Who really runs the show? That’s right your customers. If you’re not listening you your customers you are in deep trouble. If you are reading this you are already well on your way to being a top flight marketer.
Lesson 1: Listen. If you are reading this you are 9 times out of 10 already involved in SM marketing in some way shape or form. So, take it to the next level. This involves listening to what is really being said in the marketplace. Set up forum questions, Make poles. Do what it takes to find ways to get your customers talking and, telling you want they REALLY think.
Lesson 2: You don’t own your product, your customers do. So you’re the boss? Think again. You can be fired; your customers can just stop buying from you. Who are they, what do they want. Try a customer review board. They will tell you if you give them the chance. Be prepared to not like what you might hear so keep your mind totally open
Lesson 3: Values and culture is important but not off limits to change. Just because you have a company culture does not mean you need to keep it right where it is. You are growing and evolving, your company is as so is the world. Ever growing, ever changing. Don’t be an ostrich and get your head suck in the sand. Change can be good. Not change for changes sake but changes for growth.
Lesson 4: Explore new platforms and channels to market in, regardless of age. It seems every week there is some new way to be marketing yourself and your company, or old ways change. Some are tried and true like telemarketing and direct mail; others like the evolving world of twitter, nings and Facebook are only starting to become viable.
Lesson 5: Sharpen your opperations. What is your biggest weak link? Operations, production, staffing? Whatever it is, where ever it is, find it, examine it, fist it. Then find your next weakest link on a never ending crusade to perfection.
Larson Notes: Nothing stays the same. That much I can tell you. It gets easier and harder all at the same time. For me, I’ll sit down with a cup of coffee and think, where is my market at, where is it going, what does it need that I can UNIQUELLY give it. Write it down, set a time schedule and do it.
Howard Larson
Larson & Associates
Target Marketing & Telesales Professionals for new account acquisition
Making good businesses great and great businesses even better
847-991-0488
howard@larsonassociates.ws
http://www.larsonassociates.ws
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P.S. We make telesales for small business affordable by offering programs down to only 15 hours a week. Maybe you could add telesales into your marketing mix call today and find out.
P.P.S. We are offering 2 free (a $75.00 value) ½ hour consultation periods per week to talk about marketing businesses. Call or email to get your spot to pick my brain for 30 minutes today.
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