Google Places -- Must Have for Small Business

Last week, Google announced the creation (actually an enhancement) of Google Places.  You can read about the details on the Google Blog (googleblog.blogspot.com
introducing-google-places).

Google Places is a must have for small businesses and best of all, it's free.  Here are the highlights:

• Include photos of your location
• Select or "claim" your service area
• Coupons to promote special offers
• Real-time updates
• Describe your unique proposition/ what makes your business special
• Track your progress with a personalized dashboard
• Custom QR Code for your location to print on your business cards

More later on this exciting new Google development.  Go to Google places and look for the Johnson-Woodford Company.

Victory Gardening for Cemeteries and Funeral Homes

Funeral homes and cemeteries that are continuing their quest to connect to the community might consider providing space at their facilities for community gardeners. It’s not too late to do this for 2010. 


What to do

• Determine your constituency. Possibilities include youth groups, apartment dwellers, and seniors. If you have had “issues” with locals, put that group at the head of your list. Invite your constituents to assist in planning and rules development. A cemetery client of mine permits employees to garden at the property, but has a problem with locals stealing vegetables. They are going to invite area residents to join their employees in gardening, hoping the relationship will end the theft problem. Woodland Cemetery, located in a troubled urban Philadelphia neighborhood, recruited 22 volunteers to build raised beds and create a children’s garden.
• Set aside an area that will not interfere with your regular operations. However, visibility and publicity is important. You will want to have signage related to the garden, its location, and its purpose.
• Get assistance and support from local politicians, garden shops, gardeners, and agriculture bureaus or extensions.
• Determine rules and regulations. For example, what can/cannot be planted, hours of use, expected courtesies, and what your obligations will be.
• Get started planting and enjoy the fruits and vegetables of your labor.

What to plant in May and June: beans, black-eyed peas, cabbage, celery, collards, cucumbers, okra, pumpkin, and squash.

May, Personal History Month

May‑‑Official Personal History Month. Cemeteries and funeral service providers are in business because people want to remember their loved ones. This article has information you can use to improve your business and connect with your community in a meaningful way.

The Association of Personal Historians (www.personalhistorians.org.) helps raise awareness of the importance of preserving life stories.  They conduct events and workshops that promote and support the creation of individual life histories. They also have a directory of members, who can assist you in holding and promoting Personal History Month events.

Start now.  Contact a member of the Association and plan an event.  You might consider having a personal history writing workshop, publishing writing tips in your newspaper or website, raffling of a book about writing one’s personal history. Invite the community through church bulletins, fliers, lawn signs, and newspaper ads. Start a club. Offer to provide meeting space for ongoing gatherings where people can share their life stories.

Many organizations choose a month and claim it as their official month.  Sometimes, “official months” get broad national recognition. Nonetheless, you can develop programs around an official month theme and attract visitors, followers, and fans. 

May is designated the “Official Month” for the following:

ALS Awareness

Arthritis Awareness

Family Wellness

Freedom Shrine

Jewish-American Heritage

Motorcycle Safety

National Bike

National Family

National Military Appreciation

National Stroke Awareness

Women’s Health Care

Johnson-Woodford Company Blog: Johnson-Woodford Company Blog: Bicycle Hearse

Johnson-Woodford Company Blog: Johnson-Woodford Company Blog: Bicycle Hearse

Bicycle Hearse -- Real Green!!

Being "bicycle friendly" is one way for cemeteries to attract visitors and reinforce their relevance.  Wade Lind owner of Sunset Hills Cemetery in Eugene Oregon has taken cycling to a new green level.  He is pictured here with his Bicycle Hearse.  Inside the hearse is a green casket.  What's your take on this?