Stop disrupting
No need to disrupt everything A lot of entrepreneurs are striving to “disrupt” industries and business models when, in fact, all an industry might need is a little tweak. I’m in favor of finding smarter ways to improve transportation, manufacturing, healthcare, and other industries, but instead of trying to create an entirely new business, perhaps we should place more value on improving existing systems and methodologies that are proven profit ...
How to Use Automation for Customer Success
I get a lot of questions from founders and managers on what customer success is and how we can use automation to help companies support their customers faster and better. Understanding what customer success is To summarize, customer success is an approach to building programs and processes that allows businesses to deliver exceptional customer experiences. The goal of customer success is to reduce churn, increase adoption, and drive long-term value ...
It’s (not) complicated
Economic conditions call for bobbing and weaving unlike many of us have experienced since 2008. Fundamental to these tactics is corporate strategy. In essence, corporate strategy answers the “why” we are in business and “how” we intend to achieve our goals. But it can be difficult seeing the forest through the trees if you’re assessing these components from the inside looking out. At Concepts Rise, we take an objective perspective to assess ...
Knowing the Right Route
We all have goals in mind for the year ahead, but how do you track your ability to achieve those goals? The answer: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The challenge is figuring out what KPIs make sense for your business. One way to think about selecting the right KPIs is to draw an analogy to driving to see a good friend. A map is an important KPI, especially if you’re trying to find ...
Gooaaallll!
Teamwork and Leadership On and Off the Field Have you taken your temperature lately? If you’ve suffered from World Cup fever over the past couple of weeks, you’re not alone! Even though the U.S. lost to the Netherlands last weekend, the team’s performance finally proved that we can play soccer at a world-class level. What’s even more exciting is that our team is young and hungry. As the players mature, the key will ...
Strategic Innovation Webinar
Get it done. So, you’ve been thinking about a business idea for weeks, months, or even years, and nothing is happening! You owe it to yourself to take the time to investigate whether you should develop the idea. Looking for a good place to start? Join me for a complimentary webinar on strategic innovation, Tuesday, Nov. 15 from noon to 1 p.m. PT to learn how to take your idea from ...
To Your Success – X
How to Survive a Business Disaster Business continuity planning is like estate planning: It’s not something you want to do, but one of the most important things you can do. You just never know what is going to happen in life. And it’s not always tragedy that brings about change. Maybe it’s retirement. At Concepts Rise, we advise on business continuity planning to help companies stay on track in the ...
To Your Success – Issue IX
Innovate to Grow Revenues The market is feeling very similar to the childhood game "Chutes and Ladders." One moment it feels like there is some footing and rational thinking about where things are headed and then everything comes sliding down. There is only so much we can control, which raises an interesting point: What do you have control over right now? I have one word for you: innovation. We are ...
To Your Success – Issue # XIII
When you hear the word “innovate,” what is the first thing that pops into your mind? Maybe a new piece of technology? Maybe your Rivian truck? Maybe it’s a product or service you’d like to launch? The challenge is coming up with an idea or concept that you can manifest into a business, whether it is sold in an app store, embedded in a piece of software, or subscribed to online. ...
To Your Success – Issue # XII
It’s 2 a.m. and you’re wide-awake thinking about a product your team just built and whether it will be successful in the market. If you’re an entrepreneur, you’ve been there! You’ve also been there if you're a CEO, CMO, COO or CPO (chief procrastinating officer). First thing is first: Do not look at your phone in the wee hours. Instead, I recommend you reach for a notebook, tablet, or anything that ...
To Your Success – Issue # XI
The idea of growth during an economic downturn is counter-intuitive. At these times, many companies think about cutting costs, reducing headcount, etc … We get it. It’s human nature to worry, and yet, certain companies will seize the moment to expand. Many companies bucked the 2008 recession and expanded, including Amgen, Old Dominion Freight Lines, Walmart, and Dollar Tree. And then there are true disruptors that ride a wave of ...
To Your Success – Issue # X
Oh, how corporations have changed since the 1980s! Forty years ago, most companies were all about “money and profit” without much regard for their community, the environment, and impact on the Earth. As Gordon Gekko said in the movie “Wall Street,” greed, for lack of a better word, is good. These days, however, more corporations are focused on doing the right thing. They are much more environmentally, politically, and community conscious. Profits ...