Dealing with an Upset Customer

Understand that most problems are a good sign. Problems indicate that progress is being made, wheels are turning, you are moving toward your goals. Beware when you have no problems. Then you’ve really got a problem… Problems are like landmarks of progress. ~Scott Alexander My life partner and I went out to a restaurant the…

Read More

7 Reasons No One Opened Your B2B Email & What to Do About It

Email marketing is still one of the most effective marketing channels to reach your audience. Studies still suggest that it has great reach, offers a high ROI, and is the preferred communication channel for a majority of clients. Despite this preference, it isn’t always easy to convince readers to open your email. If you catch them at…

Read More

5 Slip Ups That Can Bring Down a Small Business

There are a number of ways small business owners can sabotage their success. If a small business is perennially struggling, then it may be due to these 5 common slip-ups that impact performance and limit the opportunities for growth. Not Thinking Long-Term No matter what’s happening today, small businesses have to keep thinking about tomorrow.…

Read More

How to Avoid Basic Small Biz Pitfalls

Opening a small business is an alluring enterprise for countless Americans with ambition and a dream. Successfully running your own startup, however, requires extensive research, adequate resources, and a combination of street smarts and business savvy. Nearly 50% of small business owners fail within the first five years, due to some avoidable mistakes. This infographic examines some…

Read More

5 Keys to Handling an Unexpected Social Media Disaster

PR isn’t quite as simple as it used to be. Thanks to the almost farcical activist nature and real time updating of social media networks like Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and more, now everything is politicized in spontaneous hashtag campaigns. While this may be off-putting to many, the keyboard warriors of social media are simply gleeful…

Read More

10 Reasons Angel Investors Don’t Like Your Plan

Once again, for the eighth year in a row, I’m involved as an angel investor with the Willamette Angel Conference and screening investments. We’ll announce a decision in May, and between now and then, we’re looking at startups. About a fourth of them get what we call due diligence, and about half of those become finalists,…

Read More

My Fish Bowl Story of Marketing Mistakes

Here’s a mistake I made that taught me a lot and helped me teach others. The Mistake Many years ago, I took a new product—early business planning software—to its first trade show. We did the standard booth thing, brought along products, and sell sheets, business cards, and so forth. And we put a plastic fishbowl on…

Read More

5 Things That Kill Small Businesses

A small business is like a baby; it must be nurtured with utmost care and precision to grow. One wrong decision can adversely affect the business, causing irreversible damage. Therefore, while running a small business with a vision to scale it further, it’s necessary to take certain precautions. There are five crucial touch points which…

Read More

5 Web Design Mistakes to Avoid

Are you a small business owner? Is your website attractive enough to help you accomplish your desired goals? If not, it’s time to reconsider the design of your website or upgrade it with latest features and functionalities. Remember, your website is your business face to prospective audiences. Moreover, it forms a pivotal part of your…

Read More