The One Innovation Your Competitors Can't Steal 
The founder of Shake Shack divulges how he's built a moat around his hospitality business, and prevents copy cats. Watch video
Customer Relationship Management
Recent Customer Relationship Management Articles
The One Innovation Your Competitors Can't Steal
The Key to the Future? The Past
Inc. asked future-focused experts how to make money in 2013 (and beyond). An award-winning science-fiction author throws in his two cents. Read more
The Factor That Makes My Business a Success
The founder of Shake Shack and Union Square Cafe on the vital importance of authenticity. Watch video
How to Build Customer Loyalty in 2013
You can be successful in sales next year, regardless of the economy. Read more
Don't Make This Common Year-End Mistake
The world may seem to slow between Christmas and New Year's, but it doesn't stop. And neither should your business. Read more
JJ Ramberg: Get Your Gift Noticed
The host of MSNBC's Your Business says now might not be the right time to send clients gifts. Here's why. Watch video
Move Your Client Conversation Forward: 3 Tips
The key to cross-selling is understanding the client's needs. Read more
Dave Kerpen: 'Heavy-Handed Sales Messaging Just Doesn't Work Any More'
The trick to generating sales with social media, says Likeable CEO Dave Kerpen, is to use natural human language. Here's how. Watch video
Why You Should Schmooze Like Don Draper
Forget GChat. To really connect with customers, vendors and staff, sometimes you've gotta go old school, whether that means deep sea fishing or ordering ever... Read more
How to Win a Customer Back
Departing customers can teach you how to win them back, but only if you're open-minded. Read more
Greeting Card Etiquette: 4 Tips
Don't miss the opportunity to get noticed and make an impression with your seasons' greetings this year. Read more
How to Cultivate Truly Loyal Customers
Every business wants loyal customers--but loyalty comes in many different flavors. Read more
5 Steps to Handling a Customer Complaint
Your employees may be turning customers away. Teach them these simple steps to navigate through a customer service issue. Read more
Big Data for Small Businesses
Low-cost tools that help businesses capitalize on customer data. Read more
On Social Media, Authenticity Always Wins
This CEO takes pride in being brutally honest online--even if he offends people. Here's why he thinks you should do the same. Read more
We All Scream for Customer Insights
Nothing drives home the importance of customer feedback like standing on a street corner handing out ice cream samples. Here are the lessons we learned. Read more
Win Important Customers & Keep Them
Sales advice from John Berkowitz, co-founder of Yodle, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council. Watch video
Why Your Customer Service Policy Stinks
No business is immune to unhappy customers. But making sure you meet customer service expectations can keep them to a minimum. Read more
Create Effective Case Studies
Advice on how to get results from Jenny Fleiss, co-founder of Rent the Runway, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council. Watch video
Turn Prospects Into Customers
Grow your client base. Advice from Jenny Fleiss, co-founder of Rent the Runway, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council. Watch video
Do You Always Tell Employees the Truth? You Should.
Even if you face something as difficult and stressful as having to close a business, you have only one choice: Do it badly, or do it right. Read more
Keep Your Friends Close & Your Customers Closer
Letting customer relationships stagnate is dangerous for your long-term health. Here are three ways to let your customers know you care. Read more
What Makes Customers Tick
Having a frank discussion about what works, what doesn't and what your customers want from you is key to a successful business. Read more
5 Ways to Become an Invaluable Business Partner
Building strong business relationships is vital to the success of your business. Here's how to become the person your customers or partners can't do without. Read more
When to Cut a Customer
How much leeway should you give a client who's not paying his bills? Read more
3 Ways to Win the RFP Rat Race
If your sales force is spending a lot of time on RFPs, but not bringing in a lot of new business, then you might need to consider new investments in your bus... Read more
Talk to Your Customers; You Might Learn Something
CEOs need to put themselves out there to see what their customers are saying. And the best way is to communicate with them directly. Read more
5 Ways to Alienate a Customer
These five dumb mistakes drive customers away. Fortunately, they're all easily avoided. Read more
World's Most Important Business Question
One simple question can determine whether your company will succeed or fail. Make sure you and your team are constantly asking it. Read more
8 Customer Service Sins to Avoid
In a recent customer service survey, United Airlines came in dead last. Here's why--and how not to suffer the same fate. Read more
Why You Don't Need Salespeople
Imagine a world in which you were able to fire all of your salespeople and still achieve consistent revenue growth. How would you pull it off? Read more
5 Steps to Scaling Beyond the Founder
Most entrepreneurs are directly involved in nurturing customer relationships. But once the business grows beyond a few key clients you'll need new growth tac... Read more
How to Deliver Great Customer Service
Customer service tips from Angie Hicks, founder of Angie's List, and Scott Gerber, founder of the Young Entrepreneur Council. Watch video
Flat-Out Rejection: Caliper's Hard Early Months
Herb Greenberg, who lost his sight at age 10, developed a test to help employers see workers for who they really are. But four months after founding HR consu... Watch video
3 Benefits of Mapping Your Network
Creating a visual depiction of your social network will help you identify ways to grow your business through relationships, referrals, and recommendations. Read more
