Thursday, June 30, 2011

The Embedded Strategy

"Embedded" used in a sentence:   "Thick cotton padding embedded the precious vase in its box." 

So what is the embedded strategy?  Think of your client as a precious vase and your company as the cotton padding.   The strategy calls for you to surround your client with positive experience of  your services and keep out the competition.  It pretty simple. 

Clients enjoy consistency. Clients enjoy ease of use.  Clients don't really want to change vendors - too much work for them in an already stressed working life. But if you are not around and I mean SURROUND/SHOW UP/FOLLOW UP, you will be  displaced so fast you won't even know what happened.

Are you embedded with your stellar clients?  Are you familiar with their growth goals and deployment plans.  Are they going through a particularly difficult time and need what you provide to support them through this bad period? 


As a embedded vendor you get a chance to learn which direction the company is going - expansion or contraction, international strategy, long-term or immediate goals, etc.  Often you are invited to a portion of the planning meetings to contribute!  This is a great result of the embedded strategy. 

Think of the competitive edge this gives your company!

Here's the thing, when you show up at your clients place of business, they recognize you.  They welcome you as you are the bearer of problem-solving, money/time saving solutions that translate to their bottom line. They want to talk and laugh with you.  So why not show up?


Never hesitate to embed yourself with your client and surround them with thick cotton padding.  It will pay off for both of you in the process. 

For more information on how to create the right Client Retention Strategy for your business, contact us at:   laurelle@laurellejohnson.com