Communicate. In business, the importance of quality communication skills cannot be overstated. You should always be thinking about what it is you're really trying to say and how best to say it—whether it’s a phone call, e-mail or a conversation with a fellow employee. Keep your points clear and on message. Not a born public speaker or writer? Consider coaching or training seminars.

Educate. Employee development is essential to your business and can decrease turnover. In 2010, resolve to send employees to relevant seminars or conferences. Bring in industry speakers local professors, or training professionals to keep your employees learning new things and developing new skills. Not only will it help your employees be better employees, but they will appreciate your dedication to furthering their professional development.

Collaborate. The success of your business depends on everyone following one corporate strategy. Synergy is key. Make sure departments and employees are working together and sending the same messages to your customers. Collaborations and partnerships with other businesspeople in your industry or your area can strengthen your business offerings or provide customers with better service.

Invest. Be sure your employees are fairly compensated. But more importantly, recognize achievement with a set reward system comprised of praise, bonuses or other incentives. Evaluate your staff regularly and help them set—and reach—aggressive goals. Your investment in your employees will pay off by keeping them motivated and reducing turnover.

Marketing in 2010 - Start Fresh but be Realistic

Everyone knows that 2009 was a rough year, but 2010 can be a fresh start for your business. Marketing is necessary for the success of every company, but it does not have to break the bank. With the economy affecting everyone, creating a new marketing strategy can help you pay less but get more. Here are some tips to improve your marketing!

Tips to improve your marketing for 2010:

Review all marketing expenses from the past year.
Did your business over-spend or under-spend, and how many of those expenses were spur of the moment rather than planned? Impulse marketing tends to cost more.

Determine which marketing strategies were most effective and cost efficient .
Depending on your goal, there is more than one way to measure success. For example, if you had an event in the past year, it could have generated a lot of attendees and PR, but might not have resulted in any new business. Was it worth the cost and effort?

Talk to suppliers to negotiate better rates.
Everyone is price shopping these days. If you are using direct mail, talk to printers about lower printing costs or allowing you to pay over time without interest. Talk to your mail house about bulk rate postage. You’ll be surprised at how they can help save you money.

Put all less successful marketing campaigns on hold.
If a particular strategy is costing more than its ROI, it is a waste of money in this economy

Communication is key.
Make sure that your database is up to date and keep in contact with your mailing list. A quick email can be very effective without breaking the bank.

Network! Network! Network!
Networking is a very important and relatively inexpensive way to market yourself and your business. You never know what kind of contacts you can make at these events – if you choose the right ones to attend. We recommend smaller gatherings where you can get to know the people around your table. After hour business card exchanges can be cattle calls where you wind up talking to people you already know.

Take advantage of who you know.
Remember - in today’s world it’s not what you know but who you know. Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals and always be on the look out to give them to others.

The bottom line is -- don’t be afraid to spend money on marketing. Just make sure you’re getting the most for your investment. If your company needs help creating a marketing strategy that will fit your budget, we can help! The I. Salsman team can create a marketing campaign that won’t break the bank and will give your business a fresh start in 2010.