With 2010 knocking on your door it'll be here before you know it. Hope you are all well into your planning, but in case you're not, couple things to think about.
- What worked in 2009? What didn't? Why?
- How does your brand stand? Do your brand assets clearly identify with who you are and where you're going?
- What does your strategy look like? Have you outlined your markets, target audiences, operating plan, market trends and communications strategy/tactics?
- How does that strategy tie into your sales strategy? Are you helping sales accomplish their goals by your marketing programs? Are you communicating through the entire sales cycle your brand and clear messaging, along with the customer buying patterns considered?
All of these things are critical for a successful marketing communications plan and should not be taken lightly. If you've started planning or are nearly complete, excellent. If not, you're a bit behind on things so it's time to get going.
As you know, I recently relocated my family from Grand Rapids, MI to Portland, Maine. So here I am. Now what? The house is pretty much in order, the office is about 80% there. Time to get busy I guess.
This past Wednesday I went to my first Maine Marketing Assoc. meeting and heard a great speaker, Lynelle Wilson, speak on Guerrilla Marketing - with a social flair. I also got the opportunity to start meeting people. Yesterday had a lunch meeting with an old collegue from my office furniture days and joined the Portland Regional Chamber. Going to go to those events as well as some TechMaine events (great organization that connects technology, community and education - met and talked with the executive director at the Mkt Assoc. meeting).
Also grabbed a boat load of local publications, business and lifestyle (cause I don't know where a thing is around here). This weekend I'll be sifting through them as well as the business directory's.
It's definitely an interesting feeling to remove yourself from everything and everyone you know. Not really sure where home is yet. I'm sure that will just take some time.
Good news though, hockey everywhere!! Lots of college hockey on the tv and I figured out how to catch the Red Wings games on the internet. There's this team here called the Bruin's or something like that. Who are they? :)
Anyway, any other suggestions for plugging myself into a new area?
Since I got heavily
involved within the Grand Rapids business community, I have become more aware
of the trend to buy local. Buying local means several things and is
accomplished in many ways.
A person can purchase
goods from a farmers market, family restaurant (not franchises), boutique, or local
artists allowing them to give back
to their local communities. I am a
huge supporter of buying local, and believe products are of great quality, businesses
offer better customer service, and the experience is much more rewarding than purchasing
from a big box store.
LocalFirst, is a
great organization that gives weekly updates on what is offered locally for a
range of products and services.
Matter of fact, 834 Baba is a proud member of this organization, and
many other companies are getting involved. So are chain stores and franchise restaurants catching on to
the “buy local” trend and adjusting their marketing strategy?
Buying local has
become popular among consumers, not just because of the unique products, but
because your money is given back into the local community, and not another
state, country, or huge corporation.
Now that fall has
arrived I am tuning into my favorite sitcoms. While I was watching one day I noticed an interesting ad from
McDonalds. The commercial was
focused on their fries, and how delicious they are and incomparable from their
competitors. It was interesting
how one of the oldest and most successful fast food restaurants was advertising
how they support local farmers, and they buy Michigan potatoes to produce their
fries. This got me
thinking…McDonald’s is not the only company that is trying to appease customers
by buying local.
Frito-Lay has also
given in to the idea of purchasing from local farmers for the production of the
potato chip. These companies may
have always bought locally, but now they are incorporating the message into
their marketing in an effort to entice consumers to buy their product over
competitors. Case in point, check
out the press release Frito-Lay featured in May this year.
Frito-Lay
Press Release – May 2009
What are your
thoughts in the push to buy local?
Do you think more franchises are going to tweak their marketing strategy
to conform?