Telios Tips

Ron Goch
The Telios Group
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Customize Your Music on Pandora

November 17th 2008

I noticed a few friends and associates have been using Pandora to play music from their computer while they work. Fascinated by new technology and the various tools to maximize efficiency, I checked out Pandora and learned it’s a free online music resource that I can customize with any song or artist I’d like.

By creating a free account, you can store your music, revisit the site and automatically play the songs you enjoy. If you’re interested to check it out for yourself, you can access the Pandora site by clicking here.

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Field Trip to the Apple Store

November 10th 2008

While in an Apple Store, I observed a roped-off section of the store where signs read “Field Trip.” The students were all smiles in their Mac computer lab and I was curious to see what their fieldtrip included, so I wondered over and talked to one of the teachers.

The “field trip” is open to all teachers and they can schedule a one-hour session where each student has the opportunity to create a project on the state-of-the-art Mac computers using iLife and iWork software. (more…)

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Transition from Paper to eCards

November 3rd 2008

If you presently do not utilize ecards, I encourage you to explore the many benefits of utilizing the technology of online electronic cards versus the standard paper cards.

The trend these days is more and more people are using ecards and there are many benefits. Some of the benefits include the variety and customization of ecards; the quick and efficient use of time; no postage or tracking expenses; and ecards can be post-dated to be sent on a specific date and time. (more…)

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A Creative Database Builder

October 27th 2008

I recently attended a preseason NBA basketball game, and while walking through the concourse, I came across a row of computers where two people were offering a card to swipe at the computer station for chance to win $10 off my next purchase at the team shop. (more…)

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Check Out Twitter Search

October 20th 2008

Would you like to know what’s happening right now? Check out Twitter Search.

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Create Anniversary Sweepstakes

October 13th 2008

I received a sweepstakes offer from Thrifty car rental that celebrates its 50-year anniversary and offers fans the opportunity to win free car rentals, free gas cards, and airline tickets.

I like the fact they not only have a grand prize winner, as well as second- and third-place winners, but they also have daily winners, which usually generates a much larger number of entries than if Thrifty only offered a grand prize winner. (more…)

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Offer Happy Hour

October 6th 2008

I recently picked up dinner to go while on a business trip, and a sticker stuck to the bag stated: “Happy Hour – ½ price drinks and slushies every day 2-4 pm.”

This is a terrific idea for restaurants since most are typically show between 2 and 4 pm.

Sports teams could offer this same promotion on selected week-day games that typically may be less attended games than weekend games.

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Deliver a Solution

September 29th 2008

This week’s Telios Tip is a simple yet not always executed best business practice, and that is every time you deliver a problem, deliver a solution so your known as a problem solver.

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Take Your Auctions Online

September 22nd 2008

Many non-profit organizations host an auction with golf tournament fundraisers, and whenever I hear of one of these auction / golf tournament fundraisers I usually ask if they’re conducting the auction online along with a live auction event.

The response is usually the same; they’re conducting a live auction but not an online auction. I think this is a big missed opportunity and I highly recommend any non-profit organization, as well as high school and college athletic programs consider the increased audience they gain with alumni and other supporters who could place bids when the athletics program positions their auction online as well as conducting a live auction.

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Thank Your Volunteers

September 15th 2008

Today’s Telios Tip is a simple one, but one that is often overlooked.

I recently came across a newspaper advertisement that not only served as a “Thank You” to the event sponsors, but it thanked each of the event committee members and the volunteers. (more…)

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Teen Driving Academy

September 8th 2008

The Miller Performance Training Center is offering a “Teen Driving Academy.”

I first learned of the Academy while reading the newspaper. The advertisement caption read: “Give your teen the gift that will keep on giving for a lifetime.”

This is a terrific example of being creative during when your sports facility is not hosting a sporting event. Sports teams have similar opportunities with all their facilities, and it’s not only a great strategy for generating additional revenue, but also tying in tickets to a future home event. (more…)

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Symphony and Opera Offer Web Discount

September 1st 2008

The Utah Symphony and Utah Opera are in the midst of promoting a 10-day “Web Sale” offering a 20 percent savings with each online ticket purchase of any three of its 78 performances slated for September through May.

In newspaper advertisements, the Utah Symphony and Utah Opera provided a promotions code for the online ticket discount, which sports teams could also offer fans for multiple game purchases.

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Great Resources at Your Fingertips

August 25th 2008

Today’s Telios Tip is a simple one, yet one I don’t see sales people do on a consistent basis when I join account executives for meetings with prospects.

Regardless of the meeting or how much preparation and research I’ve done, I always look for newspapers, magazines, brochures and handouts whenever I go on a sales meeting. In fact, I do the same wherever I visit an office, whether it’s a sales meeting, one of our kid’s events, or a doctor’s appointment. (more…)

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Use Google Alerts

August 18th 2008

If you don’t presently use Google Alerts, I encourage you to check out how easy it is to set up Google Alerts, which delivers an email to you as frequently as you’d like each day with stories and blogs published on any subject you choose.

I’ve been using Google Alerts for a few years now and have found them to be the most efficient way for me to keep up with stories, trends and best practices.

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Offer Sam’s Club Member Days

August 11th 2008

We recently received in the mail an offer to attend “Sam’s Club Member Days,” which were held at a nearby auto mall on four days. The first 10 customers at each of the seven participating dealerships who did a test drive, received a Sam’s Club membership or a renewal of their Sam Club membership.

I immediately thought of how sports teams could implement a similar “Sam’s Club Member Day” at a sporting event, or conduct a test drive at a dealership for tickets – and both of these events could be terrific if a sports team has sponsorships with Sam’s Club and an auto dealership. (more…)

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Create a Social Networking Profile

August 4th 2008

If you have not joined one or more online social networks for business and general social networking with family and friends, I encourage you to invest time reviewing LinkedIn and Plaxo for online business social networking and Facebook for social networking with family, friends and associates.

There are over 25 million business professional on LinkedIn and four times that many people on Facebook. (more…)

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Stamps You Can Use Forever

July 28th 2008

Stamp prices have increased over the years, and each time they do, people are forced to purchase additional stamps to supplement the old stamps value to meet the increased price of a stamp.

Did you know you could purchase stamps today that will be good forever? It’s true. (more…)

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Display Team Decal and Save on Parking

July 21st 2008

A sports team offered a clever way to increase its logo’s presence throughout the community by offering a complimentary logo window decal at its ticket office to all fans.

To encourage fans to place the window decal on their cars and trucks, the sports team offered fans $1 off parking each time they entered the parking garage with a window decal on their vehicle. (more…)

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Baseball Offers 2-Year Season Tickets

July 14th 2008

A number of minor league baseball teams have begun to offer their most loyal fans the opportunity to invest in multiple year season tickets, as well as the opportunity to renew season tickets for multiple years for special savings and benefits.

For example, with a two-year commitment, one ball club is providing the following benefits: Prices locked at 2008 season prices for the 2009 and 2010 seasons. (more…)

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Seattle Mariners Business Ticket Plan

July 7th 2008

The Seattle Mariners offer a Business Plan that includes tickets to every Monday through Thursday regular-season home game. New Business Plan Holders have the opportunity to purchase tickets to half of the postseason home games in an alternate seat location.

I like the offer and would encourage sports teams to consider a business speaker’s series (or a similar business-oriented benefit) tied to the weekday games to assist businesses with their employee development, networking, and events to bring prospective clients.

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Raiders Offer Silver and Black Package

June 30th 2008

The Oakland Raiders are offering an all-inclusive Silver and Black season ticket package that includes a ticket to every Raiders 2008 home game, as well as 10 “Silver Dollars.”

Each “Silver Dollar” represents a $10 food and beverage voucher that fans can apply towards game day meals at the Coliseum concession stands.

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Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation Night

June 23rd 2008

The Fort Worth Cats hosted the annual Bobby Bragan Youth Foundation Night last month and a crowd of 5,071 celebrated the event, which honors deserving eighth-grade students with scholarships.

Fans were able to reserve tickets in blocks of 20, 50, or 100 at $5 per ticket (nearly 50-percent off regular prices).

Fans received various benefits based on the number of tickets they purchased. For $100 (20 tickets), fans had their name listed in the game program; for $250 (50 tickets), fans also had their name featured on the scoreboard and received an exclusive invitation for them and three guests to a pre-game dinner in the party tent with special celebrity guests; and for $500 (100 tickets), fans also received a baseball signed that night by Bobby Bragan, Maury Wills, and other Cats greats.

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Silver Stars Hosts Hoops & Hounds

June 16th 2008

The San Antonio Silver Stars will cater to its dog lovers when they encourage Silver Stars fans to bring their best friend to San Antonio’s Hoops & Hounds game on Tues., June 24.

The Silver Stars will host the Houston Comets and pre-game festivities will include a best dressed dog competition and a dog parade. (more…)

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Tigers Offer Fantasy Batting Practice

June 9th 2008

The Detroit Tigers offer fans a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the Tigers “Fantasy Batting Practice,” where participants have the opportunity to receive pitches from former Tiger’s player Dave Rozema.

Along with swinging for the fence in front of family and friends, participants can shag balls, field grounders, play catch, and sit in the Tiger’s dugout.

The Tigers offer the “Fantasy Batting Practice” – which is $199 per person – on eight different dates between June and September. Three of the eight dates sold out before June. Two of the dates that sold out included visitor clubhouse tours.

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Give Dad a Six-Pack for Father’s Day

June 2nd 2008

The Oakland A’s are offering a special Father’s Day Six-Pack of games that include lower level tickets to six different games for half off the regular price.

The A’s Father’s Day offer is equal to a “buy one get one” since Father’s would likely receive a pair of tickets.

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Fill Your Seats by Offering a Fill-Up

May 26th 2008

The last few weeks I’ve noticed Hertz has taken advantage of the high gas prices by offering a free tank of gas to anyone who rents a Hertz vehicle for three or more days.

As usual, I reflected on how this strategy could benefit a sports team. (more…)

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Locker Room Clean Out

May 19th 2008

The Utah Jazz, eliminated last week from the NBA Playoffs by the Los Angeles Lakers, conducted a neat enter to win contest for its fans called the “Locker Room Clean Out,” where one lucky fan had the chance to clean out their favorite Jazz player’s locker and keep all they found in the locker.

The contest was presented by Spring communication and fans had the opportunity to complete and enter to win form online at the Utah Jazz website or on site at any Spring location.

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Celtics REMAX Driveway Makeover

May 12th 2008

The Boston Celtics are conducting the “Celtics REMAX Driveway Makeover” contest where one lucky fan will have the opportunity to have their driveway remodeled Celtics style.

Contestants are asked to submit a 500-word letter why they’re driveway deserves to be refurbished Celtics style, along with providing a digital photo of their driveway. (more…)

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A’s Dress Your Pet Contest

May 5th 2008

The Oakland A’s are conducting a fun promotion titled “Dress Your Pet,” where fans have the opportunity to submit digital photos by email of their pet dressed in A’s gear.

This is a great strategy for engaging fans, building a database, and enhancing a team’s website with fan’s pictures of their pets dressed in A’s gears. The winner will collect four tickets to an A’s home game and have their pet’s picture featured on the stadium big screen.

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Drive Season Ticket Sales with Car Sales

April 28th 2008

Have you ever considered a partnership with a car dealership to increase your season ticket sales?

We recently received a direct mail piece from a car dealer that offered one complimentary one-day pass to an amusement park for a “qualified test drive,” and a complimentary family season pass with a purchase of a vehicle.

These are two great ways car dealerships can provide value to test drives and car purchases, and whether you’re an amusement park or sports team, it’s a fantastic strategy for selling - or “driving” - new full season ticket sales.

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Omni Hotels Get Into the Game

April 21st 2008

I recent edition of the Omni Select Guest e-News celebrated one of America’s favorite pastimes - baseball – by offering hotel packages that include various baseball packages that included rooms, cracker jacks, peanuts, parking at the hotel, and other hotel amenities.

The only thing missing were the tickets to the game, and this is where it would be a terrific partnership and a home run for hotels and sports teams to partner and offer fans a complete package that also includes tickets to games.

This is a terrific opportunity to tap into the hotels guests who are looking for events and activities to enjoy while traveling.

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