Making Rain: The Secrets of Building Lifelong Client Loyalty
Whether business leaders want a steady drizzle or an out-and-out monsoon, they can use Sobel's formula for landing and keeping customers-what he calls "making rain." Based on building relationships, it starts with the key components of knowledge, service and demonstrable value; these are the building blocks that attract clients, says business adviser Sobel (Clients for Life). In this straightforward manual, he gives practical strategies to help leaders of service firms and large corporations alike become indispensable advisers to their clients, thus cementing a long-term connection. The principles behind his tactics are simple: get to know your client, gain respect for your knowledge and win personal respect. Then, drive it home by delivering above and beyond, again and again. These ideas are old as dirt. Sobel reaches across centuries to dig up examples of their success, from Aristotle to Ben Franklin. He buffs up these ageless notions and places them within engaging anecdotes. Although the lessons aren't strokes of genius, they should help professionals through most dry spells.
The second edition of the Public Relations Writer’s Handbook offers a simple, step-by-step approach to creating a wide range of writing, from basic news releases, pitch letters, biographies, and media alerts, to more complex and sophisticated speeches, media campaign proposals, crisis responses, and in-house publications. In addition, the thoroughly expanded and updated second edition shows how to keep up with the best practices of the public relations profession, as well as with the speed made possible and required by the digital age.
Today's richest market is the New Customer Majority: middle-aged and older adults who make up the biggest percentage of the buying public. Never before have adults 40 years and older been in the majority. Understanding this population and persuasively selling to it require a new kind of marketing research arsenal.
This book was excellent, it answered all my “What ever happened to … ?” questions. It recast public common knowledge into a very revealing and HUMOROUS set of mistakes at a strategic level with plenty of indisputable concrete examples (something that a lot of books lack). It deals only with the top players in the industry and is not explicitly about strategy for small start ups, though it does have many scalable concepts and excellent pointers for any development manager (vis-a-vie:Spolsky). I couldn’t put the book down till chapter 10 (regarding MS/Bill Gates).
To sell today, salespeople must add value, provide perspective, and show customers how a product will solve their specific needs. The Sales Success Handbook outlines a six-step program for hearing and understanding exactly what customers have to say and for selling solutions–instead of just selling products.
Nearly 10 years ago, the influential bestseller Solution Selling literally rewrote the rules for selling big-ticket, long-cycle products. The New Solution Selling expands the classic text's cases, examples, and situations and sharpens its focus on streamlining the sales process to achieve greater success in fewer steps and a shorter time frame. Much in sales has changed in the past decade, and The New Solution Selling incorporates those changes into an integrated, tailored approach for improving both individual productivity and organizational return on investment. Written to enhance the results and careers of sales pros and managers in virtually any industry, this performance-focused book features:
This book explores the increasingly important topic of brand building within the one-to-one concept. It explains how to achieve what all marketers dream about a product or service customized for each individual customer that is both a good value for the customer and a profitable venture for the producer. It uses practical tools and case studies to show how a company can optimize its brand marketing resources. 
This worldwide best-selling book highlights the most recent trends and developments in global marketing-with an emphasis on the importance of teamwork between marketing and all the other functions of the business. It introduces new perspectives in successful strategic market planning, and presents additional company examples of creative, market-focused, and customer-driven action. Coverage includes a focus on customer relationship management, partner relationship management, the Internet and its effects and uses, brand building and brand asset management, alternative go-to-market channels, and marketing around the globe.
"The best marketing you can do for your business is to concentrate on creating a high-quality operation that customers, employees and other businesspeople will trust, respect and recommend. Marketing Without Advertising teaches small business owners practical strategies to: · encourage customers to spread the good word about your business · attract new customers and gain their trust · turn dissatisfied customers into loyal supporters · list your products or services widely and inexpensively · plan marketing events that will keep customers involved · encourage the media to comment positively on your business List of Forms Physical Appearance That Develops Trust Evaluating Your Pricing Policy Employee Questionnaire Questionnaire for Suppliers How Open Is Your Business? What My Business Does The Domains in Which Your Business Operates Do People Know What You Do? Do You "Tell Them Yourself"? How Customers Can Evaluate Your Business Referrals Customer Referrals Phone Accessibility Checklist Mail Accessibility Checklist Walk-In Accessibility Checklist Listing Questionnaire Customer Recourse Policies and Practices Your Marketing List Designing Direct Marketing Events Designing Parallel Marketing Events Marketing Event Worksheet"
