Where should I stay on my next holiday? Google it! What time does that new restaurant open? Google it! Who can I get to do some electrical work at my house? Google it!
Google it has become the answer to almost any question you can ask, at least for the Gen Y and Xers. With internet access in almost every home and work place, and more and more on mobile phones, most of us turn to the web when we need an answer rather than relying on other mediums. So what does this mean for your business?
When we design a brand at Jack in the box we do things a little bit different than a lot of design agencies. To start with we hold a discovery session with the client. We also conduct our own research of the client’s industry and their competitors. We spend hours brainstorming, sketching and working on several different alternatives but when it comes time to present we only ever show the client one solution. We just make sure it is the right solution.
One of the latest trends in the world of marketing recently is also a very eco-friendly one. I am talking about the E-newsletter and given Jack in the box’s eco stance it is one that we like to encourage our clients to use.
I was recently treated to a night out at a new Indian restaurant in town, accompanied by family and friends. The restaurant setting was inviting and warm and we soon settled in. As we sipped at our wine and enjoyed each others company we noted the above average service and the well designed menu. It wasn’t too long before we received our eagerly awaited meal. The food looked good and tasted delicious, but I will admit, the portion size was small. Unfortunately for some at my table this proved to be a breaking point. Although I was more than happy with my curry it got me thinking about what makes something value for money and particularly how this relates to marketing.
I have always been diligent about doing my little bit for the environment so I was very happy when Jack in the box started on their Eco Campaign. This week I thought I would share with you some of the small things I like to do to reduce my impact on the environment in the hope it might encourage some of you to do the same.
Having been exposed to the ‘behind the scenes’ side of advertising for years and having studied the persuasive techniques marketing companies use, I guess I am a little more cautious when it comes to advertising than most people. I analyse advertising and try to decipher what the advertiser was trying to achieve and what techniques they have used to do this, rather than just absorb it passively. To a degree I assumed this is what most people must do but after a discussion with some friends the other day I was proven very wrong.
Countless times I have seen otherwise great business people who have taken it upon themselves to create their own design and advertising work. No doubt after years of being in business they have spent a fair amount of time working with marketing and design agencies and probably have a general understanding of what they need for their design. They probably have their own computer and some skills in a desktop publishing program too, so they think why not give it a go? Unfortunately what they fail to remember is their knowledge is only generalised and as a result their design looks that way too. Like most professionals, designers know the intricacies of their craft and have the experience and expertise, not to mention the correct tools to do their job in a professional manner.