11 Best Business Decisions of 2011

"One of Kaplan Publishing's best business decisions in 2011 was to launch KaplanLabs, an initiative that allows us to pilot innovative, new digital features and capabilities in order to understand their potential value to our students and explore ways to enhance the efficacy of Kaplan's programs. Each month we release a new digital product—ACT prep via text messaging, a Web-based SAT flashcard app or an interactive e-book that automatically scores a student's GMAT quiz results, for example. We make these pilot products available to students at no cost, and collect data about educational efficacy, as well as feedback about the user experience. One outcome of this program is a new Web-based flashcard app that will be provided to students in several Kaplan courses in 2012."

Clint Greenleaf

CEO
Greenleaf Book Group LLC
Greenleaf Book Group is a publisher and distributor that specializes in the development of independent authors and small presses. In addition to publishing books, it distributes select titles from small and independent publishers to major trade outlets. It also offers small and independent publishers industry guidance, business development, and production, distribution and marketing services.

"Without a doubt, our best business idea of 2011 was the launch of our platform-development program. It's a unique and innovative program that combines content creation with audience strategy and outreach to help experts spread their ideas, build their brands, and, in turn, grow their income.

The shrinking brick-and-mortar landscape has spooked some authors and publishers, but the readers are still out there. A solid platform helps authors hedge against an overreliance on bookstores to provide the author-reader connection. We help our platform-development clients develop a clear brand strategy and multiple tools (such as ancillary product development, presentation writing/design, speaker press kit development, website design, etc.) to build and engage their audience.