2024 is well underway and the coffee event circuit is a crucial time to build relationships especially for anyone in B2B sales. Needless to say, the worst feeling around this time is making the investment to be present at key events and not utilizing the opportunity well. Perhaps what’s worse is thinking you are prepared, then getting to an event and realizing you need something that you don’t have and can’t run down to Walgreens to pick up. Who among us hasn’t felt that sinking feeling of regret, when a prospect asks you for your business card and you don’t forgot to get some cards printed in time. Lucky for you, we compiled a list of key things that you need to make sure you maximize your investment and make the most of the time.

It’s a big question but one that you and your team should be able to answer. If you can’t clearly articulate who your brand is, neither can your team and your audience wont be able to either.

What happens when you create something “bad” intentionally and then use that leverage to your advantage? This year, we saw Oatly (who full disclosure, I’m a huge fan of and so is my tummy) create a “bad” commercial and then begin pushing shirts out on the streets that say “I Totally Hated That Oatly Commercial.” Don’t believe me that it wasn’t bad? Check it out for yourself here. They also made it on to the list of worst super bowl commercials of 2021.

What is the difference between building a brand and building a business? A brand is built to help the end consumer while a business is simply a transactional process between two or more parties. Brands can transcend market ebbs and flows due to loyalty that has been built over the long haul while businesses will struggle to preserve without that loyalty. Building a business can be faked but building a brand can only be faked for so long until your audience realizes that you can’t deliver what is expected every time.

Due to the severe effects of Covid-19, business is slow for many. Here are 4 positive things to focus on during your downtime: operations, UX, products and services, and personnel.