BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN IDEA AND EXECUTION

Is Your Business in a State of Wedded Bliss?

wedding topperThis past weekend I was honored to attend a friend’s wedding and in listening to the couple’s story on how they met you could feel that the room was inspired by their happiness.

For myself, who is a little further down the path of marriage, it reminded me of the importance of keeping focused on why I married my wife. All of the wonderful things she brings to my life that can easily get taken for granted in the day-to-day of our lives.

I myself have a good reminder of keeping focused on the wonder because of my children. Both of my sons tell me daily how excited they are for me to help them tie their shoes, tie a tie, ride a bike, and then the oldest (who is 8) hit me with a request to teach him how to drive. I guess he has long-term plans.

I came away though from the wedding with a thought that many of us start in our businesses as blissfully happy newlyweds. [Continue reading]

You Are the Message, Stupid

mike

Many of us may remember the famous campaign message Bill Clinton used. “It is the economy, stupid!” So to all of you running a business, I say, “You are the message, stupid.” … [Continue reading]

Are You a Marketing Sniper?

sniper target

I recently read the autobiography of Chris Kyle, the most lethal sniper in US military history.  What struck me was his description of the different weapons and what they were used for. Each weapon had a different purpose for its use. It struck … [Continue reading]

Digital Marketing Is Still Marketing

marketing 101

Too many times when marketing managers or sales managers begin to focus on digital marketing they become confused with what they have to do. Their first thought is that all of their previous experience in sales or marketing has to completely change … [Continue reading]

The 4 “B”s of Great Customer Retention

thankyouphoto

There is an age-old truth in business that it is easier to keep a client than to find a new one. The one problem is that no one took the opportunity tell you how to keep the client. Many say, “What can I do besides delivering my service or product … [Continue reading]

Are You Buying It to Look Cool?

overflowing

I was a working actor in New York City for many years. While I was networking or on the audition circuit, I was always puzzled by a certain phenomenon that I encountered. I would run across other people who said they were in the same business at … [Continue reading]

So You Have a Review Platform….So What.

For many of you who have followed my writings or have seen me speak, you have heard me talk about the Zero Moment of Truth. For those who may not know what that is, it is based on a book by Jim Lecinski for Google coining this term as the space … [Continue reading]

Customer Service is a VERB

quitting business sign

According to Wikipedia the definition of customer service is: "Customer service is a series of activities designed to enhance the level of customer satisfaction – that is, the feeling that a product or service has met the customer … [Continue reading]

Do Your Customers Know What you Do?

customer satisfaction

As we head towards the end of Q1 in 2013, I asked my team to reach out to customers to ask the question, “What do we do differently than others in our field that keeps you a customer?” The answers were very pleasing. “You answer the … [Continue reading]

Are You Looking Past Your Best Employee?

man behind mask

Are you blinded by efficiency? Look at your team. Let me describe one of your members and see if you can spot them. They are not the most vocal of the group. They are on time, they complete their work correctly they are self-managed and … [Continue reading]