Recently I have been blogging about how individuals can do something positive during these turbulent economic times. One choice I have made is to be more selective about the companies I do business with. I commented on a local repair shop in Collingwood, Coxy’s and my financial institution, Parama. Both provide great customer service.
Since then, I have been asked to take this a step further. Steve, a good friend, challenged me to get out and help good companies improve the effectiveness of their marketing in this challenging business environment. He gets credit for the title of this week’s post, “Maximize your Marketing in a Turbulent Economy”. Thanks Steve.
Since then I have refined a simple 3-step program that any business can implement to get their marketing programs working more effectively. And NOW is the time to start!
Here is the 3-step plan: Give great customer service, charge a fair price and provide added value. In these turbulent times, these are the only three things a business needs to focus on in order not only to survive, but thrive. And while every company operates in different circumstances, these can be applied to improve marketing effectiveness.
First, give great customer service. I can’t say enough about this. Companies are always looking for a point of difference, a unique selling proposition (USP). This is it! It is at the heart of marketing because it puts the customer first. And for a smaller business facing stiff competition it is the one thing that can provide a tangible point-of-difference against larger competitors.
Second, charge a fair price. Here is a quick example they don’t teach in business school. On a recent ski day at Blue Mountain with a good friend who operates a successful business in the GTA, he received a call from a customer asking if he could get a reduced price on a quote. My friend confidently responded that at the quoted price, the customer would get his products on time, guaranteed, and would get his usual level of follow-up service. That brief exchange demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the price/value equation. And it worked!
Third, provide added value. You don’t always have to discount your prices to increase sales. Charge a fair price but offer the customer more that has great perceived value for the customer. At a restaurant chain I worked for, we offered a free soft drink with purchase of regularly priced sandwiches. It worked because the soft drink had good perceive value at a low cost.
Com-Tekk in Wasaga Beach does all three really well. (www.comtekk.net)
I had a problem with my computer last week. No, I didn’t break it as I did with the snow blower; it just started to shut down intermittently. I took it in to Com-Tekk dreading the worst. When Jeff, the Sales Manager called after only a day and a half, telling me it was ready, I was pleased. They performed extensive tests of the hard drive and other components and cleaned the interior thoroughly all for about an hour’s service time. Turns out that the power unit had likely been overheating leading to the power shutting off. And to top it off, he offered suggestions for how to back up my work files more effectively.
Obviously I will use them again. They understood my problem, fixed it at a fair price and cheerfully gave some great advice.
If these 3 steps are implemented, success will follow.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
How to Maximize your Marketing in a Turbulent Economy
Recently I have been blogging about how individuals can do something positive during these turbulent economic times. One choice I have made is to be more selective about the companies I do business with. I commented on a local repair shop in Collingwood, Coxy’s and my financial institution, Parama. Both provide great customer service.
Since then, I have been asked to take this a step further. Steve, a good friend, challenged me to get out and help good companies improve the effectiveness of their marketing in this challenging business environment. He gets credit for the title of this week’s post, “Maximize your Marketing in a Turbulent Economy”. Thanks Steve.
Since then I have refined a simple 3-step program that any business can implement to get their marketing programs working more effectively. And NOW is the time to start!
Here is the 3-step plan: Give great customer service, charge a fair price and provide added value. In these turbulent times, these are the only three things a business needs to focus on in order not only to survive, but thrive. And while every company operates in different circumstances, these can be applied to improve marketing effectiveness.
First, give great customer service. I can’t say enough about this. Companies are always looking for a point of difference, a unique selling proposition (USP). This is it! It is at the heart of marketing because it puts the customer first. And for a smaller business facing stiff competition it is the one thing that can provide a tangible point-of-difference against larger competitors.
Second, charge a fair price. Here is a quick example they don’t teach in business school. On a recent ski day at Blue Mountain with a good friend who operates a successful business in the GTA, he received a call from a customer asking if he could get a reduced price on a quote. My friend confidently responded that at the quoted price, the customer would get his products on time, guaranteed, and would get his usual level of follow-up service. That brief exchange demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the price/value equation. And it worked!
Third, provide added value. You don’t always have to discount your prices to increase sales. Charge a fair price but offer the customer more that has great perceived value for the customer. At a restaurant chain I worked for, we offered a free soft drink with purchase of regularly priced sandwiches. It worked because the soft drink had good perceive value at a low cost.
Com-Tekk in Wasaga Beach does all three really well. (www.comtekk.net)
I had a problem with my computer last week. No, I didn’t break it as I did with the snow blower; it just started to shut down intermittently. I took it in to Com-Tekk dreading the worst. When Jeff, the Sales Manager called after only a day and a half, telling me it was ready, I was pleased. They performed extensive tests of the hard drive and other components and cleaned the interior thoroughly all for about an hour’s service time. Turns out that the power unit had likely been overheating leading to the power shutting off. And to top it off, he offered suggestions for how to back up my work files more effectively.
Obviously I will use them again. They understood my problem, fixed it at a fair price and cheerfully gave some great advice.
If these 3 steps are implemented, success will follow.
Since then, I have been asked to take this a step further. Steve, a good friend, challenged me to get out and help good companies improve the effectiveness of their marketing in this challenging business environment. He gets credit for the title of this week’s post, “Maximize your Marketing in a Turbulent Economy”. Thanks Steve.
Since then I have refined a simple 3-step program that any business can implement to get their marketing programs working more effectively. And NOW is the time to start!
Here is the 3-step plan: Give great customer service, charge a fair price and provide added value. In these turbulent times, these are the only three things a business needs to focus on in order not only to survive, but thrive. And while every company operates in different circumstances, these can be applied to improve marketing effectiveness.
First, give great customer service. I can’t say enough about this. Companies are always looking for a point of difference, a unique selling proposition (USP). This is it! It is at the heart of marketing because it puts the customer first. And for a smaller business facing stiff competition it is the one thing that can provide a tangible point-of-difference against larger competitors.
Second, charge a fair price. Here is a quick example they don’t teach in business school. On a recent ski day at Blue Mountain with a good friend who operates a successful business in the GTA, he received a call from a customer asking if he could get a reduced price on a quote. My friend confidently responded that at the quoted price, the customer would get his products on time, guaranteed, and would get his usual level of follow-up service. That brief exchange demonstrated a sophisticated understanding of the price/value equation. And it worked!
Third, provide added value. You don’t always have to discount your prices to increase sales. Charge a fair price but offer the customer more that has great perceived value for the customer. At a restaurant chain I worked for, we offered a free soft drink with purchase of regularly priced sandwiches. It worked because the soft drink had good perceive value at a low cost.
Com-Tekk in Wasaga Beach does all three really well. (www.comtekk.net)
I had a problem with my computer last week. No, I didn’t break it as I did with the snow blower; it just started to shut down intermittently. I took it in to Com-Tekk dreading the worst. When Jeff, the Sales Manager called after only a day and a half, telling me it was ready, I was pleased. They performed extensive tests of the hard drive and other components and cleaned the interior thoroughly all for about an hour’s service time. Turns out that the power unit had likely been overheating leading to the power shutting off. And to top it off, he offered suggestions for how to back up my work files more effectively.
Obviously I will use them again. They understood my problem, fixed it at a fair price and cheerfully gave some great advice.
If these 3 steps are implemented, success will follow.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Join me in running the Reggae Marathon December 5
I have never finished a marathon.
Back in December, I posted an article about my unfinished marathon. It has been a thorn in my side for many years. To compensate I have competed in numerous 10 k runs and ½ marathons. As well, I competed in triathlons and although I did well in them, I still had that nagging feeling that something remained unfinished.
I began running back in my late 20’s out of fear. I was seriously overweight, out-of-shape and on the declining health path. To top it off, at a regular doctor’s visit I learned that my blood pressure had crept up. And while it wasn’t in the danger zone yet, it was headed the wrong way. That caught my attention. Hypertension ran in my family. Dad had suffered for years. It became a leading cause of his health decline later in life.
So I started running. But I never finished my marathon.
Recent events in my life jolted to complete this unfinished business. Part of my motivation is personal: my Dad passed away last fall after a long, courageous, complicated heath battle. I am dedicating this race to his memory. I am also motivated to inspire other runners who want to compete in and complete their first marathon.
And what a great place to do it: Negril, Jamaica. The event is the Reggae Marathon on December 5, 2009.
Ahhh…Negri. A beautiful long sweep of white sand and warm Caribbean water. The course is basically a flat, out and back route. There will Reggae music of course and the legendary warmth and hospitality of Jamaicans. What could be a more fantastic location for your first marathon?
Over the next 10 months I will provide updates on my progress. And I hope you will join me.
First though, please go to the Reggae Marathon web site and check out all the planned events and activities: http://reggaemarathon.com/. You can also pre-register there. I have been in communication with a number of people involved with the organization of the event and have received great support.
Then join me at http://inspiredrunning.ning.com/. This is the social network I have established for interested runners to join to share stories and support each other in our preparation for the event December 5 in Negril. Lets see if we can’t show the folks in Jamaica that even though we spend much of our time running in the cold up here in Ontario, we know how to run…and have a good time. Who knows, If we get enough followers, we may be able to rustle up some T shirts and other goodies so that we can look like a real ‘Inspired Running’ team when we get to Negril.
If you are inspired by running and need a goal for 2009, let this be it. I will finish my 'unfinished business' December 5th.
Back in December, I posted an article about my unfinished marathon. It has been a thorn in my side for many years. To compensate I have competed in numerous 10 k runs and ½ marathons. As well, I competed in triathlons and although I did well in them, I still had that nagging feeling that something remained unfinished.
I began running back in my late 20’s out of fear. I was seriously overweight, out-of-shape and on the declining health path. To top it off, at a regular doctor’s visit I learned that my blood pressure had crept up. And while it wasn’t in the danger zone yet, it was headed the wrong way. That caught my attention. Hypertension ran in my family. Dad had suffered for years. It became a leading cause of his health decline later in life.
So I started running. But I never finished my marathon.
Recent events in my life jolted to complete this unfinished business. Part of my motivation is personal: my Dad passed away last fall after a long, courageous, complicated heath battle. I am dedicating this race to his memory. I am also motivated to inspire other runners who want to compete in and complete their first marathon.
And what a great place to do it: Negril, Jamaica. The event is the Reggae Marathon on December 5, 2009.
Ahhh…Negri. A beautiful long sweep of white sand and warm Caribbean water. The course is basically a flat, out and back route. There will Reggae music of course and the legendary warmth and hospitality of Jamaicans. What could be a more fantastic location for your first marathon?
Over the next 10 months I will provide updates on my progress. And I hope you will join me.
First though, please go to the Reggae Marathon web site and check out all the planned events and activities: http://reggaemarathon.com/. You can also pre-register there. I have been in communication with a number of people involved with the organization of the event and have received great support.
Then join me at http://inspiredrunning.ning.com/. This is the social network I have established for interested runners to join to share stories and support each other in our preparation for the event December 5 in Negril. Lets see if we can’t show the folks in Jamaica that even though we spend much of our time running in the cold up here in Ontario, we know how to run…and have a good time. Who knows, If we get enough followers, we may be able to rustle up some T shirts and other goodies so that we can look like a real ‘Inspired Running’ team when we get to Negril.
If you are inspired by running and need a goal for 2009, let this be it. I will finish my 'unfinished business' December 5th.
Monday, February 16, 2009
How 25 divided by 5 equals 14
This video was sent to me by a friend. for all you mathematicians out there, this video link proves absolutely without a doubt that 25 divided by 5 equals 14. Hilarious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omyUncKI7oU
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