Does Business Education Stifle Creativity?
Does business education stifle innovation and creativity? You probably already know Sir Ken Robinson’s TED talk, from 2006, Do Schools Kill Creativity? It’s one of the five or so most viewed and most discussed TED talks. His basic idea is that schools focus too much on the academic, not enough on other kinds of intelligence. He was…
Read MoreThe Unexpected Journeys of R&D: A Parable
This is a story about Randy and Dave (R&D). Today, Randy runs a small startup that has about two months’ worth of cash left, and he’s more than a little nervous. Dave works for a huge, famous worldwide company that is doing the same thing today as it did when your grandpa was a client,…
Read MoreMy First 3 Years as a Co-Franchisor in Review
PLAYLive, the innovative gaming franchise I am a minority owner of, is rapidly approaching its third year. As any franchisor knows, launching a new franchise brings an oscillating journey filled with learning curves, small wins, and hard work. Mainly, the process has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience that I want to share with…
Read More5 Powerful PR Trends You Should Not Ignore
Don’t have a beard, fixie or some cool headphones. Feeling left out. Then you are maybe not up with the latest fad. But fads are one thing and trends are another. Fads come and go but trends have the potential to become a powerful influence for long term change. Change in the past was slow. Tesla…
Read MoreLet Your Benefits Tell Your Story
Let your benefits tell your story. What does that mean? Most prospects and customers have no idea what your company’s mission statement or tagline is but they definitely know how they felt when they did business with you. Those experiences spark more word of mouth marketing than anything else. The interactions your employees have with…
Read MoreA Vision for Success
We all have a different idea of success. For some of us it might be a house or luxury vehicle we’ve always wanted, and for others it could simply be having the financial stability to provide for our families. To accomplish these particular goals, we craft a vision for our success and rigorously strive toward fulfilling the…
Read MoreSmall Biz Interviews: The Madonna Inn
The Madonna Inn is the stuff of California legend. Founded in 1958 by Alex and Phyllis Madonna, the hotel, located just outside of San Luis Obispo near the iconic Highway 1, has long been a bastion of a kind of boundless whimsy that transcends the parameters of traditional taste. From the start, Alex was in…
Read MoreFitness Franchise: Initial Costs and Fees to Consider
Love working out? Love helping others achieve their fitness goals? A fitness franchise might be a good option for you. But before you head to the bank to get your small business loan or home equity loan, you’ll need to establish a detailed business plan to fully understand the initial cost and fees even before…
Read More7 Ways a CRM Can Supplement Your B2B Marketing Efforts
B2B inbound marketing strategies can only go so far without an equally powerful sales strategy to close the deal at the right moment of the buyer’s journey. Sales has evolved from merely securing a transaction to forging relationships with prospects and clients, as well as fostering loyalty long after the end of the purchase. Knowing when to…
Read MoreEmergency Plans Are Critical
“The prizes go to those who meet emergencies successfully. And the way to meet emergencies is to do each daily task the best we can.” ~William Feather Emergency plans are not likely to be used. Nonetheless, having one is vital because you just do not know when or what kind of emergency will hit your…
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