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Employee Training Programs-financialPremium Member
Posted By: W.M.M.A. on 6/6/2005 4:51 PM (CST) 2500 Points
Greetings Colleagues:

My question concerns a client, that for years has been providing companies of all sizes, from Global to regional, management training and employee training. From leadership to customer service, performance assessments....etc.

The newest training program involves a touchy yet important subject...employee debt. Employees who have debt overloads, have productivity issues. This has been demonstrated in research project after research project. The number that productivity is down is about 20%. They even seek new employment on present employer's time, thinking a new job is the answer.

The problem is, they will continue to have this issue, regardless of where they work, unless they learn to manage their debt-load.

My client's programs have proven to reduce debt and help the employee enjoy a net increase in monthly cash of between 20%-35%. Employers enjoy about 300% ROI.

My charge is to help this client to get in front the right decision-makers...ones who would really get it.

We show the numbers to owners/managers. They ALL say the same thing..."WOW! This is a really great program, I'm going to have to do this." And, we are enjoying some early success. But, we want that to continue.

What would you do to convince employers with employee count from 50-200+ to invest in this course - to increase productivity 20%...PROVEN, and get 300% ROI?

How would you market this program?
What are the key elements an employer would need to know that would ensure his/her participation?

It costs less than $30 per employee, online.

It works...PERIOD. A couple Fortune companies, municipalities and banks in Texas have bought the course.

One of the leading Global Accounting Firms have bought the course. It is relatively new...90-120 days since launch. We need all the ideas we can, from all angles.

How can my client close more business? What strategies would you recommend to create more awareness and response? He has used Direct Mail and Tradeshows with some success...but, the big BANG hasn't happened with this program, yet.

I really need your help. This is regional, by the way. For now, we need to see increases in and around Texas-USA.

Thanks in advance. I know you can solve this one. The points will be awarded for real solutions with creativity and applicability.

This is very important. The client needs to make adjustments and move forward at a quick pace. I appreciate all you do.

Randall
WMMA

Posted by: billc24 Accepted Answer
6/6/2005 5:29 PM (CST)
Dear Randall,
I would recommend a two-pronged approach. The first would be to generally raise some of the issues that you bring up in your e-mail to the general business leadership public. Make them aware that this is a productivity issue. I am basically talking about a PR approach, establishing your client's primaries as experts on this topic and people with some ideas. This topic has rolled around in management circles for sometime. I have heard a little about it here and there but rarely as concretely and suscicntly as you described it. Write a white paper for your client and get it covered in some business journals. Have some of the clients who have bought the program talk about the impact addressing the issue has had on their companies.

Secondly, I would follow before and after the PR push with promotions to the key decision makers in a direct one-on-one way. I would lead with the strong factual argument you make in your question above and follow that up with customer testimonials...probably some of the same you use in the PR push. It seems that one of the hurdles that you may have to get over in selling this type of program is the leadership's concern about employee reaction to "meddling in their personal lives." Because of that, you may also want to have testimonials from employees of customers talking about how the program helped them turn around their financial lives.

I hope this helps! Good luck!

Bill
 
Posted by: W.M.M.A. Author Response
6/6/2005 5:33 PM (CST)
Thank you, Bill. You have good points. He has collected the comments for some time, and literally has boxes filled with them.

Randall
WMMA
 
Posted by: billc24 Member Response
6/6/2005 5:44 PM (CST)
Randall,
That is ideal! What could be even better is if you could get a couple of the clients to agree to doing case studies. A soft sell approach, in which the direct mail letter or ad talks about the client's problem (productivity, etc.) and how he/she solved it (use of your client) in a short pithy case study that can be read in a minute or two. The advantage of a soft sell approach like this is that it makes your clients the star (which most clients love), makes it easier for prospects to see themselves using the same solution, and is more credible because of the testimonial nature of it all. I have used this approach with some success to sell consulting services.

Good luck!

Bill
 
Posted by: mgoodman Accepted Answer
6/6/2005 6:29 PM (CST)
Randall,

This sounds like a neat product/service. I think I might find "distribution partners" -- perhaps banks that serve the same business market. Provide a reasonable incentive for bankers to recommend the program and set up an appointment to present the program to the decision-makers. It shouldn't take much, because bankers don't have much to say to their clients anyway, and they are supposed to have face-time with clients whenever possible.

First National Bank in Dallas used to be a client, and they were always looking for a way to offer added services/products to their commercial customers. (Alas, First in Dallas is no longer around ... though not for that reason!)

I also suspect that a face-to-face meeting would be best for this kind of service, with all the factoids you've presented, a few testimonials, and a simple demo of how easy the system is to use, how rapidly learning takes place, etc. And a very professional leave-behind brochure that assures the target audience that the company is "for real," has it's Is dotted and Ts crossed, and is prepared to invest in the great idea.

Hope this helps some. I'll keep thinking on it and let you know if I come up with anything else.

I love projects like this, where the product is truly novel and results can be clearly demonstrated. (I have one like that now, and it's a real kick.)
 
Posted by: Peter (henna gaijin) Accepted Answer
6/6/2005 7:31 PM (CST)
I agree with Billc24 - get some case studies done. Basically, in your post, you have repeated that there is a proven ROI - but I read this and am skeptical. Case studies or other methods which can back up your statement would go a long way toward relieving my skepticism.

Normally I would tell someone to focus on the monetary returns. But in this case, you may want to remind the companies of the pain they feel in people not being efficient due to monetary problems. You may want to repeat this a few times, and maybe talk about the symptoms a manager would see if someone was having this trouble. The hope ifs that you would make a connection with a company - that they would see these symptoms in one or more of their current employees (so they know they are feeling the pain).

You segment your market by geography (Texas) and employee count (50+). Would it also be good to segment by type of employees? Would this be the type of thing that lower paid employees (blue collar and service workers) would more likely benefit from than professionals?
 
Posted by: W.M.M.A. Author Response
6/6/2005 7:44 PM (CST)
Thanks for input. I appreciate all you stated. The client has the documentation, based upon past use of system. So, that exists. There are also several formulas that apply.

In relation to segmentation, it seems that debt is debt. Anyone who has debt that causes them to have serious concern is likely to benefit. Most people do not want to admit to the general public/workmates/friends, that they have worrisome debt. This is something that is held close. This is certainly a component of the client programs. He has learned that on-site courses of this kind, have absolutely no participation, regardless of who pays for it.

His recent online application, has increased his numbers substantially. One of the thoughts we were discussing was that an employer could offer this as a benefit to any newhires, since they tend to be a bit more aggressive and participatory in new employer's programs.

Marketing these proprietary programs, since they are not available except through the client, brings on a big set of disadvantages, as well. That disadvantage is education. The prospective clients, every one of them, must be educated that this problem exists, and it exists within their employee structure.

Many years ago, when "drug-testing" was mandated by US Department of Transportation, there was denial that substance abuse existed in "their" workplace. It was always in someone else's workplace. It wasn't until more companies implemented the testing programs, did eyes begin to open as to the broad implications in the workplace.

There is another issue, as was pointed out...why should an employer put his/her nose in employee business? Do employees feel invaded? I believe some do. But, due to the confidentiality/password environment, and participation from home w/spouse, this is nearly eliminated. Still, education is the most expensive component of marketing, isn't it.

Again, thanks for your input. I look ahead to hearing from the rest of the group.

Randall
WMMA
 
Posted by: laura* Accepted Answer
6/6/2005 9:45 PM (CST)
Hi Randall,

I have been reading the posts here and agree about the use of case studies/testimonials.

I wanted to add if it is worth looking at having these presentations live to a large group of employers in one sitting through the use of seminars where you demonstrate the product and actually have real people come in and share there experiences in 2 ways-:
(1) From the employers point of view in regards to the productivity, happier less stressed work force.
(2) The employees point of view who has been helped and is grateful to the employer for investing in this type of program.

I see advantages such as-:
-Being in front of a lot of your target audience in one time helping to reduce the time and average cost per sale, because many may be convinced to sign up on the night then you still have those who do not on your list to follow up and market to after the event.
-You are getting attention and recognition of the program through marketing this event so even those that do not come are seeing what you are offering and have an introduction to the opportunity.

Going about the best way to market this seminar may I suggest-:
-Use all the suggesstions about case studies and include them in an invitation/introduction direct mail piece
- Using mgoodmans idea about the banks and give them a monetary reward for the number of there customers that take up the event, this way the bank still gets the value adding component to there business but you stay in control of the educating the customer.
-Advertise to past participants of the program and get them to use the seminar as an introduction to there networks for them to have a better understanding
-Use PR as suggessted by billc24 in conjunction with the seminar

Make the inviation for 2 people the key decision maker and get them to bring along someone else in there organisation such as an employee or middle manager that will benefit from this program so you gain there attention as well.

Your in a box seat here as you have the problem, the solution and the facts to back it up, what a winning combination.

Will keep thinking and post again if I have more.

Thank you for allowing the opportunity to post for this campaign it is a very interesting one.

Laura
 
Posted by: NoStressXpress Accepted Answer
6/6/2005 9:58 PM (CST)
I have been in enough boardroom meetings to come to the realization that all successful sales pitches that result in a quick call to action are the result of pushing a decision maker's HOT BUTTON pertaining to improving the company's BOTTOM LINE. The LESS effort and energy that a company to expend in improving the bottom line by even a few percentage points, the better. EVERY decision maker has this hot button.

All employee productivity specialists know that 100% employee productivity is not possible. There are many factors that employers cannot control and an employee's attitude towards the job and the working enviroment is one of them. I see a possibility of marketing this program as a "break through" in improving employee productivity.

I agree that this should be offered as an employee benefit provided at no cost to ALL employees. Employers are always looking for ways to make their benefits package stand out from competition and a very great percentage of employees do consider a good benefits package as a condition of employment. If a benefit is offered as part of a cafeteria plan and if it is offered FREE there is a good probability that an employee will eventually utilize it. A case in point is vision care which is offered free at many large corporations. Many employees sign up for it even though they nor any members of their family need eye glasses. To them they have the security of knowing that it's there in case they need it.

The approach to take with the right decision maker is to present it as an minimal investment in the company's human capital with the proven potential to improve the company's bottom line through realization of improved employee productivity WITH little or NO effort from the company. I think that using this approach (supported by the relevant facts, figures, empirical data, case studies and testimonials) would be the surest way of convincing the right decision makers to buy into this unique training program (except I wouldn't portray it as a training program).

I hope this helps.

Conrad
 
Posted by: Deremiah *CPE Accepted Answer
6/7/2005 1:33 AM (CST)
Randall,

a lot of great advice has already been offered but having spent a few years providing funding to those who have higher debt ratios I believe your biggest challenge is going to be in getting participation. Very few people will go public in their testimony about their own debt problems. So how do you generate a spirit of voluntary co-operation...

USE REFERRALS...WITH REWARDS.
We found the reason why we got a great deal of clients was because we used a referral program and by adding a rewards system of some type you help urge the client in the direction of recognizing what's in it for them.

GOING PUBLIC ABOUT THEIR OWN DEBT...IS TOUGH BUT...
Naturally people who have a debt problem and they recieve a positive resolution tend to be estatic about sharing that solution with others. But often times they share outside of circles with in their own immediate social circles because of the shame and stigma that being in debt carries with it so...

YOU MUST FIND A WAY TO MOTIVATE THEM TO TALK...
and one way to do that is to offer them more of what the immediate solution brought them which is financial freedom. Offer them financial rewards to inspire them to talk. Touch their WIIFM button What's In It For Me. When they can see what is in it for them they will be a little bolder to talk.

USE CUSTOMER PASSION EVANGELISM & EVANGELIZE ONE PERSON AT A TIME>>>
Get your participants who are now also WINNERS of the program to assist you in the process of enlisting others in the next level of Customer Passion Evangelism and the skys the limit. Is there anything else that I can do for you Randall? Seriously I'd love to help.

Your Servant, Deremiah, *CPE (Customer Passion Evangelist)
or Capturing Peoples Emotions.
 
Posted by: Sanjeev Kumar Vyas Accepted Answer
6/7/2005 5:13 AM (CST)
Lets say if a person is not in Debt can your client's training help a employee increase their net cash flows? If yes then I may suggest that you position it as a net cashflow gain training for employees when positioned in front of the end users. In front of the desicion makers it can be positioned as it is and then you can suggest that it be positioned in front on their employees as A training to increase their net cashflow. Allow the employees to bring their other half's to the training (not for free though).
Case studies, whitepapers and articles in the magazines that the endusers read will be helpful too.

Hope that helps.
 
Posted by: thinkmor Accepted Answer
6/7/2005 6:59 AM (CST)
Hi Randall (Good to hear from you)

You've got some constructive advice here already so I'll try and keep to additional points that may help you.

What comes to my mind immediately is targeting your 1) direct customers and 2) influencers.

You may have already done so, but have your surveyed your current customers and asked them what better ways customers would consider to be approached by this beneficial service? What did they like/dislike about how they were approached, how it could be improved, what other channels would they prefer etc?

I don't feel some people will want to admit there is a problem and agree with what Deremiah said (re:...shame and stigma...). People normally only address this when their problem starts to over take them and affecting themself and/or their families.

I think your point about educating the prospective audience is key. Yes, it is expensive but it should be tied into progressing your prospects along the sales process with a clear call to action at every step. You are addressing issues that people do not want to openly admit and 'volunteer' personnel information, so keeping and 'demonstrating' the level of client confidentiality is another top priority.

Addressing the negative effects of 'Not' taking action and its implications could also be included but I'd keep more on the positive side of actions.

With these factors in mind, one of the most suitable channels to contact your prospective target audience directly is through email and the web. (Did you mention they were online?) Now there are alot of bogus schemes out there, so building your credibility online will be a standard expectation and if the organization, and I am assuming they do, has bricks and mortar offices/HQ this will close the trust gap.

Building an online PR strategy will also help your credibility. Using Blogs is another option to open the fears, personal issues into the open (Anonymity Encouraged) and educating your prospective audience as a whole. This Blog should address all of the aspects that customers are afraid to voice (and are thinking) directly and you can use your case studies (Anonymously) throughout.

Email campaigns still gives you a level of distance (depending how you pitch your message, how you address your prospective customer etc) without getting personal and leaves the prospect to mull and consider the facts, messsage, proposition. You still need to include the standard triggers to call them to action to progress through the next level of your sales process.

The email campaign would be supported by a FREE auto-responded email newslettter/case study (Customers subscribe to online & timely delivered) outlining 'What's In It For Me' benefits with down to Earth case studies of customers, like your target audience, that have had the courage to take control of their circumstances and turn themselves around. 6-10 messages, from experience, tend to inform and educate the prospect to get them to take action to the next level.

The point of using the email/web channel is to educate your target audience in an in-direct approach which doesn't bring the stigma and negative emotional elements into play but a service that is geared to giving people back their financial freedom.

Deremiah rightly suggested offering referrals programme with potential rewards. Some people may like to donate their referral rewards for charity donations instead so that could be another option to offer.

That's an approach for your direct target audience, the other I would suggest is to target are the influencers - the line managers, HR, Personnel directors etc in all sizes of organizations.

As you said, some of these influencers will be a position to get close to your customers directly and be in a position to offer a programme to increase 'employee productivity' which includes the debt issue. I am assuming there are the normal confidentiality clauses and opt-in permissions that are agreed and signed by each prospective customer and promises confidentiality on all sides.

What about using seminars to motivate key influencers in organizations instead of trying to address direct customers? This way you can emphasize the leverage the influencers can play within your "Employee Productivity Programme" but you would also need to offer some sort of benefit to the employee so it doesn't feel senior personnel are in it for the commission and the number of conversions.

This bandwagon seminar programme could be delivered region to region, state by state with your off line PR doing their bit to secure local media coverage.

If anything else comes to mind I'll let you know.

Hope this helps some.

Best

Zahid Adil
 
Posted by: W.M.M.A. Author Response
6/7/2005 9:27 AM (CST)
Thanks for all of your responses. we have not thought of rewards as such. But, certainly something to think about. And, yes even if you do not have debt you can learn to control your assets as such you may never need debt.

We are strongly considering the implementation of a Guarantee. If you do not lower your debt load by X% in X months, we will refund 100% of your fee.

In relation to marketing information: Give your employees a 35% raise without touching a dime of payroll, and increase your company's productivity/profitablity at the same time--by teaching employees how to eliminate ALL their debt, including mortgage, in 5-8 years (all consumer debt in 1-3 years)."

"It's not too good to be true, and this can be done on one's current income! We believe in this program so strongly, and confidently, that we even ask attendees to bring their debt balances, amount of monthly payments and a calculator to the course, so they can see immediately what this program can do for them. No smoke and mirrors. No insurance, investment or “get‑rich quick” schemes. Just some common‑sense concepts brought together with a linear math, critical path approach to debt-elimination."

Thanks for all of your advice. I look ahead to hearing even more from you. We have developed a couple of WIIFM pdf's that we use. They clearly spell out the importance.

Thanks, again.

Randall
WMMA
 
Posted by: E-Marketing* Accepted Answer
6/7/2005 5:06 PM (CST)
What is the format for this training? Is it online, DVD-based, or in-person?

I'll run on the assumption of "in-person" given that you are looking for increases in and around Texas. What if you had the course filmed professionally and burned to DVDs? You could co-brand these and sell them to banks and other lending institutions to help them win clients.

Similarly, what if you moved further to an e-training arena to create internet based training. A company like www.corpedia.com may be able to help produce and even distribute this. Certainly as companies begin to adopt electronic training, the demand for a wide variety of courses is becoming more prevalent. In my company (for example) we are looking for canned courses on safety, business strategy, and other similar training. I think that there might be good interest in "self-help" training at work if it carreis with it the improvement you are suggesting.
 
Posted by: Jeff K. Accepted Answer
6/7/2005 6:34 PM (CST)
Hi Randall-

Here's a couple of ideas:
1. Target a handful of companies and find out when they have their 401K advisor coming in to make presentations. I know ours comes a couple times a year. Present them with the concept of using this service to free up debt, so that they can invest in the 401k/retirement future. Tying this into retirement might be an interesting angle.

2. AMEX features companies in their billing statements that offer products/services. This might be an interesting place to try to interest execs that use a company AMEX card.

3. Get the company some press! Right a press release on the stats that you quoted here. If you write this in an article format, I have to believe the local Texas papers would be willing to pick it up. It's an interesting topic and that might even start a grass roots movement of people asking their employers to look into it. You could even hit the business journals, i.e. Wall Street Journal, to see if they will pick up the article.

4. Think broader! Use that same press release and hit the CEO type pubs, Forbes, CEO, Business Week, etc. Someone should bite on this!

5. I'm not sure if this will hit the size companies you are looking for, but what about hitting Chamber of Commerce meetings? The local one here has two "Leads an Needs" meetings a month that facilitate networking in the business community. One company usually sponsors the meeting and gets a 10 minute infomercial at the beginning of the meeting. That could be a great local place to hit some decision makers.

Hope this helps.

Jeff
 
Posted by: W.M.M.A. Author Response
6/7/2005 11:38 PM (CST)
Courses are taught online w/password and in person. It would be great to increase the in-person/onsite training, since it's a bit more revenue. However, we need to push online. The reason I say Texas is that we've learned that so far, it takes a face2face presentation and close to make the big deals. A lot can be done electronically, but it seems closing needs a meeting. Ideas to present and close electronically will be well received.
Thanks, keep it coming.
Randall
WMMA
 
Posted by: billc24 Member Response
6/8/2005 2:04 AM (CST)
Randall,
I have another thought on how to market this product within a client company. Could it not be offered in the same way Employee Assistance Programs are offered? In other words, the employer contracts for the service and promotes it internally (most likely with provided promotional materials) with messages that state the need to pay attention to debt issues. Then makes the services available to employees anonymously. The company is charged because participants type in passwords tied to that company.

The client company gets to promote to employees that they care about them and are providing this service free-of-charge. Productivity issues never need to come up to the individual user of the service.

Just a thought.

Bill
 
Posted by: Mushfique Manzoor Accepted Answer
6/8/2005 3:55 AM (CST)
hi Randall

great advice from all the experts. your way out, i believe, lies in the disadvantages and stigma associated with debt.

you have mentioned that employee productivity goes up as their debt gets reduced thru using this training program. even if someone doesnt have debt, the training will increase his net cash inflow. Again you have mentioned most of employees would not like company poking nose into their finances.

so, IMHO, why dont you reposition the entire Training Program. Position this as n Employee Financial and Motivational Training Program in which employers will witness increased productivity rather than a training program to reduce debt (touchy issue for employees) and increase productivity.

the new positioning will make the employees think that the company is concerned about their wellbeing, an empolyye-oriented company wehre employees wellbeing comes first, while your current positioning is more of a productivity-oriented company where company performance comes first.

based on this new positioning (basically this positioning is directed towards the employees mostly but also to the employers) you will prepare the following

1. prepare a sales brochure in which you mention the figures of increasing productivity by 20% and ROI of 300% and

2. like others have mentioned prepare a short case studies of testimonials include in that sale brochure.

3. like you have mentioned that Educating the Employers is the disadvantage, educate them as a program designed to improve employee motivation by improving thier finances which will in turn benefit the employer in terms of productivity.

4. when you are making a sales call/pitch, take the person you are dealing with (the HR Head or Head of Finance) as the example. ask him/her to tell you the financial cash in and out flow of him, ask him if he has any debt or not (expect he will not divulge correct info) and show him the calculation of his improvement due to this program and show him the bigger picture of how the program also improves the cmpany Productivity as a whole. in the end show him how the Bottom Line is improved as suggested by Conrad.

5. since you will not be concentrating on Debt in communication rather "improving finances/cash flow" to employees, in that case, once you get one company as a client, you can arrange Seminars in which, participants will bring all the financial information and calculator like u mentioned, and you will show them the Improvement Potential. you can invite all employees to bring their spouse.

6. during this seminar you also highlight your website as well a Hotline number in which anyone can discreetly and confidentially get more help to have their problem solved. this will motivate the employees to talk as suggested by Deremiah and they are not going public with their debt information.

7. your website will remain, and you will also maintain the current practice of annonyous client enrollment.

8. you will publish articles on this issue on your clients behalf in relatd trade magazines, as well as other well reputed magazines as suggested by others.

9. Like Zahid mentioned, Blogs and your website can also be a good source of teaching both employers and employees regarding this issue.

while doing all this, you use all the marketing related information that you have mentioned. use all the great marketing, communicating advice provided by the experts.

but IMHO, the key is repositioning. make it a program that ensures the employers can improve Productivity and Bottom Line without poking nose in employees life and embarassing them.

hope this helps. do let us know what you think.

good luck and cheers!!
 
Posted by: telemoxie Member Response
6/8/2005 7:01 AM (CST)
Promote it as a part of the employee benefit mix. Promote directly to HR depts of large companies, and indirectly thru HR consulting firms (lots sell insurance on commission).
 
Posted by: thinkmor Member Response
6/8/2005 9:18 AM (CST)
Hi Randall

Just thinking if you really want to focus attention and a strong PR strategy going, why not go all out and do a promotional offer that would be newsworthy like:

"We'll Pay Half of your Debts & Help You Pay Off the Rest!"

Obviously, you gonna need to have to set criteria, know you lifetime value of paying customers and analyse the ROI and a limit of what the company can actually pay. It needn't be 1 large figure it could be several smaller ones, what do you think?

The idea is to get volume of leads and to pick out 1, 2, 3 winners - you could really dramatize their case studies.

It would certainly be newsworthy and possibly get you the local and national PR you need to to give the product a kick.

It's worth thinking about to link in with your potential guarantee.

This could be a Purple Cow you're looking for?

Best

Zahid Adil
 
Posted by: W.M.M.A. Author Response
6/8/2005 9:44 AM (CST)
Zahid-you understand my promotional mind. Thank you. I've been thinking and "thinkingMor, but only you can do that.

I am going to spend the next couple of days going over everything I've been sent this far. Your collective creativity and information is the reason so many people, companies, groups are successful. They subscribe to MarketingProfs.com.

Even w/35 years experience, I continue to ba amazed at how much space is available for learning, inside the mind. Although my wife would say there is plenty of space left, with room for a new SUV.

Thanks so far, everyone.

Randall
WMMA
 
Posted by: virago* Member Response
6/8/2005 9:49 AM (CST)
Can't add more than what has been said.

All I can say is...do you want a distributor in China? ;)
 
Posted by: ASVP/ChrisB Accepted Answer
6/8/2005 7:37 PM (CST)
There's another angle, Randall. Governments around the world are concerned about national savings programs because of the "greying" of the population. Soon more will be in retirement than in work... The consequence of NOT building wealth for the future is dramatic.

So... If employees start to realise this later rather than sooner, who will they put the bite onto, to help get them up the wealth ladder - their EMPLOYERS!

By helping employees build wealth and control their debt, employers will not only be increasing their business productivity for the reasons you outlined above, but they may also be heading off potential future large wage claims at the pass.

In effect, they are getting more bang for their wage buck.

Hope this helps.
 
Posted by: Mensh Accepted Answer
6/8/2005 8:20 PM (CST)
Well, since I already work in the country with the world's greatest savers (Japan), it's unlikely that you'll be looking for a distributor here.

Having said that, one of the things that hasn't been covered is taking your product and delivering its message at Association meetings. There must be financial and business clubs, organizations and associations in your area. These guys are always looking for presenters who can provide them with information at their meetings. It will give you a neutral base from which to extol the virtues of the product, and it can be tailored to the group, per the comments above.

It's a great way to get introduced to these companies. Later you can follow up with a more detailed presentation.
 
Posted by: savialeigh* Member Response
6/8/2005 9:26 PM (CST)
You could also take the route of pharmaceuticals and public transport and appeal directly to the end user to appeal to their employer for this benefit. While reading this whole thread, I thought "wow, I want that" at least three times (and "I need that" a few more).

I don't think it should be as difficult to explain the need as you seem to think. The amount of American debt is regular nightly news here. And having spent half my life managing people, I think it'd be a pretty dense decision maker that doesn't know that debt (and every other bit of life-related stress) negatively impacts productivity.

If they don't recognise it directly, they do at least know that stress impacts health impacts attendance impacts productivity. This program could help cut company costs on the health front as well (and lower the risk of employee theft/fraud/embezzlement too.)
 
Posted by: W.M.M.A. Author Response
6/8/2005 9:32 PM (CST)
Everyone - Thank you so much.

You are the reason MarketingPROFS is so important to our industry.

If I can do anything to help any of you, just ask.

Randall
WMMA
 


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