly stronger. In today's market I'd ask, "Are you using SalesForce.com services to build your business?" What would be your answer? Jack G HardySubmitted by sandrieka gilmore from miami, fl
Q: I'm trying to find the article that was written about my mother after she was killed in a car accident on 2/8/07. The miami herald was one of the newspapers that wrote about the accident. Please if you get any info call me i'm the daughter of the victim 786-267-0342
Answered 01/01/10 10:54:20 by Jack G. Hardy
A: You may be able to find the article if you go to www.miamiherald then click on Services followed by Article Archives. Enter description.Submitted by Marianne Armshaw Far from Hollywood, FL
Q: Hello. I read your column regularly and agree completely with your assessment that print media and fliers can be excellent, affordable marketing channels. Can you suggest good, affordable local pubs where a company like ours would reach a target audience of business desision-makers? The facts: My husband and I run a small but growing home-based company -- just the two of us bolstered by a roster of experts. VisualSOLUTIONS Media, Inc. offers full-service video production, editing, still photography, executive communications/speech writing and white papers, podcasts, VNRs. If it involves media, we do it -- as much or as little of a project as our customer wishes to pay for. Our client list ranges from Microsoft Latin America, based in Fort Lauderdale, to the Miramar Police Department. Since we are only in year 2 of our business, we have no profit yet, but we understand that gaining attention and marketing intelligently will help us grow. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!
Answered 12/14/09 10:22:35 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Marianne First step: refine our target. "business decision makers" is much too broad. Focus upon specifics by geography, industry, etc. Second step: define your budget. If I were to say, "National TV" you'd say I'm nuts! So without a budget and with such a broad target? Focus is the key word Then visit my bookstore at jackghardy.com - Core Value Proposition will help. Then get back to me. jack@jackghardy.com JackSubmitted by Edgar Tillero from Caracas, Venezuela
Q: Hellow Mr. Hardy, Iam planning to move to Greater Miami as an U.S. legal allien, I'm 53, my goal is to become a small business owner specifically in the automotive service field, since I have a long expertise on it. My question is: Could I get finance help, since I have no credit background? I have a certain amount of $ to start it up, but, I have the doubt if it would be good enough, thanks so much
Answered 12/01/09 09:37:58 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Edgar, Financing will be difficult if not impossible. My suggestion would be for you to use your experience to find a employment until you have examined the South Florida market for opportunities. At the same time - once here - you may want to locate to other states where your experience will be valuable. With a job you will have time to establish credit. I had a similar problem when I emigrated from Venezuela to USA in 1990. Jack G Hardy www.jackghardy.comSubmitted by loraine from canada
Q: where would you recommend young adults to go and enjoy themselves in Florida they are visitors from Canada they don't know anything about Florida
Answered 11/09/09 06:08:15 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Orlando - start there!Submitted by lina from canada
Q: where would you recommend a 40years old man, single as a must see destination i Florida between south beach Miami. Jacksonville,st. Augustine and Orlando
Answered 11/09/09 06:07:42 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Orlando - an excellent place to stop - relax - and refocus life as you enter the 40's.Submitted by Jessica Martinez from Key Largo, FL
Q: Good afternoon, Mr. Hardy! After 20 years in the Key Largo SCUBA business, my husband and I have decided to shift our efforts into a new snorkeling operation in the same town. Our target market will be the Latin population, with children, in the Miami and Broward region. Do you have any tips on how to target them, specifically? We have planned English/Spanish advertising and localized print campaigns, but there must be more! Any info would be so helpful. Thanks so much, Jessie
Answered 10/26/09 15:55:32 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Why not contact the business chambers of commerce representing Latin America i Miami. They have newsletters. You make an offer. Do you have a website? are you accumulating an eMail database? Consider using ConstantContact.com - contact Sandi Abbott at sandi@xpressomarketing.com for help. Are you planning events? Surely you can make them especially interesting to us Latinos. Look for help at your own Chamber - prepare folders and display for placement at CC office. Let me know how these ideas fit - feedback please Jack - www.jackghardy.comSubmitted by Kristelle Soto from Miami, FL
Q: Hi Mr. Hardy, I read your article on Cloud Computing and would like to tell you about our company, Tytorean. Our interactive development work is based on Cloud Computing services. We are expanding locally for Clients in need of this very tool. We'd love to tell you more about what we do with Salesforce CRM and various applications. Thanks! Kristelle@tytorean.com
Answered 10/06/09 13:09:31 by Jack G. Hardy
A: Please send materials to me at jack@jackghardy.com
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