making a difference

There’s a lot of talk these days about being transparent in our culture, in our connections with one another, and especially in the actions and decisions of local or regional politics and government. As a free and open society, we all understand the value of knowing what’s going on at every level of, say, a state…

We live in a world of constant change. Staying abreast of what is happening in our industries and communities is very important, especially when we think about the kinds of knowledge and the types of skills we need to succeed in life. Training is a critical part of staying up-to-date in any field, from technology…

Okay, here is what I have learned over the past 22 years of owning and operating my own company. Discover the work you are passionate about and then do it. If your potential client believes they know more about the services and expertise you provide, then they probably won’t be a good fit as a…

It’s cold outside, there’s an ongoing pandemic, and so many of us are miserable. But it’s also February, and besides the cold, we can take time to celebrate through a heart-warming holiday like Valentine’s Day. Perhaps it’s time to focus on widening out who we are showering with love this month, or any other month…

April is celebrated as National Volunteer Month in the U.S. and volunteering is a great way for you and your company to give back. In fact, many companies encourage their employees to volunteer for their favorite cause and give them a paid day off to do it. One report showed that 90 percent of companies found…

It’s February, and that means Valentine’s Day. Who are you showing love to? You may be showing affection for your significant other, spouse, your children, or even friends. How about showing love to your customers? When the economy is doing well and businesses are prospering, it seems that sometimes customers don’t get the love they…

People who know me well know I was a fan of David Bowie as a teenager and through college. I still like listening to many of his songs. One that comes to mind is “Heroes.” We can be heroes to someone, can’t we? We can be heroes to our families, our friends, our clients, our…

Dorothy Zehnder, co-founder of the Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant will celebrate her 95th birthday on December 1, 2016. And she still works full time. Dorothy says, “I like working. I like to cook, and I like people.” I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dorothy and her family over the last several years. And I’ve…

Years ago, a business owner who was a fellow member of NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners), said to me, “You are everywhere your clients are.” She was referring to the fact that whenever a client is having an event or receiving recognition or is looking for people to attend something, I always do…

You may not know this, but one task that PR agencies often complete is writing award nominations for clients (and often, finding those awards that are a good fit for the client’s business). In my blog, It’s Good to be Recognized, and Five Cost-Free Marketing Ideas, I wrote about the value of recognition through awards…