Time spent on reconnaissance is seldom wasted

An army friend of mine quoted this statement on a regular basis. It still holds true.

Research, competitor knowledge and understanding, helps us to develop the best strategy to win a future position. For companies, research should be around published macro information, competitor activity and knowledge of customer behaviours for existing and for potential customer groups.

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Getting the pricing right

Ran a sales training course for a group of companies this week on sales technique, different routes to market and price margins calculation. A lot of clarification was required on price margins and calculating profit at each step of the business process. Price negotiation was also a hot topic – no point in being busy and then giving away all your profit!

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The cost of a logo

The Marketer magazine this month has a section on the cost of logos and corporate identities.

According to the magazine, Twitter paid £10 to a photostock page for its bird logo, Nike paid £22 for the swoosh, Glasgow 2014 Games – £120,000, London 2012 – £400,000. The prices are hugely variable and of course it makes good editorial reading.

What the article fails to cover is the time involved thinking about the marketing strategy, customer consultations, design, testing, alterations, brand applications etc which have to be considered in a workable and growth enhancing brand strategy.

Like any business investment, there is a need to understand what the brand will do for the organisation, now and in the future and the level of sophistication required in the process.

After the brand has been created, it is all about visibility and employee and stakeholder belief.

 

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Finger on the pulse – innovative new products

As a company operating day to day in a variety of market sectors we have a constant stream of new ideas, innovations, and delivery methods to get our clients in front of the customers. Many of these are cross sectoral and can be adapted and adjusted to individual organisations and different companies.

If you are looking for some new ideas to engage with customers for revenue, then contact us today.

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Cut your sales costs – Improve your sales Revenue

Examine customer satisfaction – find out what customers think and what you may be missing out on.  As they say – listen to customers.  Statistic – 68% of the decision to stay with a provider is based on employee attitude.  Examining this is a topic that can increase your revenues at little or no cost. It can also allow you to use your existing resource to upsell, link sell and sell on!

In an era of cost cutting and searching for value, it is a worthwhile consideration.

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Event Marketing – exhibition methods

Exhibitions, at home or abroad, are an excellent way to meet new and existing customers at a time when they want to buy.

For more information take a look at our effective exhibitions.

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Research Topics – doors open for discussion

David Primrose is now in charge of our Market Research Division, and is available to talk about any potential research requirements. RFM Research works for companies all over the UK.  David”s recent experience has been in handling prime research projects out of an Edinburgh base as Director of a research company.

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Times are changing and changing with the times is a must

Tough, but we all have to think about how to deliver value at a lower cost while retaining the same margin.  With good business to business marketing research and also b2c marketing, there are many ways to achieve this, – better lead in offers, building loyalty for existing and key customers, customer rewards, increasing brand awareness and footfall, reviewing ways to attract new customers.  Giving focus to the marketing of the organisation is a must do activity.

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Fantastic Contacts – Seizing the Moment

Having learnt how to attract visitors, a client of ours made a very key contact at an exhibition.   Their food is now on Qantas and other carriers flights out of UK.
By using good account management techniques, their range of products is now being expanded with this key customer.

For info on manning the stand correctly, e mail Russ@rfm.co.uk or check out the effective exhibitions.

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Customer relationship textbook example – Repeat, Rebook

What is the first thing you expect to see when you walk into a hotel? – a reception desk.  Visit Potters Holiday Village in Norfolk and the first thing you see is a rebooking desk!!  The reception desk is round the corner.

Right from the start, the message is delivered/implanted that you will have such a great break, you will want to book for more.  The customer service is excellent and very friendly, lots of activities for all ages and members of families.  The end of a good holiday, is one of the key times when we are susceptible to the next purchase!
The company must make a great saving on advertising.  They create every possible opportunity for  repeat purchase through the delivery of a good product, good service and good messaging.

We are well briefed on defining the key purchasing moments in a customer relationship.

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