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January 2004 Issue
New year, new look
by Christy Couch Lee
Party hats atop our heads, streamers falling, noisemakers blaring. We’re celebrating the new year, welcoming updates and fresh, new features to our magazine and Web site.
Okay... so we’re not exactly party central, but we are bringing in some changes. Notice anything different?
With this January 2004 issue, we’re welcoming a new standard section to our editorial line-up – “Commercial Connection.” Rather than the newsletter you’ve received several times a year in the past, you’ll now receive the same commercial-industry news in many issues of Seedstock EDGE.
Seven times a year, we’ll feature a profile on a commercial producer, in addition to news and information to serve our commercial readers.
We’re also expanding the staff that will help meet your advertising needs. Your NSR Field Representatives, Ralph Doak, Sam Howell and Daryl Real, now will assist you in reserving advertising space and writing ad copy.
Feel free to give your region’s representative a call about your advertising needs. And, don’t be surprised if you get a phone call from one of these guys, too. They’re ready to help you take the advertising world by storm.
You’ll also notice a new look to the same NSR news and information that you’ve grown to trust in Seedstock EDGE. The information is the same – it’s just in a fresh, new package.
We’ve also been hard at work on making your NSR Web site more user friendly, with a fresh, new look. We’ve grouped information into what we believe will be a more-logical, easier-to-use format.
Plus, we’ve even added a few more convenience features, including an on-line subscription form for Seedstock EDGE. Check it out at www.nationalswine.com.
And, as you receive correspondence from the Association in the coming year, take a look at the updated NSR logo, also being launched this month.
The sleek, professional, modern take on our logo will position our organization for what it is – a group of swine breeders leading the future.
We at NSR have taken the new year’s dawning as our opportunity to look at our communications with new eyes. How about you?
As we venture into another new year, this could be an excellent time for you to evaluate your operation’s marketing plan.
What are you going to do this year to reach your customers more effectively? What are you going to do to give your product the edge over your competition?
It’s your turn. According to marketing experts, four ingredients comprise an effective marketing plan.
1. Situation analysis. Evaluate where you stand now. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? Where are your opportunities? What are your threats? You must know where you are before you can determine where to go.
2. Objectives. What results would you like to see from your marketing plan? Make them specific – to increase sales by 5 percent before the end of 2004, for example. Your objective must be measurable and specific to know if you’ve accomplished your goal.
3. Strategies. What will you do to reach your objectives? Your strategies should prioritize where you focus your resources and energy. The most important thing is that they are realistic, in terms of budget and time.
4. Tactics and programs. What specific programs and activities will you use to accomplish your objectives? Think about how you want your customers to view your operation. What will it take to make that happen?
Take the time to evaluate your operation’s marketing plan. Are you in good shape? Could you improve? There’s no time like the present to make changes for the better.
That’s the feeling here in the NSR Communications Department. And, we want to hear from you. Let us know what you think about the new design of our magazine and Web site. We want to know your thoughts – positive or not – so that we can meet your needs.
We are excited about the beginning of a new approach to your NSR communications. No, we may not be celebrating with noisemakers and confetti. But with all the change taking place, we sure are excited about the future.
