Thursday, July 16, 2009

A Lesson in Green

I have written quite a few posts about different ways that environmental initiatives effect business. I will likely continue to write posts on the subject, because consumers are consistently showing us that they are thinking and buying green despite the economy.

A new study published by the Grocery Manufacturers Association and Deloitte delivers a mighty wake-up call to grocery retailers. The study shows that 95% of shoppers are considering buying green products (isn't that great?). Sixty seven percent actively looked for green products in trips to the grocery store. However, only 22% of consumers actually bought green products. Why only 22%? A large part of the reason is because many couldn't find the green products they were looking for.

The morale of the story? Know what your customers want - and give it to them! There is a considerable missed opportunity when half of the consumers thinking about buying green products don't now where to find them. And this rings true for any business in any industry. Know your customer and give them what they want. Then, of course, make sure you let them know where to find it.

June Bisel
Partner, BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
BusinessCardContacts.com
845-695-1880
smartstrategies@bbggadv.com

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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

An After School Marketing Opportunity

As a mother, I know the troubles that working parents face in considering what to do at the end of their kids' school days. Who's going to pick the child up? Do we want to pay a babysitter? Do I want my child to walk home on their own?

Issues like these are the reasons why after school programs are very important to the vast majority of parents. According to the findings of the Afterschool Alliance in fall 2008, 89% of consumers felt that after school programs were important. Seventy six percent found after school programs a necessity for the community and that funding for such programs should be increased.

This sentiment about after school programs presents a great sponsorship opportunity for local businesses. Think about a way that your business could coordinate with a local school to create or sponsor an appropriate after school program. A partnership of this nature would give your company a great advantage with brand recognition from parents and children alike.

... just something to think about.

June Bisel
Partner, BBG&G Advertising and Public Relations
BusinessCardContacts.com
845-695-1880

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Friday, March 13, 2009

A Lesson to be Learned

Wow, I haven't heard so much talk about peanuts since the Carter administration.

The salmonella outbreak that was traced back to peanut product manufacturers has had a  widely publicized impact. The products that were tainted by the outbreak were recalled, plants that distributed the tainted products were investigated by the federal government, and some plants were closed down. 

The damage, unfortunately,  is still being done. Many consumers are unclear as to what peanut products were affected. Is it safe to buy peanut butter? What about Reese's peanut butter cups? Better safe than sorry, right? ... maybe I'll just stay away from peanut products altogether for awhile... just to be safe.

Unfortunately, this is the mentality that has caused peanut butter companies to experience their lowest sales numbers in years, even though peanut butter was not at all affected by the outbreak. It's a harsh lesson in what bad publicity can do and how important it is to counteract bad publicity with all of your strength and might. 

Businesses need to create a flow of positive publicity and community outreach on a regular basis  to ensure their reputation in the public is, well... positive. By keeping communication open and honest with the public, they have established credibility and have created a relationship that will make crisis management easier to manage if a similar event happens to them.

Being involved in the good of your community, sponsoring community events, joining committees, or serving on local non-profit boards is a great way to ensure that the public's introduction to your company name is a pleasant one. It is also a good way to let your community know that you are not just in it for yourself, but that you are committed to the community as a whole.

What have you done for your community lately?

June Bisel
Partner, BBG&G Advertising & PR
BusinessCardContacts.com

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posted by June Bisel at 3:48 PM 0 Comments