Culture Archives

27 Benefits of Branding Your Company

By Ed Roach | Oct 7, 2015

You benefit from a clearer understanding of what your brand is. A lot of businesses currently believe that a brand is a logo and their marketing materials. Whereas the truth is that a brand is their reputation. It’s the perception on the street and clearly defined, a brand can create an experience that leads to greater…

The Unhappy Worker Effect is Slowing Down Your Business

By SmallBizClub | Sep 22, 2015

In today’s business world, there seems to be a revolving opinion that all employees are unhappy with their occupation. It is heard so often that people will not even ask each other how their day at work was, because they are worried they will receive the candid Napoleon Dynamite quote, “Worst day of my life,…

A Checklist to Find the Startup Partner of Your Dreams

By Marty Zwilling | Sep 8, 2015

As an advisor to startups, I often get asked what to look for in an ideal co-founder or business partner. My first response is that it’s much like finding that ideal spouse, where chemistry, common interests and complementary communication skills are key. After some reflection, I now realize these attributes are necessary but not sufficient…

The Peter Principle Can Paralyze Your Startup Team

By Marty Zwilling | Jul 23, 2015

The good news is that recent big company financial woes and layoffs have generated a flood of candidates with real experience seeking positions at startups. The bad news is that many of these frustrated employees may have already reached their level of incompetence (The Peter Principle). They are not the ones you need in the…

10 Principles Define Your Startup as Open versus Closed

By Marty Zwilling | Jun 10, 2015

Too many customers have long felt distanced from many successful brands, seeing them as closed and mysterious environments, focused only on profits and killing competitors.

How to Hire a Top-Notch Team When You Can’t Compete on Salary

By YEC | Jun 3, 2015

I often get asked how I managed to get so many impressive people on my team. By every law of logic, a company as small, new and budget-constrained as mine should not have as many rock stars on our team and advisory board as we do.

7 Ways to Build Collaboration and Trust into Your Culture

By Bill Hogg | May 29, 2015

Do you want to build trust and cooperation in your organization? Then walk the talk. It may sound simple, but it’s one of the most effective ways to build trust internally and get people to support your vision.

The Coffee and Wine School of Innovation

By Dave Berkus | May 22, 2015

Here’s one for debate around a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Most innovation occurs when creative people are relaxed and thinking about other things.

Reward Success and Failure. Punish Only Inaction.

By Dave Berkus | May 15, 2015

Reward failure? That may be a difficult concept for an executive. And there are limits of course. We wouldn’t reward a failure to follow laws, or protect lives, or deliberate endangerment of the company or its people.

An Opportunity to Walk in the Customer Support Center’s Shoes

By Shep Hyken | May 6, 2015

Even if it’s not a full-time practice like Olark, consider giving all employees the opportunity to handle some of the customer support. It could help everyone understand just how important their roles and responsibilities are to the customer experience.