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Check back here regularly to find out what's going on at Markus MP, Inc.

The digital era awaits

 

Hey there, small business owner!

 

I know, I know. It's easy to get stuck in the past and continue to rely on traditional methods of marketing and sales. But I'm here to tell you that it's time to join the digital era.

 

In today's world, the internet and social media have changed the way people shop and consume products. And if you want to stay relevant, competitive, and profitable, you need to embrace technology and the opportunities it offers.

 

Digital marketing is a cost-effective way to reach a wider audience, generate leads, and keep up with consumer trends. And there are a variety of digital marketing strategies that you can use, such as:

 

Ecommerce (online shopping)          

Search engine optimization (SEO)          

Search engine marketing (SEM)

Content marketing          

Email campaigns          

CRM (customer relationship marketing)

Social media marketing

 

The best part is, you don't have to do it all at once. Start with one or two strategies that you think will be most effective for your business, and then gradually add more as you go.

 

If you're not sure where to start, don't worry. We're here to help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you use digital marketing to grow your business and win lifelong customers.

 

We can't wait to help you join the digital era!

 

A JUA KALI game plan

(testing the wisdom of mad dogs and Englishmen)

 

When we sold our first business many moons ago in a different country (and a different world), the timing was perfect, thanks to our JUA KALI game plan.

 

JUA KALI (literally translated from the Kiswahili 'hot sun') is the term used to describe the informal sector in East Africa. JUA KALI artisans and mechanics set up shop by the roadside to ply their trades at the mercy of the elements.

 
A second meaning is 'make-shift'. A JUA KALI artisan excels in his ability to craft something almost out of thin air - a sturdy pair of sandals out of an old car tire and inner tube, a JIKO (charcoal brazier) out of iron scraps, a spark-plug cable harness out of insulating tape, a recyclable funeral wreath...
 
The concept of a JUA KALI game plan would likely be anathema to a born-and-bred corporate animal, brought up on measurable, quantifiable, justifiable strategies. Yet its attributes of derring-do, a 24-7 work ethic despite a hostile environment, and a creative approach to every challenge, epitomize the very spirit of entrepreneurship. (In the U.S., this would obviously be called “American ingenuity.”)

 

FOCUS IN REAL TIME

 

The JUA KALI afficianado appreciates the real meaning of 'focus' – come rain or shine, the show must go on. The real-life real-time scenario (mouths to feed, shelter to find) is a spur like no other. Objectives are defined exactly, location is paramount, accessibility is a matter of life and death.
 
In this spirit, any and all obstacles are taken in their stride. Adverse weather? Use tarpaulin sheets that fell off the back of a bus. Mid-month cash flow crisis? Prompt payment discount plus free home delivery. Competition? Warranties, improved after-sales service. In the long run, as in any business, a good rep, street cred and a loyal band of followers (read buyers) are the real goals.

 

'CAN DO' ATTITUDE

 

Creative thinking pays off big-time - many JUA KALI game plans morph from 'make-shift' into 'can-do'.
 
A dabbler in wrought-iron 'buys out' a sizeable stretch of real estate sidewalk in a working-class residential district in Nairobi. He extends his stock to custom-built furniture, promising to match any design in a European or American catalogue.
 
On a different scale, but still deserving of honorary JUA KALI titles, are start-ups, including national airlines which go global at the first approval of an open skies policy, and whose frequent chopping and changing of schedules caters for demand and potential rather than a rigid expansion policy.
 
JUA KALI bankers successfully pioneered drive-thru’s and Internet banking, paving the way for consumer-friendly banking as a given. An intrepid JUA KALI segment of the transport industry absorbed the flak that was part of the process of streamlining ticketless travel. Only old-timers can remember the skepticism with which the idea of the Web as a major retail alternative was met ("What?? Use MY credit card over the Internet?")...

 

MASTERS OF THE MAKESHIFT

 

The essence of JUA KALI philosophy is anything but "If it ain't broke, don't fix it”. There is still a game plan - a method to the madness. It's just not cast in stone - but in clay to allow for remolding.
 
By becoming 'masters of the make-shift', JUA KALI pioneers face the challenges of 21st Century marketing head on. It's not just mad dogs and Englishmen who go out in the midday sun ?...

 

Photo by Shedrack Salami on Unsplash

MENU - as in Me 'n You

 

Fish in on the menu….

 

Doing something sustainable to help others is awesome. Even better if it helps you grow your business, too! Today’s a good day for Me ‘n You to begin. 

 

I’ve translated my years of marketing communications expertise into a turn-key marketing and public relations system. You bring your team of employees, board members and volunteers.  We can teach your team valuable skills that will make them even more motivated to promote - and build - your organization.

 

Marketing, public relations, e-mail marketing campaigns, social media, blogs, web content – there’s a lot of ways we can build your organization’s brand. Please contact me today to put your small business, or a charity that you support, on the road to success. Let’s go fishing!

 

Maslow, the pig and the seagull

 

What would you give to be that seagull on the pig’s back? Or the pig for that matter?

 

Not a care in the world! Or in other words, peace of mind. 

 

As Abraham Maslow explained it, we’re driven by our basic needs, including safety and security.  The more areas in our lives that we can safeguard, the more we can enjoy peace of mind.

 

That’s why most of us take the necessary steps to keep ourselves safe and secure – by keeping ourselves and our families insured against all kinds of risks – to our lives, livelihoods, health, cars, homes.  There are other areas in your life that you may not have considered – being vulnerable in the legal arena, and becoming a victim of identity theft, so plan accordingly to safeguard yourself and your company. 

 

Today’s tip:

You can use Maslow’s theory in your modern-day marketing strategy, to help identify your customers and meet their needs.

 

I love to train non-profits and small businesses in marketing and fundraising.  Please contact me to find out more about how my system can help you, or a charity that you support.  I’m also available to help with your marketing and public relations writing and social media projects.

 

I hope the rest of your week is chill – like the pig and the seagull.

 

Are you left-footed

 

"Which foot do you lead off with?"

"Which side of the bed do you sleep on?”

“Which wrist do you wear your watch on?”

 

The answer has to be “the left or the right.”  One or the other.  Just like life.  

 

We face choices all the time – yes or no, go or stay, now or later …

 

Today, I had the choice to share this exquisite work of art by my late friend and renowned artist, Timothy Brooke, or – instead – a picture of a neon sign that proclaimed, “Work Harder!”

 

I think I made the right choice - don't you?

 

Please ask about my complimentary checklist that will help finetune your marketing communications strategy.  And then let me know if it helped.

 

 

My choice is helping non-profits and small businesses by training their stakeholders in marketing and fundraising.  

Please contact me if my turnkey system could help you, or a charity that you support.

 

Cat in the box

 

Did you read about how cats see a square marked out on the floor and can’t resist sitting in it?  If not, check it out here.

 

It made me think – how much time do we spend trying to think OUTSIDE the box? Sometimes, INSIDE the box works even better!

 

Instead of looking for answers OUTSIDE our own circle, we could find them right here, in the people we work with every day.  People who are already passionate about our cause. Our employees, customers, funders.

 

Contact me to find out how YOUR teams can play a vital role in your marketing, fundraising and public relations solutions.

 

I’ve developed a sustainable system that gives you step-by-step instructions, and can be replicated again and again.

 

Together, we can grow the skills of your stakeholders, while growing your organization’s bottom line.

 

Miaow!

 

May the 4th Be With You!

 

May 4, 2017, Fort Lauderdale, FL

 

Congratulations!

 

You’ve already got your non-profit or small business up and running, and your vision is beginning to take shape.

 

But it’s not easy…

 

You’re juggling client service, employees, marketing, finance, and a host of other operational Must Do’s. You wish that SOMEONE would just wave a magic wand and make it successful already.

 

I feel your pain! And you’re in luck…

 

Because right under your nose are the people who are going to make your organization awesome! They’re going to have people talking about it, believing in it, advocating for it, recommending it. They’re going to bring in the customers, donors or supporters – and the money! – that you need.

 

These people – YOUR TEAM –  are your own employees, board of directors, volunteers, and even your clients!

 

How? Together, we will develop an annual marketing plan, that will train your TEAM to implement the plan. I’ll provide a step-by-step system, with templates, task lists, timelines, scripts and checklists. It’s efficient – and also priced affordably with your budget in mind!

 

This just makes sense! Why give a man a fish when you can teach him to fish?

 

With more than 15 years’ international success in non-profit and corporate management, I’m looking forward to sharing my vast knowledge and experience about fundraising, marketing, and public relations. What works, what doesn’t, and how to prioritize.

 

This week only (in honor of National Small Business Week - and to celebrate my birthday!), I am offering a FREE consultation to the first 10 organizations who contact me. I will meet with you (if in the South Florida area) or we can Skype or teleconference.

 

There’s no obligation after the initial consult. But I think you will want to go ahead… Bear in mind that I can only accept a limited number of clients, as I work on a one-on-one basis.

 

Let’s do it! Contact me now!

 

May the Fourth be with you!

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