Empowering Growth – A Journey of Passion and Perseverance!
You are the greatest achievement of your own life. This quote applies in business and life, as decisions may fail because the challenges are sometimes not clearly identified. The right challenge gets solved at the right time in the right way by Lana Larder, the President of Larder Marketing Group.
Lana has achieved success for both non-profits and businesses. Eventually, she decided to transform from a consultant to opening her own marketing business to help other businesses grow and prosper.
Lana Larder’s journey is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. From an early fascination with visual and written artistry to a thriving career in marketing and public relations, Lana’s trajectory has been marked by accolades and entrepreneurial success. Her commitment to client triumphs has led to astounding growth, with businesses experiencing up to a 500 percent surge in sales. As the founder of Larder Marketing Group, Lana combines adaptability, innovation, and a customer-centric approach to drive excellence.
With a proven blueprint for success and a dedication to fostering growth, Lana Larder continues to redefine the landscape of marketing and business.
A Journey from Awards to Entrepreneurship
From a young age, a fascination with the potency of visual imagery and the written and spoken word sparked a lifelong passion in Lana, leading to early recognition and awards.
Exploring the worlds crafted within books, art, and stories provided an escape, setting the stage for a career journey marked by diverse experiences, including employment with the railroad and public speaking companies.
Yet, a yearning for something more persisted.
Years later, circumstances shaped a pivotal decision when this individual became a single mother to an eighteen-month-old child. Driven by a desire for personal growth and professional fulfillment, she embarked on an educational journey. The initial phase involved academic upgrading, during which she garnered accolades for achieving top marks across all subjects. Simultaneously, she assumed the role of Yearbook Editor and excelled in marketing, earning yet another award for her contributions.
It was during this period that her true calling became clear: to collaborate with others, champion their causes, and effect positive change in the world. This newfound clarity led her to pursue a degree in Public Relations, with her graduation coinciding with her daughter’s fifth birthday. Subsequently, she continued her educational pursuits at Saint Mary’s University, where she earned a business diploma at Dalhousie University.
Over the course of two decades, she carved a successful path as a marketing and public relations consultant, specializing in assisting small to medium-sized businesses and select nonprofit organizations. Her work consistently garnered recognition in the form of prestigious awards. During this time, she ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing both a communications company and a finance firm. The knowledge and experience gained from managing the latter proved invaluable when she eventually founded Larder Marketing Group.
Since the launch of Larder Marketing Group, business has thrived, driven by a commitment to client success. Notable achievements include clients reporting remarkable growth, with some experiencing a 250 percent increase in sales, while others have seen sales surge by an astounding 500 percent, all attributed to the services provided by this accomplished professional.
From Consultant to Entrepreneur
Lana’s entrepreneurial journey began with the launch of two prior ventures: one specializing in communications and the other in finance. These early forays into business ownership laid a sturdy foundation of knowledge and experience that would prove instrumental in shaping her subsequent endeavors. Driven by an unwavering commitment to fostering growth and prosperity for businesses, she made the strategic transition from a consultant to the founder and proprietor of her very own marketing company, Larder Marketing Group.
Trailblazing Achievements and Impact
Larder Marketing Group boasts an impressive track record of accomplishments, prominently marked by the successful implementation of transformative marketing strategies.
Notable among these achievements are instances where meticulously crafted marketing plans catalyzed extraordinary awareness and growth. The team is making the world a better place and giving back.
Furthermore, Larder Group’s dedication to excellence has not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by its recognition as the International Startup of the Year 2023, securing the esteemed BRONZE GLOBEE® WINNER accolade in the Business Services category. The team derives its greatest satisfaction from assisting companies in redefining their strategies and effecting substantial sales increases and awareness, ultimately contributing to the betterment of the world at large.
Overcoming Challenges and Delivering Exceptional Results
In the face of challenges, this is how Lana navigates.
For example, Lana worked with a startup and analyzed all branding and presence online, finding little activity, awareness, or branding. This was part of Lana’s DNA and heart – she established and implemented effective branding and communication, media, and social media strategies.
Part of the strategy included developing a social program to give back. In addition, she created Media Relations strategies, securing earned (free) media opportunities and winning local and international awards. Lana ramped up the social media and online presence, increasing awareness online by 100% organically and with paid ads.
She researched trends, industry overview, market trends, competitive advantage, and differentiators and competition. She created a business plan, a marketing plan, and all communications for advertising and promotions. It was a busy time. The excitement came when the startup increased sales by 500 percent within one year.
“Why fit in when you were born to stand out?”
Elevating Success
At the core of Larder Marketing Group’s mission lies an unwavering commitment to fostering the success of others, promoting diversity and inclusivity, and effecting meaningful change.
In her role as President, the leader of the organization personally exemplifies this ethos by actively rolling up her sleeves and immersing herself in client matters. This is essential for client retention in most marketing agencies. According to recent studies, the average agency-client relationship is 3.2 years. The key word here is average, with the top 40 agencies having relationships that last an average of 22 years. This demonstrates the power of strong client relationships.
The 5-Step Blueprint for Success
Strategic decision-making is the cornerstone of success in both business and life. It demands a blend of leadership, expertise, experience, and intuition, encompassing personal agility, customer-centricity, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking. Moreover, it necessitates a structured process for tackling challenges effectively.
Lana adheres to a proven five-step approach for achieving success:
- Define the problem
- Gather information
- Develop and evaluate options
- Choose the best option
- Implement and monitor the decision
In business and life, decisions may fail because the issue has not been clearly defined or understood. Using this model ensures the right challenge gets solved at the right time in the right way.
Adaptability, Innovation, and Customer-Centricity
In the dynamic landscape of business, adaptability, innovation, and a commitment to staying at the forefront of emerging trends are pivotal for maintaining relevance and outpacing competitors. At Larder Marketing Group, these principles are embedded in the DNA, guiding the approach and driving the success.
Adaptability: Adaptability is the cornerstone, empowering us to excel in problem-solving. Rather than viewing obstacles as roadblocks, see them as challenges and opportunities for growth and innovation. The ability to swiftly assess new challenges, strategize, and pivot when necessary ensures your business remains agile and effective.
Customer-Centricity: Placing the customer at the heart of the business is non-negotiable. It prioritizes customer feedback and market trends, allowing it to tailor its offerings and business models to meet evolving demands. By continually adapting to the customers’ needs, it cultivates satisfaction and loyalty.
Growth Mindset: Lana wholeheartedly embraces a growth mindset that thrives on change and perpetual learning. Challenges are embraced as avenues for personal and professional development. Staying attuned to industry trends, technological advancements, and market shifts enables us to anticipate and proactively respond to changes. Active engagement in industry networks, attendance at conferences, and ongoing learning are part of the strategies for maintaining a competitive edge.
Driving Economic Development and Innovation
Lana Larder envisions that the contributions of Larder Marketing Group will play a pivotal role in accelerating economic development, generating new employment opportunities, and fostering technological advancements in Canada. Lana is deeply committed to ensuring that Larder Marketing Group’s marketing initiatives drive sales growth and performance, ultimately leading to a wealthier community, heightened innovation, and a thriving economy. She firmly believes that these endeavors will contribute to making the world a better place.
AI in Marketing and Sales
The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to impact all three areas of marketing and sales: customer experience, growth, and productivity. In customer experience, hyper-personalized content and offerings can be based on customer behavior, persona, and purchase history. Growth can be accelerated by leveraging AI to jumpstart top-line performance with the right analytics and customer insights to capture demand.
AI can boost sales and performance by automating many mundane activities, freeing up more time for customers and future customers while reducing the cost of service.
However, forming a point of view (POV) is important, and it’s how you cut through the noise. It’s not something that AI can do now.
Master the Art of Marketing
Effective marketers not only aim to build campaigns that capture the attention of their target audience but also strive for excellence in one or more of these four key areas, with some demonstrating expertise in multiple areas.
Firstly, strategic acumen is a hallmark of great marketers. They meticulously allocate their time and resources, functioning as astute leaders who drive business growth by harmonizing data-driven insights with creative magic.
Secondly, relationship-oriented marketers appreciate the significance of forging focused connections, not only with customers but also within their entire team. They possess a comprehensive understanding of all facets of the business, actively collaborating with other departments as valued partners in pursuit of shared objectives.
Thirdly, data-driven marketers adopt a relentless commitment to measurement. They continuously refine and evaluate their strategies, diligently assessing the return on investment for their campaigns and adeptly employing data to create revenue models and forecasts.
Lastly, creativity holds a paramount position in marketing. Storytelling serves as a vital tool for marketers, enabling them to transform analytical insights into creative marketing strategies that captivate and engage audiences.
For budding marketers aspiring to excel in the industry, cultivating expertise in one or more of these areas is essential for not only grabbing the attention of their intended audience but also exceeding sales and awareness.
The Mentorship of Mike Little
Lana Larder has found an invaluable mentor in Mike Little, whose guidance and wisdom have been instrumental in navigating various business challenges. With a calming presence and a wealth of experience, Mike serves as a trusted business leader, consistently offering the voice of reason when needed. This enduring mentorship has spanned over eight years, making Mike Little an essential pillar of support in Lana’s professional journey.
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