July Chamber Academy to Focus on Developing Powerful Sales and Marketing

               The Chamber's Business Success Initiative and Chamber Academy will present “Seven Steps to a Powerful Sales and Marketing Funnel” on Tuesday, July 12, as part of the Chamber Academy series. Guest speaker Jim Thebeau of Henry Russell Bruce will discuss how businesses can find the ideal customer, identify what makes their products and services unique and valuable, and determine the key messaging that should be used in sales and marketing. As part of his presentation, Thebeau will discuss the fundamentals of developing a marketing plan and how to use marketing to generate sales and leads. Thebeau uses a seven step process that involves brand awareness and familiarity, creating intrigue in a company, investigation, consideration, and ultimately a decision to purchase. Thebeau will demonstrate the value brand awareness brings to businesses and what happens if a company's visibility is low or non-existent.“We will discuss very basic things businesses can do to organize their sales and marketing plan in a sequential manner – it's really helpful,” Thebeau said. “Keeping on top of marketing is key - anyone in business needs to be marketing their product unless they have a product that sells itself. If nobody knows you and your products exist, nobody is going to buy from you.”Thebeau said once a plan is developed, the most important thing is to keep moving forward with marketing, whether it means on a daily basis, weekly, monthly, or quarterly, he says it is essential businesses remain consistent. Regardless of budget, Thebeau has ideas that can bring free awareness and publicity to a business, especially as business activity increases on the Internet. He also said there are marketing methods that can be relatively inexpensive.“Marketing doesn't have to cost a lot of money,” Thebeau said. “The most important thing is being consistent and creative.”Thebeau is the CEO of Henry Russell Bruce, and has a successful track record in multiple industries. His work experience includes more than a dozen years in radio and television news in St. Louis, Houston, and Charleston, South Carolina. His broadcast news career included a stint with CBS TV News and culminated with a news directorship at the CBS affiliate in Charleston. Prior to joining HRB, he headed up marketing communications for the billion dollar government division of Rockwell Collins for 11 years. He has expertise in a variety of industries including electronics, mobile and wireless computing, supply chain, manufacturing, high tech, financial, insurance, aviation, aerospace and automated data collection. His expertise includes branding, public relations and marketing.  This academy event is sponsored by Informatics and will take place at Hiawatha City Hall, 101 Emmons St., Hiawatha. Attendees can choose from two sessions to attend – 7:30 to 9:00 a.m., or 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Meals will be provided. Flooded businesses may attend for free by contacting Jennifer Jentz, communications specialist with the Chamber's Business Success Initiative, at (319) 731-5843 or email jjentz@cedarrapids.org. All others may make reservations on the Chamber's Web site at www.cedarrapids.org.  

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