There’s a reason why every new startup claims to be “disrupting” their industry. The majority are disingenuous, but the businesses actually disrupting their industries grow quickly and often end up dominating their sectors. Investors see
The Virtual Trust Fall: Team Building for Remote Teams
Working remotely from home seems amazing until you realize that you’re talking to your cats a little too much. Team building is important in typical offices where everyone works in-person. Not all employees get along, or feel like an important
Networking Is Dead: How To Build Real Relationships Instead
If traditional business networking makes you feel nervous, uncomfortable -- or even dirty -- you’re not alone. A strong business network can open the door to new jobs, opportunities, and new success. In the back of our minds we hear the refrain:
What’s Your Business Model (& Why It’s So Important)?
If you’ve heard the term “business model,” but don’t know exactly what it means, you’re not alone. It’s used all the time by business analysts, and even they disagree on the exact definition of a business model. But you know a business
How To Make an Effective Tagline For Your Small Business: Lessons Learned from 10 Examples
"A Diamond Is Forever" "Just Do It." “I'm Lovin' It" You can probably figure out the company behind at least 1 of those taglines. A great tagline will make your business more memorable. This results in more sales and return customers, among other
How Marketers Can Craft Irresistible Sales Stories Using Freytag’s Pyramid
If I show you a picture of myself smiling, what would your reaction be? You’ll likely either have no reaction, or something along the lines of “okay.” But what if I show you that same picture, but with a caption describing how I was born blind and
What Is A SWOT Analysis & How Can It Help Your Small Business?
Despite sounding similar, SWOT is very different than SWAT. Instead of armor and weapons, businesses are armed SWOT analysis to assess a business, industry, or product. SWOT stands for: Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats A SWOT
Active Listening: What Is It and How To Master It
We all know at least one person where anything that you tell them goes in one ear and out the other. Sometimes we’re that person. It's normal to not listen well occasionally but if it's a habit, it will become a problem both
How to Create a Time-Saving Meeting Agenda [Plus Free Template]
I can’t count the number of times I’ve almost fallen asleep in meetings due to boredom. The large number of unproductive meetings that I used to have to participate in was a key factor in my decision to create my own business. Harvard Business
Profit & Loss (P&L) Statements: What Every Small Businesses Owner Needs to Know
Very few small business owners have an interest in accounting. But as everyone finds out, understanding the basics of accounting can be the difference between success and failure of your company. There are three particular financial statements that
How To Start Email Marketing Your Business Today (With Real World Templates)
Most marketers tell you that you need to be using email marketing to grow your business. But they rarely tell you the specifics of how to do it. That changes today. This guide was designed for small business owners and marketers looking to get
Net Promoter Scores: A Statistician Debunks The Startup’s Favorite Metric
It’s impossible to escape. Everyone, at some point, has been asked: How likely is it that you would recommend our company to a friend or colleague? This simple question is the basis for calculating a Net Promoter Score (NPS) and has been
Marketing Ideas on a Budget: 25 Best Tips and Tactics
Most marketing advice is for businesses who can afford to spend at least a few thousand dollars a month. But, not all businesses have a large budget. The strategies here are affordable or free. They will help you grow your business to the point
Why Corporate Social Responsibility Matters for Small Business
As a consumer, stakeholder, or employee, all your decisions and emotions are driven by your personal beliefs. It shouldn’t be surprising that many people care a lot about things like the environment, their community, and other people. That’s
Emotional Intelligence: Is It Why You Didn’t Get the Promotion?
Some of the smartest and most talented people never succeed because they lack emotional intelligence. Conversely, some people with little talent somehow succeed at everything they do. This is because they read people well, and people like
The Most Powerful CTAs In History and Why They Worked
When it comes to business, small or large, calls to action (CTAs) are everywhere. You can't escape them. Either understand how to make effective CTAs, or your conversion rates will be much lower than they could be. If you're not familiar with