Are You Marketing to the Construction Industry?
If you are there’s a new association that started in 2009 (good timing isn’t it) that deals with the construction industry and best practices to market to them. It’s called Construction Marketing Association (CMA) and they are out of Chicago. I’ve joined it as I think it’s important for those of us that play in this market can get together with their peers and look at what’s working and what’s not.
STAFDA 2010 – Manufacturers and Distributors More Upbeat
I just returned from the 34th Annual Specialty Tools and Fasteners Distributors Association (STAFDA) convention and trade show. Attendance was up and so were the spirits of all who attended. Georgia Foley and the team once again put on a great event.
2010 Industrial Marketing Trends: How Do You Stack Up?
GlobalSpec is an internationally known portal used by engineers, technical and manufacturing professionals. They recently released a new study: Trends in Industrial Marketing 2010. Of the 464 respondents, 70% hold management positions in sales or marketing. These companies had marketing budgets from 50,000 to over a million dollars.
Should Marketing and IT Departments Work Together?
Whe was the last time you and your IT department willingly collaborated on a project? The truth is probably never unless you were forced to. The reality is in today’s environment, the customer is taking control of the engagement and marketing’s challenge is how to get to the customer faster and more efficiently (customer-centric). Customers are turning away from companies who can’t provide the experience, channel of engagement and immediate service they need.
What Are You Doing To Track Leads?
Everyone is talking about ROI especially when it deals with social media. What I would like to know is what/how are you currently dealing with what I call Traditional leads from ads (print and electronic), trade shows and websites?
Social Media: Don’t Forget the Human Side
Social media is about engaging with other people. In order for it to be successful, we need to move that engagement beyond the posts of Facebook or your blog. Yes, it’s understood that there are people behind the words, but unless you just want to be pen pals, you need to nurture them.
How Manufacturers Can Help Distributors Ramp Up Their Cash Flow
A friend of mine Abe WalkingBear, developer of a copyrighted profit system that focuses on improving cash flow, has agreed to share some of his insights (some are truly unique) on how manufacturers can help ditributors. He’s written books, is an international speaker and co-authored STAFDA’s Foundations of Business 2007. Old military funny money finds new life in business. During this time of slow sales and extended delays in business credit customers’ payments, an old idea is reborn.
Abe WalkingBear Sanchez, leading speaker, trainer, contributing editor and author to manufacturers and distributors, discusses why the credit department should report to sales and how old ways of credit checking limits sales efforts.
STAFDA Convention-Phoenix
For those of you that are going to Phoenix for the STAFDA Show, we put together an Insider’s Guide to Phoenix by asking friends and business associates about gems in the city that you might not be aware of. It includes Restaurants, Nightlife, Events and more. It’s available at www.sonnhalter.com/stafda
What Are You Doing to Track Leads?
We’re taking a poll to see how B-to-B marketers are currently tracking leads (all kinds). It’s a short survey (7 questions), and if you want to get a copy of the results, there’s a place for your e-mail at the end of the survey; we’ll be happy to share the results.