The Customer is King

So what has changed so much in marketing to make it such a different playing field that it has been historically? Simply, the consumer has evolved into a position of power, if not even control by many of the developments in the last 10+ years. The era of the internet has provided consumers with something they never had before – easy access to a plethora of information on virtually every topic under the sun.

From product information to customer feedback and ratings on products and services to direct feedback loops via social media to retailers and manufacturers etc., the consumer has real influence over the marketplace and the products and services offered to them for consumption.

Being “Social” is more than Social Media

Many who read this blog’s title may assume that I was just going to talk strictly about social media and its influence on marketers. Wrong! While social media is an integral part of the many ‘social’ changes affecting society today, it isn’t the only one.

Being social touches on social media but goes much farther. In general, it influences marketers in its ability to enable active engage with your customers, the ability to add value to this relationship on a regular basis, and to broaden the reach of your marketing and communications messages – both on social networking platforms along with other mediums.

Use this engagement to learn more about your customers, and what they need or want from you. Encourage  them to collaborate with you to build better products and services, and to share any ideas and unfulfilled wants they might have.  You’ll build brand awareness, customer loyalty and a whole lot more!

Part 2 of this blog post will follow shortly in February, so stay tuned!

The following is a list of the speakers for the next 6 months. Each speaker has 5 minutes to speak about their business to the group. If you cannot attend on your scheduled day, please contact Ian regarding switching. If you would like to book a time, please contact either of us to see if we have a cancellation or can accommodate you.

Sept. 30: Manuela Coelho and Boris Mahovac

Oct. 14: Michelle Peris and Grace Attard

Oct. 28: John Pagliacci and Joanna Turlej

Nov. 11: Sarah Mulaner

Nov. 25: Margareta Laffoley and Ian Turner

Dec. 9: Susan Cloutier

Dec. 23: NO MEETING

Jan. 6: Cheryl Scoffield

Jan. 20: Diana Boudrahem

Feb. 3: Erick Nettel

Feb. 17: Charmaine Idzerda and Daniel Durst

Boris

If you’d like to borrow any of these titles (more are coming), simply let me know by commenting on this blog post. If you purchase one of these books I will receive a small commission from Amazon which I will use to offset the costs of running this blog site.

Currently checked out

Currently checked out

Currently checked out

Currently checked out

Boris Mahovac R.G.D.

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You attended the networking meeting- Now What? Do you have a plan in place and implemented, for staying in touch with the new prospects you met at the networking event?    You will, after you attend Set The Stage For Follow Up Training Session.

Attending trade shows, monthly association meetings & networking events to get new prospects - costs money. 
When you take proactive actions to implement a step by step system to make sure every prospect you met goes into your sales funnel, is followed up and sales opportunities are maximized ….  you also maximize your business development investment. It just makes cents.

This sales follow up training is best for: Business Managers, Small or Medium Sized Business Owners, Sales Professionals and Entrepreneurs.

“SET THE STAGE FOR FOLLOW UP”  training is Monday night August 16th, 6 – 9 pm in Oakville, Ontario.

Register for “SET THE STAGE FOR FOLLOW UP”  Training or 

Have this training come to your office – contact Cheryl at ExecutiveSalesSupport.com.

Learn the 10 Step Follow Up System through 2.5 hours of hands on, skills based training.  $89.00 in Oakville, Ontario.

At the “SET THE STAGE FOR FOLLOW UP”  Training you will discover the 10 step framework and the first 6 steps will be covered in depth. These first 6 follow up steps are critical because they establish your social connection to the people you meet. 

You will learn how to; 

1. Improve you ‘first contact’ conversation
2. Set the stage for future contacts
3. Increase the number of prospects you are in conversation with
4. Develop win win relationship building connections
5. Discover the ‘giving piece’ that pulls you forward from that first contact to the second and beyond

Register for “SET THE STAGE FOR FOLLOW UP”  Training  or contact Cheryl at ExecutiveSalesSupport.com to arrange for this training to come to your office.

Hear what attendees are saying about this skills based Follow Up Training; 

I met Cheryl Scoffield, the owner of Executive Sales Support, over a year ago and every time we talk business I walk away smarter. Yes, I said smarter! I walk away with usable information that will help my business.

Cheryl Scoffield, Follow Up Specialist, has developed a 10 Step Follow Up System that manages and maximizes your follow up activities. As in the follow up needed after you meet new prospects for your business; return from networking or the follow up needed to turn that stack of business cards on your desk into paying clients. If you need to know what to do next, Cheryl is the person you need to meet.

Why am I telling you this? Honestly, it’s because I have gained valuable knowledge from Cheryl over the past year and I am excited that Cheryl is now offering training sessions where she will share some of her tips and hints.

Kristeen Sopeju Edwards, Gifting Specialist, Business Owner
The Wreath Queen, Oakville, Ontario

You attended the networking meeting- Now What? Do you have a plan in place and implemented, for staying in touch with the new prospects you met at the networking event?    You will, after you attend Set The Stage For Follow Up Training Session.

This sales follow up training is best for: Business Managers, Small or Medium Sized Business Owners, Sales Professionals and Entrepreneurs.

The next “SET THE STAGE FOR FOLLOW UP”  Training Sessions  will be Monday night June 21st, and Monday night August 16th.
The training is 2.5 hours from 6 pm – 9 pm and takes place in Oakville, Ontario.

Register for “SET THE STAGE FOR FOLLOW UP”  Training or contact Cheryl at ExecutiveSalesSupport.com to arrange for this training to come to your office.

Learn the 10 Step Follow Up System through 2.5 hours of hands on, skills based training.  $89.00 in Oakville, Ontario.

At the “SET THE STAGE FOR FOLLOW UP”  Training you will discover the 10 step framework and the first 6 steps will be covered in depth. These first 6 follow up steps are critical because they establish your social connection to the people you meet. 

You will learn how to; 

1. Improve you ‘first contact’ conversation
2. Set the stage for future contacts
3. Increase the number of prospects you are in conversation with
4. Develop win win relationship building connections
5. Discover the ‘giving piece’ that pulls you forward from that first contact to the second and beyond

Register for “SET THE STAGE FOR FOLLOW UP”  Training  or contact Cheryl at ExecutiveSalesSupport.com to arrange for this training to come to your office.

Hear what attendees are saying about this skills based Follow Up Training; 

Cheryl is definitely the Follow Up Specialist! After taking her “Follow Up System” workshop and being introduced to the “10 Step Follow Up System,” I have a template to follow that will save time and increase my business.   Sue Lacher, Business Coach 

Cheryl is energentic and inspiring. In her “Set the Stage” training, Cheryl underscores the importance of following up with prospects and gives valuable input and ready-to-use strategies for overcoming that inherent reluctance to follow up past the first meeting. She also presents a very useful system for keeping track of your network.   Camilla Nielsen, Intellectual Property Consultant 

Our next meeting is on Friday, June 11, 2010 at 8:45 am

Our free business networking group invites you to join us and share referrals. Our business blog offers you an opportunity to promote your own web site.

Please be advised that from now on you must pay your $5 attendance fee at the door. To make things easier for you and e-Spot staff, please consider paying $10 or $20 in advance. Your credit can then be used to cover your substitute’s fee, or will be carried over to your next meeting. Receipts will be issued by the e-Spot quarterly.

Boris Mahovac R.G.D.

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Our next meeting is on Friday, May 28, 2010 at 8:45 am

Our free business networking group invites you to join us and share referrals. Our business blog offers you an opportunity to promote your business on line.

Please be advised that from now on you must pay your $5 attendance fee at the door. To make things easier for you and e-Spot staff, please consider paying $10 or $20 in advance. Your credit can then be used to cover your substitute’s fee, or will be carried over to your next meeting. Receipts will be issued by the e-Spot quarterly.

Boris Mahovac R.G.D.

Sign up for my next Contacts2Clients Business Seminar

Let's connect:

Our next meeting is on Friday, May 14, 2010 at 8:45 am

Our free business networking group invites you to join us and share referrals. Our business blog offers you an opportunity to promote your own web site.

Please be advised that from now on you must pay your $5 attendance fee at the door. To make things easier for you and e-Spot staff, please consider paying $10 or $20 in advance. Your credit can then be used to cover your substitute’s fee, or will be carried over to your next meeting. Receipts will be issued by the e-Spot quarterly.

However, if you can’t live without meeting your networking buddies, a bunch of us have plans to meet at Artisano’s, 353 Iroquois Shore Rd. for a coffee. Same time: 9:00 am or abouts.

Leave your comment here if you’re planning on coming.

In January, Trevor Folgering, Jason Stevens, Liz Boydell and Camilla Nielsen were elected to run the group on a daily basis. Over the past months Trevor and last week Jason (too much work and no time) have left the group leaving only Liz and Camilla to do the job.

On the upcoming meeting Friday, October 2nd we will have to choose to either

1. Select a new Executive Committee, 4 members and 2 substitutes for a period of 15 months running till the first meeting in January 2011,
   or
2. Select 2 new members to replace Jason and Trevor, + 2 substitutes for a period of 3 months running till the first meeting in January 2010, and then have another election in January. These new members may be re-elected in January.

Therefore, please consider whether YOU would like to take charge and have influence on the way the group is run by becoming a member of the Executive Committee.

Kind regards,

The executive committee

Boris Mahovac R.G.D.

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