Blog

Maybe you’ve heard the value of word-or-mouth advertising; according to Nielsen ratings, 92% of customers trust their friends’ and family’s recommendation over traditional advertising. That doesn’t mean you can simply sit back and assume that the quality of your product is so much better than your competition’s that customers will be raving about it toRead more

Louisiana Economic Development (LED) has begun accepting applications for the 6th Acadiana CEO Roundtable. This program is extremely valuable to CEOs of small to mid-size companies who are looking for knowledge on issues like best management practices, leadership and marketing. LED and One Acadiana wish to increase regional participation in the program, and we atRead more

Contactless payment is quick and simple for customers and cashiers alike. By implementing contactless payments, business owners can welcome in a new era of convenience. Both near-field communication cards and mobile wallets, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, allow customers to pay in a more streamlined manner. Why Add Contactless Payments?  The ease andRead more

When many people think of persuasion, images of sleazy, unscrupulous salespeople often come to mind. While it is true that their methods can be quite persuasive, there are other ways to convert others to your way of thinking or doing things without them feeling as though they are getting ripped off. In the persona ofRead more

They say that you only get one chance to make a first impression, and nowhere is that more important than in the retail industry. You’ll need to draw customers into your store from the moment they step foot inside, and this requires care and attention to detail when planning the entrance to your shop. HereRead more

Leadership comes in many forms, from those who inspire dedication and support to those who rule through fear and intimidation. A true leader is someone who can command those under them without having to resort to extreme tactics. Many great leaders share some common traits, so work to improve these qualities in yourself to establishRead more

When you shop local, you do far more than get the items that you want quickly and conveniently. Buying local actually stimulates the economy in our community, helps benefit local schools and charities–and it even helps the environment! Here are some of the many reasons why it’s important to shop and buy locally: Buying LocalRead more

Have a great idea for a business? Wondering how to test out your product-without risking everything? If so, you might want to develop a minimum viable product (MVP)-a “version of a new product which allows a team to collect the maximum amount of validated learning about customers with the least effort.” Simply put, this approachRead more

Amazon is the largest online store and hosts products from some of the biggest brands in the world. They are also known for large inventories and discounts, so competing based on price can be a tall order for local startups. Interestingly, about 50% of the products you encounter at Amazon in the United States areRead more

Our community and many others have lost workforce talent to larger, coastal cities for decades. While the reasons behind it are complex, the steady loss of young, educated workers seemed unstoppable. Much more recently, the COVID pandemic has also seemed unstoppable and even more devastating. However, it sometimes happens that you can use one problemRead more