Archive for Business Plan
Hiring a consultant, can I see your marketing plan?
Posted by: | CommentsIf you are thinking about hiring a marketing consultant or a coach, it is very easy to qualify them, ask them, “Can I see your marketing plan?” That will send some shimmers through them.
I’m dead serious about this requirement, it is really not an option. If you read any of the material most marketing coaches or consultants publish it will talk about the strategies that you need, target marketing and ideal client. But are they really just talking the talk, or are they walking the walk?
Take a look at what message are they sending. Are they practicing the same things, that they are telling you to do? Case in point, I am amazed at how many web developers that are out in the marketplace with poor websites. What I typically do is use HubSpot Grader as a guideline even as I’m talking to them on the phone. It is pretty common to see grades of less than 20. I know that HubSpot Grader is not a perfect tool to judge a website, but when the developer is missing keywords, meta tags and other obvious things that should have been incorporated, well just say, I find it quite useful for discussion purposes.
A lot of people will tell you that you need to blog. But are they doing it? Are they posting 3 to 4 times a week to make their blog effective? Ask them what keywords they would like to be found by? Are they being found? What about the subjects they are writing about, are they the subjects that interest you?
That was kind of off track for a moment, but my point of view, those things are just obvious qualifiers. But I am dead serious, ask them to look at their plan or at least a section that describes their ideal client and target market. Can they produce one? If they are not willing to update their own persona and plan…they are not serious enough about making all of the changes and investment required to move a customer up the ladder. So what do you think? Can you shake them up a little bit?
P.S. I have a special going on Marketing Plans this week, take a look!
Should marketing care about cash flow?
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Your marketing team needs to look at things differently to help you succeed in a tough market. Think of ways that you can make your customers feel more like part of a team that is helping each other get through these times. If you do that, your bill may not end up on the bottom of the pile.
On the American Express Open Forum, I give 10 things that marketing can do to improve your cash flow. Go to the Open forum and take a look. Thanks!
One Page Management, really?
Posted by: | CommentsAre your employees productive? Do they have specific objectives and measurements? One Page Management offers a system for all personnel and a key to high production and realized goals. In a growing company finding quality personnel is one of the most difficult task. As a result, managing that talent has become more difficult and demanding. 
You must develop your personnel through outlining their objectives, strategies and actions. Critical information must be gathered, linked and displayed. This allows time for information to be used instead of gathered. Focus, feedback and Management that allow managers to see a total overview by giving them only the information they need. Achievers must become readily visible, problems must be spotted before they cause real trouble, and managers gain greater control over their own performance.
Managing your team is a great opportunity to access and develop their strengths and skills, to share your goals and objectives and so achieve your business aims. It is a continuous process which includes regular review discussions, action plans and success.
Ok, you know all this but how do you go about it. I use the The One Page Business Plan® not as a business plan but as a performance plan. Review the layout and tell me what you think. I think it is a winner for this.
