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...

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...

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...

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...