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Zack Oates of Ovation on Building Business Connections through Digital Storytelling
Soliciting feedback from customers often seems like a daunting task. However, Zack Oates and his team at Ovation have cracked the code with a proven strategy that not only encourages guest feedback, but also establishes a personal connection for exceptional results.Zack Oates and the guest feedback platform Ovation have taken a radically different approach to hearing from customers, which stems…
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Why Passion Alone Won’t Lead to Business Success
We've all heard the saying "Love what you do and you'll never work a day in your life." There is a lot of truth packed into this statement. Passion typically lies at the foundation of every successful business. For many business owners, choosing entrepreneurship meant escaping the dull, soulless corporate…
She Built a Media Empire From Her Phone — Now It Has More Clout Than the New York Times
Shaderoom founder Angie Nwandu transformed her hobby of posting celebrity gossip on Instagram into a social media empire boasting more followers than The New York Times. Today, her platform is a leading voice in the online Black community — a responsibility she embraces fully.Yet, her journey to success was anything…
Does AI Actually Increase Productivity? These Ivy League Researchers Came to a Surprising Conclusion.
It's taken as a given: AI boosts your productivity. But…does it really?A group of researchers at the business schools of Harvard, MIT and Warwick universities along with the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School wanted to find out. So they assembled a team of 758 Boston Consulting Group employees, and put…
This Hidden Retail Tech Is Transforming Customer Experiences
In retail, the concept of customer experience (CX) is typically framed through a consumer-facing lens — think loyalty apps, curbside pickup or influencer-driven TikTok campaigns. But the real transformation of CX in the post-pandemic era isn't happening in apps or ads. It's happening in the unglamorous trenches of store operations…
Why No One Bought Her Superior Product — and the Pivot That Drove 300% Growth
Jamie Mitri had an amazing product, almost zero sales, and no idea what was wrong.This was 2021, and she'd just launched her brand, Moss Pure. It makes indoor moss walls — those trendy, earthy installations you see in corporate lobbies. But hers was distinct: Most moss walls are actually made…
How Companies Can Develop Leaders Who Actually Deliver Results
In 2024, U.S. companies witnessed an unprecedented wave of CEO departures, with 327 executives exiting by November — a level of turnover unseen since 2010. This wave of CEO departures reflects a bigger shift in corporate leadership, as boards and investors are no longer content with big ideas alone; they…
Stop Losing $500+ a Month — The Mistake Starts With a Missed Call
For many small business owners, the ringing phone is a lifeline. But what happens when it goes unanswered? According to a new survey by my company, Vida, 42% of SMBs estimate they lose at least $500 every month to missed calls.That's over $6,000 a year — vanishing without a trace.…
What to Do After Your Business Gets Media Coverage
Ask most entrepreneurs what they want from a PR campaign, and you'll hear variations of the same answer: "We want to get our name out there." That's fair. Visibility matters.But here's the problem: Visibility alone doesn't pay the bills.I can't count how many business owners I've spoken with who've spent…
This CEO Says the Secret to Growth Is Knowing Who You’re Not For
When launched a 10-class challenge over 14 days, it came with a simple prize: a branded hoodie.Clients packed studios across the country. Some took the class at sunrise. Some, like CEO Bryan Myers, squeezed in late-night sessions to qualify."I was taking class at 10:00 PM," he told me on the…
How Saying ‘Yes’ to Everything Can Stall Your Growth
Entrepreneurs are known for being ambitious and driven, constantly scanning the horizon for ways to make their business stronger and more profitable. This eagerness to embrace every opportunity can help fuel growth and build crucial momentum, especially in a company's early stages. However, as businesses mature, the ability to strategically…
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Creative Ways Startups Can Earn Funding in Tough Economic Times
In a declining economy, startups face an uphill battle when it comes to securing funding.…
I Asked AI to Create a Plan for a Fake Company — The Results Blew Me Away, But Not in the Way You Might Think
With all of the recent news about artificial intelligence (AI), it got me thinking about…
Ideas To Transform You From Good To Better To Best
A while back, I took a couple of my grandchildren on a tour of the…
5 Crucial Challenges Startups Must Overcome
Startups face numerous challenges on their journey to success, and failing to overcome any one…