Ideas, Ideas, Ideas

Change is not always easy. The fear of failing can be pretty scary.

I liked what Mary Dillon, McDonalds CMO, told me back at MPlanet2009.

“She noted that people at times fear admitting a program – be it traditional or new media – failed, but in the end it’s far better to know what failed and what delivered positive results in this economy.”

Here’s a link to the article and some of the information she shared with me and a few others at Mplanet2009 in Orlando.

http://www.mplanet2009.com/marketingblog/2009/01/the-more-failures-you-identify.php

I saw this idea for a marketing checklist on Jim Connolly’s blog and really liked the idea. Check out his blog and post and then ask your sellers if they have a marketing checklist to talk to your customers and prospects about.

http://jimsmarketingblog.com/2009/12/28/your-2010-marketing-check-list/

Most of you know already how proud I am to work for a company like Xerox. So it doesn’t surprise me to see this article today in Business Week ranking Ursula Burns as one of of the top 20 most Inspirational Leaders of today.

http://www.businessweek.com/managing/content/dec2009/ca20091217_472500.htm

As a Sales Consultant, I spend a lot of time and energy on the strategy of selling. There are only 24 hours in a day, so I spend a lot of time thinking about how we can best use our time! Social media can help – sure – IF used correctly.

Anyway – here’s a great tool that you can use to search some potential tier A prospects – from Fortune Magazine.

What makes these potential top A? Well, for starters – they are the highest job growth companies! My question – are you being strategic to ensure you are working with the best possible customers and prospects? What kinds of things are you or your sales teams doing to ensure you are?

http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/bestcompanies/2009/jobgrowth/

This is a great article on a few ideas on personalized video and the power of one-one! Check it out and show some of your customers how you can help them market their products and services! http://www.imediaconnection.com/content/23671.asp

If you are going to Print09, please email me so we can connect at the show and register at this link: http://titus.blogs.xerox.com/wp-admin/

Check this out –  http://www.sba.gov/smallbusinessplanner/manage/marketandprice/SERV_100MIDEAS.html

Now while some of these are “basic” ideas, I would ask yourself if you are implementing and thinking about them. 

For example, why not have your sales team collect your #1 competitors ads and study/review them at the next team meeting?  I love that idea. 

Take a read and let’s discuss how I can help you implement and idea or two.

I few years ago, a friend of mine in Seatle asked me if I used Manta.com to research City’s I cover.  At that time, I had never heard of it.  While a few short years later, I lOVE manta.com.  I use it to help me strategize the top accounts in each City.  You can even search the top accounts by categories, by City.  All for free :>

Check it out (http://www.manta.com)  and put a comment below on the site you use.

http://www.manta.com/

Check out the iGen4 in-line packaging solution we will have on the floor at Print 09.   Unbelievable!

http://www.graphicartsonline.com/article/CA6673000.html

Print 09 is coming quick (Sept 11-16th) and is going to be a great show this year! Let me know if your attending and we can connect.

http://www.print09.com/