Sailing Ship Web 82147

While most companies in the US and the UK regard blogging as an important new communication medium, most are not monitoring the online conversation and have not adapted their corporate communication strategy to include social media elements such as an effective Internet marketing strategy.

* Almost 89 percent of U.S. respondents and nearly 83 percent of U.K. respondents believe blogs are an important digital communication

* More than half of all respondents admitted that no one is blogging on their or their clients' behalf (U.S.: 64 percent, U.K.: 64 percent)

* Most respondents confess they or their clients don't have an official blogging policy in place (U.S.: 87 percent, U.K.: 82 percent)

* One third of companies claiming to have a blog say it is written by the company's CEO

* 63 percent have not adapted their communications strategy to include proactive outreach to blogs, message boards, and other forms of digital medium

* Among both countries, respondents consider the ability to share information quickly and broadly as the most important consideration for blogging (U.S.: 84 percent and U.K.: 74 percent)

* 63 percent of U.S. respondents feel lack of credibility as the major down side of blogs; while U.K. respondents prefer other forms of communication to reach audiences (63 percent)

* Most respondents (78 percent for U.S. and U.K.) believe that the public relations department should handle fallout from bad news breaking in the blogosphere

* 49 percent of respondents don't monitor blogs

Quotes:

"We've seen a few examples of PR departments and agencies putting both their traditional PR feet in their social media mouths. It's way past time that companies make social media and online PR training a priority. Business blogging is an important communication medium, It's not going away. Markets are conversations. Learning to participate in the conversation effectively is a vital PR skill today." Sally Falkow, President of Expansion Plus, and the official blogger for Bulldog Reporter "Originally, the purpose of this survey was to compare and contrast blogging communication practices in the U.S. and the U.K. and identify best practices," said Steve Cody, managing partner and co-founder of Peppercom. "Surprisingly, what was revealed was a level playing field across both countries where a select few are diving into social media, but most are hesitant to start the process. The data suggests that the lack of blogging policies speaks to the fact that social media is not being taken seriously at a strategic level by corporate executives"

"Ultimately, what this survey revealed was a need for communication professionals in both countries to step up to the plate and start integrating blogging practices into their strategic approach," said Jacki Vause, managing director of Peppercom's London office. "No one is denying the power of blogs. Now is the time to employ them or risk losing PR's place at the table when it comes to these types of decisions."

Sally Falkow is President of Expansion Plus, Inc., and author of Website Marketing Strategy Ebook. She is an authority on Internet Marketing and search engine optimization strategies. For more information, visit http://www.expansionplus.com

As prevalent in parts of the Middle East and India as delis or Starbucks are in the United States, with one on every corner, hookah lounges and hookah bars, once quite rare in the West, have lately been seeing a rise in popularity here. From the friendly ambience of many of these establishments to the uniquely relaxed mood of hookah smoking and the kid-in-a-candy store variety of flavorful tobaccos available, hookah lounges and bars have a lot on offer.

Much of this upsurge in popularity is due to college and university populations, who find hookah lounges an attractive way to spend quality time with friends in a sober, but socially easy, environment. Hookah lounges are big with sororities and fraternities, but there are older sets of patrons on the scene as well, and a multiplicity of ethnicities and people from all walks of life can be found in various hookah lounges.

Different hookah bars and lounges offer different things to go with the smoking experience. At some lounges, an older clientele comes to play cards, backgammon, or chess, while pool tables, video games, and big screen TVs are on offer for the younger crowd. Many lounges serve food and drink, from Turkish coffee, spicy chai, and honey-drenched bamieh fritters to foie gras and Moroccan spiced lamb, while hookah bars offer everything from wine and cocktails to package deals--including private booth or lounge, hookah, drinks, and appetizers--which run about $125 for four. Rental prices for hookahs in lounges generally run from $5 to $20 an hour, with tobacco prices from $4 to $9 per bowl. Whatever's on offer, people feel comfortable enough to linger, gathered round the hookah pipe. You can find directories of hookah lounges in the U.S., Canada, and Europe at www.hookahforum.com or www.hookahculture.com, and other sites online.

Someone on staff--often the proprietor--is always happy to help those new to the experience of hookah smoking and guide them through it. Pipes are generally prepared for the patrons with whatever exotic flavor of tobacco they choose. There's usually a hookah coal carrier, circulating through the lounge with coals and tongs to replenish any waning hookah coals.

Music ranges from jazz to hip hop to tablah-backed Middle Eastern pop music, dcor from re-interpretations of a Cairo caf to tiki hut to sophisticated bar. Whether the people come to play games, drink cardamom-infused coffee, sip cocktails, or just kick back and relax, hookah lounges and bars offer a unique multicultural take on an age-old tradition.

Hookahs Info provides detailed information on hookah smoking, tobacco, pipes, and lounges, and advice on where to buy retail and wholesale hookahs. Hookahs Info is affiliated with Business Plans by Growthink.