our insights

<p>Kitchens in the ’70s and ’80s had this appliance. It was a hit in suburban households for decades and an omnipresent part of the home back in the olden days.</p><p> How do most of us get along without the Trash Compactor now? It’s hard to say, but it’s been decades since the average home has been built with one of these contraptions – at least as far as I know anyway. Back then, the homeowner would...</p><p>‍</p>

<p> A budget is a plan.<br><br>That’s all it should be.<br><br>Let’s be honest at the start of 2020 people were not calculating how to incorporate the adjustment that would come from a worldwide pandemic. No matter what type of industry in which you operate, there were far-reaching ramifications and everyone had to adjust. The budget situates you for success, growth, and should allow you to figure...</p>

<p>About twenty years ago, in a city far from where my agency is located, I learned a valuable life lesson.<br><br>Gathered with me in an old room with dated furniture on a cloudy fall day were 12 people who I’d never met prior to that week. A few days before, we went through a tryout of sorts, and that was also a strange experience. I always wanted to...</p><p>‍</p>

<p>From all accounts, Zoom calls are going to remain a part of the business day.<br><br>For years companies ran WebEx, Teams, and other video conference meetings, but it wasn’t until 2020 that we all started playing in that arena on a regular (read: daily, or even hourly) basis. That shift was startling to many...</p><p>‍</p>

<p>Business routines are backwards these days. It used to be I’d build a relationship with someone, then they would become a client. Now, clients decide to trust us to help them and then at some point afterward we begin...</p><p>‍</p>

<p>Late last year something happened in my business’ sales cycle and it got me thinking.</p><p> To support another organization, I placed a call to a friend of mine whom I had known for about a dozen years. &nbsp;In the course of the conversation about this other topic, he asked me about marketing and advertising. &nbsp;He wondered how we help clients...</p><p>‍</p>

<p>The year was 2003 and sequels were all the rage – The Lord of the Rings, Matrix, and Terminator movie series were topping the box office. &nbsp;Speaking of Terminators, it was that year that Arnold Schwarzenegger became California’s Governor too. &nbsp;The government was...</p>

<p>It’s fascinating when a client says something to me that I’ve already thought or said myself many times. As if hearing the idea for the first time, their comment hits my head (or my heart) and drives home a concept chock full of value. That’s exactly what happened to me during a recent Zoom call with a client.</p><p> We were talking about their media plans and how they suggested we approach their strategy for the coming season. We were working through their goals, their budget, previous success, and some new ideas to...</p><p>‍</p>