Scramblin' in the bumpy economy

Has anyone else noticed? I am, as of late, besieged with telemarketing calls.  People are calling WAY more than usual with surveys they feel I should help them with, important product release news I have to hear, and most of all, sales calls.  Now I'll admit, working here at our corporate office, I do get a fair share of solicitation calls each week.  It used to be copier salespeople looking for that very valuable person that could change everything "Xerox" in the office to "Lanier" or "Mita" or "Konica".  This person I am not!  Or ink jet cartridge refills, which over the course of a small dog's lifetime, could save us plenty.  Not me, either. But lately, let's say the last 45 days, it has really picked up.

I routinely get calls from people in telemarketing call centers (I know this because I hear many others in the background reciting similar sales speeches) looking to speak with a Mr. Masters, Mr. Matterson, Mr. Matherson, or "Dave,  I'm Joe from Admiral Systems Realty Performance Investment Labs and Cereal company, remember me?"  Like I've spoken to them before!  Rule of thumb - If you can't properly pronounce my last name, you're on thin ice with the call.  It's pretty basic, MAST-ER-SON, you know, consonants at the front and back, not too many vowels in the middle of last name. So what's up?  Past that, they are aggressively pushing to book an appointment with me to see their salespeople.  I learn that the caller will not be present at the appointment, good thing, for the most part they stumble through the sales pitch to begin with. So I'm still there on the line and I learn astonishing news... someone will be in my area next week, and can fit me in to their busy schedule... Oh fortunate me. I don't end up scheduling appointments with most of these callers, because the subject matter doesn't apply OR we're well covered in this area.  Believe this, I do not burn off all telemarketers, some have pertinent products and have turned into relevant suppliers for us and our franchisees.  What I am saying, is this...

In  what are being billed as "tougher than usual economic times", many businesses are cracking under the pressure.  I hear of layoffs, cutbacks, and special measures being made to curb both spending and efforts to grow.  But the better businesses are leaning into the pain and trying harder.  They are putting forth a LARGER sales & marketing effort.  The wind blows directly in their face, yet they pour more coal into the fire to gain market share as their competitors wane. Or worse, their competitors do nothing and watch opportunity slip away.  The forward-thinking businesses in today's climate have saved for this rainy day, now they call in their reserves to pounce, while most shiver.  So in some ways I applaud the telemarketers I encounter, they are picking up their efforts to stay ahead or delay falling behind - both are commendable!  Our franchisees sell products and services that do exactly this - because branded apparel, signs, graphics, outdoor advertising, meetings and conferences all look to BUILD and GROW other company's businesses.  In our businesses, we are uniquely positioned to help.  That is, if you are ready.  If you have not folded under the news that things aren't as they should be on Wall St.  If you believe you can.  You are in control of your destiny, hint - that's why you purchased your own business! 

So what are you doing to aggressively promote your products and services in the bumpy economy?

- dm