Bass Pro Knows Marketing
I'll tell ya what, Bass Pro has it down.
They opened a new store in my area today.
What a demonstration of marketing genius these
folks put on.
I am in the Peoria Illinois area so it's a great
spot for their store as we have plenty of
hunters and fisherman in the area. But I am sure
they did their research to confirm that.
I wouldn't doubt if their company's mission
statement isn't something about going big or going
home. They have one hell of a presentation.
They had created quite a buzz in the last few
weeks with radio and tv spots and interviews
of store management.
The crowd was unbelievable. Their entire
massive parking spot was full and the lots of
adjacent properties were also filling up. Traffic
was backed up a couple miles onto the interstate.
Of course all the local tv and radio stations were
there doing a live feed. Tony Stewart and a couple
other Bass Pro sponsored Nascar drivers were there
etc. All the area dignitaries were also in attendance.
When they cut the ribbon with a giant hunting
knife, the crowd was allowed to enter. You walked
in and down the main isle which was lined on
both sides with a couple hundred employees who were
clapping as you walked past! I felt like I was running out
onto the field to play a high school football game.
I won't even attempt to describe the store because
it is so much more than just a store. Unbelievable
would be my abbreviated description and I am not
an outdoorsman in any way. If you have one in your
area and you have not gone, then you owe yourself
the experience.
I took a lot away from this visit tonight. Bass Pro
doesn't screw around. There are other outdoor sports
stores in the area. But Bass Pro didn't come to compete.
They found Gary Halbert's hungry crowd and they
served them up filet mignon on a silver platter.
They have positioned themselves in the market with
a far superior product and presentation. As a
result of that positioning, the hungry crowd was
beating a path to their door tonight, and I suspect
they will be for quite some time to come.
We can all learn a thing or two from that. Tired
of trying to compete? Position yourself with a
superior offer and you have no real competition.
After you have been doing this a while and experienced
some success, it is easy to become complacent.
Sometimes we need a slap "up-side" the head to wake
us up. I got that wake up call tonight.
Things are not getting any easier, I don't care
which markets you are working in. Competition is
more fierce than ever.
Tonight I am changing my personal mission statement,
and it's going to include something about going big
or going home
They opened a new store in my area today.
What a demonstration of marketing genius these
folks put on.
I am in the Peoria Illinois area so it's a great
spot for their store as we have plenty of
hunters and fisherman in the area. But I am sure
they did their research to confirm that.
I wouldn't doubt if their company's mission
statement isn't something about going big or going
home. They have one hell of a presentation.
They had created quite a buzz in the last few
weeks with radio and tv spots and interviews
of store management.
The crowd was unbelievable. Their entire
massive parking spot was full and the lots of
adjacent properties were also filling up. Traffic
was backed up a couple miles onto the interstate.
Of course all the local tv and radio stations were
there doing a live feed. Tony Stewart and a couple
other Bass Pro sponsored Nascar drivers were there
etc. All the area dignitaries were also in attendance.
When they cut the ribbon with a giant hunting
knife, the crowd was allowed to enter. You walked
in and down the main isle which was lined on
both sides with a couple hundred employees who were
clapping as you walked past! I felt like I was running out
onto the field to play a high school football game.
I won't even attempt to describe the store because
it is so much more than just a store. Unbelievable
would be my abbreviated description and I am not
an outdoorsman in any way. If you have one in your
area and you have not gone, then you owe yourself
the experience.
I took a lot away from this visit tonight. Bass Pro
doesn't screw around. There are other outdoor sports
stores in the area. But Bass Pro didn't come to compete.
They found Gary Halbert's hungry crowd and they
served them up filet mignon on a silver platter.
They have positioned themselves in the market with
a far superior product and presentation. As a
result of that positioning, the hungry crowd was
beating a path to their door tonight, and I suspect
they will be for quite some time to come.
We can all learn a thing or two from that. Tired
of trying to compete? Position yourself with a
superior offer and you have no real competition.
After you have been doing this a while and experienced
some success, it is easy to become complacent.
Sometimes we need a slap "up-side" the head to wake
us up. I got that wake up call tonight.
Things are not getting any easier, I don't care
which markets you are working in. Competition is
more fierce than ever.
Tonight I am changing my personal mission statement,
and it's going to include something about going big
or going home
