OK, if you're not going to hire me to develop your 2005 marketing communication plan for you I have a few suggestions that you may not have considered as part of your marketing arsenal.

Of course, you already have a company name, a positioning statement, logo, stationery, business cards and a website.
Right?

The next thing I suggest is an employee survey. Ask them about what's happening where the company meets the customer.
Find out how employees feel about the company. A recent survey shows that employee attitudes have a huge impact upon a company's bottom line. Motivated employees provide great service, and great service can separate you from your competitors.

Next, develop a customer retention program. It costs five times more to develop a new customer as it does to keep an old one. E-newsletters are an essential part of my customer retention program. Sign up for my e-newsletter at http://www.hoover-ink.com.

Finally, here is a random list of other items that can be considered part of your marketing arsenal.

- your reputation
- advertising
- consultations, demonstrations, seminars, samples
- community involvement, cause marketing, philanthropy
- media contacts, bylined articles, op-ed pieces
- guest speaking program
- great working environment
- employee development program
- networking, referrals
- contests
- customer surveys
- special events

If your time for 2005 marketing related tasks is limited, take some advice from my marketing mentor: pick three things from above and do them right.

About the Author

Harry Hoover is managing principal of Hoover ink PR, http://www.hoover-ink.com. He has 26 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Brent Dees Financial Planning, Duke Energy, Levolor, North Carolina Tourism, Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems, VELUX and Verbatim.