How can you broadly target narrow markets? Is it even possible?

A recent article in Fast Company discussed Seth McFarlane, creator of the TV series, Family Guy and his ability to broadly target narrower markets. He was so successful at this, that he is currently consulting Google on new means of internet marketing.

This led me to wonder just if and how it is possible to accomplish these two seemingly opposing techniques at the same time. Here are some ideas as to how this may work. [click to continue...]

How would you like your staff to regurgitate the same ideas to you over and over again whenever you ask for new thoughts?

Doesn’t sound like the makings of an innovative business, does it?

That it why it is so important that you strive to maintain diversity in your business–both literally (different cultures, race, religion, etc…) as well as diversity in thinking.

Below are some benefits to workforce diversity: [click to continue...]

Is it better for your business to promote from within or find an outside hire?

There is no simple answer to this question and there are many definite benefits to either technique.

Before making any kind of decision, it is important to understand some of the benefits and drawbacks of each.

Pros of promoting from within

Probably one of the biggest benefits to promoting from within is that it provides motivation for your lower level employees. Your employees may have career goals or hope to move up in your organization. If you look for outside hires, your employees are given no incentive to work harder for that promotion. [click to continue...]

A friend of mine who has studied various forms of martial arts for a few decades now has this saying that I feel teaches a very valuable lesson in any discipline or undertaking.

His saying: “You are always a white belt”. I think this rings true for anyone on a number of levels.

Be humble

Firstly it suggests that you are never a master of whatever discipline you are studying. With our case, entrepreneurship, it suggests that no one will ever develop a sage-like aptitude for innovative ideas that will be a hit with your market every time. [click to continue...]

Is your business facing a problem, any problem? Want to fix the cause of the issue instead of the symptoms?

It can be difficult to determine the root cause of any problem. This proves to be especially problematic if you want to prevent the same issues from repeating themselves in the future.

So how do you identify and attack the root issue as opposed to its symptoms? By conducting the age-old “Five-Why Process”. [click to continue...]