
Do You Work Smart? Tips for Overcoming Energy Drains at Work and Elsewhere
In business and in life, there are just some things we love to do and some things we abhor—even if we’re good at them. What we like gives us energy, what we don’t drains it. In that light, let’s explore some realistic options for overcoming energy drains and gains at home and at work.

But Is It Commercial?
Successful innovators not only consider the practical applications of their ideas—will this product solve a problem or fill a need—the entrepreneur in them also weighs whether the idea will be sellable. In other words, will anyone want or buy the resulting product or service?

Do You Have “Go To” Star Performers on Your Team?
No matter what our business entails, we all need a star performer (or two) on our teams to make success possible and sustainable.

Good, Bad, or Fake? Finding Value In Online Reviews
Reviews are fundamental to online consumerism. Without reviews to read through, how do you know the widget you’ve been eyeing from “Company X” is all it’s cracked up to be? You’ve never heard of Company X and their particular version of widget, so how can you be sure you’re getting good value for your money?…

Play to Your Strengths: You’ll Be Glad You Did
My family taught me a lot about being successful. As the youngest child, I learned by watching my older siblings try, fail, learn from their mistakes, and succeed. I also learned the value of collaboration, communication, and cooperation.

You Can Learn a Lot About Success from Family Dynamics
My family taught me a lot about being successful. As the youngest child, I learned by watching my older siblings try, fail, learn from their mistakes, and succeed. I also learned the value of collaboration, communication, and cooperation.

Striving, Surviving, and Thriving Through COVID and Post-COVID
It’s been a while—at least around the start of COVID—since I reached out with an update. I’m glad to report that both the June household and Barrel O’Monkeyz is striving, surviving, and thriving!

Carving a Niche That Represents You
These days the marketplace is becoming saturated with new brands, and so many are approaching this problem by casting the widest nets and diluting their brand identity to hopefully appeal to new markets. It’s important to remember what makes your brand unique. I explored this topic a few years ago and I think you’ll find…

Give Them Reasons to Believe in Your Brand
The tools may change over the years, but the fundamentals of brand building do not. Your brand story depends on giving your customers reasons to believe you can deliver. Nowadays it’s easier than ever to get your message out there. Let’s take a look at a blog from a few years back for some proven…

Summer Means More Time for Gaming
I’ll be the first to admit it, I like to game. I may not be as proficient as some of the younger gamers out there, but for a “seasoned” individual, I do pretty well. Have controller, will travel! Not surprisingly, summer is a popular time for gaming. The days are longer and warmer, so everyone…

Taking Care of Business Means Taking Care of Self
To me, summer seems to be a more appropriate time to start thinking more about self-care. We tend to be more active. People are taking vacations. Farm stands and grocery stores are loaded with fresh veggies and fruit. If ever there’s a time to be more health conscious, summer would seem to be it. Of…

It’s Summer. Do You Know Where Your Customers Are?
I’ve written before about the importance of keeping your foot on the marketing pedal during so-called “off-peak” times of year, such as over the Winter holidays and during the summer. The motto of the article to follow is “Don’t disappear just because you think your customers have (because they haven’t).” Keep Your Marketing Efforts Going…