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showing them how to use the product one on one, and getting their direct feedback. The same can be extended to the kiosk owners to understand their motivations to stock the product. With this type of insight, many decisions including pricing, sales potential, and possible improvements can be discovered. Challenge 3: Unhealthy Reactions to the Competition My final example. As an SME, you notice that your competitor is carrying out a sales drive with your possible sellers. In this sales drive, they are offering free product to the seller, for sale or use as a giveaway to attract more customers. To get the free product, the seller needs to purchase a certain amount in bulk, and they jump in for the possible profit. Upon seeing this, you decide that if a competitor can do it, then you can benefit from it too. So, you put together a team of brand ambassadors, heavily stock the seller and wait to see the cash roll in. Move forward three months. Sellers do not want to stock your product, and you are getting lots of returns. Why didn’t your approach work, when it was working for your competitor? Well, the competitor may have had a more holistic plan Before you market, you need to research. This does not require a double expense, just heightened inter- action. Well trained brand champions will understand your product and become passionate to drive it forward. Engage them right from the research phase, and they will drive your brand forward and take ownership. that supported the one action that you encountered. Without knowing the why and how they were doing their activity, it would not be advisable to simply copy. The best way to react to competition is to take time to better understand the seller and the customer. Find out what will make both CHAMPION YOUR BRAND Who is your brand champion?....... Think about it Our comprehensive training covers: - •The First Impression •Rules of Engagement •Skills Assessment •Project Appraisal. Visit www.pinkafricamarketing.com or Talk to Us through [email protected] +254 725 106701 or +254 721 652890 the seller and customer say yes to your product and capitalise on that. If either one of them say no, it is the end of your activity. To move forward requires finding out as much information on what is happening on ground as possible. This means before you market, you need to research. This does not require a double expense, just heightened interaction. Well trained brand champions will understand your product and become passionate to drive it forward. Engage them right from the research phase, and they will drive your brand forward and take ownership. Marketing promotions do not need to start at the point of selling something to the consumer - make it a journey and experience powerful results. Make 2020 count! Valerie Ambetsa Siganga is the Growth Strategist and Marketing Consultant at Pink Africa Marketing, a Marketing Agency that helps businesses grow. You can commune with her on this or related matters via email at: Valerie@ pinkafricamarketing.com.