Marketing in Action

What to do next is the ever-imponderable question for those running businesses. Of course, while things are going well it is easy to not even bother thinking about it – but as we all know once things are going wrong it is already too late. 

This week's Marketing Week reports how Little Chef have appointed a new chap as Development Director to introduce a grab and go coffee bar chain. Little Chef was once on every A road and the favourite stop for families and business travelers alike, but things have clearly been in decline for some years. A succession of new owners since the Forte days have failed to revitalise the flagging business and many of the sites have now closed. So what went wrong? 

A few years ago I had no idea what a mess my digestive system was in. I was under the impression that the food I ate was dealt with correctly by my intestines and the waste bits came out of the other end. I had never even heard of L Casei Immunitass let alone felt the need to boost the bacteria levels in my gut. How wrong I was... 

As has been widely reported, train prices have again risen at an above-inflation rate. Some prices have risen by as much as 9% and walk-on prices are now staggeringly expensive - the most reported price being £202 for an open return from London to Manchester. 

It's all very well making yourself a nice new TV advert, but it is just as important knowing when to show it. Would you want your car ad to be screened on CBeebies? How about a commercial for Bratz between overs in the cricket? Refreshing summer beer ad in the middle of winter?.. Oh, hang on - someone is doing that aren't they?