Weathering the storm
In this period of economic downturn, the Portsmouth & South East Chamber of Commerce is receiving more requests than ever before from businesses seeking support with marketing. Business leaders are becoming increasingly aware of the need to strengthen their marketing as they compete for business in a difficult climate.
To meet these requests the Chamber linked up with LCM this month to organise a series of three-hour intimate marketing workshops, free of charge to members. These were attended by over 40 business owners and senior managers who were keen to learn new tips to take back and implement in their individual businesses.
In the first workshop, attendees spent time learning about the importance of marketing strategy with the help of LCM Strategy Associate, David Bridger. In the second the value of branding and PR was examined, with the help of LCM’s Branding Associate Carl Lamerton. Both sessions provided a valuable insight into these marketing disciplines and gave some top tips on how to improve their use.
Lizz Clarke, Managing Director of LCM, said: “In the current climate marketing is more important than ever. Reputation is everything and companies need to work hard to reach their target markets with the right messages.
“Through discussion in the workshops it has emerged that there are many businesses in Portsmouth that are in need of support to make the most out of their marketing. Some are lacking strategic direction, which is crucial in positioning themselves within the correct market. They know that something is lacking, but aren’t sure what, or how to move forward. The workshops enabled us to spend time showing them where to start, and how to reach their target market with the right messages.”
Lizz concluded: “In the current climate, no business can afford to sit on their laurels and hope that a ten-year old strategy (or marketing activities with no strategy behind them) will carry them through this tough time. Companies whose marketing strategies are not working effectively, are out of date, or out of sync with what they are trying to achieve, need to be able to recognise when this is the case and then take action to address it, so that strategy becomes the valuable tool it should be.”
Investing in your marketing strategy and reputation management, including branding and PR, could make a big difference to your business financially. So along with LCM, the Chamber encourages anyone who feels that their business is in need of marketing support, to take action.
There is one further workshop due to take place later in 2009, entitled: “Getting Ahead on the Web”. If you would like to reserve a place on this workshop or find out more, please contact George Roberts on 0845 345 6969.