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    Multiple Channels, Multiple Times
    I've just been reading about the frustrations of a Human Resources manager. He's tired of having to answer the same questions about benefits over and over again.I understand that, having been on both sides of the issue, both as a consumer of benefits and in communicating about them on behalf of corporate clients. Benefits can be the slippery eels of internal communication.But, to put the issue into context, this is another case of complex communication. In this case, a large volume of information that's not easy to understand.Descriptions
    he restaurant for a slap-up meal -but this is only possible if you take the trouble to collect the data...

    Hopefully the above points have provided some ideas as to how basic transaction data can be used effectively by an information analyst or direct marketer.

    If you are approached by a vendor to implement a loyalty scheme, or you are thinking about calling for proposals from scheme suppliers, make sure that you investigate the level of data detail that each supplier collects.

    If data is recorded at line item level - i.e. product ID, quantity, and price - then you will have a wealth of sales data that you can start using for a variety of campaigns. If they only provide you with a bill total per meal, then I suggest you look elsewhere for a more effective loyalty card scheme.

    © 2005 Intellinova (Pty) Ltd. - All Rights Reserved T

    Backing Up Your Computer Is Essential to Your Business
    Did you know:* 1% of all computer data loss is caused by acts of nature* 6% of all PCs will undergo an incident of data loss during the year* 30% of all data loss occurs through human error (accidental data deletion, damaging hardware by dropping a laptop, etc.)* 40% of all data loss is due to hard drive failures and power surges* Another computer just crashed while you were reading thisAre you backing up the data on your hard drive on a regular basis? If not, why not? It's emotionally devastating losing what we think
    Recently, I discussed a loyalty card system with a vendor who was selling quite a number of his systems to restaurants. I was shocked to discover the lack of detailed information that this vendor catered for, and the opportunities the system he provided squandered.

    The way their scheme works is that whenever a restaurant customer is presented with a bill, they provide their loyalty card to the waiter, who swipes it at the till. If the customer has accumulated sufficient points from previously purchased meals, he/she is awarded a rebate on the price of the meal.

    This is simple price discounting based on repeat purchases. No other marketing activities are carried out - either by the loyalty card company, or by the restaurant - to proactively influence the number of times the card holder frequents the restaurant - they rely solely on the meal discount to attract customers back for more meals.

    This is a system that is woefully underexploited.

    I asked about the level of detail that was transmitted to the card site - and was once again disappointed - only the total meal cost was transmitted. The customer profile that was being created was extremely superficial. My view was further confirmed when I asked whether the 'significant other', or other family members' details were collected. Once again, no.

    The key things wrong with this service offering:

    • Lack of transaction details. These days, with broadband communication and high volume data disks, there is really no excuse not to collect data at transaction level.
    • The simple act of recording the bill at individual meal item level opens up a wealth of information:

      • Number of main meals - if there are children in the family unit (provided during signup), analysis of the bill will provide a clear indication of whether the whole family always eats out, or if on occaision the parents treat themselves to a quiet night on their own - possibly anniversaries, or birthdays, or just a regular night away from the kids.
      • Types of meals - red meat, fish, vegetarian - which could be used for special promotions
      • Beer, cheap wine, or expensive wine drinker

      If you had the above information at your finger tips, who would you rather focus your marketing efforts on to get to come back to your restaurant - the family of six that buys budget meals, and drinks beer and soda, or 3 couples ordering starters, high-priced meals, drinking quality wine, and finishing off with expensive liqueurs?

    • Even recording the value of the tip could be useful. A usually-generous tipper who awards a low tip (possibly to a new waiter) is giving a clear indication of a bad experience. This information could be used by the restaurant owner to contact the customer within a few days to establish what was wrong with the meal or service, and to invite the customer back with an offer of a generous discount for the next meal.
    • Not getting the details of the 'significant other' and details of any children prevents marketing to special days. Its pretty pointless merely getting the birthday of the cardholder - it's not that compelling to get an SMS or postcard suggesting that you treat yourself to a special night out. It's far more effective to receive a prompt to take your significant other out for that special meal. Children's birthdays are another opportunity to encourage the family to come out to the restaurant for a slap-up meal -but this is only possible if you take the trouble to collect the data...

    Hopefully the above points have provided some ideas as to how basic transaction data can be used effectively by an information analyst or direct marketer.

    If you are approached by a vendor to implement a loyalty scheme, or you are thinking about calling for proposals from scheme suppliers, make sure that you investigate the level of data detail that each supplier collects.

    If data is recorded at line item level - i.e. product ID, quantity, and price - then you will have a wealth of sales data that you can start using for a variety of campaigns. If they only provide you with a bill total per meal, then I suggest you look elsewhere for a more effective loyalty card scheme.

    © 2005 Intellinova (Pty) Ltd. - All Rights Reserved Th

    Would You Like A Little Promotion With Your Coffee?
    In any office, anywhere in the world, there will be coffee. Where there is coffee, there are mugs. Mugs come in many different styles, shapes, and colors. Why not provide a mug of your own. A promotional mug with your business name on it, will publicize your business, and provide a practical item for the millions of coffee drinkers out there. There is a reason why all the promotional items available are all things that people need and that have a practical use. It is because it works.Coffee drinkers drink coffee for the caffeine, because they like it,
    ttract customers back for more meals.

    This is a system that is woefully underexploited.

    I asked about the level of detail that was transmitted to the card site - and was once again disappointed - only the total meal cost was transmitted. The customer profile that was being created was extremely superficial. My view was further confirmed when I asked whether the 'significant other', or other family members' details were collected. Once again, no.

    The key things wrong with this service offering:

    • Lack of transaction details. These days, with broadband communication and high volume data disks, there is really no excuse not to collect data at transaction level.
    • The simple act of recording the bill at individual meal item level opens up a wealth of information:

      • Number of main meals - if there are children in the family unit (provided during signup), analysis of the bill will provide a clear indication of whether the whole family always eats out, or if on occaision the parents treat themselves to a quiet night on their own - possibly anniversaries, or birthdays, or just a regular night away from the kids.
      • Types of meals - red meat, fish, vegetarian - which could be used for special promotions
      • Beer, cheap wine, or expensive wine drinker

      If you had the above information at your finger tips, who would you rather focus your marketing efforts on to get to come back to your restaurant - the family of six that buys budget meals, and drinks beer and soda, or 3 couples ordering starters, high-priced meals, drinking quality wine, and finishing off with expensive liqueurs?

    • Even recording the value of the tip could be useful. A usually-generous tipper who awards a low tip (possibly to a new waiter) is giving a clear indication of a bad experience. This information could be used by the restaurant owner to contact the customer within a few days to establish what was wrong with the meal or service, and to invite the customer back with an offer of a generous discount for the next meal.
    • Not getting the details of the 'significant other' and details of any children prevents marketing to special days. Its pretty pointless merely getting the birthday of the cardholder - it's not that compelling to get an SMS or postcard suggesting that you treat yourself to a special night out. It's far more effective to receive a prompt to take your significant other out for that special meal. Children's birthdays are another opportunity to encourage the family to come out to the restaurant for a slap-up meal -but this is only possible if you take the trouble to collect the data...

    Hopefully the above points have provided some ideas as to how basic transaction data can be used effectively by an information analyst or direct marketer.

    If you are approached by a vendor to implement a loyalty scheme, or you are thinking about calling for proposals from scheme suppliers, make sure that you investigate the level of data detail that each supplier collects.

    If data is recorded at line item level - i.e. product ID, quantity, and price - then you will have a wealth of sales data that you can start using for a variety of campaigns. If they only provide you with a bill total per meal, then I suggest you look elsewhere for a more effective loyalty card scheme.

    © 2005 Intellinova (Pty) Ltd. - All Rights Reserved T

    Business Basics - Priority Versus Sequence
    We all know (well I hope we do) that part of being a good leader is in the art of delegation, trust, and looking after the people who look after us (good topic for another article!!!) BUT who looks after us, how do we look after ourselves?How do we make our job(s) any easier? Based on the premise that it helps to be reminded occasionally of business basics or best practices, I thought it would be worthwhile to share this snippet with you... Priority Vs Sequence Two of the worst inventio
    in the family unit (provided during signup), analysis of the bill will provide a clear indication of whether the whole family always eats out, or if on occaision the parents treat themselves to a quiet night on their own - possibly anniversaries, or birthdays, or just a regular night away from the kids.

  • Types of meals - red meat, fish, vegetarian - which could be used for special promotions
  • Beer, cheap wine, or expensive wine drinker
  • If you had the above information at your finger tips, who would you rather focus your marketing efforts on to get to come back to your restaurant - the family of six that buys budget meals, and drinks beer and soda, or 3 couples ordering starters, high-priced meals, drinking quality wine, and finishing off with expensive liqueurs?

  • Even recording the value of the tip could be useful. A usually-generous tipper who awards a low tip (possibly to a new waiter) is giving a clear indication of a bad experience. This information could be used by the restaurant owner to contact the customer within a few days to establish what was wrong with the meal or service, and to invite the customer back with an offer of a generous discount for the next meal.
  • Not getting the details of the 'significant other' and details of any children prevents marketing to special days. Its pretty pointless merely getting the birthday of the cardholder - it's not that compelling to get an SMS or postcard suggesting that you treat yourself to a special night out. It's far more effective to receive a prompt to take your significant other out for that special meal. Children's birthdays are another opportunity to encourage the family to come out to the restaurant for a slap-up meal -but this is only possible if you take the trouble to collect the data...
  • Hopefully the above points have provided some ideas as to how basic transaction data can be used effectively by an information analyst or direct marketer.

    If you are approached by a vendor to implement a loyalty scheme, or you are thinking about calling for proposals from scheme suppliers, make sure that you investigate the level of data detail that each supplier collects.

    If data is recorded at line item level - i.e. product ID, quantity, and price - then you will have a wealth of sales data that you can start using for a variety of campaigns. If they only provide you with a bill total per meal, then I suggest you look elsewhere for a more effective loyalty card scheme.

    © 2005 Intellinova (Pty) Ltd. - All Rights Reserved T

    The Truth About a Marketing Job
    The marketing job is on of the job titles that really explain what you are doing with the job you are getting. The marketing job will give you the opportunity to sell and advertise a product that a company is trying to sell to the consumer today. One thing with the marketing jobs that are out there is that you are going to be able to express your skills in what you are saying about a product and even how you are doing the presentation on the product that you are trying to sell for a company.You are able to go to school to get a marketing degree so th
    could be useful. A usually-generous tipper who awards a low tip (possibly to a new waiter) is giving a clear indication of a bad experience. This information could be used by the restaurant owner to contact the customer within a few days to establish what was wrong with the meal or service, and to invite the customer back with an offer of a generous discount for the next meal.

  • Not getting the details of the 'significant other' and details of any children prevents marketing to special days. Its pretty pointless merely getting the birthday of the cardholder - it's not that compelling to get an SMS or postcard suggesting that you treat yourself to a special night out. It's far more effective to receive a prompt to take your significant other out for that special meal. Children's birthdays are another opportunity to encourage the family to come out to the restaurant for a slap-up meal -but this is only possible if you take the trouble to collect the data...
  • Hopefully the above points have provided some ideas as to how basic transaction data can be used effectively by an information analyst or direct marketer.

    If you are approached by a vendor to implement a loyalty scheme, or you are thinking about calling for proposals from scheme suppliers, make sure that you investigate the level of data detail that each supplier collects.

    If data is recorded at line item level - i.e. product ID, quantity, and price - then you will have a wealth of sales data that you can start using for a variety of campaigns. If they only provide you with a bill total per meal, then I suggest you look elsewhere for a more effective loyalty card scheme.

    © 2005 Intellinova (Pty) Ltd. - All Rights Reserved T

    Six Steps to a Fulfilling Career
    Identify the talents and skills you enjoy using. Your ability to make a difference in the service of others will be evident when you do what you love and do best. Analyze past accomplishments to identify skills you enjoy using. What work would you be doing if money were not a concern?Recognize societal needs that you want to fill or problems you want to solve. Find a problem that others will pay you to solve, resolve, or impact in a positive way. The need or problem you select should be one about which you feel passionate—and one which would benef
    he restaurant for a slap-up meal -but this is only possible if you take the trouble to collect the data...

    Hopefully the above points have provided some ideas as to how basic transaction data can be used effectively by an information analyst or direct marketer.

    If you are approached by a vendor to implement a loyalty scheme, or you are thinking about calling for proposals from scheme suppliers, make sure that you investigate the level of data detail that each supplier collects.

    If data is recorded at line item level - i.e. product ID, quantity, and price - then you will have a wealth of sales data that you can start using for a variety of campaigns. If they only provide you with a bill total per meal, then I suggest you look elsewhere for a more effective loyalty card scheme.

    © 2005 Intellinova (Pty) Ltd. - All Rights Reserved This article may be reprinted, provided it is published in its entirety, includes the author bio information, and all links remain active.

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