"The big wild card is the need people have for the product. That trumps everything," states best-selling author Lonny Kocina, CEO of Media Relations Agency. "If a product works well, even bad marketing can't kill it. But if people don't need the product, the best marketing in the world isn't going to save it."

Kocina, author of "The CEO's Guide to Marketing," explains how to tell the difference. His book has been an Amazon best-seller since it was released in 2017 and was a 2018 Axiom Business Book Silver Award winner.

Kocina says most marketers don't know enough about marketing to understand whether it is responsible for a sales problem or whether it is accelerating a product's natural lifecycle. "If a product doesn't work, you're going to find out faster when you're using a good marketing process," he explains. "So, when someone in the room tries to blame marketing for all the problems, you'd better have your facts in order.

"Does your team truthfully understand marketing? Were you on point with your messaging and your positioning? Did you use the promotional mix and schedule correctly? Did you cycle through it as you should? If you can say yes to all that, and the product didn't work, then you can say it wasn't your marketing." 

The six-step process designed to increase marketing results 

In his fully illustrated book, Kocina outlines a six-step process designed to dramatically increase your marketing results. "I call it Strategically Aimed Marketing, or SAM 6, for short. This process will assure creative people stay focused, on track and doing their best work."

The SAM 6 steps are:

1. Gain competence in marketing concepts and principles. "Wouldn't it be great if we all spoke the same marketing language? Dentists know bicuspids from incisors. Lawyers know affidavits from briefs. A competent marketer has a clear understanding and a working knowledge of marketing concepts and principles."

2. Developing code sheets. "Code sheets are a means of gathering and documenting important information about your company and the products it promotes."

3. Select channels. "The promotional mix channels you choose to employ depend on many variables, including your message, the market and your resources."

4. Schedule calendar. "Your marketing calendar is a trusted guide to ensure that you cycle through each product and its primary value points with a maximum flow of on-point promotional messages."

5. Develop a control template. "Your control template provides the guidelines for your writers, designers and other creative staff to follow without losing sight of the marketing necessities"

6. Assemble your creative team. "You need to assemble the right people for the job, and then let these creative souls work their magic within the parameters you set."

Kocina also says those who follow these steps will feel more empowered by their marketing.

"SAM 6 brings a clarity and process to this tension-filled field. "I've been CEO of Media Relations Agency for three decades. I've worked with hundreds of clients across the country. I get to see what's behind the scenes. I can tell you, the companies that follow a logical process are the ones getting the most bang for their marketing dollars."

To access free SAM 6 tools, go to Publicity.com.

The BABOR skin care product line, developed in 1956 in Germany by biochemist Dr. Michael Babor, has an established reputation of science-based skin care. Each item in the company's latest line of Power Serum Ampoules is designed with advanced-strength active ingredients to address specific skin issues quickly and effectively with precision single doses of targeted ingredients.

"At BABOR, our highly innovative active formulations are carefully combined with our exclusive treatment methods to provide outstanding results and a uniquely indulgent experience," according to the company website.

The new DOCTOR BABOR Power Serum Ampoule collection launched in January 2020 and features six products: Ceramides, Ferulic Acid, Growth Factor Concentrate, Hyaluronic Acid, Retinol, and Vitamin C. The collection continues the high standards and precision use of clinical ingredients for individualized skin care.

The Growth Factor serum is of particular interest to individuals seeking treatment for fine lines and wrinkles, as well as maintaining the skins elasticity and firmness and preserve the cell's optimal metabolic efficiency.

The serum contains two active ingredients, cyclopeptide and oligopeptide, that stimulate the skin's natural growth factors and promote collagen and elastic production.

The Vitamin C serum is targeted to brighten the skin and protect against the development of age-related skin damage. The Hyaluronic Acid serum is formulated to help promote skin hydration, and the Retinol serum focuses on resurfacing, improving skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of pores.

The Ferulic Acid serum promotes skin regeneration and is engineered to support the skin's natural defenses, and the Ceramides serum contains a blend of three skin ceramides that combine with the skin's natural lipids to protect against moisture loss and promote skin barrier repair.

All BABOR products comply with the European Cosmetic Safety Standards. In addition, the Power Serum Ampoules contain no artificial colors, fragrances, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or gluten.

For more information about precision, targeted skin care and the BABOR skin care product line, visit BABOR.com.

And now that those days are behind you, the hustle, bustle and hassle of commercial airlines and airports can be your next farewell.

Meet ONEflight International, your new travel buddy, bringing the joy and thrill back to flying. No more turning on your Google flight tracker for the best deals or acting out a scene from the Hunger Games when it comes to an airline's early flight check-in process.

ONEflight International's new state-of-the-art Book A Jet or BAJit.com program makes taking that trip to California (or anywhere else you have to go, for that matter) as easy as calling your nearest ride- hailing company.

Think this service may be outside your budget? Think again. ONEflight's volume-based pricing allows savings of 30 to 40 percent over typical private jet costs and with a database of more than 4,000 jets and 500 of the leading charter operators, you are guaranteed to find the perfect size and style.

The price for a single flyer may seem daunting. However, President and CEO Ferren Rajput believes the private flights are ideal for businesspeople and families.

When factoring in the time, money and overall hassle it takes to travel in groups, flying private quickly appears as the most viable option. Plus, let's not forget that each flight comes with a complimentary catered meal - and we're not talking bagged pretzels and a cup of water. Passengers are connected with a Concierge Coordinator that will accommodate any food and dietary restrictions to provide a deliciously catered meal selected by the passengers, with crowd favorites such as steak and potatoes.

Private jets also offer the convenience of smaller, less crowded airports. For the group of business folks eager to reach their destination, flying private cuts out the stress. No long check-in station or even longer TSA lines to fight through, shaving off hours of travel time and leaving more time for business.

In an interview with Arizona Daily Mix Channel 7, President and CEO Rajput says, "the private jet segment was really just supposed to be for the wealthy, the top super- rich, but it's not that anymore."

With the new system BAJit.com, developed by ONEflight International, anyone can experience the luxury and convenience of a private jet.

"If you're going to fly private jets, you need to check out ONEflight's BAJ, the most efficient booking system." says Robert Herjavec, founder and CEO of Herjavec Group, a global cybersecurity company, leading Shark on ABC's Shark Tank, and brand ambassador for ONEflight.

So, before you book your next getaway, be it business or pleasure, check BAJit.com for the best options.

Easy to say, but hard to do, as many smokers can confirm. Encouraging smokers to quit saves billions in health care costs, promotes longer, healthier lives, and restores lost productivity, according to the Consumer Healthcare Products Association (CHPA).

Quitting smoking is a challenge, but today the widespread availability of many over-the-counter (OTC) nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products can make a huge difference in helping smokers quit.

CHPA estimates that quitting smoking with OTC NRT products could save $1.3 billion per year in direct medical care costs in the United States.

In addition, data suggest that former smokers are worth an increase in productivity of approximately $1,300 to $1,800 per employee per year compared with current smokers.

Of course, the health benefits of quitting smoking are as significant as the financial ones.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smokers who quit may reduce their risk of health problems including lung and other cancers, heart disease, stroke, respiratory problems, and vascular disease, while their lung function and circulation can improve by as much as 30 percent.

In a recent study, CHPA analyzed nine categories of OTC medications, including those for smoking-cessation. Although smoking cessation products were a smaller part of overall OTC savings than other categories, including allergy medications, cold and flu products, and gastrointestinal products, the data suggests that approximately 1.8 million smokers would not seek help if OTC products were not available.

"In a scenario where OTC medicines are not available in the marketplace, a patient would have to visit a physician to get treatment or diagnosed during normal working hours, causing them to miss work," according to CHPA.

The main types of OTC NRT products available in the United States include nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and nicotine lozenges. These FDA-approved products are available in a range of dosages, and they are designed to help reduce the nicotine cravings and withdrawal symptoms that come with quitting smoking. NRT products can be purchased in most pharmacies, and pharmacists can answer questions and help individuals choose which option may work best for them.

For more information about how OTC medications make a difference in smoking cessation and other areas of health, visit overthecountervalue.org.

While choosing an engagement ring can be exciting, the variety of settings, precious metals, and diamonds can be overwhelming. However, the following tips will help you in finding the ideal diamond engagement ring. 

Set your price limit.

Before you start shopping, know how much you want to spend. There is no right or wrong amount to put toward a ring, and many beautiful stones and styles are available to suit any budget. It's important to note that lab-grown diamonds can be up to 40 percent less expensive than mined stones. 

Learn the "4 C's" of diamonds.

These are: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Here's the translation: 

Cut: The cut of a diamond is the most important factor in determining its fire, brilliance, and sparkle.

Color: Not all diamonds are clear; some have varying tints of yellow.

Clarity: A measure of the number of flaws or inclusions in the stone.

Carat: A measure of the weight of the diamond. However, more weight also indicates a bigger size. 

Consider shape.

The common diamond shapes used in engagement rings are round, cushion, pear, oval, princess, radiant, and emerald.

Each of these shapes has its fans and distinctive features. For example, a round diamond is the classic engagement ring style, but the larger facets of a cushion style can enhance brilliance, and the elongated emerald cut presents a bold look that can make a diamond appear larger than its carat weight. 

Choose a setting.

Deciding the right setting or diamond shape for your stone is a personal decision. Some people have specific ideas for a setting, and take more time on the stone, or vice versa.

However, not all settings accommodate all shapes so it's important to prioritize one or the other if you are set on a particular shape or setting.

Typical engagement ring styles include the solitaire, a simple band that showcases any diamond shape; halo, in which a central stone is surrounded by smaller diamonds; classic, which features a row of accent diamonds along the ring band; and vintage, which replicates design styles from different time periods. 

Contemplate your center stone.

When it comes to your center stone, there are a few different options to choose from. Although diamonds are the most popular, birthstones, moissanite, and cubic zirconia are also great budget-friendly options.

In regards to diamonds, there are two types to choose from: mined diamonds and lab-created diamonds.

While mined diamonds are extracted from the earth, lab-grown stones are guaranteed to be ethically sourced and, as mentioned above, up to 40 percent less expensive.

Both types are identical in terms of chemistry and physical appearance. However, interest in lab-created diamonds has surged in recent years as more couples are concerned with sustainability, as well as beauty and romance.

January 2020 marks the EPA mandate to end production of Freon (also known as HCFC-22 and R-22), the primary refrigerant chemical used in residential air conditioning units that has been found to have a significant contributing effect on ozone depletion and global warming.

While this is good news for environmentally conscious consumers, what does this mean to homeowners?

In short, you can still opt to keep your older system that requires Freon. However, this can pose a problem should your unit need even minor service, such as a small leak. Technicians will have limited access to R-22 or use recycled versions until supplies dwindle. Further, a shortage means increased prices. Alternatively, homeowners would need to hire a technician to replace the outdoor unit and indoor coil to accommodate the newer R410A, which is an expensive proposition.

Ultimately, now might be a perfect time to upgrade since the average lifespan of an HVAC system is approximately 15 years - allowing homeowners to enjoy greater long-term savings on utility bills and live greener. 

Live Green, Save Green, Stay Cool 

With home heating and cooling accounting for nearly half of home energy use and air conditioner energy expenses costing homeowners more than $11 billion a year, small steps can go a long way.

Following are some useful tips to help you contribute to the cleaner energy movement and reduce bills:

* Get Electric: According to Columbia University's Earth Institute, electric systems are a solution to decarbonize home climate control. Among the most energy-efficient heating and cooling products, electricity-powered ductless mini-split systems, offered by companies including Fujitsu General America, can save as much as 25 percent on your energy bill. Mini-splits use thin copper tubing to pump refrigerant from an outdoor compressor directly into an indoor air-handling unit, where the air is quietly distributed to the interior space.

* Be "Smart" About Home Climate Control: When it comes to smart home temperature control, there are Smart HVAC Systems and Smart Thermostats. Smart HVAC systems have built-in Internet capability and can be controlled directly without additional equipment. Smart Home Thermostats create "smart" systems by enabling remote temperature control via a mobile or Internet-connected device or voice-operated home automation system.

* Voice Your Preferences: Take control of your comfort. Most HVAC manufacturers offer apps that enable systems to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile device. Voice-control capability uses digital assistants, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Home, to verbally dictate home temperatures. Easily controlling the temperature more closely allows homeowners to be more comfortable and improve energy savings.

* Find Your Efficient Comfort Zone: Many of us live in homes designed for bigger families, but have yet to downsize. If you find yourself using a fraction of your home on a regular basis, consider upgrading to a zoned, ducted, or ductless system. That will allow you to save energy heating and cooling spaces where you and your family don't spend a lot of time. This will multiply savings as you're not only needing less cooling, but you also gain from a more efficient system in the spaces you do still use.

* Go Low-tech: Simple changes can have a big impact. Try to use heat-producing appliances - stoves, irons and dryers - at night or early morning. Switch to LED light bulbs instead of incandescent bulbs - which consume 90 percent more power. Seal air leaks around windows, doors, and places where pipes and wires come through walls. Check existing caulking and weather-stripping for gaps or cracks.

There's no need to sweat the ban on Freon this summer. If a new system is right for you, many Fujitsu systems with the Energy Star rating are more than twice as efficient as the minimum standard set by the government.

To learn more or find a contractor near you, call 888-888-3424 or visit www.constantcomfort.com.

To keep themselves and their patients safe, these workers, who may have potentially been exposed to this deadly virus, may have to stay home until they are tested, losing valuable time on a now critical job.

Here's where organizations such as xymbio are stepping up to the challenge. xymbio, an infectious disease testing company, has offered the use of its high-speed testing program to help run tests on health care personnel and first responders to keep them healthy and return them to their demanding roles as soon as possible.

The Las Vegas based company, uses industry leading technologies from ThermoFisher and operates under the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) guidance issued by the Federal Drug Administration and highest diagnostic standards.

xymbio is readying to process COVID-19 tests for hospitals and health care systems, and the company can provide both on-site testing and at-home testing kits for employees who believe they may have been exposed to the virus. In addition, individual physicians can request test kits and testing for patients using forms available online on the xymbio website.

The company has been waiting on a response from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Health (NIH), and the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for necessary funding to accelerate its capabilities to acquire test kits so that it can rapidly scale testing capacity.

"xymbio has developed state of the art qPCR technology using ThermoFisher reagents to detect coronavirus protein n,s,e antigens. Their test is highly specific, accurate and scalable. They are now only limited by government funding to expand capacity from 500 tests per day to thousands of tests per day. Time is of the essence. They have the fix. They need the support to expand their operations now!" Dr. Larry Emdur, Chief Medical Officer of Alvarado Hospital in California.

"We are in a war against a dangerous virus, and with federal assistance we are prepared to ramp up our testing capacity over the next 35 days to 20,000 tests a day, or 120,000 tests a week, with immediate plans to expand operations to Las Vegas and Atlanta, which would more than quadruple our testing capacity," according to Dr. Heath Wills, CEO and Chief Medical Officers of xymbio.

"We are ready to undertake the rapid action on behalf of many more citizens, and await prompt action on our proposal to the NIH, HHS, CDC, FEMA or the White House Task Force on Coronavirus testing during this national crisis," Wills emphasizes.

xymbio has also been working with the Swab for Life campaign of the Give Life Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raise awareness of blood donation.

"We chose to partner with xymbio because of its extremely accurate COVID-19 testing capabilities that we believe will accelerate help to Americans during this national healthcare crisis," says Bart S. Fisher, chairman of the Foundation.

For more information about xymbio and their efforts to work with individual health care providers, hospitals, and the government, visit xymbio.com.

Fortunately, the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a trusted nonprofit that has been helping older adults age with dignity and economic security for the last 70 years, is providing valuable information about coronavirus on its website, www.ncoa.org.

NCOA experts are regularly curating and updating resources that are of vital importance to older adults and their caregivers. You will find blogs, links, and videos that address a wide range of issues, including: 

Food 

If you or someone you care for needs meals delivered, NCOA offers links to Meals on Wheels and Feeding America with options to search in your zip code for local services. Feeding America and other food banks are adapting to the situation by setting up social distancing guidelines and smaller community drop-off points. For those who qualify, there is a link to apply for SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, which helps individuals pay for nutritious food. 

Finances 

Many older Americans, especially those living on a fixed income, are concerned that COVID-19 will impact their financial situation now and in the future. In fact, many federal, state, and local benefits programs are available to older adults for help with financial challenges, including utility payments, medication costs, rent, and other expenses.

NCOA's companion website, www.BenefitsCheckUp.org, offers information about eligibility and how to apply for billions of dollars in benefits.

In addition, although older Americans are advised to avoid non-essential travel, older adults can find options for critical transportation for essential medical visits or to pick up food and medication. NCOA provides a link to Eldercare Locator to help find local transportation services, and also offers information about navigating telemedicine visits, which are becoming easier and more commonplace.

Those concerned about Medicare benefits in the COVID-19 health care environment can use NCOA's links to state and government sites for the latest information. 

Feelings 

The stress and isolation of the coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on everyone's emotions. While NCOA urges older adults to follow physical isolation guidelines to remain physically healthy, it also offers tips for older adults, their caregivers, and families to use technology to stay in touch with loved ones and friends, and remain emotionally healthy as well.

Visit www.ncoa.org for what older adults should know about COVID-19, as well as other information about healthy aging. It's a treasure trove of valuable resources for older adults and their caregivers.

Whether you want to brighten up your closet now from the dreary winter blacks and grays (or later), or get ready for that spring-break vacation in between, you can find everything you need at maurices store or at maurices.com.

For more inspiration, follow these tips to spruce up your wardrobe:

* Mix in pretty utility: Give your outfit a pretty utility twist with the must-have trend of the season. Pair feminine tops featuring eyelet and ruffles with utility weekender pants for now, or an effortless utility romper for later. Want to dress up your look in a dash? Try a pretty top with a button-up skirt that's anything but expected. Tie it all together with jewelry, wedge sandals, and dinner plans.

* Layer on the compliments: Get into the swing of spring with kimonos, dusters and oversized denim jackets you can count on from brrr to brighter days ahead. Try a lightweight floral kimono over a tee (and under a jacket if you still need one) or make a statement with a longer-length duster cardi or denim trench jacket you'll wear again. Finish the look with flyaway pants or jeans for an outfit that's oh-so good.

* Say hello to 24/7 tees and tanks: Tee up spring in 24/7 tees and tanks with endless versatility and irresistible softness that feel as good as they look. You'll love how easy they are to style. Dress it up with an animal print tee paired back with bengaline pants and a blazer or keep it laid back with a drop-shoulder tee in floral or stripes with maurices' Everflex jeans, so good you'll want to live in them - now with new details, washes and crop lengths just in time for spring.

* Spring forward in throwback denim: Authentic vintage jeggings that feel as good as your favorite pair of broken-in jeans, with more washes, destruction, rises, sizes and fits than ever before. For effortless comfy style, pair with a floral tank and denim jacket or try a baseball tee with white or gray sneakers … perfect for all of those last-minute plans that keep popping up.

* Jumpsuits, dresses, all yeses: Say hello to instant spring outfits with new pretty dresses or flattering jumpsuits you can effortlessly pull off. To dress up your look for date night, add heels and jewelry or keep it casual for brunch or a coffee run with sneakers and a denim jacket.

* Pair skirts with graphic tees:?Make a fun statement by pairing graphic tees with skirts this season. Just pick the tee (and skirt) that speaks to you, style it with a front tuck and you're out the door in five. Another instant outfit? Done and done!

* Work in confidence: Long story short ... from work tops that wow to popular bengaline pants, you'll find yourself making more plans to go from nine to whenever. Whether you've got an interview lined up or want to make a good first impression, our bengaline pants are extra flattering, know how to work around the clock, and now come in a spring-ready crop.

Want more ways to feel good?

Follow @maurices on Instagram for outfit inspiration that's sure to make your day or visit your nearest maurices store to book a free styling session.

Potentially severe vaginal infections with symptoms similar to those of a yeast infection include bacterial vaginosis, a condition caused by abnormal bacterial growth in the vagina; and trichomoniasis, a parasitic infection. Both of these conditions require antibiotics from a doctor. Self-treating these conditions with a yeast medication may delay getting the right diagnosis and an effective treatment.

Fortunately, at-home tests can help women learn what to look for and determine whether their discomfort is indeed caused by a yeast infection or by something else that requires a doctor visit and prescription medication to resolve.

A vaginal health test kit is available over the counter at most pharmacies. The test measures the acidity of vaginal discharge using a hand-held detector with a tip resembling a cotton swab. The tip is designed to detect acidity, or pH, to help distinguish the type of infection that is present, and shows results in 10 seconds.

In the case of a typical yeast infection, the test kit swab will not change from its original yellow color, and you can likely treat yourself with an over-the-counter yeast infection medication.

However, if bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis is the source of the symptoms, the swab will change color to a blue or green, and the kit instructions strongly advise a visit to your doctor. Even in cases where there is a mixed infection caused by a combination of candida and bacterial vaginosis / trichomoniasis, the test will give a positive result and send the user to the doctor.

Other features that distinguish a yeast infection from a bacterial infection include:

- Smell. Bacterial vaginosis and trichomoniasis are usually accompanied by fishy, musty, or otherwise unpleasant odors, while yeast infections are usually odorless.

- Texture. The discharge associated with yeast infections is usually thick and white, while discharge from bacterial vaginosis is often thin and milky white or gray in color. By contrast, discharge in cases of trichomoniasis may be frothy and yellowish-green.

- Sting. Yeast infections usually involve an itching, burning, or stinging feeling, but these symptoms are not always present or as severe in cases of bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis.

The over-the-counter vaginal health tests available today are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and are the same as those used by doctors in their offices.

For more information about vaginal health and vaginal health tests, visit checkbeforeyoutreat.com