It's time to grow!
According to the RBC March 2012 Economic Outlook and Financial Market Outlook, the "Pendulum swings back in favour of growth." The
RBC report indicates, "Canadian businesses stand in the enviable
position of generating profits, holding cash balances that are elevated
compared to both assets and liabilities, having access to loans at low
rates, and seeing strong demand for their equity and debt from both
domestic and foreign buyers. It is, therefore, no surprise that
according to the Bank of Canada's Business Outlook survey, a majority
intends to increase both investment in machinery and equipment and
labour." Yeah for us! So
what does that mean from a marketing perspective? Well, it means that
if you've been holding on tightly to your marketing purse strings, its
time to loosen them and start strategically marketing your business to
get more customers coming to YOU! Here are a few thing to
consider: 1. Dressed to Impress & Primed to Perform.
Does your website need a facelift or perhaps a complete rework? Where
do you rank, and is your site generating leads for your business? Your
website is your epicenter, make sure it is "dressed" to impress and
primed to perform. 2. Social Media - Stop, Look & Listen & Learn.
How social are you and how social do you need to be? It's a burning
question and businesses are rushing into the social media arena without
regard for what it is, how it works or if they should actually be
investing their time and money in it. Stop, Look and Listen. Learn about
social media, find out if your clients are using it and then, IF it
makes sense, integrate it strategically into your marketing
planning. 3. Out with the old, in with the new? Have
a look at your traditional marketing tactics. What's working, what's
not? Is it time to phase out your direct mail campaigns in favor of an
e-campaign? Are you still getting a great response from your print
Yellow Page Ad or would a web banner ad make more sense? Do the math.
Have a look at your response and conversion rates. It might be time to
shake things up to help your business grow. 4. Reconnect with your clients and meet new ones.
If you were hunkered down waiting for a more favorable economy, its
here. Now's the time to get out and reconnect with your clients and meet
new ones. Take them to lunch, attend business networking events. Shake
some hands, exchange some business cards, strengthen your existing
relationships and start building new ones. These are just a few thoughts to get you back into growth mode. On your marks, get set, GROW! |