A case for planning

One of the fun parts of my job is planning events for small businesses. I have a number of contacts who specialize in creating party favours and printed items, but the real fun comes with the planning. Mary runs a small home design shop where she displays various fabrics, mirrors and other stylish vases andContinue reading “A case for planning”

Trust me, he said

Every experience someone has with your brand contributes to the perception they form about your brand. If you want these experiences to nudge people closer to a purchase decision, you need to deliver on what you promise. Like billions of online shoppers, I placed an order for delivery before the holidays. Nothing extravagant; it wasContinue reading “Trust me, he said”

Don’t leave without a word

There may come a time when you’re ready to leave the business. This could happen for a number of reasons. Perhaps you’re contemplating retirement or maybe you’re just ready to downsize and spend more time at the cottage with family. Whatever your reason, don’t leave your customers hanging and wondering what happened to you. You’veContinue reading “Don’t leave without a word”

Gold star service — I got it!

I rarely write customer reviews. I don’t have a reason for not writing them, it’s just not something I do. But, today, I just might. I recently hired a builder to create a lattice wall for my garden. The experience exceeded my expectations, so much so that I can’t say enough good things about it.Continue reading “Gold star service — I got it!”

Build it and they’ll come

You want to build a brand that will be memorable and at the same time, reflect your values and personality. After all, this is the brand that’s going to stand out in the minds of consumers and help you achieve your business goals. Right? These brand-building foundational questions will hopefully get you thinking and startedContinue reading “Build it and they’ll come”

How forgiving are you?

Creating a positive brand experience is key to building a successful brand. Bad brand experiences are not. I would normally focus my blogs on the positive, but since I’ve run into a streak of less than positive experiences, I’ve decided on a little healthy vent. Here I go! Incorrect phone numbersNot long ago, I wasContinue reading “How forgiving are you?”

Brand is not a one and done

A brand is a perception in the minds of consumers. You’ve heard me say that before. It’s what consumers think and feel about your brand, whether you like it or not. Every experience someone has with your brand is an opportunity for you to create positive perceptions. This could come from how they judge theContinue reading “Brand is not a one and done”

Keep in touch. Stay top of mind.

We make buying decisions based on the value we perceive from a product or service. Does the product or service improve your lifestyle or make a certain task easier or more enjoyable? Are you willing to pay more for convenience or drive farther to buy because you trust the brand? Would you pay more forContinue reading “Keep in touch. Stay top of mind.”

When is it time to hang up the hat?

You’ve put a lot of sweat and tears into building your business and you’re proud of your accomplishment. But, how do you know when you’re ready to move on? There are so many questions to ask yourself. For me, my business was sparked by my passion for writing. It grew from my desire to helpContinue reading “When is it time to hang up the hat?”