Category: Small Business
2021 Retail Strategy Trends
December 13, 2020
What does 2021 have in store? Reinvigorating retail and getting closer to consumers are macro strategic trends we’ll see in the new year, as retailers and brands: – Fuel sales and consumer excitement– Cut inefficiencies– Gain lucrative new strengths See related infographics on:– 2020 Retail Partnerships– 2020 Retail PEST Analysis– Social Commerce is the Future […]
Social Commerce is the Future of Retail
November 1, 2020
Last week’s announcement of the new partnership between TikTok and Shopify dazzled global retail markets. This partnership unites social media, video and e-commerce to make shopping more exciting and interactive. Already pervasive and popular in China, social commerce is taking off in North America by bringing the mall to popular social platforms during the pandemic. […]
Why Small is BIG in 2020
October 16, 2020
Big retailers think small. As the 2020 holiday sales season kicks off, leading retailers seek nimble small businesses to give consumers what they want. Their relationships are mutually-beneficial … To stay competitive and solvent in a pandemic, small suppliers need an online presence, which they can achieve through retailers’ robust e-commerce and logistics infrastructure. As […]
E-Commerce Gets Spicy!
June 15, 2020
Today’s announcement of Walmart’s strategic partnership with e-commerce superstar Shopify is shaking up online shopping. Yet Shopify also recently made headlines for its collaboration with the launch of Facebook Shops, a social commerce platform that merges social media and shopping. WHY NOW? Now is the *perfect* time for these alliances because: Many consumers remain homebound […]
The New Skill Set
May 8, 2020
What Businesses Want (in a Pandemic)… Today’s devastating news that the U.S. jobless rate hit its highest level since the Great Depression (and Canada hit its second-highest level) proves how profoundly and swiftly COVID-19 has hurt businesses and talent. As more people compete for jobs, global research suggests corporate demand for specific skills cuts across […]
Pandemic-Driven Pivots
April 28, 2020
Creativity conquers chaos: This year, agile companies have shown profound resilience by reinventing themselves in response to the coronavirus pandemic. From beer to fitness, many industries are filling consumption gaps with relevant solutions, including essential goods and technology. What other examples of responsiveness have you seen?
Save Time on Your Marketing in 2020
December 11, 2019
Delight your CEO (and make your competitors cry) by maximizing your marketing productivity in 2020. Create consumable content your audience craves by repurposing your existing detailed content. Keep it simple, save time and drive sales leads by working with what you’ve got.
B2B Marketing for Lead Generation
October 1, 2019
Content marketing trends to include in your 2019 and 2020 marketing strategies to sell to B2B buyers.
B2B Strategic Communications Plan
September 4, 2019
Match your message to your big picture.
Strategic Content
August 7, 2019
Before you start drafting the content your next marketing campaign, make sure your message resonates and gets results. This handy resource for B2B and B2C marketing campaigns will help you ensure your content aligns with your strategy.
Let’s get visual
June 3, 2019
On social media, be relatable
April 23, 2017
Write for people — not for Google. Add warmth, personality and emotion to your writing and keep it conversational.
B2B Marketing Musts
April 23, 2017
B2B content marketing can be riveting — even for relatively dull industries. Use these 3 tips to create content your audience actually wants to read (and share).
99 Ways to Score a Marketing Touchdown
February 5, 2017
Few companies can afford a $5 million TV ad during the Super Bowl. For the rest of us, here are 99 ways to tackle the competition and score a touchdown using simple marketing tactics. Marketing Planning 1. Revise or create a marketing plan for your business. 2. Revisit your market research. 3. Analyze your competition. […]
The Sweetest Business Networking Event of the Year
January 15, 2017
Tonight, Toronto entrepreneurs put the ‘epic’ in epicurean. More than 100 guests attended the most decadent (and least nutritious) networking event of the year: Chocolate Chip Cookie Off 2017. Featuring 35 types of gourmet cookies lovingly crafted by baking professionals, CCCO2017 offered an audacious tribute to carbs. Despite the frosty winter weather, we came out […]
Grow your business (with a 1-Page Marketing Plan)
January 3, 2017
To achieve growth and profitability this year, keep your marketing plan simple. Align your marketing with your corporate priorities by creating a one-page, high-level marketing plan for the year. The rationale is persuasive. One activity that sets the most successful companies apart is their willingness to document their marketing strategy, according to the Content Marketing […]
Proof the Freelance Revolution is Unstoppable
October 27, 2016
October is Small Business Month, so it’s the perfect time to acknowledge and celebrate a thriving entrepreneurial trend: the rise of the freelance movement. In the past decade alone, technology, globalization and economic factors have empowered and inspired workers to leave the corporate world behind and establish their own freelance business. The freelancing community has […]
8 Reasons Businesses Love Freelancers
October 27, 2016
The freelance revolution is fueling business, as a growing number of companies are turning to independent professionals to get their projects done. As the freelancing revolution gains momentum, companies can win big. Why Companies Win The business benefits of hiring a freelancer include: 1. Cost savings: Businesses can save a significant amount of money by […]
8 Reasons Workers Embrace Freelancing
October 27, 2016
Considering leaving the cubicle behind? You’re not alone. Projections suggest up to 40% of U.S. workers could be freelancers by 2020.[i] The benefits of pursuing a freelance path can include: 1. Freedom: Gain autonomy and be your own boss. As long as you get your work done, you can go for a mid-morning jog or […]
Does Freelancing Fit Your Lifestyle?
October 25, 2016
October is Small Business Month, so it’s a great time to consider whether the freelance movement is right for you — now or in the future. One desirable benefit of freelancing is how well it accommodates certain lifestyles, including: Digital Nomads: White-collar freelancers can choose to travel beyond their national borders and work anywhere there’s […]