Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing Sometimes the rules and regulations that are created are so ridiculous that it seems that they can’t possibly have been designed to follow. It makes you wonder if some rules really were just meant to be broken, even in our own businesses. Last week I was on a flight from Detroit to Chicago. There was a line of … [Read more...]
The Detrimental Business Relationship: Are You Putting Yourself at Risk?
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing It is enticing to take on new clients quickly that seem to have everything that you want, especially the willingness and ability to buy. But what if, in your haste to sign on this great new client, you don’t properly assess how this person will act as a client (it goes the same for business partners, alliances, and … [Read more...]
Why Aren’t People Buying From You?
The reason most entrepreneurial ventures fail? Quite simply, they overestimate the number of people that will buy what they are selling. As entrepreneurs, how can this doomed fate be avoided? If increasing sales is a continuous struggle for you and a relentless concern, consider which of the following issues you may be experiencing: 1) Potential buyers don’t want … [Read more...]
3 Simple Ways to get RESULTS at your next event
Event marketing is hardly a sure thing for attracting new referrals and new business. You may be able to get the crowds through the door, but what are they there for? Even with its challenges, however, event marketing is still one of the best ways to gather potentially interested individuals for a specific purpose - the scheduled event. But there are three simple things … [Read more...]
Imitating Innovators is Smart Business
Did you know that 97.8% of the value of innovations goes to imitators? (“Imitation is More Valuable Than Innovation,” Harvard Business Review, April 2010.) White Castle led to McDonald’s; Diners Club lead to Visa, MasterCard and American Express. Walmart’s founder admitted to borrowing most of its practices from others and improving on them. In the financial services … [Read more...]
Planners vs. Actors – How to find a profitable balance between over-thinking and jumping the gun
Blog from Maribeth Kuzmeski of Red Zone Marketing Are you doing without planning or planning without doing? My own first reaction is to take quick action without taking the time to plan – a “Let’s Do it Now” mentality. I constantly have to stop myself from acting without planning, and allow some time to think through the strategy first. Others spend so much time … [Read more...]
Messaging is Critical – How’s Yours?
When someone asks, “What do you do?” how valuable is your answer? A run of the mill, “I am a financial advisor” or “I run a consulting firm” response has the person who asked knowing almost less about you than before they asked. You gave them a phone book response. You were about as personable and memorable as a business directory. AND you’ve forced them to jump to a … [Read more...]
Messaging is Critical – How’s Yours?
When someone asks, “What do you do?” how valuable is your answer? A run of the mill, “I am a financial advisor” or “I run a consulting firm” response has the person who asked knowing almost less about you than before they asked. You gave them a phone book response. You were about as personable and memorable as a business directory. AND you’ve forced them to jump to a … [Read more...]
3 Lessons for CEO’s from Reality TV Show Undercover Boss
The top rated CBS reality show, Undercover Boss, offers some real and valuable lessons for the business world. If you’ve never watched, the reality show follows chief executives at companies, such as Waste Management, 7-Eleven and even Hooters, as they work “undercover” alongside their unknowing employees. And although I’m not a big fan of reality TV (to say the least), I am a … [Read more...]
Sharing Your Credit Card Purchases with the World is the Hot New Trend. Are You Kidding Me?!
Would you want the purchases you make on credit cards public for the world to see? Allowing friends and strangers to not only see what you buy, but share their thoughts and comments about it too? Well now you can if you sign up at Blippy.com, a website started in January that allows you to, “see and discuss what everyone is buying.” Most of us make credit card purchases on a … [Read more...]