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U.S. in Need

The Importance of U.S. Business Across America Acting on the Decision to “Make a Community”

Introduction: The Genesis of Community Engagement

Did you know that you can cultivate tomorrow’s communities in today’s business landscape? The notion of businesses actively working to “Make a Community” has been an evolving concept in America. It became particularly noticeable with the acknowledgment of organizations and individuals in New York City through the Platinum PIAs Community Awards from 2010 to 2019. These awards highlighted the significance of community in the realm of business, recognizing those who not only thrived in their industries but also made substantial contributions to the fabric of their local environments.

Celebrating Community Builders

The Platinum PIAs served as an insightful lens, revealing how vital a sense of community is for growth and sustainability. Businesses and artists who received these accolades demonstrated that success is not just measured in profit, but also in the positive impact made on society. This initiative set a precedent, showing that community involvement is not just benevolent but also beneficial for business.

The Business Case for Community

When businesses decide to “Make a Community,” they embark on a journey that transcends traditional commerce. This decision underlines a commitment to corporate social responsibility and a desire to build a legacy that outlasts quarterly reports. Engaging with the community can lead to enhanced brand loyalty, an improved public image, and the cultivation of future markets. Although it may be stating the obvious, if you are looking for a method how to “Make a Community” the community you are looking to develop is going to be quite different even than that of your competitors.

Strategic Community Engagement

For a business to truly “Make a Community,” strategic engagement is key. This means not only sponsoring events or making donations but integrating community involvement into the core business strategy. It involves listening to community needs, collaborating with local leaders, and creating initiatives that have a lasting impact.

Collaboration Over Competition

In the spirit of “Making a Community,” businesses find that collaboration can be more impactful than competition. Partnerships with local organizations, other businesses, and artists can lead to innovative solutions to community challenges, fostering an environment where everyone thrives together.

Economic Empowerment Through Community

One of the primary benefits of community-focused business practices is economic empowerment. By investing in local economies, businesses can stimulate job creation, support local supply chains, and foster entrepreneurship. This not only aids in community development but also creates a loyal customer base that values the business’s presence.

The Ripple Effect of Community Action

Businesses that take action to “Make a Community” set off a ripple effect. Their efforts encourage other businesses to follow suit, leading to a collective impact that can transform entire regions. This ripple effect can improve living standards, reduce crime rates, and promote general well-being.

Long-Term Investment in the Future

Engaging with the community is a long-term investment. It’s about planting seeds for a future that values sustainability, diversity, and inclusivity. Businesses that recognize this are not only shaping their legacy but are also investing in the future workforce and consumer base.

Measuring Success Beyond the Balance Sheet

The true measure of a business’s success in “Making a Community” lies beyond the balance sheet. It’s reflected in the social capital built, the lives improved, and the cultural richness fostered. It’s a holistic approach to business that values people and relationships as much as profits.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

The decision for businesses across America to “Make a Community” is more than a moral one; it’s a strategic imperative. As we’ve seen through the lens of the Platinum PIAs Community Awards, businesses that embrace this call to action not only enrich themselves but also contribute to the prosperity of society as a whole. It’s a synergistic approach where businesses and communities grow in harmony, creating a more resilient and interconnected America.

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U.S. in Need

Countdown to the “AI Do Good Awards” Launch on New Year’s Eve 2023, has Officially Begun

After changing the name several times with candidates for monikers including “Be Good AI Awards” or even “AI Do Gooder Awards,” AI in NYC,” the producers of the new event, has finally voted in an official pick. The launch on New Years Eve, 2023 will be for the “AI Do Good Awards”!

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U.S. in Need

What is Needed to Start the Move Toward Getting the Message Out “Be Good AI?”

“The Ask AI Guy” is innovating the promoting process with AI Marketing YOU, and because the “Ask AI Guy” is part AI and part human, it is the human aspect who founded and produced the Platinum PIAs, annually for a decade.

AI Marketing YOU, in sync with the Platinum PIAs’ values, humanizes brands and allows for unprecedented customer engagement.

Here’s the thing though. There is a new awards program coming soon. AI Be Good. This is important. Important that we continually move toward an ethical AI.

At times it may feel as though it is out of our hands, and the end result is inevitable. Individually and together we have the power to do something. But it starts now. This moment.

The Platinum PIAs Community Awards show was presented annually for 10 consecutive years with “PIA” being the acronym for “People I Admire” though, there were many guesses throughout the years what the letters stood for.

The primary focus was on recognizing local Manhattan, NYC, business owners or volunteers or those involved with a nonprofit. The recognition was for the difference they were making in their community. It was exciting seeing how there were lots of people doing their part in making a difference.

And can continue. In so many ways. But there is one thing that most of us were not even thinking about as recently as two years ago.

It is time to do our part in getting the message out there “Be Good AI.” And ironically we are going to need AI’s help to do that…

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U.S. in Need

AI Website Updating

In the ever-evolving digital landscape, technology, particularly AI, has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing marketing strategies. At the heart of these advancements lies a suite of AI strategies designed to augment the power of your expertise and the unique value your business offers. As an expert or a specialist in your industry, or as an educator, you bring invaluable insights to the table. And now, these ten AI strategies are here to bring your business and your expertise to the forefront, ensuring you always stay one step ahead of your competitors.

AI Audio Podcasting is the first tool in this suite, harnessing AI to convert your unique insights and knowledge into engaging podcasts. With just your voice and ideas, AI Audio Podcasting creates a compelling auditory experience for your audience, amplifying your reach and impact.

Then comes AI Digital Social, a powerful tool that leverages AI to optimize your social media presence. By targeting the right social media platforms and reaching out to the right audience, AI Digital Social ensures your messages resonate, extending your influence and enhancing audience engagement.

Next, AI eBook Selling steps in to strengthen your position as an expert in your field. It not only helps you create insightful eBooks that address your customers’ concerns but also manages the eCommerce aspects of selling and promoting these eBooks, driving prospect engagement and conversions.

AI eBook Writing, another strategy in the lineup, leverages AI to take the burden of writing off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on what you do best while producing high-quality eBooks that further bolster your credibility.

AI Email Power utilizes AI to supercharge your email campaigns. With personalized, targeted emails, it ensures your messages hit the mark, driving engagement and fostering stronger customer relationships.

Meanwhile, AI Get Publicity uses AI to enhance your online visibility. By showcasing your new eBooks and highlighting your features on various websites and blogs, it amplifies your credibility and broadens your reach.

AI Graphics Branding employs AI to craft a strong, consistent brand image that builds trust and recognition. It designs visually appealing graphics that encapsulate your brand ethos, boosting your market position.

AI Instant Website is another key tool that leverages AI to create or optimize your website. Whether you need a new website or tweaks to your existing one, AI Instant Website ensures it effectively showcases your expertise and services.

AI Video Podcasting uses AI to transform your photos and images into engaging video podcasts. This eliminates the need for costly video production, offering a dynamic visual narrative that brings your brand story to life.

Finally, AI Website Updating uses AI to keep your website fresh, relevant, and engaging. It aligns your website content with your overall marketing strategy, ensuring a constant update that mirrors your weekly or monthly AI Company Campaigns. This enhances your visibility and increases your chances of attracting and converting prospects.

In essence, these AI strategies collectively form an integrated approach known as “AI Marketing You”. This approach positions you, your expertise, and your business front and center, offering a fresh perspective on brand continuity through weekly AI Company Campaigns. With “AI Marketing You”, your website becomes a living testament to your expertise and your business’s unique value, fostering trust and creating a distinct edge over your competitors. This AI-powered approach to marketing not only ensures you stay ahead of the curve but also boosts your credibility and market reach, ultimately driving your business success.

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U.S. in Need

The Platinum PIAs on Connecting with Customers on a Deeper Level

Platinum PIAs on Connecting with Customers “Is All in the Details and Execution”

Offer valuable free resources or downloadable content, akin to the “Platinum PIAs Awards,” in exchange for prospects’ contact information. In other words, even in the world of “making a difference in life,” people are people and they can sometimes be motivated to do good by getting something in exchange. And this is fine. This is one method of getting more leads. And community organizations need leads too!

These resources, mirroring the mission of the PIAs to celebrate those making a difference in the lives of others, provide immense value to your target audience.

Just as the Platinum PIAs Awards shine a spotlight on individuals and organizations making a significant impact, your free resources can focus on addressing the challenges or interests that matter most to your audience, depending on who you audience. Maybe you want to reach those over age 50.

Just imagine giving away free resources such as eBooks, guides, whitepapers, or templates, all inspired by the same principles that drive the Platinum PIAs Awards with extra appeal because of publication content, for older individuals. This can work out for you if you carefully think about the person in need and what they want.

These resources should be designed not just to educate, but also to inspire and empower – reflecting the spirit of making a difference in the lives of others, a fundamental concept behind the PIAs. By offering these uniquely valuable resources for free in exchange for contact information, you are doing more than simply expanding your leads database.

You are positioning your brand as a source of inspiration and utility, a brand that understands and values the power of making a difference – much like the Platinum PIAs Awards. This strategy not only increases trust and credibility in the market but also enables you to connect with your audience on a deeper, more meaningful level.

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U.S. in Need

The Paradox of an AI World

For both myself and my family, the Platinum PIAs Awards hold a special place in our hearts. We dedicated a decade to doing our best to help others in the community, and the awards became one of the cornerstones of our accomplishments. This was a time of endless possibility for the world, and we could not have anticipated what has occurred since its closing. As we reflect on the progress we’ve made, we also consider the powerful force that is AI (Artificial Intelligence), a force that is both loved and feared, and has changed our world in ways we never could have imagined.

The Platinum PIAs Awards:

During its decade-long run, the Platinum PIAs Awards recognized and celebrated individuals and organizations who made a positive impact in their communities. By doing so, it fostered a sense of unity and purpose, motivating countless others to take action and make a difference. These awards were more than just a ceremony; they were a movement that inspired people to strive for a better world.

AI’s Promise and Potential:

In recent years, AI has become an integral part of our lives. Its applications and advancements have transformed various industries, providing us with innovative solutions and previously unimaginable possibilities. From self-driving cars to sophisticated medical diagnostics, AI has the potential to revolutionize every aspect of our existence.

AI’s Dark Side:

Despite its incredible potential, AI also brings with it a sense of trepidation. The rapid development of AI technologies has raised concerns about the potential for job displacement, loss of privacy, and even the possibility of a dystopian future. This dichotomy of promise and fear has created extreme feelings in both directions.

A Dream Come True:

The incredible advancements brought about by AI have undoubtedly made our lives easier and more efficient. From virtual assistants to cutting-edge medical treatments, AI has fulfilled many of the dreams we once thought impossible. This progress has been looked upon with awe, as we stand witness to a technological revolution unfolding before our eyes.

The Threat of AI:

On the other hand, the rapid progress of AI has also led to a realization that it could potentially ruin us. In the wrong hands, AI can be weaponized or used for malicious purposes, endangering our society and way of life. The potential loss of jobs due to automation is another concern, leading to fears of massive unemployment and social unrest.

Balancing the Pros and Cons:

As we navigate through this new era of AI, it is crucial that we strike a balance between harnessing its incredible potential and mitigating its risks. This requires a collaborative effort between governments, businesses, and individuals to create a framework of regulations, ethical standards, and education that will help guide the development of AI technologies.

The Role of the Platinum PIAs Awards Legacy:

Though the Platinum PIAs Awards have come to an end, their legacy lives on through the countless lives touched by the work of its honorees. As we continue to face the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, the spirit of the Platinum PIAs Awards serves as a reminder of our collective responsibility to help others and build a better world.

Embracing Change and Adaptation:

In the face of AI-driven change, we must be adaptable and resilient. By continuing to learn, innovate, and work together, we can shape the future of AI in a way that benefits all of humanity. This means not just preparing for the jobs of the future but also fostering a culture of empathy, understanding, and community engagement.

Conclusion:

The Platinum PIAs Awards may have ended, but their spirit lives on in the hearts of those who participated and those who were inspired by the work they celebrated. As we move forward into an increasingly AI-driven world, it is essential to remember the values that are most important. People matter. And we always have a choice. We can focus on fear or love. The choice is always ours.

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History

Even Years After the Community Experiment Ended, the Platinum PIAs Continue to Have an Impact in NYC

The Light of the PIAs Still Shines Brightly in New York City

The Platinum PIAs was a decade-long experiment in NYC Manhattan, aimed at recognizing and celebrating the outstanding contributions of both business owners and non-business owners in the community. The name “Platinum PIAs” was inspired by the concept of “People I Admire” and reflected the organization’s goal of creating a positive impact on the community both in-person as well as digitally online. The event was unique in that it held ten award ceremonies over the course of a decade, with one ceremony each year, allowing people from all over the world to participate in the process.

The Platinum PIAs provided a platform for New Yorkers to be recognized and honored for their achievements and contributions to the community. In some ways the Platinum PIAs unknowingly helped small companies in New York City with Cause Marketing because those nominated as well as the winners, helped causes and benefited from the visibility that came about. It was an opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the positive impact that individuals and businesses can have on society. The awards ceremony brought attention to the importance of recognizing and supporting local businesses and community leaders, and it encouraged others to get involved and make a difference in their own communities with issues such as homelessness.

In conclusion, the Platinum PIAs was a truly wonderful initiative that demonstrated the power of community spirit and the positive impact that can be made when people work together. The decade-long experiment showed the importance of recognizing and celebrating the contributions of individuals and businesses in the community, and it inspired others to get involved and make a difference in their own communities. Thus demonstrating the transformational impact that Cause Marketing can have. The legacy of the Platinum PIAs continues to inspire and encourage people to come together and make a positive impact on their communities, and it serves as a reminder of the power of collaboration and community spirit.

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U.S. in Need

Starting the Educational Program Using Strategies for You to Start a Company

As an Artist You Already Work for Yourself so Could a Business be Next?

We have been working for quite a while to come up with a written prototype of our educational strategies. Many, many tests have been done regarding the writing process and nothing seemed to be working. But that might change soon. A draft of a ten step strategy has been created and if it makes it through all the phases, it might become available at no cost.

Below are some of the kinds of areas that the strategies will cover…

METHOD HOW to Start a Business

The first step is to identify who your target market is. You need to do research on the needs and wants of the people you want to reach out to, so that you can tailor your messaging and marketing to them.

The second step is to create your messaging and marketing plan. This should include things like deciding on the tone and style of your messaging as well as what channels and platforms you will use to reach your target market.

The third and final step is to execute your plan. This includes things like creating content, running campaigns, and tracking the results of your efforts. It is important to measure the success of your marketing strategy and adjust it as necessary.

As easy as 1, 2, 3!

P.S. You are not alone because when you need you just might discover help is given.

P.P.S. If you are here in Manhattan, have you considered getting help from the NYC Housing Lottery?

P.P.P.S. Do you see yourself as a person in need? There is help for that too.

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U.S. in Need

Getting Publicity is Not Always Easy and Depends on having a Story that is Perceived as “Newsworthy”

To Get the Media Interested You Need to have a Good Story

You Have the Right to a Healthy and Clean Entrance to Your Apartment Building, in area that is City Owned

It was only a week ago that Yianni Stamas, on this site, told a really life story of how he finally got the city to fix a drain that was causing polluted water to fill the entrance of an apartment building. Tenants had to literally step in the filthy water to get to their homes.

We Pay Taxes Too

And even though all the conventional means were tried, no help was ever given to the people, and hence the problem persisted. The unhealthy entrance to an apartment building that they faced each and every day, was an issue that had been going on for years! You have a right to your health in public places! Especially when it is connected to the city or government in some way such as the NYC Housing Lottery and therefore their responsibility!

What Does this Apartment Entrance Situation have Anything to do with Today’s Topic?

The reason we mention this tale about the difficulty sometimes of getting public servants, who we pay the salary, to actually do what they are receiving income to do. Why story? Because it is a window into the reality of being an American and living in the city in one of the less liked areas of Manhattan. The point is you have to think outside of the box. The goal is to figure out the shortest and most non stressing, route to solve the problem.

What is the METHOD HOW to Get What You Want, Need and Desire?

How do you know if your METHOD HOW to get what you want will actually work? The answer to this has to do with you and your ability to look at the situation and come up with a strategy. Luck is a part of the process also, but if you get lucky, don’t city on your laurels but instead get right to it. Time is of the essence.

Danger in Motion

The building puddle of water we have been talking about was also done in conjunction with fire hydrants being illegally opened and then used to spray into the already existing puddle. Also, it is a tradition every summer to get hydrants to spray into the windshields of cars. And when a driver who cannot see through the windshield (due to having large amounts of water sprayed on it) could potentially hit someone.

Whether You are Promoting Yourself or Your Company or Social Justice, Makes No Difference if You are Seeking Publicity

The water topics of a large puddle as well as hydrants spurting, caused a lot of anxiety and the city was doing nothing. So, out of concern for public safety, a call was made to New York 1 which is an NYC channel that is focused on Manhattan and the other boroughs. NY1 showed up with their camera and reporter and covered the story.

Problems and Solutions

If a problem is painful and impacting the lives of lots of people, the press or media is sometimes interested in covering it. They like stories with an aspect of lack of safety and injustices. Hence, if you have a good story, they will come. But if you have nothing to offer that will solve their problem of finding and filming coverage of tales, you will not get a result.

Will they Be Interested?

Remember, even if you have a good angle, you still might not be able to get their interest. It all depends on how timely and newsworthy your story is to them, and they make choices based their question which is if this is a good topic that will generate interest for viewers and sponsors. Will they be interested in the problem and solution?

Online Newsletters

Online and email Newsletters can be very helpful getting the word out regarding problems and solutions. An example is the Method How Report formerly known as USA Make a Difference Newsletter. This report has fresh ideas at least once a week, complete with coming strategies in the form of weekly Company Campaigns to help your company flourish.

Please Note

Although all who are interested can subscribe to the report, at the present time at this very early stage in development, METHOD HOW is focusing on helping those who are a Person in Need, or owner of a Company in Need, or both. For a limited time they will have access for free to strategies that are DIY (Do it Yourself) so it does not matter where in the United States you are located.

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U.S. in Need

Yianni Stamas and a Real Life Tale About How Tenacity and Communication with a Little Luck Can Sometimes Solve Problems that Impact a Lot of People

Not a Picture of the Actual Puddle but Imagine Something Like this Leading to Knee Deep Water at the Entrance of the NYC Apartment Building Where You Live


Secret Techniques To Improve Communication (or at Least Stuff that has worked)

Yianni Stamas during the ten years of producing the Platinum PIAs, always did his best to try to zero in not only those problems in Inwood Manhattan or Washington Heights, but also topics that needed to be brought up to build awareness. And some problems might benefit from intersecting with each other more than the currently do.

Bureaucracy is not the fault of Bureaucracy but Rather of Bureaucracy

Bureaucracy has a way of making it difficult to do much of anything. Through, this is often not their fault directly because when many administrators themselves try to make a difference and reach out to relevant other city agencies. But as Yianni Stamas has pointed out, one city agency with a purpose that contacts another, can sometime get the run around.

How to Improve Communication?

Or it can be the “Slow No” in which the agency that help is sought from, might talk about how they have walls too they cannot jump over. So what is the “secret” that can be used to improve communication?

Simplicity

The fastest way to get a positive result when it comes to one person to another, is that they are on the same page with same values to start out with! Not really a secret, but is something to think about so you do not get caught up in trying to make someone change what they believe in. We know that Yianni Stamas is on board for simplicity.

Is there a METHOD HOW to Open Doors Easily or Must One Resort to the Age Old Adage “Try, try, again?”

Back to the city agency trying to communicate with another city agency, as an example could be that of the search for a door to enter the NYC Housing Lottery. Now please understand we are in no way knocking the NYC Housing Lottery, merely voicing the importance of being your own advocate in life and that of family, friends and coworkers. And the only way that this seems to work is if you persevere.

New Yorkers Once in a While are Able to Get the City to Help with Community Issue but Sometimes it Takes Thinking Out of the Box

In Inwood Manhattan there was an apartment building on the east side of Broadway that had a major problem with water and knee-deep puddles that formed right at the entrance making it extremely difficult to enter the building. And people, trying to get into their apartment homes would get wet in water that was stagnate harboring possible elements that could make a person ill.

Drain the Large Puddle?

Now Yianni Stamas, who wanted the city come to drain the enormous puddle that existed year after year , did what New Yorkers are told to do: Call 311. The idea is that you call them and they connect you to government agencies that can help you.

A Long Story Kept Short

After attempting many times of using 311 to try to take this big puddle away, he got no results. One day, as luck would have it, he was exiting the building trying not to get wet from all the water at the entrance, when he saw something amazing: a city truck with the tools to drain the veritable pond.

Opportunity?

But this truck had not come to the neighborhood to drain the giant puddle and kept driving past the building. With water dripping from his clothes, Yianni ran after the truck. Fortunately the truck stopped at an intersection, and Yianni got the two men within to roll down their window. Yianni pleaded with them to fix the water problem. And in less than twenty minutes they fixed the issue. The point to be made here is that tenacity can sometimes save the day!