Question

Topic: Strategy

Value Proposition Poo Poo'd

Posted by Anonymous on 250 Points
I have started at a new firm and am the new guy on the sales and marketing totem poll. I want the company to benefit from my experience and proven track record in marketing, sales and business development. However, my first encounter with management presents me with a dilemma.

How do you convey the value of having a clear and concise Value Proposition to a management team who feels that these are just empty words and internal marketing jargon? They, feel this is something with which the customer cannot and will not relate. I need some good, concise business oriented arguments to present this team by the end next week. Not extremely difficult but urgent.
To continue reading this question and the solution, sign up ... it's free!

RESPONSES

  • Posted by ReadCopy on Accepted
    If you truly mean a Value Proposition, then you are suggesting that your customer will get a better value service with you than your competitors (get something for nothing!).

    Shouldn't be too difficult to get past them, most markets are plagued saturation, customer churn, difficult in attracting new customers and uncontrollable economic woes.

    Everyone is focused on "value" right now, and it seems sensible that you should prepare a proposition against that.

    I assume that you are working in a sales led environment ... if you are then I struggle to see why they wouldn't be interested in you providing them some key selling messages (which is what you are proposing to do).

    Messages that sales can use to:
    1. Help retain existing customers
    2. Help to create a competitive edge
    3. Help to get new business
    4. Message marketing can use to support the sales activity.

    I always think that the best way to deliver value propositions is to provide a bullet list of them, and use them whenever you need to for your different prospects/customers.

    Reply here if you need after further assistance.

    Good Luck :-)


  • Posted by tjh on Accepted
    Before any evangelism, it might be interesting to survey.

    Survey internally to find out what individuals in the company believe the company offers to your customers. Don't use the phrase Value Proposition anywhere.

    Survey a reasonable number of paying customers about why they chose your products / company.

    If possible, survey some prospects that didn't buy...

    Compare all three.

    It might be very interesting to discover the gap between what the company currently thinks, and their customers / publics.

    And it might be a striking segue into the conversation.

    It is somewhat disconcerting to hear the "empty words, marketing jargon" response. Maybe a revealing survey will help cause some self-evaluation for them, without you having to seem too radical for them :)

Post a Comment