This episode is a great one for anyone who participates in virtual meetings - which is basically everybody these days. I had the opportunity to chat with Wendy Saltzman, CEO of Philly Power Media about how to effectively communicate and engage with people in a virtual setting. Wendy coaches executives, entrepreneurs, celebrities and sports figures about how to deliver strong presentations, whether in-person or virtually. 

And she definitely has some credibility in this area. In fact, she's won three Emmy Awards during her 23-year career as a broadcast journalist, so she knows the ins and outs of working in front of a camera. She provides a variety of practical and easy-to-implement tips on how to put your best foot forward on screen, and we cover areas such as framing your visual space, lighting, camera angles, the importance of smiling, and -- how to even avoid mumbling. I certainly walked away with a lot of things to apply to my virtual meetings. 

Now we do have this interview in video format, and if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend watching that version, as you'll get to see some helpful visuals - including the two of us making funny faces as she walks me through a couple of exercises. But, and there is no surprise here, she is very descriptive in her explanations, so you'll get a ton just from listening.  Watch the YouTube video here.

ECRM has more than 80 category-specific virtual sessions where buyers and sellers of products in food and beverage, health and beauty care, general merchandise and pharmacy and medical markets can connect in private, pre-scheduled virtual meetings. For more information, visit ECRM.marketgate.com 

Visit the Philly Power Media website.

Email Wendy: [email protected]

Brandy Alexander is the Senior Buyer for Health & Beauty at 99 Cents Only Stores, which has more than 350 locations across four states. And while the company's name might be 99 cents only, their products are not only 99 cents. In fact, over the years they have evolved to a retailer that delivers amazing value compared to the rest of the market, even at price points around twenty-five bucks. 

In this episode, I speak with Brandy about how the pandemic has changed the way consumers shop the retaler's stores, and how Brandy herself has adapted her day-to-day activities working remotely. She also talks about her experience participating in ECRMs recent Personal Care, Health Care and Sun Care virtual sessions. And while she was initially reluctant to participate, after about 100 meetings using the ECRM Connect platform, she can probably explain the benefits it delivers buyers as well as any of us on the ECRM staff can. 

We wrap up with a discussion on the future of virtual in retail and CPG, as well as some advice for suppliers when they are pitching virtually to Brandy.

Click here to see ECRM's full list of category-specific virtual sessions.

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