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David Sax wrote “The Revenge of Analog” describing some interesting aspects of marketing. He states that customers often discover novel advantages for products. These may seem silly, and definitely were not in the minds of the creators of the products. These unexpected benefits frequently acco...

A new study from real estate website Apartment List found the number super commuters – workers who travel more than 90 minutes to get to work – is growing. How much time do you feel is reasonable for your daily commute? Would you prefer to be able to walk to work? Or do you think a work from home option is bes...

There are some differences in merchandising theory between the neighbourhood grocery store and the sporting goods store down the street. The fact remains that both are merchandised in the same way. Both use an organized and attractive layout to maximize each item's sales potential. These mercha...

Could existing startups and incubators be more aggressive in courting venture capital firms? Should the region form an entity to advocate collectively for startups here? Do you feel the region may have to wait for more startups to locate here, or even wait for local college graduates to create thei...

For any small business, it is important to determine precisely who you will be marketing your services or products to. An efficient business should not waste time or money trying to market to everyone. You must choose a target market that is potentially the best prospect for your business. There are...

The life safety code covers a wide range of situations. Many of them are straightforward and in some cases common sense. But there are some issues you probably wouldn’t consider as code infractions. You need to remember that if there is an exit sign above the door, it MUST be operational and code compl...

The goal of community policing is to build trust and long-term relationships in the community, so crime can be reduced. Instead of a punitive approach, it focuses on preventing problems through mutual respect. Community policing fosters a sense of safety for residents, but it also supports polic...

In discussions with industry leaders like Seth Godin and Clay Hebert (among many others), it has become clear that we are in a Connection Economy. The connection economy rewards value created by building relationships and creating connections, rather than building assets by industrialism. Thi...

Here are three ways to strengthen your business. You can push out the competition by adding new layers to your existing business. 1. Start a cross-promotion with another business You should already be familiar with your market. Itemize the main characteristics of your target audience. Then conta...

Is it finding the money to get started? How important is coming up with a solid business idea and doing a business plan? How hard is it to get all the necessary registrations and licensing done? How do you go about finding and/or hiring staff? What about the problems of physically starting the business...

From my initial research, the major contenders include Google, Bing, Yellow Pages and Yelp. If you conduct a business search on a mobile device, you see that businesses are usually prioritized by their proximity to you. Most online listings look and operate like this, but not every business takes a...

Because of their versatility, padlocks – properly matched, and installed for the job you want them to perform – can frequently solve the trickiest security problem for you. And, with padlocks, those problems can frequently be resolved at a fraction of the cost of other security hardware. Padlocks...

Another modeller and I were having a conversation recently, and we got around to the subject of aftermarket parts and how they had revolutionized modelling. We both agreed that the range had expanded beyond belief in the last few years, and that it had raised the standards of the models which we are no...

It is straightforward for you to take some simple steps to guard against thieves breaking into your home. You should begin by simply walking around inside and outside your property. Take a careful look at the doors, windows, vents, and other openings in the walls and roof. Then ask yourself if it seem...

If you try to target everyone as a potential customer, you will likely sell to no one. When a website is not producing anticipated revenue, you may have improper audience targeting. Today’s business environment is so competitive. A small business' best bet is to focus on developing niche products...

For any business person, the opportunity to get on top of the market can be realized with something as simple as this high-impact, easy-to-use technique. Effective communication is crucial to understanding your consumers. You must encourage questions before the sale, during the sale and after t...

A successful business person should be alert to the potential for new markets. Diversification is the best way to stay at the forefront of a constantly changing marketplace. By diversifying, you will be able to insulate your business from the adverse effects of these changes by adapting your busi...

Even small tasks benefit from efficient planning. Organization doesn’t just help you tackle large projects. Use these tips to be more productive in your day-to-day life. Stand Up Keep meetings short and on topic by conducting 10- to 15-minute “stand-ups.” Not only do studies find that these sorts...

Many older homes still rely on just a key in knob lock for their security. Unfortunately, in today’s world of high levels of house break-ins, a deadbolt installation is imperative for the protection of your family and property. Make your home safe and protect your property by having us install deadb...

As the days start to cool down and summer transitions into autumn, it’s a perfect time to roll up your sleeves and get your garden ready for the next blooming season. Late summer to early autumn is considered the best time for dividing and transplanting spring-blooming perennials. Why, you ask? Well...