by Fronetics | Dec 30, 2014 | Blog, Logistics, Manufacturing & Distribution, Marketing, Social Media, Strategy, Supply Chain
I wrote a guest blog for freight logistics company Cerasis in October which discussed how companies within the manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, and industrial industries can increase their B2B visibility on LinkedIn.
The catalyst for writing the blog were results from a recent survey focused on the supply chain and logistics industry. 58% of respondents rated LinkedIn as “very impactful,” and 37% rated LinkedIn as “somewhat impactful.” At the same time, respondents reported challenges associated with strategy (33%) and a lack of understanding about the application of social media (24%).
Leveraging LinkedIn
There are over 3 million LinkedIn company pages. Being present on LinkedIn is critical, but is not enough. To maximize your LinkedIn presence you need to take steps to increase your B2B visibility. Here’s how:
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Create a compelling company page
Your company page is an extension of your company. Make sure that the page is compelling, informative, and presents your company as a leader within the industry.
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Be active
In addition to keeping your company page up-to-date, you need to be active on LinkedIn on a daily basis. LinkedIn groups are great. Actively participating in LinkedIn groups will allow your company to: 1) gain business and market intelligence; 2) introduce you to new, interesting, and relevant topics; 3) help you increase brand awareness; and 4) position your company as an industry leader.
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Distribute content
If you want your content to be seen you need to get it out there; you need to distribute your content. Distribute your content and curated content via your company page and (when relevant) within the LinkedIn groups to which you belong.
-
Employee engagement
Your employees are your brand ambassadors. Empower your employees to be active within LinkedIn groups as representatives of your company. Encourage employees to share your content and industry content with their connections. Additionally, encourage employees to share open positions with their LinkedIn connections, and to identify great talent within their network.
-
Prospect for leads
LinkedIn is an effective prospecting tool. Use LinkedIn to prospect for leads and to build your sales pipeline.
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Optimize your profile
Every employee is a reflection of the company. Encourage employees to optimize their personal LinkedIn profiles.
-
Don’t be annoying
You will fail if you take a “me, me, me attitude.” Constantly self-promoting is bad for business.
If your company is not using LinkedIn you are missing out on opportunities and revenue.
by Fronetics | Dec 30, 2014 | Blog, Logistics, Manufacturing & Distribution, Marketing, Social Media, Strategy, Supply Chain
I wrote a guest blog for freight logistics company Cerasis in October which discussed how companies within the manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, and industrial industries can increase their B2B visibility on LinkedIn.
The catalyst for writing the blog were results from a recent survey focused on the supply chain and logistics industry. 58% of respondents rated LinkedIn as “very impactful,” and 37% rated LinkedIn as “somewhat impactful.” At the same time, respondents reported challenges associated with strategy (33%) and a lack of understanding about the application of social media (24%).
Leveraging LinkedIn
There are over 3 million LinkedIn company pages. Being present on LinkedIn is critical, but is not enough. To maximize your LinkedIn presence you need to take steps to increase your B2B visibility. Here’s how:
-
Create a compelling company page
Your company page is an extension of your company. Make sure that the page is compelling, informative, and presents your company as a leader within the industry.
-
Be active
In addition to keeping your company page up-to-date, you need to be active on LinkedIn on a daily basis. LinkedIn groups are great. Actively participating in LinkedIn groups will allow your company to: 1) gain business and market intelligence; 2) introduce you to new, interesting, and relevant topics; 3) help you increase brand awareness; and 4) position your company as an industry leader.
-
Distribute content
If you want your content to be seen you need to get it out there; you need to distribute your content. Distribute your content and curated content via your company page and (when relevant) within the LinkedIn groups to which you belong.
-
Employee engagement
Your employees are your brand ambassadors. Empower your employees to be active within LinkedIn groups as representatives of your company. Encourage employees to share your content and industry content with their connections. Additionally, encourage employees to share open positions with their LinkedIn connections, and to identify great talent within their network.
-
Prospect for leads
LinkedIn is an effective prospecting tool. Use LinkedIn to prospect for leads and to build your sales pipeline.
-
Optimize your profile
Every employee is a reflection of the company. Encourage employees to optimize their personal LinkedIn profiles.
-
Don’t be annoying
You will fail if you take a “me, me, me attitude.” Constantly self-promoting is bad for business.
If your company is not using LinkedIn you are missing out on opportunities and revenue.
by Fronetics | Dec 10, 2014 | Blog, Leadership, Strategy, Talent
Kate Lee, the senior director of research and strategy at Fronetics Strategic Advisors, has been named by Procurious as one of the 24 Most Influential People in Procurement.
The online business network for a new generation of procurement and supply chain professionals compiled the list to show who “you should be connecting with.”
Kate said she was “honored” by the recognition.
“The network and its members are not only industry leaders, but also leaders in innovation,” Kate said. “Procurious has more than 2,000 members from more than 70 countries and I’m thrilled to be part of such a niche social network.”
For the past 20 years Kate has worked with a range of people from senior executives at Fortune 500 companies to academics to refugees. At Fronetics Strategic Advisors, a management consulting firm focused on strategy and inbound marketing for the logistics and supply chain industries, Kate said she has been able to build a strong team which provides clients with unmatched service and value.
“I am proud of the team and our efforts in helping companies develop and implement inbound marketing and strategies that create results,” Kate said.
Kate is a newcomer on the Procurious list that also includes profiles such as ‘Local Producer’ AKA Brian Heinen, a driving force behind LinkedIn biggest groups for supply chain and sourcing professionals; Paul Snell, managing editor of Supply Management and Supply Business magazines; Hal Good, another LinkedIn power player in procurement with 13.5K followers on Twitter; and Tim Hughes, a top 35 UK blogger with 81.9K Twitter followers.
Procurious also cited the Fronetics Twitter account as a reason to welcome Kate into the mix.
The recognition of Kate read, in part: “The Fronetics’ Twitter account is both super-active and full of fascinating insights related to the profession.”
Kate again credited her team for the success:
“It comes down to the wonderful team at Fronetics,” she said. “We are committed to providing the industry with industry news as well as information on how to create and implement strategies that will create value.”
She continued:
“Additionally, we love engaging with individuals and companies within the industry via LinkedIn, Twitter, and our blog.”
by Fronetics | Dec 10, 2014 | Blog, Leadership, Strategy, Talent
Kate Lee, the senior director of research and strategy at Fronetics Strategic Advisors, has been named by Procurious as one of the 24 Most Influential People in Procurement.
The online business network for a new generation of procurement and supply chain professionals compiled the list to show who “you should be connecting with.”
Kate said she was “honored” by the recognition.
“The network and its members are not only industry leaders, but also leaders in innovation,” Kate said. “Procurious has more than 2,000 members from more than 70 countries and I’m thrilled to be part of such a niche social network.”
For the past 20 years Kate has worked with a range of people from senior executives at Fortune 500 companies to academics to refugees. At Fronetics Strategic Advisors, a management consulting firm focused on strategy and inbound marketing for the logistics and supply chain industries, Kate said she has been able to build a strong team which provides clients with unmatched service and value.
“I am proud of the team and our efforts in helping companies develop and implement inbound marketing and strategies that create results,” Kate said.
Kate is a newcomer on the Procurious list that also includes profiles such as ‘Local Producer’ AKA Brian Heinen, a driving force behind LinkedIn biggest groups for supply chain and sourcing professionals; Paul Snell, managing editor of Supply Management and Supply Business magazines; Hal Good, another LinkedIn power player in procurement with 13.5K followers on Twitter; and Tim Hughes, a top 35 UK blogger with 81.9K Twitter followers.
Procurious also cited the Fronetics Twitter account as a reason to welcome Kate into the mix.
The recognition of Kate read, in part: “The Fronetics’ Twitter account is both super-active and full of fascinating insights related to the profession.”
Kate again credited her team for the success:
“It comes down to the wonderful team at Fronetics,” she said. “We are committed to providing the industry with industry news as well as information on how to create and implement strategies that will create value.”
She continued:
“Additionally, we love engaging with individuals and companies within the industry via LinkedIn, Twitter, and our blog.”
by Fronetics | Nov 27, 2014 | Blog, Leadership, Marketing, Strategy
The Dunkin’ Donuts in Boston’s Back Bay Station is a well-oiled machine. The whole process – ordering a cup of coffee, paying, and receiving said coffee – takes seconds. The experience is something reminiscent to Seinfield’s Soup Nazi.
For customers who frequent this Dunkin’ Donuts expect this. They have timed their commute down to the minute and they know that if they can move through a line of 30 or so people in seconds – and make the train. For customers who don’t frequent this Dunkin’ Donuts the experience can be jarring.
On the other hand, there is a small coffee shop I visit in Maine. It takes minutes (think two digit numbers) to get a cup of coffee, and then more minutes to pay. Customers who frequent this coffee shop savor this time that it takes to get their coffee. The minutes waiting allow for conversations or quiet meditation.
Watching someone new enter the coffee shop is always interesting. There are those that start to wait in line and then leave when, after minutes, they are no closer to getting coffee. There are others who wait it out, checking their watch or smart phone every few seconds as if this will speed up the process. These people generally leave in cloud of frustration.
These two businesses know their customers. They have taken the time to understand what the needs are of the customer and they have tailored their business to address these needs.
To grow your business you need to take the time to determine who your target customer is, what their needs are, and how you can address these needs and bring value to the customer.
