(This article is cross-posted at onproductmanagement.net)
In several online forums/blogs recently, there has been a lot of talk and discussion about “how often do I update this?” “Change that?” “Do this?” There was a specific thread that was related to a question about a product roadmap, but I’ve also seen the same question about web content, marketing communication pieces, customer visits and other outward facing activities. Our product professional peers are looking for some schedule so they can plug the activity into their calendar and update x, y or z regularly.
But, a calendar appointment is not what is needed to address the challenge.
(This article is cross-posted at onproductmanagement.net)
Try this exercise.
Go to your marketing collateral closet and pull a sales packet of information out. These are the same data/sell sheets, white papers and pretty pictures that you would pull if you are preparing to speak with a potential buyer. (You can leave the pretty folder in the closet – they cost extra money to produce.) If you don’t have a marketing closet, go to your Web site and print out the packet of material.
(This article is cross-posted at onproductmanagement.net)
Congratulations on creating the product marketing roadmap. Congratulations on discovering and creating metrics that show how you are progressing on that roadmap. But, now you have to communicate this information. The roadmap has no value if it is not shared.
Every company needs some kudos, even if they have to ask for them. Knowing that customers are satisfied is important, especially for those of seeking repeating sales.
Lately though, I have noticed more and more retailers and restaurants are spewing out prizes (dare I say bribes) for completing their “short” survey… in some cases garnering you the chance to win $5000 or maybe 10% off your next visit all in search of gathering customer opinions and measuring customer satisfaction.
(This article is cross-posted at onproductmanagement.net)
The couple is planning their vacation, and decided to take a car on this trip. They were looking forward to the adventures they could encounter along the way and the side diversions that would present as opportunities for exploration. Then it happened. They got lost. She was looking at the GPS but it offered no help for getting them back on track, there were missing roads and turns that they were passing were not present on the screen. Soon enough they saw a sign for the gas station up ahead. And, as you would expect, he didn’t want to stop. “Real men don’t ask for directions,” was his reply.
