Tuesday, 1 September 2009
When do you go against the grain?
This week, I have the opportunity to interview two students under a scheme called Graduate Challenge. This means that I get a student for free for 4 months to complete a project. Yes, ok I'll have to buy a desk and a couple of other bits and pieces, but what a great opportunity for both ET and the student!
That's my thoughts anyway. I've always been a great believer in looking for other ways to do things based on the assumption that if plan A doesn't work, there's always another way.
But, you'd be amazed at the amount of people who disagree with me and think if you want something doing, you MUST pay for it and you MUST go down the traditional route. Talking to people with the 'you can't do that' attitude does tend to knock your confidence.
So, my question this week is when do you go against the grain? At what point do you say "I'm a bigger business now, I must go more down the traditional route?" Or, do you continue to be innovative and look for other ways to do things?
Very interested to hear your thoughts.
That's my thoughts anyway. I've always been a great believer in looking for other ways to do things based on the assumption that if plan A doesn't work, there's always another way.
But, you'd be amazed at the amount of people who disagree with me and think if you want something doing, you MUST pay for it and you MUST go down the traditional route. Talking to people with the 'you can't do that' attitude does tend to knock your confidence.
So, my question this week is when do you go against the grain? At what point do you say "I'm a bigger business now, I must go more down the traditional route?" Or, do you continue to be innovative and look for other ways to do things?
Very interested to hear your thoughts.
Wednesday, 26 August 2009
Do people know what you do?
I was with a business contact of mine the other day and mentioned a project that we were working on for a client of ours. To my surprise he said to me, “I didn’t know you did that!”
That made me think. Just because YOU know what you do, does that mean other people do?
Remember, people will have probably seen you wearing different hats and may not necessarily associate you with EVERYTHING that you do.
That’s why it’s so important to just remind your contacts occasionally about what you’re doing. You may think that they know about the latest product or service that you’ve introduced recently, but how will they know unless you have taken the time and trouble to tell them?
The contact I was talking to knew that we did the marketing workshops and produced various products like the CD, but he didn’t realise that we also DO marketing for small businesses and can also do the marketing for them too. Here’s just an example of what we’ve done for our clients:
- Make calls to potential companies on behalf of your business or follow up by phone on a letter that you’ve sent out.
- Organise workshops and find attendees to come on your courses.
- Internet marketing to increase your presence on Google.
- Create and sent out email newsletters on a monthly basis.
- Email marketing campaigns.
- Create and send out press releases, tips sheets and articles to the press.
- Design adverts, leaflets, brochures and websites.
- And many, many more...
We’re happy to do just one of the activities mentioned above, but we can also implement a combination of marketing ideas too. And if there’s something you want that you don’t see, please don’t hesitate to ask.
For me, this conversation was an excellent reminder that all of us need to jog the memories of our contacts occasionally and tell them again what we do.
So, hopefully I’ve let YOU know what we do in more detail and reminded you – so, when will you be reminding your contacts?
Exceptional Thinking (http://www.exceptionalthinking.co.uk) helps small businesses with their marketing and new businesses to start up in business.
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Have you planned your strategy yet?
Well, September is just around the corner. That means, if you start your financial year in April, 6 months have almost gone.
So, how are you doing on your plan this year? Is it time to dig out what you wrote down earlier in the year and give it an update?
September is always a good time to just check in with yourself and make sure you're still on track with everything. Perhaps some of the ideas you came up with are no longer valid and you need to change your plans.
Whatever the situation, it's time to gear up again after your August break, so dig out your plans, update them if necessary so that you're all set and ready to go come September.
So, how are you doing on your plan this year? Is it time to dig out what you wrote down earlier in the year and give it an update?
September is always a good time to just check in with yourself and make sure you're still on track with everything. Perhaps some of the ideas you came up with are no longer valid and you need to change your plans.
Whatever the situation, it's time to gear up again after your August break, so dig out your plans, update them if necessary so that you're all set and ready to go come September.
Monday, 24 August 2009
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