Bridging the gap

The new Advanced Functional Fibers of America Institute (AFFOA) is the eighth of a potential 15 research and innovation hubs—funded by federal resources and building on the Obama Administration’s National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI)—to be established across the country and led by manufacturing experts. The NNMI, launched in 2012, has encouraged growth and leadership in critical emerging manufacturing technologies by bridging the gap between early research and product development. The Institutes have pioneered 3-D printing technologies with metal powders, flexible hybrid electronics, lightweight metals for automotive applications and advanced power electronics, to name just a few.

The digital marketing leap

Jun. 1, 2016  |  Business, Marketing

Asking the right questions before choosing a digital marketing partner can save you time and money. There was a time when digital marketing could casually be left to employees who were interested in dabbling in online options. Now, however, digital marketing has grown up. Every business needs a plan…
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Going social

May. 1, 2016  |  Business, Marketing

Gain an edge over competitors by learning to navigate the sea of social media marketing. The ways in which social media is utilized for business are nearly limitless, but it is especially valuable for building brand equity, highlighting company culture, enhancing public relations efforts, complement…
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Brand new

Apr. 1, 2016  |  Business, Marketing

A strong brand identity can drive sales, while a weak one holds a business back. Your business may be keeping up with economic and market changes and be on the leading edge of industry trends, but is your brand keeping pace? There’s no denying that today’s business culture is fast-moving and con…
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The future of communication?

Nov. 1, 2015  |  Business, Marketing

Social media success requires a strategic approach and an emergency response plan. Social media was once considered the future of communication. Facebook and Twitter™ had unlimited and unknown power. That was 2007; 2016 is approaching fast. Countless connections from person to person to company to…
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Explode your business

Sep. 1, 2015  |  Business, Management, Marketing

Is your company growing as fast as it should? Over the years, you’ve built a reasonably profitable business; but lately, sales and profits have either increased only slightly or have remained flat. You know your business has far greater potential, but you’re not quite sure how to make it happen.…
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Safeguarding ideas

May. 1, 2015  |  Business, Marketing

Clients may wander to other companies, but your ideas don’t need to go with them. It’s an occupational hazard for event planners and tent rental businesses. You spend no small amount of usually unbillable time developing an event design for a prospective client, only to have that person wander a…
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At face value

Apr. 1, 2015  |  Marketing

Despite the hype, it isn’t all about social media. Contrary to popular belief, social media isn’t the only way to communicate with the masses.
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Using agents overseas

Feb. 1, 2015  |  Marketing

Before your agent can sell for you, sell your company and your products to your agent. If you are a small or midsize company that sees opportunities in foreign markets, the first and in many ways the most important step will be to find an agent or representative who works in the part of the ……
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