Okay, so this blog is slowly turning into a bit of an online diary for me. Looking back at what it once was though, I’m happy with what it is now and where it’s going. I, like this blog, have undergone a transformation as well. Everything that I post on this blog is current to what I’m learning in my life. Just as you see an increase in my mentions of PR, Internet Marketing, etc, my knowledge and passion for all things marketing grows. I hope you enjoy it! (And if you learn anything from me along the way, well then daamn! Give me a pair of oxfords and an argyle cardi and call me a teacher!) ; )
On that note, today’s lesson is dedicated to business owners and how keeping an honest and open relationship with your customers is more important than ever.
I recently read an article for my communications class that’s actually a letter written by a CEO to his shareholders. The author was acknowledging that now is a tricky time for business leaders because they can no longer just count on their customers to pay the bills, that companies must work for their customers. Here’s my take on the matter and how businesses should push forward:
In this time when businesses are stepping back to look at what they’ve become, (post recession, wait, can I say post recession? I know the economy hasn’t fully recovered yet, but it seems like day by day it’s becoming a thing of the past, so I’ll go with that), leaders need to be realistic about the changes in the economy and the changes in the formula of success, (for businesses of all sizes). Gone are the days of taking customers for granted. It’s obvious that consumers are no longer spending as freely as they once were, every business owner has felt it. (Oh how I long for the days of the dot-com era… Oh wait, I was 9. Okay back to being serious.)
We are now in an age of needing to not only fully understand exactly who our customers are and what they need, but how to directly communicate with them. With the rise of social media comes the responsibility for organizations to be fully functional in reaching their customers on an international scale. Building a team within your company, (whether it be 2 people or 10 people), that specializes in targeting and reaching your customers online is vital to staying relevant in the market place. I think that internet marketing as a whole must be viewed as an integral part of your business strategy and plan, along with the more traditional components like choosing the right distribution channels or maintaining a balanced and effective cost structure.
Post-economic-shock, it’s also time for CEO’s to acknowledge the importance of transparency within a company, and beyond. Shareholders, now more than ever, are going to question where they invest their money. Both shareholders and customers want to know they can trust the companies they support, therefor demonstrating a consistent set of values is mandatory. Show your audience why your company is the right choice for today and for tomorrow.
Well, those are my thoughts on the matter, what are yours?? And more posts coming tomorrow!
- SS
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