Procrastination—Is It What You Think It Is? Contributed by Idea Collective Member: Julie Miller Davis Productivity Coach | Corporate Speaking | Productivity Training Many of us procrastinate. We put things off because they are unfun or unsexy. Or because they’ll take too long, or we don’t feel like doing them. We put off everything from phone calls to emails to bookkeeping or even sending invoices. These are the things we REALIZE we’re procrastinating on.  Did you know there are two types of procrastination? Active and Passive. Both can hurt us, but Passive hurts us more—and we ..read more

Top Ten Marketing Mistakes Contributed by Oconomowoc Area Chamber of Commerce Member: Kristin Griffin-Phelps Content Creator for Paragon Marketing Group “Don’t be a fool and make these marketing mistakes.” Um . . . what? We’re not calling anyone a fool, even though this was written around April Fool’s Day. Rather, as a small, local business, one of our greatest desires is that other small business owners not make some of the most common marketing mistakes we’ve seen over the last several years. Don’t Make These Top 10 Marketing Mistakes Now maybe you’ve made some of these ..read more

Business Cards: Are They Still Worth It? Contributed by Idea Collective Member: Pat Miller Founder of the Idea Collective Small Business Incubator Business cards have been around for centuries, but in the digital age, some people wonder if they are still necessary. After all, can't you just exchange contact information with someone digitally? There may be some hard-core business card fans out there, and I certainly know why. Done well, they make a good impression. A well-designed business card can show that you are professional and put thought into your marketing. Your logo, your bran ..read more

Embracing Authenticity: Your Personal Platform Vs. Personal Brand Contributed by Idea Collective Member: Pat Miller Founder of the Idea Collective Small Business Incubator Have you ever stumbled upon a tweet that made you stop in your tracks and rethink your approach to life and work? I sure did when I saw a tweet that completely resonated with me. It’s a tweet that challenges the very concept of a personal brand, and it’s a message that couldn’t be more relevant in 2023. Let’s dive into this eye-opening tweet and explore why it’s time to reconsider the idea of a personal brand in tod ..read more

How To Survive And Thrive Through The Changing Economy Contributed by Idea Collective Member: Pat Miller Founder of the Idea Collective Small Business Incubator Good economic news is great for business, right? Not necessarily. The economy added 336,000 jobs in September, which is great news. But what if this good news is actually bad news for your business? The reason is that inflation is still a problem, and the key tool to bring down inflation is to raise interest rates. This means that it’s more expensive than ever to borrow money or be in debt. So, while it’s great that more peopl ..read more

Amazon Clinic: Revolutionizing Healthcare At Your Fingertips Contributed by Idea Collective Member: Pat Miller Founder of the Idea Collective Small Business Incubator In November of last year, Amazon dropped a bombshell in the healthcare industry by announcing their plans to dive headfirst into the world of telehealth. Fast forward to today, and the highly-anticipated Amazon Clinic is rolling out, making telemedicine accessible to everyone with a browser. Yes, you heard it right – Amazon, the e-commerce giant that’s been selling everything under the sun, is now venturing int ..read more

Unlocking The Power Of AI For Your Small Business: Are You Harnessing Its Potential? Contributed by Idea Collective Member: Pat Miller Founder of the Idea Collective Small Business Incubator In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, it's crucial for small business owners to stay ahead of the curve. As we navigate the second half of 2023, the question arises: are you using AI in your small business? If not, perhaps it’s time to explore the various ways in which artificial intelligence can supercharge your operations and growth. AI burst onto the scene in a big way in the first quar ..read more

The Employee Advantage Contributed by Idea Collective Member: Mary Murray Social Media Strategist How Your Team Can Drive Organic Social Media Growth. Social media is an essential part of business. It enables companies to reach a vast audience and showcase their brand, products, and services. When a company is consistently active on social media, it can increase its brand visibility and reach potential customers who may not have heard of them otherwise. Let’s explore how your employees have the potential to contribute to these objectives! What is organic social media growth? Organic ..read more

The First Ever Idea Slam: A Journey Of Risk And Reward Contributed by Idea Collective Member: Pat Miller Founder of the Idea Collective Small Business Incubator I recently shared a picture on Small Business Mornings that instantly transported me back to 2015. In the snapshot, I found myself with my back to the camera, surrounded by a group of radio professionals who appeared intensely focused on our discussion. This was no ordinary gathering; it was the inaugural Idea Slam. If you’re not familiar, we do something in the Idea Collective called the Idea Slam, a brainstorming session whe ..read more