Recent posts by Michele Nichols
2 min read
Annual Planning: Company Retreat Ideas to Build a Cohesive and Actionable Plan
Topics: Business Insights Strategic Planning Organizational Culture
1 min read
Photonics West 2022: Catch Us Live or Remote
We have missed seeing our photonics clients face to face and hope to see many of you at Photonics West January 23-27. We’ll be sharing market insights and marketing best practices and catching up with old friends. Watch for Launch Team at:
Topics: Company News Trade Show Strategy
2 min read
2021 Lessons Learned in Navigating Change
Here we are, entering another year where the only certainty is uncertainty. Take a deep breath and recognize all the growth you’ve achieved and the stability you’ve provided in spite of rapid change. You’re helping to build a culture of resilience and action in the face of ambiguity.
Topics: Inbound Marketing Marketing Strategy Change and Innovation Strategic Planning Digital Transformation
3 min read
Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Observations from MD&M
This year’s MD&M East, an expo that spans medtech, packaging, automation, plastics, design, and quality for the largest design and manufacturing event in the East, was a low-attendance, high-quality show that formed the backdrop for interesting conversations. What’s next for medtech? What are the implications for product development, product launch, suppliers, and consumers?
2 min read
Change Management and Digital Transformation: Tips for Success
Digital transformation today is taking place at a pace that is 20-25x faster than pre-2020. Changing at unprecedented speed comes with inherent risk, and in this case, digital transformation is largely treated by leadership and operations teams as a series of independent IT projects instead of realizing its full potential as a driver of competitive advantage.
Topics: Change and Innovation Positioning Strategic Planning Change Management Digital Transformation
4 min read
Launch Retreat 2021: How We Improve For Our Partners
After a year of off-site and hybrid accommodations, we've all come to miss each others' faces. And as we approach 2022 and reflect on the changes these past years have brought to our clients and industries, our team took the chance to bring everyone back together in person and organize an insightful retreat on the shore of Canandaigua Lake. This team-building experience gave us the opportunity to reflect on market trends, growth, and how we can best support and improve on our external and internal communications.
Topics: Company News
3 min read
Best Practices for Tradeshows in Today’s Environment: A look at FABTECH
Tradeshows are back, but the best in class aren't back to 'business as usual'--conference organizers and exhibitors are rethinking tradeshow goals and approach post-pandemic. FABTECH was one of the first big industrial conferences to return. What was it like? Who did it well? In-person attendance, by casual observation, felt slightly lighter, but exhibitors were pleased with the booth traffic and quality of leads. FABTECH organizers were committed to a safe, inclusive experience, with hybrid streaming content and pre-recorded educational sessions. As much of the show is capital equipment, exhibitors were faced with a costly decision: live equipment demo or video?
Topics: Trade Show Strategy
2 min read
We're Back: Meet Launch Team at FABTECH 2021
After last year's cancellation, FABTECH 2021 is back live and coming at full speed on September 13-16 in Chicago, Illinois! A lot has happened since FABTECH 2019 — from a dramatic shift to an all-remote environment for over a year, to now a period of re-opening and navigating hybrid workforces and employee engagement. One thing is for sure, we are happy to be back and present at live events.
Topics: Trade Show Strategy Manufacturing
4 min read
5 Shifts in Customer Behavior That Are Driving Organizational Change
With the dramatic shift to an all-remote environment for over a year, and now a period of re-opening, Launch Team President, Michele Nichols, and Red Argyle CGO, Ron Wille, catch up on changing customer behaviors and the future of sales and marketing.
Topics: Change and Innovation Client Relations Transformation
3 min read
When Should You Outsource? How to Identify Core Competencies
In a high-growth economy and tight labor market, understanding your company’s core competencies can help you quickly and effectively seize opportunities and improve financial performance. These are the foundation for:
Topics: Positioning Strategic Planning
3 min read
Clear is Kind: The Role of Dashboards and Reporting in Leading Change
Organizations in every industry are undergoing change initiatives, whether market-driven, customer-driven, or operational. To succeed, you’ll need employee engagement and support for well-defined, measurable goals. That’s where dashboards come in.
Topics: Marketing Strategy
2 min read
Building Employee Engagement Through a Period of Change or Growth
Employee engagement has been top of mind for business leaders for years and has only grown in importance after a year of most workers operating remotely. The topic made headlines with the WeWork CEO’s controversial comments recently at the Wall Street Journal’s Future of Everything Festival, stating that more engaged employees want to come back to the office. “Those who are least engaged are very comfortable working from home,” Sandeep Mathrani said. The debate about his comments shows how strongly many feel about the concept of engagement.
