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You are here: Home / Archives for innovation

The SmallBizChat Podcast: Top 10 Things Small Business Owners Need to Focus on in 2025 with Melinda Emerson

January 2, 2025 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

To kick off the new year, Melinda Emerson breaks down the top 10 things to incorporate into your business practice this year to stay ahead of the competition, from AI to Customer Experience to Your website. The discussion covers leveraging AI for business automation, strengthening cybersecurity, and building a resilient supply chain.     Listen […]

Filed Under: SmallBizChat, The SmallBizChat Podcast Tagged With: business agility, business automation, business goals, business resilience, customer experience, cybersecurity, digital presence, economic pressures, Employee Well-being, innovation, leveraging AI, marketing strategies, networking, revenue diversification, revenue models, small business advice, small business tips, supply chain management, sustainability

The SmallBizChat Podcast: It’s Your Make It Season with Melinda Emerson

October 24, 2024 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

In this episode, Melinda Emerson delves into the challenges posed by current economic pressures and how small business owners can adapt. The discussion covers the importance of reassessing revenue models and the potential of leveraging AI in business operations. Emphasis is placed on maintaining a resilient mindset and setting clear business goals. The conversation shifts […]

Filed Under: SmallBizChat, The SmallBizChat Podcast Tagged With: business goals, business resilience, customer experience, economic pressures, innovation, leveraging AI, marketing strategies, networking, revenue models, small business advice

SmallBizLady Summer Reading List 2024

July 29, 2024 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

It’s Summer, and that means it’s time to grab to good book and grow your expertise. There are many business books that have delivered an array of insightful and actionable reads. Here are a particular set of books that I find valuable for small business owners seeking to navigate the complexities of entrepreneurship. Here are […]

Filed Under: Become Your Own Boss Tips, Branding & Marketing, Business Inspiration, Cash Flow & Finance, Customer Service, Featured Post, Grow Your Business, How to Start, Leadership, Mompreneurs, My Recommendations, Social Media, Solopreneurs, Starting A Small Business, Teams, Women in Business, Your Small Business Tagged With: AI in business, Business Book Recommendations, business coaching, business knowledge, business leadership, business owner resources, Business Strategies, business success tips, customer centricity, entrepreneurship, financial management, innovation, leadership books, marketing books, must-read business books, small business books, small business growth, smallbizlady, summer reading list, sustainable business

The Essential Ingredients of Business Success

May 13, 2024 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

In business, success is not merely a destination but a journey. It’s a journey paved with challenges, opportunities, and pivotal moments that shape its destiny. While each entrepreneurial journey is unique, there are certain essential ingredients that consistently contribute to success. In business, success is not merely a stroke of luck or the result of […]

Filed Under: Become Your Own Boss Tips, Fix Your Business, Grow Your Business, Women in Business, Your Small Business Tagged With: business success, community, entrepreneurship, innovation, perseverance, planning, strategy, vision, women entrepreneurs

Why You Need a Brand Refresh

February 19, 2024 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

 When was the last time you evaluated your brand? For small business owners who need to stay relevant, competitive, and engaging, it is paramount to refine your brand and messaging as your business transforms. One of the most powerful tools at your disposal is your brand. As time progresses, the effectiveness and resonance of your […]

Filed Under: Become Your Own Boss Tips, Branding & Marketing, Business Inspiration, Fix Your Business, Grow Your Business, Women in Business, Your Small Business Tagged With: brand evolution, brand identity, brand perception, brand refresh, brand resilience, brand strategy, branding, business growth, competition, competitive differentiation, customer engagement, innovation, market trends, name change, rebranding, small business, strategic branding, target audience

The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit it & Quit It with Bernadette McClelland, Ted Santos, and Barry Moltz

November 16, 2023 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Hit it & Quit It with Bernadette McClelland, Ted Santos, and Barry Moltz Featured Image

  Bernadette McClelland is a high-content and inspirational speaker on transformation and business growth, making booking a speaker easy and joyful. She has spoken in 12 countries across four continents, and 85% of her past clients have rebooked her in one capacity or another. She has landed million-dollar deals, and the US government recognizes her […]

Filed Under: SmallBizChat, The SmallBizChat Podcast Tagged With: business growth, digital marketing, innovation, reinventing your business., sales leadership

How to Innovate and Grow Your Business

August 9, 2018 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Every week as SmallBizLady, I conduct interviews with experts on my Twitter talk show #SmallBizChat. The show takes place every Wednesday on Twitter from 8-9 pm ET.  This is excerpted from my recent interview with Michael Haynes who is a B2B Strategist that helps small businesses grow using customer-driven strategies.  He is also the author […]

Filed Under: Featured Post, Featured SmallBizChat, Grow Your Business, Q & A Interview, SmallBizChat Tagged With: @2Excellyourbiz, business strategy, collaboration, innovation, SmallBizChat

How to Build a Legacy Brand in Your Small Business

May 2, 2017 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Guest Article “This is why I love her!!! Beautiful advice!!!! “I love Super Soul Sunday.” “I want a bracelet that says WWOD…as in What Would Oprah Do.” “She has her life together.” “I don’t think for a moment Apple will make bad products.” “My iPhone has never failed me.” “I do like Apple products. They’re […]

Filed Under: Branding & Marketing, Guest Articles Tagged With: Build Brand, innovation, Legacy Brand

How to Stay Relevant and Successful in Today’s Changing Market

April 20, 2017 By Melinda Emerson Leave a Comment

Every week as SmallBizLady, I conduct interviews with experts on my Twitter talk show #SmallBizChat. The show takes place every Wednesday on Twitter from 8-9 pm ET. This is excerpted from my recent interview with Susan Solovic @susansolovic. Susan Solovic is an award-winning serial entrepreneur, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Amazon.com top 100 and […]

Filed Under: Branding & Marketing, Featured Post, Featured SmallBizChat, Q & A Interview, SmallBizChat Tagged With: @susansolovic, innovation, SmallBizChat, staying relevant

Five Reasons Your Company Should Have a Platform

March 13, 2012 By Melinda Emerson 3 Comments

These days, you can’t go five minutes without hearing someone talk about platforms. The term is almost a buzzword. As I explain in  The Age of the Platform, a platform is merely a structure made up of “planks,” or integrated features. For instance, Google in 1998 wasn’t a platform; it was a really neat search engine. By adding planks […]

Filed Under: Guest Articles, Social Media, Starting A Small Business Tagged With: Age of the Platform, Amazon, Apple, Brand Awareness, facebook, Google, innovation, Phil Simon, small business tips

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Jean Chatzky, Bestselling Author of Money 911 and Financial Editor of NBC’s Today Show
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Andrew C. Taylor, Chairman, Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Melinda Emerson has written a remarkable book. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to make the transition from working girl to successfully working it, as an entrepreneur.
Cynthia McClain-Hill, Past President, National Association of Women Business Owners
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Kenneth L. Shropshire, Professor at the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania
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Heather Van Sickle Executive Director, National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE)
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Tennille M. Robinson Senior content & Event producer for Inc. magazine
Melinda Emerson, “SmallBizLady,” is an engaging and witty speaker and a great addition to any conference. Her terrific presentation and compelling delivery give people the information they need and want to become their own bosses and grow success… Read more
Laurie Dalton White Conference Director, Pennsylvania Conference for Women
Melinda Emerson has been a fantastic small business and social media resource for the Pitney Bowes team. Not only is she personable and easy to work with, but she also has an innate understanding of the small business audience. My marketing programs … Read more
Justin Amendola, Former VP, Global SMB Digital Strategy, Pitney Bowes

Latest #SmallBizChat

The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to License and Sell Your Content with Mitch Axelrod

In this episode, Melinda Emerson welcomes Mitch Axelrod to discuss the intricacies of intellectual property (IP) licensing for small businesses. Mitch shares his personal journey in the licensing field, offering insights into identifying and protecting IP effectively. They explore common pitfalls in licensing negotiations and provide practical tips to navigate these challenges. Mitch Axelrod is […]

Fix Your Business Q&A Video

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  • How to Develop a Business Launch Timeline, Part II
  • The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with LaTanya White, Dov Gordon, and Anisha Robinson Keeys

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