Actions Speak Louder Than…

I’m a big believer in the power of words. But when words aren’t backed by corresponding actions, talk is cheap.  Have you ever felt a disconnection between what a company promised you in their ads and what they actually delivered?  I carry a list of companies in my head called the “Never Again As Long [...]

Google pays for your airport WIFI this holiday season

Google (NSDQ:GOOG) is offering holiday travelers free Wi-Fi at approximately 47 U.S. airports from now until January 15, 2010. There’s no denying that this is a nice gesture. Though many of the nation’s airports are offering free Wi-Fi in some areas, the weary business traveler finds all too often that the Wi-Fi at airports comes at a [...]

Refranchising: Should You Buy In?

Lately, more and more franchise companies are converting a significant number of their company-owned units by selling them to franchisees. This trend, commonly referred to as refranchising or retro-franchising, can be driven by any number of motivations on the part of the company, and it may represent a wonderful opportunity for a careful buyer if [...]

How can I grow my business during the recession?

Despite the economic downturn, you still want to grow your business. What are some good strategies?  There are quite a few strategies to grow a small business during a recession–both online and offline.
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How Brands Like Microsoft Use Parties to Build Sales

Microsoft this month is spreading word of the release of Window’s 7 during several thousand parties hosted across the globe by employees and everyday people in their own homes. Each host receives a special Signature Edition of Windows 7 Ultimate to keep, as well as a party pack of supplies for guests.
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Faux Frugality: Are Consumers Really Any Different?

While much has been made of America’s newfound thriftiness, a new study suggests that shoppers are less focused on price than most marketers think.
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Look Before You Leap at Change

Change is hard to deal with. Just thinking of the word can conjure visceral reactions and the expectation of difficulties, resistance, anger, betrayal, shock and misfortune. But hesitating before you implement a change isn’t necessarily bad. When problems occur in business, the most adaptable entrepreneurs jump at the opportunity to make a change. Occasionally, though, they leap [...]

17 Resources to Improve Your Small Business

Proving your business is critical to staying afloat and growing. Here are some resources out there that will sharpen your skills, improve your offerings and allow you to grow your business.
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Best Practices for Taking up the Cause

Given the choice between purchasing a box of Honey Nut Cheerios to help benefit a local school or buying a similar brand offering no such promotion sitting on shelf next door, many people will choose the charitable offer.
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What’s the ROI of Putting Your Pants on in the Morning?

A couple of months ago I had lunch with Scott Monty, a friend and former PJA manager, who is now director of social media at Ford. He was telling me a story about a speech he had recently given where someone in the audience kept challenging the ROI of social media. Scott is an analytical [...]