When the search for “new” distracts from the disciplines that actually drive competitive advantage

When the search for “new” distracts from the disciplines that actually drive competitive advantage

The question may not be verbatim, but executives often ask us for solutions that are “New and different” in marketing in their sectors. It typically emerges when performance appears to plateau or competitors seem to be advancing. While reasonable, the question rests...
From Niche to Necessary: How Mission-Focused Non-Profits Can Expand Market Relevance

From Niche to Necessary: How Mission-Focused Non-Profits Can Expand Market Relevance

In today’s competitive nonprofit landscape, many organizations struggle with a common perception: they’re seen as “nice to support,” not “need to support.” In other words, their cause may be worthy and their programs impactful, but without clear relevance to broader...
The ROI Playbook: 3 ways that marketing drives incremental profit

The ROI Playbook: 3 ways that marketing drives incremental profit

For too many businesses, marketing remains an expense item—a necessary cost of doing business – not a strategic driver of profit. But what if marketing wasn’t just an expense? What if, instead, it operated as a profit center—accountable for delivering measurable,...
Ditch the Budget Merry-Go-Round: 4 Steps to Revenue-Aligned Marketing

Ditch the Budget Merry-Go-Round: 4 Steps to Revenue-Aligned Marketing

If end-of-year sales results against the 2024 marketing budget were lackluster, it may be time to shift thinking on budget planning. For decades, a rule-of-thumb for setting marketing budgets has reliably been a simplistic percentage-of-previous-sales formula. We’re...
Let it snow, but don’t let a frozen marketing budget derail 2025 goals

Let it snow, but don’t let a frozen marketing budget derail 2025 goals

6 ways to optimize marketing ROI during economic uncertainty Depending on whom one asks, anywhere from 30 to 35 percent of North American firms plan to increase marketing budgets for 2025 – apparently the lowest number to do so of any region in the world. Why the...