The northern Midwest has experienced one of the coldest winters on record and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight. While we would like to stay warm and cozy tucked in our home, the world and our business continue to keep moving. The frigid temperatures and mountains of snow bring their own unique headaches and, surprisingly enough, blessings for businesses looking to keep their marketing program strong. Recognizing the season’s obstacles and opportunities for growth can help save your brand from remaining frozen.
The Good
Starting on the positive side, bad weather can bring some pleasant results to your business. If you work in the service industry, you may experience an uptick of home repairs and service calls as the weather wreaks havoc on households. During these visits, your business will have the opportunity to woo new customers, provide great service to existing ones, and market to other businesses that may need your products or services.
The Bad
There are many obstacles that come with winter weather including reduced consumer spending, travel difficulties, and shipping/freight issues. With higher electric and heating bills, consumers often have less spending power during colder months. Just last month, I personally experienced a 25% increase in my monthly utility bill alone. Taking dollars out of your client’s pocket, these costs leave them delaying purchases of services and products they might otherwise have considered. If you rely on service trucks or in-home visits, icy, snow-covered roads can make it more difficult for your technicians to travel increasing the risk of accidents and injuries. You may also experience shipping and freight delays leaving you out in the cold if the need is immediate. Counteract this by ordering well in advance or stocking up before winter hits.
The Ugly
The worst side effect of frigid weather is the bad mood is seems to put everyone, including consumers, in. Your customer service team may be experiencing more frustrated customer’s complaining and your employees may be less inclined to come into work in their usual jovial mood. To weather this storm, keep in mind that this time will eventual pass and welcome in happy customers when the warmer temperatures return.
Whether it is the coldest night in February or the hottest afternoon in July, Grand Marketing Solutions has services for every business in every season. With an emphasis on service excellence and sound practices, the team at Grand Marketing has the expertise and knowledge to keep your company and brand moving forward.