Phil Lauterjung

Archive for November, 2009

OK, are you ready for smart way #2?  It’s really quite innovative and very high tech – over used word alert, is anything really high tech anymore?  Can we still use that term?  Well that might just be the point of our topic.  It’s fallen out of favor too.

Trade Shows.

Wait, wait don’t start running for the exits just yet.  For many years trade shows have been considered a necessary evil of many marketing budgets.  And, often for good reason.  You went because your competitors were there and it might look bad if you weren’t there.  Your marketing department always wanted a big budget so they could make the big splash and razzle-dazzle everyone.  Your sales people often spent more time talking to industry network contacts rather than potential customers.  Read more... (691 words, 2 images, estimated 2:46 mins reading time)

Everyone wants to know where they can get the best return for their marketing dollars.  And, lots of people think they have the answer.  Buy my solution and your ROI will sky rocket beyond your wildest dreams.  Yeah, sure it will.

For the next few posts I will give you ideas on how to use your marketing dollars more effectively.  I know that’s a bold claim, but take a moment to read these tips, consider them carefully, and then make up your own mind.  Read more... (490 words, 2 images, estimated 1:58 mins reading time)

Introduction:

It’s clearly no secret that many businesses have struggled mightily over the past 1 – 2 years through one of the worst recessions we have seen in a very long time.  Now, we have the economic smart guys saying that the recession if over.  Wishful thinking?  Perhaps.

However, those with a business to run still have to develop a plan for 2010 – if you haven’t already done so.  To get your businesses to grow you will need more sales (altogether now – duh!?!), and to get more sales you will need more leads (double duh).  So, how do you spend your lead generation budget in 2010 to do that?  Over the next few posts we will offer some ideas.  Read more... (530 words, 2 images, estimated 2:07 mins reading time)

Introducing Snap Shots from Snap.com

I just installed a nice little tool on this site called Snap Shots that enhances links with visual previews of the destination site, interactive excerpts of Wikipedia articles, MySpace profiles, IMDb profiles and Amazon products, display inline videos, RSS, MP3s, photos, stock charts and more.

Sometimes Snap Shots bring you the information you need, without your having to leave the site, while other times it lets you “look ahead,” before deciding if you want to follow a link or not.  All you have to do is ‘hover’ over the link with your mouse to see the Snap Shot box with the added info.  Try it on the links above.  Read more... (177 words, 2 images, estimated 42 secs reading time)

In the previous post – Why Should You Care About Data Driven Marketing – I gave you data from a study done by the Aberdeen Group showing a very significant difference in performance between Best-in-Class companies and Laggards in the use of data driven marketing.  I promised to not leave you hanging with just data, but to furnish some steps to success from the report for the Laggard companies.

The number one thing to remember is that any improvements that you hope to attain will require you to develop a plan.  The findings in the study showed that laggard companies lacked formal processes to actually use the data they collect.  Data without insight on how to use it is still just data.  Read more... (437 words, 2 images, estimated 1:45 mins reading time)

Whenever I come across a new study or research report the first question I usually ask myself is why should I care?  Is there something I can learn or use that will help me?  I think most people have the same attitude.  At least I hope so, otherwise I’m not as normal as I think I am.

So when I came across a new white paper by the Aberdeen Group called Data Driven Marketing I approached it with the same level of skepticism.  I already know that marketing is important and that data can help make intelligent decisions.  Right away I’m thinking that this looks like another wonkish rendering of what should really be common knowledge.  Quality data drives effective marketing – end of story.  Read more... (514 words, 2 images, estimated 2:03 mins reading time)