Two main factors drive the success of a children’s book: does it appeal to the parents … and then the kids? does it bring home enough of a life lesson? Commercially successful ones have a preponderance of wonder and fun that sometimes grossly overshadow any lessons. There...
Growth by acquisition is not usually an option for startups or small businesses. The focus is usually organic growth. Money is tight. Investors and/or advisors do not want to hear about buying other companies. However, of the many things a founder/owner has to do why...
As an investor, I see plenty of proposals wanting a marketing budget, sometimes with no sales yet. As a consultant, I see huge marketing dollars spent, often without a high or even a clear contribution to sales. As a strategist, I loathe seeing marketing and...
Do Zebras have white stripes or black stripes? Are Zebras black or white? Are those pretty stripes useful? When young Zara and Zeke are curious, see how wise old Zo tells them how their stripes are useful and not just pretty. Zo also reveals to...
Whether a startup or established company, founders, CEOs and boards are adding new roles into the C-suite. They include CFO, COO, CRO (revenue or risk), CTO, CIO (information or innovation), CMO (marketing or merchandizing), CDO (digital, diversity or data), CCO (customer) and CPO (people) . Who...
Stable companies typically fail because of three reasons: • Business environment shift: The Covid-19 pandemic is bankrupting companies across sectors. Automation and outsourcing have destroyed entire towns. • Reinvention of business models: Apple’s touch interface destroyed BlackBerry. • Changing customer expectations: Digital photography destroyed film photography. Disruptions caused by business or technology models or consumer behavior...