Posted by Carl Jones on March 18, 19100 at 09:55:04 :
In Reply to: Finding the right person to market to in a big company posted by Rick Reynolds on March 16, 19100 at 23:19:30 :
: Help! How do you find the right person in a large company who really makes the decisions about hiring a caterer? We've been using direct mail, telemarketing and droping off food samples for about three years. We've got all the secretaries, office managers and human resource deparments covered yet at the really large firms we're still not reaching the right people.
: Any ideas?
I always start with a visit to the Personal or Administrative Assistant to the President or Plant Manager. Take her some cookies and information.
The absolute best way is to ask..... "who handles hiring a caterer for your company"
I have found that human resource dept handles the "safety lunches", awards dinners, etc....
Sometimes they delegate it to the purchasing department.
For the glamour events or the visiting VIP's, the G.M.'s office handles it....
For the community events, or the open houses or customer appreciation events, that is the Sales and Marketing department.
So, with all of that said, I suggest the one person to smooze is the Plant manager's personal assistant, they can get you all of the rest.....
Best advice is knowledge of what type of events are they doing...go from there.
Good question,
Good Luck,
Carl