MONUMENTAL PARTNERS ISSUE 5 | VOLUME #1. MAY-JUNE 2014
WE ARE MAIL
CLICKS AT JBDC SMALL BUSINESS EXPO
The JBDC out did themselves at their Small Business Expo and Conference as scores of patrons came out to hear the words of the prolific speakers, see the creative work of the booth exhibitors and participate in the daylong presentation to support small businesses. As the ballroom buzzed with curiosity over the newly launched products, and exhibitor booths, scores of patrons visited the Monumental station to check out their own launch of ‘We Are Mail’. The venue was set as the team from Monumental Partners Limited showcased their latest marketing product ‘We Are Mail’ and the accompanying website www. wearemail.com. Running under the tag line eMail Marketing Simplified, ‘We Are Mail’ was unveiled as the solution to developing creative online marketing campaigns, while exploring new frontiers of Email Marketing. The “We Are Mail” website showcased a fresh new approach to online marketing, with clean outlines and user-friendly navigations. The JBDC Small Business Expo seemed most suitable for the launch of ‘We Are Mail’ with the product proving popular with patrons. Dubbed by Creative Director Kahlil Harris at Monumental Partners as “unparallel to versions of its kind”, ‘We Are Mail’ stands as a one-stop shop for email marketing. While other online platforms provide specific services such as analytics and feedback and others giving scores of templates to choose from ‘We Are Mail’ does it all and under one umbrella.
THE PRODUCT The product has been launched amidst an increasingly virtual age where mail marketing remains one of the fastest ways of informing the public of a brand or promotion.
It is an easy to use online marketing platform that provides reliable and efficient tools to develop marketing campaigns or simply a means to inform the market via e-newsletters/e-magazines, social media campaigns, promotions and news alerts. A product of the marketing specialist company, Monumental Partners Limited, ‘We Are Mail’ is backed by an unlimited amount of ideas and advice for consumers of the E-Marketing website. The message was delivered across patrons at the expo and complemented with offers of a personal account manager for clients; truly encompassing all that internet marketing is about. The product already has an extensive and recognizable clientele coming in the form of Hilo Food Stores and the University of the West Indies Development Endowment Fund. Additionally the diverse set of tools “We Are Mail” holds allows users to work independently
Features: • • • • • • • • • •
to create a marketing plan tailored
Email Marketing specifically to one’s product and bolsters High email deliverability the brand’s awareness using every route net marketing offers. These tools were Gears traffic towards your website on display at the company’s station at the Easy to use customizable templates Jamaica Pegasus for patrons to peruse the Ongoing technical support site and see firsthand its functionality. Feedback and report Time saving Cost efficient Asked to describe ‘We Are Mail’ in three words, Emails won’t get spammed General Manager at Monumental Partners responded Partner benefits available with“High-Quality,
GAME CHANGER
Connectivity and an Engaging Experience”.
With the market rapidly changing and a new must have social media app flying on the market in the blink of an eye email marketing stands firm as an effective means to market. The ‘Why’ for email marketing is no longer a question, it’s now about the how and to whom. ‘We Are Mail’ answers both questions. By providing this platform that ensures your target market is reached, informed and engaged.
When to Hire a Business Development Consulting Firm A business development consulting firm can be a great tool for companies that are having a hard time growing their business. Even after initial success, a company can plateau and struggle to sustain the level of growth it once enjoyed. If your company is struggling to meet your expectations, it may be time to bring in a professional consultant. Analyze Your Business Operations Many times, a business owner will assume that his business model is sound. However, there may be aspects to his business plan that don't make sense when viewed through the eyes of a disinterested observer. Furthermore, there may be new technology available that the owner of a company has never heard of. Taking a look at how your business operates with the assistance of a third-party can help you see where you are going wrong. Come Up With New Marketing Strategies The culprit responsible for your lagging sales could be a poor marketing pitch. If your business is not making good use of the Internet, it is wasting a valuable tool in the quest to attract customers. If necessary, a business consultant may recommend that you outsource your marketing efforts or help you come up with a plan that you can implement yourself. When it comes to marketing, it is either boom or bust because customers have to hear something that they like if they are going to buy your product. Consider Branching Into New Markets It may be that your company has maximized its ability to do business in a certain area of the country. Therefore, your company may need to think about expanding into a new market where there are new customers just waiting for the product or service that your company offers. When expanding, look for customers who can afford what you are selling as well as an area that is not saturated with other companies in your industry.
Where Do You Go From Here? For some companies, it is just a matter of poor planning that gets them into trouble. Having a development firm working with you can help you create a plan for the future. Such planning can include succession planning, developing new products or how to best deal with taxes and other employment issues that may be making you hesitant to hire new employees. When you know where you want to go, it makes it a lot easier to make decisions both now and in the future to help you get there. Your business is something that you have created from the bottom up. Therefore, you want to do everything that you can to help it grow today and in the future. Working with a business development consultant will ensure that you have a trusted partner to give you the advice that you need to succeed. By Stan Miller
WE ARE MAIL JBDC EXPO HIGHLIGHTS MPL’s General Manager Christopher Goulbourne & PR & Marketing Exec. Jheanelle Maturah
MPL’s Marketing Assistent Melissa Samuels by the ‘We Are Mail’ Display Area
Monumental Partners Limited set up booth at JBDC Expo 2014.
MPL’s GM Christopher Goulbourne is interviewed on Hotline, RJR Communications
Melissa Samuels explains the ‘We Are Mail’ product to a patron.
MPL’s Creative Director Kahlil Harris poses for the cam
Creative Director Kahlil Harris on air with Power 106 FM
GM Christopher Goulbourne during his interview with RJR.
GM Christopher Goulbourne’s GQ pose for the cam
Team Monumental posing for the camera
We Are Mail Launched at JBDC
We Are Mail Launched at JBDC
PUTTING IN THE LABOUR
Labour Day in Jamaica has always been a day individuals and groups come together and volunteer their time and resources commonly to beautify their surroundings. This year was no different as Monumental Partners Limited adopted the John Mills Infant, Primary and Junior High School along with their beautification project. The project which had three main pillars of focus looked at the Painting of the school, both the outskirts and inside, a green area project that saw the planting of various flowers and thirdly the cleaning of the school grounds. A daunting task that laid before them was achievable through their Army of One Charity which saw a number of their clients banding together under one charity umbrella to pull off the Labour Day Project 2014. Monumental Partners’ contributing clients included Capri-Sun, Edgechem Limited, Derrimon Trading Limited, Sampars Cash & Carry, Production Resources Systems and H&L Ultimate. Also playing an integral role in pulling off the project was the generous Minister of Finance, Dr. the Honourable Peter Phillips who donated not only to the painting of the school but proudly showed up as a volunteer. Dr. Peter Phillips painted alongside Monumental Partners’ Creative Director Kahlil Harris, school chairman Mr. Hugh Thompson and newly appointed school principal Bradley Robinson and made a formidable team. A day filled with activities and high spirits, saw the principal of John Mills, Bradley Robinson, members of staff, parents, students and community members all turning out to garden, wash walls, paint and clean the school. A sense of togetherness was felt and a spirit of achievement as the school was polished with a fresh look of yellow and blue boasting their colors and budding with plants and flowers.
Monumental Partners which has an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities has focused on initiatives that aid education and student life. Particularly creating a comfortable learning environment, enhance teaching experiences through technology assistance learning in keeping along the lines of their services offered. Additionally, the Army of One charity and its partners donated to John Mills’ school feeding program a number of products for breakfast and lunch for students. Contributing partners to this program included World Brand Services, Derrimon Trading Limited and Sampars Cash & Carry.
We still have a lot more to do and I thank everyone for their efforts.” By more, the general manager hinted that Monumental and its Army of One charity would be adopting the John Mills school indefinitely as a part of its do good program. Monumental Partners has extended charitable efforts across schools, varying projects and many community efforts and has formed the Army of One charity to provide long term support to in need schools and other institutions.
The charity’s ideal way to ensure change of circumstances is by providing consistent support General Manager at Monumental, Chris in both large and small ways over an extended Goulbourne spoke close to the end of the project period of time. and stated “we are very delighted to participate in this Labour Day Project, this is a team effort This Labour Day for the John Mills school was and we are pleased with the outcome.” He went well supported by volunteers, sponsors, and the on to say “The school got a much needed facelift Minister and continues with hopes that projects of in terms of painitng, cleaning of the grounds and this nature will continue throughout the year. gardening.
Principal Bradley Robinson with MPL’s Marketing & PR Executive Jheanelle Maturah
“by providing consistent support in both large and small ways over an extended period of time”
Creative Director Kahlil Harris paints alongside Dr. the Hon. Minister of Finance Peter Phillips
YOU CAN TEACH AN OLD BUSINESS NEW TRICKS Running a company with a rich past has its challenges. It’s hard to change or adapt the approach of a business if it has been successful for so long. Leadership can easily think that if it’s not broken, why fix it? Any business that has lasted for generations has an advantage. Currently, eight out of every ten businesses fail in the first 18 months, according to a Bloomberg report. Growing an established business starts with great talent. The easiest way to incorporate modern tactics is to hire or work with talented people who know how to execute new ideas. The principles of networking and communications haven’t changed. What has changed is the expectation of how they are done now. Embracing technology, social media will open up doors and wallets. Make sure to invest in a great website. On top of that, make sure that website is built for mobile. Mobile is growing exponentially and cannot be ignored. Use free tools internally. Not every innovation is done to
attract customers. It’s also necessary to innovate within the company. Dropbox, Google Docs, Survey Monkey and free conference call services are all helpful. There are many more. These tools are also helpful if the business work with many outside vendors or partners. Fred Mouawad, in an interview with Forbes.com, discussed the importance of guardianship. In the 123rd year of his family business, he is focused on creating value for the next generation. Continuing to grow and adapt is vital. Every business that has succeeded took chances, took risks to get where it is. Starting a business is a risk. It takes courage. That same courage is required to push a business forward, beyond where it is to where it needs to be. Changes don’t have to be large. In fact, most aren’t. The mindset of the business, it’s willingness to adapt is far most important.
By Jeff Barret
9 WAYS TO LOSE A CLIENT By Kelly Walsh
In a competitive business market, we want to keep our good clients while building to gain new ones. Not only is it more expensive to gain a new client, a long-term client will provide financial stability to your business, along with loyalty, business continuity, potential referrals, and the opportunity to push creative boundaries together. You can get over bumps in the road, mistakes, and communication glitches with a well-established relationship. Practicing relationship faux pas puts you at risk of losing established clients, so to avoid this we recommend not doing the following:
1. Set unrealistic expectations – In the desire to win over a client, we might overpromise. Make sure your promises are things you have complete control over. Otherwise, tell them the true odds. A sports coach can’t promise an athlete an Olympic medal, but he can tell her what success he has had with others, how much work it will take, and how hard he will work to give her every opportunity for success. 2. Never Stop marketing to your clients – Never assume loyalty alone will keep you together. Keep marketing to your current clients by reminding them of wins and checking in with them for feedback. 3. Focus on new clients in lieu of your longer relationships – Your first child never wants to be bumped for the adorable, new baby. 4. Step up only at contract renewal time – Your client has been evaluating the relationship long before that. We have all experienced this with vendors. They realize it is time to re-up and start shaping up. Don’t be that vendor. 5. Fail to keep agreements – You can meet or exceed expectations 99 percent of the time, but the time you fail on something important could be the time a client negatively talks about you to friends, colleagues, or on social media. 6. Fail to ask about their priorities – Just because it is clear to you what your client needs to do next, you may forget to take a step back and ask about their priorities and expectations. Even if
you’re right, it doesn’t matter if it’s not what your client wants. 7. Fail to set up roles and responsibilities – Success is more likely to occur, and usually happens more quickly, when everyone knows their roles. It’s a good move to clarify what you do and don’t do, as well as what your client will or won’t do. It will help avoid bumping into each other or overlooking tasks later on. 8. Believe “ground rules” are for the playground – Call them whatever you want, but clarify how you will contact each other, who to contact for what, and any other points that are significant for communication, meetings, and follow-up. If rules are created from the get-go, then less misunderstanding and untangling will follow. 9. Skip orientation – Both you and your client want to be excited about the investment in your partnership. You may have delivered this in the sales pitch, but if you can add to it by welcoming them to your company family and celebrating an anniversary as partners as years pass, then items from #7 and #8 will continue to be seamless. Customer attrition can be more costly than employee turnover in direct and indirect dollars. As Human Resources experts will tell you that it is critical to retain and reward your top talent, the same theory applies to your valued clients. It’s more difficult and more expensive to replace a valued client, so consider these tips.
Chill
CHILLPIN COMING SOON
Team Monumental: Mr. Duval, Tanya Brice, Kristopher Kerr, Jermaine Thomas, Melissa Samuels, Christopher Goulbourne, Kahlil Harris, Nya Harris and Jheanelle Maturah
Lead Graphic Artist Kristopher Kerr says the School Feeding Program is under control
Lead Web Developer Jermaine Thomas leads the Green Area Project on the day Teamwork makes the dream work indeed
Creative Director Kahlil Harris says the paint is taken care of.
MP The Hon. Dr. Peter Phillips gears up to paint
On the Brink Credits Publisher:
Monumental Partners Limited
9 McKenzie Close
Kingston 8
St. Andrew
Tel: 876-969-2646
info@monumentalpartners.com www.monumentalpartners.com Managing Editors:
Kahlil Harris
Christopher Goulbourne
Brand Manager:
Jheanelle Maturah
Graphic Designer:
Kristopher Kerr
Contributors:
Kelly Walsh
Jeff Barret
Stan Miller
Jheanelle Maturah
Subscription: info@monumentalpartners.com Sources: ezine.com