If inbound marketing was easy, everyone would do it. For years, businesses have clung to the outbound marketing concept - cold calls, advertising, billboards, direct mail. You know what I’m talking about, you’re doing it today in your business and have been for years. But do you balance that work with inbound marketing? If you’re not familiar with the term, “inbound marketing,” I ask you this - are you familiar with search? With google? Do you know why some businesses rank higher in organic search than others? If you are, then inbound marketing will come easy to you. If not, hang tight, we’re going for a quick and fast ride!

Inbound marketing is based on some pretty basic fundamentals:

Attract an Audience

Convert

Analyze

My dad passed away in 2001 and I am constantly reminded of the many things he taught me as I go through my life today. Few words from a man who had great perspective and vast knowledge.

Ed Heil is the owner and president of StoryTeller Media & Communications an inbound marketing and public relations agency and video production company based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Ed blogs on topics related to inbound marketing, social media, media relations, news media, video production and crisis communications.

It’s interesting how moments like this teach you things about yourself as you go through life. I was terrified, but survived to tell the story. We can live life without challenging ourselves and be totally content, but what opportunities might we miss if we don’t put ourselves “out there.” Looking down “Gunbarrel” is still a little daunting, but looking up when you’re done is pure satisfaction.

Ed Heil is the owner and president of StoryTeller Media & Communications an inbound marketing and public relations agency based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Ed blogs on topics related to inbound marketing, social media, media relations, news media and crisis communications. Follow Ed on Twitter @erheil.

As you know, this is a difficult time for many families so please consider helping out Second Harvest Heartland, even if you don’t need to pick up any paint.

When our kids were little we used to read to them a Sesame Street story called “Elmo Saves Christmas.”

In the story, Elmo, is granted a wish and he asks that every day be Christmas. Well, that was a great idea until the little red muppet realized that if every day is Christmas, the holiday is really not that special anymore. As I look at the growing Christmas shopping season I think about Elmo and wonder, “where does it end?” Will retailers extend the season so long that Christmas morning gets lost in the sales and deep discounts? Or have we already reached that point?

What fascinates me (and concerns me), is that this, very generally speaking, is also the generation that was not supposed to be reprimanded, spanked or made to feel badly about anything. This is a generation that, I fear, is confusing freedom with entitlement and why not? As a society we have told and continue to tell these young people, subtly and not so subtly, that it’s all about them. This is a generation of kids of whom many have not had jobs because they’re too busy with their athletics and school, often in that order.Parents have become the personal chauffeur and in some cases punching bags for their children. I refer to this as “Child Worship.” Our parents would argue that they did the same for us, but let’s face it, when many of us 40-somethings and older were kids we didn’t have nearly the number of activities kids today have which means, the taxi was off-duty then more than it is now.

All this said, as a parent I’m committed to the happiness and success of our kids. As an employer, I’m a little more concerned. We, at StoryTeller, value the job applicants who have worked a full day, have had responsibilities and have succeeded. Young people with proven track records, have a better chance of garnering the attention of business owners and managers than those who have never worked, but played a billion years of travel sports. The paradox here is that while we, as parents, spend so much time catering to this “Gen-I” kid when they’re young, there is little we can do for them when it’s time to enter the workforce - the majority of their years in life.

The question becomes, especially for those of us in the service industry, how well will the Gen-I adult/employee really take care of others? What will they say to all the other people who are asking them, what about me?

As the proud father of three wonderful children, the meaning of Father’s Day for me hasn’t changed, it’s just broadened. A tradition in our house is the handmade Father’s/Mother’s Day cards. Aside from being sweet gestures of love and appreciation, they will be tender keepsakes as our kids continue to grow. My wife spoils me and turns on the green light for me to make of the day what I choose. Even with all that, my thoughts on Father’s Day are not only my own thanks giving, but on the gifts that my father gave to me.

Like many men, I have been shaped by the male role models in my life, for better or worse. In addition to my dad, my grandfathers, uncles, older cousins, neighbors, coaches and friends all helped to shape me. Yet none is more significant than my father.  If you ask most people about my dad they’d describe him as quiet, kind and gentle. A 1957 medical school graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit, he was a self-made man who would ultimately become one of the finest ear, nose and throat specialists in the Upper Midwest.

Coincidentally, he encouraged me to not go into medicine for a variety of reasons. Beyond that, through his actions, he taught me that loyalty matters, that honesty is the greatest virtue and that men who speak least are sometimes the most trustworthy. He helped me understand that when you’re paid to do a job you work your hardest, regardless of the pay. He would say, if you want to figure out what you want to do with your life, go work on the assembly line for a summer, yet after college he also encouraged me to “live a little because you have your entire life to work” and be a ski bum for a year. He also believed that no one is inherently better, or worse, than anyone else.

Yet the Greek god Achilles had his heel, Apollo had the nymphs and my father was not without faults. Like most men my age or older, my father wasn’t quick to speak the words, “I love you,” but his love was always there. The voice of support, the pat on the back, words of encouragement when life was a struggle - all his way of displaying affection. He won a battle with alcoholism, enjoyed a delightfully unhealthy diet and ate candy as if he had no teeth for cavities!

My dad passed away on July 29, 2001 and I’ve thought about him every day since then. Mostly, they are passing thoughts and I often reflect on things he would say. I tell my kids stories about him and though they don’t always understand, they’re usually more for me than for them. So on Father’s Day, it’s my dad that I think about most and the amazing gifts he gave me over 35 years and the presence he continues to have in my life today.

We recently began working with Aperitif Restaurant and Bar in Woodbury, MN handling their public relations. Good news, Woodbury residents and business community - you win. Aperitif is going to be a tremendous addition to your community. Okay, we’re bias, so check it out yourself and see.

Tonight, my wife and I participated in a dress rehearsal for the entire team at Aperitif and quite simply it was fabulous. The menu, the setting, the staff - the entire experience is memorable, but like I said, don’t take it from me, check it out for yourself. The restaurant opens to the public Saturday, January 30 at 4pm with limited seating. For the first few weeks, only dinner will be served, but then the gloves come off!

The grand opening is set for March 1, 2010 but do yourself a favor - don’t wait until then. Get in to Aperitif Restaurant and Bar near the intersection of I-494 and Tamarack Rd. and enjoy. By the way, the Turkey Porterhouse is out of this world!

Despite the temptations that surround us, there are strategies we can implement to prevent weight gain while enjoying the festivities:

• Eat a healthy breakfast. Be sure to start your day off with a nutritious breakfast—preferably one that includes protein and whole grains (such as peanut butter on whole wheat toast) as well as some fruit and dairy.  Be sure to eat healthy snacks throughout the day.  The last thing you want to do is arrive at a party feeling famished and then eat everything in sight.

• Carefully select food choices.  Think about what you want to “spend” your calories on.  Skip the “ho-hum” dishes and enjoy your favorites, considering which ones are healthier and keeping portion sizes in mind.  You may opt to skip gravy and other high-calorie condiments.  Remember that old habits die hard.  Are you truly hungry enough for seconds, or are you heading back for more just because that’s what you usually do?

• Watch the liquid calories. Eggnog, hot chocolate, peppermint mochas—there are plenty of high-calorie drinks to savor.  Unfortunately, researchers have found that they don’t make our stomachs feel full.  If we consumed the same number of calories in the form of a food instead of a drink, our stomachs would feel more satisfied.  Think of sweetened drinks as an occasional treat and be mindful of how many calories they contain.  Also, be wary of alcoholic drinks.  Not only do they increase your caloric intake, but they can also make you feel more uninhibited and therefore more likely to overeat.

• Don’t linger near the food.  Where are your feet?  If they’re near the buffet or in the kitchen, step away!  You’ll be more likely to graze if you’re close to the food, so socialize away from it if possible.  At buffets, try to choose a smaller plate if one is available.

• Think vegetarian.  Many parties will include dishes for vegetarian friends and family members.  Fruit and veggie-based dishes tend to be healthier and may be good choices.  Even if they’re relatively high in calories, they usually have more nutritional value.  One strategy is to fill up on fruits and vegetables and take only small tastes of the other dishes.

• Make time for exercise. Schedule time for exercising in your calendar and stick with it.  A busier schedule makes it harder to find time to work out, but get in what you can, where you can, even if it’s for only 10 or 20 minutes. Get in extra steps when possible by taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking far away from the entrance of a store, and taking a walk over your lunch hour.  Start a new family tradition by inviting everyone to join you for a walk before dinner.

• Focus on people, not food.  In your mind, emphasize that the holidays are about reconnecting with friends and family, not about eating.  Pace yourself, eat slowly, and revel in good conversation.  Make it a goal to learn more about a coworker or have a meaningful conversation with an acquaintance.  Share what’s going on with you, enjoy chatting, and most importantly, have a wonderful time.

Don’t be too hard on yourself.  Do the best you can to eat healthfully, sneak in some exercise, and make healthy choices.  Keep all good things in moderation and have yourself a very merry holiday season.