An article on startup.co.uk claims small businesses are waking up to the need to become more serious about marketing their businesses. Backed up by the Chartered Institute of Marketing it claims business owners are increasingly recognising the importance of marketing.
In particular the CIM suggests developing relationships with stakeholders and clients is a key area. Along with accurate customer segmentation – i.e. identifying the characteristics of similar customer groups so that you can better target your products and communications – and e-marketing. However I doubt that e-marketing is a new topic for any business owner though, after all you don’t have a business these days without a website and that’s the first step on the ladder.
So what does this mean for you? Well, putting it simply, if others are getting more switched on to marketing, you will need to do the same to remain competitive. Think about reading some marketing literature, book onto a course, or if you have the budget, talk to a professionally qualified consultant. Is there someone in your team who would like to take the lead on this area for your business? Would they be interested in studying for CIM qualification and can you use this as a staff benefit?
You can find the literature and links to great books here, or consider looking at www.cim.co.uk for marketing courses, qualifications and a directory of consultants. Speaking from experience, the CIM’s professional qualifications are great for developing a rounded marketing and business strategy knowledge base – you’ll be surprised by how strategic marketing can be.
Good luck and happy marketing.
Small business should have a marketing
plan to attract the attention of customers.
Small businesses have to get into marketing especially now with the recession, every bit of business is now needed and if that means spending a little on marketing so be it.