Committing a Party Foul: Sweating Over Your Holiday Celebration Plans

George Dennis — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:08:36 -0500

I’ve heard a bunch of talk amongst other business leaders trying to decide whether they should go through with their annual holiday party plans. The understandable concern is that doing so may send the wrong message after subjecting staff members to employee and budget cutbacks over the past 12 months.

While I get the issue, I feel fretting over the decision misses the point.

The importance of customer reviews

George Dennis — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:09:32 -0500

I know a handful of companies that request feedback from customers only to do nothing with the data. At my company, TV Ears, I’ve found that such input is one of the most important elements on which to focus my attention. After all, you want to know what’s working and what isn’t, right? Successful companies capitalize on customer reviews as a way to determine what they are doing well and more importantly, what areas need improvement.

Cut Yourself Some Slack, Willya?

George Dennis — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 21:23:24 -0500

If this year has taught many in business anything, it is how failure can reach out and grab even the most successful enterprise. Yes we all have been reminded that failure is a fact of life but we may have forgotten that failure is also part of the process.

That’s not to say that I don’t empathize with those who’ve lost their jobs and fortunes in the process. However, history clearly shows us that flourishing organizations and entrepreneurs come about only after graduating from the School of Hard Knocks.

Making Your Partners Look Good

George Dennis — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:36:58 -0500

I can tell you from first hand experience that I’m a big fan for what good PR can do for a company in driving new customers, partners and investors. Often times, such initiatives can generate high returns when coordinated with a paid advertising campaign.. Good stories written by credible media outlets and bloggers can help an organization rise above the foray and show a clear difference from its competitors.

What’s more, the best PR can occur when the company plays only a small part in the piece.

Don’t throw in the towel this Holiday Season!

George Dennis — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:32:32 -0400

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting really tired about the naysayers who are forewarning shoppers and retailers that the soon-to-be upcoming Christmas season is going to be one of the all-time slowest in recent memory.

I’m not saying they’re wrong, but I am saying that I don’t care what they think.

Making a presence on all fronts

George Dennis — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 13:28:27 -0400

Since launching my company, TV Ears, in 1998, I’ve found myself constantly examining what other businesses are and are not doing. For companies that are performing well, I’ve found that they not only offer a solid product or service, but they have a strategic plan with how they market the company. Although strategies vary depending on the company’s goals, it’s essential to pay attention to both online and offline marketing efforts.

Generating Buy-In

George Dennis — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 19:32:56 -0400

More than 20 years ago, Kevin Costner and the movie “Field of Dreams” gave us one of the all time great movie lines; “If you build it, they will come.” While that may be true in the movies, it couldn’t be more wrong for launching a new venture.

Why the Godfather had it right

George Dennis — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 20:23:23 -0400

I’m a big fan of the Francis Ford Coppola series. One of my most favorite lines is from the first film is delivered by Vito Corleone (played by Marlon Brando) when he teaches his lieutenants to “keep your friends close, but your enemies closer.”

Tough guy image aside, this also makes very good business sense.

Communicating with your employees

George Dennis — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 17:59:55 -0400

While many folks stand by the familiar saying “no news is good news,” I’ve learned that doesn’t necessarily hold true in the business world. While it implies that everything is running smoothly and nothing has changed, frequent communication is essential to running a successful business.

Knowing the Signs

George Dennis — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:45:09 -0400

Recently here in San Diego, a famous sports bar chain located in prime spots around the city closed down, its stores gutted and employees laid off. While perhaps a more common occurrence in these lean times, I submit that the demise of this very well-known and once-popular business was primarily the result of its management team’s inability to recognize changes in their market.