`Big is not best’ out in the field

As, presumably, one of the “hundreds of one man bands” to which Jo-Anne Walker referred in her article on field marketing (MW March 3), I must add to the comments made by Mike Garnham.

Jo-Anne’s choice of words was unfortunate in some instances. Successful field marketing companies have not “milked” the recession. Those that have survived and even succeeded within the past five years – as has my own – have done so because they have recognised the client’s need for increased standards of performance and high levels of productivity, linked to cost effective operation methods.

This is not “milking” the industry, this is recognising the difficulties which everyone in business has faced during the recession and providing a sensible solution at a sensible price.

Those companies not among the “big four” not only provide effective and professional services – or else they would not be in business – but also represent a number of blue-chip companies who have discovered that big is seldom beautiful and is certainly not always best.

As secretary of the Field Marketing Association, I would be delighted to set the record straight for any Marketing Week readers who may be interested in finding out how field marketing can help them and their clients build on the success which we all hope to enjoy as we come out of recession.

Sue Quest

Sue Quest & Co

Maidenhead

Berks