When you treat your friends and advocates as customers, some will become customers. Those that don’t may spread your message to future buyers. The old model is treating customers like royalty, while encouraging others (via marketing) to become customers so that they can enjoy the same preferential treatment. The web in general, and social media […]
How to Stay Top of Mind with Prospects, Customers, and Advocates
June 15, 2011 by
Staying top of mind with prospects, customers, and advocates is essential for growing your business. There is an easy way to do this that requires almost no effort. In fact, it may not require any effort at all. A couple of months ago I was the keynote speaker for a diverse group of small businesses in […]
Why Groupon is Bad for Small Business
June 13, 2011 by
Groupon is like Super Bowl advertising. It definitely creates awareness, but it does so at a price – one with consequences that should be carefully considered. Much has been written about the direct costs of running a Groupon campaign. However, it’s the side effects that bother me. And they extend long after that Groupon has […]
3 Ways to Earn the Respect of Your Community
June 2, 2011 by
For some time now I have been considering joint venture opportunities – partnering with others on projects of a larger scope or duration than I can handle alone. I mentioned this to my wife last week and she asked what skill sets I was looking for in a partner. My mind went blank because I […]
The Best Source of Business Advice
June 1, 2011 by
Have you ever asked yourself what the best business advice was that your ever received? When I was recently asked this question recently, more than a few ideas and habits came to mind – from my parents, consultants and coaches I’ve hired, and friends. However, what I came to realize is the best business advice […]
How To Tighten Up Your Business Model
May 25, 2011 by
Smart businesses understand that a tight description of how their business model will accomplish its objectives – in one or two sentences, is essential for their success. A Sprint or a Marathon? Tech start-ups especially need this high level of clarity because their business cycle is short, one that could be only a matter of […]
