Green marketing begins at home.

Many organizations focus on the importance of the environmental effects that marketing products and services generates. Companies which have not paid attention to the possible environmental dangers of irresponsible marketing may encounter related problems. Since all firms have direct or indirect environmental impact, they must analyze their internal marketing structures to eliminate variables which create such problems.

How to create self-sufficient employees and why would we want to?

There are companies where employees with creative ideas fail to express them to management because of job security fears. These are the employees who have been so dependent on company approval that they avoid anything that might jeopardize job tenure. In such cases, both employees and the organization suffer. Thus, the dependency idea must be removed. Employees should make the first move to change from dependency to independence.

North American Free Trade: managing our future.

Canada faces many opportunities and problems in international trade with the advent of NAFTA. A local survey was conducted to prepare a plan that would develop options for the country in the midst of changing international economic relations. The survey revealed that Canadian businesses were concerned about trading with Mexico, one of the NAFTA participants. The Agreement also preserves anti-dumping and countervailing rules of participating countries. Despite these problems, Canada should con...

Organizational change and employee stress - a recession strategy.

Companies faced with economic events such as recessions must adjust to market changes and customer demand which such events bring. Employees must complement management plans for such changes. However, they will inevitably be pressured by new job descriptions, new programs, more work and concern for future job security. Management must implement a strategy for such situations. The strateg should cover communication, participation, knowledge, goal-setting and recognition of all circumstances su...

Professionalism, knowledge and ethics.

Businesses which offer professional services are being challenged for their relevance to marketplace changes and needs. Consumers have reached levels of education which make them more sophisticated and give them the power to select products or services with greater scrutiny. Thus, businesses must strive to inject professionalism, value and a more holistic approach to the services they render. Professionalism must be marked by education beneficial to customers and strong ethical standards.

Softening the blows; lay-offs with a conscience.

Lay-off decisions present employers a situation with difficult financial and emotional considerations. When such conditions are unavoidably necessary, alternative strategies must be prepared and the negative repercussions downplayed. Affected employees must be given due respect and compassion while management ensures that all legal obligations are fulfilled. Attempts to help laid-off employees secure another job must also be considered.

Try invoice discounting as alternative financing.

Invoice discounting presents an alternative method of financing which is easy to practice. The discounting technique involves the collection of invoices from daily sales and bringing them to a discounter in exchange for money. The discounter then buys the invoices minus a discount which he keeps as his commission. Companies then will have available funds for handling their businesses more effectively.

What is your innovation style?

Companies have to include all levels of its organization in the process of creating innovations to spur employee productivity, improve efficiency and enhance customer relations. Managers must attempt to understand employee individuality in setting innovative styles which would contribute most to company goals. Employees may either be visioners, explorers, experimenters or modifiers depending on the way they handle new ideas.

When business is bad you need quality service.

Customers patronize businesses where they enjoy good customer treatment. Good customer service is an effective way of marketing a business' products. Service-oriented applicants seek companies with established service reputation. Employees of such companies enjoy customer appreciation and are encouraged to be more productive in work. Customer service programs require only the training of present employees and eliminate the need for costly-hiring practices.