Last-Minute Holiday Marketing Tips

There are just days left in the holiday shopping season, and that means your marketing efforts are getting a lot more intense. But the new rules for the changed economy say no business owners should have to unload a huge chunk of their earnings into a holiday season marketing program, even though they might have spent this way in the old days … and even if their businesses lean a lot on this time of year. So which low-cost marketing strategies yield the best results?

The following strategies represent some recession-friendly, creative ways to market your company over the next few holiday weeks…

Life Lessons from a Laid-Off Lawyer

Earlier this year, just out of knee surgery, with a wife in school and just a few thousand dollars in the bank, David Koller got booted out of his job.

That night, the Philadelphia lawyer asked himself the kinds of questions that (we’ve learned) bubble up after you’ve been forced out of a job: Was he happy? Did he really see himself choosing the traditional company for the long term? Was what seemed so impressive to other people — a good salary, a respectable company — actually satisfying?

On Law.com, Koller explains how he turned around and started his own law firm. Sound snoozy? I can’t remember the last time I read every single word a lawyer wrote. I’ve been asked several times how someone who has just been get kicked out of a job can have the confidence and pluck to start a business. Well, here are a few lessons from his account…

Recession Briefing 12.2: Downturn Breeds Vegetarians

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

More than half of Americans have cut back on meat, many becoming “recession-bred flexitarians,” says Gourmet magazine—people who use meat as a condiment not as a meal anchor. And even Martha Stewart broadcast a vegetarian Thanksgiving show last week. (AlterNet)

Climbing interest rates, lower spending limits and canceled accounts are prompting more holiday shoppers to leave their credit cards at home this year. (Wall Street Journal)

The wobbly economy is contributing to a rush by millions of online shoppers to a decidedly low-tech business: coupons. (USA Today)…

Screwed: 564 at Bulgarian Railway Infrastructure Company

A daily review of the employment fallout around the country and the world.

Today’s Total: 1,357

Bulgarian Railway Infrastructure Company (NRIC) plans to cut 564 workers by next year… Pfizer plans to lay off 414 employees in northern New York… Florida Power & Light Co.‘s Inadiantown solar has laid off 170 workers… Layoffs handed out by publisher Gannet Co. include 26 newsroom cuts at USA Today and 11 staff cuts as USA Weekend magazine… Missouri Department of Transportation is laying off 100 employees statewide… The Greenspun Media Group, publisher of the Las Vegas Sun, has laid off 20 employees… 19 layoffs in Lucas County have been approved by county commissioners… Carroll County has approved 18 layoffs which go in effect in February… Bellevue game start-up Smith & Tinker has laid off up to 15 employees in an effort to retain company profits…

The Recovery is Here… Because Online Ad Revenue is Improving

Says who: David Silverman, PricewaterhouseCoopers

“While all segments of the media industry have experienced declines, online advertising remains resilient and is once again showing signs of growth.” [via Internet Advertising Bureau report]…

The US and China–Who’s Screwing Who? (Video)

Aren’t treasury bills hilarious? And what about that national debt? Bwahahaha..

Well, Saturday Night Live hasn’t been this funny in years, as it sends up Washington’s attempt to ignore the fact that China kind of owns us…

Recession Briefing 12.1: Only 12 Percent of Stimulus Spent??

What you need to know today to survive and thrive in the recession.

Only $100 billion of the $787 billion stimulus package passed nine months ago has actually been spent by the federal government so far, with another $90 billion of stimulus coming in the form of tax reductions, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported. (Huffington Post)

The proliferation of underemployed workers could represent a profound reordering of the employment structure. Many people who had comfortable full-time jobs with benefits and advancement opportunities now are cobbling together smaller jobs often at lower pay. (Wall Street Journal)

Reviled by the public and spurned in private, more bankers have reportedly been looking for solace in adultery. IllicitEncounters.com said it has seen a huge increase in the number of financial workers signing up to have affairs after the collapse of the markets in October last year. (Reuters)…

Social Lives Giveaway Winners

Thanks to everyone who entered our book contest. This morning we randomly selected two winners, and they are Rita M. and Jason P. We’ll be contacting them directly so we can ship Wendy Walker’s totally fun book out.

Screwed: 400 at Cummins Engine

A daily review of the employment fallout around the country and the world.

Today’s Total: 1,606

Cummins Engine announced the demise of 400 employees on Monday due to “decreased demand”… GM will eliminate 354 people from its plant in Luton, England as the company restructures… Touchstone Wireless Repair and Logistics will lay off 200 workers in Fort Worth, Texas early next year… AAA laid off 150 employees in three states… The City Council of Fresno, Calif. plans to eliminate 125 employees…