The 2Q 2017 Middle Market Indicator infographic illustrates the state of revenue and employment growth, confidence and capital investment plans of the middle market in the second quarter of 2017. Actual and projected revenue growth rates remain steady, while returning to typical levels, while employment continue to show strong growth rates.
Business consultants almost never use the word "problem"; instead, they talk about opportunities to enhance value. Ask any consultant what they do, and they'll likely say "I'm in the solutions business." Despite criticism that's sometimes leveled at business consultants, they truly can add value to your middle market company, but you need to know when and why to use them. There is a huge range of business issues that consultants can provide solutions for, and different types of consultants bring different ideas to the table.
Cause marketing is a temptation for many companies. You tie your brand to something bigger than your firm that you hope will resonate with customers and gain some name recognition while you do some good in the world at the same time. It can certainly work, but cause-marketing initiatives can also plummet to the ground like a coyote tied to an anvil in a Warner Brothers cartoon.