Marketing Forecast from Ad-ology

When speaking with prospects, do you have a go-question that always manages to get valuable information? If not, maybe you can borrow from Stone Payton, a sales consultant who, on a recent blog post, shared what he calls “one of the most powerful, productive questions” a salesperson can ask.

In a recent survey of buyers of professional services, RainToday.com found that listening skills were considered to be lacking among service providers when it comes to the sales pitch.

More than 48% of U.S. adults believe that a lack of advertising by a retail store, bank or auto dealership during a recession indicates the business must be struggling. Likewise, a vast majority perceives businesses that continue to advertise as being competitive or committed to doing business.

The latest survey from Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends made quite a stir last week as consumers reported on which items they call luxuries versus necessities in their homes. Kitchen and laundry appliances took quite a hit as anywhere from 15% to 20% of consumers decided microwaves and home air conditioning are luxuries they could do without. While the numbers indicate a significant shift in attitude since 2006, at least 40% of consumers still rate appliances such as TVs and clothes dryers as necessities. Also intriguing is that fewer consumers want to give up mobile phones, home computers or high-speed Internet and call them necessities, not luxuries.

The local mall has long been a key destination for consumer entertainment – especially when it included shopping, dining and watching movies.