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 INSIGHTS & JOY

A business newsletter with Pizzazz!

"We help leaders become better marketers
using a holistic business approach!"

September 15, 2004


You receive a letter from a local business. You recall seeing their sign. They look professional. You begin to form an opinion of a business before you ever consider a purchase. Maybe you call first to see if they have what you need in stock. You'll notice if the facility is clean or messy. The people are friendly...or they are not.
The attitudes and the visual impressions you unconsciously absorb determine whether or not you buy from that firm. Could your marketing image use a shine?
Check out this month's list and see if your business image is shiny or a bit tarnished. 

Feel free to forward Insights & Joy to friends and associates

Subscribe directly by e-mail to rpmorgan@morganmarketingsolutions.com and writing "subscribe" in the subject box.

Check our web site for $ Million Marketing Tips, Insights & Joy Archive, and our Article Library!

www.morganmarketingsolutions.com   Updated! 

IN THIS ISSUE

Could your marketing image use a shine?

►Smiles make the day!

►$ Million Marketing Tip

Amazing facts...


Could your marketing image use a shine?

Every business projects an image. Clients, employees, suppliers, shareholders, and the general public perceive an image of your firm whether you like it or not!
Take a couple of minutes to consider how each of the following ways you communicate your image will influence your clients and prospects.

Company Name - Does it help people understand who you are and what you do?
Logo - Do you have one? Does it have visual impact? Do people recognize you by your logo? Is it up-to-date? Does it always reproduce well? 
Market Positioning - Do you have a short statement that clearly describes what you do? Does every employee you use it all the time?
Attire - Do you and your employees look professional and competent in their respective positions? Clean? Neat? Properly dressed?
Business Cards - Are you proud to hand out your business cards? Do they help your image...or hurt it? Do you use both sides?
Stationery - Do your forms, envelopes, and letterhead help build the image of your firm? How do people feel when they open your mail? How about your faxes?
Literature - Is literature current? Informative? Clean and crisp? Professional? Are your proposals effective as selling tools?
Advertising and Mailers - What image does your advertising convey? Professional and progressive? Bland or exciting? Are direct mailers effective? 
Signage - If you use signs, do they encourage business? Are they well-maintained? Can you see them?
Days and Hours of Operation - Are they designed to be convenient for clients...or you?
Personal Greetings - Warm greetings and genuine friendliness gain word-of-mouth business. Happy employees make for happy clients.
Phone Answering - Important! Who answers? How do they sound? How quickly are callers routed to the right person? Call your business anonymously and see!
Follow-up Action - Do you follow-up on completed sales to ensure satisfaction and invite clients back? If not, should you?
Facilities - Messy facilities project sloppiness throughout your operation. Neatness helps sell, and gain repeat business.
Vehicles - Are your vehicles clean and well-maintained? Do you use neat signage on them? Phone and web site visible on vehicle signs?
Customer Policies - Do you make buying 'hassle-free' for clients? Who must approve new accounts or special situations? Any delays?
Complaints - Do you have a fast, effective, 'hassle-free' system for satisfying unhappy clients? People expect fast, courteous resolution these days. 
Displays & Demos - Are your displays and trade show materials neat and up-to-date? Are you proud of your demos and presentations?
Web Site & e-mail - Do you have an attractive web site? Does it draw traffic? Do you use positive e-mail signatures? How about e-mail letters to clients?
Community Reputation - Is your firm active in community affairs? Charitable activities? Sponsorships? Service clubs?
Service Reputation - 'Sudden' service that exceeds client expectations encourages word-of-mouth referrals to other new clients. Go the extra mile.
Product Reputation - Brand name products imply high quality for your firm also.

The best approach is to be sure all of the elements of your business image are consistent, and in support of the image you want to portray. I put it this way:
"Tell a consistent story to everybody, every day, in every way."


Smiles make the day!
Ahh...'tis campaign season again 

► America is the land of promise, particularly in an election year. 

► Nothing makes a man faster on his feet than politics, unless it's bigamy!

► The trick is to get education out of politics - and get it into politicians!

► The quickest way to trace your family tree is to run for public office.

► Politics is like inflation. The more we have of it, the more things end up costing.

► Nowadays a man goes into politics with a bright future and comes out with a horrible past.

► We may never have a woman president. What woman will admit to being over thirty-five?

► Your political straw vote indicates which way the hot air is blowing.

► Two Texas candidates were debating. One shouted, "What about the powerful interests that control you?" The other screamed back, "Leave my wife out of this!"

► Why not hold the elections every year? There never seems to be a tax increase in an election year!

► Based on the past few years, the United Nations has just about as much influence as the average husband!


$ Million Marketing Tip

  • Everything that is visible in your business affects how customers perceive your products and services. Visual perceptions are very powerful, so be sure you consistently show your customers how you can serve them better than competitors.


Amazing facts!

IT system downtime costs American businesses $1 Million an hour according to Bob Manning, Teradata Div. of NCR Corp. Network monitoring can drastically reduce 
    the chances that unexpected network problems will interfere with your business. I can refer you to an excellent provider. 

Thomas Edison also invented the light socket and the light switch.

Even Jell-O has had marketing failures. Flavors like celery, coffee, cola, and apple.

● Beefy Howard Taft was the first golfer to become President of the United States.

The U.S.A. bought Alaska from Russia in 1867 for two cents per acre.

● Why do pelicans breath through their mouth? They don't have nostrils.

● A housefly's tastebuds are in its feet. Now you know why they like to land on your potato salad!


P.S. Ninety-five percent of our engagements originate as a referral from helpful people like you! If you know someone who:

● Wants to develop a more productive marketing program, or

● Needs help building and implementing an effective operational business plan,

I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss the situation with you.

Our ideal client is a business owner or CEO between 30 and 60 years old. Usually with a financial, engineering, or production background. Who is often impatient, and interested in improving company performance. Comes alive when you ask, "How's business?" He, or she, is practical but also enjoys the finer things in life. So, you may see my ideal client driving a Lexus or SUV to Neiman Marcus...and to Sam's Club. Who do you know that fits this description?

A client speaks:  "Your introduction of strategic planning, action plans, and implementation guidelines was the point where our planning took on a professional approach. Operations, marketing, finance, and personnel all were beneficiaries of the planning process you provided."
Ben Johnson, Johnson Diversified Enterprises, Inc.

 

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©2004 Morgan Marketing Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved. Other distribution permitted with proper attribution.


Richard P. Morgan CMC
Morgan Marketing Solutions, Inc.
Two Galleria Tower, Suite 10008
13455 Noel Road, Dallas, TX 75240-6620

Telephone 972.931.7993  fax 972.931.0542
email
rpmorgan@morganmarketingsolutions.com
www.morganmarketingsolutions.com
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"We help leaders become better marketers using a holistic business approach!"
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phone:  972-931-7993

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