Old Schoolers vs. Newcomers: Why Both Can Benefit from Vertical IQ
You’ve probably heard the saying, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” The idea…
Prospect Smarter, Not Harder with Industry Intelligence
Technology is supposed to make our lives easier, but as many of us in sales know,…
The Olympics and Sales Calls Are All About Preparation
The nation has been clamoring with excitement watching the Olympic Games in Paris…
How Banking Pros Win More Deals With Vertical IQ
While Vertical IQ is used by a wide array of professionals — from accountants to…
Industry Intelligence Unlocks the Prospecting Power of LinkedIn
If you think LinkedIn is just for posting career updates, you’re missing out on a…
Going Back to Basics with RMA at CAVA’s Spring Conference
Do you want shoes that are leather, canvas, suede, or pleather? Slip-on or lace-up?…
Make the Right Pick: Selecting Target Industries in Your Local Market
In a recent blog post, we shared how nearly any professional service provider —…
Vertical IQ’s Spring Conference Lineup
In the Carolinas, we usually know spring has sprung when our cars are yellow with…
Not Just for Banks: How Other Industries’ Sales Pros Use Vertical IQ
It’s true that Vertical IQ was originally created by bankers, for bankers, but the…
Should You Target Industries as Your Prospecting Strategy?
If you’ve been in any B2B sales role, there’s likely one thing about prospecting…
The Secret Ingredient of the Deep Selling Sauce
If you’ve been on LinkedIn lately, you’ve probably seen posts about the B2B sales…
A Journey Through Community Banking in the Lone Star State
Did somebody say “roadtrip”? This past week, I had the pleasure of hitting the road…
Relationships Built on Trust and Expertise: A Conversation with Business Banking Thought Leader Leslie Parnell
Having served in various banking leadership roles for nearly 20 years, Leslie…
Touchdowns, Chocolate and Banking: Our Thoughts from ABA’s Conference for Community Bankers
Y’all, if there’s one thing we love, it’s heading to the Lone Star State for a…
Future of Credit Unions: Lessons in Collaboration & Innovation from CUNA
As I reflect on my first time attending the Credit Union National Association (now…
Achieve Your 2024 Resolutions with Industry Intelligence
As the third week of the new year comes to a close — how is your New Year’s…
Going Beyond Business: Vertical IQ Cares Program Inaugural Year in Review
Winston Churchill once said, “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life…
Top 10 Industry Profiles for 2023
It’s hard to believe 2023 is coming to a close! It’s been a rollercoaster year…
Thoughts from American Banker’s Small Biz Banking Conference
The American Banker’s Small Biz Banking Conference [SBB] feels like home away from…
3 Things We’ve Learned About How Experienced Sales Professionals Use Vertical IQ
We recently hosted the first of two fall webinars focused on how our customers are…
Navigating the Age of Intelligence: 6 Insights From the 6sense Breakthrough Conference
Events with our Vertical IQ partners tend to be some of our favorites, so it’s no…
The Value of Third-Party Data
We trust the experts in numerous areas of our lives. If you need a major car…
Leading with Purpose: Thoughts from the Most Powerful Women in Banking Conference
The financial industry has come a long way in promoting gender diversity and…
Embracing Diversity, Tech, and Collaboration: Insights from PrimeGlobal MegaWeek
If you’re in the accounting world, chances are you’re already familiar with…
How Credit and Credibility Are Inextricably Connected
Our eBook, A Credit Renaissance: Reduce Underwriting Lending Risk and Revive the…
Reimagining Main Street: Thoughts from the 2023 America’s SBDC Conference
Hot chicken, country music, and celebrities galore — could Nashville get any…
5 Ways Industry Intelligence Helps Deepen Your Relationships
Here at Vertical IQ, we often talk about how our Industry Intelligence is…
Inforum: The Secret Sauce in Vertical IQ’s Industry Forecasts
There are any number of scenarios where it would be incredibly helpful to have a…
Attracting More Deposits: Ain’t You Special… Yet?
Vertical IQ co-founder and Clarity Advantage president Nick Miller has been…
Target Cash-Intensive Industries: Key to Growth Strategy
It’s no secret that deposits have been dominating the discussion around banking for…
Cryptocurrency 201: What’s In Crypto’s Future?
In this second installment in our two-part blog series on cryptocurrency, we…
Cryptocurrency 101: The Essential Facts About Crypto
This is the first installment in our two-part blog series examining the rise of…
Advice from the Experts Blog Series: Nick Miller
Vertical IQ’s latest eBook, entitled “Unlock Sales Readiness: Advice from the…
Advice from the Experts Blog Series: Viveka Von Rosen
Vertical IQ’s latest eBook, entitled “Unlock Sales Readiness: Advice from the…
Five Thoughts from the Sales 3.0 Conference
This fall, our associates recall experiences from the events, conferences, and…
Advice from the Experts Blog Series: Jack Hubbard
Vertical IQ’s latest eBook, entitled “Unlock Sales Readiness: Advice from the…
Advice from the Experts Blog Series: Brynne Tillman
Vertical IQ’s latest eBook, entitled “Unlock Sales Readiness: Advice from the…
Five Thoughts from the Financial Brand Forum
This fall, our associates recall experiences from the events, conferences, and…
Advice from the Experts Blog Series: Larry Levine
Vertical IQ’s latest eBook, entitled “Unlock Sales Readiness: Advice from the…
Advice from the Experts Blog Series – Introduction
Vertical IQ’s latest eBook, entitled “Unlock Sales Readiness: Advice from the…
Five Thoughts from the Most Powerful Women in Banking Conference
This fall, our associates recall experiences from the events, conferences, and…
Five Thoughts from the Risk Management Association Conference
This fall, our associates recall experiences from the events, conferences, and…
The Long Game: CHIPS Act to Boost Domestic Production, Address Supply Chain Woes
The $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act (also called the Creating Helpful Incentives…
Five Thoughts from the 6sense Breakthrough User Conference
This fall, our associates recall experiences from the events, conferences, and…
Five Thoughts from American Banker’s Small Biz Banking Conference
This fall, our associates recall experiences from the events, conferences, and…
Five Thoughts from the NYBA Combined Retail & Small Business + Trust & Investment Conference
This fall, our associates recall experiences from the events, conferences, and…
Five Thoughts from America’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) Conference
This fall, our associates recall experiences from the events, conferences, and…
Groove Puts Industry Intelligence in Your Inbox!
Technology, almost by definition, is intended to make our lives easier (although…
First-Hand Account: How Readiness Wins in a Competitive Market
In this guest post, Jerry Bazata, a commercial lender in Portsmouth, New…
After PPP Ends, Don’t Overlook This Important Fourth “P”
By HD Jacobs, Senior Depository and Lending Solutions Product Specialist at S&P…
Potential Benefits and Downsides to Bank and Borrower
Guest post by David Nicholson, Owner of Credit Training Inc.
Last Seen Leaving the CEO’s Office (Part 3 of 3)
Posted by David Buffaloe Private Investigator – Name Undisclosed >> Related:…
Solving the Case of the Frozen Sales Pro (Part 2 of 3)
Posted by David Buffaloe Private Investigator – Name Undisclosed >> Related:…
Unsolved Mysteries of Losing a Sale (Part 1 of 3)
Posted by David Buffaloe Private Investigator – Name Undisclosed Reports of strange…
S&P Global Integrates Vertical IQ Industry Data to Help Lenders Better Understand Customers
By Guest Blogger Cam Saucier, Product Manager, U.S. Financial Institutions at…
Readiness Wins in 2021
Happy New Year, and welcome to 2021! While 2020 served up more than its share of…
Five Ingredients for Sales Success in 2021
By nearly anyone’s standards, 2020 was a doozy. The world struggled to manage a…
Boost Your Virtual Sales Results Using Industry Intelligence
The red lights are blinking, the sirens are blaring, the signs that say “Danger…
What’s The Next Big Idea for Cash Flow Tools? Maybe It’s You.
Here at Vertical IQ, we are passionate about helping our customers understand…
How Banks and Bankers Can Prepare for An Impending Crisis
We may be in the lull before the storm. I really like to think optimistically, but…
I’d Like to Live in a Fisher-Price Town
2020 has been a year packed full of crazy, and this week’s elections are likely to…
The Competitive Advantage of the Community Bank
Community banks have had a challenging year; it’s been unlike anything our nation…
Relationships Still Matter in Business Banking
Barlow Research Associates is probably the most well-known, and certainly the most…
Welcome to Prospectville
September saw NFL and college football starting to come back to life, bringing a…
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…
When Success Requires Shape-Shifting: Lakeland Bank’s Story
Sitting outside on my deck this morning, I caught sight of a small lizard zooming…
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…
Add Value to SBDC Client Meetings with Industry Intelligence
As a small business development center (SBDC) counselor, you see a wide range of…
Webinar Recap: Local Economies and Why You Should Know Them
Vertical IQ recently hosted a webinar on how advisors of small businesses can…
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…
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)…
The Secret to Sales Success in a Down Economy
Written by Tony Cole, founder and Chief Learning Officer of Anthony Cole Training…
Why a Crisis May Be Prime Time for Accounting Marketing
I recently attended a Capstone Marketing webinar entitled, “Marketing Your…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…