Fearless Sales and Marketing

Fearless Sales and Marketing

Why do we hesitate to move forward with a marketing plan, or that sales call? Fear. When you are thinking about your marketing strategy, think specifically. Do you ever find yourself saying things like “I want us to make a larger impact next year” or “We need to focus...

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On Creativity and Strategy

On Creativity and Strategy

I have written before about the difference between creative and artistic. I think there is another distinction that needs to be made — the difference between creativity and strategy. It is possible to have very creative ideas that aren’t strategic. Likewise, it is...

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Afraid of social media?

Afraid of social media?

Fear to change. Fear of the board of directors. Fear of job loss. Fear. Fear. Fear. (blah blah blah) I believe that the fear you should have (that you don’t) is the Fear of becoming irrelevant. I’m especially writing this FOR the big companies. Why would I do that?...

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That Dang 80/20 Rule

That Dang 80/20 Rule

That darned ole 80/20 Rule just won’t go away, will it? Recently I heard someone talking about the 80/20 rule in the way of “getting back to the basics.” Ultimately the point was that the basics account for 80% of your success. At first, I was all arrogant... "I’ve...

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Fart Noise Maker Marketing 101

Fart Noise Maker Marketing 101

Don’t forget sales. Marketing and advertising is only the first step. Advertising and Marketing can be thought of as a fart noise maker. Some people might think a fart noise maker is entertaining, some might find it offensive. Rarely will a person remain completely...

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Artistic VS Creative

Artistic VS Creative

Is there a difference between artistry and creativity? You bet there is. Where does this conversation fall into our business life? Art is always that term that evades me. What IS art? The conversation goes like this: Regular Person: “My two year old could have painted...

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Social Media Marketing: Just be Yourself

Social Media Marketing: Just be Yourself

There are so many questions clients have about social media. They say "I don't know what to post." Even recently I had a new client meeting where we examined their social efforts. Let's talk about what I discovered. First, this company is using social media, so that...

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I’m Betting the Grass IS Greener

I’m Betting the Grass IS Greener

I love new year’s resolutions. That’s right. I refuse to listen anymore to the naysayers yapping about how only 8% of people will achieve them. Look, I get what they are saying. But what will I say?? I say, I’m going for it. I say, I’m going places. If I get...

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What designers hate about “Ugly”

What designers hate about “Ugly”

Let's be honest. We've all seen successful companies that are ugly. What designers hate about ugly is that it isn't required for some measure of success. (It isn't REQUIRED.) Consistency in marketing is the key to success in marketing. Even if it's ugly, if you have a...

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We’ve had it all wrong! (Websites)

We’ve had it all wrong! (Websites)

In preparing to meet with a new client this morning, I'm reminded of where we've all gone WRONG. For the longest time, it was cool to have a website. In the beginning there was blinking text and loud blocks of color. It was awful, but the information was there....

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The Power of the Business Card

The Power of the Business Card

This is definitely a subject we've been meaning to blog about for a good while now. At Solve, we are true believers in the power of GREAT business cards as marketing tools. We believe that with a well crafted message and an intriguing design you can make a lasting...

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Risk-taking when Job Hunting

Risk-taking when Job Hunting

I'm pretty sure it was a couple of weeks before graduation when my brother Pablo called to ask me what I was doing after graduation. Having moved from Honduras to Rochester three years prior, I thought it was pretty obvious I was sticking around and looking for a job...

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Random Lunch Conversations with Bo

Random Lunch Conversations with Bo

God, Design, and Miscellaneous (not exactly what you're thinking of) When God was in the heavens with his "Animal Kingdom Lego Set" putting together his aesthetically pleasing combinations of horses, birds, fishes, amongst others, their came a point where he thought...

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QR Codes and what they are good for

QR Codes and what they are good for

2022 edit. QR codes have become more mainstream with the update in the accessibility of just using our camera phones. I must admit that some of the information is still applicable, but some of the opinions of uses has changed along with the technology itself! Harold...

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