Here’s a month-by-month guide to what you should be doing THIS year to help you plan your 2025 marketing. It’s tight between now and the end of the year. Somehow you need to finish the year strong while working around holiday schedules, squeezing in a series of leadership planning sessions and throwing a team party. […] Read More

I know that, like most entrepreneurs, I have a tendency to change things on a dime. I have no fear of change, and quite honestly feel that sometimes blowing things up creates the best outcome. I have used several business planning systems to manage company planning and goals, and we are currently using EOS (Entrepreneurs […] Read More

I regularly have conversations with business owners who are debating whether they need a consultant or a coach. I also like to toss the idea of an assistant into the conversation. I have personally hired all three types of help in the past, and I feel they all have tremendous value. But how do you […] Read More

In November and December, one of the most frequently asked questions I get is how to plan your marketing budget for the next year. Most SMBs I see plan their marketing budget in one of two ways: Use Last Year’s Budget (give or take a little) There is No Budget (approve things as they come […] Read More

This blog post is to celebrate all of the emotions that entrepreneurs experience as we fight the fight to live our dreams and to pursue our passions against all odds. Core Values vs Shareholder Value Let’s celebrate the fact that we get to shape the world around us. We get to live our core values, […] Read More

Are You Providing Your Marketing Team With The Tools They Need? I’m often shocked to see how some marketers are being forced to use free tools and workarounds to get their job done. It makes me wonder if the owners or managers understand the difficulties they are creating for their team. In this article I […] Read More

What is a CMO?  CMO stands for Chief Marketing Officer. They are a member of the C-suite and report directly to the CEO or COO. What is the function of a CMO? The CMO participates in top-level strategy and planning as part of the executive team. They are responsible for the brand, positioning, marketing and […] Read More

I recently had a client ask for advice on working with writers. If you are considering hiring a copywriter (either freelance or in-house), here are some leadership pointers to help you get the most out of the engagement: Review Portfolios Carefully Make sure you find a writer who has experience in two things: writing the same […] Read More

Over the past 25 years, I have had a front-row seat to some of the biggest marketing mistakes that business owners and managers have made. Sometimes, it’s well-intentioned. Sometimes, it’s ill-informed. Sometimes, it’s downright meddlesome. Check out this list to see if you catch yourself saying any of these phrases. 1. Well, I like… or I […] Read More