Friday I had lunch with an old colleague of mine who is now running a well known federal trade magazine. In addition to catching up in general, he shared with me how he’s trying to adapt the traditional trade magazine business model to an online and mobile world. This is a theme I’ve covered a […]
Last week Google released its latest Transparency Report. (Official Google post here and New York Times piece here.) It documents a steady rise in government requests to Google for personally identifiable information on its users. The report also highlighted how the majority of these requests are not sanctioned by a search warrant. When I last […]
2012 was BMW of North America’s best year ever in this country. All told the company sold 347,583 vehicles, including the Mini brand. BMW model sales totaled 281,460, an increase of 13.5 percent from 2011. The company finished the year with a huge surge, selling almost 40 percent more BMW vehicles in December 2012 than […]
In almost all my client engagements, success requires coordination with the sales team. This is necessary to quantify prospect movement through the sales process and establish the program’s ROI. It’s also important to get feedback from sales on the type of content we should be producing, addressing issues prospects care about and using their language. […]
This weekend Gabriele leased a new Infiniti FX37. Two years ago we purchased a 2011 Toyota Highlander, and it was a good vehicle with loads of room and zero issues. But Gabriele wanted something sportier, and was willing to give up interior space for a more engaging ride. Just like two years ago, the aim […]
My latest Wine and Dine column published today in WashingtonExec magazine. It’s a review of Virtue Feed and Grain, the latest Cathal and Mechelle Armstrong restaurant in Old Town, Alexandria. Virtue Feed and Grain is another strong addition to the local culinary scene. Here’s a video from Cathal Armstrong that describes the thinking behind the […]
Last week John Battelle published his 2013 predictions in technology. He’s been doing it for a decade, and even when he’s off the mark the predictions are thought-provoking. Plus he’s honest in grading himself. In 2012 he claims a score of 7 right, 5 wrong with two pushes. This year is another great crop, looking […]
Over the weekend I installed my big Christmas gift from my wife, new headlights for my 1999 E36 M3. The new set is actually the same kind of headlights from the manufacturer Hella I installed back in 2004, but in black rather than chrome. For a little background, the stock headlights on the US E36 […]
Google starts 2013 with a big win in federal court. The FTC announced today it was concluding a long running investigation into Google’s search practices. The FTC found that the company broke no laws in the way it presented search results. The Commission did find that Google abused certain patents, using them against competitors. Here’s […]
Merry New Year to all! Yesterday I received what will be my last WordPress.com annual traffic report, since I moved this site to chrisparente.com in early October of this year. It’s a good looking report and a nice little extra for wp.com bloggers — here’s my story on my 2011 report. According to WordPress I […]
Happy holiday wishes to all. Before traveling to be with family this holiday season, I took care of worn sway bar end links on my 1999 M3. Recently I replaced my rear shocks, and not soon afterwards starting hearing a soft clunking sound when turn right and going over bumps. It didn’t affect driveability, and […]
WashingtonExec published my December Wine and Dine column today. I share some proven holiday wine performers from my Christmases past. If you’re scrambling to finish your holiday preparations and need some good, reasonably priced wine give this list a read. I’ve included wines to suit many palates, and if you try any please share your […]