The Benefits of Using a Marketing Agency
April 6, 2011
Many companies who value PR and marketing will opt to use one or more external agencies to get the job done effectively. Ceris Burns, international marketing specialist for the cleaning industry discusses why using an agency for international PR and marketing can make a lot of sense.
Does your company have professional PR and marketing skills in-house? Will this resource suffice to get the job done on time? What about industry knowledge and an extensive network of contacts? Do you have a budget and is it important to get an external perspective? Which country or countries do you wish to market to and will these command local cultural knowledge or language skills? These are just some of the questions you will need to answer when deciding whether to manage your PR and marketing in-house or to outsource. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of outsourcing.
Financial – Agencies often use specialist people and tools for a number of clients and as such this can reduce the end cost for the client. Similarly an agency may be able to get preferential advertising rates and produce creative more cost effectively. What’s more, the overall cost of producing your project or campaign on an external basis may cost less than paying a full time member of staff – a key consideration in today’s climate. If you recruit and it doesn’t work out you will incur additional H.R costs. With an agency you can choose to invest in what you need when you need it and if a relationship doesn’t work it’s easy enough to walk away.
Specialists – The value of agency specialist knowledge shouldn’t be underestimated. This might be specialisation in a particular area of PR or marketing, a specific industry, country or even continent. By having a focus area, an agency can bring a whole new level of knowledge and an impressive set of contacts to boot. A cleaning industry PR agency for example should be well connected with all of the cleaning, FM and relevant vertical market press in order to help you gain valuable coverage in all the right places. If you are carrying out a multi-country campaign which needs a consistent approach and central control, you may wish to use one international agency capable of supporting you in each country. On the other hand, using several specialist agencies may provide a more tailored local approach if you don’t mind forfeiting a little control and risking a few communication issues.
Professionalism – Now I’m not saying that PR and marketing can’t be managed professionally in-house (we work with some very good in-house marketers!) but problems can arise when non-marketers think they can take care of the job themselves. Let’s face it marketing is one of those professions where everyone thinks they can do it. After all marketing is just common sense isn’t it? If you don’t have a skilled marketing professional in-house your only option should be to outsource. Look for agencies that are CIM or CIPR members. Members of both institutes work to a professional code of conduct which means that you should receive a service that is based upon honesty, professionalism and the latest insight.
Creativity – By wearing different hats to manage a variety of client campaigns, an agency is often able to bring a higher level of creativity. It also goes that an in-house environment is not always the most conducive to coming up with fresh and creative ideas or a new solution to an existing challenge. An agency can turn the creative process on its head and inject a new lease of life into a campaign.
External Perspective – I’m sure we have all suffered at some point from getting too close to a project. An agency can of course bring a welcome external view to an existing challenge. This can be extremely valuable, especially at times of major change or new market entry, when assessing all options is crucial to making the right decision.
The benefits of outsourcing international PR and marketing are numerous and clearly decisions need to be made on an individual company basis. The key factors to keep in mind are budget, skill availability, the need for specialist knowledge and any specific country requirements.
To discuss whether outsourcing is for you contact Ceris at ceris@cbimarketing.com
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The British Institute of Cleaning Science Launches Education Conference in Manchester To Help Sustain Workforces And Raise Professional Standards
April 6, 2011
The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) is launching an education conference for the cleaning industry, designed to raise standards of education and to build awareness of the industry through professional standards and accredited training.
The conference is entitled ‘Green and keen cleaning workforces – setting new environmental and training standards in the cleaning industry’ and key event themes are sustainable workforces, training and the environment. The event will be held in the conference centre, in the section ‘Salford One’ at the Old Trafford football stadium in Manchester on the 23rd June.
The aim of the conference is to:
- Explore key issues affecting the cleaning industry, focusing particularly on training and motivating workforces, green practices and sustainable working practices
- Share industry best practice in the areas outlined above
- Demonstrate the impact training can have for cleaning operatives within the industry
Keynote speakers at the event will include Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group, an internationally recognised expert on green cleaning; Laurence Harvey, chief executive of Actuate, a leading UK training specialist in conflict management and equality and diversity; Lance Harris, prison industries employment engagement manager and Mark Roberts of Action for Employment (A4E). There will also be an interactive workshop about motivation and plenary sessions will also form part of the conference.
The event is aimed at individuals and companies working within the cleaning industry and those providing support services to the industry. Conference tickets are £99 inclusive of VAT for members and £124 inclusive of VAT for non-members, with a discounted rate for exhibitor delegates. To find out more about the conference, please call Ceris Burns International on 01825 714329 or email conference@bics.org.uk
Stan Atkins, group chief executive officer of the Institute said ‘Raising standards of education and
building awareness of the cleaning industry through professional standards and accredited training is the focus of the British Institute of Cleaning Science. Our conference gives attendees the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues which impact the cleaning industry and share positive initiatives which can help the industry grow in a professional manner.’
BICSc, the largest independent professional and educational body within the cleaning industry is launching a number of fresh initiatives this year which reflect industry developments, including new qualifications, delivered through accredited training providers. BICSc is also re-evaluating its positioning to reinforce its mission which is to raise the quality of education and build awareness of the cleaning industry through professional standards and accredited training, which it has been fulfilling for fifty years.
The Institute will be continuing to introduce qualifications, via its training partners, to help raise professional standards and represent and promote the interests of members. The 50th anniversary calendar of events also includes the BICSc Annual Awards in September which celebrate training achievements, plus a series of regional events throughout the year for its members.
To find out more about The British Institute of Cleaning Science please contact 01604 678710 or visit their website www.bics.org.uk for further information.
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For press enquiries please contact: Michelle Eastty – Ceris Burns International t: +44(0)1825 714329 e: michelle@cbimarketing.com www.clean.cbimarketing.com
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