FREE ESSAY ON MARKETING INTERVIEW

MARKETING INTERVIEW

Many small businesses don't realize how important their company image really is. The
following is a formula for low cost marketing for a small business to create or better
their image. To find this formula I interviewed Evan Paull, the owner of a small sign
making company based in Annapolis Maryland called 'Independent Sign Consortium' or 'ISC.'
'ISC' was started in 1996 and has had a steady growth ever since. I also interviewed
Allison Green, the marketing director of 'Revisions,' 'Revisions' is based in Baltimore
Maryland and is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the mentally ill.
Many small companies believe that a corporate or company image develops all on it's own.
Therefore, they believe the business itself has little or no control over shaping the
outcome of the image. Often a company will delay any investment in a public image because
they think it's an expensive luxury. It is only after some bad publicity or a negative
event do they relies that some effort needs to be put into improving or defining their
look. Of course if you wait until something like this happens the cost is always going to
be higher.
"Most successful businesses have a carefully crafted image that separates them from the
competition and helps to establish a solid public presence," remarks Allison Green. A
distinct corporate image benefits many aspects of any business. Public relations rely on
image to attract new customers and to generate repeat business. Finance departments
depend on image to impress investors and shareholders with a sense of stability.
Employees feel more secure when a company has a good image.
An image should always accurately reflect the substance of a company. However, an image
is only a perception, an appearance, a representative look of that substance.
Subsequently, as Green says, "...it doesn't always have to cost an arm and a leg..." to
accurately represent the company. Given an unlimited budget, any fat corporation can
create a new image or alter an outdated or damaged one. Those of us with more modest
resources, given only a camera, a copier and an ink jet printer adding some creativity
can do it even better.
There are some things on which you should never cut corners, safety regulations or legal
issues for example. Looking only at the surface, in this instance, is a good thing as is
going for style not necessarily substance. You only get what you pay for doesn't really
apply here. Remember an image should reflect the true quality of your products or
services, however, as Evan Paull says "...any little set designer will attest, you can
get great looking reflections even when you only have very little resources."
First, take a look at your present image. Make note of the things you like. Decide on
what components can or can not be changed (the name perhaps). Look at the parts that you
hate or the parts that need a great deal of improvement. Notice the parts of your image
that are neutral. 
In order to develop a positive or a new and improved but inexpensive image, start
identifying other businesses that have the look you want. Start with the competition.
Collect their brochures and other printed materials especially business cards and annual
reports. Visit their locations and take note of the signage, the decor, furniture, and
display cases. 
Next study other businesses that just have a look that you like or an appearance that
gives you a good first impression. Even if they are not appropriate for your particular
needs, identify parts of the look that you like, a logo or sign, a color combination
perhaps. Whenever possible take pictures. Go through magazines and catalogs, clip logos,
ads and pictures that express an image you would like to achieve. Carefully examine
fonts, letterheads and graphics. Many times things are not as they appear. "Gold
lettering on a sign is not gold, wood grain is not real wood and marble floors are seldom
made of marble... [In these instances, a designer or architect looked at the surface of
the project and chose materials to suit the needs of his design and the budget of his
client.]...When putting together a company image, you need to begin seeing things on the
surface the way an artist might see it. When an artist paints a tree, he doesn't take a
real tree and smash it into the canvass. He looks at the tree and sees that it is just
different shades of green and brown pigment. He then recreates the tree using different
materials. The end result is not a real tree but a valuable representative image. When
putting together your new company image try squinting your eyes to see things
differently," Paull says.
Look at everything that makes up your public image in this different way, your logo, your
sign, displays, letterhead, brochures, annual reports, walls, and floors. Paull says that
you should try to "while squinting see the colors change and shapes move. Notice that red
can appear to be several colors when the shades are lightened or darkened. Notice that
movement can change the color, size and shape of things [like signs]. See that an
expensive die cut in the cover of an annual report doesn't look cut at all, rather it is
a sharp contrast of color with a blackout line. Make note that direct sunlight is
different from florescent lighting that is different from incandescent light and that
lighting coming from above is different then lighting from the floor or a table lamp."
Now turn these observations into cost cutting questions. Do you really need an expensive
four-color processor for your brochure or annual report to get the look you want? Does
your lobby furniture really need chrome accents to achieve the same image as you saw in
the lobby of your competitor? Do you hate your old display or do you just hate the colors
being used? Does your sign need to be made of costly reflective or translucent materials?
Is lighting being used effectively to accent or emphasize your projects? Is lighting
being used at all?
When a man walks into a discount department store wearing a shirt and tie, customers
think he works there. If he also wears a jacket they will think he is the manager.
Likewise, your customers will think what you lead them to think about your organization
by the surface image that you present to them. Again, your product or service must live
up to the image to be successful but the representation itself need not be the focus of
your finances.
Don't pass by those resumes with degrees in art or theater. In fact have Human Resources
to be on the look out for them. Every company needs a visually oriented person. A color
ink jet printer is also an important tool, not necessarily the more expensive color laser
printer. You will also need a graphics software package and a good copier, remember
Paull's words, "never buy cheap paint or shoes." There are some things that will always
cost you more in the long run if you start off too cheaply. A copier is one of them. You
will definitely need a camera; there is no need to spend a great deal of money on this.
However if you are going to invest in a quality camera, consider a digital one. Prints
can be made instantly from your color printer.
A few tips to live by would be to purchase a copy of the "No Money Maker" for your entire
key personal but never buy retail. Whenever possible consider used. You can get better
quality and more of it. Quality used office furniture can also make a new business appear
more established. It is also good to identify a small part of your logo as a trademark
and make sure it appears on everything, stationary, ads, vehicles, signs, doors, etc. It
can be a graphic or an initial or just a color, but it should be distinct and
representative of your organization. The 'Nike' symbol is a prime example. Print this
logo and/or trademark on different size labels so you can customize folders, nonstandard
envelopes, one of a kind projects, etc. Matching the ink color to the background can make
an item appear custom engraved. You will need a large quantity of paper stock with your
trademark in a corner or as a background shadow. If you can afford a digital camera, have
enlargements and copies made on a color copier at your local copy shop. It is much
cheaper than photo enlargements and the quality is surprisingly good.
It is important for your customers to see cleanliness and classiness so get a good
cleaning service. Install dimmer switches to control the lighting in the lobby, the
boardroom and display areas. Fluorescent lights make everything look flat and harsh
including faces. Use tables and floor lamps when you can. Clearly designate your main
entrance so that you can control your guests first impression. Use signage and/or
landscaping to do this.
It is very important to join the local chamber of commerce and have key staff attend
meetings and serve on committees so you can control how the business community perceives
you. Improve your image and increase your company's public awareness and your networking
by aligning yourself with a nonprofit as well. Have key staff serve as volunteers on the
board of directors for one or more worthy causes.
Press releases can go a long way to help out your image. News reports will jump on a
dramatic news story or an important event. Realistically though, how often does that
happen at most organizations. One way to improve the odds of getting your news in the
press is to do it yourself. Do the research, find the angle, and write the article. Many
reporters will take the easy road rather than write their own article. If they have space
and all the work is already done, chances are they will use your story. For even better
odds put the article on disc in a format that they use and include a photo. Last but
certainly not least "never apologize on stage. Let people think you paid a lot for
something. Don't volunteer information. Most times no one will know the difference unless
you tell them," Green says.
Bibliography
WORKS CITED
Paull, Evan D. Personal interview. 22 November 2000
Green, Allison W. Telephone interview. 01 December 2000