Zola Sphere
Communications Thought Leadership
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Is Marketing on the Frontline of Your Business?
The recent economic slowdown has left drought-like conditions in many marketing departments across Corporate America. Often, marketers are the first casualties when companies are forced to declare war on costs. Understandably, there is a need to reduce costs during tough times. But, in today's competitive climate can corporations really afford to send their sales force into battle without adequate air cover from marketing?
It is said that nothing happens in business until something sells. Marketing is a major part of the selling process, and smart businesses know that very little selling is done without marketing. Developing and implementing strategic marketing & communications plans begins with identifying your company’s strengths and weaknesses, followed by an in-depth analysis of your customers and competitive position.
Today’s customers are more knowledgeable, more demanding, more selective and more price sensitive than ever before. Intelligent marketing strategies pave the way for new customer relationships and nurtures existing relationships. It creates demand, preference and loyalty. Without it, products and services have no focus. Markets have no direction. Prospects have no reason to buy.
To effectively compete in today's ever-changing global economy, companies must be powerful communicators, sending their messages to customers, employees and business partners quickly and efficiently. Consider the example of Jack Welch during his 20-year tenure as GE’s Chairman. When Welch announced that each GE business had to be either first or second in their markets or no longer be part of the GE family – he was in fact marketing a powerful message – not only to each GE business unit – but to customers, shareholders and competitors. The message was indeed a powerful one. The results made GE the largest revenue-generator in the world. In the 2008 Presidential battle for the White House, the Obama campaign team tapped into the power of online venues and social networking forums to deliver a message of Change and engage a large, diverse audience of young voters with record-breaking results.
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STRAGEGIC PLANNING
Strategy. Possibly the most overused word in the business lexicon. But, what does it really mean?
Here’s our definition: A results-oriented style of creative thinking; a conscious and deliberate process; an intensive implementation system; the art of ensuring future success.
We are strategists. At Zola Communications, we develop and deploy strategies that ensure your success.
The word “strategy” comes from the Greek word stratçgos; which derives its meaning from two words: "stratos" – meaning army. And, "ago" which means - leading/guiding/moving. The ancient Greeks also used the word strategos to describe a military general. These generals were considered superior thinkers. Strategists. Protectors. Guardians. Likewise, we consider ourselves guardians and protectors of our client’s business assets. We build and manage your brand as a strategic asset.
When we strategize, we carefully develop thought processes and planned actions that place your business several moves ahead of your opponents. Our strategic planning process helps you lead, guide and move your business forward - rationally; consciously; without the need for intuition or guesswork. We help you prepare for, and meet any challenge, while keeping your mind focused on the ultimate objective - getting the job done. Winning!
Leading. Guiding. Moving your Business Forward
Zola Communications strategic planning team develops integrated programs that map out how your company’s goals will be achieved and how we will measure our progress toward that end. Our business structure, part agency, part consultancy, allows us to combine research and analytics into our planning process to provide highly innovative customized approaches for each client. Our unique planning process is a proven guide to winning business solutions for companies that demand business accountability and innovation.
The world of marketing is rapidly changing all around us. Engaging your customers requires a solid foundation steeped in customer understanding, marketing planning and technological prowess. Business challenges today are often compounded by the sheer volume of new media channels and the depth of expertise required to execute well in each channel. Our goal is to help your business turn barriers into enablers.
We begin by addressing the business needs of each company with an insightful analysis that highlights opportunities and potential threats. After performing an in-depth analysis of your business goals, we assess the resources that will be needed, as we work with you, to develop a plan outlining the most cost-effective ways to meet your goals. A thorough market assessment and needs analysis are used to help craft a measureable tactical plan. A key component of which is building a targeted messaging platform that magnifies your company’s value proposition.
Utilizing a blend of traditional and new media vehicles such as RFID, mash-up applications, blogs, podcasts, viral, mobile and social-media marketing, our strategists will provide recommendations for how these vehicles can be leveraged to gain a competitive edge. Our synergistic approach to strategic planning offers innovative ways to deliver winning business solutions for your company. Each plan details exactly how and when the initiatives will be deployed. Our Measured Approach ensures that your strategic plan will place a high priority on business accountability. Utilizing sophisticated dashboard tools and analysis, we will track, monitor and report the results of each campaign. Offering insight that allows you to continuously optimize each campaign and maximize your marketing dollars.
See what we can do for your business. Call Lorraine at 703.431.8208 or send an email at lfrancis@zolacommunications.com
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Government Relations & Public Affairs
If your organization's goals include legislative advocacy, public education, or the development of a strong social community around a particular issue set - call us today at 703.431.8208.
We provide government and strategic public relations services. Our public affairs practice spans a wide range of activities that encompasses identifying, assessing, prioritizing and responding to the opportunities and risks that the public policy environment often presents to an enterprise and its future goals. Navigating the halls of power is no easy task. Whether you are pursuing new legislation, a modification of existing regulation, or want to halt legislation that may have an adverse impact on your business plan, you need a team with the knowhow – and know who.
In an ever-changing political climate, companies need help to align corporate strategies with the legislative landscape. Our goal is to assist you to turn barrier into enablers. Whether your organization needs help influencing policy through communications, meetings, media activities or building coalitions, our experts are here to assist you. We can enhance your Government Relations activities by providing up- to-date information that will help your organization to reorient, refocus or adapt its activities to meet legislative requirements.
Our Public Affairs professionals know that a successful campaign involves much more than counting web hits and media clippings. It’s about the art and science of shaping perceptions, and driving desired behavior. We can help you build a constituency by finding and mobilizing an Internet community around your cause, candidate, or product. Using our knowledge of media management processes and expertise in communications risk management, we leverage the right combination of advanced communications tools to educate and motivate each target audience. The strategies and tactics we develop are specifically designed to drive the desired results.
Working across a wide spectrum, we execute Capitol Hill and media events, outreach programs, and coordinate lobbying activities that will help to influence specific policy or legislation proposals. We assist in the development of strategies on who to lobby, on what issues and advise at what stage in the legislative process to get involved. Our research and monitoring capabilities allow us to offer analysis based on the most up to date information available.
Our areas of expertise include:
· Public education
· Social marketing
· Grass-tops and grass-roots mobilization
· Outreach and engagement
· Partnerships and ally development
· Multi-cultural and multi-lingual outreach
· Media Training & Media Relations
Call us today at 703.431.8208
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The Winning Strategy
The winning formula is simple: the right message, the right tools, the right team. At Zola Communications, we develop powerful communications strategies that work. As seasoned marketers, we have the capabilities to identify the needs of your market and satisfy them by effectively communicating the benefits your company offer. We can turn your vision into greater market value.
Call us today at 703.431.8208
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