Testimonials of Smartraining participants
Visit the new Smartraining website for course details: www.smartraining.co.nz

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Testimonials of the Marketing for Success Programme participants:

Alana Rabette, Marketing Manager Trail Journeys (www.trailjourneys.co.nz) says:

"I started attending the Marketing for Success Programme in January and have found this a really positive experience.  As well as meeting like minded people it is also a great environment to discuss ideas and new ways to promote and build your business.  Each session is informative and productive and having the encouragement of the group and Marijke it keeps you on task with making sure you achieve the goals that you set at the start. 

I would have no hesitation in recommending this programme and think it is really valuable to anyone in a marketing role."

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Diana Holden, Director of Break One Clay Target Sports (www.breakone.co.nz):

"This programme has been beneficial on many levels - the small groups that allow people to connect and share ideas and information, the content of the course is very diverse and this is great as it cover the many facets involved in marketing a business in an ever-changing world. But the best thing is the on-going monthly meetings that not only cover new topics, but ensure follow up and accountability to keep you on task with going forward, in a positive, encouraging and fun manner in order to get successful results!"

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Carlyn McLintock of Highview Apartments Queenstown (www.highviewapartments.co.nz):

"I have found the Marketing for Success Course brilliant for motivating me to finish a task started and has given me great insight into other avenues of profiling our product, thinking outside of the basic box.  Also the networking and problem solving sessions have been invaluable. Totally worth the value and time."

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Kerri James, owner of Radfords Lakeview Motel (www.radfordsmotel.co.nz)

"Radford’s Lakeview Motel has utilized the services of Strategies Marketing over the past 6 years.  The advice and practical skills given has significantly enhanced our business during the recession to the point our business actually grew through some of the tough times.

Because of my past experience with Marijke, I felt I could benefit from her new programme -    ” Marketing for Success” it has been invaluable to me personally and to the way I operate my business. I have been able to immediately and successfully apply what I have learnt. Attending the monthly course over the year has enabled us to keep focused and be accountable to action our action plans on a monthly basis.

I would recommend this course to any business owner that needs to set a Marketing Plan in place, and keep to the plan with the monthly follow up meetings. “The Marketing for Success programme” is excellent. It exceeded my expectations. Planning is one thing, completing is another!  This plan is fully “implementation possible” and structured to do so! Thank you.”

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Businesses that have participated in our Tourism Marketing Bootcamps, E-Marketing Bootcamps and other workshops include: NZSki.com, NZone Skydive, Destination Queenstown, Destination Fiordland, G Force Paragliding, Southern Discoveries, Heritage Hotel Queenstown, Glacier Southern Lakes Helicopters, Skyline Queenstown, Ultimate Hikes, Highview Apartments, Helitours, Shotover Lodge, Murrells' Grand View House, Rosco's Milford Sea Kayaks, Southern Lakes Helicopters, Luxmore Jet, Fiordland Helicopters, Te Anau Holiday Park, Kiwi Haka, Otago Museum, Te Ana Rock Art, Heliworks Queenstown Helicopters, Wanaka River Journeys, Alpine Springs, Guided Walks New Zealand, Highride Adventures, U-Fly Limited, Art Adventures, Hermitage Hotel, Mt Cook Ski Planes, Alpine Guides, Southern Aqua Adventures, Best Western Cranbury Court Apartments, Birchwood Manor Motel, Hot Pools Omarama, Body Sanctum Spa, Milford Sound Lodge, Prospect Lodge, Fiordland Cinema, Wanaka Lakehouse, Outside Sports, Break One Clay Target Shooting, Highride Adventures, Quality Hotel Cargills, Elm Wildlife Tours, Dunedin International Airport, Orokonui Eco Santuary, In2Food and more... 

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Carlyn McLintock of Highview Apartments, Queenstown, attended the Tourism Marketing Bootcamp and the E-Marketing Bootcamp and has also received one-to-one marketing coaching. 

"Since completing the thoroughly worthwhile Marketing Bootcamp I have also attended the
E-Marketing Bootcamp and received so much more useful information, ideas and am
overwhelmed at the response it is getting since putting it into action.  

Marijke has been my guardian angel with so many projects now including getting ready for TRENZ. Without her fantastic guidance I wouldn’t have been able to make business contacts with half of the people we did or the courage. 

With the planning and preparation Marijke’s one on one sessions taught me, I went along feeling confident, organised and best of all felt both our company and the buyers I had appointments with received value.  I can’t wait for the next opportunity to work with Marijke and have
recommended her to so many of my friends and colleagues."

Carlyn McLintock
Highview Apartments-Queenstown
www.highviewapartments.co.nz  

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Michelle attended the "Tourism Marketing Bootcamp"

"Besides being fun, interactive and a day out of the office, the bootcamp also allowed us to
step back and take a look at the BIG PICTURE.  I have come away feeling refreshed, motivated and focused on my action plan.
It is also  reassuring to know that the marketing challenges we face are similar to others in the industry but there are heaps of practical steps we can take to turn these into opportunities. Thanks Marijke!"

Michelle McCormack ,
Aoraki Mt Cook Alpine Village Ltd
www.hermitage.co.nz

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Blake and Diana Holden of Break One Target Sports attended the Tourism Marketing
Bootcamp.

"A very informative and up to date workshop that encouraged me to fully look at, and provided fantastic ideas for, all aspects of marketing in growing my business.  It was particularly relevant
due to its tourism focus."

Diana & Blake Holden
Break One Clay Target Sports – Queenstown
www.breakone.co.nz

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Jan attended the "Tourism Marketing Bootcamp" 

“A ten hour Bootcamp on marketing seemed a daunting prospect for me as a new tourist venture operator with no previous knowledge of the trade but I believe it was the best move I could have made for our marketing campaign and excellent value for money.
We had been open for five months and had some information about our clients and potential clients but I didn’t now know what to do with that information. I now know who my target market is and how best to market to them. The networking and helpful advice from other
bootcamp participants was also invaluable.
I came away with a marketing plan which is realistic and achievable. Marijke's tutoring style was
brilliant as we were all from very diverse businesses knowledge levels but she kept us all involved and with it for the whole ten hours, not an easy task. Thank you, Marijke!”

Jan Thomas - Omarama Hot Tubs
www.hottubsomarama.co.nz

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Arthur attended the "Tourism Marketing Bootcamp"

"Just wanted to pass on my thanks again for a fantastic course on Thursday. I learned a lot, and
the day really helped to bring together a lot of the threads of ideas I've had, but have never been able to action or given proper thought to.
One of the great things I've taken away is that most of what you covered doesn't actually "cost" a business a lot of money. The investment is time to research and develop these ideas..."

Arthur McBride - Alpine Guides
www.alpineguides.co.nz
www.skithetasman.co.nz 

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Christine Wallace and Mike McConachie of Milford Sound Lodge attended the
Tourism Marketing Bootcamp.

"We recently attended the 10 hour Marketing Bootcamp and we are happy to say our expectations of the day were exceeded.  We felt the material covered relevant issues and topics as well as raising awareness of others.  The material was delivered in an easy to understand manner and the smaller group meant there was time for discussion and questions.   
The setting was comfortable, spacious and Marijke had gone to some effort with refreshments which was appreciated.  We came away from the extremely productive 10 hour day feeling it had flown by.  
We now have a clear idea of who our market is, how we should be targeting them and a clear action plan to follow to achieve our objectives.  The day helped clear away confusion and simplified our marketing decision making process.  It was an investment in time and money that in the long run will save us the same ten times over."

Christine Wallace
Milford Sound Lodge
http://www.milfordlodge.com/

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Anita attended the "Tourism Marketing Bootcamp"

"Fantastic day, many thanks. Definitely an advantage in refocusing our marketing efforts and putting together a comprehensive marketing plan."

Anita Golden
Southern Discoveries Ltd
www.southerdiscoveries.co.nz

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David O'Brien of Birchwook Manor attended the Tourism Marketing Bootcamp  

"This was a day very worthwhile attending for a new person in the industry.
Marijke had a very well organised programme and the 10 hour session was interesting and informative the whole way through.
The day has been of great value to us as we look ahead to our marketing and advertising programme." 

David O'Brien
Birchwood Manor
www.birchwoodmanor.co.nz

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Linsey has completed the 5 stage Advanced Marketing Training Programme

 "Wow! As a recent business buyer these marketing courses with Marijke have already increased bookings for us. The important relationships built with both other operators and Marijke. Marijke has a great interest in all of our businesses. She is also proud of our achievements within our
marketing and other business tasks. The innovations and unique ideas she gives us help us to
understand other businesses we work with in the region.
Thanks Marijke!"

Linsey Evans - Sunset Motels - Fox Glacier
www.sunsetmotels.co.nz

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Catherine has completed the 5 stage Advanced Marketing Training Programme

"Opportunity to stop outside work routine and think about marketing. Excellent to form a marketing plan and learn marketing gems that would otherwise be difficult to find or expensive to obtain."

Catherine Johnson 
Stuart Nimmo Gallery 
www.stuartnimmo.co.nz

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Hemi has completed the 5 stage Advanced Marketing Training Programme

"Marijke is a great presenter of the programmes and workshops. She uses a logical pattern of format and thinking which clarifies and reduces the professional mystique of marketing, so that it is easy to follow and  implement.
She stimulates and supports you as an individual, rekindling your enthusiasm. Highly recommended to all."

Hemi Te Rakau
Awatuna Homestead
www.awatunahomestead.co.nz  

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Shelley has completed the 5 stage Advanced Marketing Training Programme

"Excellent access to information that has been easy to implement instantly. 
I've been able to take several points away from each workshop to use - wholesaler info, packaging, press release, website. Lots of personalised ideas through feedback from others in the class which is really nice to get!."

Shelley Alexander 
Matheson Cafe & Reflectionz
www.lakematheson.com

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Geoff has completed the 5 stage Advanced Marketing Training Programme

 "The workshops have been superb for filling in the gaps and developing improved marketing systems for our company. The complete course has been very well put together and presented. Marketing has been superbly covered."

Geoff Schurr - Norwest Adventures
www.caverafting.com

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Paula has completed the 5 stage Advanced Marketing Training Programme

"Motivation! Great & easy to apply advice - very practical. Especially focused towards to area and size of businesses (it wasn't geared to too broad a spectrum). Very personable. We did a new brochure & website and many ideas were drawn directly from these workshops. Thank you! Also was a great forum for networking."

Paula Sheridan - Okarito Boat Tours 
www.okaritoboattours.co.nz 

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Celine has completed the 5 stage Advanced Marketing Training Programme

"I always walk out of one of Marijke's workshops with a new, practical idea of how to improve our marketing. I get remotivated!"

Celine Stokowski  
Marketing Manager Beachfront Hotel Hokitika
www.beachfronthotel.co.nz

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Olivia has completed the Advanced Marketing Training Programme

"Having just completed the 5 stage Advanced Marketing Training Programme, they were the most comprehensive and all encompassing I have attended.  Marijke really gets you to look at your marketing from all angles and presents different avenues you probably hadn't thought of.  Her national and international marketing experience and contacts are priceless." 

Olivia Robinson 
The Gold Room - Hokitika  
www.thegoldroom.co.nz

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Noreen attended the Marketing on a Shoestring workshop

"An excellent and timely session for me. Information (written, powerpoint, verbal)
succinctly and simply presented. Plentiful, relevant & expert examples utilised.
Thought provoking! Loved the opportunity to identify action plan and goal
setting. Well worth attending. Thank you Marijke."

Noreen Mc Loughlin 
McLoughlin Consulting

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Caroline attended the Marketing on a Shoestring workshop

"Thank you for running the marketing course yesterday. I have found upon returning to work today that I feel refreshed in my approach to promoting DOC, and inspired to make some changes according to my action plan.  I have started work on
all but one of my actions so far."

Caroline Carter - Community Relations
Department of Conservation, Te Anau area office
www.doc.govt.nz

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Karen has attended several of our marketing workshops.

"Marijke has presented a series of workshops in our area which has covered
all aspects of Marketing and Advertising for Small Business within the  Tourism Industry. Her knowledge of this subject and its specific application to a diverse range of individual tourism - based businesses has been not only specific, very comprehensive but totally MIND BOGGLING !!! 

Marijke's professional advice and assistance to us in this process has included setting up the internal infrastructure for marketing & advertising, market identifying & targeting, sources & resources available for implementing these plans, image projection & enhancement of the business assets and much, much more !!
Marijke's professionalism and comprehensive knowledge are an invaluable asset to NZ's Tourism Industry and Tourism operators. " 

Karen and Geoff Baker
Scenicland Motels