Have you seen the complete range of Red Zebra services?
Management
- Business Planning
- Budgeting
- Cash Forecasting
- Performance Monitoring
- Profit Improvement
- Book-keeping services
- Debtor Control
- Debt Collection
- Creditor Management
- Stock Planning
- Inventory Management
Marketing
- Marketing strategies
- Price Pointing
- Ad planning
- Ad production
- Ad placement
- Customer Relationship
- Management
- Direct Mail Campaigns
- Brochure Design & Print
- In-store Promotions
- Product Ranging
- Sign Design
- Web Design
- Corporate Image
- Corporate Videos
- Sales Improvement programs
- Phone Answering
Staff & Recruiting
- Recruitment
- Employee Search
- Job Design
- Remuneration Strategies
- Full Position Descriptions
- Detailed Selection Criteria
- Key Performance Indicators
- Key Performance Measures
- Model Documentation
- Organisational Design
- Conflict Resolution
Training
- Customer Relations Training
- Sales Training
Software
- Sales & Marketing Databases
- Accounting Systems
the second step -
run a sales campaign!
T he second step to beating the adverse economic outlook this year, (all four steps
were in January Management Memos) is to run a sales campaign. For many, sales today are running at
disturbingly strong levels, and it's hard to manage demand. So why run a sales campaign? It's all about
lead time. If you start a a campaign when you can see you need it, it's already too late!
The best sales campaigns build good customer value. They create long term
sales growth, and lead to a very strong, long term market position. But they take time to build momentum.
So if we want the strong upward momentum, it's no good waiting until the downturn begins. That's precisely
the time you need the upward momentum!
Run a Consistent Campaign: Your sales campaign will be effective if
you keep it going long enough to have real impact, and when it carries a consistent message. You don't have
to make your campaign elements boringly repetitive, but you do have to have a consistent message. That message won't 'cut through' under three months
exposure, so plan a campaign that will run at least six months.
Have a Clear Message: That message will be your USP (Unique Selling
Proposition), or in more modern language, your UVP (Unique Value Proposition). You may be promoting
different products or services across a campaign, but your UVP is always
going to be the same. Be clear on your value proposition before you begin, and keep it constant. All
the time!
Appeal to Both the Heart and the Head: Everyone wants to be
informed about what we buy, but the reason to buy is emotional. A
campaign that's all information, and low in emotion, isn't a good way to grow sales. This is more than just
'showing the benefits' - that's good selling, but of itself, not enough - it's about customers seeing how
they can express themselves in what they buy.
Break the pattern: Your campaign must be memorable. And it won't
be if it's like everyone else's.
Your offer is different from all the others. Your ads are different from all the others. Your point of sale
promotion is different from all the others. And your visual merchandising is more interesting than all the
others.
Generate Trust: No one doubts that trust is vital in business. But
does your sales campaign engender trust? It's not easy to run a
campaign that makes a compelling offer, but doesn't seem too good to be true. Cynicism and scepticism are
rampant. So focus on generating trust as you prepare your campaign.
So here's the takeout!
- Start building sales while the market is still running your way.
- Run a campaign that is different,
- Make your message clear
- Keep your campaign consistent, and
- Be sure your message is emotionally appealing.
Do that, and the slowdown that just has to come, will hit others more than it hurts you!
If you'd like to find out
more, talk to us, or ask
us a question here! Remember, there's no charge or obligation, and you get a whole hour's consultation
free. This same offer also applies in New Zealand.
