How does an engagement with The Marketing Department work?

We offer clients a range of engagement options.

• "Marketing Mentor:" Under this option, one of our senior marketing professionals makes it his or her job to learn our client's company intimately. The bedrock of this option is a regularly scheduled meeting with the client's internal marketing manager. These periodic meetings can occur as often as the client wants, but no less frequently than monthly. The optimal timing is probably weekly or biweekly.
   
• Advantages: In this regular meeting with the client, our consultant provides an expert resource to assist in identifying the highest payback marketing tasks, and in making steady progress toward the completion of those tasks. The structure of a regular meeting schedule assures that key tasks will not be perennially postponed. Our consultant's limited "face time" with the client also limits cost. Our consultant's intimate knowledge of the client's needs enables a rapid ramp up to meet possible peak-load requirements, and, if needed, to bring in the right functional specialists. The client will benefit from the manager's direct involvement in any research and contacts made in the course of marketing programs and projects. Over time, the client's marketing manager will receive the equivalent of a focused mini-course in marketing, built around the client's specific needs.
   
• Disadvantages: Execution of projects and programs can be slow, especially if the client's marketing manager has other job responsibilities.
   
• "Designated Project:" Under this option, we work with our client to specify a particular marketing project. For example, we might interview key customers, prospects, and industry experts to determine our client's best options for future product development. We would execute the project in the time frame required and within agreed cost limits. At the conclusion of the project, we would prepare detailed written and oral summaries of findings and recommendations.
   
• Advantages: The designated project is completed quickly and to a professional quality standard. The input and participation required from our client is minimized. We can bring our full professional expertise to bear both in conducting the project and in developing follow-up recommendations.
   
• Disadvantages: Since we are doing all the work, the out-of-pocket cost of the completed project will be higher than under "Marketing Mentor." Since it is we who conduct any interface required with market players, our client's marketing team does not benefit from the richness of direct contact with those people. Likewise, there is minimal opportunity for tutoring the client's marketing manager in the execution of these tasks. At the end of the project, it is up to the client to make best use of findings and recommendations.
   
• Combination: "Marketing Mentor" and "Designated Project" can be combined to meet client needs. We would establish a regular mentoring structure with the client's marketing manager, and increase our participation as needed to assist with specific projects.