Author claims lack of marketing experience is to blame for many small business failures

Citing statistics from the National Federation of Independent Businesses, Jay B. Lipe author of the new book THE MARKETING TOOLKIT FOR GROWING BUSINESSES claims that a lack of marketing experience is the primary reason for small business failures--a 50 percent failure rate in their first 5 years. Today's market-driven economy requires marketing experience, yet more than one-half of small business owners do not have it.

Emerge Marketing Announces New Book to Bridge the Marketing-Business Failure Gap for Small Business

- The Marketing Toolkit for Growing Businesses teaches small business

strategic marketing and planning -

Minneapolis, Minn. -- October 25, 2003 -- Jay B. Lipe, CEO of Emerge Marketing, a Minneapolis-based marketing consultancy focusing on small businesses, announced today the release of his book The Marketing Toolkit for Growing Businesses. The book bridges the gap between the apparent lack of marketing expertise of many small business owners and todays high rate of business failures -- a 50 percent failure rate among small businesses during their first five years, according to the Small Business Administration.

Many small business owners are internally focused and dont come from a background in marketing and sales," Lipe said. He noted a study conducted last year by the National Federation of Independent Businesses which found more than one-half of the small business owners it surveyed launched their venture without any prior marketing or sales experience.

Todays market-driven economy demands small businesses possess more than a technical competency. Entrepreneurs must know how to market their companies just to survive," Lipe said. Lipe authored The Marketing Toolkit for Growing Businesses to assist the small business owner and entrepreneur on marketing planning and strategy in order to increase their sales and ensure business success. The book delivers practical, how-to information, including:

-    how to develop a marketing plan

-    how to determine, find and focus on target audiences

-    selection of metrics in tracking marketing efforts

-    best ways to brand the company

-    marketing the company in a down economy and during business slowdowns

The Marketing Toolkit for Growing Businesses is published by Chammerson Press and is available for immediate purchase at www.chammersonpress.com, www.emergemarketing.com and www.amazon.com.

Emerge Marketing

Emerge Marketing is a Minneapolis-based marketing consulting firm focusing on businesses with annual revenues of up to $50 million. Jay B. Lipe, CEO of Emerge Marketing, founded the company in 1993. Lipe is an internationally recognized consultant, speaker and author who has worked with hundreds of emerging companies. Because of his extensive experience developing marketing plans, Lipe has earned the nickname the Plan Man." His education includes an MBA from Northwestern University and a BS from the University of Colorado. More information on Emerge Marketing is at www.emergemarketing.com.

Editor's Note:

A 300 dpi high-resolution and low-resolution image of Jay B. Lipe is available at:

www.chammerson.press.com/media/about_jay/jpg.htm

Book and Publisher Information

Title: The Marketing Toolkit for Growing Businesses: Tips, Techniques and Tools

to Improve Your Marketing

Author: Jay B. Lipe

ISBN: 0-9720345-0-1

Pages: 256

Size: 7x9

Cover: Paperback

Sections: 22

Publisher: Chammerson Press

Publisher Website: www.chammersonpress.com

Publisher Phone: 612/824-2198 for orders

Price: $19.95 U.S.

Graphics: Available at www.chammersonpress.com/media/marketing_toolkit/tiff.htm

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CONTACT: Jay Lipe, CEO, Emerge Marketing

     612/824-4833

     lipe@emergemarketing.com