by Fronetics | Jan 26, 2016 | Blog
Employees are much more than people you employ — they can be your best brand ambassadors.
A friend shared a story recently. He was chatting with a woman at a party years ago. While they were exchanging pleasantries and engaging in small talk, he asked where she worked. She told him that she worked for a certain bank, which happened to be his bank. He felt valued by the company and loyal to it, as it was where he opened his very first bank account when he was just starting college. When he cheerily told her that he was a customer, she promptly and dryly responded, “Oh, have we ripped you off yet?”
Soon after he changed banks.
Some companies are overlooking their greatest marketing tool: their employees. That woman made a big impression on my friend and actually effected change. Though not the ideal outcome and desired action that the bank would have wanted, it illustrates an interesting point. According to the 2013 Edelman Trust Barometer, “employees rank higher in public trust than a firm’s PR department, CEO, or founder. 41% of us believe that employees are the most credible source of information regarding their business.”
Employee influence is huge. They can be, in fact, your most influential brand ambassadors.
The hope is, of course, that employees share the positive aspects of the business and become vocal champions, providing current and potential customers an interesting perspective that can’t be found in traditional ads and other marketing tools. Employees as assets, not people who punch in, work, and punch out. They can represent and reflect the best aspects of a company.
How can companies introduce and integrate this concept of brand ambassadors into their practices?
Communication
To grow a culture of brand ambassadors, it’s critical to communicate your vision, repeatedly, to your employees, your consumers, and the general public. It’s no longer a question of whether employees will share their experiences about working at your company, but rather whether they’re saying the things you’d prefer them to say.
By companies posting positive stories on Facebook and Twitter, employees can then share those inspiring posts in their own circles. One “I love working here!” post can deeply influence potential consumers. It may be the best marketing power out there.
When a company has a mishap, it’s easy fodder for conversation, but it won’t be the focus of loyal employees, who can redirect the attention to something more positive.
Choose a leader
Choose an employee who can act as a community organizer amongst peers. The leader should be: well-liked, diplomatic, encouraging, responsible, collaborative, and reliable. This is not someone who is demanding and barks orders, but someone who understands the nuances (think: your go-to star who possesses tact and grace).
The leader has many roles, least of which is a guide and role model. She can coach others on best practices and responsible strategies, suggest and review social media content, brainstorm new storylines to promote the company’s message. Sometimes, a simple reminder to update LinkedIn or suggestion to write an article about a positive aspect of the business can get the ball rolling and create regular posting habits.
Remember that the people who work for you are much more than hired help, much more than people you employ. They’re talent. Allow them the opportunity to stretch and use their talent to showcase your brand in new ways. Brand ambassador is not a bad title!
by Fronetics | Jan 20, 2016 | Blog, Content Marketing, Marketing, Strategy
Grow your business with this 12-step guide to creating a content marketing strategy.
So, you’ve decided to give content marketing a go, but you’re not sure where to start. Or, maybe you have tried implementing some of the basic principles but haven’t had much success with your piecemeal approach.
Either way, without a documented strategy in place, you’re much less likely to reap the potentially enormous benefits inbound marketing can offer.
In fact, only 11% of companies without a documented content marketing strategy find their efforts to be successful, compared to 60% of companies with a strategy in place. And that number rises to 86% when the company designates someone to lead the strategy. The numbers speak for themselves.
Fronetics Strategic Advisors has developed a 12-step guide to developing a content marketing strategy specifically tailored to your business. This eBook provides insight into what makes good content, as well as tried-and-true measures your company can take to get the most out of your marketing efforts. By following these recommendations, you’ll be well on your way to developing a strategy that drives profitable customer action and helps you meet your business goals.
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When it comes to marketing we work with our clients to create and execute strategies that drive success and elevate their brand position within the industry. Unlike other firms, we align marketing programs with business objectives and, through a data driven approach, are able to deliver results with a targeted ROI. Our team is comprised of strategists, marketing professionals, writers, designers, and experts in social media. Together we leverage our experience to increase brand awareness, position our clients as thought leaders, drive meaningful engagement with prospects and customers, and help businesses grow. Learn more about what we do.
by Fronetics | Jan 18, 2016 | Blog, Content Marketing, Marketing, Strategy
Improve your content marketing strategy in 2016 by following these six tips.
We know that content marketing is a highly effective tool for companies of all shapes and sizes, be they B2C or B2B. (If you’re not using inbound marketing, here are five reasons why you should be.) But, considering this strategy takes considerable time, effort, and resources, are you getting the most out of your efforts?
Long gone are the days when a weekly blog and vague presence on social media will cut it — 2016 is calling for a diversified content marketing strategy that speaks to today’s sophisticated consumer base.
Here are 6 ways to improve your content marketing strategy in 2016:
1) Be mobile-friendly.
Google announced in May 2015 that the number of searches on mobile devices has now surpassed those conducted on desktops in the US. And we know that reality isn’t limited to personal Internet use. Evidence suggests B2B buyers are increasingly using mobile devices to do research, make inquiries, and purchase products. If your website isn’t mobile-friendly, your company is missing out the significant share of customers who demand mobile-optimized content. What’s more, Google now penalizes non-mobile sites in searches, meaning your website will fall further below the fold, as more companies cater to smartphone screens.
Here’s how to make your supply chain website mobile-friendly.
2) Diversify your content.
A blog for which you provide regular, original content is an excellent start . But, unfortunately in this day and age, it’s not enough. Offering content in different formats provides a richer experience for your leads, adds depth to your brand identity, and allows you to reach and connect with more consumers. There are a dizzying number of options out there, including podcasts, slideshares, videos, graphics, ebooks, and whitepapers, to name a few. Choose a couple that fit your brand best, and see where they take you. Which leads me to…
3) Do video.
Video is not just for funny cats and cover artists anymore — it’s the most popular form of content being consumed online. YouTube is the second largest search engine in the world, with more than one billion users conducting over 3 billion searches per month. What’s more, the number of videos uploaded to Facebook has increased by 94% over the last year, with more than 50% of Americans who use Facebook daily viewing at least one video per day. Some brands have capitalized on this trend. (See the Budweiser puppy commercial, viewed over 30 million times.) But there is a lot of potential there for businesses in all industries — a little creativity and some time and effort adding video to your content marketing suite could really pay off.
4) Tug at the heartstrings.
There’s a reason the Budweiser puppy video has enjoyed so much success: we love a feel-good story. An ad that evokes strong emotions makes us associate those feelings with the brand. Studies show that emotions play a leading role in B2B purchases, too, and your content marketing should leverage that idea by telling great stories and by promoting the value you offer. Content that tells a great story connects people to your brand on an emotional and intellectual level, helping earn their trust and loyalty. Similarly, by touting figures that illustrate the value your company offers its customers — like money saved, convenience, or top-of-the-line performance — you remind people what it is you can do for them. And there’s no better way to win hearts (and leads) than reminding them what they’ll get out of your relationship.
5) Focus on relationship marketing.
HubSpot identifies relationship marketing as the #1 game-changing marketing trend to tackle in 2016. While this term largely falls under the CRM umbrella, it can play an important role in your content marketing strategy as well. Providing existing customers with custom-tailored content and information shows that you understand their needs, and it makes communications infinitely more personal. You’re not just blasting out some mass communication that ignores the facts that you know about your client — for example, a mass email titled “Baby it’s cold outside!” to a client based in Florida. Modern technologies like geo-targeting and CRM software make personalizing content and communications much easier, but it will still take extra time and resources. That’s the (absolutely worth-it) cost of long-term, loyal customers earned through relationship marketing.
6) Seek professional help.
Even if you’re part of the 58% of companies that handles content in-house, a little help from the experts will only improve your results. Hiring an SEO-savvy copywriter, for instance, can impact your bottom line. Or working with a firm like Fronetics can help you develop and execute a content marketing strategy designed to grow brand awareness and to meet your specific business goals. Here are six other digital and content marketing tasks to outsource. A fresh perspective from outside your company may be just what your marketing efforts need to excel in 2016.
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When it comes to marketing we work with our clients to create and execute strategies that drive success and elevate their brand position within the industry. Unlike other firms, we align marketing programs with business objectives and, through a data driven approach, are able to deliver results with a targeted ROI. Our team is comprised of strategists, marketing professionals, writers, designers, and experts in social media. Together we leverage our experience to increase brand awareness, position our clients as thought leaders, drive meaningful engagement with prospects and customers, and help businesses grow. Learn more about what we do.
by Fronetics | Jan 7, 2016 | Blog, Content Marketing, Marketing, Supply Chain
Last year was big for content marketing within the logistics and supply chain industries. While companies in general had been hesitant to adopt an inbound marketing approach, many caught on and found this strategy to have a major impact on business in 2015.
Fronetics has helped many clients achieve their goals through targeted inbound marketing efforts. Our data-driven approach aligns business objectives with a marketing program that delivers results with a targeted ROI.
Here are the top content marketing articles in 2015:
1. Five reasons companies in the supply chain and logistics industries should use inbound marketing
Though many companies within the supply chain and logistics industries tend to disregard inbound marketing, it actually can be a wildly successful strategy. Here are five reasons why companies in these industries should be using inbound marketing. Read the full article.
2. Content and Social Media: A Perfect Match for Customer Engagement and Business Growth
This guest blog by Kecia Gray, former vice president of corporate marketing & communications at Transplace, discusses how social media has become an integral part of Transplace’s marketing and communications strategy. It has been key to expanding brand awareness and the company’s thought leadership in the logistics and transportation space. Read the full article.
3. Content as a marketing tool for the logistics and supply chain industries
Fronetics Strategic Advisors conducted a survey focused on the use of content within the logistics and supply chain industries found that companies are using content as a marketing tool and are realizing results. Read the full report.
4. Report: Content use within the logistics and supply chain industries
The survey on industry content use conducted by Fronetics found that companies within the logistics and supply chain industries are creating more content than ever before. Respondents reported using content marketing in order to strengthen overall brand awareness, generate leads, and establish the company as an industry leader. Read the full report.
5. All content is not created equal. Why you need good content.
Good content drives profitable customer action, while bad content is a waste of time and precious resources. What makes good content, and how can you get it? Read the full article.
6. Get Results from Content Marketing by Telling Great Stories
Guest author Thijs Messelaar, a 15-year content-writing veteran, explains how the best content marketing is like a really good story. You must engage your audience emotionally to get them interested in you and to earn their trust. Read the full article.
7. Content marketing ROI for reverse logistics companies
Inbound marketing is effective in garnering consumers’ attention, but it is important to assess return on investment. Reverse logistics companies can use a fairly simple formula to calculate content marketing ROI. Read the full article.
8. Content marketing for the logistics and supply chain industries
Fronetics developed a content marketing guide specifically for companies within the logistics and supply chain industries. In it is step-by-step instructions, templates, lists, and samples to walk you through building your own content strategy. Read the full article.
9. Using inbound marketing to market and sell luxury real estate
Many luxury real estate firms are already using digital and social media to carry the lifestyle brand they’ve built around their properties into the online world. With the use of inbound marketing, they are creating new virtual “touch points” to connect with affluent buyers. Read the full article.
10. Six digital and content marketing tasks to outsource
Outsourcing several digital and content marketing tasks can help companies enjoy a reduction (or cost savings) in operating costs, improve their focus on core competencies, and let employees concentrate on their highest and best use. This article identifies six areas where companies can leverage outsource partners to support their digital efforts. Read full article.
If you are looking to increase business in 2016, consider contacting Fronetics to develop a content marketing strategy. We work with you to create an individualized plan for your specific situation and needs. We identify challenges, trends, and opportunities and take action so that your content marketing program constantly evolves and delivers results.
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by Fronetics | Jan 6, 2016 | Blog, Logistics, Strategy, Supply Chain, Transportation & Trucking
Fronetics Strategic Advisors is a leading management consulting firm focused on the logistics and supply chain industries. Our industry and functional expertise enables us to fully support and guide our clients as they address critical business issues, take advantages of opportunities, and grow their company. Our clients rely on us to create and execute marketing strategies, capture value from their customer and channel strategies, identify opportunities for increased revenue, create and execute new organizational models, and lead transformational organizational change.
Supply chain talent is a salient issue. At Fronetics we not only provide thought leadership on this subject, we also engage with future talent. Each year Fronetics collaborates with MBA students from the University of New Hampshire Peter T. Paul College of Business and Economics. I am excited that several of the most-read logistics and supply chain articles were written by these students.
Here are the 10 most read logistics and supply chain articles of 2015:
It’s difficult to accurately predict what Amazon will be doing fifteen years from now, but whatever they are doing, it will mostly likely continue to shape consumer expectations and impact the surrounding business and consumer markets in ways we had not thought of beforehand. Read the full article.
There is a common misconception that the majority of goods we purchase arrive via plane, or are transported via road. The reality is that 90% of everything we buy comes by ship — and it’s not likely that this number is going to decrease any time soon. Read the full article.
While many of us may be familiar with recent advancements in home automation, like the Nest thermostat, the real impacts of the Internet of Things (IoT) will be in supply chain management. Recent reports by Cisco, IDC and Gartner all claim that a significant increase in the number of devices making up IoT will have a profound impact on how future supply chains will operate. Read the full article.
Cathy Morris, senior vice president and chief strategy officer for Arrow Electronics, Inc., talks women in the supply chain and offers up career advice. Read the full article.
Regularly tracking your relationship with your suppliers and their performance toward your expectations is critical to ensure the success of your business. One mechanism for tracking this is the supplier scorecard — in essence, a report card for your supplier. Supplier scorecards, when used effectively, can help maintain a healthy supply chain and will benefit both parties. If not used effectively, supplier scorecards can damage the supplier relationship and hurt both businesses. Read the full article.
The pet food industry is a market that boasts $21.57 billion dollars in sales in the United States (2013). According to Trade Group, with 95.6 million cats and 83.3 million dogs owned in the United States, it is no wonder that there is such a large market for the food that the self-proclaimed “pet parents” feed them. However, it isn’t all good news for aspiring entrants, as they must first understand the supply chain that dictates this growing industry. Read the full article.
Uber, the on-demand driver-for-hire mobile service, has come to stand for disruption. The company has not only transformed the taxi industry, it has changed everything. Uber, Aaron Levie notes, is a “lesson in building for how the world *should* work instead of optimizing for how the world *does* work.” NY-based start-up Transfix is doing just this. With the launch of the company’s new app, Transfix is poised to disrupt the trucking industry. Read the full article.
“Man or woman, the Supply Chain of the future depends upon the perfect mix of talent. And, as we know, Supply Chain talent is experiencing a shortage.” Read the full article.
Looking at the manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, transportation, distribution and freight industries, there are a few companies that have emerged as leaders — companies that exemplify the business value of creating and executing digital, social media, and content marketing strategies. Cerasis, a freight logistics company, is one of them. Read the full article.
