Marketalk -- FAQs

Q. When is the right time to bring in Marketalk?

A. Clients usually turn to Marketalk in the following situations:

The enterprise is poised for growth and needs marketing direction.
The company is questioning the expense of hiring a full-time marketing director, and decides on a more cost-effective outsourced solution.
A new product or service is being introduced, or the firm is changing its focus.
Current marketing programs are not producing desired results.
Marketing communications budgets require cost-cutting measures.
Market share is shrinking, requiring new thinking and tactics.

Q. What type of organization is Marketalk geared for?

A. Our approach is effective for any enterprise, regardless of industry type. Clients who work with us usually fit the following profile:

They need help getting the word out.
They have a marketing budget and want to make sure it is spent wisely and produces results.
They know the importance of marketing and want experienced, proven advice.
They want a systematic, strategic approach to marketing decisions.
They believe that marketing can take their business to a new level.

Q. How does Marketalk work with existing staff?

A. Marketalk can function as an outsourced marketing department, or augment your existing capabilities. In typical situations:

Sales management is responsible for marketing and needs direction.
There is no dedicated marketing person on staff, or a junior marketing person needs support.
The existing marketing department needs fresh ideas or an outside assessment.
The existing marketing staff is overloaded.

Q. Why do we need to begin with the Planning Roundtable?

A. Participation in the Roundtable ensures that we identify the core issues that can help or hinder your marketing efforts, from all perspectives. Marketalk evaluates your strengths and weaknesses, market opportunities and challenges, and enables you to come up with common conclusions that will set direction for an all-encompassing plan. We need to see the big picture before making recommendations.

Q. How long does the Roundtable take?

A. Depending on the size of the group, and the objectives you choose to accomplish, the Roundtable can take a half day, a full day or two full days.

Q. How should we decide on attendees for the Marketalk Roundtable? What size group do you recommend?

A. Invite a cross-section of people from different levels within the enterprise. An optimal group is four to six.

Q. Should the Roundtable be off site or on site?

A. Off site, if possible.
The advantages to an off-site Roundtable include:

Confidentiality and isolation from personnel
Lack of distraction
Surroundings conducive to this type of meeting.

Q. What happens after the Roundtable?

A. The next day, Marketalk submits a list of agreed-upon action items for your team to act on immediately. Shortly thereafter, we meet with you again to review the strategic marketing plan and recommendations, which we develop based on information gathered at the Roundtable session. We work with your team to refine the plan, estimate costs, and develop a timetable.

Q. How does Marketalk support us during a plan's implementation?

A. Marketalk manages the implementation of every aspect of the plan, working with your existing resources and suppliers, or bringing in our own colleagues. Our strategic partners include graphic designers, direct marketers, copywriters, Web developers, PR advisors, human resource experts, sales trainers, and more. Moreover, we take a proactive approach and keep the whole team accountable for the success of the plan.

Q. How does Marketalk support us after a plan is implemented?

A. Marketalk stays with you after the initial launch of your plan. We are ready to be your long-term partner, offering ongoing consulting and handling the implementation of new projects and programs.

Q. What makes Marketalk qualified to do this work?

A. Each member of our management team has over 20 years of marketing experience, working in corporate environments, agencies, and consulting firms. Because we are experienced business people and marketing generalists, we bring multi-faceted solutions to the table. Instead of being driven by advertising, p/r, or graphic design, we concentrate on providing creative, cost-effective methods that make sense for your business.

Q. How does Marketing ensure the success of the plan?

A. We do this by:

Tailoring the plan for the realities of available resources (staff, time, money)
Leveraging our experience as to what works and what doesn't
Getting buy-in from key players
Setting out achievable milestones
Using an integrated strategy
Emphasizing cost/benefit ratios and results
Building in tracking and measurement