Putting your best foot forward, while delivering a great wine presentation
Glossophobia, the abnormal fear of public speaking or trying to speak, comes from the Greek words: γλῶσσα ~ glōssa, meaning tongue φόβος ~ phobos, fear or dread Speech anxiety is a real apprehension for many people. People are known to fear giving a speech before any group, even if it’s only two or three people “more than they fear snakes, spiders, heights, disease, and death.” (University of Central Florida) There are many site pages devoted to helping a presenter put his or her best foot forward,...
read moreLisa Mattson Receives the 2012 Diaz Communications Innovator of the Year Award
Each year, since 2009, Jose and I not only watch who’s a leading innovator, but we also feel, as seasoned veterans, it behooves us to call attention to someone within the wine industry who demonstrates serious innovative leadership. In 2009, 2010, and 2011, it was pretty easy to see innovation leaders… those who were creating new developments for others to utilize and enjoy: 2011 ~Rick Bakas for Back to Bakas 2010 ~ Evan Cover for Cruvee 2009 ~ Paul Mabray for VinTank For 2012, we’ve not found that silver bullet for new...
read moreSeven Traits of a Good Keynote Speaker
Maybe it’s because we just saw a slew of them at the national political conventions, or perhaps it’s because we see them at many conferences we attend; in many cases, it’s events we organize where we have to search out an appropriate keynote speaker to headline the sessions. Whatever the reason, keynote speakers are integral to any gathering of professionals looking to further themselves with knowledge and networking. A good keynote speech should inspire and unify an audience with a common purpose. He or she should also provide direction...
read moreHow to Handle Wine Donation Requests
If you are in the wine industry, you know that the request for wine donations is a common occurrence. Perhaps it’s the social aspect of wine that makes it a higher demand item for donations versus shoes or telephones. Not only can wine supplement the fundraising aspect of an event, but it can also create the mood that will allow the bidders to bid high. So quite often the wine requested is not only for an auction, but to also grace the table of the guests. There is no denying the symbiotic relationships between non profits and wineries...
read moreKeeping Up With Mobile
As more people realize that social marketing has arrived and is not going away, the realization that mobile presence and marketing is following the same path. Similar to the early days of social marketing, mobile marketing comes in many fragmented flavors that will crystallize as we see what works. Note that that one of the big investor issues when Facebook launched its IPO was whether or not it had the capability to provide a strong return using its mobile audience. The audience was there, but Facebook had yet to fully monetize it. In...
read moreWedding wine lists for the summer ~ How much to buy?
Originally published on Wine Blog ~ Juicy Tales from Jo Diaz: [Pictured: My daughter and son-in-law, Melanie and Heath Hoffman at Pacific Star Winery exchanging their vows.] Occasionally I am asked for help, and this is one of the questions that comes up… especially in the spring. Always the big questions are, “How much wine is enough, and what’s a great value wine? We’re on a tight budget, but we want to take care of our guests.” Especially for this time of year; this is a good post for not only weddings, but...
read moreThe Oregon Pinot Gris Symposium on June 9, 2011 Gives Birth to This Marketing Group
Originally published on Wine Blog ~ Juicy Tales from Jo Diaz: Oregon Pinot Gris Symposium, presented by and at Oak Knoll Winery, Willamette Valley June 9, 2011 The Symposium sold-out by mid-May, as the industry was ripe for this one. Paul Gregutt and I came together, realizing that we had a PG on PG going on…Paul Gregutt on Pinot Gris. I love great concepts, with a bit of kismet mixed in for good measure. It couldn’t have happened without this most credible source (PG) and refreshing grape variety (PG), given the nature of both....
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