Blog

31Oct 2018 by Jennifer Zick
Making Hay & Stashing Acorns: How growing businesses can maximize a good economy, but prepare for inevitable recession

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

Fractional CMO, Marketing
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…)
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17Oct 2018 by Jennifer Zick
Brand Messaging Moments: How Your Brand Narrative Evolves as You Grow. Part 1.

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

Brand & Messaging, Marketing
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…)
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25Sep 2018 by Jennifer Zick
Why Create a Narrative for Your Brand?

Why Create a Narrative for Your Brand?

Brand & Messaging, Marketing
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…)
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13Sep 2018 by Emily Youngblood
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

Brand & Messaging, Marketing, Virtual Panel
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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07Sep 2018 by Jennifer Zick
What’s the Difference? Strategic Marketing Consultants and Agencies vs. Fractional CMOs

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

EOS / Traction, Fractional CMO, Marketing
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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31Aug 2018 by Emily Youngblood
Marketer’s Community Event: Short-Term Gains vs. Long-Term Brand Health

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

Event
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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