Today At Utah Pulse

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Communications tip: Use this methodology to create PR plan
In both business and politics, when we have something important to communicate, we sometimes brainstorm and toss out things like, "We should send out a press release" or, "Let's do a social media campaign."Rather than shooting from the hip, it makes a lot more sense to follow a proven methodology to create an effective communications plan and strategy. Follow these seven steps to create that plan:

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Sales tip: Focus on what we can control
The customer may not answer the phone, but we must make the calls anyway.The customer may not buy more products or services when we offer them, but me must offer them anyway.The customer may not give us referrals, but we must ask for them anyway.

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Opinion briefs: A tribute to Norma Matheson . . . Is climate change or federal debt greatest threat?
What's greatest threat to your family? I don't really like the word "existential", as in "existential threat." The definition has been perverted to mean a threat to one's very existence, rather than its original reference to the individual as a free agent responsible for his or her own actions.But because the word is so commonly misused, I'll further exploit it with what I think is a very interesting question: Which is the greatest existential threat: Climate change, or the federal debt? Which one will most damage your family, your children and grandchildren in the next 10, 15 or 20 years?

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Zions economic outlook: July job gains solid, but trade war weighs heavy
The U.S. labor market added a respectable 164,000 jobs in July. This was roughly in line with consensus estimates and shows that employers are still willing to hire despite growing uncertainty in the economy. The official unemployment rate remained near historical lows at 3.7 percent and the broader measure of underemployment declined to the lowest level since 2000 of 7.0 percent. The low levels of unemployment and underemployment came even as more individuals entered the labor force in search of a job. The labor force participation rate, which measures those working or looking for work, rose from 62.9 percent to 63.0 percent marking the second consecutive month of gains. Annual wage growth, which was expected to register at 3.1 percent, rose to 3.2 percent

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Where do Utahns get their news? Mostly from on-line sources
Most Utahns are now getting their news from online content, a UtahPolicy.com/Y2 Analytics survey finds.The newest Utah Political Trends poll asked about 2,400 registered voters where they learn about current events.And their answers should worry any traditional news source that is not making great efforts to get its news product online, and attract online readers.

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Ambassador to China praises Utah's efforts on trade relations
While participating in the National Governors Association Summer Meeting held in Salt Lake City, U.S. ambassador to China Terry Branstad met with WTC Utah as well as local business leaders and legislators with strong ties to China. The luncheon provided a forum for the group to discuss the importance of engaging with China on a state level despite international trade disputes.

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Press release: American Dreams Ideas Challenge seeks innovative policy ideas
The University of Utah, in partnership with Schmidt Futures, a philanthropic initiative founded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, is sponsoring the American Dream Ideas Challenge. The challenge calls for innovative policy ideas or investable concepts that have the potential to increase net income for 10,000 middle-class households in Utah by 10 percent by 2022.

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