September 2005: In this issue. . .

Add Strategic Expertise...Not Headcount

By Ron Torch, CEO & Chief Marketing Officer - Torch Group Inc.

A well known and sage piece of advice in achieving business success is to do what you do best and surround yourself by hiring others who have the expertise you do not. Good advice, but in these days of downsizing, shrinking budgets and full-time hiring restrictions, it is difficult advice to follow and not possible to hire all of the marketing experts one needs.

Instead, we do ourselves and our company a disservice by trying to be all things to all people by fulfilling departmental or functional responsibilities outside of our own expertise. The plans and strategic work may get accomplished, but at what cost in terms of time, quality and effectiveness? Read More

Ronald S. Torch
President & CEO
Torch Group, Inc.

Good news.

Hiring options are available.

You can now acquire strategic marketing expertise without the time delays, risks or costs associated with full-time hires. By using a new breed of specialized marketing staffing firms, rather than relying on executive recruiters, you can contract for seasoned consultants that have proven track records in unlimited strategic areas. And their performance is guaranteed. Not only does this option allow you to optimize the results and quality of work you are managing, but it allows you to focus on your areas of strength and achieve business goals more efficiently and effectively.

These readily available, strategic marketing consultants are thoroughly-interviewed and have both industry and functional expertise. These professionals have a wide-range of industry backgrounds including consumer products, retail, financial services, healthcare, hardware, chemical and many, many more. In addition, these highly-qualified experts bring strategic skills in nearly a hundred different functional areas of marketing including new products, pricing, merchandising, PR, media planning, crises communications, branding, promotion planning and marketing research to name a few.

By engaging strategic consultants through specialized marketing staffing firms, you will find the precise background and knowledge needed and be confident in their abilities to write a marketing plan, address issues or provide strategic insight that will significantly impact your business. A well-seasoned consultant will also "hit the ground running" reducing the learning curve and potential errors of a less-experienced hire, allowing other staff members to focus on their areas of expertise.

Here is one example of how Torch Group's human capital solutions provided a consumer promotion expert to a major corporation in less than 24 hours. This consultant completed the daunting task of creating a strategic promotion plan in less than 60 days.

Situation:
A large, diversified consumer products company had an immediate need to create a consumer promotion plan that supported a new product launch with the objectives of building brand awareness, generating trial and reinforcing differentiated product claims. Head count prohibited hiring a full-time employee. They turned to Torch Group to refer a consultant with strategic consumer promotion expertise to develop their strategies, concepts and tactical plans that would support the new product launch.

Solution:
Torch Group provided a very senior consultant, with consumer promotion expertise and more experience than thought affordable, that immediately stepped in and developed a strategic promotion plan that met the trial and purchase objectives and reinforced the brand and its unique CVP. The consultant's work included an intake session, research and analysis, strategies, tactics and promotional concepts. The project was underway within a few days and completed in time to successfully launch this brand new product category.

Senior-level consultants can add real value to your organization when you are in need of expertise that you cannot afford to hire. Torch Group, a highly-specialized marketing staffing firm and a proven resource for marketing talent, has an available pool of highly-qualified and thoroughly interviewed professional consultants that are ready to assist with your strategic plans.

We would be happy to talk with you about the benefits of using strategic marketing consultants to fill your needs without adding head count. We welcome your inquiries – give us a call.

Signup To Receive TorchLight Via Email

We can help.

As acknowledged experts in the field of marketing and innovative talent solutions, we’re structured and poised to help you find that perfect CIO -- or complement your existing staff with highly-specialized marketing talent. Whichever way you go, Torch Group can be a valued partner to your company. We’re experienced in finding the talented full-time marketing professionals you need . . . or flexible marketing contractors and consultants if desired. Give me a call at 440.519.1822 or e-mail me at rontorch@torchgroup.com.

Ronald S. Torch
President & CEO
Torch Group, Inc.
. . . your source for marketing talent