Integrating web marketing to Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC)

It was in the 1990's that IMC started getting popular in marketing. The Internet was just getting started and social media was in the distant horizon.By the early 2000's  organizations particularly in consumer products started figuring out IMC between their packaging,billboards,TV ads,magazine and newspaper ads and Point of Sale materials. The time has now comeContinue reading “Integrating web marketing to Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC)”

Search marketing explains the 15% rise in online sales?

In a slow US economy it's refreshing to know that online sales grew by 15% over last year. This huge increase is really because customers searched on line for the best deals and took them! The ability of customers to search and initiate contact is a fundamental shift in marketing that organizations have not fullyContinue reading “Search marketing explains the 15% rise in online sales?”

USPS to slow down first class mail: how the Internet affects your business

First class mail at the USPS is down. In fact down from 104 Billion pieces in 2001 to 73.5 Billion pieces last year and is projected to go down to 39 Billion pieces in 2020. As a result the post office is cutting half its mail processing facilities besides planning huge cuts in deliveries andContinue reading “USPS to slow down first class mail: how the Internet affects your business”

Website Re-Design: do not remove old content if you want your audience to find you

All manner of organizations seem to get tired of the look and feel of their advertising and communication material. Consequently billions are spent worldwide on re-launch, re-branding, re-design just because the audience is "supposed" to have got tired of the "old" design. If you notice only the biggest brands (like Coca Cola and McDonald's )Continue reading “Website Re-Design: do not remove old content if you want your audience to find you”

Dow over 12,000: Globalization can work on the governance side as six Central Banks Co-ordinate.

That the Dow closed over 12,000 today is great news.The European debt crisis had cast a pall of gloom across stock markets worldwide  and in the US things looked bleak till the news that six Central Banks of the world had come together to enhance financial liquidity in their respective markets. If  the "Occupy Movement"Continue reading “Dow over 12,000: Globalization can work on the governance side as six Central Banks Co-ordinate.”

Supply Chain CSR: tracing child labor in growing cocoa beans for chocolates

Just as we get into the holiday mood and enjoy chocolates the focus is on where the cocoa beans come from that go into making chocolate that brings so much holiday cheer to the affluent- worldwide. The BBC Story highlights Nestle's efforts in trying to bring traceability to the labor aspects of the cocoa beanContinue reading “Supply Chain CSR: tracing child labor in growing cocoa beans for chocolates”

“Unexpected” is why the Justin Beiber Macy’s commercial is so successful

If you have seen Justin Beiber concerts on TV (NBC at least twice recently as one can remember) you wonder why the teenage fans seem to get so hysterical with the girls screaming loudly. In fact the "I can't understand this" look is obvious on the anchor's faces as they are with Beiber on theContinue reading ““Unexpected” is why the Justin Beiber Macy’s commercial is so successful”

Customer Service: what organizations do not seem to know

Nothing like a tight economy to have consumers try and get that little extra value for their money. And sure enough the customer service arms of most organizations do not know their customer FAQ's or have not been able to prepare their front-line employees to deal with a customer's typical problem. As a result weContinue reading “Customer Service: what organizations do not seem to know”

What an 80 year old workforce means for organizations and innovation opportunities

Working till you are 80 years old is not a happy thought, particularly if you want to retire  at 65 or 67. But 25% Americans think that they might have no other alternative.  From an older worker's point of view not being able to retire is hard as is dealing with the stereotype of beingContinue reading “What an 80 year old workforce means for organizations and innovation opportunities”

Why is online holiday sales set to grow 15% in a slow economy?

With high US unemployment,nervous stock markets a volatile Europe and general uncertainty you have to wonder at the 15% growth estimates for on-line sales this year. Forrester estimates that this year online holiday sales will be  $59.9B  up 15% from the 2010 number of $51.7B. The growth rate and the sheer large numbers imply aContinue reading “Why is online holiday sales set to grow 15% in a slow economy?”