AI can be incredibly helpful for small businesses, but it can also become frustrating when expectations don’t match reality. Most problems with AI don’t come from bad tools. They come from how AI is approached. Understanding these common mistakes can help small businesses avoid wasted time, unnecessary complexity, and disappointment. If you’re still getting oriented, our […]
Small businesses often assume AI is something only large companies can afford or manage. In reality, many small businesses are already using AI-often without realizing it-to save time, improve consistency, and reduce manual work. The key isn’t complexity. Instead, it’s about applying AI where it makes everyday work easier. If you’re still getting oriented, our […]
AI is everywhere, but for many small businesses it feels confusing, overwhelming, or overhyped. This article breaks down what AI actually is, what it isn’t, and where it realistically helps—without big budgets, technical jargon, or unrealistic promises. If you’re not sure where to start, this guide offers clarity, not complexity.
It’s been interesting to watch how some businesses re-emerged from the lock down in China which preceded the US by a few months. Companies like Nike and Lululemon shut down all retail outlets during the lock down, and promoted online sales heavily. This strategy paid of nicely for Nike as its online sales surged by […]
I’ve been pretty impressed by the ingenuity and resourcefulness of local businesses during this time of isolation and social distancing. It can’t be easy, but these businesses have been able to keep moving forward and improving their prospects while all of us wait for a time when we can be more normal.
It’s getting close to the zero hour for Google+ as a social network. As of August 31st, 2019 it will cease to exist. Although Google announced the shut down last October, I’m a bit surprised that more people aren’t aware of it. This lack of awareness likely goes hand in hand with the statistic I […]
We’ve chronicled the demise of some traditional print media for years now, here, here, and here. We’ve noticed along with the rest of you about the shift to online and away from traditional yellow pages, newspapers, magazines and more. So it was with great interest when we heard that Facebook was investing $3 Million dollars […]
I chuckled when I saw this headline on a recent Valpak mailer “Think direct mail is dead? Think again. As a new mover, let me tell you I seem to be on every list imaginable. There is no lack of direct mail in my household, between the move and our natural catalog and online shopping […]
For the last number years or so we’ve seen the emergence of quirky, innovative and sometimes irreverent consumer shave clubs. Dollar Shave Club and Harry’s come to mind. These businesses are full of personality…some wacky, others cheeky…but definitely not boring. Recent examples of videos from this group are: (here, here, and here). The internet has […]
Recent articles and events re-inforce the narrative started a few years ago: the retail shake-down cruise is nowhere near over. Issues with once mighty giants like Sears Holdings filing for Chapter 11 – on life support waiting for last minute funding, JCPenny becoming a penny stock for the first time since the 70’s, and others […]