Holiday Hurry

Mike Donoghue is a member of a multinational information technology corporation where he collaborates on the communications guidelines and customer relationship strategies affecting the interactions with internal and external clients. He has analyzed, defined, designed and overseen processes for various engagements including product usability and customer satisfaction, best practice enterprise standardization, relationship/branding structures, and distribution effectiveness and direction. He has also established corporate library solutions to provide frameworks for sales, marketing, training, and support divisions.

  CRM   Stakeholder Management  

It's that time of year again (don't you hate it when people say that?). Extravagant gifts and substantial exchanges aside, have you thought about simplifying things and just sending a card?

Take your choice of print vs. electronic, but get your list ready soon--otherwise you'll miss another marketing opportunity. Sales messages are a waste of money since they are invariably lost in the hustle and bustle of the season. It's a pretty safe bet that any "sale mail" sent from early December to mid-January will get as much attention as your Aunt Edna's fruitcake did at your family's get-together last year and quickly end up in the deskside trash can or desktop recycling bin.

Simple and effective holiday cards are a great choice to make up for this sizeable gap in your marketing year. They can provide you with the ability to send an inspiring message and to express your appreciation for each client's business. It also reminds them that you're out there working for them even during the holidays.

When It's Print
Like other competitive marketing efforts, it is essential for your card to stand out from all the other cards. Mail at this time of year can bury a busy office, so you've got to find a way for your card to get noticed. Here are some tips for you to consider:

• Standard-sized (regular) cards tend to blend into the stack and may not get…

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