Tesco-isation might not sound nice or please everyone as it has a negative effect on local businesses, and they continue to expand without limit. Nonetheless there are many sides that need to be appreciated, and much to be learnt from the company with regards to the way they conduct their business.  Tesco have been able to dominate the market because of their clever business model, starting from creating a good circle of virtue filled with tricky incentives.

Their online store is by itself a huge success together with efficient and effective use of their Information Systems which much of their success depends on. Now adding to the fire they have launched an app for the iphone which acts as a substitute for the plastic clubcard (Tesco loyalty card). They have also plans to introduce similar apps for other phones such as the Blackberry and Nokia.

Now where does all this innovativeness turn in to tangible or intangible gains? Previously the clubcard has hugely contributed to the CRM software of Tesco allowing them to slice and dice the data that they compile. Most Tesco shoppers I have personally come across think that the clubcard is only there to reward them with 1 point for every 1 pound spent in store. Now that is true! but what they don’t know is that they are giving Tesco that vital piece of information about their spending/shopping habits at Tesco.

One way or the other clubcard owners are contributing for the success of the company allowing management to make highly knowledgeable decisions at strategical and operational levels. The clubcard also comes in handy for customers while they do their shopping online as it keeps a record of all the items purchased in the past. This eliminates the need to browse the whole online store looking for the items you regularly buy.

Now what extra benefit does the app (clubcard for iphone) bring to the equation? Apart from the obvious benefits such as saving sending out plastic cards, Tesco will be able to accurately know how many, and which of their customers own an iphone, a Blackberry, and a Nokia. Now, you might be thinking what is the use of that? With the company expanding into the telecoms industry, this gives them the chance of monetising on existing customers.

For instance I have installed the app, Tesco already know that I own an iphone and I have auto-magically become a lead on my own action. How brilliant is that? no annoying questionnaires or surveys to obtain this valuable information. This makes their future marketing campaigns easier and successful as it is more targeted and can initiate a call to action which probably makes me a converted lead in the near future. Who knows what type of offer they might throw at me sooner or later?

Everybody is a winner as they are using a clever inbound marketing technique which relies on permission not interruption by giving away a small app, this way they have a very low cost per lead which allows them to get higher ROI (return on investment). Clever Tesco or Clever Marketing?

This is not a job advertisement, I hope that it caught your attention but there is a reasoning behind the title when you read through. From all the birthday gifts I got so far, there is one that tops my list. This year I had received a very special gift from a very special person in my life, and this gift has unquestionably enriched my life immensely. The gift is a book titled “Wanted: How to become the most wanted employee around” this book doesn’t only help you to become the most wanted employee around, but is more of uplifting, motivational, and is packed full of wisdom, which is why I recommend it to everyone. As you dip through the 50 short chapters every thing makes absolute sense and you have no choice but to comprehend with what the author (David Freemantle) is talking about!

Staying on the ball though, one chapter that I find highly relevant to this article is “Be Extra Curricular” in this chapter the author mentions that “95% of learning occurs outside the classroom” he also stresses to “create your own study plan to improve your current on-job performance and to further your career. Educate your self with daily study modules.”

Whilst my endeavor to make a successful career with my previous qualification in BSc Information Systems (Internet Business) I took the advice of the author (David Freemantle) and thought I am more likely to be wanted if I go a bit out of my way to learn about Inbound Marketing. Hence I started to look for blogs and other learning materials on the internet when I came across Inbound Marketing University. I signed up for the course, downloaded all the Webinar Classes on to my iphone, and the accessories of the iphone enabled me to listen to the Webinars through the car speakers whilst my drive to and from work. I didn’t even mind the traffic one bit as I enjoyed all the Webinars given by the industry gurus. Finally I took the Exam and now I am a Certified Professional in Inbound Marketing, and my intellectual ability has expanded as a result of this course.

For this I have to say many thanks and give huge credit for everyone who contributed to the setting up and running of Inbound Marketing University.

The topics that were covered on the course include:

• How to Blog Effectively for Business
• SEO Crash Course to Get Found
• Social Media and Building Community
• Successful Business Uses for Facebook and Linkedin
• Viral Marketing and World Wide Raves
• Advanced SEO Tactics: On Beyond Keyword Research
• Calls to Action and Landing Page Best Practices
• Inbound Lead Nurturing
• Successful Email Marketing
• Analysing Inbound Marketing
• PR for Inbound Marketing
• Twitter for Business
• Advanced Marketing Analytics
• Passion Inspired Video & Other Creative Content

To conclude I would like to highlight the need for you to gain extra skills whether you are in or out of work, or even if you are starting to carve your professional career as a graduate. The key is to have a comprehensive knowledge around your field, the way to achieve this is to follow blogs that add value to you and your profession, attend seminars, webinars, forums, and exhibitions. This type of unstructured learning will help you give control as you will be taking a more subjective approach. Get the book “Wanted: How to become the most wanted employee around” you will start to see results, and your life will be enriched if you act accordingly.

As for me the next step in gaining extra skills is to join Google Advertising Professionals Program, which includes Google Analytics Individual Qualification, Google Advertising Fundamentals, and Google Adwords Professional Certification.