It’s getting close to Christmas, so I thought I’d repost this so you could enjoy it.

Did you ever wonder why Santa’s marketing works better than
yours? Practically everyone in the world knows who Santa
is. Does everyone know who you are? I didn’t think so!
Maybe you should take some lessons from Santa.

My friend, Sean D’Souza from Auckland, New Zealand, has
given me permission to give you his whitepaper, “Ho! Ho!
Ho! Why Santa’s Marketing Works Better Than Yours!” I think
you’ll enjoy it, and feel free to pass it on to your
friends and clients.

Why Santa’s Marketing Works by Sean Souza

~Lois

I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting
harder to find one.

~Lois

I just finished reading Suzy Toronto’s new book The Sacred Sisterhood of Wonderful Wacky Women. It’s delightful!

Through stories and recipies in just 103 pages, Suzy describes most of the women I know and love. It's likely they are your friends, too!

Written in prose and poetry, each story talks about the lessons we learn from our friends, just by watching what they do. Like "She Who Has a Great Attitude," who sees the upside of everything and turns each event into a delight. Suzy describes her book this way: "I am surrounded by ordinary women who have accomplished extraordinary things. It is about these unrecognized feats of quiet, female heroism that I write. "

Pick up your own copy. It will delight you, too!

~Lois

We have a new member. Please welcome her into
the Women’s Forum family:

Elaine Phelps
Realtor
Century 21

Home Address:
2139 Southview Drive
Harrisonburg, Va. 22802
Tel: 540.330.0337
EM: missmandycat@juno.com

Birthday: September 30

Elaine recently moved here from Virginia Beach. She loves the outdoors, gardening and cooking.

~Lois

The new supermarket opened near my house and has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh. Just
before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain.

But I think it’s getting out of hand.

When you approach the milk case, you hear cows mooing and catch a whiff of fresh hay.

When you approach the egg case, you hear hens clucking and cackling and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying.

The meat department has a background “sizzle” and the slight odor of a charcoal grill.

But now, I refuse to go in anymore, after walking down the toilet paper aisle….

~Lois

Do you have a mission statement? Most businesses have them; at least the larger ones do. But until recently, I had never heard of a person having a mission statement.

It tribute to my niece Ailish, who recently passed away, I’d like to share her mission statement, which I think is
amazing for a young woman of just 26 years old! I can learn a thing or two from her. Perhaps you can, too.

Ailish Barcelo’s Mission Statement

Ailish (left) Ailish/Halloween (middle) Tammer/Colleen/Ailish (right)

~Lois

Anne Stephens, former executive director of Women’s Forum, will undergo heart surgery for an irregular heartbeat problem in January.

Anne’s recovery time is expected to be about 8 weeks. Please hold her in the Light and say a prayer for her for a successful surgery and a speedy recovery. I’m sure she would appreciate cards, flowers, cash, visits and any good intentions you want to send her way, too!

You can find Anne’s contact information in the membership directory. If you are a member and you don’t have a current directory, please let me know and I’ll mail you one.

Holley Watts let us know that she has postponed her wedding until sometime after the new year. The happy couple wants to celebrate in style and the arrangements were not falling into place exactly as they had hoped. She can use a few good thoughts coming her way, too.

Linda Hoover’s mother is currently in the hospital, but she appears to be improving. Please say a prayer for Linda and her mom for a speedy recovery.

Lois’ nephew Tammer is getting better daily. He was in a car accident on November 25 and he suffered head trauma. He has lost his short-term memory, but the doctors expect him to recover. Thank you for continuing to send Light and prayers to Tammer, his cousin Mostafa, and the entire family. Ellen (Tammer’s mom) needs lots of love and Light sent her way, too!

Kathy Moran had planned to speak at Women’s Forum in January, but her mother is having surgery the day before our meeting, so she had to cancel. Our prayers are also with Kathy as her father recently passed away.

~Lois

The buzzword in today’s business world is MARKETING. However, people often ask for a simple explanation of “Marketing.” Personally, I don’t think that’s possible since there are several parts to marketing–for example:

You’re a woman, and you see a handsome guy at a party. You go up to him and say, “I’m fantastic in bed. Would you like to see for yourself?” That’s Direct Marketing.

You’re at a party with a bunch of friends and see a handsome guy. You ask one of your friends to go up to him, point at you and say, “She’s fantastic in bed.” When he does this, that’s Advertising.

You see a handsome guy at a party. You go up to him and get his telephone number. The next day you call and say, “Hi, I’m fantastic in bed. Would you like to see for yourself?” That’s Telemarketing.

You see a guy at a party, you straighten your dress. You walk up to him and pour him a drink. You say, “May I?” and reach up to straighten his tie, brushing your breast lightly against his arm, and then say, “By the way, I’m fantastic in bed.” And your friend, who is standing nearby, says, “It’s true!” That’s Public Relations.

You’re at a party and see a handsome guy. He walks up to you and says, “I hear you’re fantastic in bed.” That’s Brand Recognition.

You’re at a party and see a handsome guy. He fancies you, but you talk him into going home with your friend. That’s a Sales Rep.

Your friend can’t satisfy him so he calls you. That’s Tech Support.

And if you do all of the above, that’s Marketing.

~Lois

UCLA’s Department of Psychiatry has revealed that the kind of face a woman finds attractive on a man can differ depending on where she is in her menstrual cycle.

For example, if she is ovulating, she is attracted to men with rugged and masculine features. However, if she is menstruating, or menopausal, she tends to be more attracted to a man with a spear lodged in his chest and tape over his mouth while he is on fire.

~Lois

Women’s Forum Meeting
Spotswood Country Club, Harrisonburg, Va.

When?
December 14
Registration: 11:45

What’s the program?Networking/Socializing Luncheon & “White Elephant” Gift Exchange: 12-1
$12 Members/$15 Guests

Register by Tuesday, Dec. 12:
–Email Lois at lcf@marketingideashop.com or lcarterfay@gmail.com
–Call Lois at 540.820.3840

You can also register and prepay for the meeting online. Just click the appropriate link:

Members ($12)
Guests ($15)

~Lois