Authentic®, Author at Authentic

Marketing Metrics that Matter (and how to avoid Random Acts of Marketing)

I have the best job in the world. I get the privilege of talking with leaders of small and mid-size businesses about their growth plans and strategies. Each time I meet with someone, I learn something new. But I also notice a lot of recurring themes. One of those themes is metrics. Every time a conversation turns to marketing, it almost invariably, without fail, gets to the challenge of measuring marketing success. (more…)

7 considerations to keep in mind before making a technology investment for marketing

If you’ve been in the business world for more than three months, you’ve probably had some vendor reach out to you about buying their software which promises to solve all your problems. There is literally a tool for every possible situation you could imagine. Sometimes there are even tools for things you didn’t realize were a thing! (more…)

Brand Messaging Moments: The Right Story for Investors, Stakeholders, and Acquirers. Part 3.

How will major growth affect your brand messaging? When you started your journey, messaging was simple and solution-focused. But, when investors, stakeholders, and acquirers get thrown into the mix, it adds a whole new layer of complexity to your brand narrative. (more…)

The Necessary Skills and Qualities of the Modern Fractional CMO

From flipping burgers to becoming an astronaut, every job takes some degree of skill and ability. But, the more advanced the job is, the more difficult it can be to define the skills and qualities that will make someone truly successful in that role. (more…)

Brand Messaging Moments: Staying True to Your Roots Through Next-Level Growth. Part 2.

In our last post, I covered how your brand message or brand narrative will change during the start-up phases of your growth. These are the moments that will make or break a company’s future. So, when major growth is on the table, you have to make sure your brand narrative is up to the challenge. (more…)

Making Hay & Stashing Acorns: How growing businesses can maximize a good economy, but prepare for inevitable recession

Originally published by Minnesota Business Magazine. Republished here with permission. Those of us who lived through the dot-bomb and 2008 recessions will not soon forget the impact on our businesses, communities and families. Yet, when times are good, it's easy to operate as though growth and prosperity will always be in front of us. Wise business leaders know that - like squirrels hiding away nuts for the winter - it’s always a good idea to plan for leaner times, even while harvesting bumper crops. (more…)

We helped prepare 312 bikes for kids!

Our first ever signature service event during Twin Cities Startup Week was a blast. Our Two Or More community of volunteers gathered at the Free Bikes 4 Kidz warehouse in Brooklyn Park to clean, prep, move and fix bikes for kids in need. This team of volunteers worked on 312 bikes in three hours! (more…)

Brand Messaging Moments: How Your Brand Narrative Evolves as You Grow. Part 1.

If you didn’t catch my last post, then please take a second and at least skim it. In it, I share what a brand narrative is, how to create one, and the potential ROI for your brand. That said, creating your brand narrative is never one and done. As your company grows, your brand narrative has to evolve. This allows you to keep up with new internal and external challenges that every growing brand faces. What milestones in your growth will affect your brand narrative? (more…)

TCSW18: The Lifecycle of a Brand Panel

We kicked off Twin Cities Startup Week (#TCSW18), early this Monday morning with a room full of entrepreneurs, marketers and four brilliant panelists. Our very own Jennifer Zick moderated the conversation and helped weave together the experiences these veteran business leaders have in building businesses and building brands. (more…)

Why Create a Narrative for Your Brand?

In 1962, the car rental company Avis was losing $3.2 million per year, and consistently losing to their main competitor Hertz. Then Avis changed their brand narrative and started embracing their position as number two in the market. Instead of trying to position themselves as better in the minds of prospects, they admitted they were number two and that it made them work harder. This convinced customers that they were going to get better service by choosing Avis. (more…)

Author: Authentic®