Featuring the Best in Career Advice, Digital Marketing and Franchising

Dating back to 2014, we’ve made marketing predictions for the year ahead. Of course, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the entire reason we started doing these marketing predictions posts: Rand Fishkin’s annual predictions on the Moz blog, which he began doing all the way back in 2011.

Since we like to keep things real here on the WSI Franchise blog, we’ll grade the claims we made last year, just to make sure we’ve still got the Nostradamus touch. Here’s the grading scale we created for the OG predictions post in 2014:

Preparing to enter the workforce in the 21st century has changed considerably from the way people in the previous century went about things. Back then there was no "gig economy," full time jobs lasted decades, university degree holders were much rarer, and, of course, there was no internet.

Today things are very different. The employment landscape continues to evolve and change, and aspiring entrepreneurs have to change with it. One of the ways to do that is to use every effective resource available, and the professional network, LinkedIn, can be the ace in the hole for a lot of people. Here’s how you should be using it.

When we hear segments in the media about entrepreneurial successes, the majority of these incidents center around "break out" stories of people striking it big from their parents' garage, such as Steve Jobs or Mark Zuckerberg. But is age rule hard and fast? Is the only time you can become an entrepreneur really when you're in your 20s or in college?

The truth, when it comes to entrepreneur age statistics, may surprise you.

What is a mompreneur? If you take a quick look at the spelling, it should become clear that this is a combination of the words "mom" and "entrepreneur." In other terms, this person is a mother who is going into business for herself. Of course, just hearing those words should make people realize there's a whole suite of considerations and challenges in this professional decision. You don't want to make compromises on your job or your parenting, so how do you keep these two aspects in healthy balance? The following are some tips and strategies to help a mom out!

What is a business plan? For people who are just starting out and forming their own company, whether it's a small freelance business at home or a new venture with an office and a starting pool of employees, there's a lot of importance to a business plan. It is a road map, an outline, a document that explains what your business is, what the goals of the enterprise are, and how exactly it will set about achieving those goals. So beyond being a document that identifies your business, what else does such a plan do for you?

People who are just starting out in business have a lot to learn. Even if you've taken classes, and are pretty confident on your theory, there's no substitute for the wisdom acquired through experience. That's why the advice of entrepreneurs to aspiring business owners can be a critical way for people just starting out to get reliable information that puts them in the right direction. If you want some advice from someone who's has had much success as an entrepreneur, read on!

One of the things that most businesses will agree is important but incredibly difficult to maintain is good marketing. Marketing is an art and a craft all unto itself, and with successful marketing, a quality product or service can enjoy considerable gains in business and popularity.

Are you a mother who runs her own business, or wants to? Have you ever wondered how to become a successful working mother?

These days there are plenty of “mompreneurs” doing their own thing and having a blast doing it. Not only is this an incredibly rewarding opportunity, but it’s also extremely empowering.

Are you a busy working mom who never feels like you have time for yourself? You’re not alone. According to the US Department of Labor, about 70% of women with children were either working or looking for work. If you’re one of the many parents struggling to stay on top of it all, read on for time management tips for busy parents.

Are you burnt out, frustrated, or unfulfilled in your career? Do you feel like you need a change of pace? Are you wondering how to reinvent yourself professionally?

Most of us have felt this way at some point or another in our professional lives – so don’t worry, you’re not alone! Still, whether it’s our employer laying us off or us making a solid plan to leave our current situations, usually the idea of making such a big change feels daunting, confusing and uncomfortable. In short, it can feel like a challenge, even when we know it’s the right decision in the long run.