The majority of sales people, unfortunately are just peddlers—walking, talking brochures. Needless to say, customers are finding digital sources of information much more useful than talking to those sales people. The data consistently shows customers limit contact with these types of sales people to the very end of the buying process. Some few sales people […]
Solving Problems
How Do You Recognize Transparency?
Transparency seems to be everywhere in the media lately so it has been only fitting that we have been discussing it. We’ve been studying “mea culpa” ad campaigns and how the marketplace’s expectations around transparency play a role in that. We scratched the surface of how that same expectation influences buying decisions—both from a consumer […]
How to Choose the Best Incident Management Software
When you are upgrading your company’s IT services, one thing you should look for is a good incident management software. Choosing the right software can completely change how your company handles any IT incidents so it is important that you find the right one. Here are some features you should keep an eye out for […]
How to Say “I’m Sorry”
Previously, we examined the reasons why more brands are feeling the need to say they are sorry in a very public and expensive fashion these days. I want to take a minute and dissect one brand’s attempt to offer a “mea culpa” that will resonate with their audience and smooth over the wave of negative […]
7 Guidelines for Picking Business Battles You Can Win
Many entrepreneurs are not prepared for conflict, or actively avoid it. Their vision, passion, and focus are so strong that they can’t imagine someone disagreeing, much less fighting them to the death. But the reality is that startups are composed of smart people, with emotions as well as intellects, working in close proximity under much […]
How Much Time Do You Spend “Outside the Box?”
So, you’re managing all that work, all those interruptions, all those texts and pesky emails. You get home at some reasonable hour, kind of tired, and needing a recharge. Sound familiar? Well, that’s probably because you’ve “wasted” a significant portion of your time on tasks others could have done effectively. So, where do you get those […]
When Did You Last Check Your Website for Glitches?
Do you regularly check your website and test all the processes? Otherwise, how will you know how many visitors are leaving without following through on your calls to action? If you want visitors to “convert,” i.e. purchase, complete a form, upgrade products or services, sign up for emails, donate, etc., you must be vigilant and […]
The Cost of Apathy
I live out in a newer suburb. I say “out” because bits of civilization have not reached us yet. There’s no movie theatre or Target (hopefully both are coming soon), and there’s no Panera. For my family, this almost put our location out of the running when we were ready to move. On occasion, I’ll […]
The 4 Leadership Skills You Need During Conflict-Resolution Meetings
You’re bound to witness or experience conflict in your small business. Knowing how to handle and defuse employee conflict can promote a healthy, productive workplace. But sometimes, people prefer to avoid conflict rather than address it. As the head of your business, you can’t run away from conflict. Instead, you need to hone your leadership […]
Convenience is Today’s Currency
Step away from your marketing role for a moment and consider yourself as an average consumer. Think about how you make buying decisions today. For many people, price is still a significant consideration. But it’s certainly not the only one. Whether it’s true or not, we all feel time-starved. We’re trying to pack in a […]
