Small Business
Christmas is the PERFECT Time to Shop Where You Live
If you’re a small business, you’re neck deep in Christmas. It’s only 23 days until Christmas. We all know how fast time goes, and even faster as you get older. Do you buy gifts for your employees? Many do. Many give out cash. Why not purchase Chamber bucks instead of giving out cash? Ours can…
Read MoreEight Thinks to Do on Small Business Saturday
Buy new furniture. Locally. Go visit your local furniture store and be surprised. The value, the customer service and the attention to detail will simply blow you away. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what is now available in the better lines of furniture and how affordable the pieces are. Don’t big box it…
Read MoreBeaujolais Nouveau with Friends
Christine, Cruzanne, Lynn and I used to celebrate Beaujolais Nouveau Day on the third Thursday in November with the new wine from the Beaujolais region from France, crepes and a long and happy meal together. I think it’s where I started to think that everyone’s birthday was in November. It was such a fun evening…
Read MoreThis is the place to be October 24
Tattoo: Peony for 60
I turn 60 June 1. It’s a real right of passage and one I’m ready to make. Last year at this time I got my 3rd tattoo – it was a misfit bird with the word ‘fly’ on the tail. My artist friend Jackie drew the design for me, and a local tattoo artist in…
Read MoreSeating for 1000, 47 at a time
Last week I was in Sioux Falls for 3 days for the Midwest Area Chamber Executives Conference. It’s days of training, networking and hearing about what is working in other communities. This year we received a tour of downtown Sioux Falls as part of the training. Connie Larson from Millbank sat next to me and…
Read MoreState of Digital Marketing 2015 Report
I got an email from Smart Insights that included their report The State of Digital Marketing in 2015 and this infographic and a few statistics that stood out to me were: One half (50%) of businesses surveyed do not have a defined digital plan or strategy, although they are active in digital marketing. The…
Read MoreOverheard: Corporate Speak
I was in Des Moines this week and while in Casey’s standing in line I overheard two staff members talking. “Did you read that email from corporate?” “The one about not using the elevators at work? And we should use the stairs? Get our exercise, stay committed to wellness?” “Have they ever been in a…
Read MoreIt’s all about relationships
Every Sunday Chris Brogan emails me. Most of the time it’s just to chat, share a few business ideas and maybe tell me about an upcoming thing he has going on. Yesterday he said this: If you’re not finding ways to nurture a community, if you’re not thinking of ways to build a relationship beyond…
Read MoreSunday Update: Bicycle
I had a good week – I spent a lot of it driving to and from Michigan where I spoke at the Small Town and Rural Conference. I also spent a lot of time in the car – and I have it in my head that I can eat junk food when I’m on a…
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