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The Learning Lab is InUnison’s library of articles, explainers, how-tos, and expert guidance on the topics local business owners deal with most.
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Policy & Advocacy · Oct 6, 2026
Virginia Paid Family & Medical Leave: What Businesses Should Know
Virginia is developing its new Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, and the Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) is beginning to share more information about how the program will be implemented.
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Marketing & Sales
🔒 Sales 101 Case Study – Tom Rosser
Feb 26, 2026
The key to the business's success can be attributed to many things, but one of the largest factors is that Rosser really knows sales.…
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Marketing & Sales
🔒 Sales 101: Speaker Case Study – Sarah Paxton
Feb 19, 2026
Sarah Paxton's sales expertise was in the spotlight when she joined a panel of sales experts at the recent InUnison Sales 101 event, where…
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Marketing & Sales
🔒 A Quick Review of Sales 101: Everything You Need to Know to Create a Repeatable Customer Journey
Feb 9, 2026
We sat down with Sarah Paxton, co-owner of LaDiff, Tom Rosser, co-owner of Gelati Celesti, and Scott Goldberg, chief sales officer at Dominion Payroll,…
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101 resources
State of Local Event Recap 2025
Read the article →How to Build a Simple Standard Operating Procedure Library (Without Getting Overwhelmed)
Finally get your business out of your head and into systems—starting today.
Read the article →Smart Growth Starts with a Strong Why: The Power of Setting a Clear Target
Below, we’ll walk through why defining your business vision – inclusive of your exit plan - is crucial, how to align potential opportunities with your targets,…
Read the article →Census Retail Sales Data Shows Consumers Are ‘Apprehensive’ Despite ‘Healthy’ Economic Fundamentals
"Households are apprehensive and carefully navigating lingering inflation and turmoil related to changing economic policies." - Jack Kleinhenz, NRF Chief Economist
Read the article →When Plans Change: A Journey Through Uncertainty to Growth
No matter how well you plan, things don’t always go as expected. Whether it’s a new business offering that doesn’t gain traction, shifting personal circumstances, or…
Read the article →Online Sales: Simple, Proven Ways to Convert More Customers
In our December Holiday Sales survey, we found that only 48% of retailers are currently selling products online. This presents a huge opportunity for local businesses…
Read the article →Success Starts Here: Strategic Planning Made Easy and Effective
You might be thinking, "I'm just trying to make it through the week; how can I possibly think about the next five years?" But what if…
Read the article →When Plans Change: How Local Businesses Adapt and Succeed
Whether it's an unexpected shift in demand, a supply chain disruption, or even a sudden change in the market, small businesses must pivot quickly to stay…
Read the article →How Local Businesses Can Leverage Third-Party Research to Drive Growth
Running a successful business requires more than just hard work and intuition—it demands data-driven decision-making. But while internal data like sales numbers and customer feedback are…
Read the article →The Power of Community for Locally Owned Businesses
For locally owned businesses, the sense of community isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s a strategic advantage that can fuel growth, resilience, and success.
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