Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Branding Skills, Sweet Enough To Be Chewed Over And Over!

Branding Skills, Sweet Enough To Be Chewed Over And Over!

Marketing students, as well as, marketing professionals continuously educate themselves on the theories of the 4 Ps of marketing i.e. Product, Price, Place (distribution) and Promotion. However, how many of these practitioners really know the worth and technicalities of implementing these strategies in each division it is specialized with to better brand a company.

Brands should start focusing on how effective their own call to action is, when it comes to effectively growing the business. It is natural that a detergent brand would need more spills; making the consumer feel that spills and stains are good. Once the consumer starts feeling that spills are good, more detergents more wipe offs, which will get them audience penetration.  Many brands have gotten so involved with promoting this call, that they feature kids playing in mud or sports to promote their detergent, posing it as an innovative open mind decision.

Moreover, media channels such as newspapers, TV, Radio can be another way for businesses to deliver these campaigns. With the increasing literacy levels, increased investment in media and improved economic status of people, the business of branding and marketing has transformed over the last 10 to 20 years.  The more exposed people have an increased aesthetic sense to seek for high quality products through these media outlets. Consequently for the brand promotion, media reliance comes as an obvious part.  If brands penetrate more with the vibrant and most attractive reality shows, for instance American Idol, Fear Factor, America Has Got Talent, it will sell the brand packaging more than ever. The more creative part can be to link ad elements with the most motivational aspects of the shows to grab the audiences of these shows.

Researches have concluded that for controversial brands, such as family planning products for conservative and remote societies, focus group discussions, seminars and companies actually visiting institutions, rural towns and conferences, have proven to be more effective than mere TV ad display. Many audiences simply shy away from TV ads or bulletin boards, and due to this the campaign remains useless. In general, for a product, if the brand thinks the target audience isn’t being received through the conventional methods, they should rely more on interpersonal methods.

As a strong branding strategy, target audience segmentation is important. The mistake of taking the audience segmentation as just a list of characteristics of how similar a group of people may look, eat and work, fails as the only tactic when it comes to the majority of brands. The segmentation of behaviors and attitudes is demanded in our present day society.  This sort of branding strategy is no longer a parochial society where people’s beliefs and thinking followed the same pattern. Rather in the modern setting, each individual needs personal satisfaction and comes up with defining personal trends every second.

So brands GEAR UP your brand and begin catering to more personalized versions of audience demands. If successfully executed, the consumers will definitely find your portfolio sweet.  Branding must follow the research of behaviors to attract more customers and understand exactly what they want and need today as well as in the future.

Your Fellow Virtuosos,

Cynthia G. Peacock

Monday, January 10, 2011

Planning For 2011…..It’s Already Time!

Planning For 2011…..It’s Already Time!

The effects of the recent economic recession can not be easily washed out, but that’s not a big dilemma to hold on with either. Businesses have started growing out of any pits they were in, each on its own strength and pace. So its time that you stop hiding behind the walls of your broken shell, and come out afresh, as 2011 has a big deal to offer for a flourishing business.

Rather than crying over the spilt milk, start the head work for lucrative business plans for this year. Before jotting down the huge ambitions, it is important to figure out what purpose your business should fulfill this year.  That purpose will become your focal point. Everything else is going to revolve around it. For example you want to do business catering MNCs, or you want to stick to local scenario, maybe your purpose is to facilitate the non profit organizations or simply the purposes can be either to make immense profits or just enough profits to cover up the past losses.

Most importantly, as you start planning, also start letting it to connect with the people and strategies of your business. Because a paper restricted plan may not just throw you back in the recession period but maybe back into some pre-historic times. Let the plan become alive, flowing as visible currents in your business.

Do not move for over ambitious plans; know the limitations of your budget. Budget your finances according to well set priorities as it is the most important task. You must look into the financial matters with a backup plan. 2011 is surely for the backup plan makers.

Once the purpose and layout is set in front you, naturally it will reveal your weak and strong areas, as the task assigning going in your mind will show you a transparent picture. 2011 is a tricky year in this regard; those who think they can get away with any discrepancies, even this year, have dug their heads in the ground like ostriches do. The upcoming competition and the quest for survival have the least options available for hide out seekers. Moreover, figuring out alone the personal strengths and weaknesses is a child’s play; the assessment of competitors’ market is stitched in strongly. After all, you cannot just keep it to yourself; the challenges posed by your competitors actually set many of your goals and strategies. Unless you do not have an edge over your competitors’ tools, you will stay in the influenced position.

Your plan of action must be closely coordinated with your business purpose; it turns up the credibility factor. After the recession only those brands and companies have been able to appear in the top rankings who have maintained their credibility and trust among the consumers.

Remember it is best to keep the trust and credibility as one of the top goals in your planning. It will automatically regulate all other planning tasks and departments of your business. For not letting the consumer trust to get on stake, you must remove all the ills from your business, starting from bad personnel and bad strategies to failed products. Moreover, never hesitate to put off the bad clients. With a thorough planning, 2011 can be truly yours! Start for it now!

Your Fellow Virtuoso,
Cynthia G. Peacock

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Become Smarter at Networking in 2011

Networking is HARDWORK!

Welcome to 2011 and the new and better opportunities to grow you business.


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The NYC SOUP (Society of Urban Professionals)!

Monday, January 3, 2011

With Our Deepest Appreciation…

With Our Deepest Appreciation…

Dear Family, Friends, Clients and Colleagues,

With our deepest appreciation, I just want to take the moment to say THANK YOU! Those words are barely enough to express our sincere appreciation for each and every one of you.  You have all in one way or another been a part of our growth and development throughout 2010.  Although the year was filled with tremendous battles, we have proven ourselves to be stronger, more resilient and absolutely sincere in our effort to change the businesses of our customers, industries and our lives as business owners.   As this year begins, my heart is filled with joy and humbled by appreciation for all you have done to help us make 2010 a VICTORIOUS YEAR for Biz Virtuoso, Inc.  As I reflect on our final moments of 2010, I would like to leave you with a wonderful quote from my mentor in faith, Daisaku Ikeda, which expresses why we strive to help create many more Virtuosos in 2011. 

“Our lives grow to the degree that we give hope and courage to others and enable them to develop their lives.   Therefore, while we speak of practicing for others, it is we ourselves who ultimately benefit.  With this understanding comes the ability to take action with a sense of appreciation.” – Daisaku Ikeda

Lets work together to build smarter and stronger businesses in 2011.  Thank you for your ears, your thoughts, your comments and your suggestions.  You help us to strive to be better daily.  Visit us on at www.facebook.com/bizvirtuoso, www.twitter.com/bizvirtuoso or www.bizvirtuoso.com

Your Fellow Virtuoso,

Cynthia Peacock
President and Owner
Biz Virtuoso, Inc.
www.bizvirtuoso.com