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.


Click here to check out
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

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Networking Wednesdays & Happy Holidays!

Please make sure you keep your "Social" in all your Social Networking Campaigns!

Enjoy your holidays!!!
Your Fellow Virtuosos,

Biz Virtuoso, Inc.
http://www.bizvirtuoso.com/


FYI:  NYC SOUP is back, please join us at our first event of 2011 on January 19, 2010.   "Next Level" Networking with other qualified business professionals.  To RSVP and secure your spot please go to www.meetup.com/nycsoup!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Solidify Your Brand | Defining your Target Market

Solidify Your Brand | Defining your Target Market

Here is your 2nd Holiday Gift to help you wrap up 2010 and become more strategic for the New Year and decade!  If you’ve been in business less than a year and are still seeing no movement in sales, maybe your approach is too broad.  With the state of the economy, having a well-defined target market or clarity in your ideal customer is more important than ever. To target customers the “Virtuoso” way you must develop a powerful brand that easily answers the buying questions of your target prospects.   With this clarity you can effectively launch a marketing program that will quickly generate sales and increase market share for your products and services within just 3 – 6 months of aggressive execution. So here it is…

5 Easy Steps that can help you define your target market:

       Data Mining within your current database.  As the business owner, you should not be doing this activity.  Outsource this task to an intern or assistant to get a comprehensive picture of your current customer profile.  Understand the important similarities and differences within your book of business.  Here are some examples: age, location, education, industry, hobbies, how did you meet or acquire customer, and how much business do they do with you?

       By using the above data you’ve discovered, develop a digital market segmentation of your database. A market segment is a sub-set of a market made up of people or organizations with one or more ... http://en.wikipedia.org Identify segments, lifestyles & purchase patterns of your customers.  Create multiple groups, lists and reasons for contact so that you can effectively touch these people based on their interests.

       Revisit your current brand or establish a new brand based on trends found.  Specialize and define yourself as a “Virtuoso” in a specific discipline or to a specific customer demographic based on the information you’ve found.  Be sure to clarify your new company mission and vision based on these findings.  This step will take you a few steps closer to optimizing your brand identity based on your ideal customer profile.

       Begin using social media marketing EFFECTIVELY.  In 2011, stop the random and unorganized posts.  Establish a campaign that will help your customers understand who you are, what you do and WHY you are the best business for them to use.  Your social media marketing process should include strategies that add your ideal customer groups, fan pages, individuals and businesses.  Go beyond just connecting and adding but deliver information that positions you as that customers “Virtuoso.”

       Launch an Internet Marketing focused on building Brand awareness.  As we’ve stated before, you must always be targeted in your approach.  Make sure you are listed in directories, websites, magazines and through vendors partners that have similar customers to your ideal customer base,

Once your read to execute this, contact us at info@bizvirtuoso.com and learn how to continue branding and solidifying your target customers for 2011.  http://www.bizvirtuoso.com/ or twitter.com/bizvirtuoso. If you need assistance please contact us at 1-800-383-1148 Or visit our website info@bizbirtuoso.com

Let’s Get on Target!!

Brenda Alexander

Monday, December 20, 2010

Happy Holidays... Planning Monday

Hello Virtuosos...

This holiday, reflect on your plan and making it count.  Don't let this happen to your business!



Your Fellow Virtuosos!

Biz Virtuoso, Inc.

Monday, December 13, 2010

Storming Strategy 2011

Storming Strategy 2011
Hello FELLOW VIRTUOSOS!
2010 is just 18 days from ending.  For most of us it is a great time for reflecting, revising and redefining our goals for both our personal and business life.  For this Biz Virtuoso Planning Monday, I want you to set aside 30 minutes to complete an activity that could help change your life.  I learned about this visioning process during my Transformative Narrative Process training with Prime Directive Consulting Group, which was created by Yvette Hyater-Adams.  This activity is not easy but it is effective!  I can honestly say that after much reflection and strategy around my answers, I was able to re-launch my business to a new level.  Here is our first gift to you towards 2011!

50 Things & Persons Free Write Activity
You want to begin this activity in a time and place where you can focus, relax and release your thoughts freely without second-guessing, doubt or hesitations.  Get 4 pieces of paper and number 1 to 50 on each before beginning.  As you push through the following open yourself to the unobvious and allow your bare instinct and bind to take over. 
1.     50 Things I am dealing with! (Business or personal)

2.     50 Things I want to achieve! (Business or personal)

3.     50 People I know!

4.     50 People I know that can help me do the things I want to to! (Think outside the box of your own personal contact but to people you may have extended connections to or people you dont know at all.)
Once youve completed this activity, take a day or two to reflect and think about your answers and path youve detailed.  Want to learn how to make this activity work for you and come to life? Contact us to learn more about our Business Strategy Development Process.  Call 1-800-383-1148 or 646-845-7338 or visit us at http://www.bizvirtuoso.com/!

Your Strategy Virtuoso,
Cynthia G. Peacock
Are we friends on Facebook: www.facebook.com/bizvirtuoso or Twitter: www.twitter.com/bizvirtuoso?

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Your Social Media Identity...

Your Social Media Identity...

Social media, you and your business.... How many of us effectively utilize it, abuse it or just don't understand it's value?  I would say, that I've been on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and some of the other social media sites, basically since their inception.  Initially, as we all do, this was used for social connection, voicing my opinions and even sometimes for my random rants! Some things have stayed the same... And some things have drastically changed.  However the real reason for today's summary is to chat about who you are on the social media sites and how it can either supports or hamper your abilities as a business owner or professional.

You... As a unique individual, millions and trillions of thoughts surface in you mind on a daily basis, doubts, excitements, fears and successes. Whether you've discovered it or not... Your uniqueness is valuable and can become a priceless message to someone else's life experience and challenges right now.  How can you translate all you are and all you think to a medium such as Facebook, EFFECTIVELY?
One way is by clearly defining your brand or brand identity and staying true to that at all times.  Branding, on social media sites, is time consuming, PERIOD.  You cannot brand or effectively reach the number of people you would like in one shot.  However, with time, energy and finesse in this process you will effectively be delivering your brand message to your potential customers daily and for FREEEE!!! This can make or break you and your business.  You must be careful that your message is correctly received; otherwise your efforts may not result in your desired outcome. 

I am sure your saying, that's great and all but, how can you summarize yourself up and repackage it to help people better understand you and your goals?



1.     Be conscious of the statements you use and the messages on your page.
2.     Be aware of all images you release and how they translate to people who may not know you or what you  do.
3.     Be visible about you and your business?
4.     Be careful of the campaigns you follow, because this gives people more data to build a digital picture of you and your brand... 

Want to learn more??? Read Social Media 101 by Chris Brogan and delve deeper into how you can optimize your experience and brand online! http://www.chrisbrogan.com/social-media-101/


Your Fellow Virtuoso,
Cynthia G. Peacock, President
Biz Virtuoso, Inc.

Biz Virtuoso, Inc. is a strategic business development firm focused on creating “Virtuosos” or experts in business development, management and strategy. www.bizvirtuoso.com

Monday, November 15, 2010

Smart Business Plans: Easy Finance

Smart Business Plans: Easy Finance
Do you have a plan for success???

A plan in simple terms is a roadmap that helps one attain their end objectives. Be it making everyday decisions or running big businesses, plans are pivotal in determining the success or failure of ones business. A plan can be as simple as deciding how to get to work or as complex as determining the method of production to give you optimal profits. Why are so many entrepreneurs so resistant to the process of sitting and planning before executing?

As a business owner, approaching and making decisions based on your business point of view can mean the assessment of various variables that contribute to the end product. Each and every area, be it production, marketing or developing strategies, all require an in depth analysis and research.  As well all know, there are no businesses that operate without considering the key elements that affect it, so we must plan for the unknown sometimes. Otherwise, we put ourselves at a disadvantaged due to the sheer fact that we will have no back ups or pre meditated POA in case of a crisis.

One might wonder whether plans are effective in this dynamic environment. Also with the fast changing needs of a business, is there any reason we should plan ahead. Well, the answer would be, plans in spite of being subject to constant changes, guide our actions and help us make revisions and fine tunings much faster. They are a benchmark against which we can track business growth and processes.

In addition to this, businesses cannot function without money. The ready availability of finance is essential for the attainment of ones end objective. No matter how good our business idea is, and however strongly we might believe in it, we cannot convince people to believe in it and put in their money unless they have concrete facts and figures. This is attained by undergoing constant and thorough research, detailed analysis and by developing a good presentation. However, undergoing the above is not a sure shot guarantee of attaining success. Planning is only the beginning but not the end of the roadmap to success.

Businesses are situation specific. For different situations there are a set of things that do, and a larger set of things that don’t work. By taking the time to develop or by availing our Business Plan Service, you get access to tried and tested solutions to make sure you don’t lose out.

Do you have a plan already?
The following are some sources of meeting your company financially secure:

Bank loan | Credit line | Partnership agreement | Private investment |
Venture Capitalist | Angel Investor

Biz Virtuoso is here to make your plans foolproof. We are the experts in providing Business Plan Assistance, Business Marketing Plans and Strategic Business Consulting to name a few.  No matter whichever method you choose, Business Plan Assistance or Business Consulting goes a long way in giving that extra edge to empower your ideas.  Contact Biz Virtuoso to make your plans Foolproof and soar ahead of your competitors.

646-845-7338