Cracking the G-Code:
Job shops find new clues to productivity mystery

It turns out job shop owners looking for ways to increase productivity need only pick up a flashlight and do some investigating. Or at least that's the premise behind a new online "Crack the G-Code" mystery promotion launched June 2 by Siemens Energy & Automation’s Machine Tool Business in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. 

"These are still tough times for job shops wanting to boost their capacity," said John Meyer, Marketing Communications Manager at Siemens. "Job shops need to see more clearly how CNC factors into their success. We also wanted shops to have fun as they find out how much more productive they can really be."

Job shop owners and operators who visit www.crackthegcode.com discover they have entered an unusually productive job shop office scene – after hours. By using a "flashlight" cursor to explore the darkened room, visitors (investigators) are challenged to crack the code to the office vault, whereupon they can become site members with access to deeper levels of information and a variety of cool stuff at no cost.

The new promotion to job shops is supported by integrated communications, including a popular video originally posted on YouTube.com that can be found by doing a search for the "CNC EyeTeam Investigation." The video has already been given a 2008 Videographer Award of Distinction from the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

The interactive marketing program and promotion was developed in collaboration with Siemens by Arends, Inc., a strategic branding and marketing communications firm located in Oak Brook, Illinois.