The Thomas Blog

Heading Into 2015 With More Focus on the User and More Stories to Tell

Last year was more about making the most of the marketing tools at hand rather than any revolutionary breakthroughs, and I see more of the same in 2015.

It puts us at an advantage: instead of chasing customers to the next “hot” social network or trying to figure out the best way to use a new platform, we have a better idea of where our audience is, and how we should communicate with them. Here’s where I think the focus will lie for the next twelve months:

2014: The Year In Industrial Marketing

From ice buckets to selfies, there was no shortage of big events, trends, and news to define marketing in 2014. As digital media continues to expand the opportunities for the industrial b-to-b space, the line between marketing in general, and the specifics of our industry, is becoming increasingly blurred – and there’s more and more overlap in what’s effective. So today, I’ll take a look back at some of the biggest stories and developments in marketing in the last year, and what they mean to you.

How Manufacturers Can Improve Lead Time? Ask These Questions

Whenever a buyer purchases a product, whether it be industrial, wholesale, or over-the-counter, one of the most important factors is lead time.

The fastest manufacturing and delivery services are always in high demand, and leaders from all levels of business are interested in providing faster lead times. It can be tricky, though, when your company is a distributor.

A manufacturer can always implement lean manufacturing methods to increase lead times, but what if your business relies on other manufacturers to provide products for customers?

Best Engineering Toys - Your Holiday Gift Guide

The holiday season is upon us!

Each year I get the inevitable question from other parents about the best engineering toys for their kids, so this year I thought I’d try and get in front of it and help with a few recommendations.

When I look at STEM focused toys, I feel that they need to be approachable, easy to use, have a high replay value or a mind blowing “WOW!” moment. Introducing the next generation of engineers to the basic concepts should to be fun and engaging, not frustrating and confusing.

5 Reasons to be Thankful for NASA

With Thanksgiving officially here, many people are left to reflect on another year gone by and remember what they’re most thankful for. This year was an exceptionally great one for me, so deciding on what I’m most thankful for is a piece of cake (or pie…).

Next Steps to Address the Skills Gap in U.S. Manufacturing

Numbers don’t lie: U.S. manufacturers are losing up to 11 percent of potential earnings due to the lack of skilled workers. With 63 percent of manufacturers expecting future growth, but a pending wave of retirements, there’s an urgency to close the skills gap.

How to Spark Interest in Manufacturing Among Our Youth

It takes a village — every one of us in manufacturing — to ensure that there is a next generation of skilled workers. When it comes to inspiring young people, it takes a village filled with those of us who are passionate about our careers, willing to be role models for those who hopefully will follow in our work boots.

Four Ways to Be “King of the Jungle” in the Marketing Ecosystem

At this point, the question has been answered: Yes, content marketing works. The tactics aren’t revolutionary or unorthodox. They simply follow the ways that buyers today consume information and gather research for decision-making.

The Secret to Staying Ahead of Google’s SEO Updates

Search engine optimization can seem like an impossible game.

New updates everywhere you look, and what I like to call the “caffeine conundrum:” the so-called experts tell you something is good for you one day, and bad the next. Perhaps it’s no coincidence that one of the earliest Google algorithm updates was, in fact, dubbed "Caffeine."