Lifecycle of a Brand: Building Stories that Start, Scale, Sustain, and Sell Businesses

Lifecycle of a Brand: Building Stories that Start, Scale, Sustain, and Sell Businesses

These Minnesota business owners have years of experience building businesses and building brands. They have perspectives from the "been there done that" side and the "still there, doing that" side. Learn how these entrepreneurs have shaped and reshaped their go-to-market strategies and stories through stages of growth and evolution. Get a founder’s perspective on marketing, brand, and maintaining focus and alignment through change. Gain real-world insights that will help you activate for today and plan for tomorrow. (more…)
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What’s the Difference? Strategic Marketing Consultants and Agencies vs. Fractional CMOs

What’s the Difference? Strategic Marketing Consultants and Agencies vs. Fractional CMOs

Marketing can feel like the world’s biggest experiment. The corner store doesn’t have the same marketing needs as a mid-sized business, and isn’t even playing the same game as enterprise-level companies. What does this mean for your marketing? It means that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach, magic pill, or easy button. To succeed you need a custom plan tailored to your business with an expert guide to back it. But, finding the right marketing expertise is often the first challenge. (more…)
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Marketer’s Community Event: Short-Term Gains vs. Long-Term Brand Health

Marketer’s Community Event: Short-Term Gains vs. Long-Term Brand Health

If you recall, the first Marketers' Community event was such a huge hit! This second event didn't disappoint either. Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to participate as a cheerleader and partner in the second Marketers' Community Event. It was held at the new Impact Hub at Finnegans. If you aren't familiar, Marketers' Community is a new educational event series and networking group spearheaded by Laura King, the Twin Cities' most dynamic modern marketing recruiter. (more…)
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Welcome to the Gig Economy: Talent strategies for today’s growing businesses

Welcome to the Gig Economy: Talent strategies for today’s growing businesses

Finding top notch leaders for your growing business is critical. Having the right people in the right seats is key to the health and sustainability of your organization. But finding ideal candidates can be challenging in our current economy. Unemployment is at an all-time low, and candidates can afford to be selective. Many are choosing to forsake full-time employment for the chance to do meaningful work on a part-time, flexible, contract basis. We're now living in a gig economy, defined by Google as "a labor market characterized by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs". This…
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We fed 47 kids for a year!

We fed 47 kids for a year!

We have been dreaming about this "next generation" event for months. It was so fun to bring a community of volunteers together that included so many kiddos.  The Two Or More community of volunteers gathered at Feed My Starving Children in Eagan to pack food for kids in Haiti. With all hands on deck, we packed enough food for 47 children to eat for a full year!  (more…)
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Rethinking the CMO Role for Growing Businesses

Rethinking the CMO Role for Growing Businesses

What’s the difference between a sinking building and a stable building? It comes down to the foundation. How a foundation is laid, and the materials used to do so will have a considerable impact on the durability of a building. In the same way, your marketing foundation will affect your business’s growth, sustainability, and lifespan. The most crucial part of this foundation is having a strong marketing leader in-house. But, when is the best time to bring in a marketing leader? (more…)
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DenamiCON: The Future of AI and Marketing

DenamiCON: The Future of AI and Marketing

Authentic was recently back at DenamiCON - this time playing the role of sponsor, with Jennifer Zick - Authentic CEO as emcee! What a treat to host a room full of insight-seekers for an afternoon of learning and conversation about Artificial Intelligence. (more…)
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We just invested 60 hours to help sustain our local parks

We just invested 60 hours to help sustain our local parks

When we planned this "spring" event there was snow on the ground and we were only dreaming of flowers and sunshine. Little did we know it would be so warm and beautiful on May 24th. The Two Or More community of volunteers gathered at Lyndale Gardens in south Minneapolis to pull weeds, plant perennials, move rock (yeah, muscles!), and fill up on some much needed vitamin D.  (more…)
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Marketing For Good: A Conversation with Amanda Brinkman

Marketing For Good: A Conversation with Amanda Brinkman

If you've been a member of the marketing community for any amount of time, you likely know the name Amanda Brinkman: Chief Brand and Communications Officer for Deluxe Corporation, and creator of The Small Business Revolution - Main Street. What a surprise and honor to be asked by Amanda - who I have admired for years - to be the inaugural subject of her series featuring interviews with strong female leaders. (more…)
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