Taking Advantage of the “Unboxing” Phenomenon
As children we are taught time and again to never judge books by their covers. However, it seems that each time human nature prevails and try as we may, the lesson never sticks and covers remain judged. In fact, the “cover” of a product can be as important as the product itself. This of course,…
Read MoreBranding: The Inside-Out Rule
Branding is one of those marketing terms that everyone uses but very few actually embrace. When companies try to brand themselves, they often suffer from the “can’t accurately describe the bottle from inside the bottle” reality. One of the other huge threats to a branding effort is when a company does not follow the inside out rule. Disregarding…
Read More4 Tips to Identify and Fix Basic Business Inefficiencies
All ambitious entrepreneurs strive for an organization that is streamlined, productive and efficient. We want our staff to be happy and engaged, and we want our customers and clients to be overjoyed with the results we offer. However, though we might strive for perfection, every company on this planet is guilty of some form of…
Read MoreStop Struggling. Start Succeeding.
If the thought of making your own schedule, creating your own business strategy, and operating a business according to your own values and goals sound intriguing, you’re not alone. Sure, there are a lot of great advantages to operating your own business, but what about the tough times of being a business owner? Here are…
Read MoreSales on the Go: Better In-Person Advertising
In-person interactions are touted as one of the most effective marketing strategies for any small business owner. With a global marketplace, the way organizations have altered communication with vendors, colleagues, and even employees has changed. Moving away from in-person communication has made many industries much different today. As the distance between individuals has grown, it’s…
Read More5 Ways to Reduce Your Company’s Legal Fees
Whether you just need help drawing up policies to help reduce liability, setting up plans for how to handle any potential litigation, or determining how your organizational structure is going to be laid out, no business can afford to ignore the legal issues that arise with running any business. The best you can do is…
Read MoreHow to Overcome Brand-Killing Customer Service Glitches
Most of us have experienced them… customer service glitches. Those nasty technological boo-boos that make us want to scream! Now, place yourself in your customers’ shoes experiencing those glitches with your business or organization. Ouch. No matter the size of your organization, if you use technology to serve customers, then glitches can happen. And, most of the…
Read MoreChange Things Up with Fred’s Rule
There is always a way to go if you look for it. ~Ernest A. Fitzgerald I enjoy playing doubles tennis two or three times a week. It is great exercise and a wonderful way to meet new people and challenge yourself. However, this column is not about me. It is really about Fred. Fred and…
Read MoreBurying Our Heads in the Sand
Nobody likes to admit they have a problem. I suppose it’s human nature, or at least in the world of sales part of the inherent optimism sales people must have to thrive. Individually and organizationally, we don’t like to admit we have problems for a number of reasons. Admitting it brings a huge amount of…
Read More4 Major Benefits (and 3 Drawbacks) to Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is here to stay. Absolutely every regulator in the world is now trying to get in on the crowdfunding game, especially since the JOBS Act recently went into effect. It’s made it easier for businesses of all sizes to reach out to the world and collect the funds needed to get a venture up…
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