Last
updated Ocober, 2003
Get
it done!
It's October!
The leaves are turning and candy corn is out on store shelves.
What that really means is that while the year is far from
over (depending on your business calendar), it's far enough
along that your MAJOR marketing and public relations goals
for 2003 may be in high gear or wrapping up. How are you
doing?
Last week marked
the end of the third quarter. Are you 75% of the way to
your sales or business goals? Focus on finishing the fourth
quarter STRONG!
If there are
things in your business or marketing plan you wanted to
accomplish this year, get it done. Evaluate your marketing
plan and take action. If you want to create a business
partnership to strengthen your business, take the needed
steps. If your department had some major public relations
or marketing projects to implement, review your progress,
focus your resources (If additional resources are needed,
go to those with authority) and get it done.
Many businesses
may have delayed or put off projects the past couple of
years due to an uncertain economy. There are changes occurring
in the marketplace (there are always changes in the economy.)
Seize new opportunities, be bold and achieve growth in
the marketplace. Successful businesses take action to achieve
their marketing goals! Get a jump on your competition with
active marketing strategies to build sales into next year.
Address what
is holding you back. Not enough time? Get more help. Budget
restraints? Address budget needs, make some tough decisions,
request more funding, find a more efficient way to achieve
your goal or change your plans to get the marketing programs
that are feasible this year. Be bold, request the
tools needed and take action. Do you see great opportunities
in another division, suggest it!
There are a couple
possible alternatives:
- Your company
could do nothing, and nothing would change.
- Or, your company
could create, update and implement a marketing, public
relations and advertising action plan. Increased visibility
and sales are inevitable.
Most of what
holds us back in life is a silly game we play in business
called "catastrophizing." We make up awful stories about
how an unsuccessful marketing or public relations effort
hurts business, even though in reality, that rarely happens.
Increased efforts
and well-planned strategies gets your business out into
the marketplace (for this year and into the future.)
In the end, only
action gets results.
Create
A Fun Working Environment
What is the atmosphere
like where you work? Is it open, warm and positive or do
arguments, disruptions and cold silence abound? Keeping
a positive working environment is important to your bottom
line. The way employees view the company and how they feel
at work directly reflects in the way they do their job.
A survey conducted
by the Society of Human Resource Management revealed how
important having fun at work can be. Of the 571 business
representative's respondents, 84 percent agreed that companies
who promote fun at work are more effective. FUN is the
secret word for creating a team-oriented, creative and
open business place. The study also revealed that respondents
said that employee creativity, enthusiasm and satisfaction
would improve the most with positive fun in the work environment.
The Society of
Human Resource Management also reports that a fun working
environment can improve morale, teamwork and a positive
corporate culture for a company. It is important that employees
enjoy their working environment. Being able to have fun
is a great motivator and makes it easier for employees
to come to work and be more productive.
The following
are a few ways to put a little FUN back into the workplace:
Bring in games
and (tasteful) humor to share with co-workers. Include
jokes at the end of your emails or internal memos. Keep
games such as darts or checkers in the break room to blow
off mid-workday stress.
Encourage fun
company activities outside the work premise. Picnics and
softball teams may be popular and build teamwork. Encourage
non-job learning opportunities such as a book of the month
club. Or, encourage philanthropy by having a volunteer
day at a local soup kitchen.
Surprise all
your employees with ice cream cones delivered by a clown
when they do not expect it.
Keeping a positive
environment with fun activities encourages growth for each
employee and for the business as a whole. Everyone likes
having fun so just doing one thing will help build positive
feelings.
Now smile and
have FUN - it's good for business!
A Few
Steps Closer to A Successful Event
In the past issue
of the MCS Marketing Minute we covered the first steps
in planning a successful special event. Here's a quick
review: 1.) Establish goals; 2.) Know your audience(s)
for the event; 3.) Create an event budget; 4.) Locate the
perfect venue; 5.) Create a theme; 6.) Pull together a
dynamic team.
Now, we continue
planning a spectacular event...
7. Make a
checklist
Make a checklist for all involved. Break down responsibilities into attainable,
time-effective step-by-step procedures. Be sure to update and change the checklist
as needed and provide the information to everyone on the event team (dating
the timeline is a good way to double check the most current revision is in
everyone's hands.)
8. Plan Publicity
A balance of creativity and practicality is essential to create great publicity
for an event. Yes, it is important for the public (or target market) to
be aware of the event. What else is the motive for publicity? Is it to
create awareness for a non-profit or a business? Create good community
relations? Increase attendance for the event? Increase support from primary
audiences for the cause or event? Achieve your goals with the proper messages
and avenues of communications.
Review all avenues
of publicity and create a methodical plan. The public relations
plan needs to have a listing of key contacts for publicity
and a timeline of when to send them information. Make sure
all collateral materials tie into the theme for the event.
9. Always
Have a Plan B
Be prepared for the unexpected. Always have a back-up plan for schedule changes
or MC "no shows." Technical snafoos can be a nightmare; have extra items like
microphones, electrical cords, projection machines or any item that is critically
needed. Make sure you have extra food. In case the DJ does not show up, have
a CD player and CD's available. Always think ahead and consider options.
10. Positive
Implementation
After days, months and perhaps years of preparation, the event day arrives.
Always ensure you and key event team members are in communication with each
other and can always be located. Have a prepared box of various and sundry
items such as tape, scissors, magic markers, wireless phone, walkie talkie
system, safety pins, band aids, at your disposal. Stay calm and positive (it
is commonly said, if the host has fun at the party, everyone will.)
Make sure to
document the event with photos and/or video.
11. Event
Evaluation
Take time to evaluate right after the event. If it is appropriate, it may be
helpful to provide evaluations for attendees.
Some areas to
consider are the following: Did the event meet the goals?
Why or why not? What would have helped make the event even
better? How well was the event attended? Considering the
amount of staging for the event, was it worth it?
12. Follow
Up
Thank you's are as good as gold. Everyone who put time, money, donations or
energy into the event needs to be thanked. This small yet mighty step sets
your event in the minds of the participants and supporters and lays a ground
work for future working relationships.
