New Study: Online reaching top of business marketing mix

New Study: Online reaching top of business marketing mix

Regus launches new online trading portal, as research reveals value of business networking

April 4, 2012 – A new study by Regus, the world’s largest provider of flexible workspace, shows that 86% of New Zealand (NZ) companies believe face-to-face networking is still the number one method to help find new customers over the next three years. However, (38%) of NZ businesses also predict social media will play a fundamental role in facilitating new customer acquisition (up from 31% in the previous three years).

The new research, which surveyed over 16,000 senior business managers across the world, demonstrates the increasing value of business social media in customer engagement strategies, which is developing as part of a broader multichannel approach to new business generation.

William Willems Regus Regional Vice President said: “The findings draw attention to the increasing importance of social media in the business marketing mix. We are now seeing the proliferation of professional social networking sites such as LinkedIn, BranchOut, Viadeo and Xing, which are providing businesses with an alternative channel to interact with potential customers but on a global platform. Regus is also an example of a company creating online tools for customers with the launch of BusinessLink, an online trading portal.”

Looking at other key tools for new business generation:

• 52% of New Zealand respondents believe online advertising is one of the top channels to find new customers in the next three years, up from 43% in the previous three.
• Attending trade exhibitions (31%) and public speaking at key events (26%) are also regarded as significant tools for future customer recruitment in NZ.
• Globally, 71% of small businesses believe that face-to-face networking will be key to recruiting customers over the next three years, compared to only 61% of large businesses.
• In NZ, only 19% predict they will use traditional advertising over the next three years, and only 10% for telemarketing.
• Globally, business social media networks will see the biggest boost, with 57% of businesses seeing them as essential tools in future (compared to 42% over the past).

This research was unveiled as Regus announced the launch of BusinessLink, a personalised online trading platform that allows its hundreds of thousands of customers worldwide to buy, sell and recommend products and services, and connect with other businesses using the Regus network.

BusinessLink comprises a website accessible via the Regus global customer portal myregus.com, as well as informal networking events held around the world. The BusinessLink website allows users to browse through online offers posted by hundreds of thousands of businesses using Regus workspace across 95 countries worldwide, or request specific products and services when needed.

Mr Willems says: “The rise of business social media networks has enabled these to become an essential tool to finding new customers, sometimes as a prelude to face-to-face interaction.

“For many years, our customers have told us of the added value of being able to connect and do business with other companies using Regus. We are excited to respond to their needs with the launch of BusinessLink, which will instantly become one of the world’s largest invite-only trading portals. Solely accessible by Regus office and virtual office customers, BusinessLink brings a global market within the reach of any company, no matter how large or small.”

For more information on businesslink please click HERE.

About Regus

Regus is the world’s largest provider of flexible workplaces, with products and services ranging from fully equipped offices to professional meeting rooms, business lounges and the world’s largest network of video communication studios. Regus enables people to work their way, whether it’s from home, on the road or from an office. Customers such as Google, GlaxoSmithKline, and Nokia join hundreds of thousands of growing small and medium businesses that benefit from outsourcing their office and workplace needs to Regus, allowing them to focus on their core activities.

Over 1,000,000 customers a day benefit from Regus facilities spread across a global footprint of 1,200 locations in 550 cities and 95 countries, which allow individuals and companies to work wherever, however and whenever they want to. Regus was founded in Brussels, Belgium in 1989, is headquartered in Luxembourg and listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information please visit: www.regus.com

ENDS

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