Know-How Exchange : Strategy

I have a suggestion. If you can't or do not want to put names and company names, find out if you can put a footnote stating that prospects who are considering your company for a project may, with the person's permission, be given the actual names and companies. This procedure may get more of your clients to agree to let you do a case study.

I think well written case studies are very valuable. Not only are they of interest to the site visitor, but also they can be very valuable from a search engine optimization point of view.

I would say that a case study with complete disclosure would carry with it a little more credibility than one that is blind. Only if the client name was well known in the industry or by the reader would it make much difference. (At least that's my opinion.)

However, if the option is between a blind case study and no case study, then the blind option is still preferable.

It's a balancing act, for sure, because even if the client agrees to use names (company and personal), you have to be sure you're comfortable giving your competition a prospect list.

If you really want to know if the case studies matter, you could check your site's analytics. You could also offer readers the opportunity to rate the case studies. (Was this case study of interest? How could it have been better? And so on...)

I like case studies. With or without the written documentation-- one of the ways I add my value is to share how others have best used my product and services.

There could be a few reasons your boss wants to delete the names. They may not want their clients bombarded with unsolicited calls asking for further info. A client may not want the implied endorsement. Or, a client may want compensation. I had a company do work with Disney and wanted to do a case study-- feedback was that was ok, but for a $1Mil.

The names of the clients are not the story. Its about finding solutions, making money or saving time for the client. It'll be fine.

Carol
Sell Well and Prosper tm

I do not feel it is diminished at all.

Your boss has a valid, but over exaggerated point. Yes, it does give a competitor a list of his clients. But in reality, there are "no secrets" and any rep worth their salt knows who the target customers are, and who they buy from. Your clients have already been called on -- and will continue to be targeted by your competition.

Carol

Research shows that customers who publically say... your product is great.. stay sold longer and better than those who do not make such a statement.

If you want to really, really establish loyalty, ask the customer to explain in detail -why you are better.

I like case studies. People like to read them. My books and articles always provide case study information. Either generic.. when the customer is concerned about giving away (his) competitive advantage. Or named when they are not.

I also think case studies are very valuable, particularly for consulting business (where you aren't selling a physical product). In consulting, you are only worth the value you can bring in to your client. Case studies help reassure prospects that what you are offering has had value for others, and likely would have value for that prospect.

The more data (specifically customer names) in the case study, the more believable it is. Ones that are genericized (using description of client, not names) can work, but are not as powerful as one with names (but more useful than nothing).

I have trouble understanding why your manager doesn't want to use names? Usually the challenge is getting the people named in case studies to be willing to let their names be used, not some sort of rule from inside your company.

Don't fight it. Just use a generic description of the client in the case study and move on to more important things.

It's not quite as good, but if you have a good story to tell the name of your client is less important. Make sure the case study lesson is clear and that you're on solid footing content-wise.

Find something else to fall on your sword over. This isn't worth the fight.

I can only re-post and I feel strongly by this. I totally agree with mgoodman-- read his post with an open mind. Pick your battles. I can tell by your feedback you feel strongly about your opinions and mine does not align with what you want to hear.

I have a different background than many of these seasoned marketeers-- my focus/experience is in the trenches actual sales. I use sales literature as a tool-- and also know how literature can hinder a sale. Besides your boss's concern that competitors can read their clients-- it gives a prospect to say "I know this company and my biz is different so it won't work".

I also know, as a salesperson the tools I want and need. The value of case studies is in the solution you provide. Using as you stated "cardio clinic" will give your salesperson the tools they need. People buy solutions. You won't dilute your message.

Again, I know and appreciate the time you put into making your message so compelling. Just keep an open mind.

Carol
Sell Well and Prosper tm