Think Between the Lines

According to the most recent 2025 surveys from Salesforce, Thryv, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, SMBs are using AI to save time, grow...

Why SMBs Must Make It Personal to Survive When it comes to competing with big-box chains, online marketplaces such as Amazon and Temu,...

Due to technology, in-store product 'teaching” has declined as consumers now do their homework before they walk in. What changed (fast): ...

61% of shoppers say they’d rather buy from local independents. That’s the good news! People don’t just want products, they want...

As a manufacturer building a brand, your playbook likely emphasizes distribution: getting your products on as many shelves as possible,...

I see the future of locally-owned retail as a recent Renaissance of consumerism. Sparked by the post-COVID desire to slow down, there is...

Through the lens of one industry — art and craft materials — Think Between the Lines has been focused on two themes: Rethinking the...

As a manufacturer building a brand, your playbook likely emphasizes distribution: getting your products on as many shelves as possible,...

Executive Summary  This essay challenges the prevailing wisdom that AI transformation must be driven from the  C-suite. We will utilize...

Of all the small to medium-sized businesses in the US, approximately three million are retailers, and about 600,000 are manufacturers...

Retail is no longer about adding more SKUs—it's about emotions. We don't just shop to buy—experience matters. Education, entertainment,...

Steven Robinson The pace of change is unrelenting and completely overwhelming. Especially everything AI. It's everywhere and can do...

By Steve Robinson, AI Assisted Summary of Section Post interview of Lutra AI co-founder and CEO Jiquan Ngiam You may have heard people...

NAMTA Creativation 2025 I just returned from the NAMTA show and conference, and wow—what a ride. It's been six years since I last...

By Steve Robinson – Creativity Consulting We're in the golden age of generative AI — but with great power comes great responsibility. One...

12 Smart Strategies for Small Business Success (and How AI Can Help) Does running your business sometimes feel like navigating a winding...

Why AI is the Perfect Fit for Small Businesses When you hear "AI," do you picture cutting-edge robots or complex algorithms? If so,...

The New Consumer Mindset: Why Retailers Must Shift from Transactions to Connections A recent MarTech article by Kim Davis, analyzing...

Quick-Start Guide to AI: 5 Essential Tools for Immediate Impact As a business advisor working with small and medium-sized businesses, I...

Building Your AI Future on Solid Ground You've been considering AI for a while but finally decided that your business needs it. Where do...

The AI revolution isn't just for tech giants anymore. As AI services become more accessible, small and medium-sized businesses face...

Three Proven Steps for Small Business Success Three Ways AI Is Changing How Small Businesses Win (And Why It Matters to You) You already...

As I talk with people about AI, a recurring question is, "Will AI replace people?" But this frequently asked question misses a crucial...

This holiday season, shoppers’ preferences are changing. According to a recent Forbes article by John Hall , more consumers are choosing...