Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 139 The Marketing “It” Factor Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 139

Sep22015

This week’s reflection point: What’s the key to a successful business? Some might say it’s a solid business strategy, a strong financial plan, or even a team of excellent people. Others will tell you it’s effective leadership or huge demand for the product or service. While each of these components is important, the truth is that marketing trumps them all. That’s right: marketing. Far too many business owners ignore the significance of a powerful marketing strategy. Many claim that marketing...

Rasing the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 138 40 Lessons Learned From Running My Business Rasing the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 138

Aug262015

This week’s reflection point: Almost five years ago I wrote and shared my original Lessons Learned From Running My Business article, which included 40 lessons that have become quite popular among our readers. Since then, I have added 40 additional lessons, which I mentioned and have made available in this article. In the spirit of learning and sharing, here are 40 additional lessons learned: I’ve been fortunate to work with some of the smartest clients in the world. I don’t...

Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 137 11 Ways to Promote Your Business Online Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 137

Aug192015

This week’s reflection point: The question of how to promote your business online is a recurring theme I hear quite often. Three years ago, I wrote the article How To Promote Your Website when I shared 21 ideas of doing so. Today, I am going to change the angle slightly and focus on how to promote your business online. Here are my recommendations: Update your blog often since it is the ultimate repository of your intellectual property where you are...

Rasing the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 136 Juggling Connectivity Rasing the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 136

Aug122015

This week’s reflection point: We live in an era of constant and instant connectivity. Over the past 15 years, our society has undergone a complete transformation in terms of basic interactions. It’s no surprise that the kids who came of age during this time period, the infamous Millennials, are known as The On-Demand Generation. These days, it seems that anything you want, you can get on demand—or at least in 1 to 2 business days, with free shipping. On one...

Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 135 Cyber Strategies for Thought Leaders Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 135

Aug52015

Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 134 Taking Control of Technology Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 134

Jul292015

This week’s reflection point: Does it ever feel like technology is controlling you, rather than empowering you? If so, it’s easy to understand why. We live in a world where machines seem to conquer all. Back in 2011, IBM’s “Watson” computer beat out Jeopardy!‘s two best players to win over $70,000 in a landslide victory. And since 1996, when the first computer beat the top-rated chess player in the world, computers have been yelling “check-mate!” at strategy competitions around the...

Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 133 Cyber Strategy Success Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 133

Jul222015

This week’s reflection point: My clients often refer to me as their cyber strategist. So as I was reflecting about the essence of a successful cyber strategy it occurred to me that the acronym stands for: Content that is amazing and provokes others. You have the biggest impact on your success. Breakthrough offerings and relationships. Evolution of intellectual property and reduced stagnation. Remarkable results created for your clients. Strategy that paves the way to a great future. Technology to deliver value...

Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 132 Earning Your Thought Leadership Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 132

Jul152015

This week’s reflection point: For years I have been saying that one of the key attributes of successful thought leaders is that they are prolific publishers of remarkable and provocative content and they consistently increase their body of work. Consequently, creating and leveraging your intellectual property (IP) is a proven approach to strengthening your thought leadership and your global reach. Notice in the visual above, on the left, the items that support and promote thought leadership. On the opposite side...

Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 131 Walking the Talk Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue 131

Jul82015

This week’s reflection point: It’s easy to give your clients advice. What’s more difficult is following it yourself. Admittedly, it can be challenging to “walk the talk” when it comes to doing the very things you tell your clients to do. But if you fail to implement your own strategies, why should your clients trust you? Of course, the answer is that they probably shouldn’t. That’s why it’s so important to take stock of your business habits on a regular...

Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue No. 130 Recreating The Vision Raising the Barr Weekly Memo: Issue No. 130

Jul12015

This week’s reflection point: I am ecstatic to announce the debut of the new and exciting web presence for my company, The Chad Barr Group. This was a long time in the making and took the focus and dedication of our entire team to complete. I want to take this opportunity to publicly thank each and every one of my amazing and creative team members. And I want to thank YOU, our loyal clients and colleagues, as you are the...