just got a good email ..sharing it :-)
WHAT THOSE WORDS ON YEARLY PERFORMANCE
REVIEWS REALLY MEAN
1. OUT GOING PERSONALITY - Always going out of the office
2. RELAXED ATTITUDE - Sleeps at desk
3. GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS - Spends lots of time on phone
4. WORK IS FIRST PRIORITY - Too ugly
5. ACTIVE SOCIALLY - Drinks a lot
6. INDEPENDENT WORKER - nobody knows what he/she does
7. QUICK THINKING - Offers plausible excuses
8. CAREFUL THINKER - Won't make a decision
9. USES LOGIC ON DIFFICULT JOBS - Gets someone else to do it
10. EXPRESSES THEMSELVES WELL - Speaks English
11. METICULOUS ATTENTION TO DETAIL - A nit picker
12. HAS LEADERSHIP QUALITIES - Is tall or has a louder voice
13. EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD JUDGMENT - Lucky
14. KEEN SENSE OF HUMOR - Knows A Lot Of Dirty Jokes
15. CAREER MINDED - Back Stabber
16. LOYAL - Can't get a job anywhere else
17. PLANS FOR PROMOTION/ADVANCEMENT - Buys lunch for all the staff
18. OF GREAT VALUE TO THE ORGANIZATION- Gets to work on time
19. GREAT PRESENTATION SKILLS - Able to bullshit
20. EXCELLENT WORKER - Boss Pet
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Friday, January 27, 2006
Email Marketing- Database
Well continuing where I left the last blog, this time I will go in detail with database.
First of all I would like to clarify that I am not trying to say that I am not 100% correct, all I am doing is sharing what I have read , learnt, experienced. You might find better written articles on net and I have already given the web address of the site which I am a fan (www.clickz.com for online marketing & www.marketingprofs.com for marketing related stuff)....well I just got an idea for another stuff to be written on blog..will publish web addresses of my favorite sites pertaining to marketing and I bet it will run into few parts.;-)....OK back to my topic
database: Actually database is one kind of work which makes me very uncomfortable. I have been involved in creation of database for India, N.america and Middle East. and our team had been doing this in excel so after such a long time exposure to database building...I always feel a nausea like sensation whenever I open an excel sheet.
first is how do we create relevant database and what is the purpose of that database.
To create relevant database, identify your need .Mostly all the databases would be of prospects and customers, but to maintain a database of influencer is what very few people do or in case maintaining a list of suppliers also is not so common. Very few firms do ever send out sales letters or marketing literature to their suppliers or influencer category.
lets see what kind of database would you have normally have for an organisation
1. Customer database ( the set of companies or people who are your clients)
2. Supplier database (the set of companies who would provide you the resources)
3. Agent/Rep database (the set of people who can get you clients for some commission)
4. Prospects Database (The set of companies that may or may not buy your product.)
5. E-zine Database ( influencer)
6. Magazine Database ( " )
7. Newsletter Database( " )
8. Blogs Database ( " )
These are just listing of some kind of database that you could have for your company but now the question is what would we do this database accumulated, obviously try to sell them your product but in a different manner depending on the group.
First of all I would like to clarify that I am not trying to say that I am not 100% correct, all I am doing is sharing what I have read , learnt, experienced. You might find better written articles on net and I have already given the web address of the site which I am a fan (www.clickz.com for online marketing & www.marketingprofs.com for marketing related stuff)....well I just got an idea for another stuff to be written on blog..will publish web addresses of my favorite sites pertaining to marketing and I bet it will run into few parts.;-)....OK back to my topic
database: Actually database is one kind of work which makes me very uncomfortable. I have been involved in creation of database for India, N.america and Middle East. and our team had been doing this in excel so after such a long time exposure to database building...I always feel a nausea like sensation whenever I open an excel sheet.
first is how do we create relevant database and what is the purpose of that database.
To create relevant database, identify your need .Mostly all the databases would be of prospects and customers, but to maintain a database of influencer is what very few people do or in case maintaining a list of suppliers also is not so common. Very few firms do ever send out sales letters or marketing literature to their suppliers or influencer category.
lets see what kind of database would you have normally have for an organisation
1. Customer database ( the set of companies or people who are your clients)
2. Supplier database (the set of companies who would provide you the resources)
3. Agent/Rep database (the set of people who can get you clients for some commission)
4. Prospects Database (The set of companies that may or may not buy your product.)
5. E-zine Database ( influencer)
6. Magazine Database ( " )
7. Newsletter Database( " )
8. Blogs Database ( " )
These are just listing of some kind of database that you could have for your company but now the question is what would we do this database accumulated, obviously try to sell them your product but in a different manner depending on the group.
(influencer group wouldn't be interested in bland sales copy , a case study or something informative is what an influencer would be interested in)
DATABASE is nothing complicated..It is just keeping your records in an organised manner and way that would make it easier for you to send your message to people easily. Customer and prospect database can be further segmented into various types and manner depending on the attribute ( market, industry, hot cold warm type, product application, region's etc)
The next question is how do we create it , well its an ongoing process as and when you come across anything you identify its category and religious fill it in you database.You have to be consistent with fields if you entering into excel sheet or you can use any contact managment software like Microsoft Small Business Manager or Microsoft outlook or Outlook express. Over a period of time you would have created a big enough database to carry out campaign. Currently there are many web-based contact management software like www.plaxo.com www.linkedin.com which help you build your list of contacts to network.
Databases gets obsolete with time and so its one big headache of keeping it relevant especially. Email addresses..People change email addresses very often or if they change their job their email addresses change. When to carry out a database accuracy check is when you do a campaign you keep a record of email bounced or returned mails . Time consuming but there are lot of software's available that can help you do this fast. Many email marketing software include this functionality of removing the emails temporarily from the database.
well will continue again on it with a different topic, kindly let me know if you are able to comprehend what I am writing ...Cya guys
DATABASE is nothing complicated..It is just keeping your records in an organised manner and way that would make it easier for you to send your message to people easily. Customer and prospect database can be further segmented into various types and manner depending on the attribute ( market, industry, hot cold warm type, product application, region's etc)
The next question is how do we create it , well its an ongoing process as and when you come across anything you identify its category and religious fill it in you database.You have to be consistent with fields if you entering into excel sheet or you can use any contact managment software like Microsoft Small Business Manager or Microsoft outlook or Outlook express. Over a period of time you would have created a big enough database to carry out campaign. Currently there are many web-based contact management software like www.plaxo.com www.linkedin.com which help you build your list of contacts to network.
Databases gets obsolete with time and so its one big headache of keeping it relevant especially. Email addresses..People change email addresses very often or if they change their job their email addresses change. When to carry out a database accuracy check is when you do a campaign you keep a record of email bounced or returned mails . Time consuming but there are lot of software's available that can help you do this fast. Many email marketing software include this functionality of removing the emails temporarily from the database.
well will continue again on it with a different topic, kindly let me know if you are able to comprehend what I am writing ...Cya guys
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Email Marketing Thoughts - 1
Here are some things which is essential for conducting an email marketing .These are random thoughts and any Suggestion/correction on it will be appreciated
1. Reason : the most important thing while doing email marketing is the purpose or the reason of sending out emails. This will determine the whole campaign.
Whether it is to inform the prospects about new products or is it about some new features or new scheme. Is the purpose of the mail to get the details of the prospects or invite them to register themselves for your exhibition or promotion. Well there can be a million reason you can think of for sending out an email, but make sure that the reason is of some value to the customer.
True you cannot provide value to everyone you send but make sure the people whom you are sending it, would be interested to receive it. ( Technically- Make sure you have the permission to send email to them - opt-in list).
2. Presentation /Copy : okay you have a very good reason for ex: inviting your prospect/customer base to visit your stand in an exhibition, the next step would be to have proper presentation or copy that would entice the email recipient to act on it. There are three elements in the email copy that needs to be worked on
- Subject Line -Subject Line would be the one that would generate interest or familiarity so that the user opens the mail.
- Email Body -The Email body will have the content that will provide value and be of some interest to the user and thirdly
- Landing Page-there would be a link on the email that will take the user to a webpage with more details and information (landing page).
....getting confused???....I hope not...Will continue
If the user has opened the landing page ,and the landing page in turn will help the user to complete what the user had started while opening the email for ex: if the email is the invite for exhibition the landing page may be a thank you page for giving the details for registration or be a page with form for collecting the detail Incase the email doesn't have the registration form.The email has been successful in getting the user to the landing page...
I guess I have created more confusion...:-)...Send in your comment if you are not comfortable understanding the text the way it is written.
3. Email Database: Its THE MOST IMPORTANT criteria for any email campaign and one of the most neglected activity. Very few firms really scan through the database and the customer profile before sending out the email. Mostly the thinking is that the more the email sent the more the chance of getting a response...Which is true but its no use sending a raincoat ad email campaign in dubai (not sure whether this hold true now..it has rained in dubai this year)or an advert of a service station in jebel ali being send out to persons living in fujairah, RAK or even sharjah or deira.
Also noted that most of the companies don't harvest the email database inhouse they buy it from outside..While its known fact the email addresses collected from companies database or prospect would more reliable than that purchased through outside agency...Will cover this topic in detail later..
I guess I have created more confusion...:-)...Send in your comment if you are not comfortable understanding the text the way it is written.
3. Email Database: Its THE MOST IMPORTANT criteria for any email campaign and one of the most neglected activity. Very few firms really scan through the database and the customer profile before sending out the email. Mostly the thinking is that the more the email sent the more the chance of getting a response...Which is true but its no use sending a raincoat ad email campaign in dubai (not sure whether this hold true now..it has rained in dubai this year)or an advert of a service station in jebel ali being send out to persons living in fujairah, RAK or even sharjah or deira.
Also noted that most of the companies don't harvest the email database inhouse they buy it from outside..While its known fact the email addresses collected from companies database or prospect would more reliable than that purchased through outside agency...Will cover this topic in detail later..
4. Technology: The email copy has to be complaint in various platform or browsers and should be tested before sending out. If an email is opened in an outlook express or Internet explorer or Netscape ..it should be visible in the way it is intended to be and not just jumbles of codes. Email service providers also needs to be tested like email copy at yahoo address may be visible properly but that same email won't be visible properly in AOL. These technical issues have to be first sorted out and tested...will cover this in detail later
Well that it for today...Awaiting your comments and will continue on this tomorrow. Thanks for reading
Visit www.clickz.com- its one of the most ultimate resources for email marketing.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Caught off guard!!!!!
"Today I will be working on some unfinished projects and will finish it by the day end"- this is what I plan every morning ..No sooner have I started working on it the boss gives me a call and hands over other works that is of "higher priority" & have to start on it immediately.
well after trying to put across the point about the unfinished work that going on ..All I have to do is to follow his directive..He is the boss. When I finish the "higher priority" work and take it to him for his approval he asks me
" what about the pending work?, why haven't you started on it, First finish you pending work then take on you the new work,you guys are so unorganized"."
My reaction is "...Huh!!!!!!!!...Is he mad he only told me to leave other work and start on this immediately "......
well neway its common to have such situation in workplaces, and you get used to it or you get out of the organization.
Well the point is how to be safe on such an issues, all I have learnt is whatever be the case document it ..Email it and have some proof's ready. The moment a new project is handed over and been asked to work over it on higher priority, I sent an email to my boss indication what he had requested and informed him on the deadlines of the other works that will get effected and deadline for the new project given to us. The most important and most vital aspect of working in an organization is documenting the work that we do. Some time it is tedious but serves a lot of purpose , creates a reference point for future and in help in diffusing a political motives.
There are a lot of people who can easily go back on their word so it better to be ready then caught off guard. Lets continue my scenario
I immediately told him that I had already informed him about the delay in other unfinished work because of this high priority stuff he gave me this morning, he is like " so what if you have informed me, why wasn't it finished earlier before the new task was given, you guys only work on reasons why the work is not completed!!!"....
well second point you cannot win arguments with bosses...If you do win an argument you are likely to loose your job !!!!!!. ( I cannot tell him that I had already finished the job and he had scraped it back to drawing board because he had got another"brilliant" idea on it)
well that was an extreme result you can expect but is possible, All you can do is during this phase is study and enjoy how the persons reacts and finds a way to hold you responsible for mistakes / errors he commits. Don't take it too personal, just chill.
Well that's it for today...Deviated from the topic of marketing anyway...Anybody has any comments /experience they would like to share on this , i would love to hear. Thanks for reading
well after trying to put across the point about the unfinished work that going on ..All I have to do is to follow his directive..He is the boss. When I finish the "higher priority" work and take it to him for his approval he asks me
" what about the pending work?, why haven't you started on it, First finish you pending work then take on you the new work,you guys are so unorganized"."
My reaction is "...Huh!!!!!!!!...Is he mad he only told me to leave other work and start on this immediately "......
well neway its common to have such situation in workplaces, and you get used to it or you get out of the organization.
Well the point is how to be safe on such an issues, all I have learnt is whatever be the case document it ..Email it and have some proof's ready. The moment a new project is handed over and been asked to work over it on higher priority, I sent an email to my boss indication what he had requested and informed him on the deadlines of the other works that will get effected and deadline for the new project given to us. The most important and most vital aspect of working in an organization is documenting the work that we do. Some time it is tedious but serves a lot of purpose , creates a reference point for future and in help in diffusing a political motives.
There are a lot of people who can easily go back on their word so it better to be ready then caught off guard. Lets continue my scenario
I immediately told him that I had already informed him about the delay in other unfinished work because of this high priority stuff he gave me this morning, he is like " so what if you have informed me, why wasn't it finished earlier before the new task was given, you guys only work on reasons why the work is not completed!!!"....
well second point you cannot win arguments with bosses...If you do win an argument you are likely to loose your job !!!!!!. ( I cannot tell him that I had already finished the job and he had scraped it back to drawing board because he had got another"brilliant" idea on it)
well that was an extreme result you can expect but is possible, All you can do is during this phase is study and enjoy how the persons reacts and finds a way to hold you responsible for mistakes / errors he commits. Don't take it too personal, just chill.
Well that's it for today...Deviated from the topic of marketing anyway...Anybody has any comments /experience they would like to share on this , i would love to hear. Thanks for reading
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Who Am I????
Who am i??
hmm..let me think ..what should i say..well let me give a try
" i am marketing specialist with 7-8 years experience in diverse fields/industires and currently working in a company in Dubai UAE as a brand executive and i am very passionate about my work blah blah blah blah"
Nah..that not impressive..let me try again
I am sweet sober and highly creative guy who can come up with
wierd, (others says)
bizzare,
great, ( i say)
brilliant &
Mindboggling ideas
Well that not good either ...neway welcome to my blog.
I hope you enjoy the time on my site and get some good ideas/ thoughts which can be useful i will start with some thoughts on a topic which i have been really thinking about it...if you do have any feedback or suggestions or any comment you would like to make on it ..it will be appreciated
So welcome guys to marketingbuffs. a place to discuss normaly day to day things we do in marketing or just some thoughts on the topic which comes to mind.
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