Barry Fiske

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If you're looking for a different approach to attract and retain customers, apply these tips from leading experts. It's essential for growing businesses to play the long game if they want to compete successfully in today's uncertain economy. Developing a strong and consistent digital media presence, with a pulse on the trends and shifts, will also enable brands to anticipate their current and future customers needs in order to offer a better solution to their challenges. Here, 13 leaders from Fast Company Executive Board each explain their complete digital media process to build and keep their business thriving.

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Respect and communication are key to strengthening business relationships. In a tight economy and competitive marketplace, with consumers holding their pocketbooks closer and rethinking their spending habits, the last thing a brand wants to do is lose their trust due to a data privacy concern that slipped through the cracks. Complying with the state regarding privacy regulations and keeping clients informed about any changes or sudden breaches that may impact the information gathered is essential to earn their continued trust. To help marketing teams stay on the right course, 11 Fast Company Executive Board members each share one important factor every leader should know about customer data privacy for marketing outreach.

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No matter the type of year your business has had, there's always something to be grateful for. When running a business, each year comes with its fair share of successes and challenges. While looking back on difficult times can be a helpful learning tool, dwelling on hardships can foster a negative mindset. To counter this, it's important to take a step back, celebrate the wins, and appreciate the positive aspects of your business. In the spirit of the season, 18 Fast Company Executive Board members share what they're most grateful for in 2024.

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If your loyal customer base isn't enough to keep your doors open in a challenging market, here are a few strategies to change your luck. Running a business is no easy feat, especially when faced with factors outside of an owner's control—such as high rents, supply chain challenges, and stiff competition. Despite your loyal customer base and quality service, you may still struggle to keep your business afloat. For business owners facing these tough realities, Fast Company Executive Board members share practical advice and creative strategies that can offer new paths forward. Read on to find helpful tips to weather obstacles and find new ways to sustain your vision in the community.

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Here's how to show your customers appreciation without breaking the bank. Showing genuine appreciation can go a long way in building lasting relationships with customers and clients. Small but thoughtful gestures can make a big impact for companies on a limited budget and keep customers feeling valued year-round. Here, Fast Company Executive Board members share what you can offer to show how much you value their loyalty while being mindful of your budget. From personalized messages to exclusive access and special perks, there are many ways businesses can express gratitude and strengthen connections without a large expense.

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Implement these best practices to help employees thrive in every type of work environment. To enhance remote and hybrid communication in the workplace, it's important for leaders to avoid a one-size-fits-all method and engage with employees on an individual basis. This type of approach helps them understand their individual staff members' workstyle personalities and comfort levels. Planning special events or fun activities to bring co-workers closer is one of the best ways to increase team morale and encourage long-term connections. However, most stakeholders will agree that overscheduling meetings that could really be wrapped up in an email or direct message, is often overrated and results in unnecessary fatigue on everyone's part. Here, 14 experts from Fast Company Executive Board each offer their best perspective on how to strengthen the lines of communication and collaboration across departments at their organizations, whether people are returning to the office or still choosing to work from home.

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Apply these best practices to expand the lifetime value of what customers have come to expect. Technology continues to be the solution to helping brands and their customers elevate their business and personal experiences. One key indicator to assessing a client's satisfaction with a particular device is to gain access to their existing daily habits and how the product impacts their life. Once that information is determined and measured through a combination of data analytics and real-time user feedback, the brand can work on modernizing its product to make it better. The most important predictor of satisfaction and long-term stickiness for devices such as wearables is how well they fit into existing lifestyles and habits. Careful assessment of the users' existing habits is essential. A device must not rely on the formation of new habits for success. Rather, it should make existing habits easier or automate as many steps as possible.  Below, 12 experts from Fast Company Executive Board each offer one suggestion to help other brand leaders and creative UX designers adapt their product designs for new and evolving wearables, smart home devices, and other Internet of Things devices.

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Customers will thank you kindly for putting their design needs first, leaving non-essential product bells and whistles at the door. It's an exciting time when a company is preparing to launch a new app or feature on one of its existing products. However, before introducing an updated design or functionality on the current model, it's important to gather as much feedback as possible from the end users and other stakeholders to give them what they want, so you can add meaningful value to their journey with the brand.  Creating an overcomplicated design will waste time and budget, so remember that less is more. Below, 10 leaders from Fast Company Executive Board weigh in on how to help creative UX teams develop visually appealing and functional designs. Implementing these best practices will ensure that aesthetic choices do not compromise product usability, and customers are satisfied with their experience.

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Here's how to introduce Innovation and team creativity alongside company standards. Oftentimes, in the business world, employees may be afraid to get creative or express themselves freely because they are certain their ideas will get shot down, especially if it's outside of traditional regulations. However, in the digital landscape that continues to evolve, company leaders must keep an open mind about potential ideas that may sound risky but could be exactly what is needed for the company to thrive in the long run at a rapid rate. Below, 11 members from Fast Company Executive Board each discuss one way employers can balance innovation with regulation to avoid stifling team creativity while ensuring safety and ethical standards.

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You have to work on the future now if you want to be in the future later. Here's how to become "future ready".

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From podcast novice to professional, here's how to gain followers and create engaging content with the popular entertainment outlet. Now, more than ever, podcasts are at the forefront of entertainment. As a thought leader with a podcast, you may have wondered how to gain traction in the popular entertainment sphere without compromising your original purpose for the podcast. To assist in this journey, Fast Company Executive Board members provide tips for growing your podcast following and creating engaging, relevant content to make an impact. With these expert recommendations, you can captivate and grow your audience effectively without losing sight of your original goals.

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Follow these tips to increase your company's ROI on conference sponsorships and collaborations. Whether you're a sponsor or a collaborative planning partner, being involved in industry conferences is a huge opportunity to expand your company's reach. Both virtual and on-site events provide a chance for you to grow your customer base, gain exposure among professionals in your field and even shape industry trends. To that end, 15 Fast Company Executive Board members share their insights on maximizing the impact of these annual events on your organization. From collaborating with complementary businesses to creating engaging experiences, these strategies can help you make the most of your conference participation.

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Follow these expert tips to find the right design team to execute your company's architectural vision and construction goals. When your company is about to undergo a renovation, it's important to find the right designer or design team you can trust to get the job done correctly. Beyond that, it's also necessary to hire someone who not only aligns with your vision but is also passionate enough about the project to share new ideas you may not have considered. To help leaders avoid any pitfalls they may come across during their search, 10 experts from Fast Company Executive Board each discuss one factor to keep in mind throughout the hiring and contracting process.

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Growth is good, but smart growth is far, far better.

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Investing in human capital is essential to competitive advantage in today's marketplace. One of the keys to building a successful company is hiring the right people. But, hiring the top talent will only take an organization so far if the leadership is not willing to support the education of high-performing employees who want to pursue the latest skills, invest in their personal growth, and apply their knowledge to the work they are doing every day on the job. If you want to invest in employee training and development, here are 12 strategies to consider when it comes to upskilling or reskilling your team, courtesy of Fast Company Executive Board members.

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Think outside the box to save your team time and money, so they won't have to reinvent the wheel. It's always an exciting time when upper management green-lights a team to work on a new design project that, once completed, will have a positive impact on the company's staff and clients, and improve the organization's potential for sustainable growth over time.  But when it comes to resources, whether your funds are unlimited or you can't afford to overspend, there are smarter ways to consider how to complete the project without breaking the bank. Here, 10 experts from Fast Company Executive Board each share one tip to help design leaders and their teams repurpose existing structures or materials to reduce waste and promote a circular economy.

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Apply these strategies to ensure your company is sending the right message to gain consumer trust and loyalty. With artificial intelligence tools at their fingertips, brand leaders can better assess where the consumer market is heading and how to address the challenges of the day. Using digital results to reframe an email or marketing campaign may be an effective way to stand out as a go-to company that can find solutions, but connecting in a meaningful way will solidify a stronger business relationship. Below, 12 Fast Company Executive Board members each provide a strategy for new or established brands to improve B2C relationships and grow their business by leaps and bounds.

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14 steps to consider before making a marketing design switch that could confuse or alienate loyal customers.  It may be time to update your product in the marketplace; however, it's important to do your research and revisit how and why the brand was successful in the first place. You may not necessarily need a full overhaul to remain competitive and relevant in the current market space. It may just take a tweak here and there to highlight a timeless feature that consumers still care about. Taking this approach and reaching out to collaborate with your PR department is a smart way to put your brand over the top for continued success among competing companies in the industry. Below, 14 Fast Company Executive Board members each offer one idea to keep in mind when preparing for a package redesign of an established product that needs a bit of modernization in these current times.

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Business leaders teach professionals 18 smart, practical ways to speak up and get ahead. Whether they're just starting out in their industry of choice or have been at it for several years, it's natural for career-minded, ambitious individuals to keep an eye on opportunities that could give them an edge in their professional lives.  But, in order to keep their skin in the game and gain the respect of their leaders and coworkers, it's essential for employees to first build trust in their capabilities if they want like-minded colleagues to buy into the contributions they are trying to make. To help you speak up about your concerns or ideas, 18 Fast Company Executive Board members share their best practices with other workers who wish to present their ideas and become a better advocate for themselves at their current place of business.

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Customers can sense when a company’s products and experiences aren’t loyal to their needs, so why should they be loyal to that business?

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Here's how to build better relationships with your community workforce, local government, and area businesses. There is much to consider when company leaders begin negotiating and collaborating with local governments to possibly open headquarters in a new or unfamiliar area. It's not only about understanding the potential target audience, but it's also about protecting, respecting, and maintaining the workforce and consumer pipeline that already occupies the community. All brands must be aware of the direct impact and responsibility that comes with settling into the cities they plan to conduct business in worldwide. Here, 16 experts from Fast Company Executive Board offer tips to help business leaders execute their grand opening plans without a hitch—and with the local community's connection and buy-in.

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11 key areas that are crucial for business leaders to keep in-house if they want the company to stay on track. As digital solutions continue to become available, shifting tedious tasks and daily routines away from the leaders and staff members of small, medium, or large organizations, there are still certain business functions at a company—no matter what size— that should never be outsourced.  Below 11 Fast Company Executive Board members weigh in on what parts of the establishment managers and their teams must continue to oversee to ensure their continued success in the core business and mission they originally set out to achieve.

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I predict that by the year 2030, transparency will be a top 2 driver of buying decisions across all categories of B2B. So, what exactly does that mean?

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Whether you're building a small, medium, or large business, developing a credible company reputation that potential clients and customers can rely on is what truly matters at the end of the day. If you are just starting in business, it's oftentimes difficult to book and retain your first major client if they're not familiar with your work.  Below, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members weigh in on the best ways to exceed customer expectations and create long-lasting loyalty—giving you the boost in credibility you need to win over potential clients.

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If you want to build better connections with your current and potential customers, here are some best practices to get started. In an uncertain business environment and tight economic conditions, customer testimonials should never be taken for granted or underutilized—especially the ones captured on video. Sharing this type of information with other current and prospective customers is one of the best ways to put any concerns to rest and build on their solid trust in what your brand has to offer in the competitive, crowded marketplace. Below, 12 experts from Fast Company Executive Board discuss how business leaders can leverage customer testimonial videos to impact continued business growth.

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10 ways to bridge the communication gap (and restore trust) between department leaders and company heads. It takes a village to raise a company's success level in the marketplace. That is why it is necessary for teams to depend on each other whether the business is up or down, so they can stay in sync and keep the operation running smoothly. Building stronger relationships at work plays a key factor and can boost morale, which in turn, can boost productivity and encourage leadership and teams to collaborate effectively at all times. Below, 10 Fast Company Executive Board members each offer one tip to help department managers and company founders or owners develop and maintain trusting relationships with one another. 

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Having a hard time finding potential new hires? Here are 18 methods for you to try at your next event. In a picky job market, the right career fair at the right time can be a win-win situation for the potential employer and the job seeker alike. It can cost a company a lot of money, however, if they are not focused on the right candidates who can fill their company's needs—right now.  But hiring managers should not solely rely on resume history—or if a candidate meets all 10 "job requirements"—as it's also crucial for the recruiter to find the right cultural fit and a team player who can help a department and company thrive in the long term. If you are scheduled to attend a career fair or networking event in the coming weeks or months, below, Fast Company Executive Board members each share one tip for leaders who want to attract the right new hires to work with.

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11 essentials to consider before you announce your latest improvements. It's always an exciting time when a company is able to roll out new design enhancements for a mobile app, especially one that will include features perceived to be game-changing by industry standards. However, while it is necessary to stay tuned into the latest trends and be willing to accommodate your users' requests and needs, it's also important to know your limitations and consider your organization's strategy and vision. You also need to ensure that you don't overwhelm your customers by overloading them with too many features in one app all at once.  If your end goal is to provide a better service for current and potential clients and customers, here, 11 Fast Company Executive Board members share some key factors to keep in mind before you invest your time and money in the latest design process.

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16 ways to find a happy medium in reaching your personal and professional life goals. Working a nine-to-five career can be overwhelming depending on the types of responsibilities you have on your daily plate. Add to the mix, the pursuit of a certification or degree through continued education after work—while building on personal friendships or raising a new family—and it's understandable for anyone to feel burned out from a lack of work-life balance if they're struggling. Below, Fast Company Executive Board members each offer one tip for maintaining a healthy lifestyle while juggling work duties and attending evening classes.

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The rapid rise of Generative AI has proven that the "far-fetched" is quickly becoming the “quite possible.” 

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10 reasons to consider this sales and marketing tactic—especially if you are in the early stages of your organization. If you are trying to raise brand awareness by educating consumers and potential customers about the types of products and services you are offering, then it might not be a bad idea to launch a pop-up shop or kiosk location to attract more interest and reach people where they're at. When you are just starting out in business, this type of solution is convenient and affordable because there is no long-term lease commitment. It also enables companies to create a sense of urgency because its location lacks permanency. Experts from Fast Company Executive Board know all about this alternative way of doing business. Here, they discuss how this method of selling can be successful and increase the bottom line of your digital or brick-and-mortar establishment.

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Apply these tips to foster improvement in your business products and services. It's important to keep your eye on the prize when you're running a business you want to see survive. But, it's not always easy to outdo your company's biggest achievements, or implement needed improvements, year after year—especially in a tight economy.  Despite reality, however, whether your company was able to move the needle forward by an inch or a mile to reach its bottom line this past year, it's essential to highlight each moment. By doing so, you'll be able to boost employee morale and heighten productivity among your loyal team members. Here, 15 members of Fast Company Executive Board share one new thing they've already implemented or are excited about doing in the coming year to enhance their business image, company core values, and work culture!

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The following "strategic" patterns may push your company further away from its bottom-line business goals. If your brand's latest promotional strategy is entirely based on a trend that doesn't align with your company's core values and authenticity, then you should probably rethink your plans. You don't need to necessarily keep up with what the competition is doing.  Instead, turn your attention back to what your unique customers' biggest pain points are right now. These often change, so you need to be able to adapt to the specific needs of the people you want to serve. It also means taking your time to do the proper research and letting the data drive your decision-making process so you reach your desired results in the long run.  Many company marketers often struggle because they're wasting their company's time and money on the areas of advertising that don't resonate with their consumers at all. Here, 12 industry leaders from Fast Company Executive Board describe the nature of some of those pitfalls and why they should be avoided if you want to build a brand that is organically successful.

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In the ever-changing tech field, staying on top of industry trends is essential for career and business success. Technology is constantly evolving, with new innovations and advancements being introduced regularly. It's essential for professionals in the tech industry to stay up to date with these changes to remain competitive and relevant. However, keeping up with industry changes can be a daunting task, especially as the pace of technological development continues to accelerate. Below, a panel of 15Fast Company Executive Board members shared some of the most effective ways to stay informed about the latest trends and developments in tech, so you can stay ahead of the game and continue to excel in your field.

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Layoffs aren't the only way to cut overhead costs in a challenging economy. In times of economic difficulty, companies often face tough decisions when it comes to retaining employees. Layoffs can seem like the only viable solution to cut costs and survive financially. However, these decisions can have lasting impacts on the morale and productivity of the remaining team members. Fortunately, there are alternative strategies that companies can employ to avoid layoffs and increase job security for their employees. To that end, a panel of Fast Company Executive Board members offer their top-recommended strategies for keeping your staff intact and discuss their potential benefits for both companies and employees.

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In today's hyper-connected world, it's easy for criticisms and negative comments to spread like wildfire, potentially damaging your reputation and credibility. Being a company leader who is also a public speaker or author of books and articles comes with its own set of challenges. One of the biggest challenges is dealing with public scrutiny, especially when someone doesn't agree with your professional viewpoint or is upset about what you said. To help leaders face this situation head-on, a group of Fast Company Executive Board members explores some strategies for handling public scrutiny and saving face when dealing with criticism or backlash. Whether you're a seasoned public speaker or a new author, these tips can help you navigate the rough waters of public scrutiny and emerge stronger and more successful.

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If you don't want your team's eyes to glaze over every time they see an email from you in their inbox, then apply these internal communication strategies from leading experts. Internal communications are essential for keeping employees informed and engaged, but getting employees to read and keep up with the messages can be a challenge. That's why, as a leader, it's important to craft communications that are clear, concise, and relevant to the audience. By doing so, you can ensure that employees feel valued and informed, which can boost morale and productivity. To help you achieve this, try these expert tips for writing internal communications that employees will actually read and keep up with, as recommended by the members of Fast Company Executive Board.

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A successful webinar will engage, educate and possibly persuade its target audience and keep the host top of their mind for their future needs. Webinars have become an increasingly popular tool for businesses to engage with potential clients and customers. However, simply hosting a webinar is not enough to ensure success. To make a lasting impression and achieve desired outcomes, businesses must use best practices to create engaging and informative content that resonates with their audience. Whether it be educational or persuasive, effective webinars require careful planning, preparation, and execution. To that end, 15 Fast Company Executive Board members weigh in on some of their best practices for hosting webinars that are useful, relevant, and valuable for potential clients and customers.

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It starts with the right topic and a diverse group of thought leaders. The uptick in on-demand podcasts continues to attract a diverse group of audience members and spans all industries. Therefore, it's important for business leaders, who are interested in launching a brand-related or independent digital listening series to develop a smart, niche concept and then bring in the right guests. To give the people what they want through added value content, it's not a bad idea to test the waters first to ensure you are on the right track with potential clients and customers.  Below are 13 tips Fast Company Executive Board members want other leaders to consider if they are thinking about expanding their company's brand awareness through the development of a podcast series.

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Apply these tips to keep employees motivated without comparing themselves. In a competitive workplace, it's important for leaders to foster an environment where employees feel safe to express their challenges as well as successes without feeling intimidated or insecure about how they measure up to other team members. Bonding over common and personal interests outside of work is another opportunity to strengthen relationships. And when employees celebrate each others' wins and learn how to support others in collaboration it enhances mutual respect and admiration for the next person. Below, 10 Fast Company Executive Board members share their best practices on how to connect with colleagues in a healthy way without comparing their own success or lack of it.

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Business experts discuss their media communication strategies. If you're a rising brand in search of building relations with a high-profile figure on social media platforms, it may not be as difficult as you think to attract some initial attention if you approach these potential partners in the right manner. Instead of hoping that they'll possibly respond to your casual direct message, research who their official contact person is and write up a serious proposal.  But just like matrimony, it's all about the relationship and connectivity. It's an important business commitment to consider and neither party should ever take it lightly. Therefore, be honest about your intentions and see if it's a good match first before you (and the company) get involved. If you do your homework, be generous with your time, and make it less about, only you, in the end, it may end up being a tremendous win for all. Below, 12 Fast Company Executive Board members weigh in on the best approach to appeal to a social media influencer and get them on board as ambassadors to help promote what your business is offering. 

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Get over yourself and trust your team. When you're a first-time entrepreneur who is trying to establish your company in the marketplace, there are plenty of responsibilities that will fall on your plate—anticipated or unexpected. You'll also need to maintain credible brand awareness, develop the right community of advocates to move your company ahead, and ensure repeat customers.  These challenges can be overwhelming if you don't have the right team in place. It's essential to build the strongest foundation of team leaders who can stand confidently and remain trustworthy in your absence. But your professional success also depends on your own ability to change old behavior patterns at work. To help guide your strategic action plan to improve workflow and remove distractions, Fast Company Executive Board members share advice on the 13 bad habits every start-up business owner may be guilty of at times and should eliminate from their daily routine hereafter.

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Be calm and professional in the workplace, so you can lead your employees by example. When you are dealing with team dynamics and diverse perspectives in the workplace environment, there are bound to be occasions when team leaders or co-workers disagree over the projected plans on an assignment or a decision that was made. In these cases, it's best for everyone involved to put the conversation on pause so they can take time to reflect on what's happening and refrain themselves from overreacting on the spot. Here are 13 suggestions from Fast Company Executive Board members to help agitated colleagues focus on the business at hand without losing their cool.

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Leading business professionals offer tips to engage team members all year round. When the holiday season is over and the company is entering a slow business period, it's common for employees to become easily distracted or disengaged if there is no action plan and nothing to look forward to at work. It can also cause some staff members to feel uninspired until the next big project comes along and the business is back up and running at a normal pace. No matter what time of year it is some employees may be feeling stuck, creatively, or in a siloed state of mind. Below, 16 Fast Company Executive Board members discuss their ideas to start conversations and spark creativity and collaboration among your employees, all 12 months.

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There’s no better way to learn how to launch and effectively run a third-party marketplace than by simply jumping in and doing it.

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At the end of the day, here's what truly matters to some of today's top executives and entrepreneurs. As a business leader responsible for guiding others in today's unpredictable marketplace, at times, it is crucial to step away so you can take a breath, recharge your batteries, and come back to the table with a renewed perspective, especially when it comes to finding better solutions to handle a challenging situation or satisfy a client. Doing so can also help you strategize your next move and unlock your creative mindset.  To boost employee morale and foster a more supportive working environment, managers should encourage their colleagues and the entire staff to do the same. We asked 16 experts from Fast Company Executive Board to share their biggest non-business inspirations that keep them hopeful and focused with their heads in the game.

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Apply these tips to your company culture starting from the top down. If the business is in a slump it's important for team leaders to foster positive team morale to help their staff members remain focused on the big picture and their common goals. But it also begins with the attitude of the company's own leadership. So be the change you want to see.  No one person, team, or company is expected to be at the top of their game or feel energized about a project or goal 24/7. That's why experts from Fast Company Executive Board are advising department managers to implement these tried and true methods when times are tough, business is uncertain, and colleagues are feeling stuck or uninspired creatively.

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Try these tips to nurture current B2B or B2C relationships and attract new ones. For more than a decade, social media has quickly emerged as one of the most dynamic ways for companies to connect with their clients and address their concerns in real time.  Not only are marketing teams utilizing their ability to showcase the brand's latest products and services, other business leaders are leaning in to make themselves visible as a trusted thought leadership source in uncertain times. Below, 11 experts from Fast Company Executive Board discuss their strategies to help managers elevate their communication tactics by expanding their audience on some of their highest-performing social media channels.

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In today’s digital experience economy, even if your company is making products, you’re in the service business. Recognizing that fact is the secret to your future business success.

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Holding fast and spreading the word about what your company truly believes in may galvanize new partnerships and potential customers.  To establish a winning brand that has true purpose, make your company's mission personal not only to yourself but your entire team. So stand firm on the core values of your business and surround yourself with the right stakeholders who are willing to champion your brand and help execute its goals. If you're authentically passionate about providing products and services that can solve your clients' problems, your credibility as a reliable establishment in the field will continue to grow.  Below are 15 Fast Company Executive Board members to share their ideas and increase your influence in the marketplace. 

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Here's how business leaders are getting customers to participate and connect on a regular basis. Launching a viable company is not only about developing a quality brand of products and services, it's also about building long-lasting relationships with loyal clientele. But how can a business owner gain initial attraction from potential customers and partners in the marketplace that will enable their early establishment to grow?   Whether it's an online chance to stack up on reward incentives, or an in-person special event featuring a CEO AMA, the customers are sure to appreciate every opportunity to rub shoulders with the company's representatives, share their feedback on an added value item, and much more. To offer leaders and their teams some additional ways to keep the conversations going, below are 14 Fast company Executive Board members to share tips on what's been working for them.

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Leaders (and their teams) can see significant benefits from participating in industry social settings. In its earliest stages, the Covid-19 global pandemic forced business leaders everywhere to put domestic and international travel plans on hold and cancel their annual in-person conferences until further notice. As creative virtual teams came to the rescue with alternative solutions that went off without a hitch, on-site events eventually returned, slowly, in the process. Although some executives may be hesitant about re-engaging—even after a few years, others are excited about their upcoming speaking engagements or networking prospects alongside longtime industry friends and peers they have missed. Whether it's sharing industry knowledge with the next generation of leaders, landing a feature interview for publication, or identifying a future potential business partner, the following Fast Company Executive Board members below are here to support their reasons for returning to the main stage as a guest panelist and how being back in the building is impacting their continued career growth.

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Salary alone isn't enough to attract and retain top talent amid the Great Recession. You need great benefits, too. Over the course of the last few years, employees' values and priorities for their work lives have shifted. Many are searching for employers that will provide them with not only a competitive salary but comprehensive benefits that offer them balance, stability and overall well-being. As the labor pool continues to tighten, it's essential to make your business stand out to top-notch talent by providing competitive benefits, especially if your business is just starting out. To that end, 13 members of Fast Company Executive Board each described how new businesses can provide a solid benefits package for employees without breaking the bank.

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Like any serious digital strategy, developing a gamification plan for your business can be a lot of work. But like any great game, the rewards are worth the effort.

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Consumer psychology 101: Apply these engagement strategies to your sales funnel process. Keeping your fingers on the pulse of what's going on inside the mind of today's consumers, in real-time, doesn't have to be a hit-or-miss situation. If you utilize the proper tools and techniques available, you'll be able to quickly identify ways to elevate the customer's journey and exceed their satisfaction.  Once you've discovered what is working, or how to make the necessary tweaks in their experience with your products or services, you'll also be on track to gaining their long-term loyalty, trust, and support when it comes to advocating for your brand. Below are 15 methods that Fast Company Executive Board members are implementing in their business practices to engage with prospects and gather key information, which leads to sales.

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Transitioning from a micromanager to a true leader can be difficult, but it's essential if you want to build trust with your team. When you're used to being in control of your business, it can be hard to delegate tasks that you've done well on your own. But with growth comes the necessity to hire new employees to take on projects you're no longer as available to handle. Micromanaging slows down workflow and creates a strained dynamic between employees and leaders. More importantly, it hinders the ability of a manager to build trust with their employees. To help you break this bad habit, a panel of Fast Company Executive Board members shares some best practices for becoming less of a micromanager and trusting your team's instincts. 

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It takes a special leadership skill set to successfully motivate and inspire employees that you don't see in person every day. Managing a remote team comes with its own set of unique challenges, especially for companies with remote employees located in different time zones. Employees may struggle to feel like they are a part of a team when working alone from home all day. They may struggle to feel heard without the option of an in-person open-door policy. They may also feel burned out from merging their work and living spaces. Great leaders anticipate problems like these and know how to respond in a way that benefits all. To that end, 15 Fast Company Executive Board members share their best tips for supporting remote employees. 

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Scale is not something to be afraid of—it can be a big advantage. And one of the best ideas any of us can possibly dream up is to lean into our size and make full use of every creative advantage our scale provides us.

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Set your terms and conditions early to achieve a positive partnership and maximize outcomes. As you continue to network and market the business, you may be open to innovative ventures and exciting opportunities that come your way to boost the company's platform and share its products or services even further. At first glance it may seem like a good idea to join forces with a new alliance in business, but how much do you really know about your potential partner's financial track record, its commitment to customer satisfaction, and whether it shares your same core values and views on what it takes to maintain success in the marketplace?  That's why 13 Fast Company Executive Board members want to point out additional key factors that leaders must consider in the decision-making process prior to signing the next deal.

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15 ideas to build your confidence before the next presentation. Public speaking isn't an easy thing for every leader, but you have to conquer the fear factor if you're planning to represent a business. But if you focus on your passion for going into business, share authentically, and continue to practice being in front of a room full of people every chance you get, you'll be a pro at it in time. Every C-Level executive and department head has been there before, including the expert panelists from Fast Company Executive Board. Below they offer some practical advice on how to move past the hurdle.

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The best ideas come when you’re jamming and collaborating with an ever-changing diverse group of people.

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Today's leaders must set the tone for a company's branding and culture, and champion values that are important to their employees. For modern employees, a competitive salary and benefits package is no longer enough. Today's workers are looking for authentic branding and a supportive, collaborative company culture. Businesses leaders are therefore tasked with the important responsibility of managing their brand’s image and internal culture effectively. To help you do this, seven members of Fast Company Executive Board shared their best tactics for effectively managing a brand and company culture. Follow their advice and recommendations to improve your company experience for all employees.

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To truly innovate and tap into your company's full creative potential, you need a diverse workforce with equal access to opportunities. Innovation in business is powered by unique perspectives and new ideas. At the forefront of innovation is diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Having diverse perspectives from teammates who come from different backgrounds ensures that your team approaches a problem from multiple angles and this can lead to faster resolutions. Diverse teams also adapt to changes more easily, reach more potential customers and offer the opportunity for ground-breaking change. As leaders in their industries, the members of Fast Company Executive Board understand the importance of innovating and the role diversity, equity and inclusion play in achieving it. Below, 15 of them shared the most impactful ways that DEI fuels innovation. 

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Sometimes, it's not worth it to continue pouring resources into a product or service that's not gaining market traction. While it can be disheartening for a business owner to accept, not every new product or service you develop is going to be a hit. Although you may be personally and financially invested, some offerings are going to be more well-received than others. However, it’s not always easy to know when it’s time to walk away. As successful business leaders, many members of Fast Company Executive Board have experienced this dilemma firsthand. Below, they share 11 clear signs that may indicate your new product or service isn’t worth pursuing further.

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In the mobile-first world, marketers need to consider how their message will be received on smartphones and tablets. For many consumers, smartphones and tablets have become the go-to platforms for online browsing and shopping. The smartphone revolution of the last decade has also prompted marketers around the globe to begin rethinking their digital strategies.  To succeed in the modern market, companies need to think about mobile-first campaigns that reach consumers where they are. To help you do this, 12 Fast Company Executive Board members shared their predictions for the biggest mobile marketing trends to look out for in the first half of 2022, and how to take advantage of these up-and-coming strategies.

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We all should aspire to have our digital tools and the digital experiences we create rise to the level of art.

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There’s more to supporting the missions of nonprofits than just writing checks. Business leaders—and their team members—like to give back to their communities, and nonprofit organizations are an integral part of every community across the country. Whether it’s a school, hospital, charity, or other organization, each nonprofit plays a large role in supporting others. While donating money is always appreciated, leaders may want to do more than just write out a check. Below, a panel of Fast Company Executive Board members shares some creative, truly helpful ways to contribute to the missions of local nonprofits.

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Clear expectations are essential for managers to get the results they want while empowering employees to do their best work. As a business leader, you're not only responsible for completing your own work but also for ensuring that your employees are clear on what they need to do and have the resources and leeway to accomplish the goals you’ve set. Your team members want and need to know what you're expecting of them, but if you don't establish and present this information clearly and carefully, it can lead to confusion and anxiety. It's critical to check in with your employees and ensure that they understand what needs to be done to meet (and hopefully exceed) your expectations. Below, the members of Fast Company Executive Board share 15 smart strategies for setting expectations with your employees the right way.

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The best content in the world won't have a positive impact on your audience—or your bottom line—if nobody sees it. Creating content can be difficult on its own, but sometimes an even bigger challenge is ensuring that it reaches the target audience. Careful content crafting must always be married to a well-planned marketing strategy; otherwise, those you hope to help or to draw to your business will likely never hear your message. The members of Fast Company Executive Board know that a successful content strategy takes more than just a clever way with words. Below, 14 of them share practical steps marketing teams can take to drive more traffic to a company’s published content.

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The holiday season may bring an influx of sales to your e-commerce business, but the right strategies can keep your customers coming back even in the off-season. With the increasing popularity of online shopping, e-commerce businesses look forward to some of their biggest sales of the year during the holiday season. The holiday sales rush is an important source of revenue for e-commerce businesses—especially with well-publicized opportunities like Cyber Monday—but it’s usually not enough to support them for the entire year.  Because every day can’t be Cyber Monday, online business owners need strategies to keep sales coming in between major shopping holidays. Below, 15 members of Fast Company Executive Board share advice e-commerce businesses can use to attract customers and bring in revenue during the “off-season.”

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The growing popularity of livestreamed video content can give businesses a great new way to connect with customers. Many social media platforms today have a livestreaming function, including Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Patreon, and others. When used correctly, livestreams can be a fantastic way to connect and build relationships with customers. They’re a tool to help answer questions, advertise new products, and engage with customers on a personal level. One of the best uses of livestreaming is using it to build a community around your brand. Below, 14 members of Fast Company Executive Board share some of the most effective ways to use livestreaming—including their own positive experiences.

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Smart professionals know there's always an opportunity to learn more and hone new skills in the business world. Learning a new business skill is always a good idea, whether you’re the company owner or a frontline team member. And in today’s digital age, there’s no shortage of material out there for professionals to peruse, from seminars to online courses to advice from experts.  In fact, these days it’s easier to drift into information overload than to be stymied by a lack of resources. If you’re looking to engage in some professional learning or skills building and are overwhelmed by choice or simply short on time, check out the following smart tips for acquiring a new business skill from the members of Fast Company Executive Board.

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To accomplish a challenging goal, you've got to have the right game plan for your team. It's one thing to have an ambitious goal; it's another to have an effective game plan to ensure that goal is reached. Big goals are achieved through smart—sometimes small—habits. If a leader is to guide their team to the top of the mountain, they have to blaze a clear trail and give their people the tools they need to climb. It doesn't have to be a one-size-fits-all solution; leaders can leverage the right combination of strategies to fit their organization's unique purpose, procedures, and people. To get your ideas flowing, a panel of Fast Company Executive Board members has shared their best strategies for turning lofty goals into realities. Follow their advice to build efficient workflows that foster repeatable, scalable success.