Miss Communication

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Do you know her? Steve Harvey recently announced her as the winner of something. Oh no, that was someone else. But everyone knows who she is. She may be in the form of a text, email, phone message, or even snail mail and in the end she’s the same thing – wrong! Once she hits send, the killing begins. No relationship is safe. She has destroyed business deals, personal relationships and caused world wars!

She’s a deadly chick and always the first excuse.

“It was Miss Communication,” we’ve heard the business person nervously saying as he/she tries to re-build the watered down brand. “What we really meant to say is…”   Spin doctors are usually called in to dig through the carnage but by that time the damage is done. Miss Communication could be the nail in your marketing coffin depending on how long she was allowed to wreak havoc.

No organization can afford Miss Communication. She is the femme fatale of public relations and is often the result of just not taking the time to craft a clear, concise and strategic message. Your message needs to be on point. But hey, it happens to all of us. I’ve spent a minute with Miss Communication and she was no fun. So, if she ends up in your email one day, don’t keep her alive. You’ll know its her immediately because she’s usually with her best friend – Miss Take.

 

 

Harley Bikers in China?

Harley Bikers in China?

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When you think of Harley bikers, Peter Fonda in “Easy Rider” may come to mind. Chinese tourists on a Harley? Not so much. Yet Jeff Ji, owner of World Trade Center of Greater Philadelphia member company Knight Hawk Tours, is changing that perception – anyone can and should be able to ride a Harley Davidson, especially in China. Want to ride a Harley to see the Great Wall or Confucius sites in China? Sign up for one of Knight Hawk’s tours. And, for Chinese tourists who want to take a 2,600 mile Harley ride through scenic Pennsylvania, Knight Hawk and Jeff Ji will make that happen.

Jeff Ji arrived in the United States in 1986 and received a graduate degree from American University and University of Pennsylvania. In 1993, Jeff started U-Combination Technology which offers diverse tech set-ups to area businesses, schools and non-profits. U-Combination has worked with the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau (PCVB) to design and host its website in China. Jeff is also on the board of PHL Diversity, a division of PCVB. Jeff is passionate about blending Chinese and American cultures. In April 2016, Jeff will be working to bring the Asian Food show to the Philadelphia Convention Center.

With the ever-growing middle class in China, more Chinese residents are able to afford Harley Davidson motorcycles.

“We are helping to sell more Harley Davidson motorcycles manufactured in Pennsylvania. Since 2008, Harley dealers in China have increased from 3 to 16. While U.S. sales of Harley decreased by 3%, China sales have increased by more than 10%. ”

To date, three Shandong tours from Pennsylvania to China have taken place, including a AAA Chinese New Year spectacular in 2014. And from Shandong to Pennsylvania, five tours have been organized. An average of 20 bikers participate on each tour.

Fred Harris is Director of the Ancient City Harley Owners Group with 300 members in St. Augustine Florida. In 2012, Fred and his wife Lynn led the Knight Hawk Harley Davidson Rally Experience Tour.

Valley Forge and Bucks County Harley Davidson dealership have been instrumental in supporting Jeff Ji’s mission to help sell American made products into China. In 2008, the Harley dealerships donated 30 bikes to get the ride rolling.

What would Confucius say?