Branding: a board's responsibility
[Lindie Engelbrecht] Gone are the days when a company's brand - or reputation - relied solely on the efforts of marketers. While the more public efforts to build the brand may still be spearheaded by the marketing team, proactive plans to protect what is arguably the company's most valuable asset, its brand, should be executed by board members, as part of their role in guarding company interests. 4 Sep 2008 08:52

When angry customers fight back
[Erika Morphy] The Internet has given consumers a powerful voice to level their complaints when a company does them wrong, and the firm that's unresponsive may have to deal with bad - and potentially very costly - publicity as a result. The sword can cut both ways, though. Complaining customers may face legal risks too, if they're not careful to distinguish opinion from fact. 2 Sep 2008 06:12

Embracing Web 2.0 to gain consumer attention
[Derek Engelbrecht] Consumer product companies must adopt appropriate technologies to help sustain a competitive edge in the market place. 1 Sep 2008 11:44

Mall store directory at the touch of a screen
Primall Media will be launching its latest innovation, Touch Screen Directory boards, in October 2008, with the placement of 93 touch screen units in 18 of the top malls countrywide. Consumers will no longer have to try and navigate from current 'you are here' static and confusing shopping mall directories. 29 Aug 2008 13:41

Six powerful prospecting tips
[John Boe] Why is it that some sales reps consistently earn a six-figure annual income while other reps, putting in the same hours, selling the same products and trained by the same sales manager struggle each month financially to make ends meet? The answer to this question is painfully simple: the six-figure sales reps spend more time on the phone and never forget to ask for referrals! 27 Aug 2008 08:35

Packaged CRM solutions: Kind of like baking soda
[John Yaggie] CRM solutions used to be solely the domain of the sales force, but now other departments are taking advantage of their flexibility and versatility. They're so adaptable, Avanade's John Yaggie compares today's CRM solutions to that miracle household substance: baking soda. 26 Aug 2008 11:38

Selling online to industrial buyers overseas
[Karen E. Klein] In a tough economy, businesses are seeking new channels for their products. Industrial suppliers can find a willing marketplace online, but they need to consider their potential clients' needs when designing their websites. 25 Aug 2008 11:01

Customer wows can beat economic woes
[Fiona Ross] Adopting a customer-centric approach can be a winning business model in tough economic times. 20 Aug 2008 13:13

The customer loyalty myth
[Erika Morphy] Do loyal customers translate into steady sales or profits? Intuitively, the answer should be yes - and indeed, customer loyalty is a significant metric by which companies rate their performance. However, there a few problems with the concept of customer loyalty and a corporate strategy to develop it, according to Esteban Kolsky, practice leader with eVergence. 20 Aug 2008 11:03

Outdoor signage contract to benefit Tshwane retailers
The Tshwane Street Furniture Consortium, comprising Primedia Outdoor and Street Pole Ads, has inked a R69-million, ten-year contract with the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality to provide new directional street name signs. 19 Aug 2008 12:45

Advertising essential in tough economic times
[Solly Mokgehle] Cut back, trim down, reduce, reduce, REDUCE! In tough economic times, we are bombarded with a barrage of messages about how we should be examining our expenses, cutting back on everything but the essentials and saving money to survive. 19 Aug 2008 09:12

Email marketing lies, lies, lies
[Loren McDonald] I want to expose three lies that email marketers either tell or have told to them by people who should know better. 15 Aug 2008 06:33

North American market for hosted outbound IVR services to more than double by 2013
[Aphrodite Brinsmead] A new report by independent market analyst Datamonitor reveals the North American market for hosted outbound integrated voice response (IVR) services is set to more than double from an estimated $213 million in 2008 to $524 million by 2013. 14 Aug 2008 06:11