SmarterMarkets

SmarterMarkets is going through a time of transition.  Some of our staff is in search of new full-time jobs, others are beginning to get settled where they are.  In either case, updates will be few and far between for the next month.  We apologize for the inconvenience. In the mean time, we will be looking for opportunities to feature guest posts whenever possible.  Bringing in fresh, outside content makes for a more lively discussion.  If you would like to be a featured guest on... Read Full Story

SmarterMarkets is going through a time of transition.  Some of our staff is in search of new full-time jobs, others are beginning to get settled where they are.  In either case, updates will be few and far between for the next month.  We apologize for the inconvenience. In the mean time, we will be looking for [...] Read Full Story

I was asked the other day what my level of experience was with web 3.0.  Last I’ve heard, though, the world is still catching up to 2.0 , let alone experimenting with the next stage.  It seems a few companies are trying to push their way upwards and onwards hoping to beat the rush to new technology.  To give you an edge, here are a few of my favorite web 3.0 applications (also called “new” or “emerging” media). Twitter - This is a website that allows users to send text message updates to... Read Full Story

I was asked the other day what my level of experience was with web 3.0. Last I've heard, though, the world is still catching up to 2.0, let alone experimenting with the next stage. It seems a few companies are trying to push their way upwards and onwards hoping to beat the rush to new technology. To give you an edge, here are a few of my favorite web 3.0 applications (also called "new" or "emerging" media). Read Full Story

One of my favorite things to do is climb. I may be afraid of heights, but it’s a wonderful feeling reaching the top of a boulder or wall and looking back on an accomplishment. From the bottom, the climb looks impossible, just take a look at my brother climbing at Broughton Bluff yesterday. Climbing is tough. You stand at the bottom of a huge cliff and stare up at what seems to be an insurmountable object … a wall that was not built for climbing. After all, we use stairs and elevators now... Read Full Story

One of my favorite things to do is climb. I may be afraid of heights, but it's a wonderful feeling reaching the top of a boulder or wall and looking back on an accomplishment. Business is very similar. Starting a project seems daunting in the beginning, almost impossible. Taking things one step at a time, though, brings you closer to the euphoria of finishing and looking back on the journey you've just taken. Read Full Story

One of the largest obstacles to business is simplicity.  We make the mistake of over-complicating our sales processes, creating needless corporate bureaucracy, and cluttering our offices with things that actually decrease productivity.  A certain level of simplicity can work wonders in our personal lives-the number of websites and self-help books on the topic speaks to that.  Why not apply the same principles to our workplace? Yesterday I read a great article listing 30 different ways to... Read Full Story

One of the largest obstacles to business is simplicity. We make the mistake of over-complicating our sales processes, creating needless corporate bureaucracy, and cluttering our offices with things that actually decrease productivity. A certain level of simplicity can work wonders in our personal lives-the number of websites and self-help books on the topic speaks to that. Why not apply the same principles to our workplace? Read Full Story

On this blog we spend a lot of time discussing branding. We talk about brand strategy, market positioning, etc. To many, especially small business owners, the concept of branding may seem like an expensive marketing “gimmick” that some businesses might not have the time or resources to invest in. In a previous blog I discussed the differences between Luxury Brands and Commodity Brands . Commodity Brands are those brands which buyers compare and purchase based purely on price (Walmart... Read Full Story

What's the big deal about Brand? Brand is a powerful driver of price. Commodity Brand pricing faces downward pressure by competitors. Luxury Brand pricing, while kept in relative check by competitors (when there is competition), can enjoy the benefits of not being trapped by the destructive cycle of price wars with competitors. When Branding is done right, price actually signifies the prestige of the Brand. Read Full Story