Recently, someone sent me excerpts from a lengthy article where the subject was the challenges that businesses are facing today. The sender did not credit the author of the article, so I have no idea who wrote it.
But, the issues addressed certainly apply to me, and I would think, apply to you as well, regardless of your business. The crux of the article was that many businesses are overwhelmed, and owners are trying to find new ways to save money and become more efficient. I have taken some of the key points made by the author and put my own spin on them - and my own words. Nothing new here, but it is always interesting to me to get an old message from a new messenger. If you are struggling as you seek answers in your business, the article suggests focusing on a few key activities, which in turn can lead to action.
CHANGE OUR ATTITUDE
Our focus becomes our reality. Abrupt change opens the door to creativity. Positive focus tends to breed positivity. Negative focus tends to breed negativity. What is our focus as we deal with the current business climate and economy?
SEEK OPTIONS
Get back to basics. Try an exercise I learned years ago from Dr. Robert Schuller called Count to Ten. Get a paper and pen. Write the problem you are dealing with on the top. Write the numbers one to ten down the left margin. Now, whatever pops into your mind as a possible solution, write it down. Do Not Judge. Write it down. Keep writing, no matter how ridiculous you think the solution is. Do Not Judge. Let the creative juice flow. Try to fill out the ten spaces if you can. When you are done, the odds are the answer is staring at you. When Dr. Schuller moved from Indiana to California many, many years ago, his charge was to start a Church. He did not know how or where. On his Count to Ten, one of his answers was a Drive In Theater. If you know his story, his first church was in a drive in theater, which ultimately led to the construction of the beautiful Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California.
Try your own Count to Ten.
USE NEW TOOLS
Start a blog. Create a You Tube video. Use Facebook. Ask local business people what they are doing that is new and different. Speak to local groups. Ask for help. Give help.
ADAPT
Let's identify our customers. Communicate differently to different groups. A 25 year old has different preferences than a 65 year old. Does our marketing reflect these differences?
SELL VALUE
Telling customers how good we are and all the experience we have does not get it done anymore. We have to work on the relationship with the customer. What does the customer value and cherish? Can we give him what he wants? Can we deliver high quality service without verbalizing it?
The wind blew about 30 mph yesterday. It brought another wave of change. The forecast for tomorrow is 40mph gusting winds. More change. We have to brace ourselves. We have to be ready.
Happy Thanksgiving !
Regards,
Denny Stanz
760-245-5366
760-245-5367 fax
dennystanz@verizon.net
www.CaliforniaNoteBuyerLLC.com
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