strategic planning

Only Losers Cut Their Prices

Discounting is for losers...In order to achieve the highest potential possible a salesperson needs to believe in their pricing as much as they believe in their selling skills. READ»

The Right to Exist

A colleague recently forwarded to me an article written by Dr. Jac Fitz-enz on the rebranding of human resources.  I'm a fan of Dr. Jac and recommend his book, "How to Measure Human Resource Management" to everyone I ...READ»

No, Recruiting Is Not Dead

I'm a little surprised at the lack of convo about recruiting right now. While I've spent the majority of my career as a generalist, I've always realized that the recruiting function can make or break me.  Most of my career ...READ»

Truth and Transparency

There's been a lot of talk about corporations and government being more transparent.  As a result, the use of the word transparency is creeping into our business vocabulary.  But before you start tossing out the word ...READ»

Hiding Behind the Economy (Part 2)

I want to thank Lance Haun over at Your HR Guy for a terrific post yesterday called "Welcome to the Excuse Economy."  Lance addresses head-on a very important point about personal accountability. Being personally ...READ»

Bad Habits of a Gen Y-er: Not Playing the Politics Game

So last fall, the world expected to see Gen-Y change the nation by showing up to vote. I even made sure to have filed for my Minnesota drivers license a couple days beforehand just to be sure. Apparently, Gen-Yers are all about the ...READ»

If Your Marketing Director Ran HR . . .

I recently read a post from '8 hours & a lunch' about the best and worst jobs.  Philosopher was #12 on the list and Deb asked how many people actually know a philosopher.  It was cool to comment because I've met Tom Morris, who ...READ»

GE's New Ecomagineer Spills It

GE mirrors the American economy much better than most companies -- for good and ill. Last year, the credit squeeze assailed GE Capital, its financial-services arm; the company missed an earnings prediction, driving the stock price ...READ»

• Water Desalination: The Answer to the World's Thirst?

Welcome to the Entrepreneur's Secret

Hello, this blog is designed for entrepreneurs to share ideas on business strategy, operations and efficiency for greater success.  I hope to hear from you and I look forward to advising you on your small business.  READ»

Will small bank brands on Main Street seize the day?

Obviously these are not the greatest of economic times, but believe it or not, there is good news to be found in the midst of the financial crisis — particularly if you are the Chief Marketing Officer of a smaller community or ...READ»

Take the "Great American Small Business Challenge"

How prepared is your company to weather the current economic storm?   Does your company have the organizational flexibility and resiliance you need to remain successful?  Now is the time to consider ways to make your company more ...READ»

How the Presidential Candidates Spend Your Money

Political pundits say that by today, the latest race for the White House will have cost a total of $1 billion between the two presidential campaigns. We dug through both John McCain's and Barack Obama's receipts (via federal filings) for a sampling of where all the moolah, donated or otherwise, was spent. And it is not necessarily where you think.READ»

• What Obama Can Teach You About Your Business
• Obama and McCain Fight Over A Woman

Gaining the Freedom to Fuel BT Innovation

Without a doubt, the reason why most business decision makers consider an out-tasked solution -- based upon a managed service offering -- is still primarily the need for cost-reduction. Clearly, that's a valid motivation for any ...READ»

STOCK MARKETING - 1° Will To Act

STOCK MARKETING is the result of the marketing and advertising that positively influencing the stock market. Because they are interdependent - increased products sales and brand equity to pull prices of the stocks and investors ...READ»

Inspired By ...

Five brands cited by cofounder Young Lee as influences on Pinkberry.READ»

Can Russell Simmons Unite the Hip-Hop Community on The Web?

Back in 2000 hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons bankrolled the short-lived hip-hop news, entertainment, and community Website 360hiphop.com. Now he and a group of investors are trying again.READ»

The Best Advertising Slogans of All Time According to Digg Users

People take their favorite ads seriously--witness the huge response to Inc.com’s list last week of the “The 10 Best Slogans of All Time,” which popped up Wednesday on Digg.com and promptly touched off a groundswell of impassioned debate. From Tony the Tiger to milk moustaches, many PR campaigns have left a lasting impression on people. Here are some of the best nominations from Digg.com users.READ»

• 8 Buzz-worthy Advertising Campaigns
• How to Build a Brand Like Obama
• What Makes a Brand Authentic?

Made to Stick: The Myth of Mutual Funds

Why we don't always believe the truth.READ»

• Doing What Feels Right Despite the Evidence
• 10 Tips for Making Sensible Investments

GENERIC: How generate image brand distinction in a world where all have the same name?

                                                                                                        Read listening Mozart  ...READ»

Steps to realign an organization around key goals and objectives and avoid the deleterious effects of a recession

I have been preaching since the beginning of the year that you need to have a well documented strategy with well thought-out supporting goals and objectives to ensure your employees are doing the right things to move your ...READ»

Customer Loyalty and Retention

In the book titled, Double Digit Growth author Michael Treacy identifies a handful of factors that have been associated with double digit growth. One of the factors is customer retention.  Probably, not a surprise to most of you. ...READ»

Talent Wars: Are you locked and loaded?

Despite living in a bi-polar economy--some are having the best of times, others the worst--one thing is clear, we are facing a shortage of new talent that will not be ready and able to replace the "crew change" caused by ...READ»

Texas Oil Tycoon Tackles Renewable Energy

Texas tycoon T. Boone Pickens has been dubbed the "Oracle of Oil." So why is he building the world's largest wind farm?READ»

• Tilting at Windmills: The Unfulfilled Promise of Offshore Wind in the U.S.
• Jim Gordon May Have an Answer to our Energy Problems

Dirty Marketing Campaigns

How marketers create disgust and embarrassment -- and why we shouldn't put up with it.READ»

• Modern, Manufactured Marketing Stigmas
• Making French Rabbit's New Eco-Smart Wine Bottle

The Story of the Incredibly Shrinking Brands And The Role Values Can Play in Making Them Big Again

How and when did brands get so small? It seems that despite the greater availability of tools and engaging media to connect brands with consumers, the impact of brands on society has greatly diminished. Why are the trillions of ...READ»