Marketing

What Does Success Look Like?

    Originally published in the Boulder Daily Camera and the Longmont Daily Times-Call.

    Twenty-seven years ago this month, I founded my business. “Experts” advised me that my business would likely fail within the first five years. Thoroughly encouraged, I set my sights on creating the kind of business that I would want to patronize, one that would be successful. I was determined to
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    Marketing Blunders Contain Lessons

      Originally published in the Boulder Daily Camera and the Longmont Daily Times-Call.

      What do you think is the biggest marketing blunder of all time? Each year, lists are published to remind us of the most ridiculous, off target, offensive or downright puzzling campaigns. Clearly this isn’t a list that most businesses or organizations want to appear on. To understand where communication goes
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      Beware the Communication Death Spiral

        Originally published in the Boulder Daily Camera and the Longmont Daily Times-Call.

        My roses have wilted, my violets are dead. Demons run circles round and round in my head. In my case, demons don’t sport pointy horns. They don’t hold pitchforks. No, they are businesses that simply won’t provide a way to talk to a real, live, person. We are all frustrated
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        What’s Your Reputation?

          Originally published in the Boulder Daily Camera and the Longmont Daily Times-Call.

          Abraham Lincoln once said, “With public sentiment, nothing can fail. Without it, nothing can succeed.” Concerning business and individual reputations, no truer words have been spoken. It’s at the heart of what is known as reputation management. Reputation management refers to the influencing and controlling of an individual’s or group’s
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          Daily Resolution for 2021

            Originally published in the Boulder Daily Camera and the Longmont Daily Times-Call.

            Many years ago I resolved to never identify New Year’s resolutions. I’ve managed to stick with this. I no longer believe in New Year’s resolutions, I believe in Daily resolutions. And while I generally use my first column of the year to discuss trends and things we should consider in
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            Communicate As If Your Life Depends On It

              Originally published in the Boulder Daily Camera and the Longmont Daily Times-Call.

              By now you’ve probably expressed what you are thankful for. It’s that time of year. As Thanksgiving rolled around, each of us was encouraged to take a moment to pause and reflect. We are, in fact, prompted time and time again throughout the entire holiday season to embrace gratitude and
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              Set Sail for the Future

                Originally published in the Boulder Daily Camera and the Longmont Daily Times-Call.

                I’ve been reflecting upon this saying quite a bit lately, “A ship in the harbor is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for.” I’ve considered this saying throughout my life, mostly when I’m feeling unsure and afraid. I saw it in a bar many moons ago and it
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                Are You Getting What You Want?

                  Originally published in the Boulder Daily Camera and the Longmont Daily Times-Call.

                  Mick Jagger, the wise old sage, said that you can’t always get what you want.  But if you try sometimes, well you might find, you get what you need. But what if I want what I want?  I’ve been thinking about this lately. Businesses often find themselves advising customers and
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                  Let’s Get Social

                    Originally published in the Boulder Daily Camera and the Longmont Daily Times-Call.

                    Feeling social? That’s great, but how can your business move beyond just being social in your marketing efforts.  Like everything else, you need a strategy. Do you have a social media marketing strategy? If not, you should. It’s a summary of everything you plan to do and the goals you
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                    Are You Ready for Success?

                      Originally published in the Boulder Daily Camera and the Longmont Daily Times-Call.

                      Years ago my son and his friend had a great idea for a business – selling used golf balls. They did extremely well, so well in fact that they had to stop. Why? Because they weren’t prepared for success. For years my dad used to run around the golf course
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