
The Value of Customer-Centered Strategies
Putting clients first can ensure the longevity of your business
In those early days of Disneyland, Walt hired Van France to establish Disney University and hire and train the “cast” (employees) that would bring the theme park to life. France reinvented the training and development of employees with his carefully crafted Four Keys (now more commonly known as Crystal Clear Priorities, aka CCPs).

Home Away From Home
Public relations firm Randle Communications proves that family business employees don’t have to be related to earn the title
The word “family” can encompass a lot of different things. Sometimes it refers to the people you’re related to. Sometimes it means the people you care about. Overarchingly, those whom you count as your “family” tend to be the people you spend a lot of time with.

Vintage Neon Signs to Light Up Golden 1 Center
Signs from Shakey’s, Tower Records on loan from City of Sacramento
Historic business names will go up in lights at the Golden 1 Center food court with the installation of six original neon signs for Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Tower Records, Coronet Portraits, Franke’s Drugs, Newbert Hardware and Sleeper Stamps & Stationery.

Startup of the Month: Brass Clover Cold Brew Coffee Company
For Oak Park startup, coffee is a drink best brewed cold
Is 14 too young to get into coffee? It wasn’t for Randall Echevarria. He grew up in Crescent City on the California/Oregon border, and the small town’s first coffee shop gave him his very first job. He started as a barista and moved up in the ranks over four years, his favorite part being the beverage development. Turns out, this high school gig was just warm-up.

Businesses Should Plan for a #Socialmediafail
Mistakes are inevitable — the challenging comes with handling them
No matter how careful you are on social media, just like normal social interactions, to some extent failure is inevitable.

Don’t Let Your Web Presence be an Afterthought
The ubiquity of smartphones in our culture is both a blessing and a curse, as information is right at your fingertips in an instant but getting the correct information can be harder than ever.

Startup of the Month: ExtraPlate
Like Uber for foodies, app delivers home-cooked meals on demand
ExtraPlate puts homecooked meals on the map as an on-demand food marketplace that works like Uber or Lyft for hungry consumers.

Why Crowdsourced Branding is a Bad Idea
Do you really want to weed through dozens of mediocre designs?
Today, companies are finding new ways to harness the power of crowds to identify, develop and fund the most promising products. Wiki platforms have proven the ability of crowds to develop large bodies of content collaboratively. It’s a wonder to behold.
But you know what crowds are really lousy at? Branding.

Hot Spots
Why are architecture firms flocking to Sacramento’s central city — and what does it mean for the industry?
Firms are becoming increasingly attracted to the city’s creative vibe and energy, seeing advantageous opportunities to setting a base in the heart of the Capital Region. They join already established firms that, together, are bringing a renewed energy and a design presence to the city’s core.

5 Reasons to Invest in Branding When Your Business is Booming
If you wait until yours needs a makeover, it’s too late
You’ve got plenty of clients. Or perhaps your product is flying off the shelves. So if business is this good now, why spend precious dollars investing further in your brand?