For immediate release

Economic Downturn Creates Smarter Way to do Business

(Fort Worth, TX Oct. 26, 2009) Times are tough. People in all walks of life are feeling the pinch of economic stress. Many businesses were not prepared for the downturn and have made prudent budget cuts, but are they doing what is best for their businesses in the long run?

Often, one of the first areas cut is marketing. There are unique opportunities to companies during a recession. Marketing dollars spent during a down economy are far more powerful than similar dollars spent during good times. Research shows that during slowdowns companies that continue to market experience revenue growth of 250% during the first full year of the recovery. In contrast, those who cut back on marketing see only a 19% increase during the same period.

Successful companies do not abandon their marketing strategies, they adapt them. Lauren Cleveland, a national marketing consultant, is familiar with this. As a business owner/marketer, she understands both sides of it. “We have to evaluate our business…As we take the time to really assess what is working and what is not, we might discover that we need to create a NEW position in the market place.”

As an entrepreneur for 13 years, Ms. Cleveland ran a successful marketing firm/ad agency, Envision Works, Inc., in DFW and serviced clients throughout the U.S. In 2001, she anticipated the economic challenges that would follow 9/11. Ms. Cleveland’s planning helped prepare her for today‘s slowdown. After all, every business will experience ups and downs, but today, it is more important than ever to effectively build one’s business.

One way of building value is to create proprietary systems or services that give you an advantage over your competition. To do this, Ms. Cleveland created industry specific marketing programs which she successfully sold 2 years ago. She then became a sole practitioner, giving her great advantages over larger agencies and firms.

Ms. Cleveland has taken advantage of these new opportunities and repositioned herself as a “marketing director on call.” Now she can explore each companies unique challenges and develop a marketing program to support their business goals. “I have senior level marketing, communications and promotional experience with a superior track record, all without the overhead and cost”, Cleveland shares. When marketing departments are cut back, smart business owners will implement their marketing strategies using a more tailored, less costly approach.

Tim Green, President of Medical Air Services, constantly evaluates their marketing efforts. “Yes, the economy definitely affects our decisions” he said. They have compared the pros and cons of hiring an employee vs. an experienced marketing consultant. For them, working with someone like Ms. Cleveland made more sense. “Lauren helped us take the time to review performance goals, evaluate partnerships and seek new marketing solutions that are affordable!”

With the guidance of Lauren Cleveland, you too can position your company for growth and positive change.

Contact: Lauren Clevelandlauren@envisionworks.org4012 Ambleside Ct,Colleyville, TXPh: 817-283-0101

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