We instinctively use stories to understand the world around us and to influence each other. Stories are what give our ideas and experiences meaning. I teach, speak, and write on the topic of narrative intelligence, which is the idea that stories are the most powerful tool we have for behavior change. Through my work helping…
At Buffer, we’re constantly experimenting with ways we can improve our products and try out new ideas. We recently launched Start Page, a beautiful, flexible, mobile-friendly landing page that you can build in minutes and update in seconds. As a Software Engineer on Buffer’s team I’ve tackled a long list of fun projects, including Start…
Corporations like Apple, Nike, and Starbucks are known for their solid, instantly recognizable brands that are woven through everything they do. While the same can be said for many smaller businesses, building a brand from the ground up can feel daunting for entrepreneurs, especially if you’ve never done it before. While you don’t need to…
No matter what you do, in today’s world, it can be incredibly hard to unplug. We see this every year with our State of Remote Work report. In our most recent report, 27% of respondents shared that not being able to unplug was their biggest challenge. For business owners, this can be even more difficult…
Zingerman’s is a community of over 10 businesses spawned from a single deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Since 1982, the company has grown rapidly, but co-founders Ari Weinzweig and Paul Saginaw rejected traditional growth paths in the food industry like franchising or vertical integration. Instead, the company found its scaling path through a combination of…
When you hear that social media can be valuable for hiring, you may think, “Sure, I’ve browsed LinkedIn for potential employees before.” But I’m talking so much bigger than that. In fact, if you aren’t considering all of your social media channels as possible candidate pools, then you’re probably missing out on some incredible hires.…
Sales grew for years, then suddenly plateaued. Natalie Nagele and her husband Chris Nagele, the co-founders of software company Wildbit, immediately leapt into solution mode. They were determined to figure out why the company’s growth plateaued and identify what they needed to do to kick start it again. That is until they asked themselves why…
As a branding designer, most people assume I’m against companies using design templates. After all, how can you make your marketing materials feel uniquely you when you’re using a template that thousands of other people are probably using, too? I feel the opposite, though: Templates are a great way for small businesses to extend their…
Just as the COVID-19 pandemic began to rage in March 2020, Trident Booksellers and Cafe in Boulder, Colorado faced a similar challenge to small businesses around the world: how to stay afloat. Employees wanted an honest financial picture of what was happening with their employer. They also had tons of ideas on how to keep…
Everyone has their own workflow for creating social media content. In writing, authors who plan out their plot in advance are called “plotters,” while others who fly by the seat of their pants are called “pantsers.” No matter your style when it comes to social media content — personally, I’m more of a plotter, but…