Jason Hedenskog Interviewed on E-TV's Sunrise show. Learn more about Marketing To Be - M2b

Can your business benefit by the Consumer Protection Act?

Yes! Definitely Yes!

With M2b's help and advise you can gain more loyal and dedicated customer/client databases through your compliance with the Consumer Protection Act in your relevant industry and market segment.

Learn more how M2b can assist you by contacting Jason Hedenskog for your consultation.
jason@m2b.co.za
m 082 771 7351

How the new consumer law protects you

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Consumers can shop online with more confidence when the new Consumer Protection Act comes into effect next month.

Photo: Leon Nicholas

You know the scene: your waiter brings you your meal at a restaurant, but it’s only half the size of the advertised picture.

Or your toaster dies an unexpected, flaming death on day 101 of your 100-day-guarantee. Or a telemarketer calls you up halfway through lunch and you find yourself signing up for an insurance policy between mouthfuls.

Yes, it’s a dangerous world for consumers. But that’s all about to change.

On March 31, the new Consumer Protection Act (CPA) comes into play. The Star looks at what it means for you.

RETURNS AND REFUNDS

It’s all about you in the new act, especially when it comes to returning goods or asking for refunds.

Consumers will now have up to six months to return faulty or unsafe goods.

Trudie Broekmann of the law firm Webber Wentzel explains that you will have a choice between the supplier repairing or replacing these, or refunding you in full.

If the product fails again within the next three months, the supplier is once again obliged to replace it or refund you.

But remember, this applies only to the general wear and tear of your appliances, not gross negligence on your part.

The supplier may charge you a small amount to repackage the product.

DELIVERIES

Ordering online? Goods will have to be delivered at an agreed date, time and place. If not, you will be free to accept or cancel the agreement – it’s your choice.

Companies are also obliged to deliver goods that match the sample or description of the product. You have the right to examine your purchases before accepting them, and reject them if you’re not happy.

If you didn’t get a chance to examine the product and are unhappy with it, it can be returned at the supplier’s expense.

SMS COMPETITIONS

A small victory, but a victory nonetheless.

As of March 31, companies will not be allowed to charge you an exorbitant R5 or R10 to enter an SMS or MMS competition, but will have to stick to the usual network rates.

REPAIRS

Sending your laptop in for repairs? Getting that leaky roof fixed?

As of March 31, companies have to provide you with an estimate for the work – which you must approve – and cannot charge you more than that estimate.

If more work is required above and beyond the estimate, they first have to get the go-ahead from you.

Companies also can’t charge you for preparing their quote, unless you’ve agreed to that.

PRIVACY

Gone are the dreaded telemarketer calls and junk mail flyers. At least in theory.

According to the new act, salespeople cannot bombard you with calls and leaflets at certain times of the day and certain days of the year.

You can also put your name on a blocking registry to one-up the telemarketers before they even begin to dial. How exactly this will be enforced, however, is still anybody’s guess.

COOLING-OFF PERIOD

Impulse buyers, this one’s for you.

According to this clause, you will have five business days to change your mind about that mid-life-crisis Harley or the seaside cottage you fell in love with.

Notify the company in writing, and they’ll have 15 days to pay you back in full. If goods have already been delivered to you, you’ll have to return them before you get your money back.

Note that this applies only where you bought in response to direct marketing, which is when things are advertised to you directly, in person, in the mail, or electronically.

CONTRACTS

Ever been billed for that gym or cellphone contract you thought had expired?

Thanks to the new act, automatic contract renewals will be no more. Companies will have to contact you – in writing – between 40 and 80 business days before your contract expires. They have to give you the option to continue your contract, change its terms or cancel it.

Note that the contract will continue on a month-to-month basis until you make your choice.

You will also be able to cancel contracts at any time. No more waiting for the full 24 months to end. If you’re unhappy, give the company 20 days’ notice – in writing – and you’re home free.

And while you won’t have to pay the full value of the contract, keep in mind that you still have to pay anything you owe the company up to the date of cancellation.

The company might also charge you a cancellation fee, possibly no more than 10 percent of the amounts still owed.

VOETSTOOTS

Voetstoots – especially in the car industry – means buying it as you see it. Don’t go complaining to the seller when your 1962 skedonk no longer gets you from A to B. What you see is what you get.

But not anymore.

According to Broekmann, “The CPA specifically identifies the consumer’s rights to good-quality products, in good working order, free of any substantial defects, and fit for their purpose.”

From March 31, suppliers will have to let you know of all defects – both obvious and hidden – of your purchase, and you have to agree to buying the product in that condition.

RESERVATIONS

This one is still on you. Cancel a booking or reservation, and the supplier is entitled to charge you a “reasonable” cancellation fee. The “reasonableness” depends on how early you cancel and if the supplier can fill your now-empty spot.

If, however, the booking is cancelled because of the death or hospitalisation of the person who made the booking, no cancellation fee can be charged.

If you’re feeling hard done by as a consumer, contact the Department of Trade and Industry’s National Consumer Commission, previously the Office of Consumer Protection, at 0861 843 384, fax 012 394 2558, e-mail contactus@thedti.gov.za or write to: The DTI, National Consumer Commission, Consumer Complaints, Private Bag X84, Pretoria 0001

Complaint forms can be downloaded at http://www.dti.gov.za/ccrd/complaint forms.htm

Sources: Emma Donovan from www.getclosure.co.za consumer complaints blog; Trudie Broekmann at Webber Wentzel Attorneys. - The Star

By Kristen van Schie and Beauregard Tromp

Marketing To Be - M2b: Across Industry Sectors

M2b, a marketing consultancy, has an extensive understanding across the majority of Industries in South Africa. Most Marketing Managers specialize in an Industry Sector.

M2b is unique, eager to learn and hungry for a challenge!

Here are varieties of industries/businesses M2b have already worked with:

Restaurants & Catering;

• Financial Services;
• Wine Farms;
• Liquor Producers;
• Tele Marketing;
• Hospitality;
• Agriculture Services;
• Information Technology;
• Health & Fitness;
• Clothing & Textile;
• Architecture;
• Nutrition;
• and other service based industries.

Your business will benefit by consulting M2b for your marketing needs.

We are looking forward to hearing from you!

Contact Jason on 082 771 7351 or email jason@m2b.co.za

Why use Marketing To Be – M2b, for your business Marketing?

In a nutshell:

• Affordability;
• Responsible cost management;
• Flexibility;
• Extensive knowledge of various industries marketing and branding needs;
• Results driven;
• Deadline orientated;
• Lightens your business management load;
• On top of what’s new and happening with Marketing!

The process of consultation

First Part of Consultation:

The initial meeting is to discuss your business marketing needs. After this meeting a quote for approval will be given for extensive research in your industry, looking at trends and history that will enable us with compiling a Marketing Proposal.

After completion of the marketing proposal a further discussion will be to implement the proposal by M2b or if your company will implement it yourselves. This decision is dependant on your business financial strength.

Second Part of Consultation:

This second part of M2b’s services offers a monthly Marketing Manager for your business a few hours a month. Dependant on the scope of the proposals implementation, would depend on the amount of hours needed per month.

Note: Marketing is a process, not a quick fix and done the right way, you will see the rewards of implementing the Marketing Proposal after 6 months to a year.

For your first meeting to discuss your business marketing needs, call Jason on 082 771 7351 or e-mail jason@m2b.co.za

What Meaningful Marketers Know

1. Meaningful marketers never push. They invite prospective customers in by creating marketing that appeals to the higher unmet needs in their overall lives.
2. Meaningful marketers know that most of our basic needs are satisfied by the products and services we already buy. But that is not to say that the marketers of these basic products are exempt from creating marketing with meaning—on the contrary. If you sell a commodity, the need and opportunities for you to create marketing whose meaning transcends your product are limitless.
3. Marketing itself must improve consumers’ lives and accomplish something of intrinsic value, independent of the product or service it aims to sell, whether or not people actually ever purchase it.
4. More meaning = more money. (The longer equation is more meaning = more loyalty = higher prices = increased sales, but the net result is the same.)

7 Ways to Keep the Sales Rolling in Your Small Business

Don’t get so busy with the day-to-day hustle in your business that you forget to focus your marketing activities on keeping your pipeline filled. To help you reach your monthly sales goals, I have created a list of 7 marketing techniques you should revisit in the fourth quarter of each year. They are designed to ensure that you focus on revenue-generating activities in your small business.

1. Profile Your Best Customers. Who are your most valuable and profitable customers? How much do they spend with you annually? Do they fit a niche? While it’s imperative that you understand your products and services, it’s even more significant to understand what value your business brings to your customers so you can continue fulfilling their needs. Business issues can change quickly, making vendors potentially interchangeable. Be sure to thank your customers; no one owes you business.

2. Talk With Your Clients. If your three most important customers were sitting in a room with you, what questions would you ask them? Even with your long-time customers, schedule a quarterly face-to-face meeting to ask for feedback or just to catch up. You must stay on top of their needs and understand any new factors that influence their decision-making processes. Have 10 questions to ask, and then make sure you engage them around some personal small talk: kids, vacations, holiday plans, etc. The more personal the relationship, the more that relationship will allow you to obtain critical information and a strong ally.

3. Align Marketing Efforts With Your Sales Goals. Sales and marketing have to work together in your small business. Even if you are the only salesperson in your business and you also handle the marketing efforts, you must plan your marketing program based on the amount sales leads you need to generate in order to close the required amount of sales per month. If you know you need 500 leads per month in order to close 50 sales, then determine how many phone calls, e-mails, blog posts, Facebook ads and Twitter messages must be made, sent or posted per month to drive the desired traffic. You must establish a sales process and then proactively work your marketing efforts so that they generate the desired results.

4. Never Take Your Eye Off the Competition. Identify several competitors. Discover what benefits they provide to their current customers. Use their websites to gain insights. Compare your branding, value proposition and pricing. Based on your assessment, develop at least three strategies that you will use to position yourself effectively against them. Always think, “What is my signature move?”

5. Create Win-Win Relationships. “Give to get” is a motto that works well in business. A strong strategic alliance offers many benefits, including reducing risk, sharing costs and improving time to market. How can you develop a partnership that can contribute to your bottom line? Always go into a relationship understanding your partner’s “must have” list. It’s always best when you can find a partner who is not a direct competitor.

6. Refine Your 30-Second Commercial or Elevator Pitch. Your most important job as a small business owner is selling yourself and your business. When you can succinctly explain your business, it builds trust, but you shouldn’t use the same pitch forever. From time to time, switch it up a little. Add a brief client list; mention a recent award or media hit. Elevator pitches are designed to draw in your target and keep the dialogue going. Be careful not to give TMI (too much information). Offer just enough to get them interested in chatting with you again.

7. Use a Vision Board. All businesses have ups and downs. How you get through the tough days in your business makes a big difference in your productivity. One of the tricks I use and advise all my coaching clients to use is to develop a vision board of your big picture goals for your life. If you are successful the way your business plan projects, what are the 10 things you want out of life? Create a visual representation of your list. Use cutouts from magazines or clip art pictures–whatever it takes develop a visual symbol of your personal goals. Post this collage to remind yourself why you work so hard. Ten reasons will keep you motivated on good days as well as bad ones!

By implementing these marketing techniques, you will be able to evaluate the effectiveness of your marketing strategy and keep yourself motivated to stay on top of your sales processes.