I even saw a Tweet last week touting that a VA (Virtual Assistant) can write your company's blog. Companies don't know how to blog.  It's implied that a corporate or CXO blog is written by employees who are 'in the know' in that company or by the CXO themselves - with or without the byline. understand that sometimes companies need help learning to create a social media presence.   Sponsored by Company X.  The topic of ghostblogging and Tweeting is popping up everywhere.  So, answer this question for me.  MORE >>

But there are so many more great companies out there. These companies trust their intuition, signs and the facts, evolving to intercept opportunities for growth! Now, Fruit of the Loom is accomplishing a tough transition: they are evolving a company brand, changing the perception of a global marketplace and entering new markets - without dramatically changing their product fundamentals. Market leaders follow the signs. Leaders are always on the alert for Signs of shifting markets. Many point to Apple and Google and Amazon as innovators who follow the signs.   Why?  MORE >>

Who wants to work with another company, buy a service or even rent a room if the legal fees out weigh the upside opportunity. Remember when our word was our bond, and a handshake sealed a deal? We made a commitment, kept it and expected others to do the same. Even when it was inconvenient, we kept our commitments, in business and in our personal lives.    So much has changed. have a knack for committing to verbal agreements with people who later only remember what was in their best interest. It happened to me again this last week with my ski lease. I'm disappointed. MORE >>

Marketing departments in all kinds of companies are using the power of being 'personal' as a way to attract customers and win business.   Then there's the offers of all those boy toys that companies just know Mr. Rebel wants.    Personalized profiles are all the rage in outbound marketing.    We insert recipients' names into email campaigns that are tailored to what we assume are their requirements, thanks to a tailored sentence or two. Somehow - that doesn't seem like a truly personal approach.  So what's my point? MORE >>

  My horse trainer's insurance company refused to allow dogs on her property because they were afraid of lawsuits. Hey company is  taking every single marketing piece - from outbound emails to landing pages to spec sheets, through a legal process. I was looking at a contract with my publishing house last week. It got me thinking about trust. This contract was lengthy and detailed. Fair, but very detailed. Yet there were still a few things I had to take on trust. did it. But how many others would? My how times have changed. That's all I needed. Right?  MORE >>