The Initial Assessment

8. Industry Relationships

Alongside a company's marketing efforts, Industry Relationships can play a key role in the positioning and promotion of a company in its marketplace. Many companies, such as business-to-business services, thrive solely on industry referrals and a continuing pipeline of prospects through indirect means such as industry publication endorsements and awards. MEC places a high priority on industry relationships and examines the following areas:

• Where does the company best fit in the industry
• Strategic alliances and partnerships
• Industry recognition / awards
• Marketing cooperations
• Associations
• Industry public relations
• Potential leveraging of resources
• Potential new alliances with other companies in the industry
• Potential new alliances with companies outside the industry
• Possible synergies with others to reduce cost of operations
• Ways to cut costs to deliver
• Outsourcing strategies, feasibility
• Relationships with Industry Media
• Press Releases
• Electronic Media Kit
• Educational publications
• Charitable or industry event support / sponsorships
• Community involvement

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