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
SMB leaders are continually looking for ways to level up their marketing. They often turn to the latest expert, a bestselling book or a new platform, but the best way to level up might be by investing in your current team. There are some concrete actions you can take right now to give your marketing […] Read More
I see business owners confused about what to expect from people in different marketing roles. Most often they are complaining that there is a deficit in some area of their performance, when really, they are doing a fantastic job given their educational level and experience. Here is an overview of what different levels of marketing […] Read More