One of the challenges associated with operating a consulting firm in a mid-sized market is that people start to learn your schtick. And occasionally, when we're out on the town, someone will walk up to us and ask, with a grin, "Do I really need a brand management strategy?" So, to simplify the answer as much as possible, we've put together a little decision tree, which we encourage you to download and keep handy.

Words are powerful things. We count on them to convey meaning. And sometimes they do their job too well...

Here’s a great idea. Let’s link our social media accounts together, so when we have something brilliant to say, all of our friends will benefit from our comments. On the surface, that may seem to make sense. It certainly appeals to our egos, and it promises to extend our social reach. But there are networks, and then there are networks...