The interaction between you and your customer is unique to your business. But the “customer journey” has some common waypoints as we go from attracting that initial set of customers to developing a stable of loyal advocates.
Creativity in Business and the Business of Creativity
There’s a myth that creativity and business don’t mix. In fact, the opposite is true: It’s never been more important to bring creativity into business, and there’s never been a better time to turn your creativity into a business. Here are 4 strategies to break down the myths that limit our potential.
The New Business Mindset
Why does business need to be a ruthless, zero-sum game? It doesn’t. You can still be successful by being nice – and in point of fact, I think that you can be even more successful if you unlearn some of the awful lessons that the corporate world teaches.
The New Marketing and Sales
Ethical marketing is not an oxymoron. Respectful, soft-touch marketing not only feels better, but in light of today’s consumer behavior, it’s also more effective too. But it requires a mindset shift, and that we unlearn some of the “conventional wisdom” about marketing.
The New Customer Relationship
Customers expect more now, which presents an opportunity for small businesses to surpass their larger competitors. Let’s look at what it takes to earn a customer in this new environment, the evolving criteria of a sales transaction, and what makes a customer loyal now.
How an Exit Strategy Can Help Build Your Business Now
If a business is a good target for someone to buy, it typically means that the business is good to own. In a guest post, Jock Purtle explains how an exit strategy is not just about the future – it can actually help your business today.
Taking a Stand Against Deceptive Marketing Tactics
Ad-driven media is still the dominant paradigm, undermining the Web’s promise and potential. When you incentivize clicks as the only metric that matters, what do you expect? Cheap tactics for cheap clicks. Ev Williams, founder of Twitter, is taking a stand. Can he “save the Web,” or is it too late?
Starbucks Rewards: An Evolution in Data-Driven Marketing
The more you know your customer, the better. That can be in face-to-face interactions, or as Starbucks is showing, through individualized data. Here’s a look at the innovations of the new Starbucks Star Rewards Program – and how you can apply the lessons to your own business.
Using Social Media for Business: Strategies for Long-Term Success
How would you rate your use of social media for business? Has it been successful, or a waste of time? Whether you are just getting started with social media – or you’re in need of a reboot – here’s a collection of resources to help you focus your strategy and make better connections with your customers and prospects.
Phase 2 of the Resistance to Social Media
Are you going through the motions when it comes to social media? How do you expect to get good results without a genuine, concerted effort? This is what I call Phase 2 of the Resistance to Social Media, and here’s what you can do to move past it.
Phase 1 of the Resistance to Social Media
Could your business be getting more out of social media? What’s holding you back? In my view, there are two phases of resistance to social media in particular, and content marketing in general. Let’s look at Phase 1, and what you can do to overcome it.