Category: Client Relations

Are You Attempting to Influence “Thinkers”? What You Need to Know

By Justin Grensing, Esq., MBA

A couple of weeks ago, we looked at an article in Harvard Business Review written by Gary A. Williams and Robert B. Miller titled “Change the Way You Persuade.” In this article, Williams and Miller discussed five personality types observed among the nation’s executives. Their purpose in writing this article was to give some advice on how to approach pitching ideas to each type of executive, because each has a unique way of analyzing business choices and making decisions. Over the next few weeks, we’ll take a look at each type individually, starting with the thinkers. Continue reading “Are You Attempting to Influence “Thinkers”? What You Need to Know”

Are You Attempting to Influence “Charismatics”? What You Need to Know

By Justin Grensing, Esq., MBA

A couple of weeks ago, we looked at an article in Harvard Business Review written by Gary A. Williams and Robert B. Miller titled “Change the Way You Persuade.” In this article, Williams and Miller discussed five personality types observed among the nation’s executives. Their purpose in writing this article was to give some advice on how to approach pitching ideas to each type of executive, because each has a unique way of analyzing business choices and making decisions. Last week we discussed thinkers. This week, we’ll take a look at the other end of the spectrum – charismatics. Continue reading “Are You Attempting to Influence “Charismatics”? What You Need to Know”

When You Simply Have to Say “No” To New Business, or a Potential New Client

By Linda Pophal

Have you ever turned down new business or said “no” to a potential new client? It may seem hard to believe (especially for very new businesses), but there are definitely times when saying “no” is the best thing to do. Doing so effectively, though, is a bit of an art, and it may take a while for you to determine the types of clients and projects that make the most sense for you to tackle—and those that simply don’t make sense. Continue reading “When You Simply Have to Say “No” To New Business, or a Potential New Client”

Engaging Through Mobile Channels

Pew Research recently released their State of the News Media 2015 report, which includes some interesting information on the impact of mobile.  Consumers are increasingly consuming content via their mobile devices—even long-form content. Google’s ongoing algorithm changes and a growing trend toward the use of mobile have advertisers and marketers wondering whether their content will continue to resonate in smaller mobile formats.

The jury is still out, as they say, but the question is a valid—and evergreen—one these days. Continue reading “Engaging Through Mobile Channels”

The Benefits of Building an Online Community

Engaging with customers has always been important, but it has arguably never been easier than it is today in an era where we have a myriad of online communication channels and means to engage with our audiences. Whether they’re across town, or on the other side of the globe, electronic media allows for forum for marketers to listen to, learn form and leverage their online communities in a variety of ways. Continue reading “The Benefits of Building an Online Community”

Challenges and Successes of Being a Small Business Owner

Being a business owner can be very rewarding–it can also be very challenging, even frustrating, at times. That’s the yin/yang of entrepreneurship, and, while I wouldn’t trade it for life back in the “corporate jungle,” I have to admit there are ups and downs.

1) My three biggest frustrations or setbacks have been: Continue reading “Challenges and Successes of Being a Small Business Owner”

Are Trade Shows Worth the Investment?

I responded to a reporter’s question recently about the value of trade show participation for businesses. It’s a question that I have often pondered myself. “Are trade shows worth the investment?” Having attended trade shows, both as a participant and as an exhibitor, my opinion tends to lean toward Continue reading “Are Trade Shows Worth the Investment?”

Think Before You Give That Next Customer Discount

A few years ago I was lamenting my cable bill with a friend who told me she had recently told her cable company she wanted to cancel her service because, based on how little she watched TV, she couldn’t justify the monthly fee. Rather than lose a customer, the cable company offered a steep discount. I’ve heard of others who have used the same strategy successfully.

I recently came across a Harvard Business Review piece called “The Downside of Discounts,” which reminded me of these cable company discounts. Continue reading “Think Before You Give That Next Customer Discount”

The Most Important, and Most Often Overlooked, Element of Your Email Message

Despite the surge in mobile phones, tablets and texting, email communication remains a common way to connect with various audiences—internal and external. Yet, because it remains so common, those communicating via email face several challenges: getting their email to their intended user, keeping their email out of the spam/junk folder and, ultimately, having their email opened and read.

One key way to boost the odds that these things will happen is often overlooked or not given the consideration it deserves: Continue reading “The Most Important, and Most Often Overlooked, Element of Your Email Message”

How Will You Make Your Audience Want To?

I’m a big fan of EContent, a media outlet that focuses on content related to digital publishing, media and marketing. They have a number of very influential contributors* who write about trending topics, and useful strategies and tactics to help readers succeed in the online world.

It’s one of the many media outlets that I try to read as often as I can. Recently, when browsing through the topics on their homepage, I came across a piece by Theresa Cramer, the editor of EContent: Lessons From Serial: The Myth of the Shrinking Attention Span. I found it to be a very thought-provoking piece, and I was especially struck by one particular line in the piece: Continue reading “How Will You Make Your Audience Want To?”