the best management ideas ever

What's the first word you think when someone brings up the business Blockbuster Video? 

Out-of-business? Obsolete? Old school? Wasn't that in the Captain Marvel movie?

What if we were to tell you Blockbuster Video was ahead of its time? Really, it's too bad they couldn't have innovated to keep up with the technological shifts because, in terms of the trajectory of consumer behavior, Blockbuster Video was a trailblazer. 

You see, Blockbuster Video figured out something that many businesses are just now realizing: consumers are willing to pay for access to a product instead of ownership of it.

Since about 2010 we've been seeing articles about the increasing trend of mobile workforces and remote workers. More and more companies are offering remote work days. Some are moving towards hiring more contractors who work entirely from home, sometimes even from the other side of the country. Then we also have a fading away from restrictions on sick days or personal time. 

All of this relies on the idea that your employees are adults who get their work done and can handle their business. 

We're no longer seeing a new trend or expecting mobile workforces to become popular. It's here.

Have you ever thought about the path that someone takes to become a customer? From the moment someone comes into contact with your brand – whether it's through a banner ad or a Twitter post – they're starting a journey. Once a potential customer is aware of your company, the hope is that they will seek out more information via things like your website, social channels, or online reviews. 

But ask yourself this: What does their experience look like? One of the best ways to figure this out is to understand and map your customers' potential paths of engagement with your company, otherwise known as their customer journeys.

If Samuel L. Jackson and Jennifer Garner recommend Capital One, are people more likely to consider it? Or if George Clooney tells you to drink Nespresso, will you? It's very possible.

Advertising that uses celebrities to endorse their products or services are part of what's called influencer marketing – and it's quite effective. In fact, influencer marketing is currently the fastest growing consumer acquisition strategy.

Networking isn't easy. It can be awkward and exhausting – and you might walk away feeling like you didn't represent yourself or your business the best you could. But never fear! There's a tool you can use to make your next networking experience a success: storytelling.

Storytelling is a powerful thing. It's leveraged in journalism, marketing, comedy, and so much more. We all love a good story, so why not use it to make a deeper connection with someone and potentially start a new business relationship?