The power of storytelling: is your early-stage company’s narrative compelling enough for hypergrowth?
In today’s crowded marketplace, success requires more than a great product or service. Early-stage companies need a compelling message structure that shows the problems they are solving and deeply resonates with target audiences – customers, investors, partners – and reaches them a variety of media (paid, earned, shared, owned). A well-crafted brand journey drives business growth by ensuring your story cuts through the noise. For example, one of our multi-year partnerships helped fuel a Chicago healthcare service company’s growth from $48 to $149 a share by strategically amplifying its...
Read MoreHow board membership elevates leadership skills and community impact
Being an active board member is more than a fancy title; it’s a dynamic role requiring sharp objectivity, nimble problem-solving and a deep commitment to the community. Channeling our expertise and passions on boards doesn’t just transform organizations—it enriches our professional lives and amplifies our personal brands. In the healthcare arena, leaders face intricate challenges like managing physicians, addressing staffing shortages and navigating union negotiations. They juggle wage laws, quality standards, patient satisfaction and the rollout of cutting-edge medical technologies. A key...
Read MoreCharting a successful course for your early-stage company
In the thrilling journey of early-stage companies, growth flourishes in pivotal areas while brand awareness fuels the momentum. Beyond a strong team, three factors steer these companies and their founders through turbulent times and triumphant courses: Commercialization after IP protection: starting from an idea, you developed a product or service that is unique and took the necessary steps with an attorney to protect your intellectual property, including trademarks and patents. The natural next step includes preparing for investor relations and market entry armed with these assets and...
Read MoreUnlocking market leadership: five proven growth strategies for founders
Being a market leader demands more than just an innovative solution; it requires strategic engagement and lead generation for high-impact visibility, brand building and reputation management. For startups aiming to scale rapidly and effectively, leveraging the right plan with an expert PR partner becomes crucial. First, third party influencers that help tell your story serve as pivotal amplifiers. Their help educating the market about your solution extends reach and credibility. By engaging influencers strategically, you reinforce them as thought leaders and add relevancy to tap...
Read MoreDePaul University’s Introduction to Entrepreneurship Students Get Advice from Chicago Business Professionals
Students at DePaul University’s Coleman Entrepreneurship Center who are taking the course Introduction to Entrepreneurship delivered their final business plan presentations to professional mentor judges, Ben Cole, Randi Binstock, John Dilenschneider and our founder, Kellee Johnson. The students recently developed ideas for building new ventures to solve market problems. Demonstrated in a business plan were revenue channels and business models to pitch potential investors. Five student teams presented their business ideas with an understanding of the importance of innovation driven by...
Read MoreFollow Ballast Group
 |  |
Follow our founder
| |
