Let’s face it, regardless of the type of business you’re in, the current economy is definitely a challenge. However, it cannot last forever, so now is the time to consider all of the “little things” that will help your company excel when the economy reaches full recovery.
My personal commitment this year, is to travel with at least one territory manager per week. I don’t care who it is, or which territory they cover. The reason for my persistence is as follows:
* I want to thank our customers for their previous business. How often do we all forget to do this? Are we taking our customers for granted, when they could very well have done business with someone else?
* We need to let our customers know that we’re all in this economy together and that our company stands ready to assist them in any way possible.
* I want to hear feedback directly from our customers about what we’re doing well and what we could be doing better. I also want to know what is going on in their geographic area, as well as what is causing them to feel concern or optimism.
* We need to be doing all of the “Little Things” that it takes to get the job done. So far during my visits with customers, I have been able to identify some slight modifications that we've done to do conduct business a little better, or present ourselves a little better.
Do the little tweaks that we implement make any difference? You bet they do! When we address issues proactively with our customers, we’re sure to win!
As a marketing professional, I know that in order for a company to achieve great success, marketing must play an active role.
It’s important to get in the game!
Are you playing an active role in working with and listening to your sales force and customers? You owe it to your organization to roll up your sleeves, and look for the “Little Things”, for looking after the little things leads to great success.
Troopwalk 2009 Update:
Ruth Adkins has had to return to Phoenix, AZ in order to attend to some serious health concerns. Please lift Ruth up in your prayers for a solid and speedy recovery.
You can follow Ruth’s journey on her daily blog: http://troopwalk2009.wordpress.com/
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
A Handshake is Worth a Thousand “Friends.”
I want to start off by saying that I really do enjoy and respect the Social Media 2.0 movement. Social Media is playing an ever-increasing role in marketing our company’s services, getting in touch with old friends and meeting new ones.
LinkedIn, twitter and facebook are sites that provide tremendous value both to my company and to myself.
There have been multiple instances where I’ve shared job search information with friends in need of employment, found on twitter. I’ve learned more about particular subjects and interacted with great people via LinkedIn. I’ve also found about upcoming events that fulfill my devotion to continuous learning on LinkedIn and facebook.
I’ve met some wonderful people in the Atlanta area due to face-to-face meetings promoted by LinkedIn Groups, such as members of Atlanta Marketer’s Forum. I’ve also kept up with my upcoming high school reunion (even though I could not attend due to a schedule conflict), and have caught economic headlines and words of wisdom via useful tweets.
That’s great isn’t it? Well, sort of…..
This blog has two points:
1. Are we really the person that we “say” we are? Are we really the same person in the flesh, or do we model the Brad Paisley song titled, “Online” where the first stanza is as follows?:
I work down at The Pizza Pit And I drive an old Hyundai I still live with my mom and dad I'm five foot three and overweight I'm a sci: fi fanatic, mild asthmatic Never been to second base But there's a whole 'nother me That you need to see Go check out Myspace.
A vast majority of the people that I’ve met through Social Media sites are outstanding people that are interesting, have compelling stories and are exactly who they claim to be.
Unfortunately, in the current worldwide economy there are people who will profess to be anyone they think you would want them to be. I’ve come across many “visionaries” and “experts” that turn out to be simply pretty good writers.
2. Have you shaken the hand of a business prospect lately, hugged a friend, or checked in with a colleague to see how their son’s team fared in the baseball tournament? Have you taken some time to attend a meeting in your area that pertains to your industry or interests? When was the last time you called a customer on the phone to see how your company is serving their needs?
I fear that sometimes many of us are using Social Media 2.0 tools in place of face-to-face interactions, or phone calls.
Why not use Social Media to supplement instead of substitute?
“Point and Click” should be used to compliment, “Reach out and touch someone.”
Even the person that meets their future spouse online gets to say, “I do” in person.
Get in the game and stay engaged.
How ironic that I should voice this type of opinion on a blog, of all things? If you want to talk about it, give me a call.
Troopwalk 2009 Update:
Ruth Adkins has had to return to Phoenix, AZ in order to attend to some serious health concerns. Please lift Ruth up in your prayers for a solid and speedy recovery.
You can follow Ruth’s journey on her daily blog: http://troopwalk2009.wordpress.com/
LinkedIn, twitter and facebook are sites that provide tremendous value both to my company and to myself.
There have been multiple instances where I’ve shared job search information with friends in need of employment, found on twitter. I’ve learned more about particular subjects and interacted with great people via LinkedIn. I’ve also found about upcoming events that fulfill my devotion to continuous learning on LinkedIn and facebook.
I’ve met some wonderful people in the Atlanta area due to face-to-face meetings promoted by LinkedIn Groups, such as members of Atlanta Marketer’s Forum. I’ve also kept up with my upcoming high school reunion (even though I could not attend due to a schedule conflict), and have caught economic headlines and words of wisdom via useful tweets.
That’s great isn’t it? Well, sort of…..
This blog has two points:
1. Are we really the person that we “say” we are? Are we really the same person in the flesh, or do we model the Brad Paisley song titled, “Online” where the first stanza is as follows?:
I work down at The Pizza Pit And I drive an old Hyundai I still live with my mom and dad I'm five foot three and overweight I'm a sci: fi fanatic, mild asthmatic Never been to second base But there's a whole 'nother me That you need to see Go check out Myspace.
A vast majority of the people that I’ve met through Social Media sites are outstanding people that are interesting, have compelling stories and are exactly who they claim to be.
Unfortunately, in the current worldwide economy there are people who will profess to be anyone they think you would want them to be. I’ve come across many “visionaries” and “experts” that turn out to be simply pretty good writers.
2. Have you shaken the hand of a business prospect lately, hugged a friend, or checked in with a colleague to see how their son’s team fared in the baseball tournament? Have you taken some time to attend a meeting in your area that pertains to your industry or interests? When was the last time you called a customer on the phone to see how your company is serving their needs?
I fear that sometimes many of us are using Social Media 2.0 tools in place of face-to-face interactions, or phone calls.
Why not use Social Media to supplement instead of substitute?
“Point and Click” should be used to compliment, “Reach out and touch someone.”
Even the person that meets their future spouse online gets to say, “I do” in person.
Get in the game and stay engaged.
How ironic that I should voice this type of opinion on a blog, of all things? If you want to talk about it, give me a call.
Troopwalk 2009 Update:
Ruth Adkins has had to return to Phoenix, AZ in order to attend to some serious health concerns. Please lift Ruth up in your prayers for a solid and speedy recovery.
You can follow Ruth’s journey on her daily blog: http://troopwalk2009.wordpress.com/
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