<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Thomas Krol, Author at Virtual Causeway</title>
	<atom:link href="https://virtualcauseway.com/author/thomaskrol/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>https://virtualcauseway.com</link>
	<description>Sales, Marketing, Research</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2024 19:24:43 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>
	hourly	</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>
	1	</sy:updateFrequency>
	<generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.2</generator>

<image>
	<url>https://virtualcauseway.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/cropped-VCW_Favicon-32x32.png</url>
	<title>Thomas Krol, Author at Virtual Causeway</title>
	<link>https://virtualcauseway.com</link>
	<width>32</width>
	<height>32</height>
</image> 
	<item>
		<title>Perfect Alignment: Create a Total Eclipse of Sales and Marketing Activities</title>
		<link>https://virtualcauseway.com/perfect-alignment-total-eclipse-sales-and-marketing/</link>
					<comments>https://virtualcauseway.com/perfect-alignment-total-eclipse-sales-and-marketing/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Krol]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Apr 2024 19:24:05 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alignment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[B2B Growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[KPI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lead Generation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales and Marketing]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://virtualcauseway.com/?p=3101</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We are less than a week away from a total solar eclipse of the sun. On April 8, 2024, the moon will block out the sun for a few minutes – a "once in a lifetime” event, as a total solar eclipse like this happens on average 375-2,000 years in a given spot... AREN'T WE [...]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/perfect-alignment-total-eclipse-sales-and-marketing/">Perfect Alignment: Create a Total Eclipse of Sales and Marketing Activities</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="_ad_q1">We are less than a week away from a total solar eclipse of the sun.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">On April 8, 2024, the moon will block out the sun for a few minutes – a &#8220;once in a lifetime” event, as a total solar eclipse like this happens on average 375-2,000 years in a given spot&#8230; AREN&#8217;T WE LUCKY!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Some people are buying glasses to watch it, lots of kids have the day off school, and some places are declaring a state of emergency – whatever the case – it is a BIG event in our lives.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Will you watch it or will you simply <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcOxhH8N3Bo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><em>turn arou</em><em>nd</em></strong></span></a>… (see what I did there?)</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As the total solar eclipse approaches, it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of alignment – just like the alignment between sales and marketing in your business. Let&#8217;s take a look at some ways you can maintain alignment in Sales and Marketing:</p>
<ul>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Unified Messaging:</strong> Sales and marketing teams work together to ensure that messaging across all channels, from social media to email campaigns, is consistent and aligned with the brand&#8217;s goals and values. This ensures a cohesive experience for customers at every touchpoint.</li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Shared Goals and KPIs:</strong> Sales and marketing teams establish shared goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) to track progress and success. For example, they may collaborate on lead generation targets, conversion rates, or customer retention metrics.</li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Reporting:</strong> Marketing tracks the performance of leads generated and passes qualified leads to the sales team. Sales provides feedback on the quality of leads and the effectiveness of marketing strategies, creating a closed-loop reporting system that drives continuous improvement.</li>
</ul>
<p>Just as this total solar eclipse will leave a lasting impression on those who witness it, the alignment of sales and marketing in business leaves a lasting impact on customers, driving engagement, loyalty, and revenue growth.</p>
<p>The next total solar eclipse will take place in 2205… until then, continue to align marketing and sales!!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As always, don&#8217;t hesitate to call me to brainstorm or just say hello!</p>
<p>Looking forward,<br />
Rick</p>
<p><strong>Rick Endrulat, President | ricke@v-causeway.com | <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat</a></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/perfect-alignment-total-eclipse-sales-and-marketing/">Perfect Alignment: Create a Total Eclipse of Sales and Marketing Activities</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://virtualcauseway.com/perfect-alignment-total-eclipse-sales-and-marketing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3101</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Value of Sharing (and Danger of Oversharing) on LinkedIn</title>
		<link>https://virtualcauseway.com/value-of-sharing-danger-of-oversharing-linkedin/</link>
					<comments>https://virtualcauseway.com/value-of-sharing-danger-of-oversharing-linkedin/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Krol]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Jan 2024 15:03:22 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[b2b sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Linkedin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales and Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tradeshow]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WDBMD]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://virtualcauseway.com/?p=3095</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now? is an ongoing email. Join the mailing list to be the first to receive these weekly insights! This may be the last time you hear from me. As you may know, the Smashing Pumpkins are looking for a new guitarist, and maybe it's finally time to throw my hat [...]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/value-of-sharing-danger-of-oversharing-linkedin/">The Value of Sharing (and Danger of Oversharing) on LinkedIn</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<h3><em>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now?</em> is an ongoing email. <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/dL2IjAt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Join the mailing list</span></a> to be the first to receive these weekly insights!</h3>
</blockquote>
<p class="_ad_q1">This may be the last time you hear from me.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As you may know, the Smashing Pumpkins are <a href="https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/the-smashing-pumpkins-are-advertising-for-another-guitarist-interested-in-applying/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>looking</strong></span></a> for a new guitarist, and maybe it&#8217;s finally time to throw my hat in the ring. As of today, my Slack status has been officially changed to &#8216;Busy Practicing for my SP audition.&#8217; What do you think…don&#8217;t quit my day job?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">In the meantime, give this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u03M-KJlYII" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>song</strong></span></a> by the Pumpkins a listen as I polish my guitar riffs for my audition! Oh – and let&#8217;s also see what the experts are saying this week…</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Oversharing on LinkedIn</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">We all use LinkedIn in our daily business lives. When I first started using LinkedIn, it was a good way to stay in contact with your professional network. Over the years it has expanded and turned into an integral part of many professional lives. However, some would say that it&#8217;s become very noisy and losing its focus. <a href="https://medium.datadriveninvestor.com/why-linkedin-sucks-14a82478ea95" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Others</strong></span></a> say that it&#8217;s simply a forum for &#8220;self-actualizing virtue signaling.&#8221;</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">No matter your opinion on the platform, most would agree that oversharing on LinkedIn is getting worse. According to <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/petersuciu/2023/12/05/oversharing-on-linkedin-isnt-new-but-it-has-been-getting-worse/?sh=74ce8b1624e7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Forbes</strong></span></a>, this phenomenon isn&#8217;t new, and it could be that the lines have blurred – and many people consider those in their networks close personal friends and confidants!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Today, many professionals overshare almost like the public act of confession itself will remedy their situation. &#8220;Misery loves company&#8221; could be the simple answer for many, and they hope to use LinkedIn as a therapy session, or to receive emotional or concrete support that they may feel they don&#8217;t get in their personal lives. And some may overshare simply because they imagine they&#8217;re so important or interesting that others will be fascinated or concerned.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">What do you think? Is this a case of (as this week&#8217;s song mentions) those who are <em>desperate and displeased with whoever they are</em>? Either way, I think it&#8217;s about balance. As in all things marketing, understanding your voice and your brand is important. How much you share – and how you share it – has an impact.</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">(Over) Sharing Pumpkins</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">What do you think about the Smashing Pumpkins’ public <a href="https://fox8.com/news/smashing-pumpkins-hold-open-auditions-for-guitarist/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>announcement</strong></span></a> of their guitarist search? The lucky person will replace Jeff Schroeder, who has been a touring guitarist with the band for 16 years. He left the gig back in October. Here&#8217;s the interesting (and inspiring) thing about Jeff – he got the gig while he was a student at UCLA. A friend messaged him with details of the job and said &#8220;You should apply, dude.&#8221; He did and he got it.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">So what&#8217;s the deal with the announcement? Do you think they&#8217;re REALLY going to audition for the job? Are they searching for that <em>hidden diamond you cannot find</em>?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Or is this like that B2B tradeshow, where the winners of the raffle usually also happen to be the vendor&#8217;s biggest clients and prospects?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Maybe it&#8217;s a big PR stunt. Maybe I&#8217;ll never get my big break. Who knows? But they definitely got my attention!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As always, don&#8217;t hesitate to call me to brainstorm or just say hello!</p>
<p>Looking forward,<br />
Rick</p>
<p><strong>Rick Endrulat, President | ricke@v-causeway.com | <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat</a></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/value-of-sharing-danger-of-oversharing-linkedin/">The Value of Sharing (and Danger of Oversharing) on LinkedIn</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://virtualcauseway.com/value-of-sharing-danger-of-oversharing-linkedin/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3095</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>New Year, Same Old You&#8230; But With a New Spin!</title>
		<link>https://virtualcauseway.com/new-year-same-you-new-spin/</link>
					<comments>https://virtualcauseway.com/new-year-same-you-new-spin/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Krol]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 08 Jan 2024 18:35:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[B2B Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Revenue Operations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[RevOps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales and Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WDBMD]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://virtualcauseway.com/?p=3090</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now? is an ongoing email. Join the mailing list to be the first to receive these weekly insights! Happy New Year! As we bid farewell to the challenges of the past year, we step into 2024 with renewed optimism, energy, and a commitment to achieving unparalleled success. I trust you [...]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/new-year-same-you-new-spin/">New Year, Same Old You&#8230; But With a New Spin!</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<h3><em>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now?</em> is an ongoing email. <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/dL2IjAt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Join the mailing list</span></a> to be the first to receive these weekly insights!</h3>
</blockquote>
<p class="_ad_q1">Happy New Year!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As we bid farewell to the challenges of the past year, we step into 2024 with renewed optimism, energy, and a commitment to achieving unparalleled success. I trust you had a relaxing holiday season and are ready to embark on a year filled with growth, prosperity, and… the same old sales and marketing tactics??</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">With AI being the current buzz… it&#8217;s tough to imagine marketers relying on the tried and tested (and existing) strategies. But I&#8217;m hearing that from many in the industry… do they continue to focus on the <em>same old, same old?</em></p>
<p class="_ad_q1">It makes me think of this cool (and appropriately titled) <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y6C_nyZLQR8" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>song</strong></span></a> by Aerosmith – give it a listen as we see what the experts are saying this week.</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Same Old Story</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">As I discuss 2024 plans with clients, the <a href="https://www.forrester.com/blogs/demand-waterfall-modular-system/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Forrester B2B Revenue Waterfall</strong></span></a> (formerly known as the SiriusDecisions Demand Waterfall) invariably comes up.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">What is it about the waterfall that makes it so useful? Sure – it&#8217;s a common language between sales and marketing when you&#8217;re discussing demand generation and activity stages. But it&#8217;s not new. Even when it was introduced way back in the early 2000s, it wasn&#8217;t a new concept. <em>Same old story</em>… but with a new twist, right?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Sometimes it&#8217;s not about reinventing yourself or your processes. A new year doesn&#8217;t ALWAYS have to be a new you! Maybe it&#8217;s just a tried and tested campaign or process – and it&#8217;s all about focus for the upcoming year.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Concepts like ABM have been around forever in B2B – are they going away? What are you seeing at your organization? Maybe you&#8217;re changing things up by trying out new tech and tactics. Or is it more about putting a new spin on those <em>same old</em> channels and campaigns?</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Same Old Song (and Dance)</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">I&#8217;ve been seeing a ton of stats about the state of music sales and consumption in 2023. The BBC&#8217;s coverage of it highlighted a startling stat: <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-67862412" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>not a single new album</strong></span></a> released in 2023 made it to the list of the year&#8217;s top-selling albums, OR achieved platinum status!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">A positive angle on this could be that the recorded music market has grown explosively, so consumption is more fragmented than ever. Another might be that we&#8217;re moving into a &#8220;post-superstar&#8221; age, where new artists simply never reach the long-term stability and success of Madonna or Prince.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">2023 being the first year in the UK that not a single new album graced the Top 10 is something we all need to think about. For catalogue owners, especially major labels with extensive back catalogues, all consumption translates to revenue, making this a positive business scenario… but this short-term win is arguably at the cost of a longer-term (and greater) loss.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">The bigger concern is what this means for music and culture in general, and what it means for things like live music and festivals which may, in years to come, find themselves struggling to secure noteworthy headliners.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Is this failure to outsell catalogues because of A&amp;R (artists &amp; repertoire), investment in marketing, strategic error… or simply circumstances beyond everyone&#8217;s control? Are we seeing this same fragmentation in our B2B world?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1"><em>Ain&#8217;t gonna change it, can&#8217;t rearrange it</em>… so if we in B2B are staring down these challenges too, then we need to pivot to meet them head-on. Think back to those changes for the new year – whether it&#8217;s new tech and tactics, or a new spin on the tried and true, how will you take on these changes?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Let me know what you think… and as always, don&#8217;t hesitate to call me to brainstorm or just say hello!</p>
<p>Looking forward,<br />
Rick</p>
<p><strong>Rick Endrulat, President | ricke@v-causeway.com | <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat</a></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/new-year-same-you-new-spin/">New Year, Same Old You&#8230; But With a New Spin!</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://virtualcauseway.com/new-year-same-you-new-spin/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3090</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Your B2B Naughty and Nice Lists</title>
		<link>https://virtualcauseway.com/your-b2b-naughty-and-nice-lists/</link>
					<comments>https://virtualcauseway.com/your-b2b-naughty-and-nice-lists/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Krol]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 18 Dec 2023 15:23:50 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AI]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[B2B]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[B2B Tech]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[martech]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WDBMD]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://virtualcauseway.com/?p=3086</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now? is an ongoing email. Join the mailing list to be the first to receive these weekly insights! He's making a list He's checking it twice He's gonna find out who's naughty or nice 'Tis the season! This is the last you'll hear from me in 2023 – and I [...]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/your-b2b-naughty-and-nice-lists/">Your B2B Naughty and Nice Lists</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<h3><em>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now?</em> is an ongoing email. <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/dL2IjAt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Join the mailing list</span></a> to be the first to receive these weekly insights!</h3>
</blockquote>
<p class="_ad_q1"><em>He&#8217;s making a list</em></p>
<p class="_ad_q1"><em>He&#8217;s checking it twice</em></p>
<p class="_ad_q1"><em>He&#8217;s gonna find out who&#8217;s naughty or nice</em></p>
<p class="_ad_q1">&#8216;Tis the season! This is the last you&#8217;ll hear from me in 2023 – and I wish you all the best for the holidays, and a rockin&#8217; 2024! As always, I want to hear from you – feel free to reach out – and let&#8217;s all finish the year strong and start January off with a bang!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Give this holiday <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt_FxLFtB24" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>standard</strong></span></a> by Brian Setzer a listen and enjoy the naughty and nice lists below… HO HO HO!</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">You-Know-Who is Comin&#8217; to Town</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">This week&#8217;s song is a very cool version of the classic &#8220;Santa Claus is Comin&#8217; to Town&#8221; – by the Brian Setzer Orchestra. There have been so many good versions of this over the years, that I thought I&#8217;d share a list of them for you – no matter what your musical style, one of these should make you happy!</p>
<ul>
<li class="_ad_q1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76WFkKp8Tjs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Bruce Springsteen</strong></span></a></li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8CBoVc_OMI" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Michael Bublé</strong></span></a> <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f341.png" alt="🍁" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhiUOCo8LYQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Jackson 5</strong></span></a></li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z199Z4tdkCU" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Burl Ives</strong></span></a></li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=749fbPBJ7dY" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Pentatonix</strong></span></a></li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-R6UACVWQIY" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Alan Jackson</strong></span></a></li>
</ul>
<p class="_ad_q1">And while we&#8217;re at it, let&#8217;s take a look at some naughty and nice lists for 2023!</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Naughty Lists</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">Want to know what NOT to buy that special someone on your list?? Here&#8217;s a list of the worst tech of 2023 – the &#8216;anti-gift&#8217; <a href="https://www.arcamax.com/business/businessnews/s-3017173?fs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>guide</strong></span></a>!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Seen any good movies lately? When you&#8217;re cuddling up at home over the holidays, you may want to avoid <a href="https://www.looper.com/1221915/the-worst-movies-of-2023-so-far/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>these</strong></span></a>…</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Nice Lists</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">Check out the top tech <a href="https://www.ilink-digital.com/insights/blog/top-technology-trends-of-2023-a-year-in-review/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>trends</strong></span></a> of 2023 – would you agree?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">It was a great year for live music – check out the top-grossing <a href="https://www.forbesindia.com/article/lifes/from-taylor-swift-to-bad-bunny-top-10-highestgrossing-live-concert-tours-of-2023-so-far/86209/1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>tours</strong></span></a>!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As always, don&#8217;t hesitate to call me to brainstorm or just say hello – Happy New Year!</p>
<p>Looking forward,<br />
Rick</p>
<p><strong>Rick Endrulat, President | ricke@v-causeway.com | <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat</a></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/your-b2b-naughty-and-nice-lists/">Your B2B Naughty and Nice Lists</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://virtualcauseway.com/your-b2b-naughty-and-nice-lists/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3086</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>The B2B Art of &#8220;Fake it Till You Make it&#8221;</title>
		<link>https://virtualcauseway.com/the-b2b-art-of-fake-it-till-you-make-it/</link>
					<comments>https://virtualcauseway.com/the-b2b-art-of-fake-it-till-you-make-it/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Krol]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 11 Dec 2023 18:50:07 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[B2B Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales and Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WDBMD]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://virtualcauseway.com/?p=3082</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now? is an ongoing email. Join the mailing list to be the first to receive these weekly insights! Ugh. I hate it when I make a mistkae. I realize it's unavoidable. Sometimes you just need to shake it off and move on – especially when it comes to client deliverables. [...]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/the-b2b-art-of-fake-it-till-you-make-it/">The B2B Art of &#8220;Fake it Till You Make it&#8221;</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<h3><em>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now?</em> is an ongoing email. <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/dL2IjAt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Join the mailing list</span></a> to be the first to receive these weekly insights!</h3>
</blockquote>
<p class="_ad_q1">Ugh. I hate it when I make a mistkae.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">I realize it&#8217;s unavoidable. Sometimes you just need to shake it off and move on – especially when it comes to client deliverables. I want to ensure a high level of quality, but the typo, the miscommunication – it&#8217;s all I can see. In reality, we&#8217;re our own worst critics, right?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">What&#8217;s your <em>favorite mistake</em>?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Give this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmIlUKo4dQc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>song</strong></span></a> by 2023 Rock Hall inductee Sheryl Crow a listen as we see what the experts are saying this week!</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Your Second (B2B) Mistake</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">We&#8217;ve all made them. Our colleagues have made them. It happens from time to time. But the SECOND mistake, the avoidable one, is the one that really causes trouble.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">According to <a href="https://seths.blog/2023/11/the-second-mistake/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Seth Godin</strong></span></a>: &#8220;When the first mistake flusters us, breaks our rhythm or messes with our confidence, we&#8217;re far more likely to make the second one. It&#8217;s almost impossible to avoid making a mistake. But avoiding the second mistake (or, just as likely, the cover-up) is a learnable skill.&#8221;</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">What&#8217;s YOUR favorite B2B mistake? Perhaps it&#8217;s the time you copied a client on that embarrassing internal memo (I&#8217;ve done this). Maybe it&#8217;s that social media communication posted in error. Did it make you feel like you would <em>go up in flames?</em> Let me know what it was – and how you avoided that second mistake!</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Fake it Till You Make it</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">Playing music is hard&#8230; possibly harder than you realize. And performing music flawlessly can be a daunting task. During the years that I ran a School of Rock music school, we always told our students to &#8220;fake it till you make it.&#8221; If you make a mistake on stage, recover, and make it look good.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">So what are some other <a href="https://thevault.musicarts.com/handle-making-mistakes-performance/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>tactics</strong></span></a> to handle making mistakes during a performance?</p>
<ul>
<li class="_ad_q1">Find your place</li>
<li class="_ad_q1">Communicate with your bandmates</li>
<li class="_ad_q1">Don&#8217;t be super obvious (that&#8217;s the &#8220;fake it till you make it&#8221; bit)</li>
<li class="_ad_q1">Learn from your mistakes</li>
<li class="_ad_q1">Minimize nervousness</li>
</ul>
<p class="_ad_q1">How does this apply to B2B? I think we can all learn from the great musical performers we&#8217;ve seen. Are they always perfect performances? Heck, no! Sometimes the &#8216;mistakes&#8217; are the most exciting part of the performance!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">So when you&#8217;ve <em>made up the bed</em> and it comes time to lie in it, at least you can make it a little more comfortable. Mistakes happen – you can&#8217;t avoid it. OWN the mistake… and make it your own! Apply some of these musical concepts to your own B2B environment and you can still come out on top!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As always, don&#8217;t hesitate to call me to brainstorm or just say hello!</p>
<p>Looking forward,<br />
Rick</p>
<p><strong>Rick Endrulat, President | ricke@v-causeway.com | <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat</a></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/the-b2b-art-of-fake-it-till-you-make-it/">The B2B Art of &#8220;Fake it Till You Make it&#8221;</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://virtualcauseway.com/the-b2b-art-of-fake-it-till-you-make-it/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3082</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cutting Through the Fog of Sales Objections</title>
		<link>https://virtualcauseway.com/cutting-through-the-fog-of-sales-objections/</link>
					<comments>https://virtualcauseway.com/cutting-through-the-fog-of-sales-objections/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Krol]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 04 Dec 2023 14:49:04 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[b2b sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Purchasing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales and Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WDBMD]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://virtualcauseway.com/?p=3077</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now? is an ongoing email. Join the mailing list to be the first to receive these weekly insights! I've been feeling flustered lately. Yes – more than usual. But it seems like I'm not alone. I've seen many articles talking about this 'cognitive fog' that more and more of us [...]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/cutting-through-the-fog-of-sales-objections/">Cutting Through the Fog of Sales Objections</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<h3><em>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now?</em> is an ongoing email. <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/dL2IjAt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Join the mailing list</span></a> to be the first to receive these weekly insights!</h3>
</blockquote>
<p class="_ad_q1">I&#8217;ve been feeling flustered lately.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Yes – more than usual. But it seems like I&#8217;m not alone. I&#8217;ve seen many articles talking about this &#8216;cognitive fog&#8217; that more and more of us are experiencing recently.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">When I&#8217;m feeling like I need to cut through that foggy and sedated feeling, music helps! And nothing kicks me in the ass like a good punk rock tune!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Give this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4RQsPECTdM" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>song</strong></span></a> by the &#8216;Godfathers of Punk&#8217; a listen as we see what the experts are saying this week!</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">B2B Buyer Fog</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">There are more Americans who say they have serious cognitive problems – with remembering, concentrating or making decisions – than at any time in the last 15 years, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/13/upshot/long-covid-disability.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>data</strong></span></a> from the Census Bureau shows. And it&#8217;s not just &#8216;older&#8217; adults – a significant portion of the data relates to young adults.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">There are many potential reasons for this – long COVID, over-reliance on devices for everyday/simple tasks, increased stress, etc. But it got me thinking about how this relates to B2B. Since I started my career, researchers have been telling us, year after year, that sales cycles are becoming longer and more complex. Perhaps this aligns to that reduced ability to make decisions?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">I see this with my clients – especially this year, as we throw economic uncertainty into the mix. I&#8217;ve noticed a marked increase in &#8216;pushed&#8217; deals and a general lack of decisive action as it relates to spending and budgets.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">According to <a href="https://seths.blog/2023/11/the-art-of-estimation/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Seth Godin</strong></span></a>, perhaps a more powerful estimate or Statement of Work is the way to get some movement and overcome any pricing objections.</p>
<blockquote>
<h3 class="_ad_q1"><em>&#8220;If your estimate:</em></h3>
<ul>
<li class="_ad_q1">is clear and easy to understand by the sort of people you&#8217;d like to have as clients</li>
<li class="_ad_q1">if it demonstrates full understanding of the work to be done</li>
<li class="_ad_q1">if it highlights alternatives</li>
<li class="_ad_q1">if it includes examples of proven satisfaction when you&#8217;ve done this work for others</li>
<li class="_ad_q1">and if it&#8217;s delivered ahead of schedule</li>
</ul>
<p class="_ad_q1">…then you&#8217;ve restated the problem. You&#8217;ve brought the client along on the journey with you, and established that they&#8217;re not spending more for the same thing, they&#8217;re spending more for a better, safer, higher status, more reliable thing.&#8221;</p>
</blockquote>
<p class="_ad_q1">This might not be scalable – but perhaps it&#8217;s time to look at the quality of your SOWs and quotes. When you provide a quote, you&#8217;re giving a teaser of the craft you do. So the high standard you have for your own work should be reflected! Otherwise, you could end up with <em>nothin&#8217; to do and nowhere to go</em> as your bids lose out to the cheaper alternatives.</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Stage Fog</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">As we know, COVID shut down live music for almost two years. Tours stopped, roadies lost their gigs, fog machines were shut down, and support staff were laid off. But once restrictions were lifted, the industry came back to life, albeit with a degree of difficulty. However – many roadies and musicians had already left the industry to pursue other careers to make ends meet.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">The <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/9944512/music-scene-post-covid-19/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>good news</strong></span></a>? This past summer has shown a return to the &#8216;before&#8217; times for live music – huge shows, packed concerts and festivals, and record revenues.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">But…</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">The industry is dealing with rising costs (as we all are). Plus, Gen Z (the lifeblood of so many live scenes) are reportedly drinking less at shows, putting a BIG kink in an important revenue stream: smaller venues greatly depend largely on bar sales for survival, so there&#8217;s cause for worry.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">And merch cuts are increasing. To compensate for higher costs and lower alcohol sales, venues are demanding that they get a greater percentage of merchandise sales – impacting revenue for the artist.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">I think we all realize higher prices are here to stay – so what will the new reality be in the live music scene? According to Alan Cross, fans will have to make a choice between saving up their money to see a big act or using that same cash to see multiple smaller shows. Residencies are becoming popular with big artists – once you <em>get to the airport and put yourself on a plane</em> (and in a hotel room), it can cost a small fortune!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Impact on B2B? Inflation and interest rates are prompting everyone to look at their discretionary spending. Entertainment is usually one of the first things that gets cut. How will these concerns impact YOUR clients&#8217; spending?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As always, don&#8217;t hesitate to call me to brainstorm or just say hello!</p>
<p>Looking forward,<br />
Rick</p>
<p><strong>Rick Endrulat, President | ricke@v-causeway.com | <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat</a></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/cutting-through-the-fog-of-sales-objections/">Cutting Through the Fog of Sales Objections</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://virtualcauseway.com/cutting-through-the-fog-of-sales-objections/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3077</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Know When to Abandon Ship on Your Leads</title>
		<link>https://virtualcauseway.com/know-when-to-abandon-ship-on-your-leads/</link>
					<comments>https://virtualcauseway.com/know-when-to-abandon-ship-on-your-leads/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Krol]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 27 Nov 2023 15:03:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[B2B Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[b2b sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lead nurturing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales and Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WDBMD]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://virtualcauseway.com/?p=3070</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now? is an ongoing email. Join the mailing list to be the first to receive these weekly insights! Have you ever gone to a movie and realized halfway through that it wasn't going to get any better? You tell yourself to just get up and leave, but you don't. Come [...]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/know-when-to-abandon-ship-on-your-leads/">Know When to Abandon Ship on Your Leads</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<h3><em>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now?</em> is an ongoing email. <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/dL2IjAt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Join the mailing list</span></a> to be the first to receive these weekly insights!</h3>
</blockquote>
<p class="_ad_q1">Have you ever gone to a movie and realized halfway through that it wasn&#8217;t going to get any better? You tell yourself to just get up and leave, but you don&#8217;t. Come on – this has happened to all of us…</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Why do we stay?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Give this appropriately named <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN1WwnEDWAM" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>song</strong></span></a> by the Clash a listen as we see what the experts are saying this week.</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Why You Stay When You Should Go</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">Sunk cost fallacy – it can cripple your decision-making. It&#8217;s when one is reluctant to abandon a strategy or course of action because they&#8217;ve invested heavily in it, even when it&#8217;s clear that abandonment would be more beneficial.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">We&#8217;ve all seen examples of this in B2B – how many times have we seen a sales rep that won&#8217;t let a deal go no matter how many times the close date is pushed? What about those leads that you hang onto – continually marketing to them, adding them to drip campaigns, and engaging in multiple qualification conversations that just don&#8217;t go anywhere!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">So why can&#8217;t we let go?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1"><a href="https://victorantonio.com/why-you-stay-when-you-should-leave/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Victor Antonio</strong></span></a> says there are 3 possible reasons:</p>
<ul>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Sunk Cost:</strong> The longer you stay the more you&#8217;re delaying moving on to something more productive or fulfilling. <em>If you go there could be trouble</em>… but <em>if you stay it will be double!</em> So be honest with yourself: how much more are you losing by sticking around?</li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Need for Closure:</strong> Life is full of mysteries; <em>it&#8217;s always tease, tease, tease</em>. Learn to accept that you don&#8217;t have to know the outcome, you simply have to know that it&#8217;s not for you. Focus on what YOU can control: your ability to walk away!</li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>FOMO:</strong> Ask yourself, &#8220;Even if things did change, is the outcome really worth holding on to? Is the juice worth the squeeze?&#8221; If it&#8217;s something you believe in strongly, then yes, hold on! Fight for it! But if you&#8217;ve decided <em>you&#8217;ll be here till the end of time</em> &#8216;just in case&#8217;… that&#8217;s never a good strategy.</li>
</ul>
<p class="_ad_q1">We need to rewire our thinking. Don&#8217;t let your biases hold you back! I&#8217;ve always believed that it&#8217;s just as important to <em>DIS</em>qualify a prospect as it is to qualify one. Otherwise, we run the risk of expensive outreach and marketing efforts that take us nowhere.</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Other Lessons from The Clash</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">Our &#8216;musical guest&#8217; this week – the Clash – were trendsetters in their time. There are many articles about the way the band was promoted and their rise in popularity… But what else can we learn from them?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">This <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/clash-taught-me-everything-i-know-b2b-copywriting-ray-philpott/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>article</strong></span></a> is fun, and talks about what the Clash can teach us about B2B copywriting. It&#8217;s all about AUTHENTICITY – which, especially in this age of AI-generated content, is something that can be lacking. The Clash were told by their manager, &#8220;Write about what&#8217;s affecting you, what&#8217;s important.&#8221;</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Maybe this is how you can stand out from your peers – and really produce content that resonates with your audience! What&#8217;s affecting them? What&#8217;s important to your leads and customers? Figure that out first, then <em>come on and let them know</em> that you&#8217;ve got what they need!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As always, don&#8217;t hesitate to call me to brainstorm or just say hello!</p>
<p>Looking forward,<br />
Rick</p>
<p><strong>Rick Endrulat, President | ricke@v-causeway.com | <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat</a></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/know-when-to-abandon-ship-on-your-leads/">Know When to Abandon Ship on Your Leads</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://virtualcauseway.com/know-when-to-abandon-ship-on-your-leads/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3070</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Don&#8217;t be a Turkey! Avoid these B2B Missteps</title>
		<link>https://virtualcauseway.com/dont-be-a-turkey-avoid-these-b2b-missteps/</link>
					<comments>https://virtualcauseway.com/dont-be-a-turkey-avoid-these-b2b-missteps/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Krol]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Nov 2023 13:29:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[B2B Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales and Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WDBMD]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://virtualcauseway.com/?p=3067</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now? is an ongoing email. Join the mailing list to be the first to receive these weekly insights! For many of us, this is a holiday week – the lead-up to Thanksgiving. A time to give thanks (hence the name), spend time with family (away from work!) and consume large [...]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/dont-be-a-turkey-avoid-these-b2b-missteps/">Don&#8217;t be a Turkey! Avoid these B2B Missteps</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<h3><em>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now?</em> is an ongoing email. <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/dL2IjAt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Join the mailing list</span></a> to be the first to receive these weekly insights!</h3>
</blockquote>
<p class="_ad_q1">For many of us, this is a holiday week – the lead-up to Thanksgiving. A time to give thanks (hence the name), spend time with family (away from work!) and consume large amounts of TURKEY!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">This week&#8217;s post will be short and sweet – as I know many of you are scrambling to fit a week&#8217;s worth of work into a couple of days!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Give this VERY short <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj8TJUniGwk" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>song</strong></span></a> by the Rolling Stones (under 2 min!) a listen as we see what the experts are saying this week.</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Marketing Turkeys</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">We&#8217;re all aware of the Bud Light marketing fiasco from earlier this year – let&#8217;s take a quick look at some other marketing and ad <a href="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12070041/The-worst-marketing-blunders-rival-Bud-Light.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>campaigns</strong></span></a> that have backfired spectacularly over the years!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">What about B2B? What are classic marketing mistakes in our realm… and how can we avoid them? <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2021/07/29/5-classic-b2b-marketing-mistakes-and-how-to-avoid-them/?sh=7fb4bf4939a2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Forbes</strong></span></a> is <em>gonna tell you how it&#8217;s gonna be</em> – their Top 5:</p>
<ol>
<li class="_ad_q1">Positioning is not a priority</li>
<li class="_ad_q1">You follow the crowd</li>
<li class="_ad_q1">You don&#8217;t give a say (early on) to those with sway</li>
<li class="_ad_q1">You make it all about you</li>
<li class="_ad_q1">There&#8217;s no cohesion between your marketing and sales teams</li>
</ol>
<p class="_ad_q1">If you read these weekly blog posts (which I hope you do!), then you know the last one in this list is a real sticking point for me! So I guess this year, I&#8217;m grateful to know that this lesson will <em>not fade away</em> as others are also preaching the importance of sales and marketing alignment.</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Musical Turkeys</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">According to Rolling Stone (the mag, not the band), here are the 50 <a href="https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/worst-decisions-in-music-history-1234626744/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>worst decisions</strong></span></a> in music history! Fun list – give it a quick read if you can. Everything from Ticketmaster&#8217;s dynamic pricing rollout to Kanye&#8217;s Taylor Swift &#8216;interruption&#8217; and the Stones hiring the Hells Angels to run their security team.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Mistakes <em>bigger than a Cadillac</em>… and many of them show that sometimes hindsight really is 20/20. Do you have any examples of famous – or infamous – B2B marketing blunders?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As always, don&#8217;t hesitate to call me to brainstorm or just say hello!</p>
<p>Looking forward,<br />
Rick</p>
<p><strong>Rick Endrulat, President | ricke@v-causeway.com | <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat</a></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/dont-be-a-turkey-avoid-these-b2b-missteps/">Don&#8217;t be a Turkey! Avoid these B2B Missteps</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://virtualcauseway.com/dont-be-a-turkey-avoid-these-b2b-missteps/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3067</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Colour Me Surprised: Colour Psychology in Branding</title>
		<link>https://virtualcauseway.com/colour-me-surprised-colour-psychology-in-branding/</link>
					<comments>https://virtualcauseway.com/colour-me-surprised-colour-psychology-in-branding/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Krol]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 13 Nov 2023 15:19:00 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[B2B Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Branding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Colour Psychology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WDBMD]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://virtualcauseway.com/?p=3062</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now? is an ongoing email. Join the mailing list to be the first to receive these weekly insights! Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner! Before you know it, we'll be celebrating a new year. You may have heard the quote, "procrastination is the thief of [...]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/colour-me-surprised-colour-psychology-in-branding/">Colour Me Surprised: Colour Psychology in Branding</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<h3><em>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now?</em> is an ongoing email. <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/dL2IjAt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Join the mailing list</span></a> to be the first to receive these weekly insights!</h3>
</blockquote>
<p class="_ad_q1">Believe it or not, the holidays are right around the corner! Before you know it, we&#8217;ll be celebrating a new year.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">You may have heard the quote, &#8220;procrastination is the thief of joy,&#8221; and I couldn&#8217;t agree more when it comes to managing our B2B sales and marketing efforts.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Given the shifts we&#8217;ve seen this year, it&#8217;s essential to reassess plans. By analyzing our current strategies, we can determine if adjustments are necessary to adapt to the changing landscape. Don&#8217;t let procrastination put your long-term goals at risk!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Don&#8217;t be <em>lazy</em>, and give this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqM5L5JQseI" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>song</strong></span></a> by Deep Purple a listen as we see what the experts are saying this week.</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Psychology of Colour in B2B</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">And speaking of Deep Purple, I have a lot in common with them. No, it has nothing to do with my musical prowess or skill on the guitar. But our corporate colour…</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">According to HubSpot, up to 90% of an initial impression can come from colour – and 93% of consumers make purchasing decisions based on visuals alone. That can be a lot of pressure when it comes to picking the right colours for your brand!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">This article from <a href="https://www.kalungi.com/blog/choosing-branding-colors-for-your-b2b-saas-company" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Kalungi</strong></span></a> talks Colour Psychology. Whether you&#8217;re working on a new startup, rebranding, or just thinking about a refresh, they offer some great tips and warn against common colour mistakes in B2B SaaS:</p>
<ul>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Know your Colour Theory basics.</strong> Hue, tint, tone, shade, and how different colours all work together will all play into how you choose your palette.</li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Limit your colours.</strong> Having too many colours will dilute your message and make it seem like you don&#8217;t have a brand at all!</li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Consider your brand message.</strong> What&#8217;s your brand voice? What message are you trying to communicate?</li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Get familiar with Colour Psychology.</strong> Different colours evoke different emotions and elicit different responses. Use that to your advantage!</li>
</ul>
<p class="_ad_q1">HubSpot shares a great <a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/the-hustle/psychology-of-color" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>breakdown</strong></span></a> of Colour Psychology (suitably, it&#8217;s a great visual representation). Virtual Causeway Purple is supposed to generate a wise, sophisticated aura…</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">What do you think? If <em>you don&#8217;t make no effort</em>, your corporate colours might end up sending the wrong message! According to HubSpot&#8217;s chart, what do yours say about your brand? And more importantly, is it what you want them to say?</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Recommended Music Reading for the Fall</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">With the holidays approaching – how about some music-related reading to tide you over? Maybe you&#8217;re in search of a great read so <em>you can just stay in bed</em> as the cold weather rolls in… or you&#8217;re looking for a gift for that music lover on your holiday shopping list. Well, look no further – my favourite music journalist Alan Cross has provided his <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/10065891/music-book-recommendations-alan-cross/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>recommendations</strong></span></a>…</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Included in his list: Rush bass player Geddy Lee&#8217;s autobiography; memoirs from Barbra and Britney; a look at the Beatles&#8217; fashions (which no doubt touches on colour, too); and a book of Canadian music facts – like the invention of the term &#8220;Beatlemania&#8221; and how Toronto&#8217;s airport code (YYZ) ended up on a Rush album – perfect for the lover of pub quizzes or bathroom readers.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">What do you think? Be it music, marketing, or another topic entirely… are there any new or upcoming reads that you&#8217;re excited about? I&#8217;d love to hear them!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As always, don&#8217;t hesitate to call me to brainstorm or just say hello!</p>
<p>Looking forward,<br />
Rick</p>
<p><strong>Rick Endrulat, President | ricke@v-causeway.com | <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat</a></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/colour-me-surprised-colour-psychology-in-branding/">Colour Me Surprised: Colour Psychology in Branding</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://virtualcauseway.com/colour-me-surprised-colour-psychology-in-branding/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3062</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Say Hello to Your Newest B2B Marketers</title>
		<link>https://virtualcauseway.com/say-hello-to-your-newest-b2b-marketers/</link>
					<comments>https://virtualcauseway.com/say-hello-to-your-newest-b2b-marketers/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Thomas Krol]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 06 Nov 2023 16:53:35 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[B2B Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Marketing Tech]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[martech]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SaaS]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[WDBMD]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://virtualcauseway.com/?p=3058</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now? is an ongoing email. Join the mailing list to be the first to receive these weekly insights! What is it about water? Whether it's a lake, river, or ocean – it's always held a special place in the human psyche. It's a source of nourishment, a medium for exploration, [...]</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/say-hello-to-your-newest-b2b-marketers/">Say Hello to Your Newest B2B Marketers</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<blockquote>
<h3><em>What Do B2B Marketers Do Now?</em> is an ongoing email. <a href="https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/dL2IjAt" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Join the mailing list</span></a> to be the first to receive these weekly insights!</h3>
</blockquote>
<p class="_ad_q1">What is it about water?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Whether it&#8217;s a lake, river, or ocean – it&#8217;s always held a special place in the human psyche. It&#8217;s a source of nourishment, a medium for exploration, and a force to be reckoned with. Some of my most productive thinking happens at the lake!</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Just as water can take on many forms, from tranquil lakes to tumultuous oceans, its symbolism is equally diverse – reflecting our desires, fears, and aspirations. What&#8217;s it reflecting for you this month? As year-end approaches, are you wrapped up in fear or a confident force to be reckoned with?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Give this <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDIAJhharwQ" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>song</strong></span></a> by Jane&#8217;s Addiction a listen as we wade into the <em>Ocean Size</em> waters of B2B and see what the experts are saying this week.</p>
<h2 class="_ad_q1">Saltwater B2B Lessons</h2>
<p class="_ad_q1">I was recently sitting by the ocean watching a group of dolphins swim effortlessly past – and it made me pause. When we think of B2B marketing, we often picture boardrooms, data analytics, and corporate strategies… not the playful acrobatics of dolphins. But I love finding unlikely parallels to B2B – so I thought we could take a journey beneath the surface and discover the unexpected ways in which these ocean-dwellers and B2B marketing intersect.</p>
<ol>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Communication and Collaboration:</strong> Dolphins are known for their exceptional communication skills and collaborative nature within their pods. Similarly, effective B2B marketing thrives on robust communication and collaboration among teams, partners, and clients. Just as dolphins work together to achieve common goals, B2B marketers must foster clear and open communication to succeed in reaching shared objectives.</li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Adaptability and Innovation:</strong> Dolphins showcase adaptability in their behaviour and problem-solving abilities. In the ever-evolving landscape of B2B marketing, adaptability and innovation are crucial. Just as dolphins adapt to changes in their environment, successful B2B marketers need to embrace new technologies, strategies, and market shifts to stay ahead.</li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Relationship Building:</strong> Dolphins form strong social bonds and maintain relationships within their pods. In B2B marketing, cultivating and nurturing relationships with clients, stakeholders, and industry peers is fundamental. Building trust and rapport, as dolphins do within their social groups, is key to establishing successful, long-term B2B partnerships.</li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Eco-consciousness and Sustainability:</strong> Dolphins are often seen as indicators of the health of oceanic ecosystems. Likewise, in the realm of B2B marketing, there&#8217;s an increasing emphasis on sustainability and corporate social responsibility. Just as dolphins signal environmental well-being, businesses are now expected to contribute positively to the environment and society.</li>
<li class="_ad_q1"><strong>Embracing Creativity and Playfulness:</strong> Dolphins exhibit playful behavior, showing that even in the most serious of endeavours, there&#8217;s room for fun. In B2B marketing, incorporating creativity and a touch of playfulness into campaigns can set a brand apart, making it more engaging and memorable.</li>
</ol>
<p class="_ad_q1">The connection between dolphins and B2B marketing might seem abstract, but the lessons derived from their behaviour can still serve as valuable insights for marketers. By observing the strengths of these <em>no-talking-all-action</em> creatures, we can mirror their resilience and intelligence in our vast ocean of commerce.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1"><strong>Spotify and Smaller Bands?</strong></p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As you may have gathered from last week&#8217;s <a href="https://virtualcauseway.com/the-haunting-of-meeting-ghost-house/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>post</strong></span></a>, my colleague Marlene is a fan of hard rock. I spoke a few weeks back about some of the <a href="https://virtualcauseway.com/b2b-messaging-cutting-through-the-noise/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>changes</strong></span></a> to Spotify&#8217;s royalty model, which will have an adverse impact on rock and metal artists – many of whom are smaller acts.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">Check out this <a href="https://www.ajournalofmusicalthings.com/spotify-is-updating-on-how-it-pays-artists-this-might-be-bad-for-rock-and-metal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>article and video</strong></span></a> for more details.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1"><em>It ain&#8217;t easy living</em> for smaller artists/bands to begin with, and Spotify is poised to make it even tougher. The new payment structure will cater to established artists and labels, with the biggest change being that any track will need to hit an annual streaming minimum before being eligible for royalties.</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">What about in B2B? Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation – perhaps with one of your preferred SaaS platforms changing on you? Do you adjust your processes or strategy to accommodate those changes… or look for alternatives?</p>
<p class="_ad_q1">As always, don&#8217;t hesitate to call me to brainstorm or just say hello!</p>
<p>Looking forward,<br />
Rick</p>
<p><strong>Rick Endrulat, President | ricke@v-causeway.com | <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.linkedin.com/in/rickendrulat</a></strong></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com/say-hello-to-your-newest-b2b-marketers/">Say Hello to Your Newest B2B Marketers</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://virtualcauseway.com">Virtual Causeway</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
					<wfw:commentRss>https://virtualcauseway.com/say-hello-to-your-newest-b2b-marketers/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
			<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">3058</post-id>	</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
