Millennials, also known as Generation Y, are those that fall into the (roughly) age 19 to 30 category. To them, the rules about work and what it means to be an entrepreneur are changing. Or is it that they’re changing the rules? A new study from oDesk and Millennial Branding shows that flexibility and independence are what millennials value the most in the workplace. An easy-to-read infographic provides an overview of the study’s findings, and a recent article in Small Business Trends gives tips on how to satisfy the entrepreneurial spirit of millennials on your staff.
Archive for the ‘Sales & Marketing’ Category
With Millennials, the Rules Have Changed
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, May 21, 2013
What’s in a “Like”? $174.17, That’s What
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, May 10, 2013
If you don’t have a Facebook page for your company (read: brand), you might want to reconsider. Pronto. A recent study shares that each “like” your brand gets on Facebook is worth $174.17. And the research indicates that that amount will only keep increasing. Think of Facebook fans as 24/7/365 evangelists. It’s not an audience you want to ignore. Ned Smith, a senior writer at BusinessNewsDaily, explains more.
How to Grab Your Audience in 30 Seconds
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, April 17, 2013
When was the last time you took a hard look – or an attentive listening – to your customer and/or prospect presentations? You know, the PowerPoints and spiels you use to tell your story. Are they grabbing your audience’s attention, or are they causing nod-offs? If you don’t hook your audience in the first 30 seconds or so, all might be lost. But how do you do just that, hook them? OPEN Forum has some ideas.
Marketing: The Rules Have Changed
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, March 7, 2013
Marketing is marketing is marketing, right? Not necessarily. While you might think that rules don’t change, it turns out that in this case, they do. The old rules don’t do the trick anymore. But what if you’re not sure you even know the old rules…how can you adjust to the new rules? And what exactly are the new rules? Geoffrey James, a regular contributor to Inc., shares his ideas on the old and new do’s and don’ts of marketing.
Don’t Jeopardize Success with Marketing Blunders
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, January 30, 2013
In her earlier stint as a VP of marketing in the corporate world, Kathy Caprino saw her share of serious marketing crises. As a career coach and advisor, she encounters marketing strategies that soar and those that go down in flames. In a recent Forbes blog, she outlines the top seven marketing blunders that she sees day in and day out. If not avoided, these mistakes can be disastrous to a small business.
What’s Your Voice?
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, January 23, 2013
Does your company voice match your company brand? Is it consistent while still remaining unique? Are you struggling to even know what your 
voice is? When you read “voice”, do visions of Cee Lo Green, Blake Shelton, Christina Aguilera, or Adam Levine float through mind? Regardless of where you fall on the “what’s your voice” scale, this recent article in Inc. will help you make your company voice stronger. And a stronger voice makes for a stronger company.
Boosting Revenue: Trends to Learn From
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, January 21, 2013
The good news is tha
t small businesses did well this past holiday season, perhaps even better than expected. The even better news is that as a small business owner, you can learn from 2012 trends and take steps to boost revenue in 2013. A recent article in Small Business Trends identifies challenges, techniques, and solutions for making 2013 your best year yet.
Marketing Un-resolutions: 5 Things Not to Do in 2013
Written By Alerus Small Business Connect, January 9, 2013
If you’re like us, you’re still feeling invigorated by your New Year’s resolutions and are working hard to keep them. Start this, increase that, read 
this, research that…you get the picture. But what about the things we should stop doing? We hadn’t thought of it that way until we ran across a recent article in Inc. Adopting these “knock that off” marketing resolutions could help move your business forward in 2013.
