Consultation Services

Strategic Planning  And Meeting Facilitator

I meet with top management ahead of time to establish what you want to accomplish.

From there I help you create clear and concise objectives for the strategic planning meeting.  Relevant topics normally include such things as SWOT analysis, defining or refining company and brand image, competitive analysis, channels of distribution, department goals, timelines and accountability just to name a few.

Then I create an agenda that touches all important aspects of current problems and future opportunities.  My role then is to facilitate the actual strategic planning session and keep the discussions relevant and the team focused and on task.

Introducing New Products

Introducing a great product with ineffective marketing collateral, and a poorly executed advertising and Public Relations (PR) plan can spell death, even for great products.

As the old saying goes...You never get a second chance to make a first impression.  I have helped large and small companies introduce hundreds of new products both in the USA and throughout Europe and I can help you too.

From packaging to brochures and copywriting to advertising concepts and design, I have the experience and track record to make your new product introduction a success.

Selecting and Developing Niche Markets and Channels of Distribution

Whether it's time to expand to new markets or new countries or both, you want to take advantage of every opportunity possible to ensure your success.

Whether you sell commercial, industrial, or consumer products and services I can help you find and develop the right channels and markets for your company.

Finding, Hiring and Training Sales and Marketing Professionals

Let's face it, you are only as good as the team you work with, but finding, hiring and training that team can be difficult and time consuming.

Over the last 31 years, I have hired literally hundreds of people and developed training programs designed to get the maximum results in the shortest amount of time. 

Let's discuss your needs and how I can help you focus on growing your business with the right people.

Getting Appointments With Buyers and Purchasing Agents at Major Retailers and Distributors

Consumers and end-users will never know about your "better mousetrap" if you can't get in front of and convince buyers and purchasing agents to offer it.  But buyers are overworked and getting appointments to see them can be difficult if not impossible.

In this ultra-competitive market, it's all about who you know. I have extensive experience and contacts with almost every major retail chain in North America.  And if I don't know someone there, I know someone who does.

Brand/Company Image

Is your brand image important? More than you know.  Your brand image is the way your customers, neighbors and suppliers see your dealership and its products.  You brand image is a part of everything you do including ads, store layout and design, the way you deal with your customers and employees and everything else that the outside world sees about your company.  I help you clearly define what your brand image is now and then help you change it, promote it or enhance it.

Lead Generation

There are hundreds, perhaps thousands of prospects in your trading area that have thought about doing business with you at one time or another. The secret is to develop a way to find them and convince them to buy from you...today.  I teach guerrilla marketing techniques that will make your prospects stand up and ask you for information about "what" to buy, not "if" they should buy.

Advertising and Media Strategy

The problem with most advertising is that you are casting a very wide net in the hopes of catching something…anything!  You’re hoping to get warm bodies into your store or office.

Not only that, but typical business ads just advertise the name and address of the store/office, list a few products, show a few pictures and prices and maybe offer some special financing terms.  By spending your marketing dollars on these types of ads all you’re doing is picking the “low hanging fruit”…the people that are already in the market to buy. 

I teach you how to increase your qualified leads and advertising ROI regardless of the advertising media you use.  All types of advertising will be addressed including - yellow pages, radio, direct mail, newspaper, internet, color versus black and white, big versus small, etc.

Internet Marketing & Website Strategy

Are you spending huge amounts of time and money driving traffic to your website only to see a tiny percentage of visitors turn into paying customers?  Do you have any idea if your website is actually increasing your sales or just costing you money?  Are you up to date on all the latest Internet marketing tools that can help you grow your sales and profits?  I bring you up to speed on the latest and most effective on-line tactics to make the most of your website and internet marketing strategies.

Ongoing Communication - Follow Up Marketing

In most businesses, the real money is never in the first sale.  It’s always in the follow up sales (i.e.: printers & ink, Cell Phones & monthly subscriptions).  One of the most powerful ways to nurture your clients is to reach out to them on a consistent and meaningful basis.  But many business owners all but stop their marketing efforts after they sell their first product. 

Once a prospect becomes a client/customer , you need to continue to build the relationship.  I can show you how you can make your  customers and clients happier and you more money.  Continuing to build your relationships with your customers will garner you both testimonials more referrals than you can handle.

Improving the Customer Experience

You know what most business owners do after the sale?  NOTHING!  That creates a huge opportunity for those businesses that want to stand out from the crowd and grow their business at the same time.  I show you how to turn what used to be a "one shot deal" into an ongoing profitable customer for life.

Referral Marketing

When asked where most of their business comes from, 9 out of 10 businesses invariably say “referrals.”  When asked what type of system they have in place to generate these referrals, the most common answer is “everyone knows us anyway” or “I give a $100 store/product credit”. 

Unfortunately, neither one of these answers indicate any type of systemized approach to maximizing the potential in this all too important aspect of growing your business or leveraging your current customer/client base. 

Word-of-mouth is not a system a cannot be controlled.  I teach you how to implement a variety of systematic referral programs that continually generate a flood of referrals into your business.

How to Increase Sales Through Effective Store Layout & Design

If you own a retail store, then you know how important store layout and design can be.  Once you implement specific advertising, internet and lead generation strategies, you are going to be driving a lot more traffic to your store.  Now I want to be sure that you make the buying experience great for the customer and as profitable for you as possible.

How?  I teach you effective store layout and design guaranteed to improve the buyer's experience and increase your sales and profits.