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Articles by Geoff Ficke

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By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The Lesson of “I, Pencil” An Essay on Economic Freedom for the Ages

The Lesson of “I, Pencil” An Essay on Economic Freedom for the Ages As a young college student studying economics in the 1960’s I was exposed to the writings and philosophy of Leonard Read while researching a paper on Adam Smith’s enlightened principle of the “Invisible Hand”. Mr. Read had founded the Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) in 1948. As I conducted my sophomore research I noted that the thoughts and articles of Leonard Read were inevitably intertwined with the ideas of the capitalist pioneer Mr. Smith. At that time I stumbled upon an essay that Mr.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

9,464 views2.7/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla - The Difference’s Between Fame and Forgotten

by: Geoff Ficke I recently saw the movie “The Prestige”. The story is about two ferociously rival magicians and is set in the 1890’s. A sub-plot in the movie conce s the largely forgotten rivalry between scientists and inventors Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison. Entrepreneurs today can learn much from the Edison/Tesla saga. Thomas Edison is one of the most famous and revered Americans of all time, and deservedly so. School children are taught that he harnessed electricity, invented the light bulb and the phonograph.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

5,349 views3/5 (6)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The World’s Oldest Watch Manufacturer Stays on Top by Constantly Innovating

One of life’s great pleasures is travel. The opportunity to view distant lands, experience new food and drink, sample exotic cultures and meet local citizens is always rewarding. One of my most prized experiences when I visit any new land is to sample local produce, manufactured goods and learn about local industry and commerce. When I visit Geneva, Switzerland I relish the opportunity to shop, research and be amazed by the fabulously artesian craft of exclusive watch making found in the city’s endless jewelry ateliers.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

5,716 views2.6/5 (5)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Hit the Prospects Hot Buttons to Close More Sales

At the conclusion of every sales presentation the salesman will have achieved one of three results: a sale is made, a sale is lost or valuable information is gleaned that can result in building a relationship. The third result can be called identifying the “hot button”. Obviously, the purpose of every sales presentation is to close the sale, and this is the only acceptable outcome any good salesman expects.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

5,633 views3/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The Man Who Invented Modern Athletic Shoes Inadvertently Revolutionized Commerce and Sports

I grew up in the 1950’s playing basketball hour after hour on city playgrounds. The public courts of the day were nothing like those found today in most American towns. There were no lights, a steel, kidney-shaped backboard (ugh!) with bent rims, occasionally a steel chain net and no lines painted to properly delineate the free throw line and out of bounds. The surface was often rough and cracked. You had to know where the ball would give a true bounce and where you could lose control because of the uneven surface. But we played on for endless hours in all weather.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

5,672 views2.7/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Make a Friend Everyday, Network!

Have you ever noticed how successful people always seem to have a very wide net of friends and acquaintances? Howard Hughes became an infamous recluse only after he was fabulously wealthy. His network of business associations enabled him to excel in aviation, manufacturing, heavy industry, oil, movie making and hotel/casino ownership. He tapped into the best managers, engineers and executives available within each industry he tackled to manage his properties and provide essential expertise. Most people are very lucky if they have two or three truly close personal friends in a lifetime.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,442 views3.6/5 (13)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Successful Entrepreneurs are Doer’s - Not Dreamers Too Many Inventors Are Confused About the Difference

For many years I felt that if you scratched any American you were scratching an entrepreneur. This is the country where entrepreneurial activity is most possible and seemingly every citizen has an idea with commercial potential. Sadly, over time, I realized I was wrong. If you scratch most Americans you are most likely scratching a dreamer. The difference between a dreamer and a doer is profound. Successful entrepreneurs might have initially dreamt of success, but they will not stop there.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

4,802 views3/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

A Professional Demeanor Screams Success

The importance of a professional business presentation can not be overstated in determining the fate of a new business opportunity. Nevertheless, it is amazing how many times the presenter does not apply these same essential professional requirements to their own person. You only get one chance to make a great first impression. Make the most of it! This goes far beyond the obvious elemental issues of personal care and hygiene.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

5,315 views3/5 (1)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

How to Make a Single Mall Kiosk Into a Multi-National Company

One of the bigger mistakes we see new entrepreneurs and startup businesses make is to try to hit a home run right out of the box. My experience in the days when I played baseball, and in building a solid business foundation, is that when purposely trying to hit home runs, you usually strike out. The homer usually comes when you just try to make contact with the ball and put it in play. My consumer product marketing consulting firm counsels dozens of entrepreneurs every year. Very often, these admirable, ambitious go-getters are driven to be as big as they can be, as fast as they can be.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

5,077 views3/5 (1)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The Ten Commandments for Entrepreneurs

I am often asked by aspiring entrepreneurs for tips that are essential to being successful in launching a new commercial venture. Below I have assembled the big 10, something like the 10 Commandments, only for entrepreneurial success. The items covered below are not negotiable in the process of taking projects. Trying to short-circuit the list is a death knell for any start-up. The Ten Commandments for Entrepreneurs #1 Never Take Shortcuts! The market is unforgiving. You only get one shot at making a GREAT First Impression!

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

3,132 views3/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The Oldest Tea Merchant in the World Is Still a Marketing & Branding Phenomenon

Any traveler to London is naturally overwhelmed with the many sites, sounds, history and majesty of this glorious ancient capital, especially first time visitors. Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, the Thames, Big Ben the Horse Guards, 10 Downing Street, St. James Park, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Old Bailey and Hyde Park Gate are only a few of the famous must see locations tourists consume in the vast spread of this vibrant metropolis.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

4,750 views3/5 (1)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Organize the Business Structure That Is Right for Your New Enterprise

Every business requires a structure that will withstand necessary legal and governmental scrutiny. The choice of how to organize a new enterprise should be made based on the needs and capacity of the owner(s) to maintain and detail the records, history and finances of the business. Many simple service businesses are set up as a sole proprietorship. The lawn service I utilize is a sole proprietorship. I make out the check in the name of the person providing the service.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,833 views3/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

How to Turn an Ancient Scottish Peat Bog into Marketing Gold

How to Turn an Ancient Scottish Peat Bog into Marketing Gold Many years ago, as a young entrepreneur seeking to launch my very first consumer product, I discovered the importance of having a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) to establish my brand’s niche. My partner and I had developed a very superior multi-use skin moisturizer that we positioned as working in conjunction with a novel loose powder make up. The performance of the treatment and color cosmetic system was far superior to anything on the market at the time.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,756 views2.2/5 (6)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

“What Is Our Aim? Victory, Victory at all Costs..!

Winston Churchill’s Famous War Cryr Is Fully Applicable for Today’s Entrepreneurs Arguably, the courage and moral leadership provided to the western world by Winston Churchill was the key instrument essential to keeping World War 2 from ending early, and ever so badly for the cause of freedom. The ability to use words as a tool for effecting an outcome was never so vividly displayed, before or since. A demoralized and near beaten people took heart, did not quit in the face of overwhelming losses and turned an imminent route into ultimate victory.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,316 views2.6/5 (5)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

How Exclusivity Makes a Premium Liquor Brand a Cultural Phenomenon

As in so many consumer product categories, it would seem that there is little room left for innovation in mature businesses like liquor. Most of the world’s best selling alcohol brands have pedigrees that extend back for generations, if not centuries.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

3,716 views3/5 (1)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Napoleon and Alexander the Great Are Innovative Role Models Even Today

During the 18th century the royal courts of Europe were starved for exciting and fresh entertainment formats. The staid choral recital, piano concerto, plays and opera had been standard fare in all of the great palaces for centuries. Each court strove to offer something more modern, more cutting edge and contemporary. In 1769 the Empress of Austria, Maria Therese invited a member of her entourage named Baron Wolfgang Von Kempelen to attend a conjuring show. Conjuring was a form of the emerging art of magic presentations.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,960 views2.3/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The Importance of “Instant Gratification” When Marketing Consumer Products

by: Geoff Ficke The Importance of “Instant Gratification” When Marketing Consumer Products I remember as a little boy the excitement of shopping for a new car with my father. Dad was a Chevrolet man. He always bought cars from the same dealership and the same salesman. We would walk the lot, climb into various models, review the stickers for price and features, and then dad would go into a little cubicle with the salesman and make the deal.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

3,850 views2/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Trade Secrets Protect Your Invention!

Patent numbers are issued sequentially, beginning with the number one. Patent number one was issued to Samuel Hopkins on July 31, 1790. It took 75 years for the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to issue patent number 1,000,000. Patent number 7,000,000 was issued February 14, 2006. It took only seven years for the USPTO to move from issuance of patent number 6,000,000 to 7,000,000. What does this mean? Simply, there is more creativity now that at any time in history. The old saw that “there is nothing new” is completely wrong.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,005 views3/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Essential Lessons for Today From a 13th Century Friar

by: Geoff Ficke One of the greatest literary and science works of the ancient world, rarely studied today, was the Opus Majus. The amazingly futuristic content of the Opus Majus was virtually a modern tutorial, written in the 13th century, on an array of literary, scientific and philosophical topics. The writer was the eclectic, brilliant Franciscan friar, Roger Bacon. Bacon was born to a prosperous English family in the 13th century, attended Oxford University at the age of 13 and soon commenced a career as a teacher at Britain’s most famous university.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,549 views3.3/5 (4)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Energy Independence? Yes We Can!

by: Geoff Ficke My Company routinely reviews more than 600 new product ideas, concepts, prototypes and models during most years. During a soft economy, such as today’s, we see even more as people become more desperate to chase a dream. Pursuit of the “American Dream” almost always involves entrepreneurial activity. During this business cycle we have been inundated with a slew of energy related offerings.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,545 views3.3/5 (4)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Need or Want: Your New Product or Service Will Succeed if it Addresses Need

I have always tried to teach my children the difference between needing and wanting a product. This is a value judgement that applies to every human, many times in surprisingly differing ways. People born to great wealth view need far differently than those of us born to the lower classes. I might need an efficient baby stroller for my grandchild, while a Beverly Hills grandpa needs a Bugaboo (the Danish stroller that can sell for well over $1000). Both do the same job, I need a stroller that safely holds and transports my grandchild for about $130.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,962 views3/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Brand Extension Can Be a Key to Growing and Evolving a Consumer Product Line or Service

by: Geoff Ficke Brand Extension Can Be a Key to Growing and Evolving a Consumer Product Line or Service Switzerland is the couture watch capital of the world. A visit to Geneva and its surrounding cantons exposes the traveler to the hundreds of exotic watch brands made in this famous horology center. Eponymous watch stores, displays, advertisements and billboards and jewelry stores are ubiquitous. Each brand prides itself on the customization, detail, amazing complications and old world craftsmanship that is present in each artisanal timepiece produced.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,356 views3/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

A Poem to Inspire Every Aspiring Marketer & Entrepreneur

Today poetry is not a culturally prevalent or popular art form utilized to convey deep thought or the meaning of ideas. To be sure, there are contemporary poets, published works of poetry are available and the United States still recognizes a living “poet laureate”. However, for vast swaths of modern populations, poetry seems so prim, almost Victorian. So what can the words of a bygone poet, or poem, offer modern product marketers, inventors, entrepreneurs and designers that would inspire and motivate their efforts?

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,909 views3/5 (1)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Is Now the Best Time to Start a New Business?

I am often asked if these are good times for new enterprise opportunities? Should I wait? Is the economy down? Is it a good funding market? Is competition too intense? These, and dozens more stated conce s are nothing more than self-imposed hurdles to movement. Now is the best time in history to start a business, launch a product or offer a cutting edge new service. More people than ever before have jobs. More people than ever before own homes. More business incorporations are established each year than the previous year.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,372 views3.3/5 (4)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Have You Been Downsized? Consider the Options for a Better Life

A friend was effectively eliminated from the traditional corporate work force in the early 1990’s. It was traumatic. He was a college graduate. He had climbed the corporate ladder, rapidly, inexorably. He enjoyed a six-figure income, a second home, club memberships, prosperous investment accounts, wonderful benefit packages, a College investment plan for his three kids, sports cars and extensive travel. He was devastated!

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,291 views3.7/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The Sales Theory of Relativity:ABC = Always Be Closing!

by: Geoff Ficke Albert Einstein’s famous “Theory of Relativity” (e = mc2) is as familiar to many millions of people as a popular modern commercial limerick for a soft drink or a jingle for a candy bar. Even though very few amongst these millions actually understand the scientific premise of the “Theory of Relativity”: people innately understand its import and relate it to its brilliant creator, the wild haired genius Albert Einstein. The famous equation is to energy, as H2O is to water.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,221 views2.3/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The Art and Modern Importance Of Roman Cement

by: Geoff Ficke Cement is the most widely used building material in the world and has been for thousands of years. The historical record confirms that the ancient Persians, Assyrians and Babylonians used cement in the binding and affixing of mud bricks. The Egyptians also used cement in construction. It was the Romans, however, that perfected the production of slaked cement that made many construction advances possible. The basic materials that the ancients used to make cement were readily available, then as now.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,210 views2.3/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The 10 Commandments of Selling

The 10 Commandments of Selling Every successful entrepreneur must achieve a level of sales competence. Short of spending valuable capital on hiring sales professionals, there is no alte ative. Selling is to business as fertilizer is to agriculture. Nothing happens in a company until somebody sells something. There are natural born salesmen. However, with application, practice and determination, anyone can hone selling skills and develop a style compatible with their personality. As an old sales manager, I have had the opportunity to work with every level of sales talent.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,642 views3/5 (1)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

A Novel Way to Get An Innovative Product to Market

by: Geoff Ficke This week I had the opportunity to launch a new product at the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association’s annual trade show in Orlando. This is an annual fair that brings together the manufacturers of all size to present and introduce new wares for the youth market. As in all industries, the competition is fierce, the innovations many and the marketing strategies are endlessly varied. During lulls in the actio I walked the floor and did a bit of networking.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,261 views3.3/5 (4)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Why Students Make Excellent Entrepreneurs

by: Geoff Ficke During my many years of lecturing university business school students on entrepreneurial topics I have been pleased, and surprised, at the relatively large numbers willing to take the plunge and pursue new business opportunities. The surprise is that modern students are willing to forego a corporate job right out of school; a job that for so many has been a pre-occupation (and the dream of tuition strapped parents).

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,227 views3/5 (5)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The First Commercially Sold Mouthwash Actually Invented a Malady for the Product to Cure

The first commercially successful mouthwash product is still one of the most famous: Listerine. First marketed in the late 19th century as a surgical antiseptic, the product enjoyed modest success. Listerine was created by Dr. Joseph Lawrence and Jordan Lambert and named in honor of Dr. Joseph Lister, the pioneer of antiseptic surgery. In distilled form, Listerine was sold in the early years of the 20th century as a floor cleaner and gonorrhea treatment. However, it was only in the 1920’s that the product started to sell in great volume, and only because of a clever marketing strategy.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,546 views3/5 (1)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Consumer Product Market Penetration is Much Easier If Exclusivity Is Key to the Lines Branding Strategy

by: Geoff Ficke Consumer Product Market Penetration is Much Easier If Exclusivity Is Key to the Lines Branding Strategy Recently I had the opportunity to visit and work several Trade Shows while on an extended business trip through Europe. One was a huge Beauty Product expo in Italy, another a jewelry fair in Switzerland, and a Gourmet Food Show in England completed the itinerary. Each of the venues would be considered apex convocations within their industry space. Each offered a range of products touching many price points.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,938 views3/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Marketing and Selling Are Crucial to Success...and Very Different Tasks

“an aggregate of functions involved in moving goods from producer to consumer” – Webster’s Dictionary, definition of “marketing” “to give up property to another for money or other valuable consideration” Webster’s Dictionary, definition of “selling” Many new entrepreneurs do not understand the difference between selling and marketing. In mature businesses, sales and marketing departments often are competitive with each other. The marketing department creates advertising, sales promotion, sales collateral, display and branding strategies applicable to a product.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,934 views3/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Eric Hoffer: The Obstacles We Face Daily Present Our Greatest Opportunities

by: Geoff Ficke As a young, struggling college student in the 1960’s I became entranced with the life, philosophy and writings of the great American thinker Eric Hoffer. Hoffer’s life story was almost mystical, his thinking so lucid and the concepts he presented were so fresh that I could not get enough of this great mans ideas. Only now do I fully realize how my adherence, to the thoughts of Mr. Hoffer have positively affected my professional life to this very day. Eric Hoffer was born in Germany. His family immigrated to America when he was a toddler.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,285 views2.5/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Where Does the Money Come From?

Fact: In 2005 over 500,000 new business incorporations were organized in the United States. Fact: Of these 500,000 new businesses less than 1,000 received venture capital funding. There are vastly more entrepreneurs seeking start-up funding than there are available funding sources and investment pools. This is a fact. And yet, 499,000 incorporations occurred in 2005 without the cover of an investment funding commitment. Many of these new businesses will fail.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,510 views3/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The Origins of Modern Banking Are Inter-twined With an Ancient Military Order

The world is currently fixated on the international credit crisis and the role banking has played in this debacle. We take it for granted that commerce flows quickly and accurately across borders and frontiers. A resident of Maine can purchase a tank of gas at home, or in Italy with the same credit card. The purchase will be accurately debited to their account, their credit limit will be adjusted and the merchant will receive an electronic transfer of the charge into their account almost simultaneously.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,762 views2/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

How Lack of Foresight Doomed An Early Auto Manufacturing Pioneer

Whatever happened to the Stanley Steamer automobile? From the production of Stanley’s first model in 1897, the Company outsold every other firm that produced internal combustion powered vehicles until the brands demise in 1924. The Steamers were safe, durable and easily maintained. So what killed the Stanley Steamer? The Stanley Automobile Company was founded by twin brothers Francis and Freelan Stanley. The cars gained fame when a model set the world land speed record in 1906, covering one mile in 28.2 seconds.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,818 views3/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Opportunity and Innovation - The Power of Weird Thinking

“The Big Idea” that will make an entrepreneur successful is not obtainable by filling in the blanks on a magic invention template. Where do ‘The Big Ideas” come from? Why are some people able to develop exciting concepts and others, though constantly scheming, achieve nothing of value? How do serial inventors repeat success, again and again. Entrepreneurs are born, not made. Thomas Edison performed over 1000 experiments before perfecting the electric light bulb. Think of that fact, and apply it to people in general. He failed 1000 times before getting it right.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,223 views2.5/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

“Mad Men” Provides a Market Concept Tutorial on Television Each Week

The hit television drama “Mad Men” recently began its third season to rave critical reviews and spectacular viewer ratings. The program, which is focused on the professional and personal lives of the associates of a New York City advertising agency in the early 1960’s is a magnetic period piece, featuring the fashion, lifestyle, dalliances and social interactions of a diverse group of contemporaries employed by the Sterling Cooper Agency.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,581 views2.5/5 (4)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

How Do Investors Read Business Plans?

There are hundreds of thousands of business plans floating around and attempting to find a funding home. I receive hundreds of business plans annually myself, and can definitely state that 99% of these documents are laughable as presentations of an exciting investment opportunity. I am not referring to the value of the product being described, rather the presentation that purports to describe an exciting investment situation. One of the reasons that so many plans are so poorly written, and there are many, many additional reasons, is that the writers do not understand how plans are read.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,476 views3/5 (3)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The 5 Absolutely Essential Personal Traits Needed to Become a Successful Entrepreneur

by: Geoff Ficke The 5 Absolutely Essential Personal Traits Needed to Become a Successful Entrepreneur

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,733 views3/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

A Strong Sales Model Underlies Every Assumption In a Business Plan

One of the most difficult tasks a new prospective entrepreneur faces is the construction of a Sales Model. Many books devoted to instruction for writing a business plan devote little or no attention to this vital exercise. The knowledge needed to assemble a quantified, qualified and clearly narrated Sales Model is essential to convey the scope and validity of an opportunity. The most elemental data point required to commence assembling a strong sales proposition is the Cost of Goods (COG).

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,237 views3/5 (1)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

A “Wanna Be” Entrepreneur in Reality Is a“Wantrepreneur” and Will Never Be Successful

by: Geoff Ficke A “Wanna Be” Entrepreneur in Reality Is a“Wantrepreneur” and Will Never Be Successful Very few of the hundreds of Consumer Product projects that my Branding and Marketing Consulting firm review each year ever go much beyond the talking stage. Talk is cheap. Dreamers dream. Successful entrepreneurs are relatively rare. The necessary makeup to compete in the marketplace of ideas and products is in fairly short supply.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,639 views3/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

The Nearly Forgotten Fashion Pioneer Who Changed the Way Women Dressed

by: Geoff Ficke The Nearly Forgotten Fashion Pioneer Who Changed the Way Women Dressed

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

3,239 views2/5 (1)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

America’s Great Advantage Creating Divergent Industries

The American economy is the growth engine of the industrial world and will continue to be so, as long a steady stream of innovative, divergent products is successfully created. The history of capitalism is replete with cycles of unique, needed product and technology advances that exponentially expand the economic base and evolve into completely new industry categories. No country comes close to America in dynamism, creativity and energy in pursuing cutting edge new growth opportunities. Why is this so?

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,132 views3/5 (1)

By Geoff FickeRecently publishedTopic pending

Why Are Successful Entrepreneurs So Darn Lucky?

What is your definition of the word “luck”? Not the Webster’s Dictionary definition, your definition. Is it being in the right place at the right time? Picking the right dealer in a casino? Turning up at a party where you meet your current wife (could be good or bad luck)? Entrepreneurs seem to be so lucky, so often. People see their success and attribute much of their good fortune to luck. What luck that they thought the idea would work. The luck of the Irish for old Doyle, don’t you think?

Primary topic: Recently published

Recently published

1,611 views3/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

Competition Keeps Successful Entrepreneurs Sharp

Every sports fan knows the story of a sports team competitively peaking at the right time on the road to winning a championship. The Pittsburgh Steelers won the 2006 Super Bowl even though they only had the second best record in their division. In addition, they had to overcome the huge hurdle of playing three straight playoff games on the road in front of hostile crowds. Entering the tou ament, the Steelers were not favorites to win a championship. But they did.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,609 views3/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

A Business Model That Really Succeeds at Warfare

Mercenary soldiers have been used by nation states since Biblical times. The Romans used Goth mercenaries to fight Hannibal and his Carthaginian army. The English used Celtic warriors to defend them against the Vikings. The British used Hessians during the Revolutionary War here in the United States. Mercenaries have enjoyed a very mixed reputation as long as government entities have utilized this soldier-for-hire service. The most successful use of a mercenary army almost certainly must be the late 20th century prowess displayed by a company named Executive Outcomes.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

2,417 views2/5 (2)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

How Not to Choose a Professional Consultant

Several years ago I wrote an article entitled “How Do You Choose the Best Marketing Consultant”. The article was posted on my website - www.DuquesaMarketing.com - and on numerous print and internet links. The content was written to advise layman of the many options and obstacles that should be addressed in their search for experienced and competent consulting help. Common sense, some inside-baseball tips and guidance on avoiding shyster’s constituted the bulk of the articles copy points.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,264 views2.2/5 (6)

By Geoff FickeRecently published1 topic

If When - Two Often Crippling Words

by: Geoff Ficke Words matter. How we express ourselves is the most important indicator of the type of person we are and the type of life we lead. In my work as a marketing consultant I have the opportunity to meet hundreds of people each year. They are usually attempting to bring a product, service or idea to the commercial marketplace. I rarely physically meet them, most contacts being made by mail, phone or e-mail.

Primary topic: Business Consulting

Business Consulting

1,711 views2.3/5 (3)

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