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3 Ways to Develop the Best Mindset for Success

February 8, 2024

3 Ways to Develop the Best Mindset for Success A growth mindset is the key to long-term success because it helps build resiliency. Here’s how to get started. Photo: Getty Images Researchers have identified a key ingredient that often distinguishes those who succeed in the long run, versus those who stop short. It’s called a growth … Continued

4 Marketing Trends Your Brand Needs to Know for 2024

February 8, 2024

4 Marketing Trends Your Brand Needs to Know for 2024 AI is definitely changing the game, but you’ll want to be on watch for these other big shifts happening within the marketing landscape. Photo: Getty Images Trying to keep pace with all of the transformation that’s happening right now, across every area of business? You’re … Continued

How Entrepreneurs Can Succeed Despite Industry Headwinds

February 8, 2024

How Entrepreneurs Can Succeed Despite Industry Headwinds Follow these strategies to deal with today’s challenges. Photo: Getty Images Everything is cyclical. History repeats and markets ebb and flow. Every period of innovation has its naysayers and setbacks – from the Enlightenment leaders who faced resistance from the establishment to more recently, the burst of the … Continued

Keys to Leverage the Future of AI to Grow Your Small Business

February 8, 2024

Keys to Leverage the Future of AI to Grow Your Small Business How to understand the differences between Predictive AI and Generative AI. Photo: Getty Images Over the last year, Artificial intelligence has taken a front-row seat in the conversation across many industries. The utility and power of Generative AI Large Language Models such as ChatGPT have disrupted the … Continued

Jobs Are Changing in 2024: How Experts Predict Roles Will Fade, Shift, and Grow in the New Year

February 8, 2024

Jobs Are Changing in 2024: How Experts Predict Roles Will Fade, Shift, and Grow in the New Year New technologies and growing industries may drive big changes in the labor market. Here’s how company leaders can prepare.  Photo: Getty Images Roles are rapidly shifting–and company leaders will need to keep up in 2024. Changes in demand and technology have … Continued

5 Truth Bombs About Work and Life Nobody Wants to Admit

February 8, 2024

5 Truth Bombs About Work and Life Nobody Wants to Admit Remember: Failure is inevitable. Photo: Getty Images To become successful leaders and entrepreneurs, we must acknowledge and confront the challenges and obstacles shaping our journey. These “truth bombs” may include external factors such as economic conditions and competition, but also internal factors such as our strengths, weaknesses, … Continued

12 Digital Strategies for Business Growth

February 8, 2024

12 Digital Strategies for Business Growth Your social media marketing blueprint. Photo: Getty Images Social media is a wonderful tool to differentiate your business in today’s crowded marketplace. It builds trust, which is uniquely powerful and very difficult to achieve with an ad. I built my first company using social media before it was called … Continued

What’s Your Blind Spot? How Cognitive Biases Limit You as a Leader

February 8, 2024

What’s Your Blind Spot? How Cognitive Biases Limit You as a Leader Few would argue the importance of leadership. Yet only 23 percent of employees strongly see their organization’s leadership as effective. Photo: Getty Images The task of being an effective leader is a difficult one. All the real work of organizations gets done through … Continued

7 Lessons on Creating a Service Experience That Does Your Marketing for You

February 8, 2024

7 Lessons on Creating a Service Experience That Does Your Marketing for You Great service doesn’t happen by accident. Photo: Getty Images As a lifelong student of all things business, I love to look for lessons in my everyday commerce-related interactions. After reading Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara and getting inspired by the transferable lessons in top-tier … Continued

Why Creativity Gets Driven Out of Your Organization as It Grows

February 8, 2024

Why Creativity Gets Driven Out of Your Organization as It Grows You need to balance rules and creativity. Photo: Getty Images As a rule, organizations in their early stages are highly creative and have few rules or low rule density. They might have a rule guiding everything they do in the business, such as “We … Continued

Improve Your Communication Skills at Work With These Tips and Watch Your Productivity Soar

February 8, 2024

Improve Your Communication Skills at Work With These Tips and Watch Your Productivity Soar Clarity in communication is key to everything. Photo: Getty Images As an entrepreneur, you know how important communication at work is. And in order to successfully work with others, you need to clearly communicate your ideas, thoughts, and goals to others in a way that’s … Continued

1 Thing Smart People Do to Boost Their Willpower, Determination, and Odds of Success

February 8, 2024

1 Thing Smart People Do to Boost Their Willpower, Determination, and Odds of Success Not sleep. Not nutrition. And certainly not self-talk. When you need to stay the course, make sure you don’t do this. Photo: Getty Images Achieving any challenging long-term goal requires perseverance. Determination. Staying the course. Obvious? Absolutely. But no less true. So what makes … Continued

3 Hard Questions No One Is Asking About A.I., but Everyone Should

February 8, 2024

3 Hard Questions No One Is Asking About A.I., but Everyone Should At recent high-profile tech event, VCs, entrepreneurs, and big-tech executives discussed A.I.’s potential–and its drawbacks. Photo: Getty Images A.I. is a powerful tool, but it can also bring negative consequences for those who work alongside it or are affected by it. It has already cost some … Continued

How to Make Better Decisions, Faster

February 8, 2024

How to Make Better Decisions, Faster Daniel Kahneman, John Smoltz, and A.J. Pierzynski on why data and analysis are important, as long as you also develop a feel for whatever game you play. Photo: Getty Images Contemplation and reflection are important, but nothing ever gets done until you actually get started. In business (and in life), a bias … Continued

Why Are Employees Really Quitting? You Can Boil It Down to 6 Simple Reasons

February 8, 2024

Why Are Employees Really Quitting? You Can Boil It Down to 6 Simple Reasons When a manager doesn’t solicit the opinions of others, trust weakens and morale plummets. Photo: Getty Images After extensive research conducted over the years, I have uncovered key insights into the primary factors contributing to employee turnover. The financial impact of turnover … Continued

3 Habits for Effective Coaching and Building High-Performing Teams

February 8, 2024

  3 Habits for Effective Coaching and Building High-Performing Teams How coaching can unlock performance and growth. Photo: Getty Images No one person has every leadership attribute because different seasons call for different skills. One of the most overlooked leadership skills is coaching. Early in my career, I sought advice and mentorship to help learn the ropes and gain … Continued

How to Build an Advisory Board to Protect and Grow Your Company

September 28, 2023

  How to Build an Advisory Board to Protect and Grow Your Company Harness expertise, gain accountability, and unlock strategic wisdom from board members who have already been where you aim to go. Photo: Getty Images Kent Lewis, an Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) member in Portland, Oregon, is the founder of pdxMindShare, an online career community focused on Portland … Continued

6 Strategies for Futureproofing Your Team and Navigating the Next Crisis

September 28, 2023

  6 Strategies for Futureproofing Your Team and Navigating the Next Crisis Don’t let the recent multiple crises cause you and your team to become stressed and dysfunctional. Photo: Getty Images Most companies I work with, like yours, are still reeling from the effects of Covid-19, the rise of inflation, and talent shortages. They are rightly … Continued

Harvard Research Shows Using 1 Word Dramatically Increases Your Ability to Build Consensus and Buy-In

September 28, 2023

  Harvard Research Shows Using 1 Word Dramatically Increases Your Ability to Build Consensus and Buy-In Swapping one word for another changes the nature of the conversation, and its outcome. Photo: Getty Images Some people are unusually persuasive. They influence — in a good way — the people around them. They make people feel a part of … Continued

How to Unlock Your Business’s Growth Potential

September 28, 2023

  How to Unlock Your Business’s Growth Potential Ten sources for continuous business growth. Photo: Getty Images The pursuit of business growth is a fundamental goal for every business. However, for investor-backed companies, particularly those supported by venture capital (VC) or private equity (PE) investors, this pursuit becomes even more critical. With investors seeking substantial returns … Continued

8 Mindsets to Keep You Calm and Productive Despite Increasing Demands

September 28, 2023

  8 Mindsets to Keep You Calm and Productive Despite Increasing Demands You may think that multitasking is the answer, but it takes a terrible toll on your productivity and health. Photo: Getty Images Unfortunately, many of the business professionals I meet these days in my mentoring and consulting activities feel perennially stressed and out of … Continued

How Smart Leaders Use the 10x Rule to Clarify Everything in Their Business

September 28, 2023

  How Smart Leaders Use the 10x Rule to Clarify Everything in Their Business This rule is a simple way to eliminate everything that won’t work and hone in on what will. Photo: Getty Images Are you tired of striving for consistent growth, trying to figure out a hundred different ways to grow your business by 10 … Continued

How to Deal With Customers Who Are Angry, and Prevent Others From Getting That Way? Use Emotional Intelligence

September 28, 2023

  How to Deal With Customers Who Are Angry, and Prevent Others From Getting That Way? Use Emotional Intelligence Dealing with irate customers requires two qualities: transparency and empathy. Photo: Getty Images Inc.com columnist Justin Bariso answers questions about how to handle workplace and management problems using emotional intelligence. (Note: Some names have been changed.) … Continued

Your Customers Will Tell You Where to Focus, If You Let Them

September 28, 2023

  Your Customers Will Tell You Where to Focus, If You Let Them Evite expanded the way it thought about the journey to parenthood to serve more people. Here’s what every brand can learn from its approach. Photo: Getty Images As brands plan for how to grow and include more people, a wonderful place to start … Continued

Once Is Not Enough–Why Repeating Is the Lesson You Should Keep Repeating

September 28, 2023

  Once Is Not Enough–Why Repeating Is the Lesson You Should Keep Repeating We know the lesson, even believe in it, but we err in thinking applying it once is enough. Photo: Getty Images Lather, rinse, repeat. There’s an urban legend around these three words. The story goes that a few decades ago, leading consumer … Continued

Don’t Call Your Mother. Call Your Competitors First

September 28, 2023

Don’t Call Your Mother. Call Your Competitors First Rather than fear your competitors, find ways to cooperate and learn from them. Photo: Getty Images I’ve been friendly to my competitors throughout my career. I’ve habitually called leaders in my space to chat them up whether I had an agenda or not. And this is a … Continued

3 Crucial Factors to Manage Your Company’s Growth Without Losing Its Spark

July 19, 2023

  3 Crucial Factors to Manage Your Company’s Growth Without Losing Its Spark How a fast-growing business can restore its entrepreneurial soul Photo: Getty Images As a business professor, I have studied organizations that range in size from startups with just a few employees to huge multinationals that employ tens of thousands of people. In … Continued

How To Be A Customer

July 19, 2023

  How To Be A Customer Are there classes for that? Photo: Getty Images In my first career life, I was in some form of department store management.  Everything from managing particular departments, operations manager and store manager.  I’ve spent countless hours helping my associates deal with every customer type known to mankind.  At one … Continued

4 Kinds of Worker Misery You Must Eliminate Now

July 19, 2023

  4 Kinds of Worker Misery You Must Eliminate Now Spend time in workers’ shoes to see how your company keeps them from serving customers well. Photo: Getty Images Business leaders who walk in workers’ shoes are better than those who spend their days holed up in their corner offices. The reason seems clear: if … Continued

3 Things You Need to Know to Build a Strong Network

July 19, 2023

  3 Things You Need to Know to Build a Strong Network It can seem a lower priority when you’re building your business, but a small-time investment here will pay off later. Photo: Getty Images The biggest misconception I hear about building and nurturing a strong network is that it takes a lot of time … Continued

How Can I Get Better at Spotting Talent?

July 19, 2023

  How Can I Get Better at Spotting Talent? And three other tricky workplace dilemmas Photo: Getty Images Inc.com columnist Alison Green answers questions about workplace and management issues–everything from how to deal with a micromanaging boss to how to talk to someone on your team about body odor. Here’s a roundup of answers to … Continued

5 Ways to Better Manage Your Gen-Z Employees

July 19, 2023

  5 Ways to Better Manage Your Gen-Z Employees This generation of young employees is different. Here’s how to work with them. Photo: Getty Images   As a business owner and CEO, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many talented young professionals over the years. For the platform Apprentice, we’ve even done significant research … Continued

The Keys to Top-Quality Customer Service, According to 24 Business Leaders in the Know

July 19, 2023

  The Keys to Top-Quality Customer Service, According to 24 Business Leaders in the Know They share their advice on how to hire the best CX talent, train your team to walk in your customers’ shoes, and offer support that goes above and beyond expectations. ILLUSTRATIONS BY ESTHER AARTS Entrepreneurship can feel like a lonely … Continued

3 Innovative Ways to Build Brand Loyalty

July 19, 2023

  3 Innovative Ways to Build Brand Loyalty Gaining a customer is a feat in and of itself. Keeping a customer, however, takes that initial effort plus innovative thinking. Photo: Getty Images Building brand loyalty is one of the most critical contributors to the success of any business in today’s highly competitive market. A loyal … Continued

The Owner Versus Employee Mindset

July 19, 2023

  The Owner Versus Employee Mindset Some people just want to be employees. Photo: Getty Images In the early stages of a company, you want everyone on the team–from your front-line employees to your partners who own equity with you–to go above and beyond toward making the company successful. You hope everyone thinks strategically and … Continued

5 Steps to Take to Stand Out in a Rough Market

July 19, 2023

  5 Steps to Take to Stand Out in a Rough Market Follow these steps and the market might not mean your startup will die Photo: Getty Images If you’ve been paying attention, you’ve surely noticed that the market is not exactly sympathetic to startups nowadays. You’ve been hearing a lot about layoffs in tech, … Continued

The Power of Connection: How Relationship-Focused Leadership Drives Success

July 19, 2023

  The Power of Connection: How Relationship-Focused Leadership Drives Success Why leaders need to focus on relationship building now more than ever Photo: Getty Images Outcomes > hours. I hope to be able to convince you of this by the end of this article. Why? Because if you’re looking to create more reliable revenue in … Continued

The Power of Connection: How Relationship-Focused Leadership Drives Success

July 19, 2023

  The Power of Connection: How Relationship-Focused Leadership Drives Success Why leaders need to focus on relationship building now more than ever Photo: Getty Images Doing this one thing changed everything about how I lead. I stopped thinking about leadership as a role with responsibilities and started treating it as a relationship. You’ve probably heard … Continued

Deepak Chopra: ‘We Need a Pandemic of Joy’

July 19, 2023

  Deepak Chopra: ‘We Need a Pandemic of Joy’ At Inc. Founders House during SXSW, the New Age icon and entrepreneur offered advice on what makes a good company, and predictions on new business opportunities in wellness. Deepak Chopra at Inc. Founders House during SXSW in Austin. Photo: Dennis Burnett   Amid the frenzy that is … Continued

5 Ways to Prepare Your Business Team to Tackle Any Market Change

July 19, 2023

  5 Ways to Prepare Your Business Team to Tackle Any Market Change To survive and thrive in business today, you need every team member engaged and working together. Photo: Getty Images Many business leaders I meet in my consulting practice are frustrated by the challenge of getting their teams working together, increasing engagement, and … Continued

To Keep a Conversation From Becoming a Conflict

July 19, 2023

  To Keep a Conversation From Becoming a Conflict, Understand and Interrupt the Pattern of Escalation There’s only one thing you need to do to defuse a conflict.  Listening isn’t it. Photo: Getty Images Almost every interpersonal conflict follows the same pattern of escalation. Once you are familiar with that pattern, it’s easier to understand how … Continued

How to Create a Consistently High-Performing Team

July 19, 2023

  How to Create a Consistently High-Performing Team Employee performance is an ongoing concern. Here are three areas to focus on if you want to build a team that can perform at a high level over time. Photo: Getty Images I’ve found that getting a team to perform well is a bit like maintaining my … Continued

How to Improve Key Areas of Your Business

July 19, 2023

  How to Improve Key Areas of Your Business While every business has something that makes it unique, they all have similar features that can be streamlined with the right tools. Illustration: Getty Images   Are you finding it tough to streamline your daily work processes, and that most of your business resources remain overworked … Continued

5 Ways to Promote Your Business Without Directly Promoting Your Business

July 19, 2023

  5 Ways to Promote Your Business Without Directly Promoting Your Business Instead of shamelessly self-promoting, try doing this. Illustration: Getty Images As our social-media feeds and inboxes get busier and busier, our attention span decreases accordingly. None of us have time to spend following a company or a person who talks about himself all … Continued

Scaling Your Business Means Taking Risks. Here’s How to Make Sure Yours Are Calculated

July 19, 2023

  Scaling Your Business Means Taking Risks. Here’s How to Make Sure Yours Are Calculated To maximize your chances of success, make sure the risks you take are the right ones.   Illustration: Getty Images Taking risks is a natural part of being in business. The key to dealing with them is to make sure … Continued

7 Simple Steps to Creating a Productivity Tracker for Your Business

July 19, 2023

  7 Simple Steps to Creating a Productivity Tracker for Your Business Work on the right things at the right time in your business using this simple method. Illustration: Getty Images It’s no secret productivity is a serious concern for entrepreneurs. You regularly set lofty goals for yourself and you’re keen on growing your business … Continued

5 Attributes of Team Members and Leaders That Often Limit Success

March 10, 2023

5 Attributes of Team Members and Leaders That Often Limit Success Unleashing your full potential requires that you recognize key attributes in the people around you. Photo: Getty Images   One of the keys to your success as a business professional and leader is your ability to nurture relationships and select associates who have the attributes to … Continued

Beware of This Trap as You Map Out Your Goals and Growth Plans

March 10, 2023

Beware of This Trap as You Map Out Your Goals and Growth Plans Look out for compliments that are not aligned with who you are or where you want to go. Photo: Getty Images   Have you ever received a compliment that once would have made you puff up with pride, but now feels like … Continued

You May Be Over-Coaching Your Team. Here’s How to Tell

March 10, 2023

You May Be Over-Coaching Your Team. Here’s How to Tell Here’s how to tell if you are at risk of self-sabotage. Photo: Getty Images   As a business coach for more than 25 years, I can attest to the power of a good company wide coaching program. If done correctly, you can help your team … Continued

4 Simple Ways to Make Yourself Really Happy in 10 Minutes or Less, Backed by Harvard Research

March 10, 2023

4 Simple Ways to Make Yourself Really Happy in 10 Minutes or Less, Backed by Harvard Research An 85-year-long study reveals the secret to long-term happiness. Should you try it? Photo: Getty Images   What makes you genuinely happy? There could be a wide range of answers ranging from closing a big sale or investment, reaching … Continued

Don’t Burn Out in the First Month of the Year 

March 10, 2023

 Don’t Burn Out in the First Month of the Year See 2023 as a marathon, not a sprint. Run it accordingly. Photo: Getty Images   We are just about two weeks into the new year and I’m already noticing a trend among friends and colleagues: People are already feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and exhausted from all that there is … Continued

5 Keys to Learning From Business Setbacks and Achieving Long-Term Success

March 10, 2023

5 Keys to Learning From Business Setbacks and Achieving Long-Term Success Most business professionals experience failure and iterative learning before long-term success. How to improve the process. Photo: Getty Images   After years of working in small businesses as well as large ones, I’m convinced that you shouldn’t expect to get it all right the first … Continued

4 Timeless Business Lessons To Improve Your Company’s Future Profitability, Learned From Studying Successes and Failures of The Past

March 10, 2023

4 Timeless Business Lessons To Improve Your Company’s Future Profitability, Learned From Studying Successes and Failures of The Past Now is the best time to analyze past successes and failures and apply what you find to drive profitability. Illustration: Getty Images   Brooke Lively, an Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) member in Fort Worth, is founder and president of Cathedral … Continued

‘Gaslighting’ Is the Word of the Year.

January 12, 2023

‘Gaslighting’ Is the Word of the Year. Learn What It Is, How You Might Be a Victim, and How to Protect Yourself What exactly does gaslighting look like? Let’s break it down, and see how you can improve your emotional alarm system. Illustration: Getty Images Dictionary publisher Merriam-Webster announced its word of the year this … Continued

Why Everything You Know About Setting Goals–Including the Need for Setting Goals–Could Be Wrong

January 12, 2023

Why Everything You Know About Setting Goals–Including the Need for Setting Goals–Could Be Wrong Emmanuel Acho told Adam Grant he ‘hates goals.’ Instead, this is what he thinks you should do. Photo: Getty Images   Tony Robbins says setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible. Mark Cuban says effort is measured by setting goals and … Continued

7 Practical Steps to Healthy Competition That Keeps You Human

January 12, 2023

7 Practical Steps to Healthy Competition That Keeps You Human You can love your competitors and still win. Photo: Getty Images   “Every week, I have lunch with a competitor,” Scott shared. “We catch up, talk about the market, even share trade secrets.” As head of a leading architectural firm in a highly competitive market, … Continued

Engage in Community Outreach to Thrive in Business

January 12, 2023

Engage in Community Outreach to Thrive in Business Effect change and inspire others with your work in the community and the community will return the favor. Photo: Getty Images   The ability to thrive in today’s complex society requires entrepreneurs to embrace their social responsibility and engage in community outreach. The impact of social issues on businesses, reputations and community … Continued

How to Grab and Keep your Customer’s Attention

January 12, 2023

How to Grab and Keep your Customer’s Attention And why being quiet is more important in marketing today. Photo: Getty Images   The world is busier today than ever before which means consumers are bombarded by marketing messages all day long. It also doesn’t help that the average attention span of humans today is as short as a goldfish. I constantly … Continued

4 Ways to Grow Revenue in a Downturn

January 12, 2023

4 Ways to Grow Revenue in a Downturn With fundraising all but out of the question, businesses must turn to their profits to fuel growth.  Photo: Getty Images As the stock market continues to plummet and experts predict a recession that could last longer than average, fundraising is no longer a viable way to fuel growth for many startups. Instead, … Continued

What do today’s customers expect from in-store retail?

January 12, 2023

What do today’s customers expect from in-store retail? Shutterstock / Jacob Lund    Sponsored content By Mood Media Mood Media, the world’s leading experiential media company, collaborated on a global research study in October with Miya Knights, a retail expert, author and publisher, to gain an understanding of the evolving customer expectations of physical stores. The survey focused … Continued

5 Keys to Learning From Business Setbacks and Achieving Long-Term Success

January 12, 2023

5 Keys to Learning From Business Setbacks and Achieving Long-Term Success Most business professionals experience failure and iterative learning before long-term success. How to improve the process. Photo: Getty Images   After years of working in small businesses as well as large ones, I’m convinced that you shouldn’t expect to get it all right the first … Continued

How to Know If You’re on the Right Track? Question Everything

October 26, 2022

How to Know If You’re on the Right Track? Question Everything You can’t discover what you really need to know about your product or service unless you interrogate your customers, suppliers, and manufacturers. Illustration by Gracia Lam   Any founder interested in thriving over the long term needs to be addicted to innovation. I know I am. … Continued

Customers Are Expected to Pull Back on Holiday Spending. Here’s How to Adapt

October 26, 2022

Customers Are Expected to Pull Back on Holiday Spending. Here’s How to Adapt Shoppers are expected to spend less than they did last year, but some smart promotions can help you earn their dollars. Photo: Getty Images   This holiday season, it’s all about quality over quantity–and flexibility over everything else.   Shoppers are pulling back … Continued

Win More Customers by Avoiding These 7 Questions

October 26, 2022

Win More Customers by Avoiding These 7 Questions While there are a lot of right things to say during a sales conversation, there are also wrong things that could turn a potential customer away. Photo: Getty Images   Sales calls can be high-pressure situations for a sales rep, as it can be difficult to hit … Continued

Solving the “Purpose Gap” between Executives and Workers

October 26, 2022

Solving the “Purpose Gap” between Executives and Workers There is a growing distance between how employees and top executives feel purpose is being activated inside America’s largest companies, according to a new study. Photo: Getty Images   The Purpose Power Index is a first-of-its-kind research study to empirically rank companies based on public perception of … Continued

6 Super Effective Ways to Show Your Emotional Intelligence at Work

October 26, 2022

6 Super Effective Ways to Show Your Emotional Intelligence at Work When it comes to work effectiveness, emotional intelligence can matter as much, if not more, than IQ. Photo: Getty Images   In the Future of Jobs Report, which the World Economic Forum published in 2015, chief human resources officers from global companies were asked what they … Continued

No Matter Your Company’s Size, Customers Will Hold You Accountable for Ethical Lapses

October 25, 2022

Survey: No Matter Your Company’s Size, Customers Will Hold You Accountable for Ethical Lapses A new report from ‘Harvard Business Review’ shows how a company’s perceived ethical violations can impact public opinion. Photo: Getty Images   Companies of all sizes have a responsibility to do the right thing–according to their customers, at least.   When … Continued

3 Tips for Improving Team Productivity in Hybrid and Remote Workplaces

October 25, 2022

3 Tips for Improving Team Productivity in Hybrid and Remote Workplaces Psychological safety is a critical factor in removing obstacles that hold back teamwork. Photo: Getty Images   Improving team participation is a constant challenge for leaders, whether people are working together in the office or remotely. Many teams can suffer from “domination by the few,” where several … Continued

If Shoppers Pull Back, It’s Time to Target Premium Buyers

October 25, 2022

If Shoppers Pull Back, It’s Time to Target Premium Buyers Budget retailers tend to benefit when the economy hits a rough patch. But there’s also something to be said for re-targeting a higher-end audience. Photo: Getty Images   As shoppers cut back on unnecessary expenses, some businesses are promoting their higher-priced goods and services. And no, that’s … Continued

How to Humanize a Brand

October 25, 2022

How to Humanize a Brand: 15 Best Tips for Humanizing Your Voice What’s the one thing business owners and their employees, partners and even customers all have in common? Well, at the most basic level, they’re all human. So why is it sometimes so challenging for businesses to showcase this in their marketing efforts? Perhaps … Continued

Sunday Scaries

August 17, 2022

Sunday Scaries: How they stole half the weekend and what you can do about it Have you ever found yourself reaching for the perfect, ripe tomato at your local Sunday farmers market, smiling and blissful, only to get hit with a sudden sense of impending doom out of nowhere? No, it’s not a bad piece … Continued

It’s Time To Rethink ‘Best Practices’

August 17, 2022

 It’s Time To Rethink ‘Best Practices’ Best practices may be ingrained in your organization, but they may also be limiting your company’s potential. Adam Grant. Photo: Getty Images   Almost everyone is thinking about the future of work and the new tools businesses will use. But less thought is given to the tools and strategies they’ll stop using.   … Continued

5 Rare Strategies to Successfully Lead a Company During Tough Times

August 17, 2022

5 Rare Strategies to Successfully Lead a Company During Tough Times Here’s how to safeguard the workplace from becoming toxic. Photo: Getty Images   A global pandemic, racial riots, the Great Resignation, the spread of gun violence, and now inflation and a recession. We have been caught in a cycle of uncertainty and upheaval for over two years … Continued

The Labor Shortage Is Only Set to Grow

August 17, 2022

The Labor Shortage Is Only Set to Grow. These Companies Think Apprenticeships Are the Answer Employers are struggling to find the skilled workers they need. Paid, on-the-job training could transform the workforce for good.  The team at Multiverse. Photo: Courtesy Multiverse   White collar industries are just starting to embrace the apprenticeship–and some businesses say it’s the future of … Continued

What Gen-Z Wants From Employers

August 17, 2022

What Gen-Z Wants From Employers: Skip the Flexibility, Bring on the Career Mobility Employers are struggling to find the skilled workers they need. Paid, on-the-job training could transform the workforce for good.  Photo: Getty Images   Money talks, but for some employees, it isn’t everything. In fact, some workers would be willing to take pay … Continued

5 Tips for How Your Business Can Help Save the Planet

August 17, 2022

 Seth Godin’s 5 Tips for How Your Business Can Help Save the Planet The marketing mind behind the purple cow takes on climate change in the new book, ‘The Carbon Almanac: It’s Not Too Late.’ Illustration: Raymond Biesinger   Seth Godin doesn’t care about your company’s coffee habits, at least not as they relate to saving … Continued

What role does social media play in the shopper journey?

August 17, 2022

What role does social media play in the shopper journey? Online shopping has become the norm. But how are consumers using social media throughout the shopping process? Social media and the shopper journey  While shopping behaviors have been steadily transforming for decades, the past two years sped up the rate of change exponentially. Not only … Continued

The Value of Customer Delight

August 17, 2022

The Value of Customer Delight Incorporating customer delight may be easier than you think. But how should you measure the impact of delight? And how can you delight existing customers? Terry Vavra and Douglas Pruden discuss these questions and more as they comment on a recent article published in Quirk’s, “Measuring and managing customer delight.” … Continued

Covid Two Years Later: 6 Hard-Learned Lessons From Businesses That Survived the Pandemic

August 15, 2022

Covid Two Years Later: 6 Hard-Learned Lessons From Businesses That Survived the Pandemic These companies found new paths to profitability during the pandemic. Here’s how. Getty Images It’s been two years since the World Health Organization declared Covid a global pandemic and since then nearly every facet of business has been upended. While hundreds of thousands of … Continued

16 Types of Customer Needs (and How to Solve for Them)

August 15, 2022

16 Types of Customer Needs (and How to Solve for Them) Companies want to stay relevant and innovative and often look at other successful companies, hot industry trends, or new shiny products for inspiration. However, a vital component to growth is at every business’s fingertips — their customers. Yes, customers are the ones with the … Continued

6 leadership types you’ll find on ‘Ted Lasso’

August 15, 2022

6 leadership types you’ll find on ‘Ted Lasso’ The popular Apple TV show, now shooting its third season, is chock-full of leadership lessons. Here are some of the characters that deliver them. Brendan Hunt, Jason Sudeikis and Nick Mohammed in “Ted Lasso” season two. [Photo: Apple] BY GWEN MORAN AND CARL PHILLIPS Warning: The following piece has many major … Continued

Welcoming Back Formerly-Retired Workers Can Help Remedy Your Labor Pains. Just Don’t Forget the Buddy System

August 15, 2022

Welcoming Back Formerly-Retired Workers Can Help Remedy Your Labor Pains. Just Don’t Forget the Buddy System How to make their reentry to the workforce as seamless as possible. The NBA isn’t the only organization plucking employees out of retirement. To contend with ongoing labor shortages, businesses are similarly tapping this vast source of talent.   The onset of the pandemic hastened the … Continued

How to Change Other People

August 15, 2022

How to Change Other People In their new book, Leadership coaches Peter Bregman and Howie Jacobson, PhD describe their four-part formula for changing people’s minds. Image: Courtesy publisher   If you’re an entrepreneur–or a leader of any kind–the ability to align and bring out the best in the people around you is your most important … Continued

3 Simple Ways to Manage Burnout, According to a Top Psychotherapist

August 15, 2022

3 Simple Ways to Manage Burnout, According to a Top Psychotherapist Employees aren’t the only ones suffering these days. Getty Images Entrepreneurs are no stranger to stress, anxiety and burnout. That said, some have better ways to manage those challenges than others. For some insight into how to help entrepreneurs negotiating this tricky terrane, Inc. tapped Paul Sheesley, a Washington D.C.-based psychotherapist, … Continued

How to Improve Your Communication Skills in 5 Simple Steps

August 15, 2022

How to Improve Your Communication Skills in 5 Simple Steps In the workplace, each employee may have their own tasks and targets, but together, you are all working toward the same end goal. But with so many different people coming together, there’s bound to be some friction on how to implement ideas and strategies best. … Continued

Workers Keep Resigning. Here’s a Novel Idea to Get Them to Stay

August 15, 2022

Workers Keep Resigning. Here’s a Novel Idea to Get Them to Stay Instead of relying on exit interviews for potentially illuminating information, business owners are connecting with their employees before they’re already out the door. To keep employees from leaving amid the Great Resignation, leaders need to start asking the tough questions–at the right time. … Continued

Insourcing vs. Outsourcing: Everything You Need to Know

August 15, 2022

Insourcing vs. Outsourcing: Everything You Need to Know Your employees know your business processes well. They understand your brand messaging and vision and feel a general sense of connectedness to your organization. Given this, many businesses choose to insource and have existing employees undertake new tasks rather than hiring freelancers or other agencies that don’t have an existing … Continued

Having a Terrible Day?

April 20, 2022

Having a Terrible Day? Turn Things Around by Doing These 5 Simple Things You can make a bad day better without a lot of effort My favorite book growing up was Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst. It told the highly relatable and true story of the author’s young son … Continued

What Is Servant Leadership?

April 20, 2022

What Is Servant Leadership? Some choose to use a democratic style, where they make final decisions after getting input from team members. Some are individualists, focused on personal development and improvement, while others act as a coach that works to help employees develop their skills and build strong teams. Although different in practice, most leadership … Continued

5 Open Door Policy Examples

April 20, 2022

5 Open Door Policy Examples Whether they have an issue they want to be resolved or ideas they think would improve the company or better serve clients, employees just want to be heard. When you don’t create an open line of communication with your team, they may feel discouraged, leading to poor morale and ultimately … Continued

How to Use Porter’s Five Forces to Outmaneuver Your Competition

April 20, 2022

How to Use Porter’s Five Forces to Outmaneuver Your Competition Porter’s Five Forces is a model that identifies and describes the five economic forces that shape every industry. More specifically, it explains how these forces dictate every industry’s competitive intensity, potential for profitability, and attractiveness. Porter’s Five Forces has become a fundamental model that most … Continued

7 Google Q&A Best Practices For A better Customer Experience

April 20, 2022

7 Google Q&A Best Practices For A better Customer Experience No matter your size or industry, people are using Google to ask questions about your business. Do you know who’s answering? By leaving it up to the public, you’re risking your visibility and your credibility.   When used correctly, Google Q&A can boost trustworthiness and create a … Continued

Here’s How to Talk About Fear at Work

April 20, 2022

The Ukraine Crisis Has People Rattled. Here’s How to Talk About Fear at Work Leaders don’t need to have all the answers in the midst of global uncertainty. But they do need to start the conversation. No bubble wrap required. Your workplace doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Amid global tragedy, anxiety and other emotions are … Continued

U.S.’s Cyber Agency Raises New ‘Shields-Up’ Warning

April 20, 2022

U.S.’s Cyber Agency Raises New ‘Shields-Up’ Warning, as the Russian Invasion of Ukraine Ratchets Up Reducing vulnerabilities and shoring up your crisis-response team is only your first line of defense. Former White House Information Officer Theresa Payton has additional thoughts. Getty Images   As the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues to unfold, experts are urging … Continued

Customer Service Is Free

February 24, 2022

Customer Service Is Free Most large organizations would disagree. They hire cheap labor to answer the phone. They install recordings to mollify people who are on hold for hours. They measure the cost of the call center and put loopholes in the warranty. When you see customer service as a cost center, all of these … Continued

How to retain valuable staff

February 24, 2022

How to retain valuable staff Employees are quitting at record rates. Here are some tips to retain the valuable staff you already have. Hiring and retention are at the forefront of employers’ headaches right now. With The Great Resignation of 2021, workers quit at record rates. Here are some ways to retain the valuable staff … Continued

Why Some Business Owners Want to Raise the Minimum Wage to Spur Economic Recovery

February 24, 2022

Why Some Business Owners Want to Raise the Minimum Wage to Spur Economic Recovery More than 20 states rang in 2022 with minimum wage hikes. Advocates for a higher federal minimum say it will boost spending and the economy. Getty Images   A coalition of business owners is sweet on the minimum wage increases that kicked off … Continued

Your Workers Are Telling You It’s Time to Rethink How You Hire

February 24, 2022

Your Workers Are Telling You It’s Time to Rethink How You Hire A new report shows a real disconnect, and need for change Getty Images   Last month the team at Indeed released their 2021 Hiring Trends Report. The report provided an effective follow up to their earlier piece on the Great Resignation which was referenced … Continued

Consumers still hungry for deals, coupons

February 24, 2022

Consumers still hungry for deals, coupons iStock Photo   More than half, 60%, of shoppers are looking for more coupons, discounts and deals to offset higher prices across shopping categories such as apparel, groceries and dining. Nearly half (45%) are switching brands to save money, while 53% are shopping at multiple stores to find the … Continued

Persuasive Advertising: What It Is & How to Do It

February 24, 2022

 Persuasive Advertising: What It Is & How to Do It What are some advertisements that live rent-free in your mind? As a millennial, ads that will always have a place in my heart include Britney Spears’ iconic run as a Pepsi spokesperson, the enduring”got milk?” campaign (which is ironic considering myself and many others now … Continued

November 2017
Respond to all social media comments with one app from Mystery Shopper Services

September 2017
Training and marketing for people under 25 – How secret shops increase business

July / August 2017
Check Off Your 10-Point Mystery Shopping Success List

June 2017
How Much of Your Sales Revenue Are You Giving to Your Competitors Each Month?

April 2017
Crowdsourcing is an inexpensive method for gaining key data on a large scale

March 2017
A unique look at producing great customer service through the eyes of a professional baseball team guest manager

February 2017
Training and marketing for people under 25 – How secret shops increase business

January 2017
What we learned in 2016, and how we plan to turn it into helpful actions in 2017

November 2016
Respond to Social Media Reviews With Social Media Tracker

October 2016
Growing your share of brick-and-mortar business in an online world

September 2016
Secret Shops Help Entertainment Destination Train and Reward Large Staff

July 2016
Manufacturers Can Evaluate Retail Branding Strategy and Increase Sales With Secret Shop Programs

June 2016
Part II -Three Secrets to Growing a Successful Restaurant Franchise

Three Secrets to Growing a Successful Restaurant Franchise – Part I

May 2016
How An Award Winning Retailer Uses Secret Shops to Enhance Customer Service

April 2016
How Franchised Company Owners Protect their Brand with Mystery Shopping Programs

February 2016
Maximizing Your Customer’s Purchasing Power

December 2015
Making a Memorable Impression on Employees and Customers for All the Right Reasons

November 2015
Time Well Spent – Reenergize Your Team

October 2015
New Team Action Module Allows for Positive Change