Eliminating clutter, both of "stuff" and words can be a real game-changer in our lives.
This should be obvious, but often isn't, in our information-flooded world.
Getting really good at simplicity isn't easy. But, it's well worth the effort...and mastering it is a powerful tool, especially in business.
Check out Leo Babauta's book "The Power of Less". I did...and I loved it.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
how squeeky are you?
An old expression: "the squeeky wheel gets the grease".
As an individual or business owner: how "squeeky" are you?
As an individual or business owner: how "squeeky" are you?
Saturday, March 6, 2010
why you should fear word of mouth
Over the many years I've been in advertising sales, the absolutely most-frequent phrase I've heard from local business owners is: "...word of mouth is my BEST advertising vehicle...".
That sure SOUNDS great, and it's certainly an intoxicating thought of something for nothing (translation: "I don't have to spend money on advertising").
But, does "word of mouth advertising" REALLY work for most businesses in 2010? Ahhh....maybe not nearly as well as you might think.
Why? Think how people live today. Think about how busy all of us are today. Most people couldn't tell you what they had for lunch .
If a business does a good job, most customers rarely notice. Why? They EXPECT us to do a good job. Customers don't rave about what they consider normal service/quality. Most of the time they don't even notice a good job, well done.
But, if we screw up, you catch their attention...and they often tell EVERYBODY they know about how your store did them wrong. And, that's NOT the type of "word of mouth advertising" any of us want.
Sadly, that's human nature in 2010. Most word of mouth is negative.
The moral of the story: advertise!
Tell your positive story. Give thousands of potential customers great reasons and benefits to buy from you, rather than your competitors. As my grandpa used to say: "...the squeeky wheel gets the grease...".
If you don't tell them....how will they know????
That sure SOUNDS great, and it's certainly an intoxicating thought of something for nothing (translation: "I don't have to spend money on advertising").
But, does "word of mouth advertising" REALLY work for most businesses in 2010? Ahhh....maybe not nearly as well as you might think.
Why? Think how people live today. Think about how busy all of us are today. Most people couldn't tell you what they had for lunch .
If a business does a good job, most customers rarely notice. Why? They EXPECT us to do a good job. Customers don't rave about what they consider normal service/quality. Most of the time they don't even notice a good job, well done.
But, if we screw up, you catch their attention...and they often tell EVERYBODY they know about how your store did them wrong. And, that's NOT the type of "word of mouth advertising" any of us want.
Sadly, that's human nature in 2010. Most word of mouth is negative.
The moral of the story: advertise!
Tell your positive story. Give thousands of potential customers great reasons and benefits to buy from you, rather than your competitors. As my grandpa used to say: "...the squeeky wheel gets the grease...".
If you don't tell them....how will they know????
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
nobody really NEEDS anything
I'll never forget what a very wise man once told me.
He was the owner of a furniture store...and was one of my great local customers back in the 1980's and 90's.
He told me how he'd get non-stop phone calls from sales people...many of whom he'd never met or barely knew, asking: "do you need anything?"....rather than taking the time to develop a relationship with him before they ask for an order.
What he said was...."...nobody really needs anything...".
He was a very bright man. He's now retired from business ownership. I miss calling on him. I learned a lot from him.
He was the owner of a furniture store...and was one of my great local customers back in the 1980's and 90's.
He told me how he'd get non-stop phone calls from sales people...many of whom he'd never met or barely knew, asking: "do you need anything?"....rather than taking the time to develop a relationship with him before they ask for an order.
What he said was...."...nobody really needs anything...".
He was a very bright man. He's now retired from business ownership. I miss calling on him. I learned a lot from him.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
they keep telling me
They keep telling me I need to blog more.
They keep telling me my 4 decades in local advertising & broadcasting is invaluable, and would help any locally-owned business to maximize their profits while sticking to a budget.
In my humble opinion, I believe that's true. But, my question is: what would you like me to blog to demonstrate my skills, so that you might want to talk?
They keep telling me to just blog. So, I did.
They keep telling me my 4 decades in local advertising & broadcasting is invaluable, and would help any locally-owned business to maximize their profits while sticking to a budget.
In my humble opinion, I believe that's true. But, my question is: what would you like me to blog to demonstrate my skills, so that you might want to talk?
They keep telling me to just blog. So, I did.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
