A big challenge that many businesses face is finding someone who is capable enough of leading the growth charge. Most startups make the mistake of hiring people who have skills and experiences that are irrelevant, instead of focusing on the few essential skills that are paramount for startups in or before their early growth phase. [...]

A question that many CEOs often ask, is who would make the best candidate to lead their marketing and ongoing customer growth efforts.  In order to answer this question, it is important to first understand why this role is so challenging. Based on anecdotal evidence, about 90 percent of startup marketing leaders don’t work out. [...]

I made every textbook mistake at my first startup, which is why I believe I was much more effective at my second one. I have adopted the motto “good judgment comes from experience, but experience comes from bad judgment.” We need to learn from doing, by trial and error. If I can help you avoid [...]

Social media marketing has been top of mind among marketers and is becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Earlier this year, eMarketer estimated that worldwide social network ad revenues alone, not including money that companies spend developing presences on social networks or hiring staff to manage them, would reach $5.97 billion in 2011, a 71.6% increase over [...]

I ask with sincerity, is your business antisocial? Take a moment before you respond. I understand you may have Facebook and Twitter presences. Your business may broadcast on YouTube. Perhaps your executives are blogging. If you’re among the more sophisticated organizations, the team is probably subscribing to elaborate monitoring services to listen more effectively. And, [...]

Social referrals drive sales according to The Impact of Social Media report. The study focused on purchase processes for social users, and it indicates that social marketing across channels can have a significant impact on consumers’ buying decisions, with LinkedIn becoming increasingly important. Performics and ROI Research surveyed nearly 3,000 social networkers, and they conclude [...]

Does your brand splash around and do cannonballs off the side of the pool, or do you  dive straight in and swim with a smooth, steady stroke? Rome wasn’t built in a day and your personal brand, reputation or business brand can’t be, either. Trying to rush it, bombard people with it and be too [...]

I love this guy Seth Godin. Where does he get all his material and ideas? here he goes again… What’s the point of Popular? You’d think that it’s the most important thing in the world. Homecoming queen, student body president, the most Facebook friends, Oscar winner, how many people are waiting in line at the [...]