Business builders Archives - Page 3 of 6

Is It Time for a Website Overhaul?

Posted on March 27, 2017 by Gerri Knilans

Just like other marketing mediums, updating websites regularly is a best practice. While many companies have taken some steps in that direction by creating mobile-friendly sites, it’s important to conduct a comprehensive review of the content, graphic appeal, navigation and strategic value of your website. If it has been more than a year since you looked at your site with a critical eye, you are overdue for a closer look. It might be time for a website overhaul.

How to Sabotage Marketing and Individual Success

Posted on February 21, 2017 by Gerri Knilans

There are many ways a marketing program can go wrong. Perhaps an email is sent to the wrong audience segment. Or perhaps a budget shortfall derails a campaign before it is finished. Maybe your audience doesn’t respond to your messaging the way you expected. Many work-related challenges involve factors beyond our control. But it’s more common that we sabotage our own efforts.

7 Questions that Stimulate Business Opportunities

Posted on January 17, 2017 by Gerri Knilans

As companies begin implementing their marketing plans for 2017, it is important to start with a deep understanding of the marketplace you serve and the position, brand and corporate distinction you have in your industry. To develop the knowledge and understanding that leads to the awareness of meaningful business opportunities, invite all stakeholders to answer these seven questions.

2017 Is Here. Is Your Roadmap Ready?

Posted on January 3, 2017 by Gerri Knilans

While most business leaders recognize the importance of having a strategic marketing plan that provides a roadmap for accomplishing critical sales and business objects, some companies simply don’t make this initiative a priority. Creating a strategic marketing plan need not be complex or cumbersome. However, it does require the brain power of contributors throughout the organization.

Are Your Skills Keeping Up With Evolving Marketing Technologies?

Posted on December 12, 2016 by Gerri Knilans

There’s no denying that the face of marketing has changed dramatically over the past decade—even in the past year. More and more, marketing pros and students are acquiring abilities. In the meantime, however, there’s a skills gap that organization leaders struggle to bridge.

How to Build Relationships: An Open Letter to Buyers and Sellers

Posted on October 31, 2016 by Gerri Knilans

At one time or another, we have all been buyers and sellers of products and services. Yet we tend to behave differently depending on our role. Very few of us think in terms of what the person on the other side of the phone or desk is thinking. Yet, a little empathy, compassion and patience go a long way toward building meaningful relationships.

What is a True Professional and Why Does Being One Matter?

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Gerri Knilans

One definition of professional, according to Bing is: “businesslike: conforming to the standards of skill, competence, or character normally expected of a properly qualified and experienced person in a work environment.” In my experience, professionals stand out from the crowd. Whether it’s the way they dress, their interpersonal skills, their leadership abilities, their accomplishments or other measurements, they are a cut above others.

Marketing Madness: How to Deal With Multiple Generations in the Workforce

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Gerri Knilans

While there are five, yes five, generations in the workplace today, the three primary groups are Baby Boomers, Generation Xers and Millennials. The traditionalists, born before 1946, have all but retired, and Generation Z is just starting out. The birth years for each generation vary depending on the source used. That said, regardless of the

7 Tips to Develop and Deliver Powerful PowerPoint Presentations

Posted on June 27, 2016 by Gerri Knilans

Microsoft’s PowerPoint application has been around for a long time. It’s a powerful tool that supports and enhances live or online presentations to individuals and groups. For optimal results, create PowerPoint presentations in a way that organizes and simplifies content, reinforces verbal and visual cues, and engages audiences. To accomplish these goals and produce winning

How to Position Yourself as an Expert

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Gerri Knilans

In a competitive business environment, it’s especially important to distinguish yourself and your company from the rest of the pack. That’s why becoming the recognized expert or leader in your field is essential to personal and organizational success. To accomplish this, first identify what you or your company understands or does better than your competition.

How Do Your Business Values Set Your Company Apart?

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Gerri Knilans

In addition to creating and sharing a company’s vision and mission, many businesses include a listing of their core business values on their website. But simply listing them doesn’t mean they are part of the corporate culture. It also doesn’t mean they are expressed in the behaviors of employees as they interact with colleagues, customers,

Eliminate These 5 Business Phrases From Your Vocabulary

Posted on September 28, 2015 by Gerri Knilans

Sometimes people vent by talking about their pet peeves. These are behaviors that are the topic of constant complaints. When it comes to business, some of these actions include rudeness, inefficiency, bullying, lateness and a lack of integrity. In addition, there are as many sources of irritation that come from the utterance of certain business

16 Tips for Managing Business Relationships

Posted on August 24, 2015 by Gerri Knilans

Because we live in a 24/7 connected world, many business people rely solely on emails and texts to manage relationships. While these mediums are convenient and easy, they are lacking in other ways. It’s very difficult to build and maintain relationships without the personal touch. If you are willing to go the extra step, consider

5 Lessons Learned from the Trenches

Posted on August 18, 2015 by Gerri Knilans

In more than 40 years in business, I’ve been very fortunate to have had some great mentors, clients and associates who have taught me principles that I have used throughout my career. I am grateful for the contributions each of these people has made to my life and business. Some of them seem obvious and

6 Ways to Create Content that Drives Business

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Gerri Knilans

Salespeople know that presenting a list of features for a product or service isn’t enough to make a sale. Instead, they understand that it’s essential to focus on the benefits of the product or service and how it solves a problem. In other words, it’s the difference between selling the sizzle or the steak. Similarly,

3 Ways to Increase Profitability

Posted on July 13, 2015 by Gerri Knilans

Old school or not, when companies want to increase profitability, there are three common strategies to implement: raise prices, reduce expenses and sell more. Profitability Strategies Raise prices. While sometimes necessary, this is not a popular strategy in any business environment. Customers often respond negatively. They wonder what additional value or improvement they will be

How Important Is It To Listen To Each Other?

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Gerri Knilans

It’s a fact. Some people would rather talk than listen. Perhaps you know individuals like this. They seem to thrive on the sound of their own voice. Yet, when one person does all (or most of the) talking, it is less of a conversation and more of a monologue. This limits the opportunity to learn,

What Are Your Values?

Posted on June 22, 2015 by Gerri Knilans

Corporate culture is a topic that receives a lot of buzz. In part, that’s because it is the foundation that defines and drives the business. It emanates from the values the company holds dear. Also, it is manifested in the attitudes and behaviors exhibited by all leaders, managers and employees. So the question is, how

ROI: The Elephant in the Room for Marketers

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Gerri Knilans

When it comes to marketing initiatives, getting the biggest “bang for the buck” is essential. Accordingly, defining and analyzing the success of everything from tradeshow participation to social media campaigns is critical. At the same time, some marketers wonder at what point return on investment (ROI) became the holy grail of measuring success. Other business

Collaboration at Work: How to Do It Better

Posted on April 20, 2015 by Gerri Knilans

Collaboration: “The action of working with someone to produce or create something.” When Collaboration Works Collaboration can produce astonishing results! At Pixar, everyone gathers in a room to see the dailies and picks the last day’s or week’s work apart scene by scene, pixel by pixel. Judging from their numbers at the box office and

Formula for Innovation

Posted on April 13, 2015 by Gerri Knilans

While the word innovation might be a bit overused these days, the concept is sound. The Latin root of the word is “innovo,” which means to alter, renew or restore. In business, to renew represents opportunity and to alter symbolizes transformation. Yet change doesn’t always mean a better outcome. That’s why a more useful meaning

Are White Papers a Part of Your Marketing Strategy?

Posted on March 2, 2015 by Gerri Knilans

Do you produce white papers? If not, it’s time to start. The Content Marketing Institute conducts a yearly content marketing survey with B2B marketers. This year’s B2B Content Marketing 2015: Benchmarks, Budgets, and Trends – North America survey found that 68 percent of B2B content marketers use white papers, up from the 64 percent reported

3 Proven Strategies to Develop Business Acumen

Posted on February 23, 2015 by Gerri Knilans

Business acumen is one of those terms that, if you ask five people what it is, you’ll get five different answers. Merriam-Webster defines acumen as “the ability to think clearly and make good decisions.” In practice, it means knowing how the company operates and using that knowledge to improve performance. For example, business acumen helps