There is no SMB. There…I said it. For years now, companies have used the term SMB, or Small and Medium-size Business, to target-market their products and services based on company size. Let’s focus on technology providers, and see how well this has worked out. When large technology companies developed products and services for other large [...]
Microsoft used to be creative and cool – really! I remember the early days when observers predicted that the partnership of too-hip Microsoft with buttoned-down IBM could never work – the management styles were just too different. And they were right! Attend any conference and the Microsoft booth would be packed with customers eagerly chatting [...]
Is it really possible the only Kobe in the U.S. plays for the Lakers? Larry Olmsted writes at Forbes: Food’s Biggest Scam: The Great Kobe Beef Lie…tell me it ain’t true Larry! This exposé made me think of a couple topics that affect all of us that offer products or services… BRAND – Kobe is one [...]
I became quite serious about photography when Canon introduced the AE-1 camera in 1976 – the first 35mm camera with a computer. I owned every A-Series then graduated to New F1’s – at one time owning more Canon bodies, lenses, flashes, and special products like bellows, micro and macro lenses, speed finders, focusing screens, and motor [...]
When my great-grandfather John Rockfellow homesteaded in southern Arizona territory in the 1800’s, branding was a method to distinguish your ranch from your neighbors. Your brand was prominently displayed on your ranch entrance, documents, clothing, and livestock. Brands were registered and were how others referred to your ranch. Replace the words… RANCH with COMPANY NEIGHBORS [...]
Inc. says there are five types of entrepreneurs…which one are you? Are you a Home-Run Slugger or an On-Base Hitter? Maybe a Fact-Finder? Perhaps you lean more towards Follow-Through or Implementer? Find out at The 5 Types of Entrepreneurs.
While everyone has an opinion on color selection for branding, don’t overlook the professional studies on how your choices are actually perceived by others. Andy Crofford has created a wonderfully easy to understand chart titled “The Psychology of Color” I find quite valuable. While a color palette may look visually pleasing, is it psychologically pleasing? [...]
In the information-overload era we all live in we may be initially impressed with websites offering large volumes of content, but we return to sites that have the quality and context that provide value to us individually. Tim Berry offers his thoughts in On Content, Do You Want Quality or Quantity? He references a great [...]
Does EVERY business require a website? A blog? I somehow find it refreshing in the little towns I visit pursuing my flyfishing addiction that there are many small business owners that have no web or internet presence. But don’t assume they are not effective social networkers! They just do it the old-fashioned way…in-person rather than [...]
Having trouble coming up with the perfect name for your brand? Isn’t every name on earth already taken? Check out Dan Heath and Chip Heath’s article How to Pick the Perfect Brand Name at FastCompany to see how the pros do it.
