Sales & Marketing

The notion that you have to promote to different age groups differently is accepted as a marketing truth. The practice of generational marketing had its genesis in the early 1990s when two historians, William Strauss and Neil Howe, wrote a book on generational history. They concluded that generations last the length of time of one phase of life, which is approximately 20 years. They also conclude that the members of a generation are forever connected by virtue of the fact that they share life-defining experiences during their formative years – world events, natural disaster, economic conditions politics and technology. Called markers, these common experiences create bonds that tie consumers of a generation together into cohorts with similar attitudes, values, and life skills that affect everything from how they spend, what they save, and if they become your customer.

Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), interviews Anne M. Ramstetter Wenzel, author of The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Market Research. She is the Principal Economist for Econosystems, an economics and market research firm located in Menlo Park, California.

Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks with business author, Seena Sharp, about her book, Shake Up Your Thinking, Shape Up Your Business: 68 Sharp Insights to Attract Customers and Boost Sales. No matter what field you’re in, the market is changing in ways that are unexpected, unforeseen, surprising, and unpredictable. Shake Up your Thinking, Shape Up Your Business presents the most popular sharp insights that will help you find creative ways to attract new customers—before competitors catch on.

Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, chats with nationally-known small business advocate Chris Holman, and his Michigan Business Network colleague, Jeff Mosher, about the Detroit Policy Conference, the Michigan Association of Counties meeting, upcoming access-to-capital webinars/seminars conducting by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, seven tips to build your business while working your day job, key things to remember when coming up with a new business name, and five things people want from your ecommerce.

Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks with Jeff and Bonnie Steinman, owners of Hop Head Farms. Hop Head Farms produces hops for the brewing industry. They discuss the importance of creating a successful, sustainable infrastructure for the Michigan brewing industry.

Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, talks with sales trainer and coach, Greg Coyne, of Gerry Weinberg and Associates Sandler Training. Greg joined the Sandler Sales team in June 2012 as a sales trainer and sales force developer.

Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, interviews entrepreneur and social media expert Kate Snyder, owner of Piper & Gold Public Relations in Lansing, about how to put together a social media strategy for your company. Michael and Kate also talk about some recent updates to Twitter, whether or not it’s worth posting on Google +, the meaning of Facebook “Reactions,” and the type of social media content that is most effective for your small business to create.

Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan, interviews author and journalist, Rod Kackley about filling the need for tech talent, and what small businesses and educators are doing to address the challenge. Kackley is a journalist and author of business books like Last Chance Mile: The Reinvention of an American Community, Restore The Roar: Farm to Fork, Grand Rapids Needs Talent, Michigan Could Miss The Next Wave of Automotive Technology and a wide variety of fictional works.

Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), profiles Gina Thorsen, president of Stormy Kromer. Thorsen is a member of SBAM’s Leadership Council.

How to activate your marketing plan! Michael Rogers, vice president communications for the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), talks with Perry Ballard, owner of Manage Perceived Value and a veteran SCORE counselor.