Marketing: an investment, not an expense

You’ve probably heard the adage, “You have to spend money to make money.” So how does that apply to marketing your business? It’s a common saying that means it’s hard to make money in a business without investing in supplies, products, marketing and advertising, or other business expenses. The breakdown of how much to spend in each area will most likely depend on your business, industry and if you’re a B2B or a B2C organization. The key is to focus on marketing as an investment, not an expense. Read More

Network Security: “Are we doing enough?”

Operating a small business can be challenging when all you really want to do is explore your passion. That passion is what drives you, makes you work all those hours, and in the end, gives you the most satisfaction. You don’t want to spend valuable time dealing with your network or worrying about network security.

Network security is a broad term and it covers a multitude of technologies, devices and processes used in businesses today. It is a set of rules and configurations designed to protect the integrity, confidentiality and accessibility of computer networks and data using both software and hardware technologies. Every business, regardless of size, industry or infrastructure, should have some form of network security solutions in place to protect it from the ever-growing landscape of cyber threats in the world today. The question you need to ask yourself is, “Are we doing enough?”

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The Benefits of Guest Blogging

The following article is written by Marta Berglund, Greater Mankato Growth’s marketing intern. Marta is a junior at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has majors in digital innovation, film and television (DIFT), and communications. She also has minors in French and public relations. 

Field Production and Storytelling has been one of my favorite classes throughout my college career. In simple terms, the course basically tells students how to not go hungry while working in the film industry—or at least how to do their best to avoid it. One Tuesday when I walked into class, I looked up to the screen at the front of the room to see the lecture topic. “How to Network” was the title of the slideshow. My professor began class by saying, “Listen guys, everyone in the working world is going to tell you that networking is the key to success—especially in the film industry, but no one is going to tell you how to do it.” This statement struck me. “He’s right,” I thought. Networking is one of the keys to successful marketing, but what’s the secret to it? 

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Greater Mankato Positioned on Global Stage

Greater Mankato was again on the global stage recently during the Select USA Investment Summit in Washington, D.C.

This is a yearly gathering of leading policy experts, government officials, investors and companies from around the world looking for opportunities.

Greater Mankato was there along with the state’s Department of Employment and Economic Development and a handful of other regional representatives pitching the state and our respective regions. Read More

Do You Have an Office Escape Route Planned?

The following article was submitted by guest-blogger, Sydney Lovold of Greater Mankato Growth member business, SERVPRO. June is National Safety Month, so SERVPRO is sharing tips for making and implementing an escape route in the case of a fire. Are you part of a Greater Mankato member business and have an interest in writing a guest blog for us? Send 500-800 words to media@greatermankato.com or reach out to Greater Mankato Growth with further questions.  

SERVPRO of Mankato/Owatonna hopes your home or business never has to deal with fire or smoke damage.  Sometimes, a portable fire extinguisher is not enough to save your property and the only thing you can do is escape.

A small flame can turn into a large fire in a matter of minutes. Lives are more important than objects, so get yourself and others out of danger.

SERVPRO of Mankato/Owatonna Offers These Tips for Escape:

• Make an escape plan ahead of time. Make sure everyone knows the plan
• Make sure that all doors and windows open easily
• Plan at least two different ways of escaping every room
• When you leave, close the doors and windows to shut in the flames
• Practice the plan
• Do not stop to pick up valuables. You can replace objects
• Make sure your plan includes a place to meet that is a safe distance from the home
• Do not turn off smoke alarms when you cook. You may need the warning
• If you have to go through smoke, crawl under it

SERVPRO of Mankato/Owatonna reminds you to call the fire department once you are outside the home.

Resources and Tips:

https://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/fire-and-life-safety-equipment/fire-extinguishers

https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/EscapePlanningTips.ashx?la=en