Right now we’re experiencing a bit of a contraction in the tech ecosystem, as many companies announce layoffs and venture capitalists slow down their investing. In my opinion this is just a natural, appropriate reaction to a lack of strong business fundamentals among some companies and not a precursor to a major collapse of some sort....

In every office, break rooms serve as a gathering place for employees to get away from their work for a few minutes. Whether they’re getting coffee or eating lunch, workers eventually begin to see the break room as a retreat, especially if the room has been specifically designed to be warm and inviting. For employers,...

You may have watched some those super-expensive Superbowl ads go viral over the years and lamented your own small (or nonexistent) marketing budget, knowing that kind of exposure is out of reach. Well, it may not be after all. After this year’s Superbowl, the Brewers’ Association, an industry group representing the majority of craft brewers...

Customer service is one of those things that you just can’t ignore if you’re aiming for success and longevity for your startup. Customer service in general is important to your company, because it is often the only contact a customer has with your business. Since that first contact is so critical, you want to make...

If you work for a living, your life is most likely filled with noise. From the time your alarm goes off in the morning to the time you go to bed at night, there’s very little silence. Yet too much noise has been linkedto dangerous health conditions like high blood pressure and heart disease. Persistent...

Businesses work hard to recruit and vet applicants for a job opening, often spending hours and significant money finding the right employee. After you’ve put all that work in, you’re usually well aware of the importance of keeping good employees on board once you’ve found them. This starts from the first day your new hire...

If repeat business is your goal, good customer service is essential. According to a recent survey, one bad customer service call will send most customers away permanently. Since repeat customers bring in more money than new customers on average, it’s important that businesses find ways to nurture their existing buyers and this includes the customer...

Insightful, personal stories are the most effective path to get people caring about your brand. As the Internet has become firmly ingrained in our lives, there’s never been a better chance to develop or grow a global business. However, the world wide web has created a more discerning customer who is not content to be simply a number....

Data has the power to strengthen everything businesses do, from the new products they launch to the marketing campaigns they use to promote those products. Gathering information and putting that information to use, even in HR, has become big business, creating jobs and cloud solutions. When a business is more informed before making decisions, that...

Search is very helpful for your business but don’t forget longstanding real-world strategies. These days, many business owners have become obsessed with utilizing Search Engine Optimization (SEO) in their marketing campaigns. While SEO has a valued place in Internet marketing, it is possible to master local marketing without relying on it. In fact, when it comes...