How Likely Are You to Buy from Yourself – Thinking Like The Customer

Marketing your business has evolved over time. Apart from the traditional methods of marketing, one way to get a proper marketing strategy is by getting into the mind of the consumer. Let us do a little exercise to help do this.

Everyone is familiar with role-playing games. Let’s do a little role play now: You are the customer and you want to purchase an item or service from your franchise. Be completely honest, will you be willing to sanction the purchase? There are a few parameters you can use to evaluate this. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • How easily did I find the product?
  • How does the product compare with other competitors in the market?
  • Is there any benefit from further patronage?
  • How good is the customer service?
  • Does the product keep up with recent technological trends?

The idea of this exercise is to make you understand exactly the thought process of the consumers. This will give you a basis to work with a  better strategy.

Reverse-Engineer Your Findings To Your Benefit

After going through the process of getting into the consumer’s mindset, you most likely would find areas where improvements or adjustments can be made. You would find that you would be able to understand your customers better. This will help you to be able to tailor your correspondence to them in the future.

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If you can see yourself on the same level as your customers you can better drive customer loyalty and develop the trust that is so important these days and it humanizes your company and enhances your marketing capability. In the end, you will be able to anticipate your customer’s needs because you are thinking just like them. It will put you in the best spot to market with confidence.

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Navigating The Path to Business Growth: Innovate or Die

Innovation is a key component of a business. For a business to grow appropriately, the key decision markers and business managers have to think innovatively and creatively. The benefits of innovation on business are already well-documented, so there isn’t really any need to go over it again. In any case, you can read about them here.

How exactly can you think innovatively? Here are a few tips:

  • Clear your head: This should be the first thing you do. Make sure you are relaxed and do not feel pressured. The best ideas are formed in a relaxed and calm atmosphere. If you find it hard to stay calm or keep a clear head, you can complete some relaxing activities like taking a walk while listening to calming music, preferably classical. It works for me and should work for you too.
  • Ask questions: ‘Curiosity kills the cat’ a common phrase. But this does not work when it comes to business. Prime your mind to observe, inquires, question and understand concepts around. Remove any constraints that might inhibit your inquisitive nature. Challenge old ways of doing things and try to imagine new ways that they can be done.

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  • Increase your exposure: Make sure to put yourself in a position where you will be able to observe a wide variety of things. Never assume that any knowledge is useless. Note that ideas are usually birthed from other ideas. Henry Ford got his idea of the assembly line technique of mass production from observing a meatpacking plant. The more exposure you have, the more likely you’re going to pick up ideas for your ideas.
  • Be imaginative: You should be creative. Don’t squash that random idea that comes to you prematurely. Allow your imagination run wild. Think of ways things can be done differently. You can follow some tips to boost your creativity.
  • Exceed boundaries: Don’t feel caged or forced to follow the status quo. Be ready to think outside the box. Learn to deal with and learn from past failures; be ready to take risks to find out what works and what does not.
  • Welcome feedback: Ask for people’s opinions and ideas and gather these to come up with a better idea for your venture. Also, feedback is important to know if a current idea you implemented would be a hit. Never disregard this.
  • Run brainstorming sessions: This can be done individually or in a group, although it is usually more effective when done in a group. This would involve coming up with a large number of new product ideas. Make sure to have people from diverse backgrounds if you plan to have a group brainstorming session. You will be better served if you include a provocative outsider, like a consumer or supplier.

BREAK THROUGH THE NOISE IN THE MARKET – EXHIBIT AT TOSSE 2020

  • Adapt old solutions for new problems: You could do this by applying an existing product to a new need available. You could look for new uses of your product. For instance, De Beers produced industrial diamonds but found a new use for diamonds when they introduced the concept of engagement rings. It opened up a large new market for them.
  • Watch your competition: This does not mean to blindly follow whatever innovation they come up with. Instead, observe them intelligently. See if there are any of their ideas you can refine and adapt and even possibly license as your own. You can also acquire smaller profitable businesses if possible!
  • Look outside: You can outsource your new project development to external companies to work on this. Company like Edumark Consult can help us engage actively within the education community.  If that seems like a risk for you, you can ask individuals to come up with novel ideas for innovation. Countless big companies have been known to do this successfully.
  • Go back in time: Look back at older business models and products. Try to ascertain which of these models can work for the present market. Be sure to refine it, however, to fit into the current market trends.

The tips above are in no way exhaustive of all the tips that can be used to improve innovative thinking. Also, not all of them might apply to your business model. Whatever the case, use the tips as a guide to building your business even further through innovation.

TOSSE 2019 Is All About You!

TOSSE offers; the best networking opportunity, largest gathering of Education professionals, spacious exhibition stands, strategic meetings with key stakeholders ,market to prospective buyers, and an avenue to generate more leads to grow your business APPLY FOR A STAND Early registration attract periodic promotions on TOSSE social media handles (facebook, Instagram & Linkedin).

We advise you take advantage of our early bird registration and get 5% discount off. Offer elapses on 28th of February 2019.

Today, networking has become an essential aspect of business. We look forward to “The Future of Education in Africa” at TOSSE 2019.

Having a well-established network has become an important part of our business and our lives. The easiest way to expand your network is to build on the relationships with people you know.

Becoming Our Sponsor Will Put Your Brand At A Vantage Position

  • Vantage exhibition stand
  • Presentation opportunity
  • Venue branding right         
  • Company profile would be included on the event brochure
  • Special recognition during exhibition
  • Strategic marketing opportunity

For inquiries call: 08028399138, 07088406732 or email info@tosse.com.nginfo.tosse2017@gmail.com

“TOSSE is part of our yearly calendar”-Phostine Chairman

The TOSSE Team made another courtesy visit to Dr. Celestine Ibojiemenmen, Chairman of Phostine Premium School, and his beautiful wife, Mrs. Ayodele Ibojiemenmen, the Chief Operating Officer of Phostine Premium School on the 10th of May 2023, in Isheri-Osun, Lagos.

Dr. Ibojiemenmen engaged the team in an interactive and interesting conversation about TOSSE, the Nigerian Education system, the challenges, and the hope for the future.

Dr. Celestine Ibojiemenmen, Chairman of Phostine Premium School.

When asked what TOSSE meant to him, he smiled and said “TOSSE is a ritual for us at Phostine, it is part of our yearly calendar”, expressing how impressed he is with what TOSSE has delivered over the years.

Being an avid participant in the past editions of TOSSE alongside his staff, he avowed that the opportunities TOSSE presents to people are limitless and encouraged school owners, key decision-makers, and School administrators to tap into this platform.

He added that the world is evolving and leaders should not miss out on the happenings around and within the industry. TOSSE is an environment where one can learn, meet people, see new technologies, and know the trends in the Education sector.

TOSSE Team making a presentation to Dr. Celestine Ibojiemenmen and his wife.

Talking about the state of Education in Nigeria, he said, things are not the way they ought to be and that a lot should be invested in the Education sector.

He, however, commended Mrs. Yinka Ogunde, the Convener of the Total School Support Seminar & Exhibition (TOSSE), saying “I have great love and respect for what she does”.
He revealed that as a school owner, there are so many discouraging factors but the likes of Mrs. Ogunde keep serving as an encouragement.

He advised parents, saying “When you see an environment willing to give your children the best, please embrace them, education is not a cheap commodity”.

We can’t wait to welcome Dr. & Mrs. Ibojiemenmen and the entire team of Phostine Premium School to this year’s TOSSE event set to hold on 8th June 2023 at the Sheraton Hotel Ikeja, Lagos.