Door Kicker
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- Arvizu
A client in the vegetable industry wants to get his produce onto the menus of national restaurants. He's looking for a way to introduce himself to the CEO's and desicion makers of such said restaurants. He wants something big and impactful that will make these potential customers pick up the phone and call him. Budget is huge. Ideas we've had include sending a mini-fridge full of fresh produce to each of them. Does anyone have any BIG ideas that would just blow them away?
- version30
must be an american client wanting to overcharge for products. i doubt this approach will work
nutrition and freshness need sold here, along with an impeccable delivery system
- horton0
take an environmental approach.
shipping mini-fridges across the country, that are bound to be disposed of is just a big waste of transport and materials.
if you've got a massive budget use it to make change.. specially with a product like vegetables.
- k0na_an0k0
Buy surplus bazookas from the US military and pack the ends of them with your clients product and shoot them into their customers mouths via drive-by.
- Arvizu0
American? Yes. Overcharge? Not so much. At this point, it's not really about selling the product, we're really just trying to come up with the most elaborate, impactful and creative way to introduce the client to his target. After that's been done, we'll start selling, but for now- it's all about the first impression.
- Soler0
local or chain restaurants?
- Arvizu0
thanks for asking, chain.
- version30
Arvizu,
no one contemplates sending mini-fridges across the country without passing that cost on to the customer. if you believe any different, you may want to look into other lines of work.
the best first impression would to not act like a pompous american company, horton has a good point using the budget to make a change in the industry
sell me on no preservatives or chemical cleaning agents. what the restaurant can use to sell to the customer will be worth more than a sales gimmick
- jerk0
send each ceo a hot, scantly clad latin american hottie, each wearing one of those carmen miranda tutti-fruity hats. they could sing a song titled, i be jerkin your gerkin. then whatefver happens after that, happens.
- Arvizu0
version4,
I think you're right, the cost would have to be made up from somewhere and the bottom line is the customer. No argument there, I'm also listening to ideas that could be a force for positive change the industry, what would those be? As far as the clients produce, it's actually preservative free and one of the most eco-friendly and organic labels on the market. Again, this isn't meant to be a sales gimmick, it's just a way to introduce himself, the gimmicks come later!
- version30
"it's actually preservative free and one of the most eco-friendly and organic labels on the market."
this should be the meat and potatoes of your pitch
maybe eco friendly printed mailers in the shapes of the produce itself but the facts have to be true and try to keep the end cost down
restaurants will most likely buy the cheaper even if yours is better if the price of yours is just too high, a little higher is worth it to most for the end result
also, use a company like
http://www.pdigm.com/sales-accse…to find the niche already most interested in your products
http://www.lettusorganic.com/
is a perfect example of organic working perfectly. Part of their success is due to their locationpitching your food to mcds would be a waste as would it be to market to fatty bbq places that litter the midwest/southern region
- Bluejam0
these guys come up with some mad ideas...
- Arvizu0
Man, I really appreciate your feedback and your input is spot-on. But the point is: this isn't a pitch. It's the art of saying, "Hi!, Nice to meet you". No sales at all. What would be a unforgettable way to introduce one's self? A wheelbarrow of fresh produce delivered into the CEO's office? A mini hydroponics bin with fresh herbs delivered to the office? I'm just looking for far out and engaging solutions for the most impactful way of starting a conversation...no educating, no selling, no long stories, just a unique way to say, "hello!"
- version30
any introduction is a sales pitch, at the club, in the store, pitching a new product, etc. go too far and you'll insult someone, respect them and win their business for a lifetime.
business is based on personal relationships between people, don't forget that
- horton0
... just a unique way to say, "hello!"
Arvizu
(Jan 25 07, 12:18)how about a well-dressed basket of veggies? simple.
i'd get to know your customer's clients.
most restauranteurs are a classy and savy bunch... quite often enviro-conscious people.
gimmicks may back fire. you're selling veggies, not ipods. take a "down-to-earth" approach.
- horton0
oh wait i just noticed you're talking about a national restaurant chain/ CEO...
* steps aside
- johndiggity0
you are trying to answer the "why should i care" question. while your client may have the best-tasting, most eco-friendly produce on the planet, as a ceo of a large restaurant, why should i care?
read throught this guy's blog. http://sethgodin.typepad.com/set… some great thoughts and ideas. but first you need to think about how to turn your client's business from a produce company to _the_ produce company.
- abba_cadaver0
I think Johndiggity is right. You need to define what is special about this company. Also, you may want to think about targeting the buyer and CEO separately. I think the CEO is will be sold on numbers and the advantage you can provide him, while the buyer will be sold on quality and price.
- johndiggity0
very apropos: http://sethgodin.typepad.com/set…