Debbie Mayo-Smith Quick Business Tips Newsletter
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1. Agency rip off or sheer arrgance

2. Heavenly coffee break

1. Agency rip off or sheer arrgance
I noticed, but didn't comprehend the sheer universality of the problem until last month.

Almost four years ago Microsoft dramatically changed the emailing arena with a double whammy. With the launch of Office 2003 the preview pane stole valuable real estate when it moved to the right side of the screen (giving email preview 1/3 of the screen vs. the bottom half.) They also banned external links and made the change retroactive to Office 2002. This means pictures don't show unless the recipient actively clicks to allow them. Gmail has followed suit.

I have written about this several times over the years - how professionally designed emails needed to be redesigned immediately - or you're sunk.

Because I'm writing a new book, I've been saving and actually looking at all incoming marketing emails and newsletters.

Are you ready?
67 out of 67 professionally designed emails were unreadable. I stopped counting and saving after that. The graphic - not showing - pushed all text (if there was any) off screen. Even though the preview has been physically moved, none of the templates had changed to compensate. Even Microsoft's own ad agency got it wrong and you couldn't read their email.

Hello!! Four years have passed.
Wouldn't an honest or prudent or knowledgeable web or advertising agency tell their clients about the changes?

Or is it sheer blind arrogance that makes them think you and I value their email communications so much that of course we will take the time to download their logos and pictures. What do you think?

2. Heavenly coffee break
You might remember last year I shared the treat and delight of adding a teaspoon of drinking chocolate to your coffee. Oh yum. But a bit caloric.

The new craze in our office was the brainstorm of my 18 year old son Alex. Before you pour your coffee - put a cinnamon quill in your cup. It's calorie free and so utterly delicious it's hard to believe (if you like cinnamon that is.) Each 'stick' lasts for at least two cups and with packages of the quills under $2 at the Asian food stores - how can you go wrong?

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Published by SuccessIS. Debbie Mayo-Smith International Motivational Business Speaker and Author, 35 Chelmsford Ave, Glendowie, Auckland NZ. Phone 64 9 575 5359. Copyright 2007 SuccesslS. All rights reserved. SuccessIS is committed to protecting your privacy. We do not sell, trade, rent or otherwise disclose any personal information you provide to us.