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...e Solstice, the sleek, two-seater sports car from Pontiac that weighs in at $2...the ground without regard to oncoming cars. For example, businesses often...

...payment. However, the reward of a sports car as a company car might motivate a...

... , as well as producers and processors. This enhances the relationship with clients, and in turn promotes client loyalty and retention, which increases profit. For example, because I'm a California resident with three teenage drivers and five vehicles, Auto insurance is a major line item in our household budget, annually surpassing $5 ,000. Several years ago, we switched companies. We had purchased a sports car with a V-6 engine for my wife. The engine was a last-minute decision because we had been planning on the V-8. Upon calling our insurance company with the policy change information, the rep commented, It's a good thing you didn't buy the V-8; we don't insure that model! ' I refuse to allow an insurance company to dictate what I can or cannot buy, so we ... . When signing with our current company, I told the story to our new agent. Placing himself into an advisory position, he commented, Your current company will insure whatever you may buy in the future, but I'd like to offer a service that could save you a lot of money down the road. When you plan to buy future vehicles, give me a call with the models you have in mind. I'll let you know what their rating categories are. If one model has a better rating and lower insurance costs, that might influence your decision. Since that day, I've considered my agent to be an integral factor in every auto purchase. He has increased his value to our household, and thus he has improved his odds in retaining our business. (By the way, ...

... catching them sounds crazy; it wouldn't make.. All Articles by John Graham Comments (0 ) Don'T Mess Up Your Marketing: Getting The Most From Your Investment This content has not been rated yet. John Graham 5/11/2015 12:00:00 AM While driving down Boston's Massachusetts Avenue one Saturday afternoon, it dawned on me that every bus stop shelter along this popular main artery sported advertising signage for Apple's iPad 2. Assuming that many bus riders were not target customers for a product selling between $500 and nearly $900, the two of us in the car thought that spending advertising dollars at bus stops seemed like a waste of money. All Articles by John Graham Comments (0 ) How To Make Salespeople More Effective This content has not been rated yet. John ... 11/18/2014 12:00:00 AM HOW TO MAKE SALESPEOPLE MORE EFFECTIVE The challenge for salespeople is to be ahead of the curve, not behind it. by John Graham Not withstanding the value that many salespeople bring to .. All Articles by John Graham Comments (0 ) Turning The Tide In Your Favor This content has not been rated yet. John Graham 12/31/2014 12:00:00 AM THE BIGGEST JOB IN BUSINESS TODAY: TURNING THE TIDE IN YOUR FAVOR by John Graham Even the most self-assured and stoic among us feels the intensity of the times. The economic recovery seem.. All Articles by John Graham Comments (0 ) x No Thanks Loading.. Loading.. x No Thanks Loading.. ...

... communicating the company's message and projecting its image. All Articles by CompleteMarkets Editor Comments (0 ) Don'T Mess Up Your Marketing: Getting The Most From Your Investment This content has not been rated yet. John Graham 5/11/2015 12:00:00 AM While driving down Boston's Massachusetts Avenue one Saturday afternoon, it dawned on me that every bus stop shelter along this popular main artery sported advertising signage for Apple's iPad 2. Assuming that many bus riders were not target customers for a product selling between $500 and nearly $900, the two of us in the car thought that spending advertising dollars at bus stops seemed like a waste of money. All Articles by John Graham Comments (0 ) Finding A Public Relations Advisor For Your Agency This content has not been rated yet ... CompleteMarkets Editor 4/30/2013 12:00:00 AM As your agency grows, you will probably recognize the need for the services of a public relations (PR) advisor to help you get media exposure. To choose the appropriate PR advisor, you should have a good idea of what to expect in the way of services, what you need (or more accurately, want to accomplish), where to look for an advisor, and how to select one. Not an easy task, but it's a lot more manageable if you plan ahead. All Articles by CompleteMarkets Editor Comments (0 ) Objections? No Problem! This content has not been rated yet. CompleteMarkets Editor , Emily Huling 11/16/2018 12:00:00 AM Remember, as salespeople we ...

... x No Thanks Loading.. Don'T Mess Up Your Marketing: Getting The Most From Your Investment 5/11/2015 by John Graham This content has not been rated yet. While driving down Boston's Massachusetts Avenue one Saturday afternoon, it dawned on me that every bus stop shelter along this popular main artery sported advertising signage for Apple's iPad 2. Assuming that many bus riders were not target customers for a product selling between $500 and nearly $900, the two of us in the car thought that spending advertising dollars at bus stops seemed like a waste of money. We were wrong! Just get on any type of public transportation and what do you see? Almost everyone is clearly a prospective iPad customer. Thumbs are going at incredible speed, while others are talking on their cell ... , playing games on a smartphone or watching movies on a hand-held device. With white earbuds everywhere, it was all about music. Rather than a marketing mistake, bus stops can provide a perfect advertising venue for promoting the iPad. Contrast all this with the huge number of businesses that don't have a clue about marketing. Feeling desperate to do something, they sign up after hearing the latest sales pitch that offers a magical means for getting more customers. Rather than doing nothing, they write a check - and nothing happens. The truth is that the communications environment is so dynamic today there are no firm marketing answers. This makes it incredibly important to avoid wasting marketing dollars. Here are thoughts that may be useful: 1. Don't get mauled in the discount trap. One of the ...

... So what is your image? ' But how many businesses can really answer that question? How many corporate meetings have ever been held to determine the essence of the corporate image? Too few, in my opinion. If you look closely at most businesses, marketing is a hodgepodge of good ideas with no cohesion with the character of the business: ad campaigns, promotional giveaways, community alliances, sporting sponsorships, telephone advertising, stationery, company logos, signage. How often do all of these components work together to reflect the corporate image? THE RED' STOP SIGN Defining your image need not be a dilemma. Just wave the RED flag: Research, Evaluate, Determine. Ive found the RED stop sign analogy extremely helpful in nearly every business, as well as personal, situation. ... He often cites the example that the image of Albert Einstein doesnt project the slogan, Have I got a great deal for you! ' One of the best examples of uncharacteristic marketing involved banks giving away gadgets for opening an account. In my mind, that created a carnival-like hucksterism that just didnt compute with the staid, conservative, stable image of banks. It was sort of like a used car dealer giving away tickets to the opera. Neither is in character with the image. It would be easy at this point to say, So what is your image? ' But how many businesses can really answer that question? How many corporate meetings have ever been held to determine the essence of the corporate image? Too few, in my opinion. If you look closely at most businesses ...

...es of 25 and 35 who owned certain sports cars (Corvettes, Jags, Mercedes, etc.). Ar...

...hed companies. We had purchased a sports car with a V-6 engine for my wife. Th...

...nday paper on the financial page, sports page, or another strategic spot. Inst...