Archives for Communication

How Many Licks Does it Take?

May 15, 2012

Remember that old commercial for Tootsie Pop® when the boy asks, “Mr. Owl, how many licks does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a TootsiePop®?” Mr. Owl replies, “One, a two, a three…a three.” Funny that we still remember it now, thirty years later. Coincidence? I think not!

Ever thought about how many random things have to happen in order for you or your sales people to meet a new customer? It CAN be very few, but most often it takes “more than three” and timing can be everything.

I was at the Word of Mouth conference in Austin last week and had the privilege of being part of a conversation between a sales rep and his customer. The epiphany between the two was how serendipitous it was (they didn’t actually use that word) that they met over ten years ago. How several random conversations and common connections led to what is now a profitable and long-standing relationship for both parties. Don’t get me wrong! Several things had to occur along the way to nurture this long-term relationship. Excellent customer service, product availability, on-time deliveries, etc.

What’s ironic though are the random acts and coincidences that happen daily that we sometimes take for granted. Somebody moves from one state to another and had they not they might not have ever joined that LBM group and connected with Tom at Bastanchury Building Products and, therefore, wouldn’t have the amazing and profitable relationship they have today. If you hadn’t taken the time to send that handwritten note to John at Custom Manufacturing he wouldn’t have been able to introduce you to Steve, whose now your largest customer and was the best man at your wedding. 

You and your team work really hard to sell potential customers on your products and services, but maybe what you need to do is serve. A handwritten note, lunch for no reason, flowers to take home to their wife on their anniversary or just a shoulder to lean on during a tough time. A few random ways to serve that lead to those long-lasting relationships that build your business.

So, just how many “licks” does it take to get to the tootsie roll center of a TootsiePop®? The world may never know….now, go out and create some serendipity by doing random things.

And make your presence felt!

P.S. Be sure you don’t miss a one golden nugget – subscribe to the Felt blog. 

Allison DeFord POSTED BY: Allison DeFord| Leave a comment

Why We Do What We Do

November 10, 2011

Courtesy of our heroes at Café Creative KFT

Lori Sallee POSTED BY: Lori Sallee| 3 Comments

Everyone Crazy ‘Bout A Sharp Dressed Brand

October 7, 2011

6 Ways To Make Your Brand A Rock Star
 

“Clean shirt, new shoes
and I don’t know where I am goin’ to.
Silk suit, black tie,
I don’t need a reason why.
They come runnin’ just as fast as they can
coz every girl crazy ’bout a sharp dressed man.”*

Make your customers crazy about your brand – and be a rockstar in 2012! Take an inventory of your signature line up:

1. MESSAGING
Do you have consistent messaging that differentiates your brand in the industry? Many companies in the building products industry are attempting to differentiate themselves by saying the same things: QUALITY, CUSTOMER SERVICE, SOLUTIONS. If everyone is saying the same thing, is it really a differentiator for you? The answer is NO. Make sure you have captured your “single thread” – the one thing that your brand can own that makes it different from all the rest.

2. PRINT
Is your printed literature up to date, or are you “using up” old stuff? Using outdated or incomplete catalogs, brochures and other sales collateral is like singing the same song over and over again. Not interesting. It signifies that things in your company are stagnant – when that COULD be the farthest thing from the truth. Keep your audience tuned in to just how dynamic your product line is and remind them how it benefits them to buy from you.

3. ONLINE
Are people standing in line to visit your website? Is it easy to use and navigate? Are ALL your products/services completely represented online? Can a user get anywhere in 3 clicks? Do you have an active blog where you are posting company and industry-related content? Your site represents your company 24/7. It’s got to be a hit. It’s like a great agent—representing you, promoting you, consistently and cleverly attracting the right attention.

4. CONTENT
Do you have an effective content strategy? Do you have a dedicated person or team of people that are actively involved in creating, scheduling and delivering content about your products/services online and in print? BtoB magazine recently asked top marketers what they were focusing on next year and all of them said content is a top priority. BtoB’s digital marketer of the year, GE’s Linda Boff, said the opportunities in digital (videos, photos, pure content, apps) are rich, but the single biggest area GE will be focusing on next year is content. How about you?

5. TRADE SHOWS
Do you have a 2012 trade show strategy? (Before/During/After) Are you taking advantage of pre-show connecting? If the answer is “no”, you’re not alone. Driving qualified traffic to your booth takes far more than adding a “visit us at Booth X” graphic to your industry pub ads. There are so many ways to connect pre-show and start the conversation ahead of time. Once at-show, those leads are already warm. Your sales team will thank you. What are you doing to connect post-show? With a trade show strategy in place, you’ll know exactly whose responsible for follow up, how they’ll do it and when. Your targets will be clearly defined. There will be no question whether or not the show was a chart-topper.

6. SOCIAL MEDIA
Are you rockin’ social media marketing? 90% of the building products industry is invested in print; create the unexpected buzz online. Be the 10% that capitalizes on that opportunity. Be active on the big three: Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, Stay abreast of the changes on each network. Did you have a Social Media Strategy in 2011? Do you have one for 2012? Its a must. Many B2B marketers in the building products industry are still questioning whether or not social marketing is something they should engage in. Let me just remind you that ten years ago the same people were questioning whether or not they needed a website…

Rocking center stage doesn’t happen overnight. There’s a lot that happens backstage. Make sure your roadies plug in the strongest brand amplifiers: messaging, print, online, content, trade shows, and social media.

They’ll come runnin’ just as fast as they can, coz everyone’s crazy ’bout a sharp dressed brand.

If your brand was a famous rock band, what would it be called?

*ZZ TOP lyrics are property and copyright of their owners.”Sharp Dressed Man” lyrics provided for educational purposes use only.

Lori Sallee POSTED BY: Lori Sallee| Leave a comment

Build A Brand That’s A Lifesaver

September 12, 2011

Years ago – a decade, in fact – Kevin Kline starred in a movie called LIFE AS A HOUSE. It was about an estranged family, splintered from divorce and dreams unrealized. In the movie, a house renovation ends up bringing that same family together in unexpected ways.

The house becomes a symbol: the heart of the family. This inanimate object (in the magic of movies) was able to reshape each family member’s behavior – helping them feel safe, familiar and ultimately, connected to each other again. Yes, its cry-worthy:

I thought about that on Thursday night as I was driving up north through central California. Some stretches of highway seem so isolated in the dark – just flat with lots of cow smells. Color comes by way of freeway signs for restaurants, motels and gas stations. Even if you’re not getting off on that exit, you are inevitably a little excited to see those signs coming up on the right.

The colors, the brands that you know; the “food” you want to eat; the places you would stay at; and the gas that you put in your vehicle. I’m an ARCO girl. Why? Because I like no-frills. I’m a get-in-get-the-gas-and-get-out kind of person. Besides, the way gas prices keep climbing, ARCO usually has the cheapest gas.

On a particularly lonely stretch of the 5 freeway, I noticed I was getting low on gas. “Low” for me, is anything below half a tank. Especially on that road. Sometimes its so deserted, you wonder if you’ll ever come across a town again? It was dark – black as coal – and a little windy to boot.

I started enabling my inner fatalist, wondering, “What if I get stuck out here? Who would pull over to help me besides a serial killer? Remember DUEL in 1971 with Dennis Weaver?

Suddenly, there was my lifesaver: THE ARCO STATION. I knew I’d see the familiar Blue and Red, be able to get my gas without a TV commercial talking to me at the pump, and not pay an arm and a leg – because EVERYONE KNOWS that extra 7 cents a gallon will JUST PUSH YOU OVER THE EDGE!

So, I pulled off into a town-I’ve-never-heard-of, and was embraced by the friendly, low prices of the blue and red. My fears were assuaged, as I was no longer in danger of being chased by a psychotic truck driver in my non-existent Plymouth Valiant.

When I drove away with confidence and a full tank of gas, I thought about how relieved I was that ARCO was there. In the sea of darkness of a lonely California highway, I found a familiar brand – just like the one around the corner from my house. Indeed, they DID have the cheapest gas from miles around. Most importantly, I was in and out quickly (so the highway serial killers and psychotic truck drivers couldn’t catch me). Am I a brand evangelist for ARCO? You bet your sweet bippee!

I started to think of all my favorite brands what they make me feel like.
Here’s a short list:

Apple – Cool. The coolest “what’s next”.

Starbucks – Thirsty. Really good brewed iced tea.

Target – Relaxed. Everything I need.

Crate & Barrel – Intrigued. Beautifully designed things.

How does your brand make your customers feel?
Is your brand their lifesaver?
If it isn’t, would you like it to be?

 

Lori Sallee POSTED BY: Lori Sallee| 1 Comment

Thinking of scrapping your catalog? Think again.

September 8, 2011

Do you actually know why you use a catalog to sell your products? It’s a visual representation of all of your products in one place, right?! It’s easy for sales people to distribute and for customers to order from. It’s your product playground.

That’s what Benjamin Franklin thought when he created the first catalog in 1744 to sell scientific and academic books. Another catalog pioneer you are familiar with (unless you are under 40) is Aaron Montgomery Ward, who produced his first catalogue for his Montgomery Ward mail order business in 1872. (Or, as it was affectionately known to many in Iowa, as “Monkey” Wards) His first catalogue was a single sheet of paper with a price list, 8 by 12 inches, showing the merchandise for sale and ordering instructions. Montgomery Ward identified a market of merchant-wary farmers in the Midwest. Within two decades, his single-page list of products grew into a 540-page illustrated book selling over 20,000 items. And I know you’re familiar with the ever-popular Hammacher Schlemmer catalog, established by Alfred Hammacher in New York City in 1848. Offering mechanic’s tools and builder’s hardware, its first catalogue was published in 1881.

Do you think any of these innovators could ever imagine that some day they could also sell all of their products online? Well, probably not, since that word wasn’t even invented yet. How they would marvel at this idea of selling off a computer. Would they abandon their printed “Wish” books and just offer their wares electronically? Wouldn’t that be cheaper?

With the growth of online “everything” some of you may be considering scrapping your printed catalog and putting it all online. Take a look at some fascinating statistics on print and catalogs, provided recently by our friends at the USPS:

“More than 12 billion catalogs were mailed in 2010.” (that’s billion with a b)

“55.6% of respondents found catalogs “useful”, while only 21.5% found catalogs “interesting”. (Useful, meaning worth using)

“52.4% of consumers read direct mail from merchants. More than 53% found merchant mail “useful” and nearly 17% responded to offers.”

These numbers are telling. People still read. Customers like a tangible catalog. They find them useful, not wasteful. The benefit now is that you can have it all. You can offer customers that meaty printed book they love and also offer even more information about those same products on your website. Databases allow you to manage, layer and tier this information like never before. In real time. You can be more succinct and brief in print and layer the more elaborate details online. The catalog helps drive traffic to your site and to direct sales. A creative catalog can inspire and motivate. It can inform and excite. The combination of print and online, for customers, is like having their cake and eating it too. They get your current product info and images all laid out in an easy-to-read book they keep at their desk, or under their pillow. They can also go to your site and search anything and everything for more in-depth information, images and even video. It’s like “Candyland” for them.

Scrap your catalog in favor of a line of oragami childrens toys? I don’t think so.

No way. Not now. And give up the 1-2 punch?! I know some of you have been doing the same book the same way for years. It feels comfortable. You don’t think you have the budget to consider changing it. How about saving some money? Ever thought of printing a smaller book and release it seasonally instead of once every year or two or even three? Think Hammacher Schlemmer. Highlight your most popular products and new products and send them to the website for the whole kit and kaboodle. The content is always fresh and more timely and you spend less on a smaller book. Your price book can be the “big kahuna” of detailed pricing and info, but the seasonal catalog becomes more of a show piece. Attention-getting. Inspirational. Vehicle that drives customers to the site, to make the call, to want more.

Believe me, if your competitors have scrapped their books or if they aren’t staying current this is the perfect time to gain the upper hand. Make your move. Offer customers something different. Instead of scrapping your catalog, consider a face-lift and a little lipo. (think Suzanne Sommers, not Joan Rivers) Make sure it works in tandem with your online and social marketing vehicles. Think of it as the 1-2-3 punch. Customers won’t know what hit ‘em, but it’ll sure feel good.

Have you scrapped your print catalog? Are you already moving full speed ahead with the 1-2-3? What’s your opinion? I’m all ears.

 

 

Allison DeFord POSTED BY: Allison DeFord| 1 Comment

Say Something New…To Your Inner Circle

August 30, 2011

How to Make Every Employee a Brand Ambassador

It’s a known fact that employees who UNDERSTAND the brand promise and BELIEVE in the brand work harder—and better.

Most importantly, when employees see themselves as brand ambassadors, they create BRAND DIFFERENTIATION for your customers—something hard for your competition to replicate.

(Think about it. Your competitors can match you in each of the 4 P’s of marketing: product, price, promotion and placement. It’s the PERSONALITY of your brand—its people—that truly separates you from the pack.)

This differentiation becomes part of your competitive edge, and your employees can provide that edge. But only if they understand your goals and philosophy and feel empowered to uphold them in their daily dealings with customers.

So how do you impart that understanding and sense of empowerment?

In Guy Kawasaki’s latest book, Enchantment, he says “the single best thing that a company could do to enchant its employees is to provide them with a MAP.” This allows your employees to “MASTER new skills while working AUTONOMOUSLY for a company with a higher PURPOSE than simply making a buck. The company should be making the world a better place in some way or another.”

Guy’s theory is that in a recession, cost-cutting efforts don’t have to impact how you enchant your employees. Paying them reasonably is only one part. You must use mastery, autonomy and purpose to enchant (MAP). Here’s how:

1. Teach them how to do their job better. Offer classes. Bring in specialists. Give them access to online info, blogs and/or training.

2. Help them set goals, then get out of the way. Remember, a sense of autonomy is key to building brand loyalty and ownership among employees.

3. Show them the bigger purpose your brand has in the world. For example, FedEx’s purpose is to give people peace of mind when they absolutely, positively have to get something delivered.

4. Trust them to make the right choices. Empower your employees to go the extra mile and do the right thing for a customer in need.  I omitted the reference to your transmission story, since non-subscribers reading this blog entry won’t have that context.

5. Don’t forget what it’s like to do their job. Empathy is powerful.

6. Celebrate achievements in a creative way. Think small and meaningful vs. big and expensive. Thank you notes go a looong way.

7. Remind employees that “you want them.” Verbally, in writing and in action.

8. Recognize employees in meaningful ways. Get business cards for everyone, even the warehouse guys. Give them an email address at the company. Make sure they have a workspace and that it’s inspiring in some way.

The bottom line: Enchant your employees and they will enchant others. They are your brand ambassadors.

Do you have other ideas for the list? What do you say to your inner circle? Leave a comment below. I’d love to hear from you.

Here’s to creating a sensation and saying something new!

Allison DeFord POSTED BY: Allison DeFord| 1 Comment