Writing
Several years ago, I visited a small tackle retailer in Branson, Mo., near Table Rock Lake. Though it was spring and the fish were biting, I was there for business—to learn how this 1,200-square-foot store thrived despite fierce competition from...
What is a point of differentiation (POD)? A Point of Differentiation (POD) is the unique value your business offers that your competitors don’t. It’s what makes your product, service, or brand memorable and desirable to your target audience. Why POD...
As a consultant, your personal brand is crucial to your success—and a key component of that brand is your worldview. This isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a guiding principle that influences your approach to business, decision-making, and client interactions. Let’s...
Many small business owners think they need to scale to compete with larger companies. They imagine growing bigger, serving more customers, and automating processes will lead to success. But what if scaling your business leads you down the wrong path?...
The newly redesigned WordPress.com Learn Hub is the culmination of years of hard work by several talented teams inside the brand; I’m proud to have played a role in its execution. The hub now features a clean, intuitive design, more...
Yes, branding is important for your small business, too. No matter how many times I tell small business owners that “branding is like the air in your lungs, essential for your survival,” they still think of it as something they’ll...
In my experience of working with hundreds of brands over the last 15+ years, there are three things businesses get wrong when it comes to brand building. And these are businesses of all sizes, not simply small businesses. The No....
In a recent blog, I wrote about the need for small business owners to eat the frog, tackling their most important challenges early and often. Doing so helps better ensure their long-term survival, but it requires attentiveness to what kills...
Social psychology teaches us that panhandlers asking for specific amounts of money are typically far more likely to receive a handout. A specific ask conveys an effort to complete a clear-cut task, which makes it easier for normally apathetic passersby...
How innovation and unique branding give small businesses an unfair advantage I’ve been blessed to work with some amazing brands over the last fifteen years, many of which weren’t even around when I was born. I can still remember sitting...