Would you like 340º vision?
January 24, 2011 by Barbara · 9 Comments
With eyes on the sides of their heads, horses have 340º vision. As prey animals, they need it for survival.
Whether your business is one person or one thousand people, taking time to learn from the past will help you survive too. We’re all so busy, it is tempting to jump right into planning the brilliant future. I’m speaking as one who has done this – often.
We lose something when the lure of the future causes us to bypass reviewing the past and developing a clear vision for the year. It is like starting your kitchen remodel by knocking down a wall before you have a blueprint, or starting a marketing plan with specific actions instead of big picture objectives and strategies. It can be REALLY fun, but it may not serve you best in the long run. Read more
December reflections – looking back at 2010
December 31, 2010 by Barbara · 14 Comments
With the new year upon us, it’s a great time to reflect on the year just ending and look ahead at what we want to create in 2011. If we don’t take time to evaluate and learn from our experiences, we are more likely to miss new opportunities or repeat our mistakes. Reviewing the prior year gives us a chance to connect the dots in our own business (and life) and to notice the pattern of changes from year to year. This process keeps us up-to-date with ourselves as well as the changing marketplace. I offer some questions and invite you to carve out a few hours of quiet time for this valuable practice. Read more
Why use social media?
September 30, 2010 by Barbara · 3 Comments
Social media continue to grow and change: they aren’t going away. Social networking is well on the way to becoming mainstream, not just for personal connections, but for business marketing as well.
Most people today go to the internet first when they want information — especially about someone or something they don’t know. Understanding and using social media gives us the potential to reach beyond our locale and our known circle to find people who care about what we are doing and want to engage with us because of it. Read more
Not all eyeballs are equal
August 1, 2010 by Barbara · Leave a Comment
Seth Godin, as always, has a way of putting things into perspective. In this case, he questions all the hullabaloo about friends, fans, and the social media audience. What is the value? Read more
3 (and a half) reasons to know your target audience
June 19, 2010 by Barbara · Leave a Comment
When I lead workshops on developing marketing messages, small businesses owners often struggle to define their target audience. “Why can’t my business be for everyone?” they ask.
There are a few good reasons. First of all, we can’t afford to market to everyone. Think about that. It’s overwhelming.
Second, your marketing becomes most effective when it’s focused on a specific type of person or group. Third, over time your focused marketing defines your business in the marketplace which helps those ideal prospects find you. Read more
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As a 25-year veteran of marketing professional services, Barbara Breckenfeld is a strategist and a storyteller. She helps helps businesses grow as a consultant, marketing coach, and seminar leader.
