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The search engine optimization company blasts away the pounds in a fitness competition to claim coveted tech prizes.
SEO.com salesman, Dale Nguyen, sits in a Bod Pod to discover his total body fat percentage.SALT LAKE CITY – It doesn’t take much to get a team of tech-savvy geeks to trim down and shape up – just a few, sweet tech prizes.
“Mention ‘iPad,’ or ‘Dell Mini 5,’ and then mix in a little friendly competition, and the employees here will do the rest,” said Dave Bascom, CEO of SEO.com, a search marketing firm.
To improve the fitness and the overall health of his employees, Bascom is awarding the person who loses the highest percentage of body fat by June 1 a $500 prize of their choosing.
SEO.com as a whole may benefit in multiple ways with the competition. A study done in 2005 by the American College of Sports Medicine said workers who regularly exercise are more productive, managed time better, and worked better with their co-workers. Studies also show that employees who exercise regularly have fewer sick days, and less health-related expenses.
“If nothing else, we’ll all be a little healthier in 90 days after doing this for three months,” Bascom said. “And the In-N-Out Burger that just opened up by our office may not get as much business for awhile.”
Early on, the competition is already heating up.
“Nothing’s keeping me away from that iPad,” said David Malmborg, senior SEO specialist.
“I don’t want to win just for the iPad,” said Tyson Hymas, senior SEO specialist, “I want to win to beat Malmborg.”
SEO.com employees are coming up with different strategies to lose body fat. Hymas will be following the P90X exercise program and the diet Brad Pitt used to get in shape for the movie, “Fight Club.” Tiana Smith, a copywriter, will be following a routine set up by her personal trainer. Others have more creative tactics.
“You have to have a strategy for yourself; then you have to have another strategy to sabotage the competition,” said Scott Cowley, SEO manager. “I’ve used my social networks to find recipes for innocent looking, but highly fatty treats, which I will be putting around the office.”
About SEO.com
SEO.com is a search marketing firm that makes its clients money by driving traffic to their websites through aggressive search engine optimization, pay per click management, social media marketing and other search engine marketing services. SEO.com then turns those visitors into sales through search-optimized Web design and conversion optimization. Clients range from small startups to Fortune 100 companies.
Dave Bascom is selected for his overall leadership and guiding his SEO company to record numbers during the recession.
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Business magazine named SEO.com president, Dave Bascom, among its 2010 Forty Under 40, a distinction recognizing top Utah “business leaders, tech gurus, professionals and entrepreneurs” less than 40 years old.
“I can’t think of anyone who deserves this recognition more than Dave does,” said Nelson James, vice president of client services. “He has put countless hours of blood, sweat, and tears into this company and it shows in our growth, success, and the success of our clients.”
“As his first employee,” James continued, “I’ve been with him from the beginning and can say that his unique understanding of both business principles and the search industry, his unfaltering integrity, and his concern for the future of this company and its employees makes him a worthy recipient of this award.”
The Forty Under 40 was selected by an independent judging panel of Forty Under 40 alumni. Utah Business will present the awards Feb. 25 at The Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.
With innovation and persistence, the 34-year-old Bascom led his company to record growth and profits during the recent economic recession. Just a few years ago, he started his company in his basement. In the last year, the search marketing firm has grown from 12 employees to more than 60, moved to a larger office in Salt Lake County, and increased monthly revenue by more than 300 percent. In 2009, SEO.com has been named as one of the top 10 SEO firms in the country by PromotionWorld, one of the top 25 fastest growing companies in Utah by the Utah Valley Entrepreneurial Forum, and among the Emerging Elite by MountainWest Capital Network.
“It’s been a great ride this year, and a lot of fun to see all the hard work pay off,” Bascom said. “To look back at where we came from, as a tiny start up, is quite satisfying.”
Bascom credits his positive attitude, ignorant youth and perseverance for his success.
“I believe that if anyone combines hard work with a good attitude, and a strong belief in yourself, you can be successful,” Bascom said. “Starting out, I was probably too naïve to realize how difficult starting a business can be. And that’s probably a good thing.”
About SEO.com
SEO.com is a search marketing firm that makes its clients money by driving traffic to their websites through aggressive search engine optimization, pay per click management, and social media marketing. SEO.com then turns those visitors into sales through search-optimized Web design and conversion optimization. Clients range from small startups to Fortune 100 companies.
SEO.com Supports Haiti Relief Effort Through Seth Godin Event
SEO.com helps bring Seth Godin to a Utah networking event that will send all proceeds to “The Red Cross for Haiti Relief Fund.”
SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 2, 2010) – SEO.com, a search marketing firm, is sponsoring Startup Princess to bring renowned author, speaker and marketer Seth Godin to a fundraising luncheon Feb. 12 at the Rail Events Center. All proceeds from the event will go to The Red Cross for Haiti Relief Fund.
“We’re honored to help out the Red Cross and the people in Haiti,” said Dave Bascom, president of SEO.com. “We’re also excited to be part of this event and to help bring a well-respected marketer to the local business community.”
The event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Godin will speak at noon. Tickets are $30 and will include lunch. There will be exhibitor tables and networking opportunities. To purchase tickets, and for more information, go to http://www.startupprincess.com/sethgodin .
Godin’s presentation will be surrounding the messages from his new book, “Linchpin: Are You Indispensable.” 200 copies of the book will be available to attendees at a reduced price.
“His overall presentation will be about being ‘indispensable’ and ‘mattering,’ by making a difference in your work and your life,” said Kelly King Anderson of StartupPrincess.com. “The charity event really matches Godin’s message. We are really excited that the two have come together.”
This is the second time SEO.com has donated money and time to help support the Red Cross. The SEO company has done pro bono work for the Utah Valley chapter of the Red Cross to help improve its search engine rankings. SEO.com also has given back to the community by helping Camp Kostopulous Dream Foundation, Grassroots.org and The Green Building Center with various search marketing services.
“Charity work is part of our core culture,” Bascom said. “As we grow we hope to continue doing good work for the community and for quality organizations.”
About Startup Princess
StartupPrincess.com is an international network committed to empowering women entrepreneurs by offering resources for women in business to support, mentor, collaborate, learn from, and inspire one another.
About SEO.com
SEO.com is a search marketing firm that makes its clients money by driving traffic to their websites through aggressive search engine optimization, pay per click management, and social media marketing. SEO.com then turns those visitors into sales through search-optimized Web design and conversion optimization. Clients range from small startups to Fortune 100 companies. For more information, visit www.seo.com
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