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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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I Was Fired From My Bank Job Then Started a Multimillion-Dollar Company
If you've ever been fired from a job, then you know it can be a personally deflating experience. It happened once to me but I became determined to turn the negativity into a positive opportunity for myself and my professional future.For me, it happened back in 1999. It was another…
Why Young ‘Next Gen’ Entrepreneurs Want Innovation and Personal Banking
As small and medium-sized businesses evolve, a new generation of decision-makers is emerging, known as "Next Gen" SMBs. These individuals, defined as those between 18 and 35 years of age, are reshaping business practices with their openness to innovative solutions, a mix of digital and traditional banking preferences, and a…
Why Automation is Killing Your Productivity and Draining Profits
Automation is supposed to make businesses more efficient. Instead, for many companies, it does the opposite.Businesses rush to automate tasks without fully understanding the impact. They invest in automation tools without addressing underlying inefficiencies. They replace human decision-making with software that isn't fully tested or optimized. Instead of making things…
How to Fire Bad Clients the Right Way
Building and running a successful business requires a steady flow of revenue and new customers. This is especially true in the beginning stages of building a business. Without a solid client base, you run the risk of financial trouble or drying up your capital reserves. For this reason, entrepreneurs will…
How to Succeed as a Planning-Driven Leader
Every great leader has a unique style that shapes how they run their business, approach challenges and manage their team. I like to say that leadership is built on four key pillars: performance, process, people and planning. While all of these are important, most leaders tend to naturally lean toward…
Why Your Outdated Network is Costing Your Business Money
If you're like most business owners, you don't think about your company's network infrastructure until something goes wrong.That's a mistake.Bad networks are like slow leaks in a sinking ship — silent, persistent and expensive. They don't just cause occasional frustration for employees. They drag down productivity, inflate costs and quietly…
This Framework Will Make Every Conversation You Have More Impactful
The most effective professionals don't just say what comes to mind the moment they think of it. Instead, they pause to make sure the right thing is said by the right person at the right time. In fast-moving discussions, that brief moment of reflection can mean the difference between a…
4 Business Lessons I’ve Learned from Women Entrepreneurs
As a former small business owner and now Chief Customer Officer at BILL, I'm constantly inspired by the entrepreneurs I meet. Their creativity, resilience and drive to innovate never cease to amaze me.I know firsthand the excitement of building something from scratch, and also the challenges of scaling operations while…
How a Night in the Jordanian Desert Taught Me a Business Lesson I’ll Never Forget
Many of the world's top business leaders swear by the benefits of traveling beyond their comfort zones. In fact, a study by Deloitte in late 2022 found that 77% of CEOs believe adaptability is more important now than ever, given today's rapidly changing global landscape. Exploring unfamiliar territories, immersing in…
Feel Like Your Business Is Destined to Stay Small? Here’s How to Unlock Explosive Growth.
When I started my business, PostcardMania, all I had was a phone, a computer, a tiny 600-square-foot cottage and my bestie Melissa (who is now president) at my side. Prior to this, I had worked odd jobs, but I was determined to follow my dream of creating a successful business.I…
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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…