EOS and the Traction model have been making their way through entrepreneurial circles for years. It has staying power for a reason: it’s an operating system that can help empower teams, create clarity, and drive smart action. While it has the potential to create a cult-like following, there is no need to blindly follow this methodology at the expense of other tried-and-true practices that work in your business and culture. Its data-driven approach dovetails nicely with other methodologies you may follow.
4 min read
EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) Traction & Marketing Strategy
By Michele Nichols on Mon, Feb 19, 2024
Topics: Business Insights Marketing Strategy Change and Innovation
1 min read
AZO Marketing Podcast: Bridging the Marketing Strategy-Execution Gap
By Jordan Gipson on Thu, Dec 14, 2023
“Customer distrust is at an all-time low across sectors. And this isn’t marketing driven, but it is marketing’s problem – it’s a strategic problem.”
Companies have had to find efficiencies everywhere to maintain margins—at the expense of customer experience. These efficiencies have increasingly commoditized marketing—coupled with high turnover and low unemployment, many companies are seeing a strategic gap in go-to-market and project launch.
Topics: Business Insights Marketing Strategy
4 min read
State of the Optics & Photonics Industry: SPIE Summit Debrief
By Michele Nichols on Thu, Oct 05, 2023
Optics, Photonics, Quantum and Energy Industry Updates
This past week, 150 leaders of photonics company leaders met with government agency leaders to discuss policy and initiatives critical to:
Topics: Optics Business Insights
6 min read
The Automation Imperative: Debunking Misconceptions in Advanced Manufacturing
By Michele Nichols on Thu, Aug 03, 2023
Automation and digital transformation are the next revolution in productivity. This is driven by a severe shortage of skilled labor and supply chain disruption is capping growth for advanced manufacturing across the sectors we serve. Automation has the potential to improve output, introduce new capabilities, improve margin, and grow revenue—but the skilled labor gap is making this change an imperative.
Topics: Business Insights Manufacturing Change Management Digital Transformation
5 min read
Marketing Budget Planning for 2024
By Michele Nichols on Fri, Jun 16, 2023
For many, it’s budgeting season as companies work through their strategic plans for the coming year. This means something different in every B2B industrial company we surveyed:
Topics: Business Insights Marketing Strategy Strategic Planning Marketing and Sales Alignment
3 min read
Effective AI and Automation Techniques in Marketing
By Mary Crowley on Wed, May 10, 2023
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Automation have become buzzwords in recent years, and for a valid reason. These advanced technologies are revolutionizing the way businesses approach their marketing strategies by enabling high levels of efficiency, increased personalization, and improved customer experiences. The marketing industry is now leveraging AI and Automation. We’ll explore the top 5 AI and Automation techniques that every marketer should be aware of.
Topics: Business Insights Marketing Automation
3 min read
Measuring Change: KPIs for Change Management
By Michele Nichols on Tue, Apr 25, 2023
Appropriate change management and internal communications are critical to the success of your change plan, whether that’s driven by:
- Digital transformation
- M&A integration
- Reorganization or business model change
Topics: Business Insights Internal Communication Change Management Digital Transformation
1 min read
Trends for Tech Startups and the Investment Community
By Michele Nichols on Thu, Feb 09, 2023
Topics: Business Insights Strategic Planning Tech
7 min read
SPIE Photonics West DEI Roundtable
By Michele Nichols on Mon, Feb 06, 2023
Lessons Learned from Students, Candidates, Employees & Employers
Introduction:
I was proud to be asked to lead this roundtable discussion on a topic that is critical to the growing field of photonics. That in no way makes me an expert in DEI. As a business owner who works with many of the market leaders in photonics, I am simply committed to doing the work.
I’m pleased to share the highlights from our active discussion on topics including:
- What’s the state of the industry today?
- What are some actions you can take to improve diversity in photonics, whether you’re a student, candidate, employee, or employer?
Topics: Business Insights employee engagement DEI
1 min read
Market Outlook for Advanced Manufacturing
By Mary Crowley on Thu, Nov 17, 2022
Supply chain disruption, workforce shortages, market volatility, margin pressure—what else is ahead for advanced manufacturing in the US for 2023? In this video, Michele Nichols, President of Launch Team, shares growth rates, opportunities, and trends, including winning strategies on how to create a competitive advantage in light of market forces. She also covers what advanced manufacturers can expect in the coming months and years.
Topics: Business Insights Market Research Manufacturing
3 min read
HubSpot's INBOUND 2022: 3 Smart Marketing Tips
By Mary Crowley on Wed, Oct 19, 2022
The HubSpot INBOUND conference is always a great opportunity for marketers to learn about the latest trends and strategies from fellow marketing professionals and leaders. This year's conference was no exception and as a HubSpot Platinum partner, we came away with new approaches to try, current best practices, and good reminders for us and our clients.
Topics: Business Insights Inbound Marketing Social Media
2 min read
Annual Planning: Company Retreat Ideas to Build a Cohesive and Actionable Plan
By Michele Nichols on Mon, Sep 19, 2022