Don't underestimate the power of saying "thank you." Many times, companies may become so focused on building the right message and planning the right marketing mix that they forget to include a "thank you" strategy.Whether it's printed on an order form, a handwritten note or expressed in an email, a "thank you" builds relationships with key stakeholders (which includes customers and employees) and strengthens your brand by simply making a great impression. This plan even includes thanking complaining customers for giving you a chance to make a situation right.Thank you notes don't take much time – you just have to get over the painful memories of having to write your distant relative for her heartfelt and useless, gift. And they don’t have to be long. A short and thoughtful "thank you," expressing gratitude for gratitude’s sake, lets people know you appreciate them.So, take a moment and think about to whom you could send a sincere thank you note to today. And if you're at a loss for words, many websites are available that can give you useful ideas, tips and strategies for creating well-thought-out "thank you's."
Want to save time? Interested in getting first dibs on exclusive fashions? Need free parking at the big game? Many companies are betting consumers will undoubtedly and enthusiastically answer "yes" to these questions, as the trend of giving customer perks and privileges is set to expand in 2009.While offering perks to consumers isn’t a new idea (think airline miles and credit card rewards), a shift toward less tangible extras and more status and convenience-aimed perks is gaining momentum. Take Insinger de Beaufort for example. This Amsterdam-based bank will shorten your "to do" list by letting you toss unpaid bills, speeding tickets, tax returns and such into a box, which is picked up by a courier. The bank handles the paperwork and returns the processed item within three days.From IKEA’s premium parking for customers with fuel-efficient vehicles, to free parking for Lexus-driving Atlanta Braves fans, hassle-reducing, value-added programs are more in demand today than ever before. And smart companies are responding.Trendwatching.com calls this micro-trend "Perkonomics," and reminds us that perks not only help build customer loyalty, but can be the differentiator for first-time consumers.Read more about brand building with perks over your morning jolt of joe.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) was created to change the field of sustainable forestry worldwide. The FSC sets criteria and standards that span economic, social, and environmental concerns. These standards are considered the world’s most stringent for guiding forest management toward sustainability.By choosing a FSC-certified printer, you can be assured that the materials used in your project originate from well-managed forests, controlled sources and reclaimed materials.To help ensure a healthier planet, quote your next print project with an FSC-certified printer and specify paper that has FSC certification. Learn more here.
We're all familiar with the traditional ways to measure marketing success from sales reports to phone inquiries to website visits. But here’s another measure reported to us by our City of Hope client. In a recent local Spelling Bee, a precocious little girl was asked to spell the word "cancer." Without missing a beat, she said, "c-a-n-s-w-e-r." Unfortunately, she lost the contest. But she can be proud that she’s aware of the City of Hope canswer campaign, which is informing people of all ages that this scientific leader has answers to cancer.
We intuitively know when we’ve experienced great creative work. It affects us. It makes us talk. It makes us wonder. It makes us remember. And it makes us do things that we had not previously done. Like trying a new product or a new brand.Simply put, great creative work creates change.So how can we gauge great creative ideas and push them to new heights?Math and science use the triangular delta symbol to represent change. Turning that into an acronym, we use "DELTA" to ensure our creative work will deliver real change.D - Discussion -- is it polarizing? Does it make people talk and take a position? Avoid fluffy kittens. Everyone agrees they’re cute and loveable. Get the point?E - Engagement -- does it beg for participation? Is it irresistible? Are you rewarded for your attention? Humans love dramatic stories and solving puzzles, so leave room for the mind to play.L - Lingering effect -- does it leave something to ponder? Or is everything perfectly wrapped up with a bow? Make them think about it. Plant a seed and let it take root.T - Tingle, Tickle, Titillate -- does it? It should. Vanilla is a good ice cream, but it doesn’t excite the mind like Chunky Monkey, or Cherry Garcia.A - Action -- ask for it, make it easy and make it rewarding.If creative work passes our DELTA test, change is on the way. Change in attitudes. Change in behavior. And change in your business.And aren’t those the real results we’re all looking for?