Courtesy of Rebecca Antonelli and the Center for Creative Marketing

The term comes from General Stanley McChrystal’s “Plywood Leadership” lecture so named for the military’s omnipresent building material. Plywood is the choice of the military because you can build with it very quickly, break it down, and rebuild quickly (and you don’t have to wipe your feet).

In her dynamic presentation, “Plywood Entrepreneurs: Lessons from a Serial Entrepreneur” Antonelli provides a framework for how entrepreneurship is crucially important and will become increasingly so to women, the Triangle business community and America’s well-being in the upcoming years.

She imparts the importance of implementing change, not just talking about it, using a principle she calls “WWMD – What Would Madonna Do?” She reveals the traits of entrepreneurs and the huge opportunity there is right now to reinvent, retool and redeploy ourselves and our businesses. She draws an inextricable link between entrepreneurship and experience, citing Virgil’s classic quote to “trust those who have gone through it.”

Sharing heart-felt and often amusing stories to make her points, Antonelli addresses such key entrepreneurial imperatives such as relentless focus and constant creativity to illustrate the potential we all have to become changemakers, in our own lives and for the greater good.

In her concluding remarks, Antonelli will describe the plywood comparison, and its place in the title of her presentation. She says what makes Plywood Entrepreneurs remarkable is that it brings ordinary people together and makes their collective effort extraordinary.

Rebecca Antonelli is a serial entrepreneur, publicist and marketing consultant who educates and mentors people on how to earn more, work less and live better. Rebecca speaks from real-world experience and teaches lessons we all need to learn in an approachable, humorous way. Rebecca created the theory of “Plywood Entrepreneurs” and has a simple goal: To help change the world.

She speaks from the 10,000 feet level all the way down to sharing step-by-step, deployable tactics entrepreneurs can immediately implement in their business. She works with start-ups, innovators, corporate executives, marketers, students and individuals. She recently founded the Center for Creative Marketing [ccm] in Raleigh, North Carolina and works as a speaker, consultant and publicist and is in search of opportunities to expand the [ccm] network across the country.

Rebecca can be contacted directly at 919.740.3008 or RA@CenterforCreativeMarketing.com.

Located in the Alphanumeric Building just north of the Beltline at 3801 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, N.C., this is the perfect venue to hold a presentation, seminar, company meeting, luncheon or workshop.

The Seminar Room includes the use of:

• Tables and chairs
• Audio visual equipment, WIFI, sound system
• Ice maker, refrigerator, water, coffee makers

This Seminar Room will accommodate refreshments, luncheons, classroom seating and workshops.  There are no food requirements or hidden surcharges. Staff will help facilitate your stay and assist you as needed. Text Rebecca at 919.740-3008 or email: RA@CenterforCreativeMarketing.com to schedule a visit today.

Regular Seminar room fees:

$500 full day, $250 half day, $200 evenings, weekend rates available on request.

Special JULY 2011 rates:

$350 full day, $175 half day, $150 evenings

Email: ra@rebeccaantonelli.com or Text: (919) 740-3008

Center for Creative Marketing
3801 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609

The Center for Creative Marketing officially opens May 19, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Raleigh, NC – The Center for Creative Marketing [ccm], a new marketing-centric small business resource center, officially opens for business on Thursday, May 19, 2011. The Center, located in the Alphanumeric Building at 3801 Wake Forest Road, Raleigh NC, is designed to provide entrepreneurs with office space to work, meet, and learn alongside some of the area’s leading marketing experts. The Center consists of 5,000 square feet of commercial office space that has been newly up fitted to provide a creative lounge, flex work space, private offices, conference rooms, a master office suite, and a 100-seat fully equipped seminar room.

See more photos

The Center for Creative Marketing is the brainchild of Raleigh businesswoman Rebecca Antonelli. “Marketing is probably the most important and often the most misunderstood part of building a business,” said Antonelli. “We want to change that.” Antonelli’s idea for the Center sprung from the desire to provide a one-stop location that would give startup companies and small businesses marketing, sales, and business development support, as well as the opportunity to work alongside marketing experts and be within hands reach of a select pool of top level marketing resources. “The chance to interact, learn from others, and get fundamental marketing support is crucial to a company’s success,” Antonelli stated. “No one can afford ‘trial and error marketing’ any more.”

Antonelli has recruited personnel from state and federal agencies, including SCORE and the U.S. Dept. of Commerce, as well as specialists like small business attorney and advocate Jim Verdonik, to be on location periodically to assist members at no charge.

[ccm] also provides solo entrepreneurs who work mostly from home with work space, offices and conference rooms, allowing them to have an established address from which to conduct meetings and do business. Members can hold their own conferences, seminars, or training sessions at the Center, and have the opportunity to interact with each other to share ideas, contacts and resources. “It’s pretty tough to brainstorm with yourself,” says Antonelli, “One of the Center’s goals is to serve business people who understand that we can go further by working together. That’s why it’s been christened an EXCELLERATOR ™ rather than incubator, because it’s really more about how we can harness this collaborative power to excel in business.”

ViaMark, NewView Photography, Shops of Baileywick and Percivall Advertising are charter members of the Center for Creative Marketing, and hundreds of entrepreneurs have attended seminars held by Rebecca Antonelli in the Center’s EXCEL CLUB. Tammy Cordes with Rodan+Fields, and A.C. Johnson with TREIA, have signed on to rent the Excel Club for evening presentations later this month. Cordes is already an enthusiastic supporter of the Center. “This is a beautiful space – high-end and affordable. All the A/V equipment I need, plus I can bring my own snacks and drinks and I won’t get hit with all those surcharges. There’s not another place like it in the Triangle.”

The Center for Creative Marketing will offer additional regular in-house programs such as Meet the New Media, Ladies Lunch and a newly formed Boys Brunch to encourage further networking and resource sharing opportunities.

The Center for Creative Marketing welcomes participation from qualified experts, entrepreneurs and affiliates. [ccm] is currently accepting applications for membership. VIRTUAL membership is $35 per month and IN-HOUSE is $260. The dues includes mail service, discount on private room rental, fresh and free hot coffee and access to flex work space weekdays from 9am to 5pm where members and their guests will be surrounded by a CRAZY amount of support.

About The Center for Creative Marketing
Website: www.centerforcreativemarketing.com
Address: 3801 Wake Forest Road, Suite 200 Raleigh, NC 27609
Phone: 800-204-1852 or 919-424-2115
The Center for Creative Marketing [ccm] is a business EXCELLERATOR ™ where entrepreneurs and small companies go to start and grow their business. [ccm] has gathered the top, value-centric marketing, sales, business development and public relations services for advice and implementation in one place.

About Rebecca Antonelli
www.rebeccaantonelli.com
Also see: www.MeettheNewMedia.com
Rebecca Antonelli is the founder and CEO of AmericaPR, Market Smart, Inc. and Meet the New Media. She is a successful four-time entrepreneur and a highly sought-after keynote speaker, consultant, company and product launch specialist and publicist.

Rebecca conceived and developed a proprietary Internet facilitated public relations firm, TrianglePR, to assist in the exchange of information between businesses and the media. She regularly holds “Meet the Media” forums where business leaders meet with journalists from such media as the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Fast Company and more. In 1999, she launched “Meet the New Media” to address all facets of media; print, broadcast, online and social into one two-hour, interactive forum.

YOU CAN NOT BRAINSTORM WITH YOURSELF! Only top marketers need apply. Start ups, solopreneurs, CEOs and Marketing Directors welcome. Even large enterprises know the value of guerrilla marketing, feet-on-the-street kind of thinking.

We want you to GET OUT and GET CREATIVE!

Just think! A cool place to go. Sharp people to hang with. Great coffee that’s free. A concierge at your service. A 16-person conference room, 99-seat meeting room, the Creative Lounge. Quiet space and rowdy rants. All at the same place, right off 440, next to the North Raleigh Hilton. Tons of parking. And here’s the best part…it may cost you as little as $150 a month. You can attend our seminars and hold your own presentations in our state-of-the-art
Presentation Hall. You can even impress a BIG client coming to town with your own Master Office Suite – complete with a private bath.  Limited charter memberships now available. Call Rebecca today: 919.740-3008.

MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS

CHARTER Membership:
•  Private access to the Creative Lounge
•  VIP pass to six CREATIVE MARKETING workshops, training and Meet the Media events)
•  Strategic marketing session with marketing professional     $150/month

SIGNATURE Membership:
You get all of the above PLUS+++
•   EIGHT hours of private meeting space per month
•   VIP pass to ten Marketing Workshops & Meet the Media events
•   Customized Strategic Marketing Session wih Rebecca     $495/month

CORPORATE Membership:
•   TWENTY hours of private meeting space per month
•   Full access for up to three employees
•   20 VIP passes to Marketing seminars and Meet the Media events
•   SPONSOR with [ccm] at events & website        $995/month

The Center for Creative Marketing [ccm]is a place where marketing and creative professionals meet, swap ideas and share resources with like-minded business people. It was created as an alternative to a home office, coffee shop or downtown club to connect and work – solo or as a group. It is a place where executives, entrepreneurs, service and marketing professionals can connect, co-create and contribute ideas, services and products that will help other companies GROW.

Wilmington, N.C. – Viamark Wilmington announced today that it has continued the expansion of its client services team with the addition of Sarah Conrad, former account executive at Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington and Beasley Broadcast Group in Jacksonville, N.C.  Bringing over seven years of advertising, marketing and broadcast experience to the team, Sarah is responsible for advising clients on creative, attention-getting radio and broadcast media.

“We are so pleased to have Sarah on the Viamark Wilmington team,” says company president Bea Raybourne. “Her energy, work ethic, creativity and professionalism – all hallmarks of Viamark service – will help us assist our clients to build their businesses.”

A Military brat, Sarah was born in Washington State and landed in Swansboro, N.C. with her Marine Corps father. She stayed in Eastern North Carolina, attending Coastal Carolina Community College before beginning her radio career with the Beasley Broadcast Group.

Contact:

Gayle Brown

Office 910-763-5222

Cell 910-262-1573

Gayle@Viamark.com

Raleigh, N.C. – Il Palio restaurant, located inside the elegant Siena Hotel – Chapel Hill’s Tuscan inspired four diamond hotel has teamed up with Twongo.com to offer a deal that’s too good to be true, but isn’t!

The clock starts at midnight, where Twongo.com subscribers can purchase $50 gift certificates for $25. Buyers are encouraged to spread the word and share the savings, because the more people who purchase the BIG DEAL, the bigger the savings get. If over 100 people take the offer – EVERYONE gets their $50 gift certificate for $20.

To get started, go to twongo.com, enter your email address and access daily BIG DEALS which can mean savings of up to 70% off regular prices on items from area retailers, restaurants, golf courses, spas, salons and entertainment spots. It’s FREE.

To get a 90-second preview of the site and how it works, go to: http://www.vimeo.com/8869304

Contact:

Rebecca Antonelli

919-740-3008

RA@RebeccaAntonelli.com

Items from Giorgio, Howard Jacobs and First Aid Painting are among the premiere “BIG DEAL” offers available through Twongo.

Raleigh, N.C. – Twongo.com is a unique Triangle, NC based savings website that uses the power of team buying to offer a daily “BIG DEAL” to its members, which can mean savings of up to 70% off regular prices on items from area retailers, restaurants, golf courses, spas, salons and entertainment spots.

On Friday, Jan. 22, 2010 Twongo subscribers can get a $50 gift certificate from newly opened Cary, NC fine dining establishment Giorgio for just $25. Renowned restaurateur and owner Giogios Bakastias teamed up with Twongo because he believes that everyone deserves to get a great deal. “The deals Twongo will offer must be ‘too good to be true’, which is the same standard we hold ourselves to in the food and dining experience we offer our clientele.”

To get a 90-second preview of the site and how it works, go to: http://www.vimeo.com/8869304

Giorgio

Howard Jacobs

First Aid Painting

Contact:
Rebecca Antonelli
Rebecca@Twongo.com
919-740-3008

Raleigh, N.C. – January 11, 2009 — Recession-related sales slow downs and downsizing, coupled with offshore outsourcing, have heightened competition for customer service jobs, while exerting downward pressure on sales professionals’ compensation. These factors are causing many service professionals to consider changing careers, but they’re understandably concerned about wasting their investment in their education and experience.

That concern should be dispelled by “Going Above and Beyond: Reach the Pinnacle of Customer Service by Learning How to Think and Act Like a Concierge” (www.KatharineGiovanni.com), which demonstrates that service professionals can leverage their experience to enter many fields other than traditional sales careers, while reducing or eliminating their vulnerability to offshoring.

Katharine Giovanni, the author, along with Peter Drucker, Harvey Mackay and Michael LeBoeuf was a pioneer in the “customer service” movement. She founded the International Concierge and Lifestyle Management Association (formely ICEA), teaching thousands of groups, individuals, and corporations how to improve client, employee and customer retention and satisfaction by implementing CONCIERGE services, treatment and concierge-like thinking to better serve each of their audiences.

Giovanni’s experience enabled her to identify 20 of the top tips and tactics every service professional can use that will cement their position within their organization, build solid and loyal customer relationships and ensure that in a few short weeks, they will become IRREPLACEABLE!

For example:

Please don’t say “you’re welcome” ever again, say “it was my pleasure” instead. If you only do one thing to change your customer service level, this is it. These four little words will blast your service level to the highest degree!

Never (and I mean never) shorten their first name! Not everyone whose first name is Victoria likes to be called Vickie. Not every Thomas enjoys being called Tom.

You need to go five steps beyond, not just one. When you get a request, go the extra miles! People will notice, trust me. Here’s an example: “When does the seven o’clock movie start?” Rather than roll your eyes and laugh, take it up a notch by answer­ing as follows: “It starts at seven o’clock. However, it gets really crowded right before curtain time, so make sure you get here at least thirty minutes early. If you stand right under that tree over there, you’ll be in good shape because that’s where the line starts, and you should be one of the first ones in the theater.” Always go above and beyond.

Never say “no.” Everything is now your job. The word “no” should be eliminated from your vocabulary. Please do not say: “No, I can’t do that for you.” Instead, try saying this: “I don’t provide those services. However if you give me your telephone number, I would be happy to find someone who can.” Or, “Sir, our hotel is full tonight, but the hotel around the corner has avail­ability.” (Then offer to call your competitor and make a reservation if you want to go above and beyond!) The moral here is that if you have to say no, then always provide the client with another option.

Be warm, friendly and approachable 100% of the time. SMILE!  There are no exceptions to this rule … ever.

As Giovanni describes each tactic, readers will:

* Understand why concierge is a lifestyle, not something you do once a year in a workshop. It’s a way of life that should be practiced seven days a week, 365 days a year. * Understand how providing incredible customer service can increase their revenue. A happy customer will always come back and refer their friends.

While there are many books providing career advice, Giovanni’s gives new – and much broader – meaning to the term “Customer Satisfaction,” demonstrating that a service professional’s knowledge constitutes precious currency in a world dependent on computer technology.

Reader Testimonials:

“This book is an essential training guide for any company trying to take their customer service to the level expected by consumers in the current marketplace.” — John M. Rose, President, Travel Guard Assist

“From the woman who set the standards for the Concierge Industry comes a refreshingly new take on customer service that is all about the “nice” factor. If you are a Concierge you’ll appreciate the insight of industry leaders but every business person looking for an “edge” in the competitive marketplace will find that delivering customer service like a Concierge will change the way clients view your business. If you value excellence, recognize quality and understand your clientele, delivering customer service the Concierge way will take you above and beyond your competition.” — Jackie Farley, Professor of Women’s Studies, The University of Oklahoma, and C. E. O., Wise Women Incorporated

This book is good for anyone in a service oriented job. I’m a physician and found many good ideas to help me serve my patients better. — Dr. Vivienne J. Halpern, MD, Chief, Vascular surgery, Phoenix, AZ

CONTACT:

Katharine Giovanni

919-453-2850

kgiovanni@triangleconcierge.com

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