Phil Lauterjung

Posts Tagged ‘Marketing’

No, this is not another Top 10 list of anything.  I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty tired of seeing those.  I know that they sometimes have some interesting insights, but enough already!

As a history buff I do know that there is value in looking back and learning from the past.  The old axiom of hindsight being 20/20 is often very true.  And, as technology advances ever faster it becomes more difficult to take a breath and review anything.  Read more... (419 words, 2 images, estimated 1:41 mins reading time)

We all know that sales cycles have lengthened for most of us.  However, The TAS Group, a sales software and training company, has aggregated anonymous data from their customers to come up with some very interesting insights into what’s really happening with sales cycles.  Please note that they kept in mind good business practices and privacy issues in this data.

Here are 5 facts that you might find to be surprising:  Read more... (456 words, 2 images, estimated 1:49 mins reading time)

It seems as though I come across an article every day that questions the use of Social Media as a legitimate tactic to use in business.  The big question is can Social Media be measured?  Can you get an ROI from Social Media?

The best answer that I can think of is – it depends.  Kind of a weasely answer, but bear with me for a moment.  There are currently over 350 million people on Facebook and nearly 50 million on LinkedIn.  There are also tens of millions on Twitter, but that seems to be a more difficult number to pin down.  My point is that there are very large numbers of people using these communities to talk about what matters to them.  Some of them might be your customers or prospective customers.  Read more... (532 words, 2 images, estimated 2:08 mins reading time)

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)