Wednesday, June 27, 2012

PBS Launches New Driver Rewards Program!


Recruit and Retain Safety Focused Drivers!!!!

On June 18, 2012 PBS launched their new Driver Rewards Program; an exciting web based application designed to address the high rate of truck driver turnover and new safety regulations that are severely impacting the US trucking industry.



The program provides tools for carriers to improve recruiting and retention by incenting drivers to join their company and stay with the company.  In addition, the program tracks driver and company safety statistics and rewards the drivers for focusing on safety efforts.  Every driver is provided with their own login and is able to track their individual performance and redeem their rewards on a reloadable Visa® card or for merchandise or travel.

The headquarters’ version of the software for the carrier provides a robust reporting and data analysis platform to track driver retention and company safety progress.  The program is designed to reduce the millions of dollars spent annually for recruiting and provide the industry with useful tools to achieve and maintain federal, state and local mandated safety ratings.

PBS has been providing successful loyalty and rewards programs and services to the consumer and trade industries for years.  “These programs have a significant impact on both consumer and employee behavior. To ensure the users log in frequently and remain engaged, we strive to keep the programs current, relevant and fun!” states PBS partner & CEO Cindy Philipson.

“Our programs are well designed and provide meaningful rewards that motivate employees to reach their goals!  Users are hooked after the first login!” states PBS partner and President Joyce Manthay.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Social Media Watch

5 Social Media Marketing Trends to Keep an Eye On



Keeping up with social media marketing can be an overwhelming task. Social media is constantly evolving. To stay informed on the cycle of changes is a challenge. New research has surfaced that can help businesses understand why it is necessary to continue to develop a social media presence, and to continue to evolve with new social media. According to strategic marketing consultant, Phil Mershon, there are 5 social media marketing trends that all point to why it is important.  

1: The benefits derived from Social Media are increasing.

A survey of 700 marketers produced by Wildfire App found that nearly all of the surveyed marketers found social media to be important and valuable. The same survey also found that 75% of these marketers plan to increase their media spending in 2012. That’s right- in the midst of budget cuts and reduced spending; marketers are encouraging businesses to increase their social media budget.

Here’s why…

Increasing brand awareness and engaging customers in dialogue are the two most significant benefits of social media. These two benefits of social media were the top benefits described by the surveyed marketers. It’s important to keep this in mind as a business reviews the significance of a social media presence. It is also significant to note that social media is not the most advantageous avenue for making sales. This is because people aren’t shopping when they’re on Facebook or Twitter. They aren’t looking for sales or researching products on LinkedIn. The social media benefits business by allowing them to better control the flow of communication from the business to its customers.
These days, people can pick and choose which social media they prefer. The three biggest social media are Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. A business concerned with a social media presence should have a profile on each of these. To reach everyone, it is important to understand that they are on any number of these media channels. Once you’ve established your profile, routinely update your profile with information that will encourage your followers to think positively about your brand. Use Social Media to update the public about significant news related to your business, whether it be the launch of a new product, or an award your company has received. Try to perk their interest in order to encourage them to learn more about your business. Tell them why they should consider you!



2: More businesses are investing in social media.  

Borrell Associates found that small to medium sized businesses (SMB) will most likely DOUBLE their Social Media budget this year. In the U.S., that’s $2 Billion. Customers are online, so businesses know it’s important to reach them there. 


3: Measuring ROI is one of the top challenges faced by marketers

Managing the social media budget can be difficult because the ROI is difficult to track. 

This is important because…

The fact is - Social Media is an avenue of communication that is best used for spreading brand awareness and a two-way communication form between the company and its customers. Accurately accounting for the ROI is monetarily limited. It does not provide a business with the insight of how beneficial social media exactly is. It is hard for a business to understand the monetary value of social media simply by considering the ROI. Communicating with customers on the channel of their choice is important regardless of the ROI. According to Awareness,


4. Marketing agencies view the value of social media marketing differently.

Below is a graph that shows the results of a survey done by Marketing Sherpa.  It represents what marketers consider to be important, and how effective it can be. 




5. An integrated social media plan leads to greater financial results.

Insites Consulting conducted research with over 400 senior-level marketing managers in both the U.S. and U.K.  The most valuable observation of this research is that firms that have chosen to integrate social media into their regular business operations have already seen significantly greater financial results than those who have not. This key observation of social media should be noted.

In conclusion…

So as a business reviews the value of social media, it should keep in mind these five trends.
  • ·        The benefits derived from Social Media are increasing
  • ·        More businesses are investing in social media
  • ·        Measuring ROI is one of the top challenges faced by marketers
  • ·        Marketing agencies view the value of social media marketing differently
  • ·        An integrated social media plan leads to greater financial results



Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Online Advertising Spending to Surpass Print Spending in 2012

According to research conducted by eMarketer, online advertisement spending is going to surpass that of traditional print for the first time ever in 2012. Online advertising grew by 23% during 2011 to $32.03 billion.  It is expected to grow another 23% to $39.5 billion in 2012.  As expected with the growth of online spending, paper spending is seeing a decrease.  Spending on newspapers and magazine advertisements is expected to drop from $36 billion in 2011, to $33.8 billion in 2012. 






Over the next few years we are expected to see this trend continue.  By 2016, marketers are expected to spend $62 billion on online advertisements, while print advertising budgets drop to $32 billion.  Companies are gradually adding to the amount they allocate to social services each year.  By the end of 2011, Facebook averaged about 2.7% of the total online advertising expenditure by marketers. Efficient Frontier estimates that Facebook ad spending will grow to 5% of the overall online marketing budget. Social services such as Google+ and LinkedIn are also expected to see an increase in marketer’s budgeting allotment, but until these services can prove to have the audience and reach that Facebook can deliver, more marketers are going to invest in Facebook advertising.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

We're Social!



At Premier Business Solutions, we understand the importance of getting your brand seen. Let us help your business establish an online presence.  We can help you set up Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and LinkedIn accounts, as well as help your business start its very own blog!  Using these social sources is a great way to increase your customer base and keep them informed and coming back. 

Premier Business Solutions Social Services Suite can help your business set up an entire social marketing campaign. Set up contests and sweepstakes, generate mailing lists, and update your customers with all of your news and updates!