Tips from the evening of December 17, 2009 The Small Business tips today discuss marketing to Generation X via word of mouth. Generation X values individualism, but also what other people are doing/thinking. They will see a trend, and make a snap decision on it.  Values and opinions mean a lot to Generation X, in terms of quality and use. They especially value good prices, a great product with quality, and long term use to get their money's worth. They value others' experiences with products and will make decisions on what others have said. Gen X varies VERY differently from Baby Boomers culturally, economically, and financially. ACKNOWLEDGE this. Grouping them with their elders will only cause Gen X to automatically turn their shoulder. Product reviews are KEY for Generation Xers. They check them, post to them, and follow religiously. Create a great product or provide a great service and you will have something to show fo... [Read Full Article]

Management and Operations“Enlightened” Profit. A Better Way To Build A Business.Values are the key to building value. More and more of today’s CEO’s now see a three tiered metric of profit as essential to building a strong and sustainable company. TheWisdomGuy.comManagement and OperationsWhen Bad Things Happen to Good Business Owners and EntrepreneursStuff happens. As a business owner and entrepreneur, the more successful you become, the more you open yourself up to criticism, negative feedback or just plain being attacked. BusinessKnowHow.com Management and Operations [Read Full Article]

Government, Politics, and the Economy Is It Too Early to Start Thinking About a Rebound? It may not feel like it yet in your town or in your industry, but there are indications that things are getting better. NYtimes.comManagement and OperationsHow to Not Go Out of BusinessStart by studying how your best customers interact with your brand and its competitors, then brainstorm ways to address any shortcomings. BusinessWeek.com Management and Operations [Read Full Article]

Social media tools create a means by which a business can engage their audience with communication and start a conversation that they may not have had the opportunity to otherwise. The consumers can ask questions, comment and receive feedback. This allows the business to use these tools to better reach and understand their customers where the focus is on the conversation rather than the tools used to make the connection. Use the same tools in the same ways and for the same reasons that your customer would.  RelationshipTraditionally companies don’t get to start a relationship with a customer until that customer comes to their business. Social media gives the customer the ability to get to know the person representing the business, thus evaluating the business ahead of time. Relationships and communication are ultimately the be-all and end-all of good business. Effective marketing is done by word of mouth. The business should have the intent of creating... [Read Full Article]