Trade shows have traditionally been an important part of B2B marketing plans. Making connections with other businesses helps increase exposure, generates leads and also can result in mutually beneficial partnerships. If you’ve been to any show or conference recently, you’ll still see major players like the HPs of the world still displaying their booth and […]
Category: Leadership
Why diversifying your workforce can elevate your company to the next level
Learning about different cultures is one way to broaden your problem-solving skills, become more creative and enhance business interactions, according to research cited by Adam Galinsky and researchers at Columbia Business School. Galinsky and colleagues explain that the more exposed you are to multiculturalism, the likelier you’ll be able to produce new ideas in the corporate sphere. Why? Communication methods […]
The 6 employee incentives that could make your team more dedicated, loyal
Smart CEOs realize that the strength of their company relies heavily on the commitment and dedication of its employees. Looking beyond compensation, incentives and employee benefits are instrumental in attracting and retaining top talent. When it comes to incentives, the tried-and-true cash bonuses and employee of the month awards (who doesn’t love a pretty plaque on the wall?) […]
How do you know when to promote employees?
Deciding whether one of your employees is ready for a promotion can be as difficult as making that initial hire. We’ve asked four senior-level professionals what they think are the most important traits and attributes of a successful employee. They also divulge what to consider when a promotion goes wrong. When it comes to having “the […]
Is networking really worth it?
To network or not to network that is the question often asked by many senior executives. On one hand, networking is an important way to establish relationships and drive business development. At the same time, networking can be time-consuming and not always a productive exercise. So how should senior executives approach networking, particularly at a […]
Would you hire a corporate-sponsored artist for your company?
Facebook pays artists to create murals that will cover their headquarters’ walls. Autodesk invites artists to spend months working in their facilities, offering them a stipend and funds for their materials. Siemens created a musician-in-residence program through its hearing aid division, and Honeywell is also considering dipping its toes in the artist residency idea well. It […]
Big city or small suburb: Where should you base your B2B company?
At first glance, the advantages of headquartering a B2B company in a major metropolitan area are almost too numerous to list. From workforce size and media attention, to civic and business infrastructure, to diversity of client base, and even culture and entertainment options, cities, it would seem, are where any B2B exec would first want to consider […]
The guide to how CEOs should engage on Twitter
If you’re a CEO running a B2B firm, you might not have the luxury to be active on Twitter, Facebook and other social media outlets. But in this report, we’ll discuss how a CEO’s Twitter presence is a must-have, especially if that executive wants to be seen as a thought leader in a specific industry. “Social […]
Why your business needs a customer advisory board
Guest post by Brian Crotty, Chief Operating Officer at Broadview Networks All successful companies experience change and a natural evolution as they grow, whether that includes mergers, reorganizations, a new product niche or shifting business goals. As businesses continually redefine what makes them successful, it is vital that they regularly source customer feedback as part […]
The 10 most insightful quotes from Wolff Olins’ CEO report
How is today’s CEO thinking about corporate culture and business success differently than yesterday’s leader? A new report from brand consultancy firm Wolff Olins surveyed 43 global CEOs to learn how their careers have been influenced by technology, new ways to educate staff, and a perspective shift that has revolutionized the position. Interviewed CEOs include AOL’s Tim […]
Inside the pros and cons of being a mentor
In theory, mentorship is a positive concept. It is the opportunity to share your knowledge and experience with people looking for guidance, insight and encouragement. The reality, however, is mentoring requires an investment in time and energy. It is not as simple as connecting with an entrepreneur who wants some help. Like any relationship, a mentorship […]
What CEOs should know about the value of advisory boards
What are the benefit of bringing an advisory board to your firm? That was the discussion at a session recently held at Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District, lead by Tony Redpath of MaRs and Karan Walia of mobile ad platform Cluep. Redpath mentors entrepreneurs at MaRS, with an emphasis on environmental, advanced materials and manufacturing markets. MaRS Discovery District, launched in 2005, helps […]
The 5 sub-reddits every CEO should be reading daily
It’s easy to label reddit another distraction that could easily eat up your hours. But with decisive forethought and understanding of what this massively popular network has to offer, you can ensure you’re hip to the latest trends in business, marketing, venture capital and more. Today we present the top five sub-reddits (or communities within reddit) […]
Why being married makes you a better entrepreneur
Entrepreneurs often apply their life skills to their sales and marketing, and the acquired lessons from marriage are no different. The business professionals we spoke to explain how their marriage helped them become stronger entrepreneurs…and how running their own companies helped their relationships. Eric Gilboord, of Toronto-based WarrenBDC, helps Boomer-aged business owners to sell or transition out of their […]
What entrepreneurs should know about failure
One of the truisms of being an entrepreneur is eternal optimism. It is a necessary ingredient for anyone going into a high-risk venture. Even though the chances of failure are high, entrepreneurs believe they will be successful. This is what makes entrepreneurs so captivating– they are willing to take chances the rest of us would […]
What you need to know about hiring interns
Canadian and American businesses hiring interns have been struck with some bad news over the past couple of years. With claims and widespread reports of companies allegedly taking advantage of interns by performing tasks that violate labour and minimum wage laws, governments at all levels are looking at ways to combat this growing issue. It has become […]
How to give your staff constructive feedback the right way
by Kay Mathews Your intern got it wrong again. You’ve tried to be patient about his missteps but you can feel your right eye twitching now that he’s really messed up and cost other staff time and effort. Now is the time to instruct him with the kind of feedback that’s been seething inside you for weeks, but […]
How can you get more clients out of your existing customer base?
What every startup or entrepreneur needs is not only a great idea, a smart business model and a strong staff backbone, but also a growing customer base. One important way to attract more accounts is through your existing customers. Aaron Goodin, CEO and Founder of Tack, a media technology startup, notes that, “What most startups often overlook is the value […]
How to handle firing someone…and being fired
by Kay Mathews Firing someone and being let go are two very unpleasant experiences in life. The perspectives of those who have faced both circumstances shed insights on how executives can ensure that the tough termination conversation goes smoothly and how employees can recover after losing their job. In an interview with B2B News Network, David Waring, co-founder of B2B […]
Happy employees are productive employees
Employment and HR specialists have long considered it a typical chicken/egg paradox. Are happier workers more productive, or does productivity make workers happier? Research is starting to come out on the side of worker happiness leading to better productivity, not the other way around. “Despite the fact that happiness has remained a hard concept to […]