Glatfelter Risk Control Receives Public Sector Safety Award

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Department head and team recognized for contribution to ASSE technical literature

July 29, 2013 — Daniel Mahoney, CIH, CSP, Vice President of Risk Control at Glatfelter Public Practice (GPP) was the recipient of the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Public Practice Specialty Safety Professional of the Year Award. This award program recognizes safety professionals who have made a significant contribution to advancing the profession.

The award was announced on June 26th at ASSE’s Safety 2013 Professional Development Conference & Exposition in Las Vegas.

Mahoney and his team at the GPP Risk Control Department are active ASSE members. This award recognized the entire department for their consistent publication of valuable technical articles in the ASSE Public Sector Practice Specialty Newsletter.

Mahoney has been a part of the Risk Control team at Glatfelter Public Practice for 9 years. He is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), and Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and holds a bachelors of science from The Pennsylvania State University. As Vice President of Risk Control, he consults with clients to reduce risks, helps policyholders respond to employee concerns and provides management guidance in industrial hygiene, health, safety, transportation and property risk management.

About Glatfelter Program Managers
Glatfelter Program Managers (GPM) is a strategic business unit dedicated to Glatfelter Insurance Group’s program business. Based in York, Pa., GPM is one of the premier managers and recognized specialists of niche markets in the country. GPM manages and markets several specialty programs, including VFIS for fire departments, ambulance and rescue squads, and 911 centers; Glatfelter Public Practice for educational institutions, municipalities, independent school bus contractors and water/sewer entities; Glatfelter Healthcare Practice for skilled care, assisted living, independent living, continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), personal care and group homes, hospice, home health care agencies and other private homecare agencies; and Glatfelter Religious Practice for churches, synagogues and other religious institutions.

Innovative Office Products Hires New Marketing Director

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Marian Watkins joins Lehigh Valley manufacturer

EASTON, Pa. – July 25, 2013 – Innovative Office Products, Inc. (www.LCDarms.com), today announces Marian Watkins has joined the Easton, Pa.-based company as its new marketing director. Previously, Watkins spent more than four years with Dorman Products in Colmar, Pa., where she most recently served as marketing manager.

“Innovative continues to roll out new products that help workplace environments adapt to the ergonomic and space-saving needs of today’s workforce,” said Joe Tosolt, president of Innovative Office Products. “Marian is an excellent addition to our team, and her experience with product marketing will prove valuable to the new product launches we’re planning in the months ahead.”

In her new role, Watkins will be responsible for leading the company’s marketing strategies across all platforms, developing customer marketing programs, and launching integrated product marketing plans. She will report directly to Tosolt.

“With the recent launch of the Easton Lean Tools brand and a number of new products in the pipeline, it’s an exciting time to join Innovative Office Products,” said Watkins. “I’m eager to contribute to the forward momentum of the company and its success.”

Watkins, a resident of Emmaus, Pa., earned her bachelor’s degree in marketing from the LIM College in New York.

About Innovative Office Products, Inc.
Innovative Office Products, Inc. (www.lcdarms.com) blends function and style that improve ergonomics, save space and increase the flexibility of the modern office. Based in Easton, Pa., Innovative office mounting solutions that range from flexible radial arms to space-saving mounts for desk and wall.

When to Hop Off the Facebook Bandwagon

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Jump Off

via Flickr user psmithy

In my internal life as a secret pundit, I hold strong, unpopular opinions on a wide range of topics. I’ll spare you my monologue on the proper storage of tomatoes, but let’s discuss my wildly unfashionable opinions on Facebook, which are probably more relevant to your interests.

Here’s a radical thought: Facebook doesn’t work that well for some brands, particularly small B2B service providers. Yes, that Facebook—the stuff of marketing mavens’ dreams. For many, it turns into a marketing nightmare; after devoting time and energy to creating and curating a brand page, a chorus of crickets greets you instead of legions of grateful fans.

Many self-proclaimed social media experts will suggest that you are doing it wrong. That is true in some cases, but not all. If Facebook isn’t working for you, I think there are a few reasons it is more than okay to stop using your brand page.

It’s cost prohibitive

Contrary to popular belief, using Facebook as a PR and marketing tool is far from free. It is time-intensive, no matter what strategies and tools you use. It’s cliche but true: at work, time is money.

To get the most out of a Facebook brand page, you should spend time and money not only perusing and posting, but also creating videos and custom visual content like infographics, memes and quality photos. Last time I checked, graphic designers don’t work for free. Plus, paid ads, contests and promoted posts are often the only way to get any semblance of a noticeable boost in fans and engagement. This could be time and money well-spent, but not if you don’t see results.

Your content never meets its mark    

When I say engagement, I’m not speaking in abstract jargon. What I mean is people seeing, liking, commenting beneath and clicking thru to your content. On Twitter, engagement defined this way is possible any time someone logs on and scrolls through their feed. On Facebook, what someone sees on their News Feed depends on a number of factors analyzed by the company’s EdgeRank algorithm, which you can read more about here.

From a personal user’s perspective, there are advantages to EdgeRank and otherwise being in control of your News Feed. For example, with a few clicks, you can hide future posts from your Facebook-addicted auntie and never again be subjected to her semi-literate rants on the tyranny of everyday objects.

However, the same tool may prevent a user from being exposed to your brand’s content, even if s/he would like to see it—which s/he presumably does, since s/he “likes” you. Users rarely return to a brand’s Facebook page after they have liked it, so they won’t see your pithy posts there. And if you don’t share a photo, it is unlikely that they will see a post in their News Feed. As many have lamented, EdgeRank prefers gimics over content that is relevant to your audience. If you provide B2B services, or something that is equally ill-matched to meme-ing or Harlem Shaking, you just may never stand out.

There are other options    

Should you want to stand out on Facebook? This question nags me. For companies that provide consumer products or entertainment, the Facebook News Feed is a natural fit. You want to be (and often are) an integral part of your customers’ personal lives, so you fit in snugly between a cousin’s baby pictures and political rants from college friends.

For most other kind of brand, the Facebook News Feed is an awkward fit, like trying to wear the clothes you thought were cool at age 15. No one thinks you look cool in those JNCOs, and no one wants to hear about some esoteric corporate service while they are perusing their iPad on the couch.

In the wide world of digital marketing and PR, there exist many more agreeable options. If you are struggling with Facebook and don’t even enjoy the medium, maybe it’s time to redirect your efforts elsewhere. Perhaps your time and energy could be better spent on Twitter, LinkedIn or a blog. Read case studies, ask around and give a new network a try.

I’m far from the first person to suggest Facebook isn’t the social media marketing magic bullet, but I don’t think many take action in response. Has anyone out there abandoned their Facebook strategy? Tell us about it in the comments.

Brownyard Group Introduces Revamped Website

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Site redesign provides a better user experience for customers and agency partners

Bay Shore, N.Y. — July 22, 2013 — Brownyard Group is pleased to announce the launch of their redesigned website www.brownyard.com. The specialty program administrator has refreshed the design and content of their site to make it more accessible for all users, from current and prospective insureds to agents and industry partners.

The intuitive interface and easy navigation, as well as the updated program information and visuals deliver an enhanced user experience. These features will assist agents in evaluating products for their clients and in accessing the library of customizable marketing materials.

Though its look has changed, the web address remains the same — visit www.brownyard.com to view the new site.

About Brownyard Group
Brownyard Group is a program administrator that has developed and provided specialized insurance programs for select industries for more than 60 years. These industries include security guards, pest control operators, cosmetics manufacturers, alarm systems, private investigators and security consultants and the beauty industry. In 1993, Brownyard established Brownyard Claims Management, a loss prevention and full-service insurance claims facility.
The company is based in Bay Shore, N.Y.

Don’t leave your clients in the dark

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brantleydavidson / Foter / CC BY

Changes to social media platforms occur frequently. Sometimes it’s difficult to stay up-to-speed with all the social platforms. It’s important to keep clients well-informed of what’s happening on their social media platforms.

Here are a few tips to keep clients informed:

  • Keep clients up-to-date on changes occurring on relevant platforms. If there’s a change to Pinterest, but they’re not on it the site, there’s probably no need to inform them of a particular change.
  • Only share major changes. Clients receive enough emails. Keep them informed if the change is significant to their account(s) and worth sharing. If there’s a new layout on a social media platform that will affect their page, it’s worth sharing.
  • Keep it short, but informative. Provide a sentence or two about the change. Always provide a link or attachment that explains in detail about the social media change in case they would like more information.
  • Give them a timeframe of when the change will take place (if possible). Sometimes it difficult to gauge exactly when a change will occur, but even giving them a ballpark estimate can be helpful.

Do you have any additional tips or suggestions to share? Comment below.

Photo credit: brantleydavidson / Foter / CC BY

KidsPeace Launches Online Resource for Military Kids

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‘Growing Up Military’ provides anonymous counseling and support
to aid teens raised in military families

Schnecksville, Pa. – June 26, 2013 – As U.S. troops continue withdrawal from foreign theaters, military families across the country are adapting to family members who are returning, and those who, unfortunately, are not. To support the children of these families, KidsPeace today announces the launch of “Growing Up Military.”

This new community – part of TeenCentral.Net – provides children of military families with free access to trained counselors, relevant information, gaming interaction and peer support.

“There’s been a lot of talk about and media coverage on troops returning and reintegrating into their lives,” says Julius Licata, Ph.D., director of TeenCentral.Net. “What we don’t hear about are the children. Be it through a parent or sibling, these kids have experienced multiple deployments, faced uncertainty, loss, multiple relocations and much more. ‘Growing Up Military’ gives them an outlet; a forum; a safe place to ask for help or advice.” According to Licata, “Growing Up Military” allows children 11 to 18 years old to share their questions and concerns. Answers or guidance are provided within 24 hours from a master’s or doctorate level counselor.

Users log into “Growing Up Military” and are identified publicly only by pseudonyms. Other features include simple games, shared stories from other children of military families, searchable topics related to life as a child of a military family and more. All of this is designed to encourage these military kids to return as often as possible to the community.

“Because June is National PTSD Awareness Month, we wanted to begin the discussion of military kids and their families at a time of heightened awareness for our troops,” says Licata. “Our hope is to raise the same kind of awareness for the kids dealing with their own kinds of stress as members of military families.”

In 1998, KidsPeace helped pioneer online support services for teens by launching TeenCentral.Net to provide a safe and accessible place for kids. The site is free, anonymous and allows teens to log on, submit their stories and receive professional counseling within 24 hours, along with advice from their peers.

About KidsPeace
For 130 years, KidsPeace has been building on its expertise to give hope, help and healing to children, families and communities throughout the United States. Through its comprehensive range of residential treatment programs; accredited educational services; unique psychiatric hospital and foster care and community-based programs, KidsPeace is dedicated to helping people connect, transform and overcome their challenges to ensure a stable future, transition to adulthood and gain independence. Since its doors opened in 1882, more than
200,000 children have participated in one of the multitude of programs KidsPeace offers. For additional resources or more information on how to get involved, become a foster parent or make a donation, please visit www.kidspeace.org. Follow us on Facebook or on Twitter.

Summer, sunshine and social media…

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davedehetre / Water Photos / CC BY-NC

Summer is a popular time for beach trips, golf outings, trips with the family, etc. Many employees take advantage of the warm summer days by taking some time off from work, but if you manage the social media accounts for your company you must make sure all accounts still run smoothly. Below is some advice to ensure your social media accounts are properly taken care of while you’re out of the office.

5 pieces of advice to follow before and during your vacation:

  •  Let clients know in advance. Make sure clients are aware of when you’ll be out of the office ahead of time especially if there’s a special promo/contest running, an issue with an account, etc.
  • Schedule posts.  Review scheduled posts for any errors including the time of day in which they go out. It’s easy to select 12:00 a.m. instead of 12:00 p.m.
  • Make sure monitoring is taken care of. Ask a colleague to monitor and manage all social media activity while you’re out.
  • Make sure other employees are aware of what’s going on. If there’s a contest going on make sure employees are well informed about it, if there’s a sticky situation on one of the accounts, etc.
  • Ensure you have crisis plan in place. Who will handle a social media crisis should one occur while you’re out?

Those are just a few pieces of advice to put your mind at ease while on vacation. I’d love to hear from other social media managers. Do you have any additional tips to share?

Photo credit: davedehetre / Foter.com / CC BY-NC

Switch is Highly Configurable Multi-Monitor Mounting System

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Innovative Office Products introduces Switch at InfoComm 2013; enables A/V communications professionals to easily add monitors and adjust viewing angles

Orlando – June 12-14, 2013 – Innovative Office Products, Inc., introduces the Switch™, a highly configurable solution for multi-monitor applications at InfoComm, June 12-14, 2013, at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., Booth 5458.

Switch is a multi-monitor mounting system that makes it easy for audiovisual communications professionals and other users to configure monitors and easily adapt later to meet future needs.

“This new product makes it easy to convert monitor configurations with little time or effort required, often without even having to purchase additional components,” said Joe Tosolt, president of Innovative Office Products. “It is perfect for the multi-monitor needs of audiovisual professionals today and as they grow with additional monitors.”

Switch features a quick-install VESA that saves set-up time, and easy slide and pivot capabilities so users can:
•Position monitors in either portrait or landscape
•Accommodate most monitors up to 24-inch widescreen and up to 15 pounds per monitor.
•Configure up to four monitors per mount. Combine multiple mounts for monitor arrays of unlimited size.

About Innovative Office Products, Inc.
Innovative Office Products, Inc. (www.LCDarms.com) blends function and style in products that improve ergonomics, save space and increase the flexibility of the modern office. Based in Easton, Pa., Innovative office mounting solutions that range from flexible radial arms to space-saving mounts for desk and wall.

Busby is First Desktop Accessory to Add USB Hub to Monitor Mount

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Innovative Office Products unveils Busby tm USB Mount At Neocon 2013, offering convenient access to charge and connect all USB-enabled devices from the desktop monitor mount_

CHICAGO – June 10-12, 2013 – Innovative Office Products,Inc. , unveils Busby tm, the world’s first flat panel monitor mount with built-in USB ports, at NeoCon, June 10-12, 2013, at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago, Booth 7-3022B.

Busby integrates four USB ports into a flat-panel monitor mount, providing convenient access for charging and connecting all USB-enabled devices without consuming additional desk space.

“Many computer users are forced to crawl under their desks to plug into a USB port on their PC, or add an additional hub to their laptops,” said Joe Tosolt, president of Innovative Office Products. “Busby eliminates this inconvenience by putting USB ports at their fingertips and, when combined with a flexible mounting arm, maximizes computing ergonomics and desktop flexibility.”

The mount includes power cord and computer connections in the back, and four USB ports in front. It is compatible with most flat panel monitor arms made by Innovative.

According to Tosolt, Busby is a logical step in the company’s continuing development of products that improve modern desktop function, while saving space and enhancing ergonomics. “We task our engineers to thoughtfully consider a variety of office workspaces to find small improvements that make a big difference,” said Tosolt.

About Innovative Office Products, Inc.
Innovative Office Products, Inc. (www.LCDarms.com) blends function and style that improve ergonomics, save space and increase the flexibility of the modern office. Based in Easton, Pa., Innovative office mounting solutions that range from flexible radial arms to space-saving mounts for desk and wall.

New Dual EVO® Mount Provides Desktop Flexibility

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Innovative Office Products introduces Dual EVO® Mount at NeoCon, enabling users to mount two flat panel arms from one desktop point

CHICAGO – June 10-12, 2013 – Innovative Office Products, introduces the Dual EVO® Mount at NeoCon, June 10-12, 2013, at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago, Booth 7-3022B. The new mount enables users to mount two EVO LCD arms from a single point on the desktop.

The dual mount is the latest addition to the award-winning EVO LCD arm family, which was recently redesigned and reengineered with Better Balance Technology to be sleeker and easier to use.

“The Dual EVO Mount provides greater flexibility to the growing number of people using two flat panel monitors on their desktop,” said Joe Tosolt, president of Innovative Office Products. “With separate arms inserted into one sleek, space-saving mount, users can move their monitors independently for a broad range of working options.”

The Dual EVO Mount is 10.4 × 18.6 inches and holds monitors up to 20 pounds each. It can be clamped to desk edge or grommet, or bolted through the desk.

Along with the dual mount, the full line of reengineered EVO LCD arms will be featured at NeoCon. The arms are comprised of 99 percent recyclable material, and feature:
• Sleep and modern design to complement the workspace.
• Better Balance^tm^ Technology, a newly invented counterbalance mechanism that provides true constant force across the arm’s entire range of motion.

About Innovative Office Products, Inc.
Innovative Office Products, Inc. (www.LCDarms.com) blends function and style in products that improve ergonomics, save space and increase the flexibility of the modern office. Based in Easton, Pa., Innovative office mounting solutions that range from flexible radial arms to space-saving mounts for desk and wall.