Marketing 101

So what makes a business succeed? Text books usually say to start by using Marketing 101 Principles to make a business prosper. We learn in Marketing 101 about the 4 P's- Combination of Product, Price, Place and Promotion. But they forget the most important P of all People. What they say is true- You must have the 4P's to become a viable player in your industry. But in order to sustain your market share you must create the relationship, as well as knowing the product, price, place and promotion. If you are lucky enough to be the front-runner or one of the leaders in your business, here are some tips: be respectful, be humble and know your place because it is easy to slide and fall to the wayside. Customer service, promptness, showing that you care are human traits that add to the purchasing experience. It adds that extra touch and shows that your business cares. So what are people waiting for? Create a great People experience.

This or That

I am looking for a job. Yes, it is time. I need that responsibility in my life, that human interaction, knowing I still have skills. The question that I have been getting way to often- where do you eventually see yourself? Or where do you see yourself in 5 years? I guess I never fully looked into this other than I hope I win the lottery and sit on an island sipping margaritas all day. So really, what do I want to do? Do I want to have a career where I am successful, am well known in my field, have some meaning to what I do? Or do I want to just fidget and make widgets? I guess I will need to really answer this sooner than later. It is a burning question for them and I guess now for me. Also, I have the pocketbook and the family to think about in a more serious manner. My husband just got a pay cut, along with me not working, this is no bueno. I have to admit, before we did spend on necessities that were not needed. I spent $4 a day on a white mocha. Now I drink the instant stuff and it isn't as good but it is something. That is about $1 vs. $4 a day. I have cooked practically every single day in 2010. I think my signature dish is fried rice, and it probably costs me about $3 in ingredients to feed the whole family. My kids and hubs love it, I am ok with it. When I was too busy to cook, I would spend upwards to $30 on one meal (take-out). By all means we are not in the red yet. We didn't get that pool that we wanted before the economy went to crap or upgrade to our dream house when we both had full-time jobs. These decisions would of put us up sh*t creek. I am reading this book on living simply, practicing this philosophy on life means staying away from the malls/stores, itunes, Amazon and my choice money drainer Target. Having a list of basics of food/staples and sticking to it. I am still being social and going out to select things. I still belong to the MCASD so I get invites to their receptions and belong to my twitter/social media groups. But this year, unfortunately, you won't see me tweeting about delicious dinners at fancy restaurants or buying new technologies (I really want a web-based phone someday). But really, I am ok with that. I am grateful with what I have and am enjoying my family life in the process. Hopefully, I will be able to share our family vacation (generous mother-in-law x-mas gift) to Mexico in the beginning of March. But that is my This or That choice. The cruise is booked but I need to get on with life. If things happen, things happen. It is this or that.

How am I

I am doing, still not "working" (I am working just not with a paycheck). I am now contemplating my definition of a "paycheck" (don't get me wrong, one of those would be nice). I want to enrich myself and work in a place that helps me grow as a person. I am not sure if one exists right now. As long as I can afford my long-term pursuits, I will keep growing as a person. My short-term pursuits have got me life knowledge but nothing sustainable for me to grow on. My enjoyments, learning more on social media and the change that is bringing to the marketing/advertising world. The old way was to advertise pay traditional media like newspapers, radio, television and magazines to get the word out either by selling product or service out and letting consumers come to you, a great one-way conversation. The new way- listening to consumers/friends/family, letting them know that you are out there and giving something to them to engage each other and talk about your product/service/life. This makes for a exponential buzz factor, transparency and real-time conversation with your audience. I am still learning technologies, there are much to be learned and new ones created everyday. That is the beauty of the industry right now, it is evolving, never a dull moment and as long as I am engaged, I will keep my ear to the ground and sponge the knowledge up. There are many groundbreaking leaders out there right now, I consider them inspiring and helpful to me. Knowledge really is a powerful thing. I hope to continue soak it up.

Writing is theraputic

Only on blogger.  I haven't been able to put pen to paper, I write only in the middle of the night and what is on my mind or passionate about.  I need to catch up on my Getting Goop-y posts about Gwyneth's blog.  Maybe that will be my Catharsis to get my life on track again.  I am slowly getting there, I guess that why 'work' is called 'work', you work to make a living, you work to have a life, you work to make something you enjoy.  It is quite a process, I do see a light though really faint, I see it.