Leadership Is An Art

I needed to share this today - a reminder that attempting to manage or lead or influence people by force - it just never works for long, and in the process, it breaks down your team members and creates unneeded stress and chaos. And yet, I see such behavior taking place again and again, sometimes at organizations I come across in community involvement activities here in my area; other times I've observed these practices with client companies, all with the same outcome; creation of resentment, burnout, lack of cohesiveness between employees, and the not-nearly-enough-discussed subject of employees feeling unappreciated.

Capture the Moment: Sell Your Service

Sharing "what you do" - telling the story of your talented work, finished product, or end result - is a key step many people miss. They get so caught up in content they are told is "post-worthy", that they forget to capture and share the real essence of what their brand does, and that's the heart and soul of marketing.

We All Have An Opportunity To Be Kind

Perhaps I talk about kindness on here more than some people - I feel it is not an effort or behavior to practice, but rather something that happens when people genuinely care for one another.

Courtesy Wins; Manners Matter

No one enjoys a pefect life, not even the best people or the most exceptional brands; lousy reviews will still be unfairly left for great businesses, and knee-jerk reactions can still ruin an entire experience.

 

Small Business Owner Life (a short reflection)

I posted this around March 29th, as we celebrated National Mom & Pop Business Owner Day. It's always an important observance for me, as I am deeply passionate about both supporting and working with independently-owned businesses, and recently it's been occurring to me how much more challenging this journey can be.

Show Your Love for Local: Free Graphics Supporting Small Businesses

Each year, towards the end of the summer, as fall temperatures began to creep into our nights, we start working on a series of images for the upcoming holiday season. Not technically marketing material, but a theme focusing on one of our favorite topics, the joys and many benefits of "shopping small" and spending with independently owned businesses. Since 2021 we've rolled out a collection of quirky messages and simple signage encouraging everyone to join us in searching out - and spending with! - the best locally-owned shops, retailers, restaurants, service companies, etc.