Has Your Small Business Adopted Integrated Marketing Communications?

Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) is a broad concept that involves the totality of ways or strategies a company uses to convince its publics (target audience) to buy its products, services or both – especially through advertising, marketing and public relations.

Marketing communications, at best, draws a business organization towards the direction of sales by using various tools such as billboards, the internet, SMS, direct mailing, brochure, special event, photography, TV and radio commercials, press releases, corporate social responsibilities, pricing strategy, product information, etc.

Gone are the days when someone opens a shop, erects a signpost and expect customers to troop in. Obviously, business has gone beyond this primitive idea.

In modern business organizations, IMC has taken the centre stage. The marketing departments of many medium and large-sized companies now than ever include advertising and public relations in their policies, actions and inactions.

IMC plays a vital role in today’s competitive marketplace where people are constantly filled with all sorts of commercials; hence, the marketing communication must be unique, timely, informative, usable, creative and memorable.

The marketing communications effort of any organization becomes effective when their advertising campaign attract sales; when their web site provides an intended effect; when their bulk SMS campaign keeps the phone ringing; and when their sales representatives make huge sales with little effort.

The small business owner should, therefore, focus on his business demeanor: how the organization communicates, interacts, persuades, informs, relates, publicizes, promotes, and how it chooses and uses its words in sales pitches.

It is, however, not needless to say that budding entrepreneurs should take short courses in marketing, business communication, advertising, and public relations. And a regular study of write-ups in these subject areas is advisable.

Wake Up! Keep Moving Forward.

Wake up! We are in the era of 'show me what you've got.' You can't just afford to be an on-looker.

The wisdom lessons of life are usually learnt in the school of hard knocks. David McNally said ''the mistake riddled life is much richer, more interesting, and more stimulating than the life that has never risked or taken a stand on anything.''

What we learn everyday has a way of affecting our thinking, pampering our emotions, and influencing our will. It thereafter come back to us in our own understandable language; building us up for a more difficult task.

Life is an examination. You cannot pretend to write than you know. It's not a matter of how lengthy your work is, but how quality the solutions proferred are. The world is not out for title holders, but for problem solvers - saviours!

You may be employed based on your resume, but you will advance based on your performance. Your impact matters to this generation, and at least, to your immediate family.

To this end, embrace understanding. Wisdom will promote and honour you. Accept responsibility for what's required. Show keen interest to materials relevant to your career.

Casey said, ''renewing the mind is more than learning; it is changing.''

Be an Enthusiast!

Passion is an essential ingredient in a meal of accomplishment. It is the propeller of any must-thrive vision. It is a measurement to ascertaining possible success or failure of a given task or assignment.

You should love your career. Grow a strong interest in your job or profession. In actual fact, be engrossed in it!

A scholar must go beyond 'interest' to having a passion for his course of study before the zeal to study comes.

Remember, passion is a seed. It can be nurtured to grow.

I have a passion so great for my assignment that cannot be erased.

''It is difficult to succeed in an area of life that you are not enthusiastic about. The sales men who sell the best are the ones who are excited about what they are selling.'' Sam Adeyemi.

Certainly, you can keep your passion growing. Get down to work. Do whatever good you love doing always. Make it a hobby. Find new ways of doing it. Love it anyway.

Are You Keeping Right?

It's almost impossible not to hear people say you should take them for who they are or forget having them for who they are not. Of course, it's good and appealing to display one's instinctive character or behaviour. But, what kind of person are you? Abraham Lincoln counsels, '' Whatever you are, be a good one.''

A guy does all manner of immoralties, yet he says that is the kind of person he is. He has recreated himself - conforming to the dictates of his desires.

The definition of a person can be seen in his habits. More often, our habits form who we are (not who God intended us to be.) God has made nothing natural in us except for our abilities, gifting and talents. ''We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful what we pretend to be.'' Don't cook up excuses for your unsuitable behaviour. Whatever kind of (good) person you want to be seen in, show it by your actions - your habits will take care of it tomorrow.

Give What You Are

Millions of people play soccer, but not all are skilful players. Thousands go into art, but not all are creative artist. Many go into business, but not all are leading entrepeneurs. Untold number write books, but not all are prolific writers. The doors of the entertainment industry are flung open every second, but not all are stars in their various field of endeavour.

When the work of a man pleases his talent, it makes his career to be at peace with him! You are meant to enjoy every bit of your career - getting excited, having a flair, and ultimately, thriving.

If your pursuit gives you constant worries, it's an indication that you are not meant for it. Make a u-turn fast. You are one of a kind - designed to glorify your Maker - as only you can.

Remember, imitation is your limitation. Who you are is not synonymous to what you love. You are the gift not the receiver.