Traditional businesses like printing and manufacturing are facing the challenge of attracting younger employees and capturing the...

Your marketing plan should reflect your story, company, culture, brand, and goals. It shouldn’t be overwhelming, cost-prohibitive, or...

Do prospective customers run the other way when your salespeople show up? Even when these companies need your top-notch professional printing capabilities to achieve their goals? Even when you could solve their biggest problem at a reasonable cost—yesterday? The fastest way to put the brakes on runaway customers is not to ask for their business but instead ask this one key question: How can I help? Sure, you can help by selling your award-winning large-format print experience

Most economists agree the global economy will shrink moderately in 2023, taking inflation and interest rates down with it, and bumping unemployment up. We’re not economists, but we know that news of an economic downturn can cause concern for small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs). The good news for SMBs is that hiring will be a bit easier, borrowing money will cost less, and consumers will pay less for consumables, freeing up money for services and other priorities. And for

Manufacturing is much more than machines and might. Growth-oriented manufacturers are constantly testing new technologies, building internal culture, and communicating their successes to stakeholders. Manufacturing is a huge umbrella, and each one is unique. But successful shops share some essential characteristics. 1) A diversified and reliable supply chain. This has been no small feat in the pandemic years, and we now see how a localized approach to transportation, partners

A single key unlocks every nonprofit’s success. Visibility. All nonprofits have a mission. They have a vision for a better way of doing things. Their work is purposeful and solutions-oriented. Yet, it is visibility that guarantees your work will continue for another day, month, or for years to come. Visibility means showing—better yet, shouting—the results of your good work. When your results are visible, volunteers show up to help with the next project. Neighbors turn out to

Commercial printers face unique opportunities and challenges in today’s marketplace. Print continues to prove itself an indispensable part of a powerful marketing mix . In fact, marketing campaigns with three or more channels in use—including print—have a much higher return on investment than campaigns with only one channel in use. Up to 300% higher ! Marketers already know they need commercial printers at the ready. But how do you let them know they need your company, specif

Expert content from real people drives business revenues up. At the start of a new year, many of us look around our houses with fresh eyes. Do we need those extra towels? Why is this tool so hard to get to? What is in this closet anyway? We become frustrated, then curious: Is there a better way to do things around here? You can—you should—ask the same question about marketing your business. Do I have my digital marketing house in order? We’ll be talking more about what that m

Customer appreciation is much more than an elbow bump and a "thank you."

How small businesses can adapt and be ready for anyting coming next in a post-COVID environment. When states started closing brick and mortar retail shops, I was slightly stunned by how many small businesses were not prepared to promote and take their business online. As I searched the internet to buy goods and services, there were restaurants without online menus; nurseries and garden shops without a method to order online; or businesses with no online presence at all. For m

Our everyday has been turned on top of itself, and much of what we thought we knew just isn’t anymore. The days and now weeks tick by, and so do a variety of feelings including fear, anger, frustration or lack of control. Then you realize this isn’t going to pass quickly, and you either let it lead you, or you lean in and lead into it. There are things we can control when we chose to be a leader. These include your communication style, attitude, ability to be inclusive and an

Often times a company gets comfortable in how they forward face and forget how important it is to keep the story alive and fresh. Assumptions (which are often incorrect) are made about their stakeholders. Existing clients - they already know what we have. New customers – they can find us. Future employees – who wouldn’t want to work for us. Distribution channels – they know we are in it for the long haul. Today’s marketing means hitting the mark in key areas to fully engage a