By Jillian Anderson | September 15, 2009
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Diamond’s increased advertising budget for Emerald Nuts proves to be a success.
A couple of months ago, Kyle wrote an excellent post highlighting 5 Reasons Not to Cut Your Marketing Budget in a Recession. His points being:
- Your reputation can suffer.
- When times are tough, people look for deals.
- If you’re not moving forward, you’re moving backward.
- Marketing in a recession can give you a competitive advantage.
- Cut advertising, cut market share.
I want to take another look at the fourth point here, as marketing in a recession really does give you an advantage. In truth, marketing ANY time gives you an advantage. But when the economy is down and a lot of businesses are cutting their marketing budgets, your dollars can go even further because there are fewer or weaker messages out there to compete with. …Read more »
By Jillian Anderson | July 30, 2009
Sometimes you just can't say it better than Mark Twain.
I love marketing quotes – the wit, the punditry, the directness – and how an entire concept can be summed up in one sentence (or two or three). Here are some of my favs:
“Tell a story that is memorable and remarkable and worth listening to. Seduce your customers, because that’s exactly what they want you to do.” – Seth Godin
“Strategy should be developed from the bottom up, not from the top down. In other words, strategy should be developed from a deep knowledge of and involvement in the actual tactics of the business itself.” – Jack Trout …Read more »
By Vincent Tyson | July 8, 2009
*It is far easier to ensure good customer service than to repair the damages of bad service – like trying to repair a broken window. (Photo credit: Shoes on Wires)
Why are any of us in business? I think that’s a question more people should ask themselves. Sometimes, I don’t know why some businesses bother to go on.
Lately service, or rather a lack of it, has really got to me. I recently ordered some replacement glass for my new house from a local (nameless) company. One of the windows was cracked when I moved in. It was delivered after two weeks which is when the trouble started. Not only was the glass too big, but I also had to pay a Glazier for a window that wasn’t fitted.
The glass company happily took the window back, admitting that it had measured it wrong (good so far). They said that they’d let me know when the new glass was ready. Fast forward six weeks; one more incorrectly measured pane of glass, and I am now fuming. For some time they weren’t even answering my calls; even the shop was closed when I went to visit. Eventually after several phone calls – and a call to the owner’s personal residence – I have a new piece of glass that is supposed to be going in this weekend (I’ll keep you posted). What really annoyed me was the lack of contact and severe delays with no explanation or apology. Rest assured I won’t be going back!
If I contrast this with another story of poor service, it illustrates how things can start out bad, but turn out for the best… …Read more »
By Jillian Anderson | December 24, 2008
Many businesses are catching on, choosing to engage interactive social media sites and applications as marketing and PR tools. You are able to reap the benefits of networking for customer service value, staying up to date with industry conversation and public interest trends, and building RELATIONSHIPS with the PEOPLE gathered around these online watering holes. The key is to remain both Person and Business at the same time…but mostly person. …Read more »
