Belgian Beers, Canal boats & Customer Service (with a little Social Media thrown in)

Did you ever play the ‘one of these things just doesn’t belong’ game? I didn’t like that game either, and in this case, all three of these items featured in my vacation last week. And to be honest, I was really only planning on the first two. I don’t read (or, in fact, speak) Dutch, [...]

Lost in Translation

All marketing is local. There, I’ve said it. I like reading up on Franchise opportunities. They all boast about having ‘world-class marketing’ (where did that phrase come from anyway? It sounds like some sort of weird advert for hoovers) systems in place that will guarantee that their franchisees will make tons and tons of money. [...]

It’s not the what – it’s the how, why and where.

That is very, very, true. When I talk to people in business, and I mention I am in marketing, most people assume I am a designer of some sort or another. “So you build websites?” I get asked a lot, or “So you can design me a business card or brochure?” Yes, but that’s not [...]

Why settle for less?

That’s sort of a cryptic start, so I’ll give some background. My company works with new-start, high-growth, businesses. These are businesses that have a great potential for growth (hence the term high-growth…duh) but normally need significant money to get things started. They are usually product-based businesses (physical or software) that have a mass-market appeal. The [...]

New ways to access investment

Today we had our monthly meeting of my High Growth Group. (For the purpose of the group, High Growth means a company that has a strong prospect of significant returns: New Products, Biotech, Medical, Technology, Software, Manufacturing, Franchising etc.) I started this group to bring together a focused skill-set that could help drive companies through [...]

If you build it, they will come.

Now this may turn into a bit of a rant, but I’ll try to contain myself. I’m getting pretty sick of meeting people who fall into the trap of ‘If you build it, they will come”. I also like to call them the ‘I love my business so everyone will love my business’ people, but [...]

Why focus should be your first priority in your marketing

I’ve developed marketing strategies for a lot of companies. When we start to work with them, one thing is almost universally true, regardless of industry. They all lack a focus in their marketing. Let me state this very, very, clearly: Focus is crucial. Does this sound familiar? You run your own business. Every day you [...]