Today’s challenges are tomorrow’s opportunities.  We don’t need to ride the tumultuous wave of declining consumer spending and low sales while clutching our raft, closing our eyes and waiting for the storm to break.  We can do something powerful instead.  We can use the current climate to strengthen our businesses, specifically our value propositions.

A strong value proposition is the message that conveys to customers the benefits of doing business with… read more...

Popularity: 80% [?]

There is no shortage of bad news about the economy. It seems unclear whether we are “officially” in a recession with the conflicting reports from our daily news sources. The mainstream censor-approved definition of a recession is 2 consecutive quarters of decline in productivity (measured by Gross Domestic Product). There seems to be less of a consensus on the definition of an economic depression, but it is often cited as… read more...

Popularity: 84% [?]

Countless times I’ve heard industry marketers say there is no such thing as a bad cup of tea.  I’ve also heard countless C-level executives say that blended / flavored teas are the only ones that sell and hopefully through the introduction of blended teas, the consumer’s palate will evolve to appreciate unadulterated types.  I agree.  Somewhat. 

My first glass of wine was not a 1982 Chateau Margaux Margaux.  Had it been… read more...

Popularity: 77% [?]

Recently, while in Chicago, I visited the retail outlet of a customer, TeaGschwendner, and witnessed what I considered one of the most innovative partnerships I have ever seen.

As I pulled up on State Street in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast, I saw a huge group of people outside drinking iced tea and thought, ‘WOW, they… read more...

Popularity: 84% [?]