The international Chartered Institute of Marketing says organisations should employ and develop properly trained and qualified marketers if they are to see the recession through and identify and exploit the opportunities it creates.

The institute’s latest Marketing Trends Survey (spring 2009), conducted by Ipsos MORI, revealed that 80 per cent of marketers agree survival in difficult times has much to do with marketers’ credentials.

David Thorp (pictured below), director of research and information at the Chartered Institute of Marketing (www.cim.co.uk), said: “The need for organisations to employ and develop professional marketers has never been greater. Now is not the time for amateurs to be looking after your marketing.

“Given the recession and changing market and customer needs, it is vital for organisations to adapt and respond appropriately to changing conditions.

“While unqualified and untrained marketers may help an organisation to muddle through, it will be those marketers who are properly trained and qualified in marketing who will spot the strategic opportunities a recession reveals and be best placed to deliver real value for their organisations.”
 
[David Thorp]