MMA

Author James H. Drummond, who is currently working on the second edition of the popular marketing book - Marketing's 10 Deadly Sins (and how to avoid them) - will be sharing his insights at the March 17th Lunch & Learn. It will be held at TechMaine, 506 Main Street in Westbrook. The 80 minute presentation will begin promptly at 11:40 AM, with registration and networking beginning at 11:00. Lunch is included in the program fee.

About the seminar

Even those of us who consider ourselves marketing experts need the occasional reminder of what to do - and what to avoid - as we go about our daily jobs. In fact, often we get so lost in the process of doing our jobs and playing politics, that we lose sight of the basics.
 
Jim will address what marketers do over and over, often without realizing it, that they sabotage their own efforts. He will demonstrate how much of the money spent on "marketing activity" is wasted and fails to attract customers. He will also present a look at marketing as a holistic activity that encompasses the entire business enterprise, with real-world examples that supports this approach. Jim's insights, gained from an extensive professional career in marketing, will be presented in an amusing, informal and yet highly informative format. The presentation will address the following five key topics:
 
1.     Failure to understand the marketing process
2.     Failure to clearly identify the product or service
3.     Failure to incorporate current demographics in marketing strategy
4.     Inconsistency of message
5.     Emphasizing creativity over effectiveness
 
So whether you are an old marketing pro - or you are new to the industry and suspect there is more to marketing than the four P's (product, price, placement and promotion) you learned about in college, you will leave with a better understanding that everything matters - demographics, strategy, fulfillment, capture, branding, attraction and retention. You'll learn from the mistakes of others - and see how you can develop a simple, yet effective avoidance strategy that provides guidelines for corrective action you can execute at any level in your organization.

To register

Networking and registration for the seminar, which is open to both MMA members and non-members, begins at 11:00 AM. The presentation starts promptly at 11:40 and ends at 1:00. The cost for lunch is included in the fee: $15 members, $35 non-members, $10 students. TechMaine members may also attend at the MMA member rate (please This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to use this option). For more information or to register for the Lunch & Learn, please click HERE or click the registration link at the bottom of this page. Be sure to register by March 12 to reserve your seat. Any attendees who join the MMA at the Lunch & Learn will qualify for the discounted $15 fee. Membership is just $89 for a full year. If you are already an MMA member, please make sure to login to our website before registering in order to receive the member/student discount.

About James H. Drummond

Jim has created marketing programs and training materials for clients as diverse as Starbucks, The Edison Electric Institute, US Department of Commerce, Sears, Worldspace Corporation and Scottish Hydro-Electric.
 
A former broadcast journalist, Jim is an award winning author and pubic speaker. He attended the University of Florida on a journalism scholarship and holds an MBA from Britain's highly regarded University of Edinburgh. His master's dissertation on relationship marketing received honors designation and became the basis for his bestselling book.
 
Jims' work has been called highly original, thought provoking and challenging to conventional wisdom.

Here are a few reviews of the first edition of Marketing's 10 Deadly Sins:
 
"Jim Drummond's latest book is a must-read for any business looking to differentiate themselves, regardless of industry or market position. In the same style as Seth Godin and Guy Kawasaki, Jim Drummond captures his audience with a light touch and strong sense of humor. Many books on the current business how-to shelves focus on the how-to... rather than the how-NOT-to. One of this book's rules of thumb regarding customer retention is "The closer to the front lines, the better the view." This may also apply to the author as he brings us to the front lines through his collection of case studies and experiences that illustrate exactly what companies should not do."
 
"Marketing's 10 Deadly Sins is a winner! The comprehensive, easy to understand and use tools so well described here can enable any one or any group to get to break through understanding on the purpose and execution of brand potential in this tough, consumer driven marketplace."
 
"Marketing's 10 Deadly Sins is a real page-turner. For virtually anyone involved in marketing, advertising or business in general, it's a must read. Once you start, you won't put it down. The combination of object lessons and 'real world' applications and examples makes the book not only informative, but a fast-paced, enjoyable experience."