04/24/2009 12:15 PM Filed in:
Van Coker If you look at a picture of a big airplane that’s close to the ground, it’s difficult to determine if it’s taking off, or coming down. Landing gear is down. Nose is slightly up. Yet you can’t really tell if it’s landing or taking off. But watching the airplane in motion makes everything obvious.
A similar phenomenon occurs when you look at a business. You may see a well-kept, modern facade, nice parking lot and beautifully lighted at night. But just like the airplane, you have to see the business “in motion” to determine if it’s going up or coming down.
Read More...Tags: marketing, advertising, marketing bridge, business, improvements
04/20/2009 11:35 AM Filed in:
Jeff DostalHave you ever seen or heard advertisements that proudly proclaim they are the “best kept secret?" Not something that should be a source of pride. The same can be said for businesses who don’t want to “toot their own horn."
Is there a reason consumers should spend money with your business?
Read More...Tags: advertising, marketing, small business
04/16/2009 09:11 AM Filed in:
Van CokerNo matter how hard you try, you can’t escape hearing, seeing, reading, or talking about the recession…or somehow feeling the results personally. See for yourself today. Nearly every news story involves the economy and how it will shape our lives.
Read More...Tags: attitude, recession
04/13/2009 05:38 PM Filed in:
Jeff DostalEver seen that one written on the chalkboard? (Chalkboard. Did I just give my age away?) In over 16 years of helping small business attract customers, I’ve yet to come across one that didn’t assume their customers knew more than they really did. I hope you are the exception to the rule, but I won’t
assume you are.
Read More...Tags: advertising, marketing, assumptions
04/09/2009 10:58 AM Filed in:
Van CokerThe other day a restaurant owner and I were discussing the challenges he’s facing in these economic times. His food costs are up...utilities are up…health insurance for employees is always going up...taxes are higher, and on and on and on. Everything is headed up---except his sales volume.
Read More...Tags: recession, marketing, advertising
04/03/2009 10:24 AM Filed in:
Jeff DostalIf you knew how
little others thought about you…you wouldn’t worry so much about what others think about you.
Related to our daily lives, the title is a good lesson in life. However, in relationship to your small business it should read…”If you knew how
little others thought about you…
you should worry.”
Read More...Tags: perception, advertising, marketing, small business
