Fashionable. Admirable. Timeless. If you were to define cool, what words would you use? Cool is just . . . cool. In some sense, even describing what makes something cool can diminish its appeal. But in print and design, nothing is more appealing than cool. What Makes a Brand Cool? How do you add this […]

In the late ’90s, Scott Kerslake was working at an infotech company in California, while passionately surfing and cycling on the side. During long bike rides with friends, Kerslake noticed a trend: women complaining about a lack of fashionable female sportswear. Women wanted durable athletic wear that also looked cute on everyday outings. Kerslake didn’t

Do you have a small business that could use a revenue boost? Most marketing strategies are crafted around costly advertising campaigns, but there are many free or affordable tactics you can use to grow your business at any stage. Here are a few offline marketing fundamentals to get you started, no matter how small your

In May of 2018, Barbara Carroll ordered three cartons of toilet paper from Amazon. The order total: $88.17. The shipping charges? $7,455. Carroll wasn’t overly concerned, as Amazon typically takes great care of its customers. But in this case, Carroll complained to Amazon six times and even wrote a letter to CEO Jeff Bezos. After

Long before television and online marketing, direct mail ruled. One of the most popular examples of direct mailing can be traced back to Sears in 1888. The company sent a printed mailer to potential customers advertising watches and jewelry. Not long after, the Sears, Roebuck and Company catalog became extremely popular nationwide. Today direct mail has

“Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or the present are certain to miss the future.” (John F. Kennedy) When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Change is inevitable, and the more we resist it, the tougher life becomes. The world changes dramatically each day, so

Donald Miller is an author, speaker, and CEO of StoryBrand, a company that helps businesses clarify their message. StoryBrand helps hundreds of brands to eliminate confusion, connect with customers, and grow sales. Miller says many brands struggle to break through because they don’t test their brand messages before sharing: "We have a mantra at StoryBrand:

Image is everything. Statistically speaking, compelling images average 94 percent more views, are three times more likely to be shared online, and significantly increase your likelihood of capturing new leads. Professional photos are a fantastic way to boost the impact of your brochure, booklet, or mailing. But if you’re planning to use a stock image,

A new era in business is bringing fresh flavor to Kohl’s. As traditional retailers struggle to keep their doors open, Kohl’s executives are trying something radically different: a grocery partnership with Aldi. In March of 2018, the department store announced it would team up with Aldi to offer grocery sales in 10 of its locations.

Life is full of good opportunities. Good books to read, good events to attend, good projects to pioneer. But good things can knock us off track in pursuing the very best. What does “the best” look like in your leadership? It means doing what you are uniquely called to do in the style that is