By Donna Marrin It’s the final countdown: the kids are home from school, you have a million last-minute errands, your social calendar is busting apart at the seams and work has never been busier (yes, you know that’s a good thing, but…)—How do you balance everything and retain your sanity? Buried with you under the…
Monthly Archives: December 2009
How to think of $$$ when your business is ZZZ
For many businesses, large and small, the holidays are a time to wind down, take stock and plan family and personal time. Some companies close down completely between Christmas and New Year’s Day and even if they don’t, employee productivity isn’t exactly at its peak. The one big exception, of course, is retail. With many…
Last-minute gift dilemma? Not any more!
By Donna Marrin Most of my daily organizer pages for December are messy with scribbling. Why? Because every couple of days, I find myself scratching out my ‘do gift shopping today!’ message only to re-jot it a few pages ahead. Part of my dilemma is that I want to get the my family and friends…
Propose a Toast – Do’s and Don’ts of Toasting at the Office Party
By Rachel Swiednicki ‘Tis the season for mounting stress, flaring tempers and frantic scrambling around, since time is of the essence. No wonder—in the midst of it all, you also have to run a small business. Thrown into the mix: the office holiday party. The office holiday party is a good time to show your…
Show ‘em your gratitude
By Donna Marrin Who doesn’t yearn for a pat on the back? Recognition for a job well done? A reward that says, “thanks for being a great customer.” Everyone does. And the holiday season is as good a time as any to show ‘em your gratitude. After all, these are the people who have helped…
Wanted for the Holidays: Juggler/Psychic.
If you were juggling holiday plans, scheduling staff and ordering stock a year ago September, there was probably little that could put a damper on your holiday shopping. Then the recession hit. Preparing your small business for the holidays is a challenge at the best of times. These days, most entrepreneurs have to do more…
Business femme phenomenal: An interview with Amy Brown
By Donna Marrin I’m talking with Amy Brown, the owner of Pilates for Life, Yorkville’s foremost Pilates and yoga studio. Q: How long have you been running Pilates For Life? Pilates for Life has been operating since September, 2003. Q: You worked for years in the communications field. What prompted your career switch? I enjoyed…
Tech Tuesdays: Show your appreciation with these must-have gifts
Friday, I blogged about how you can build your business brand and relationships by sending out greeting cards. Of course, for your most profitable customers and loyal employees – particularly during the holiday season – you’ll want to show your appreciation by giving them something extra special. I asked our crack team of holiday gift…
Don't just do it – yet.
The last time I blogged about business plans, I explained why planning is a roadmap to success. But if it’s so important, why do so few entrepreneurs take time to draft one? Scott Shane at Case Western has a few interesting theories, but I think he’s hit on something with what he calls the “Just…
Success is in the cards
Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of believing that successful branding is something only big companies with big budgets can pull off successfully. The truth is, while a great logo, tagline and consistent voice for your communications is important, one-to-one relationship building is the most effective way to evolve a strong brand, even for small businesses…
Monthly Archives: December 2009
Clear away the season’s rubble and you’ll uncover BALANCE
By Donna Marrin It’s the final countdown: the kids are home from school, you have a million last-minute errands, your social calendar is busting apart at the seams and work has never been busier (yes, you know that’s a good thing, but…)—How do you balance everything and retain your sanity? Buried with you under the…
How to think of $$$ when your business is ZZZ
For many businesses, large and small, the holidays are a time to wind down, take stock and plan family and personal time. Some companies close down completely between Christmas and New Year’s Day and even if they don’t, employee productivity isn’t exactly at its peak. The one big exception, of course, is retail. With many…
Last-minute gift dilemma? Not any more!
By Donna Marrin Most of my daily organizer pages for December are messy with scribbling. Why? Because every couple of days, I find myself scratching out my ‘do gift shopping today!’ message only to re-jot it a few pages ahead. Part of my dilemma is that I want to get the my family and friends…
Propose a Toast – Do’s and Don’ts of Toasting at the Office Party
By Rachel Swiednicki ‘Tis the season for mounting stress, flaring tempers and frantic scrambling around, since time is of the essence. No wonder—in the midst of it all, you also have to run a small business. Thrown into the mix: the office holiday party. The office holiday party is a good time to show your…
Show ‘em your gratitude
By Donna Marrin Who doesn’t yearn for a pat on the back? Recognition for a job well done? A reward that says, “thanks for being a great customer.” Everyone does. And the holiday season is as good a time as any to show ‘em your gratitude. After all, these are the people who have helped…
Wanted for the Holidays: Juggler/Psychic.
If you were juggling holiday plans, scheduling staff and ordering stock a year ago September, there was probably little that could put a damper on your holiday shopping. Then the recession hit. Preparing your small business for the holidays is a challenge at the best of times. These days, most entrepreneurs have to do more…
Business femme phenomenal: An interview with Amy Brown
By Donna Marrin I’m talking with Amy Brown, the owner of Pilates for Life, Yorkville’s foremost Pilates and yoga studio. Q: How long have you been running Pilates For Life? Pilates for Life has been operating since September, 2003. Q: You worked for years in the communications field. What prompted your career switch? I enjoyed…
Tech Tuesdays: Show your appreciation with these must-have gifts
Friday, I blogged about how you can build your business brand and relationships by sending out greeting cards. Of course, for your most profitable customers and loyal employees – particularly during the holiday season – you’ll want to show your appreciation by giving them something extra special. I asked our crack team of holiday gift…
Don't just do it – yet.
The last time I blogged about business plans, I explained why planning is a roadmap to success. But if it’s so important, why do so few entrepreneurs take time to draft one? Scott Shane at Case Western has a few interesting theories, but I think he’s hit on something with what he calls the “Just…
Success is in the cards
Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of believing that successful branding is something only big companies with big budgets can pull off successfully. The truth is, while a great logo, tagline and consistent voice for your communications is important, one-to-one relationship building is the most effective way to evolve a strong brand, even for small businesses…
Monthly Archives: December 2009
Clear away the season’s rubble and you’ll uncover BALANCE
By Donna Marrin It’s the final countdown: the kids are home from school, you have a million last-minute errands, your social calendar is busting apart at the seams and work has never been busier (yes, you know that’s a good thing, but…)—How do you balance everything and retain your sanity? Buried with you under the…
How to think of $$$ when your business is ZZZ
For many businesses, large and small, the holidays are a time to wind down, take stock and plan family and personal time. Some companies close down completely between Christmas and New Year’s Day and even if they don’t, employee productivity isn’t exactly at its peak. The one big exception, of course, is retail. With many…
Last-minute gift dilemma? Not any more!
By Donna Marrin Most of my daily organizer pages for December are messy with scribbling. Why? Because every couple of days, I find myself scratching out my ‘do gift shopping today!’ message only to re-jot it a few pages ahead. Part of my dilemma is that I want to get the my family and friends…
Propose a Toast – Do’s and Don’ts of Toasting at the Office Party
By Rachel Swiednicki ‘Tis the season for mounting stress, flaring tempers and frantic scrambling around, since time is of the essence. No wonder—in the midst of it all, you also have to run a small business. Thrown into the mix: the office holiday party. The office holiday party is a good time to show your…
Show ‘em your gratitude
By Donna Marrin Who doesn’t yearn for a pat on the back? Recognition for a job well done? A reward that says, “thanks for being a great customer.” Everyone does. And the holiday season is as good a time as any to show ‘em your gratitude. After all, these are the people who have helped…
Wanted for the Holidays: Juggler/Psychic.
If you were juggling holiday plans, scheduling staff and ordering stock a year ago September, there was probably little that could put a damper on your holiday shopping. Then the recession hit. Preparing your small business for the holidays is a challenge at the best of times. These days, most entrepreneurs have to do more…
Business femme phenomenal: An interview with Amy Brown
By Donna Marrin I’m talking with Amy Brown, the owner of Pilates for Life, Yorkville’s foremost Pilates and yoga studio. Q: How long have you been running Pilates For Life? Pilates for Life has been operating since September, 2003. Q: You worked for years in the communications field. What prompted your career switch? I enjoyed…
Tech Tuesdays: Show your appreciation with these must-have gifts
Friday, I blogged about how you can build your business brand and relationships by sending out greeting cards. Of course, for your most profitable customers and loyal employees – particularly during the holiday season – you’ll want to show your appreciation by giving them something extra special. I asked our crack team of holiday gift…
Don't just do it – yet.
The last time I blogged about business plans, I explained why planning is a roadmap to success. But if it’s so important, why do so few entrepreneurs take time to draft one? Scott Shane at Case Western has a few interesting theories, but I think he’s hit on something with what he calls the “Just…
Success is in the cards
Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of believing that successful branding is something only big companies with big budgets can pull off successfully. The truth is, while a great logo, tagline and consistent voice for your communications is important, one-to-one relationship building is the most effective way to evolve a strong brand, even for small businesses…
Monthly Archives: December 2009
Clear away the season’s rubble and you’ll uncover BALANCE
By Donna Marrin It’s the final countdown: the kids are home from school, you have a million last-minute errands, your social calendar is busting apart at the seams and work has never been busier (yes, you know that’s a good thing, but…)—How do you balance everything and retain your sanity? Buried with you under the…
How to think of $$$ when your business is ZZZ
For many businesses, large and small, the holidays are a time to wind down, take stock and plan family and personal time. Some companies close down completely between Christmas and New Year’s Day and even if they don’t, employee productivity isn’t exactly at its peak. The one big exception, of course, is retail. With many…
Last-minute gift dilemma? Not any more!
By Donna Marrin Most of my daily organizer pages for December are messy with scribbling. Why? Because every couple of days, I find myself scratching out my ‘do gift shopping today!’ message only to re-jot it a few pages ahead. Part of my dilemma is that I want to get the my family and friends…
Propose a Toast – Do’s and Don’ts of Toasting at the Office Party
By Rachel Swiednicki ‘Tis the season for mounting stress, flaring tempers and frantic scrambling around, since time is of the essence. No wonder—in the midst of it all, you also have to run a small business. Thrown into the mix: the office holiday party. The office holiday party is a good time to show your…
Show ‘em your gratitude
By Donna Marrin Who doesn’t yearn for a pat on the back? Recognition for a job well done? A reward that says, “thanks for being a great customer.” Everyone does. And the holiday season is as good a time as any to show ‘em your gratitude. After all, these are the people who have helped…
Wanted for the Holidays: Juggler/Psychic.
If you were juggling holiday plans, scheduling staff and ordering stock a year ago September, there was probably little that could put a damper on your holiday shopping. Then the recession hit. Preparing your small business for the holidays is a challenge at the best of times. These days, most entrepreneurs have to do more…
Business femme phenomenal: An interview with Amy Brown
By Donna Marrin I’m talking with Amy Brown, the owner of Pilates for Life, Yorkville’s foremost Pilates and yoga studio. Q: How long have you been running Pilates For Life? Pilates for Life has been operating since September, 2003. Q: You worked for years in the communications field. What prompted your career switch? I enjoyed…
Tech Tuesdays: Show your appreciation with these must-have gifts
Friday, I blogged about how you can build your business brand and relationships by sending out greeting cards. Of course, for your most profitable customers and loyal employees – particularly during the holiday season – you’ll want to show your appreciation by giving them something extra special. I asked our crack team of holiday gift…
Don't just do it – yet.
The last time I blogged about business plans, I explained why planning is a roadmap to success. But if it’s so important, why do so few entrepreneurs take time to draft one? Scott Shane at Case Western has a few interesting theories, but I think he’s hit on something with what he calls the “Just…
Success is in the cards
Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of believing that successful branding is something only big companies with big budgets can pull off successfully. The truth is, while a great logo, tagline and consistent voice for your communications is important, one-to-one relationship building is the most effective way to evolve a strong brand, even for small businesses…
