• BRANDING: Changing US Consumer and How it Affects Your Branding



• LEADERSHIP: Are You Empowering Workers, or Micromanaging?



• LOYALTY: Lollipop Loyalty - What Your Best Customers Deserve



• MANAGEMENT: The 7 Principles of Best Service



• MARKETING: The Formula for a Successful Marketing Campaign



• STRATEGY: Consumers Turn to Social Media to Cope with Economy

July 11 , 2008

BRANDING:  Changing Face of US Consumer and How it Affects Your Branding - adage.com
 
The marketing community, already dealing with a slumping economy and an increasingly consumer-controlled media marketplace, must confront another new reality: The face of the American consumer is changing dramatically. It's not news that the nation is aging, but the fact that the average U.S. head of household is just six months shy of 50 is a startling statistic.
 
Also factor in that regional demographics are diverging more than ever before. The young, multicultural West bears little resemblance to the old, largely white Northeast, where many communities are nearly childless. And that's to say nothing of the rapid and economically vital influx of immigrants. To examine what these demographic shifts mean for brand marketing, let's take a look at some of the most prominent trends.

LEADERSHIP:  Are You Empowering Workers, or Micromanaging?
- ceostrategist.com
 
Simply put, effective leaders don’t micro manage. In fact, they cringe at the thought of it. Why? Because they recognize that one of their primary responsibilities is the development of future leaders for the organization. You can have the best sales plan, an excellent service and operational plan and if you ignore employee development through effective leadership your success will be limited. So, focus on the leadership skills of every manager in your company.

LOYALTY:  Lollipop Loyalty - What Your Best Customers Deserve
destinationcrm.com
 
As rewards programs proliferate, your best customers want -- and deserve -- more consideration. Customers are spoiled -- and they have every right to be. Most of them have very little allegiance to just one store or brand, especially when prices are so comparable. It's not enough just to give your customer a plastic card that hangs off his key chain. Companies need to build loyalty based on intrinsic qualities before they can expect a reward to do any good.

MANAGEMENT: The 7 Principles of Best Service - destinationcrm.com
 
Customer service is broken. What if we approached this problem from the opposite side -- what if we could "challenge" the demand for service and fix the problems for once and for all and, while doing so, find new ways to deliver great customer experiences?

MARKETING:  The Formula for a Successful Marketing Campaign
- drewsmarketingminute.com
 
If your marketing materials are boring or just like everyone else's, you're going to get lost in the shuffle. Strong, memorable creative can make your ad pop off the page or your brochure be the first one they reach for. But, way too many marketers leap right to the creative execution. Who can blame them - it's fun. You have to lay your foundation first. The foundation of any marketing piece is the strategy. Do you understand your audience and why they would want your product/service? Do you know what your key message is?
 

STRATEGY:  Consumers Turn to Social Media to Cope with Economy
- marketingvox.com
 
US consumers are going online to discuss their growing frustrations about the economic downturn as well as share money-saving tips and strategies for deferring purchases, according to Nielsen Online, writes MarketingCharts. Gas and driving strategies and grocery-shopping considerations are two of the more popular areas of social-media discussion.
 
 

GOVERNMENT AND REGULATORY:  PBA Tax Alert for Businesses on Stimulus Package - Professional Beauty Association
 
There is more to the Economic Stimulus Act than the rebates that most of us will be receiving this summer. Included in the Economic Stimulus Act are two provisions to help small businesses. These opportunities are only available in 2008, so if you want to take advantage you must act quickly. These provisions have not received as much press as the rebates have. But, overlooking these provisions could be a costly mistake. Here is what you need to know to take advantage of the new law.
 

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