Testimonials
People
"I found Peter's seminars at a moment when I was ready to start upon a social venture, but unclear where to place my first step. His grounded, dynamic approach to outreach and communications - all framed around strengthening connections and relationships - offered me a perfect jump-start. I walked away from each seminar feeling motivated and confident about putting my feet forward."
--Aimee Samara Krouskop, Global Insight Exchange, November 3, 2008
"Peter Korchnak's seminars address the spectrum of marketing needs of Mercy Corps Northwest's clients who are starting their own businesses, from
Marketing 101 to Internet Marketing. Peter has helped our clients and the
community at large understand that critical area of business development
from both a broad and more detailed perspective. Peter's ability to
communicate clearly and to offer comprehensive information in a concise
fashion makes him an excellent presenter. His attention to detail and focus
makes him a wonderful advisor. Semiosis Communications fills a critical
niche for small [socially responsible] businesses and nonprofits. Mercy Corps Northwest is honored and privileged
to work with Peter and Semiosis Communications."
--Sarah Chenven, Community Development Manager, Mercy Corps Northwest, August 13, 2008
"Peter, thank you for your thoughtfulness, focus, and action orientation. I believe
your help will make a difference - and that's all I can ask!"
--Amy Pearl, Executive Director, Springboard Innovation, July 14, 2008
"I am glad you're here to help Project Access NOW with consistent branding and outreach. It's such a huge asset."
--Kimberley Meinert, Program Coordinator, Project Access Clark County, July 11, 2008
"Peter, thank you so much for all of your help! I feel very good about
what we have been able to produce in such a short amount of time working
with you. I received MANY positive comments on the e-newsletter. We look like we are a professional organization."
--Linda Nilsen-Solares, Executive Director, Project Access NOW, July 6, 2008
"Peter is hardworking and caring. He is motivated and follows through."
--Andie Petkus, Andie Petkus Photography, April 20, 2008
"Thank you for helping me along the way! I now have a thirst for grant writing and I have you to blame!"
--Mattie Courtright, Oregon School-Based Health Care Network, March 2008
"[Peter] is extremely professional, dependable and creative."
--Lorraine Clarno, President, Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce, September 2007
"Peter is a natural, gifted collaborator and networker. We worked on several public education efforts to build awareness about homelessness, domestic violence, and citizens' opportunities to support [community] organizations."
--Kris Moore, Executive Director, Family Bridge, June 2007
Presentations, workshops, seminars
Integrating sustainability into marketing, Mercy Corps Northwest, December 8, 2008
- General feedback
- "I liked it all and thought it useful."
- "Reinforcement of [my] knowledge in a new manner of presentation."
- Most interesting or favorite part
- "Conversation."
- "Link between differences in new [vs.] old marketing and sustainability."
Social media marketing for non-techies: Social networks, CubeSpace, November 18, 2008
- General feedback
- "Thank you for a great training. I'm truly excited to improve my social networking sites with a clearer picture of their function and possibilities."
- "Simple and straight to the point."
- Most interesting, useful, or favorite part
- "The purpose of social media and the potential to expand the cause of a non-profit."
Crafting a sustainable marketing plan, Mercy Corps Northwest, November 10, 2008
- General feedback
- "I enjoyed the seminar!"
- "I learned a lot at [this] marketing workshop."
- "I got a lot out of your workshop."
- Most interesting, useful, or favorite part
- "A very nice overview. Focus on relationships and community was compelling. Great slide backgrounds! Differentiation topic was particularly important for me."
- "Personal examples, active brainstorming."
- "The triple bottom line framework, interactive discussion."
- "Reviewing marketing concepts. I benefited from brainstorming time."
- "[The presentation] triggered some valuable idea."
- "How-to's."
- "Questions and real examples."
Marketing with social media for non-techies: To blog or not to blog? CubeSpace, October 21, 2008
- Most interesting, useful, or favorite part
- "Getting an overwiew of how blogs work and how to use them."
- "To just do it!"
- "Loved the simplicity of the visuals."
- "Non-technical language."
- "Having everything presented in an outline, the connections between buzzwords and concepts."
- "Being able to ask questions."
Building a sustainable naturopathic practice, National College of Natural Medicine, September 27
- General feedback (paraphrased)
- This needs to be a longer, more in-depth class.
- Building a sustainable practice should be a required course at NCNM
- The talk made me start thinking hard about my vision!
- Great presentation!
Marketing with web 2.0: Connect and share to build community, MercyCorps Northwest, September 15, and October 6, 2008
- General feedback
- Most interesting/favorite parts
- "Hearing about the potential of the tools available on the web."
- "A cohesive explanation of how web marketing works. All parts outlined together was useful."
- "Group discussion."
- "Beside the content, the opportunity to interact and ask questions."
Earning publicity: How to share your story to get (and stay) in the media, CubeSpace, August 19, 2008
- General feedback
- "Good content! I'm inexperienced and it was helpful."
- "I have been doing publicity for two groups for several years and having to learn as I go along. You gave me several great tips."
- "Very good, clear presentation."
- "I appreciated the information you offered at the workshop - I found it very helpful."
- Favorite parts
- "Hearing real world stories was helpful."
Internet marketing: Cultivating stakeholder relations online, Mercy Corps Northwest, August 4, 2008, and CubeSpace, September 23, 2008
- General feedback
- "Peter's presentation was knowledgeable, engaging, and I came away with several great tips for my marketing. I'm very glad I came!" --Sonia Connolly, Sundown Healing Arts
- "Excellent presentation."
- "The overall content gave me a better picture of internet marketing."
- "I'm inspired to do more updates, anchor out more keywords, and have partners link to us."
- "The specific resources and examples were helpful."
- Favorite parts
- "Listening to doable action ideas."
- "Being able to relate information presented to our organization.
Whose business? Selecting and understanding your target groups, Mercy Corps Northwest, July 7, 2008
- General feedback
- "Well-organized and relevant.."
- "Although I had a basic understanding, it was useful to get this well-organized overview. I look forward to the web 2.0 class!"
- Favorite/most interesting parts
- "Critiquing what works best on websites."
- "Learning about design structure."
- "It went beyond what I needed as a peek into the future."
- "I really liked the section on comparing sites..."
- "Viewing website examples and evaluating them."
- "Ideas for newsletter and interactive content."
Marketing 101: Cost-effective techniques for microbusinesses, Mercy Corps Northwest, June 23, 2008
- General feedback
- "I felt like it was exactly the information I needed."
- "I very much
appreciated the opportunity to meet the other people here and I enjoyed
your presentation. I look forward to future workshops." - "This was an affirming, energizing event."
- "All sorts of great ideas on multiple levels."
- "I really enjoyed the informal format and personal attention and conversation. Thanks!"
- Favorite parts
- "All of it!"
- "The group energy and sharing."
- "Examples from other participants."
- "The time to share stories, challenges, personal questions..."
- "Listening to the other attendees' questions and issues, and getting their feedback."
- "Talking about other people's business and hearing their questions and problems."
Give business a chance: Community building as a marketing strategy, Hillsboro Downtown Business Association, May 8, 2008
"Peter Korchnak presented concise and pertinent information to our business group. His insight and background in non-profit enterprise give him a unique perspective in unifying the community. I highly recommend his presentation."
--Kay Mattson, Manager, Hillsboro Downtown Business Association, and owner, The Artfull Garden
Media/publications
Mercy Corps Nortwest Asset Builder Advantage: "Need help with marketing your business?", by Erica Strachan, July 16, 2008
The Hillsboro Argus: "Small business startup - Korchnak launches Semiosis" by Susan Gordanier, April 22, 2008 (article in pdf version)
