Just How Big are Those 1/2 Price Online Deals ?

First the disclaimer.

Twice I have worked for radio stations that offer some form of online deal.

Radio listeners go to the station websites, click on the link and buy the deal that is offered.  It could be something like a $50 gift certificate for $25, or some similar offer.

Radio does it, TV does it, Newspapers do it.

A couple of online sites do it too.

The offer is usually good for the consumer.

I have bought a $10 Starbucks card for $5 a couple of times.

There are pros and cons of the benefit for business owners.

If you own a business and have been approached to take part, be sure you understand what you are agreeing to honor.

Last week there was news that one of the big online sites was cutting 400 employees. Read the story and you’ll see the same company, LivingSocial is also going to be hiring around 100 employees.

Every company I have worked for the past 15 years has had downsizing and hiring as part of their adjustment to their changing needs. So that really isn’t news.

What did catch my attention was the 400 jobs cut by LivingSocial only represented 9% of their 4500 member staff.

Wow, I never would have guessed that they were that large.

70 million members getting email from LivingSocial every week.

I guess this web thing might stick around (snicker).