Author: Katherine Gustafson

Katie Gustafson is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, focusing on content writing for business, tech, finance, and nonprofits.
7 Tips for Using Consultants Strategically When Budgets Are Snug

7 Tips for Using Consultants Strategically When Budgets Are Snug

With inflation on the rise and layoffs lurking behind every corner, many companies are tightening budgets these days. In this environment, teams are reprioritizing, jettisoning projects, and cutting expenses. Strategic use of consultants can be a savvy way to make snug budgets go farther. We talked to several EM’s senior-most consultants to put together some … Continue reading 7 Tips for Using Consultants Strategically When Budgets Are Snug

5 Tips for Successfully Onboarding a Consultant

5 Tips for Successfully Onboarding a Consultant

Setting a consultant up for success in a role in your organization requires more than just throwing some work their way and hoping for the best. You’ll need to do some careful planning on everything from setting expectations to establishing a communication plan. In considering the tips for successful onboarding below, keep your consultants’ role … Continue reading 5 Tips for Successfully Onboarding a Consultant

Mitch Larson Talks Consulting, Marketing, and Client Relationships

Mitch Larson Talks Consulting, Marketing, and Client Relationships

EM’s Third Thursday Talks are casual conversations between EM Founder Ken Chen and EM’s awesome consultants. Ken recently spoke with Mitch Larson, a Minnesota-based consultant who does technically-focused, data-driven marketing work. The conversation ranged from the best things about consulting to technical tools for growth marketing to what Mitch envisions for the future. Here are … Continue reading Mitch Larson Talks Consulting, Marketing, and Client Relationships

Ty Wang Talks Sustainability and Trying New Things

Ty Wang Talks Sustainability and Trying New Things

Recently, on EM’s Third Thursday Talks series, Ken spoke with Ty Wang, a former EM client who has a lot of experience starting and funding startups and has worked at large companies like Oracle and Accenture. He is currently head of business development for Novi, a company that supports transparency in supply chains. Here are … Continue reading Ty Wang Talks Sustainability and Trying New Things

My First Layoff: Tales of Disappointment — And Relief

My First Layoff: Tales of Disappointment — And Relief

With so much about layoffs in the news — and in some of our lives — we’re thinking back to how those moments have felt for us. Many or even most of us have a tale of woe (or secret thankfulness) related to a layoff. We asked EM Marketing consultants about the stories of their … Continue reading My First Layoff: Tales of Disappointment — And Relief

How to Lay People off Compassionately

How to Lay People off Compassionately

Could the creators of the movie “Up in the Air” see the future? The 2009 film, in which corporate consultants Ryan (played by George Clooney) and Natalie (Anna Kendrick) parachute into companies to execute layoffs, was ahead of its time by about a decade. Natalie, a fresh hire at the firm, pitches a wholesale switch … Continue reading How to Lay People off Compassionately

Damon Sununtnasuk Talks Work-From-Anywhere and Marketing in the Crypto Space

Damon Sununtnasuk Talks Work-From-Anywhere and Marketing in the Crypto Space

In a recent installment of EM’s Third Thursday Talks series, Ken spoke with Damon Sununtnasuk, a technology marketer who has lived all over the world working for companies like Microsoft, Google, and Samsung. He is also the founder of a nutrition wellness brand. Five years ago, Damon went full-time freelance and relocated from the U.S. … Continue reading Damon Sununtnasuk Talks Work-From-Anywhere and Marketing in the Crypto Space

How 5 Marketing Leaders Are Steering Their Teams in Turbulent Times

How 5 Marketing Leaders Are Steering Their Teams in Turbulent Times

We recently held a fascinating virtual workshop in which neuroscientist Dr. Sahar Yousef from UC Berkeley discussed how change and uncertainty affect our brains. The event included a group discussion among five marketing leaders about actions they’re taking to help their teams coalesce and thrive while working remotely and handling the stress of a fast-changing pandemic. … Continue reading How 5 Marketing Leaders Are Steering Their Teams in Turbulent Times

UC Berkeley’s Dr. Sahar Yousef Tells Us How to Avoid Burnout

UC Berkeley’s Dr. Sahar Yousef Tells Us How to Avoid Burnout

Last week, EM Marketing hosted a virtual, interactive workshop titled “Leading During Rapid Change: Insight and strategy to help your team handle stress,” led by UC Berkeley’s Dr. Sahar Yousef, a leading cognitive neuroscientist and a lecturer at the Haas School of Business. We’ve been living through some seriously challenging times characterized by high stress and rapid change. Dr. … Continue reading UC Berkeley’s Dr. Sahar Yousef Tells Us How to Avoid Burnout

Third Thursday Talks | Molly St. Louis, “3 Types of Content: Earned, Owned, and Branded”

Third Thursday Talks | Molly St. Louis, “3 Types of Content: Earned, Owned, and Branded”

In last month’s edition of EM’s Third Thursday Talks series, Ken spoke with Molly St. Louis, previously a consultant with EM and now head of marketing for Dealtale. She has previously worked in PR and has been a writer for Inc., AdWeek, The Huffington Post, and Business New Daily.   Here are some key takeaways from … Continue reading Third Thursday Talks | Molly St. Louis, “3 Types of Content: Earned, Owned, and Branded”