Business

Business Plan Essentials: How to Write a SWOT Analysis

When crafting business plans, new entrepreneurs are eager to tell the “good news,” but are often reluctant to describe the types of things that could go wrong or undermine the business. A balanced, well-thought out and written SWOT analysis is both a necessary part of the plan itself as well as a great exercise for the owner. Unlike, say, a sales presentation or a job interview where you want to keep the focus on the positive, consideration of both the […]

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The Real Reason Employers Should Treat Departing Employees Well

The Real Reason Employers Should Treat Departing Employees Well

I just finished reading a LinkedIn article with a long chain of comments about why employers should be nice to employees who have just given their two-week notice. There was a carefully reasoned rationale, that included thoughts about how your paths may cross again someday, how the person who’s leaving may one day be your boss, and how being horrible could affect the employees who haven’t left yet. Some of the comments argued that people on the way out act […]

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Honey Maid Ad Hits a Sweet Spot

Honey Maid Ad Hits a Sweet Spot

Last week I published an article on Motley Fool that looked at the business of what I dubbed “rebel marketing.”  Honey Maid was the latest entry onto the scene of advertisers daring to tackle once controversial topics — in this case the definition of a traditional family. Their “This is Wholesome” message played over tender scenes of single-parent, gay and multi-racial families, and it was beautifully done. I grew up in the days when Playtex advertised via the floating bra. […]

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