David Squires

Five Business Blogs You Oughta Be Reading

Published

13 years ago

June 27, 2012

INSTORE Staff Instore June 2012 Issue

This week, for all those who want to go deeper into business bloggers than Seth Godin and Tom Peters, we bring you five lesser-known but still throbbingly-awesome business bloggers you might want to make time to read.

Damn, I Wish I’d Thought of That
http://www.damniwish.com
Andy Sernovitz’s blog is subtitled “Unusually Useful Ideas For Smart Marketers”. And that’s exactly what he gives you. One smart, immediately useful idea per day. Give Andy one minute of your time per day. You won’t regret it.

The Energy Project
http://www.theenergyproject.com
From Tony Schwartz, guru of productivity and personal energy. Tony writes once or twice a week, almost always with inspiring words and smart ideas on challenging yourself (or your company) to maximum achievement and maximum happiness.

Bob Phibbs
http://www.retaildoc.com
Phibbs, the self-styled “Retail Doc”, is a terrific advocate for independent businesses. The opposite of slick, he’s full of practical, common-sense ideas for all the moms-and-pops out there. He writes big, and he writes frequently.

HelloMyNameisBlog
http://www.hellomynameisblog.com
Inspiring writing from “one smoking hot piece of brain candy” Scott Ginsberg, the nationally-known “Nametag Guy” who will be speaking to jewelers at The SMART Jewelry Show Dallas this September. Scott writes almost daily, digs deep, and shares much (sometimes maybe too much, he admits). His expertise? Approachability — the fine art of making people want to meet you.

Hey Whipple
http://www.heywhipple.com/
From Luke Sullivan, author of one of the best advertising books of the aughties, “Hey Whipple, Squeeze This”. The blog features some interesting advertising theory and how-tos, plus a deep-insider’s look at how the business works.

P.S. After doing all that so-very-essential business reading, you might be in the mood for some decidedly non-essential comedy reading. If so, here’s one last recommendation. Note: not for those weak of heart or thin of skin.

dearblankpleaseblank.com

Basically, a humor site featuring user contributions in the form of the URL … “Dear ____, please ______”. (Though most entries are actually in the form “Dear ____, Sincerely ______”.) Posts are rated by site visitors.

Categories are “How Dare They”, “You’re a Douche”, “Hilarious”, “I Like This” and “Ummm, WTF?” For the purest dose of brilliance, hilarity, insanity, or evil, click on the individual categories and see the top-ranked vote-getters in each.

Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration

After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.