It’s Time To Break Out The Guerrilla Marketing Warfare

Posted on February 27, 2009
Filed Under Events | 89 Comments

Experts wholeheartedly agree that one of the worst things small business owners can do in this economy is cut back on their marketing efforts. That’s easier said than done when money is tight. Unless… you utilize Guerrilla Marketing techniques. 

I’ll be hosting an interactive workshop on March 16, 2009 in NYC to educate people on the benefits of Guerrilla Marketing. I’ll arm you with over a hundred different ways to cost-effectively market your business and the fundamentals to developing a marketing strategy that fits your budget. 

It’s time to break out the Guerrilla Marketing warfare and outsmart your competition.

Monday, March 16, 2009, 6:30-8:30 pm

In Good Company

16 W. 23rd Street, 4th Floor, NYC

To register, send an email to inquiries@denkenresearch.com. $39 per person. Check, MasterCard and Visa accepted. 

Business Plans 101 Workshop: Fairfield, CT 3/7/09

Posted on February 21, 2009
Filed Under Education/Workshops | 90 Comments

Despite of - or even BECAUSE of - the economic downturn, NOW is actually a prime time to launch a new business… as long as you’re offering something of real value. A key component to building a successful enterprise is developing a solid business plan, whether you’re seeking external funding or simply bootstrapping. Either way, every entrepreneur needs to create a robust road map based on reliable and valid sources. If you’re in the NYC metro area, come join me for an interactive workshop at the Fairfield Public Library on Saturday, March 7th to learn what goes into a business plan, what free or low-cost resources are available to you, and how to make your business and product offering really stand out. Members of Ladies Who Launch receive a significant discount. Click to here to find out more and how to register:

http://suzysaid.com/fairfield/index.php?page=calendar&family=&category=&display=7089

Still Wondering Whether or Not You REALLY Need a Biz Plan?

Posted on February 11, 2009
Filed Under Food For Thought | 186 Comments

As posted on the Wall Street Journal’s “Independent Street” blog for entrepreneurs on 2/9/09…

“We’ve featured the great debate over whether having a formal business plan boosts an entrepreneur’s odds of success. But a new study finds that entrepreneurs who engage in business planning early on are more likely to at least get a business off the ground.”

Read more:  http://blogs.wsj.com/independentstreet/2009/02/09/advance-planning-pays-off-for-start-ups/?mod=rss_WSJBlog?mod=smallbusiness

 

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting a Small Biz Loan in This Economy

Posted on February 10, 2009
Filed Under Food For Thought | 88 Comments

In the February/March 2009 issue of MyBUSINESS, a bi-monthly publication from the NFIB, an article entitled “What Lenders Want” was featured. In addition to a) approaching the right bank, b) being prepared to answer tough questions, and c) identifying two sources to repay the loan, the following entry caught my eye. Entrepreneurs, pay close attention to this one…

BRING YOUR BUSINESS PLAN: Bankers considering you for a loan will want to know your plans, including your firm’s value proposition and sources of competitive advantage.

I tell my clients and colleagues this all the time, and couldn’t agree more. Even if you want a relatively small loan or line of credit, you still need to develop a solid business plan and be able to articulate your value proposition. Heck - even if you’re bootstrapping, you should still have a robust road map. Understand that skipping this vital step to launching a business decreases your chances of success and survival in this economy. 

Don’t know what a value proposition is or how to craft one? Click here:

http://www.denkenresearch.com/articles/ValueProp81908.pdf.

PR Workshop in NYC - March 11th

Posted on February 9, 2009
Filed Under Education/Workshops | 134 Comments

Writing Effective Press Releases & How to Post Them to the Wire

denken Research & Consulting and Marketwire (one of the leading newswire services) team up to offer tips on writing press releases, a comparison of newswire services, how to post your PR to the newswire, and everything you need to know about online press releases. Attendees will receive exclusive, discounted offers from both denken Research & Consulting and Marketwire.

In Good Company
16 W. 23rd Street, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10010 
Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2009 - 6:30-8:00 p.m. 
The fee for the 1.5-hour workshop is $39 per person. 
To register, send an email to inquiries@denkenresearch.com.

Why Aren’t Small Businesses Getting Their Fair Share of Gov’t Relief?

Posted on February 9, 2009
Filed Under Hot Topics | 90 Comments

The latest version of the stimulus package being hashed out in Congress appears to be slighting small businesses, the nucleus of job creation. According to Dan Danner, President and Chief Executive of the National Federation of Independent Business, “the bill under consideration provides little relief or incentives to small businesses.” Given that 70% of banks have significantly reigned in lending to small business owners, the SBA is no longer providing enough guaranteed loans and support, and using credit cards has become less desirable (for a multitude of reasons), small business owners aren’t left with many options - which totally contradicts the purpose of the stimulus package… TO CREATE JOBS. 

Apparently the proposed stimulus bill would funnel millions of dollars to the SBA to offer low/no fee, guaranteed loans; however, provisions are missing that would require commercial banks to earmark a certain percentage of their funds to small business lending.

Click here to read an insightful article by Keith Girard on AllBusiness.com:  http://www.allbusiness.com/government/government-bodies-offices-legislative/11772431-1.html

Perhaps more details of the package will be revealed today, but I’m wondering why Congress and this Administration aren’t acknowledging the monumental impact small business has on our economy…

 

A Bank FOR Entrepreneurs Created BY Entrepreneurs

Posted on February 7, 2009
Filed Under Food For Thought | 88 Comments

Who knew? Last January, Savoy Bank (www.banksavoy.com) opened it’s doors in mid-town Manhattan with a mission to be a full-service bank to local small businesses. At a time when several banks are shutting down every week, I’m wondering how Savoy Bank will weather the storm - and I hope they do indeed succeed. I commend them for challenging the status quo of the banking industry and focusing on the needs of entrepreneurs.

I discovered the bank a few weeks ago while on my way to a meeting near Times Square. Need to go back and check them out in person. Has anyone inquired about their services? Are they all they’re cracked up to be? 

Here’s a link to a press release on Reuters:  http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS162098+10-Jun-2008+PRN20080610

Book Review: Differentiate or Die by Jack Trout

Posted on February 3, 2009
Filed Under Book Reviews | 106 Comments

Knowing how to differentiate your product or service in these challenging times is not only increasingly important, it is vital to the survival of your business.

The second edition of “Differentiate or Die” was released this year (2008) and includes up-to-date information and tactics on how businesses can survive in an “era of killer competition.” More than ever before, business owners and managers – regardless of the size of your organization – must have a strongly defined competitive positioning, and Trout explains what warrants ‘differentiation’ and how to position a differentiating or unique idea. Read more

“The 2009 Marketing Challenge”

Posted on January 29, 2009
Filed Under Hot Topics | 106 Comments

The latest edition of Marketing News (published by the American Marketing Association) featured an article entitled Right The Ship by Elisabeth A. Sullivan. It offers insight and suggestions how businesses can - and should - continue their marketing efforts in these turbulent times. It’s no secret that marketing campaigns and budgets are quick to get slashed when the economy retracts, but marketers have a unique role in that they can help boost consumer confidence and thus, the economy. Part of the equation is strengthening relationships with customers, partners, and vendors - particularly customers. How? By listening to customers and being in tune with their changing needs and tight budgets. 

“The game has changed…consumers have altered their values, beliefs and behaviors, so the biggest challenge marketers now have is to figure out who these newly modeled consumers are and what they want.”

The key takeaway from this article was that marketers - and small business owners for that matter - should address challenges head on and do the following:

  1. keep your brand visible 
  2. frequently communicate with your target market and be sure to personalize those messages
  3. increase your research efforts to understand what your customers are thinking/feeling

Listen, learn, and adapt. And never underestimate the power of market research.

The Benefits of Launching a New Business in a Slow Economy

Posted on December 22, 2008
Filed Under Hot Topics | 90 Comments

Courtesy of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), following is a link to an article that was posted several times this year on their website and in their hardcopy publication entitled My Business magazine. Even though it is undoubtedly challenging to launch a new business in this economic climate, it shouldn’t deter you all together. It’s time to get creative, identify the golden opportunities, and recognize the upside to planting your seeds during this recession. Here are four such benefits:

http://www.nfib.com/object/IO_37993.html

 

 

 

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