Using Industry Intelligence on Accounting Marketers’ Tactics
We see you, accounting marketer. We understand that the pressure is on to figure…
Jobs Numbers Improving…But Will the Trend Continue?
We have to find glimmers of hope where we can lately, and the most recent jobs…
July Construction Spending Offers Some Optimism, Some Stagnation
Last week, we shared some positive news about residential construction in the U.S.…
Use Industry Intelligence to Take Less and Give More
This is the fifth and final post in a series of five blog posts about how to create…
Shiny and New: New Home Sales Continue Upward Trajectory
The housing market offers one of the few bright spots in the U.S. economy with…
When Success Requires Shape-Shifting: Lakeland Bank’s Story
Sitting outside on my deck this morning, I caught sight of a small lizard zooming…
The Mixed Bag Continues for Retail and Food Services Sales Numbers
The U.S. Census Bureau recently released their July 2020 Advance Monthly Sales for…
Protecting Bank Assets by Identifying and Managing Risks
Written by David Nicholson, founder and president of Credit Training, Inc.…
Keep it Real: Initiating More Meaningful Client Conversations
This is the fourth in a series of five blog posts about how to create and implement…
How Industry Intelligence Helps Build Better Marketing Initiatives
You’ve heard of industry information, industry insights, and industry research, but…
Add Value to SBDC Client Meetings with Industry Intelligence
As a small business development center (SBDC) counselor, you see a wide range of…
Using Industry Intelligence to Offer Alternative Ideas
This is the third in a series of five blog posts about how to create and implement…
Webinar Recap: Local Economies and Why You Should Know Them
Vertical IQ recently hosted a webinar on how advisors of small businesses can…
Make More Informed Recommendations with Industry Intelligence
This is the second in a series of five blog posts about how to create and implement…
Building Confidence: Residential Construction Shows Signs of Hope
On Friday, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban…
Using a Strategic Mindset to Build Trust with Clients and Prospects
This is the first in a series of five blog posts about how to create and implement…
Retail and Food Services Sales Reveals Mixed Picture
On Thursday, the U.S. Census Bureau released their latest data on estimated retail…
Insights from the Census Bureau Pulse Survey
The Census Bureau’s Small Business Pulse Survey reveals some interesting first-hand…
A Closer Look at Who is Getting PPP Dollars
You’ve probably seen the headlines this week about the government’s release of more…
Questions Surround the Final Phases of Reopening
There’s been broad confusion about the “phases of reopening” the U.S. economy. The…
Why SMBs are Switching Banks & What You Can Do to Stop Them
2020 has been one of the toughest years for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs)…
May Retail & Food Service Data Improves as Shutdowns Ease
The U.S. Census Bureau’s May 2020 retail and food service data was released on June…
The Secret to Sales Success in a Down Economy
Written by Tony Cole, founder and Chief Learning Officer of Anthony Cole Training…
Industry Spotlight: Grocery Stores
The nation’s 41,000 grocery stores have experienced a raucous 2020, due in large…
Jobs Numbers Improving… But Still a Long Way to Go
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released their May employment data on Friday, June…
April Gloom: U.S. Import and Export Numbers Continue to Fall
On May 29, the U.S. Census Bureau released their advance Economic Indicators Report…
Why a Crisis May Be Prime Time for Accounting Marketing
I recently attended a Capstone Marketing webinar entitled, “Marketing Your…
The Far-Reaching Cost of Government Budget Cutbacks
I recently shared the ways in which declining tax revenue is taking a toll on state…
Webinar for Accounting Marketers: Using Industry Intelligence to Grow Your Firm
Across many industries, marketers are consistently asked to do more with less.…
Reopening Realities: What Will Sales Calls Look Like in This “New Normal”?
I’ve talked to a lot of Vertical IQ customers lately about what meeting with…
Building Anxiety: Housing Starts Plummet
On Tuesday morning, new data was released by the Census Bureau on housing starts in…
Key Metrics: Why Advisors Need to Understand Their Local Economies
The U.S. economy gets a lot of attention — and rightly so. Since 1871, the U.S. has…
Math Meets Civics: Education Job Numbers Plummet During Pandemic
Earlier this week, I shared with you the detrimental financial impacts the COVID-19…
Why is the Healthcare Industry Suffering Financially During a Pandemic?
Last week, I shared with you some of the industries that have been hardest-hit by…
Leading Under Pressure: How Can You Help?
Written by Lisa Earle McLeod, author of Leading with Noble Purpose As we all…
Overcoming Hurdles: How Business Bankers Can Meet Customers Where They Are
With the economic peril caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, every small and…
These Industries are Among the Pandemic’s Hardest Hit
At Vertical IQ, we recently have focused our research efforts on monitoring the…
Advising Customers & Prospects Through the COVID-19 Pandemic
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted nearly every aspect of people’s…
The Circle of Trust…
Written by Martin Wise, founder and CEO of RelPro …and the opportunity (necessity)…
Using the 10-Second Rule to Improve Your Client Meetings
You’ve heard of the 5-second rule, whereby food that has been dropped may be eaten…
Help Clients Understand the Impact of COVID-19 on Their Industry
It’s the topic on nearly everyone’s mind right now: coronavirus (COVID-19). And…
When Life Gets Crazy, Get Specific
In the midst of chaotic times such as these, my mind turns to messaging. Sounds…
Even Better Than a Handshake: Financial Focus
Connect as a Proxy CFO to Help Guide Small Business Owners Face-to-face meetings…
Honing the Human Element
We’ve all heard the phrase, “I’m only human.” There was even a hit song from ‘80s…
Battle of the Century: Banking Bots vs. Human Business Bankers
I’m continually amazed by what you can do with new technology, applications,…
Hit the Mark with These Arrows in Your Quiver of Prospecting Tools
As a client success manager, I love talking with people about ways to get the most…
Industry Spotlight: Candy Manufacturers
The sweet smell of love is in the air…oh wait, no…that’s candy that I smell! The…
The Power of Personalization and Advice in B2B Banking
Our Vertical IQ co-founder and CEO, Bobby Martin, recently co-hosted a webinar with…
Who Are the Winners and Losers in the USMCA?
The United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) was signed by the namesake…
Using Vertical IQ to Support Your Workplace Banking Program
Thanks to the increased use of technology like ATMs, online banking, and direct…
The Secret Sauce: Enabling Bankers with Industry-Specific Content
Written by Shaalin Parekh, Senior Market Development Manager at Seismic It’s no…
12 Ways to Use Industry Research to Win More in 2020
The new year is a good time to start new, better habits, from improving our diets…
Podcast Recap: 7 Secrets for Bankers To Become the Trusted Advisor for Small Businesses in 2020
Small business banking is being disrupted. Those cliché, predictable conversations…
Industry Spotlight: Jewelry Stores
December is the month when the nation’s 15,200 jewelry stores really shine! Indeed,…
Key Takeaways From 2019 Small Business Banking Conference
Members of the Vertical IQ team recently attended the American Banker Small…
Webinar Recap: High-Touch Coaching in a High-Tech World
The final installment in Vertical IQ’s free fall webinar series was last week—a…
Leadership Spotlight: Vertical IQ’s New CMO, David Buffaloe
David Buffaloe recently joined Vertical IQ as chief marketing officer (CMO). David…
Webinar Recap: Playing Offense and Defense to Prepare for the Future
The second installment in Vertical IQ’s free fall webinar series was last week—a…
Building SMB Client Relationships with Insight and Foresight
Of course every business services firm that calls on small- to mid-sized businesses…
Helping Change How SMB Owners Think About Cash Flow
“If I had to run a company on three measures, those measures would be customer…
3 Motivations to Become a Better Value-Added Advisor
A value-added advisor is someone whose ideas and advice you respect enough to…
How to Help Small Businesses Compare Their Financials to Their Industry
“Are we keeping up with the Joneses?” Owners of small and mid-sized businesses…
Webinar Recap: Red Ocean vs. Blue Ocean Sales Strategies
Last week, we hosted the first installment in Vertical IQ’s free fall webinar…
Adding Industry Knowledge into Your Contact Strategy
When it comes to gaining trust with small to mid-sized business (SMB) owners,…
Upgrade Your Prospect Presentations with These 3 Tips
You’re pulling together a presentation for a new small to mid-size business (SMB)…
Which Industries Should I Target?
The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) was developed as the…
4 Ways to Help SMBs Manage Cash Flow
You may have heard the platitude, “Cash is the most important, yet least…
The 3 Local Economic Indicators Every SMB Advisor Should Know
The economy is a hot topic lately, with pundits arguing over whether we are or…
2 Simple Ways to Wow Prospects at a Networking Event
Speaking with people you don’t know at a networking event can be a tricky…
Turn Industry News into Valuable Content for SMB Owners
There is arguably no one busier than a small to mid-sized business (SMB) owner.…
5 Organizations You Need to Know to Know Small Business
There are literally hundreds, if not thousands, of niches that small businesses…
Helping Small Business Owners Understand What Their Company is Worth
For most small to mid-sized business (SMB) owners, their company is their most…
Ready for Change: Addressing Trigger Events with Small Business Owners
“Trigger events” are major changes that affect a business. They can be milestones…
5 Steps to Improve Your Client Meeting Quality by 50 Percent
As a busy professional, you likely find yourself burning the candle at both ends…
How Generalists Can Develop Niche Industry Specialties
In 2017, River Cities Capital Funds, a growth equity fund focused on healthcare and…
Webinar Recap: Building Prospecting Momentum
Last week, we hosted the final installment in Vertical IQ’s free spring webinar…
Industry Spotlight: Hotels & Motels
It’s summertime, and the 41,000 hotels and motels in the U.S. are rolling out the…
Using Industry Research to Address Succession Planning
This week, I read an article that got me thinking about the importance of…
Webinar Recap: Save Me! Save Me Now!
Last week, we hosted the second installment in Vertical IQ’s free spring webinar…
How “Purpose” Can Drive A Bank’s Success
As the senior sales associate at Vertical IQ, I am always interested in learning…
Webinar Recap: What a Beer Cart Driver and Boutique Hotel Can Teach Us About Welcoming New Clients
Vertical IQ kicked off our free spring webinar series a few weeks ago with a great…
Industry Focus: A Clean Perspective on Janitorial Services Companies
It’s spring cleaning time! And the nation’s 53,000 janitorial service providers are…
The Value of Anticipation
As a mom of soccer players, I hear my kids’ coaches reiterating the importance of…
What’s Your Story? Paint a Clearer Picture Using Financial Data
Accounting Today published an article a few weeks ago entitled, “Why accountants…
In a Tech-Driven World, Stand Out with Expert Advice
A recent Wall Street Journal article entitled “The Problem for Small-Town Banks:…
The Most Valuable Advice Financial Pros Can Offer to Business Owners
If you are an accountant or financial advisor, it’s a busy time of year for you as…
Feeling the Pinch: Industries Hit by Government Shutdowns
Last month’s partial government shutdown cost the nation’s economy an estimated $11…
3 Reasons Why Your Industry Knowledge Matters to Small Business Owners
When studying economics—or marketing for that matter—one of the first concepts that…
Personalization, Partnerships, and Payments Top Small Business Banking Conference Agenda
“It’s like the question, ‘Do you prefer your toothbrush or your dentist?’,”…
What Consumer Debt Means for the State of the U.S. Economy
In order to have industry expertise, one must also have solid knowledge on the…
Survey of Small Businesses Explores What Owners Really Want
At Vertical IQ, we often talk about how industry research can help build…
New Smartphone App Offers Industry Insights on the Go!
Vertical IQ’s cofounders are former financial professionals, so we understand what…
The How and Why of Industry Structure
One of the fascinating things about working for Vertical IQ is learning about the…
How Bankers Can Help Business Owners Plan Exit Strategies
Two members of the Vertical IQ team and I attended the 2018 Exit Planning Summit in…
3 Trends Bankers Should Key In On When Meeting with Computer Programming Firms
It seems that just about everything today relies upon computers, and as a result,…
A Healthy Environment for the Medical Device Industry
We noticed an interesting article in the August 15 issue of American Banker…
Industry Spotlight: Commercial Equipment Rental and Leasing
Despite the credit risks inherent to commercial equipment rental and leasing…
Tariffs & Trade Wars: Should Your Bank Client Worry?
A hot topic in the news lately has been tariffs and the resulting “trade wars” they…
Industry Focus: The Financial Health of Fitness Centers
They say that beach bodies are made during the winter, and most fitness centers DO…
Should Banks Make a Move in the Self-Storage Industry?
Americans have a lot of STUFF. For many people, they have more than can be…
Industry Spotlight: Child Care Centers
School may be out for the next few months, but thankfully for America’s working…
Key Lessons from Interactions with Business Bankers
As the founder and owner of several businesses, I get my fair share of calls from…
Industry Focus: All Eyes on Optometry Practices
Given recent industry growth and their relatively safe credit risk, optometry…
5 Essential Trusted Strategies for Business Banking Success
It wasn’t so long ago that a business banker could get by based on their…
7 Ways to Use Vertical IQ for the Credit Underwriting Process
I truly enjoyed my job as a business banker. I relished the opportunity to meet new…
How to Avoid Cliché Questions Bankers Ask Business Owners
As the director of client success at Vertical IQ, I communicate with bankers on a…
Industry Spotlight: Convenience Stores
In the late 1990s, as a banker in Wilmington, North Carolina, one of my best…
7 Things You Can Do to Get the Most Out of Vertical IQ
Your bank leadership is telling you that you need to be using Vertical IQ to…
Why It’s Worth Convincing Skilled Bankers to Use Vertical IQ
Experienced bankers—people who have been in the financial industry for 10, 20, even…
How to Make CPAs an Ongoing Source of Bank Referrals
”Centers of influence”(COIs) are a select group of people who can help to increase…
The 10 Most Popular Vertical IQ Industry Profiles
Now that we are in full swing with the new year, it’s a perfect time to think about…
5 Tips for Upping Your Bank’s Vertical IQ Usage
We all remember the ghostly voice from Field of Dreams telling Ray (Kevin Costner),…
Industry Spotlight: Restaurants
There’s no doubt about it: Americans LOVE to eat! And we have the restaurants to…
Key Takeaways From the 2017 Small Business Banking Conference
Members of the Vertical IQ team recently attended the American Banker Small…
Industry Spotlight: Physician Practices
As cold and flu season kicks into high gear around the holidays, a lot of folks…
Industry Spotlight: Machine Shops
Look around your office: Every chair, lamp, pen, and coffee mug likely was made…
Industry Spotlight: Breweries
Are you a beer aficionado? There’s no doubt that people in the U.S. enjoy knocking…
A 5-Minute Summary of The ABA Bank Marketing Conference
The annual ABA Bank Marketing Conference was held in New Orleans on Sept. 24–26…
Finding Opportunity in Small Business Transitions
As the Baby Boomers reach retirement age, you can expect to see more ownership…
A More Tailored Sales Approach for the Seasoned Banker
You’ve been a banker for years, working your way up in the ranks and gaining…
Identify Your Next Industry Niche? Go Where There’s Profits
In my January blog “5 Reasons Every Business Banker Should Have Industry Niches,” I…
Industry Spotlight: Calling on Law Offices
When I was a private banker in the late ‘90s in Wilmington, North Carolina, I found…
Why Bankers & FAs Need a “Wealth” of Industry Knowledge
As a private banker, you are tasked with understanding the “big picture” of your…
What I Learned at The Barlow Research Conference
Why Keeping Up with Your Banking Competition Keeps Getting Tougher
Become Your Clients’ “Mini-Economist” in 5 Minutes
When I was a banker calling on businesses, company owners frequently would ask me,…
Developing a Contact Strategy That Wins Over Business Owners
Having been a banker for 13 years and a relationship manager for five, I found that…
Vertical IQ is the Busy Branch Manager’s Life-Line
In March 2005, I was promoted to the branch manager position for one of the local…
5 Reasons Every Business Banker Should Have Industry Niches
Knowing a little bit about a lot of things increases your odds of winning at Trivia…