We're living in a time when many of us have CNN or NPR playing constantly in the background in an effort to keep up with the daily news, the latest drama or an ongoing crises. But what does that have to do with marketing? And, is embracing politics a good idea for a brand?

Data analytics is a powerful tool for marketing, operational efficiency and understanding your business' future growth path.  Just like any other tool (a light saber, for example), it can be used for both good and evil. But while we can all agree that the flashy red light sabers are pretty cool, who wants to join the dark side?

It's a familiar scene: you're browsing vids on YouTube when all of a sudden, you chance upon a video that looks something like this:

The European Union’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) is all about how companies use the personal data of those they interact with. Everywhere we go on the internet, we leave a digital footprint. That footprint consists of our demographics, our behavior, our purchases and interactions, and it has become something of great value. (As the Economist says, “personal data is the world’s greatest resource.”) As is the case with anything of great value, it creates the need to protect that data from abuse—from benign misuse to serious breaches and malicious intent.

You invested in a new website—how long should that website's design last?

The answer varies. It depends on the structure of your website. It depends on your ability to freshen up imagery and update the technology. And it depends on whether it's built on a platform that allows flexibility in the layout and functionality. 

You’ve heard it a million times, in a million different ways: “You should be blogging.”

Well, should you?

Almost every company can benefit from maintaining a blog—it makes your site more visible on search engine results pages. It helps you connect with customers. And it creates reusable content that you can promote across a variety of channels.

But blogging takes time. And there’s more to it than just writing—you also need compelling imagery to help your content stand out. You need a place to house it on your website. And you need a promotion strategy to make sure it gets read.

So before you jump into the water without measuring how deep it goes, ask yourself, “What can I reasonably expect from a blog?”

On January 11, 2018, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced in a Facebook post that the company would make sweeping changes to its news feed.

The goal of consumer research is to mine as much data as possible so you can use it to psychologically manipulate your customers into buying more of your products or services. Right?

Start your marketing and communications plan for the year with goals designed for results. 

I’m the queen of list making.

Every day I make a list of the things I need to accomplish, then rank them from highest priority to lowest. As I accomplish things throughout the day, I cross them off my list, and if priorities change, I reorganize.

Part of this list making comes from habit, and part of it comes from my unending need for organization. But no matter the reason, my list gives me focus. It helps me to prioritize the things that are most important and critical for a successful day, and it helps me avoid wasting time and energy on unimportant tasks. In its most basic form, my daily list is my strategy.