Dunkin Donuts: My Own Experience

After going through the usual daily routine of a walking marketer, I went inside the mall to get a cold drink and at the same time make myself cold. I ordered first at McDonalds, my favorite Coke Float. I asked for so many ice and sat at the corner where the AC is near and where it is colder. But I got too cold so I went out and ordered Hot Chocolate at Dunkin Donuts.

First thing you've noticed is the spelling of the "Medium" sized soft drink. Instead of "medium" they spell it "madium". Well of course it is wrong, and in marketing one of the crucial mistakes is when you commit mistakes and you know that it can easily be seen by the eye. A company's brand and image not only lies on the good choice of name but on the place you are situated, the choice of words and how you write it. There are a lot to consider but in Dunkin Donuts' sake, a simple mistake in spelling turns out to be a bad image for them. Aside from the lack of good customer service, and a clean place to eat, Dunkin Donuts has not made any corrections on that spelling and for me, it brings down their credibility.

As a marketing person, my first goal when I get to the office is to take a look at how clean the lobby is. This is the first place at MTC Academy that clients will take a look at. Second to that is if everyone is putting a smile on their faces. Third to that is making sure marketing collaterals such as flyers, brochures, tapraulins and others are clean. Even if the words are checked before they are printed I keep on reading them.

I wonder, how come Dunkin Donuts is still around? Well, they make good donuts. What do you think? Write down your comments, it will be a great thing to share not just to me but to others as well.

Walking Marketer

Only because the company is starting it does not mean that you got to buy a car for some people, especially for the marketing personnel to use to be able to get to the place they are supposed to do their marketing work. In guerrilla marketing, you got to walk to be able to evangelize your service. It is indeed a good exercise, but most people won't do what I am doing now.

If given the chance I would like to ask for a car so that I can use the car whenever I would do follow up and courtesy calls to my clients. Unfortunately, even a taxi ride, my company can afford it but due to cut budget, I am only allowed to use the jeepney ride.

During my first days at this company, I am so tired. Bloody hell! An 8 hours of sleep is not enough for a 5 hours marketing adventure everyday.

I love my job. It keep me updated, alert, and energetic all the time. I am a walking marketer. I don't care. Walking keep me in shape too. This is how I do my guerrilla marketing.

What about you? Are you a walking marketer like me?

Getting Creativity on Paper

In marketing, you need to know how to draw your creativity on paper especially when you are in advertising. Everyone of us can be creative. Many can't verbalize it in words. Many can't implement such creativity into drawing for better understanding.

I do get the problem sometimes. Before it is hard because I have to create a cartoon out of nothing. I have to select only those that can be used and most of the times, the pictures that I got from the Internet is a picture of so many background and so many other things included which is not going to be included in my lay-out. As a lay-out artist, I have to cut those parts that are not included. Sometimes, you couldn't get a better picture because the file is too small. In that case, you got to make a picture in your own.

I hate it when I am disappointed and the reason I am disappointed because of myself and no other than me. It is the worst part of being a one-man department. You go with your creativity but in the end you are not contented.

It is part of marketing though, but at the end of the day, I am quite happy how things worked out. It only mean I am capable of doing more things as to the usual that I do. Creative does not stop of thinking, but to be able to write it down and to even lay it out to impress your boss is needed. Marketing is action. What are you going to do when you are given this, do you move or you just stare at it and dream about it?

Let's Make Up Some Numbers

The medical transcription industry is currently suffering from lack of skilled medical transcriptionist to do the job. Although the work does not require you have a medical background, most people think that way. Filipinos think that you need to type fast in order to do the job. They also think that since computer lessons were not taught to them when they were in college, the job is only for the young generation.

In the book of 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader by John Maxwell, one of the characteristics a person should have is Positive Attitude. If you believe you can, you can.

In the industry I am in, the medical transcription industry, it is not about the guts to learn how to type or if I am required to go back to a training school, it is about earning for a living. In this industry there is no discrimination, no age limit, irregardless of what is your educational background, you can be hired. If you know how to speak and write in English, teachable, committed and a person who wants to earn big in less than 5 years as a home-based medical transcriptionist.

Let us make up some numbers here. We mumble on there is no work available for us, government is not doing their part. Ask yourself, do I need to change? I would love to hear your side. Leave your comments.

Career Orientation at Holy Cross of Davao College

They were of different course majors in college. Almost all are graduating, and wishing they can start their own business after college.

Most people think after college is going to be smooth. That's what I thought back then. It is quite difficult in real life. Few of college graduates were able to understand this situation.

Since you are not graduating yet, enjoy every moment left because one thing is sure about all this, it will never be repeated again.

Good luck everyone.

Rate this Book: " Guerilla Marketing" Part 2

Traditional marketing identifies the heavy weapons of marketing: radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, direct mail, and the Internet. Guerrilla marketing identifies two hundred weapons of marketing and many of them are free.

It is not that hard to find time to search what are those freebies that we can get outside without spending too much money on marketing our products or services. The author kept on saying be creative. Think of what is outside the box and how you can do that? Imagine yourself as the customer, and think of ways to suggest to give a better service or improve the product. Entrepreneurs right now does not mean owning a business of two or more. Entrepreneurs right now only has 2-3 employees maximizing time to built a name or a service that would stand and perhaps give a lasting impression that this idea of an entrepreneur will work. In order to do that, you got to arm yourself with inexpensive materials of marketing.

Paying Tribute to the September 11

It was still fresh in my mind when I was watching a late night show and then they station has to stopped it because there was a breaking news. The news was an airplane hit the world known World Trade Center.

It was shocking to see that happened. It was all sudden. Nobody expected it to happen. Then a few minutes the second plane hit the other building. Now causing it to rumble down to the ground.

I would like to give a big shout out to all of those who died saving some people's lives. Those who are buried down, and to those whom after has helped the families of the departed. It was indeed to show that no matter how hard times are, and even if it wasn't your family on that building, hundreds or even thousands of firefighters and policemen and women tried to helped. For those who helped without asking something in return.

I would like to hear your shout out. Post it in. It would best to let them know that we care even if we are not part of their country.

This time I am not going to say God Bless America, but I would rather say God Bless the People who helped wholeheartedly.

Rate this Book: "Guerilla Marketing" by: Jay Conrad Levinson

This book was like a slap on my face. Then again, I am in the Philippines and not in the United States. As you go on further with the book, it will leave you say I DID THAT!

Take this one:

Marketing is every bit of contact your company has with anyone in the outside world. Every bit of contact. That means a lot of marketing opportunities. It does not mean investing a lot of money.

The author is right on that part. Yes, it is every bit of a contact. How do you make him a market if he's not welcome to the idea you are selling. The author said:

The first time a man looks at an ad, he doesn't see it.
The second time, he doesn't notice it.
The third time, he is conscious of its existence.
The fourth time, he faintly remembers having seen it.
The fifth time, he reads the ad.

Marketing is not-to-ever-quit-system. I say this book is a very good book and I recommend this to everyone who is losing faith with their job or their business. Don't mind his examples just get the energy the author has put on to this book.

I'll give you updates on this book. Meanwhile if you have some questions about what the author say about the traditional marketing and the guerrilla marketing, post your questions and comments. I would love to read them

How Long Have You Been Blogging?

I started blogging last May 2007 and I didn't noticed I almost had a 100. I would like to make it to a thousand by the end of the year. I love to write what is on my mind. Do you write what is on your mind? Or you just slip it away?

Blogging has help me a lot. It helped me think and battle with what is on my mind. Forget about grammar for a second, consider verbalizing what your thoughts are.

So how long have you been blogging? I am 27 and I have been blogging for 4 months now. How about you? Answer the poll.