5 Reasons Why Discipline Is My Greatest Passion

“Discipline is doing what you hate to do but doing it like you love it.” – Mike Tyson. I agree with Mr. Tyson. Read More >

5 Elements to Integrate into Your Marketing Plan

One of the first things a bank wants to see when discussing a loan for a business is the business plan and within that, a marketing plan.  Whether a new business owner or a seasoned vet, a yearly marketing plan is a must for your business. Not having a plan is like going somewhere you have never been and not using a map. Here are five elements to integrate into your company’s plan. Read More >

Talking with the Media
How best to communicate with the media? Here is industry jargon defined. Read more >

 5 Tips on How To Build Advertising Effectiveness

Brand value hangs on customer experience

The customer experience could make or break your brand longevity. So portends a recent survey conducted by Strativity and Service Experts, Inc.—a leading customer experience firm. Read More >

Here are the scenarios: Mom is at the grocery store, and texts SCOPE to a special number to receive an instant coupon for $2 off. A college student is buying a team T-shirt at Wal-Mart. He texts GO HOGS to Nike and receives an offer for a free Razorbacks mobile phone wallpaper. The message is clear:  Consumers are engaged with mobile and social media. Businesses must engage consumers on that level or be left back in the dark ages of black-and-white TV. Read More >

Winners Score with Names and Numbers

 The story goes like this: When one of Albert Einstein’s colleagues asked for his telephone number, Einstein reached for a telephone directory.  “You don’t remember your own number?” the man asked in disbelief.  “No,” said Einstein with a shrug. ”Why should I memorize something I can so easily get from a book?” Read More >

It has been a buzzword for some time now, but many of us still stumble when asked to put our value proposition into words. So what is a Value Proposition? Read More >

Ask a Millennial or Generation Z about branding and you may be confused by the conversation. Their concept of branding is the newest alternative to tattooing– an extreme body modification similar to branding cattle. That’s the conversation Andrea Thomas found herself in with a youth who fancied a career in branding. Read More >

Getting an Education at the Chamber
For 2010, Bentonville Bella Vista Chamber rolls out its rebranding strategy with two membership groups aptly named: WalStreet and MainStreet. The rebranding comes with a new look, new programs and a new Web site. (www.bbvchamber.com) The logos were created by Heather Billgren, a student at NWACC, who submitted designs along with 11 of her classmates. Read More >

Local Icons share tips on Social Media

With so many people now on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and other social media, how can you, as a business owner, rise above the clamor and connect with your customers and employees?vBrad Lawless, Director of Brand Strategy for Collective Bias, says his firm walks companies new to social media through these four steps. Read More >

Perception versus reality…

He just couldn’t understand it. Why did everyone constantly question his progress on their projects? Of course, he was working on them – of course, they would be completed on time. He found the entire situation very frustrating. Take one step into this employee’s office and the answer becomes clear. There are stacks of paper everywhere! The desk is not visible; only the keyboard and monitor peek out. The floor is covered. The piles aren’t even neat. When asked a question, he searches frantically for your information. What would you expect from this person? Read More >