» etiquette

Blue Ocean Strategy? What the @#$% Is That?

netfun5 — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 21:28:01 +0000

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There is a book called “Blue Ocean Strategy” that talks about uncontested market space and making the competition irrelevant. Here is the main concept: if you market in a specific niche or market like the others do in that same market or niche, then you’re doing what’s called Red Ocean marketing. This means that you are all getting bloody trying to compete with each other for a finite market share. Each of you is trying to out-do each other in a market that has a limited number of customers, a limited price point, a limited profit margin, a limited everything! Let me give you an example. Let’s take pizza.

All the pizza places (Domino’s, CiCi’s, Pizza Hut, etc.) are using T.V. commercials, mailed flyers, magazine and newspaper ads, radio ads and more. Everyone is doing the same thing. How low can their prices go before they’re losing money? How many customers can they reasonably get? What can they possibly do that the other companies haven’t already done, but the bottom line is this – it’s still PIZZA!

Pepsi competes with Coke and all the other soft drink companies out there. All they can do is package differently or change the taste. That’s about it. And what can the other soft drink companies do? What can an insurance company offer a potential customer that the other insurance companies are not offering? What can a car manufacturer offer a potential customer that the other manufacturers are not offering? What can a retail store offer potential customers that other retail stores do not offer? You see what I’m getting at here?

Whatever your product or service is, chances are you’re just killing yourself by trying to out-do the other companies in your market. You’re all beating yourselves bloody in the name of competition.

But you ask, “What else can I do?”

Well, let’s look at Cirque du Soleil. There were two major circus giants who were known as the best in the industry. Other smaller circuses tried to compete in the same market and got nowhere. They all tried to use animals, tents, performers doing the same tricks and what happened? The small ones stayed “small potatoes” or went out of business entirely, and the two circus giants, due to the declining economy, had to raise prices, cut back performances and/or quality, down-size, etc. And the more they did this, the fewer customers they had. That becomes a vicious cycle to nowhere.

So, did Cirque du Soleil follow this formula? No! They created a completely different market and a totally different business model, and even did this with their prices doubled and tripled what the normal circus prices used to be. And they dominate that market! They don’t use animals. They use use artists/performers and use story themes in their shows. Wow!

What about Apple? As the electronics market evolves, companies who create new technologies are the ones who prosper. What about green energy? Same thing there.

Blue Ocean Strategy is about creating NEW markets by creating new products, technologies or new services, not competing in the same old, same old.

Even the MLM industry falls victim to the red ocean strategy. It never fails to amaze me that people who want to quit the corporate world and go into business for themselves choose an MLM business that IS COMPETING WITH EVERYONE ELSE in the same industry. Health products. Electricity. Insurance, for crying out loud. Kitchen ware. Why would you do that? How in the world do you think you will become successful?

Now this is interesting – a totally new product/service comes along that NO ONE ELSE is doing, that the entry fee is ridiculously low, that is cutting edge, like Cirque du Soleil, and do people want to get involved? No! They instead join a company that is one of 20 others just like it. And yet they have high expectations of success. They work hard for a short or long period of time, they invest lots of money and effort and time, and then they quit. Or they just marginally get by. Then they go tell everyone they know that MLMs don’t work. Or they jump to a different MLM company that is, again, one of many doing the same product/service. And these are NOT stupid people!

So tell me, if you had an urge to begin your own business and you are drawn to the MLM business model, which, seriously, is the only way to set your own work schedule and salary limit, wouldn’t you want to put the odds in your favor? Wouldn’t you consider a company that had a low entry fee, that was super easy to do, that was growing like crazy and that had NO COMPETITION?

If this makes sense to you, go to www.sendoutnow.com and click on the banner to try it out yourself FOR FREE!!!!!! Or simply email me at steveblu1@gmail.com and ask me to show you how to get started. What have you got to lose? You’re probably just trading your time for money anyway. Why not do it smarter? And if you want to read more stuff about business networking, go to http://wwwnetworkingfun.com.

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I’d Rather Die Than Give A Speech

Steve — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 22:33:17 +0000

My wife Sara's popularity is growing on the speaking circuit. She talks mainly about business networking and associated topics. I must say that this is a GREAT WAY to become perceived as an authority on your area of expertise. And, as an added bonus, it puts you in touch with many more people at one time than the traditional networking one-on-one meetings. Granted, they only get to know you a little better and you don't get to find out what their lives and businesses are all about, but it is a "foot in the door" so to speak. What we like to do is gather the business cards of the audience to draw from for door prizes. Door prizes are generally our products or things we've bought at the store (or sometimes gifts that we've received but don't want) that we give away as drawing prizes. So now we have business cards, hopefully with email addresses or phone numbers that we can respond to by way of a Thank You For Attending Our Event, blah, blah, blah. This begins the personal relationships with those people who chose to come to our speaking event. Can you think of a better way to start personal relationships with small or large numbers of people?

"But…" you complain. "This means I have to speak in front of crowds."

Yes, you do.

"But…" you cry piteously. "I am terrified of speaking! I'd rather die than give a speech in front of a crowd. I might even pee in my pants!"

O.K. I hear you. This isn't for everyone, I'll give you that. But for most of us, that's no excuse. Now, no one's going to just throw you up in front of a crowd. First of all, you probably won't get invited to speak until you make it known that you A) want to and B) are capable. You won't want to until you feel you ARE capable. So how do you become capable?

First, you deliberately decide that you want to do this. As with anything else, you take one step at a time. And the best first step is to buy yourself a microphone and speaker and then set up on the sidewalk in front of your house. (HEY, I'M KIDDING HERE!) The best first step is to join a local Toastmasters club. They will teach you how easy it is in a step-by-step fashion and before you know it, you'll be totally comfortable speaking in front of 5 or 10 people. They will become your friends and supporters. That makes it even easier. Speaking in front of a group is to be regarded as telling stories in front of a group of friends you just haven't met yet. They don't want to see you fail – after all, they may have spent good money to listen to you. They don't want to get ripped off and you REALLY don't want them to feel that way. (By the way, always make sure there is a rear exit from wherever you're speaking. If you can afford a body guard, you might consider that as well.) Seriously, they would feel embarrassed for you, so do not think that the audience is out to be hostile towards you. And, you don't have to be perfect! Do you occasionally stumble when you are telling jokes and stuff to your real friends? Of course you do. We all do. That makes you seem genuine.

Secondly, get up in front of people every chance you get. It's called "stage time." The more stage time you get, the better and more relaxed you become. This is no overnight thing, folks. As I mentioned before, like anything else, it takes time.

Third, have FUN with it! It makes you feel powerful to have the crowd laughing at your quips, sitting on the edge of their seats with your stories, taking furious notes from your valuable information which you are SHARING with them for THEIR benefit. You are actually doing this to help people! That is the key!

Sara and I were in Toastmasters for about 2 years and loved it! Sara continued to become a Distinguished Toastmaster, which is the highest achievement you can get in the organization. I chose not to go that far, but I know how to give a good speech and I'm fairly comfortable doing so. Now, I can tell you stories about the times I've screwed up in front of a crowd here, but frankly, I don't have the time.

So…if you want to turbo charge your business networking, and possibly get a little cash on the side, you should consider public speaking related to your industry. And let me know when you do – I'd love to come listen to you and I don't heckle!

To your business success!

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After 2064 Years, What Have We Learned?

Steve — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 21:52:11 +0000

"The budget should be balanced, the Treasury should be refilled, public debt should be reduced, the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled, and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance."

Sound familiar? Who wrote this, do you suppose? It was Cicero in 55 B.C. Holy crap! 55 B.C.! See any parallels with our society and government? So if nothing changes after 2064 years, why are you worrying about the economy? About crime? About who's in office or who's going to be in office? Who cares about who's going to be voted off the island or lose the most weight? What difference does it make who is America's next top model or who wins the dance contest? Start paying attention to the choices you make in your own life. Begin to take action on the things you actually have control over instead of fussing about things that are out of your control.

Want to know what else hasn't changed? Business practices. With the global population increases, most companies still think that advertising is the key. It's not. Advertising may get them in the door, but what keeps them coming back is relationships. Statistics have shown that 60% or more of sales comes from REPEAT BUSINESS. And there is no repeat business if there is no relationship of some kind. Good relationships make the world go 'round. Bad relationships make the world go 'round. That's what life is all about. So how do you begin a relationship? How do you grow a relationship? There is a key word here. It's called "personal." You have to get personal with people and show you care about them. If you don't like people, then this isn't going to be easy for you. Who said, "No man is an island"? I thought it was Hemingway but it turns out it was a guy named John Donne in 1624. Wow, even way back then people knew it was about relationships!

"All mankind is of one author, and is one volume; when one man dies, one chapter is not torn out of the book, but translated into a better language; and every chapter must be so translated…As therefore the bell that rings to a sermon, calls not upon the preacher only, but upon the congregation to come: so this bell calls us all: but how much more me, who am brought so near the door by this sickness….No man is an island, entire of itself…any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind; and therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; it tolls for thee." – John Donne

You may notice that there is no new thought here. All this stuff has historical precedence and all we have to do is learn/research it. But I'm saving you the trouble. Just pay attention to our blogs and you will learn all you need to know about relationship marketing and growing your business in a way that will keep it thriving.

To your business success!

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What Do You Attract?

Steve — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:26:34 +0000

This past weekend we headed up to Austin from Houston. Along the way we encountered vistas of the famed Texas Bluebonnets. The views were indeed awesome! We also had to avoid a plethora of parked cars along the highway shoulder. It seems that many, many (did I mention "many") people who, seeing these fields, hillocks and pastures of bluebonnets felt compelled to stop and pose with each other and their families and their dogs/cats for pictures. They were standing or sitting or lying down in the flowers. They were pointing and waving and smiling. Some were sneezing and coughing and their eyes were watering and itching because of the allergies, but hey, who cares? These are BLUEBONNETS for crying out loud, and you don't get to see them but once a year! What an attraction these wildflowers have over us! If only we could monetize this somehow!

So that brings up the question, "What Do You Attract?" Or better yet, what is it about your business that attracts customers to you? Is your product or service what attracts people to do business with you? Is it your wonderful compelling marketing approach? Is it that you have pictures of bluebonnets on your web site?

Let's look at this for a minute. What makes the bluebonnets attractive? Well, they involve scarcity because they only bloom once a year. They are different from other flowers because they are …uh…blue. And look like bonnets. And they exist almost extensively only in the wild. And they are mostly unique to Texas. Does your business have characteristics similar to these? Are you providing a product or service that is unique and that people are looking for? Is your marketing different from the everyday corporate stuff you see other businesses use – for example, do you foster relationships with your customers instead of treating them as just faceless people? Do you promote once-a-year events or pricing? Do you give VALUE? What do you do to make your business stand out? What will make people pull over and park on the side of the road to check out what you've got?

How can you make your business ATTRACTIVE and not just the same old same old? Step back a bit and take a good look at your business and your business goals from an outside perspective. Start thinking outside the box. Brainstorm with other people for ideas. Take surveys. In short, if you were the guy or girl on the street, what would compel you to do business with you? What would make ME want to see what you're offering and make me want to buy it?

These are questions you should be constantly asking yourself. Everybody and their brother is trying to sell something. We're inundated with all the advertising every day in every way. If you don't want to get lost in the crowd, you need to come up with ideas to make potential customers see you and hear you and more importantly, WANT WHAT YOU'VE GOT!

As for me, I'm taking an antihistamine for my runny nose. Thank God the bluebonnets only come out once a year!

To your business success!

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10 Ways To Tell That You’re Too Drunk To Drive Home From A Networking Event

Steve — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:24:54 +0000

1. All you can see are the backs of road signs 2. You’ve passed the same guy hitch hiking 6 times 3. You see 3 of everything 4. All the other cars are going the wrong way 5. All the red lights look beautiful as you pass them 6. For the first time in as long as you can remember, you’re having fun driving 7. The lane you’re in keeps moving away from you 8. You can see fine, even though your lights are off 9. You keep hearing screams as your car goes over bumps – how annoying 10. You can only see the back of the policeman’s head from the back seat

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10 Ways To Lose Customers and Clients

Steve — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 21:36:19 +0000

Completely ignore them
Stay in touch, but only to try to sell them more stuff
Constantly ask them for referrals, but don’t tell them specifically what a good referral would be
Contact them only on Christmas and of course, prominently display your business info which implies that you’re looking for more business from them
When they call you, wait for at least 5 days or more before returning their call
Keep sending them promotional material
Keep sending them questionaires about their satisfaction
Make sure you continually send them junk mail
Be rude or act put upon when they need customer service
Always try to upsell them, even to the point of becoming pushy

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16 Things NOT To Do At A Networking Event

Steve — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 17:40:12 +0000

1. Dress with your pants halfway down your butt or wear a see-thru blouse (thong underwear is allowed, as long as nobody knows but you) 2. Eat anything with that has to be eaten with fingers (‘cause then you have to wipe them on your clothes before you shake hands) 3. Eat anything that may get stuck in your teeth, tastes like onions or garlic, or can spill on your clothes (this reminds me of me) 4. Get drunk on your ass and try to pick up women 5. Get drunk on your ass and try to pick up men 6. Give a limp fish handshake or a bone crusher handshake 7. Tell anyone that they look hot (even if they do) 8. Talk to a woman’s chest (unless….never mind) 9. Talk to a guy’s crotch (unless…ah, never mind) 10. Try to talk to everyone 11. Go around handing out your business cards and say, “Call me” while making that University of Texas gesture by your head (you Aggies know what I’m talking about) 12. Yammer about yourself or your product/service (people will begin to avoid you) 13. Sit in a corner picking your nose (people see these things)(And it's crass!) 14. Go to the event without a plan and goals 15. Show up late 16. Try to sell, sell, sell. (did I mention “sell”?)

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After The Networking Event

Steve — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:44:17 +0000

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Business Networking – Pick A Card, Any Card

Steve — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 08:00:59 +0000

Ever go to a business networking event and not bring any business cards with you? Believe it or not, we've seen that happen many times. We meet someone whose business seems interesting or the person seems interesting and we ask for a card. Lo and behold, they forgot to bring them! Or they didn't have one for a number of different reasons. We've heard them all – "My dog ate them," "I'm having them made," "I forgot," "They're in my other car," "They're in my other pants." How pathetic! Let's say that you're not one of those folks. Let's say that you DO have business cards with you and you're eager to hand them out. Ah, but what do they look like? What I mean here is, is this a good card design or a bad card design? You didn't know that there was a difference? Let me introduce you to the world of Bad Business Card design. Imagine you have your own construction firm. Your business card tells absolutely EVERYTHING that your business does: commercial construction, home construction, general contracting, plumbing, electrical, air conditioning/heating, roofing, siding, concrete work, fencing, landscaping, windows, garbage removal, we name it, you do it! Then you have 14 phone numbers to be reached at. You have 2 business addresses. You've been in business since the beginning of the century. You service 5 different cities. You have 1389 satisfied customers who can give references. You have a motto. You have graphics. And this is just on the front. I can't wait to see what the back says. Or how about this: you're a real estate agent. You card has your company logo. That's good. You have your basic contact info and a small picture of yourself. Excellent. Unfortunately, you chose a red background and your printing is in black. No one can see it because of the dark background. Also the font is in script. Not good! I've actually got a card in front of me right now that would look O.K. but she's got SIX telephone numbers on it! And a fax number. And an email address. And a web address. I've got another card here that has a leopard skin background. Oh, my! Folks, you have to stop and think what image you're trying to portray here. This business card is one of the first things people will see, and if they actually keep it after you leave it's perhaps the ONLY thing they will have to remember you by. Is it important to you that you don't look like an idiot? What should a business card look like? It should be simple, to the point and perhaps eye-catching, but not for the reason that it's U.G.L.Y. It should look clean. It should have a picture of you so that others recognize you when they see your business card or remember you from your last meeting, whenever that was. Your picture should be as good as you can get it. Your name should be prominent on the card. Your card should have BASIC contact info on it. Perhaps either your cell phone number or your direct line number should be large enough to attract the reader's eye. You don't need to put every phone number that you've ever had on the card. In many cases, you probably don't even need a mailing address or a fax number. If someone wants to mail you something, they can call you for the address. Then you get to talk to them in person if you're not so busy that your machine talks to them instead. Your card might have your logo on it. If you do dark colored background, make sure your printing is in white. If your background is light, make your printing black or blue or some other dark color to contrast with, so people can easily read the information. And don't make the printing so teeny tiny that folks have to squint to read it! If you insist on putting lots of info on the card like experience, licenses, mottos, etc, then put that stuff on the back of the card. Remember, first impressions count even with business cards. Take your time and think out the design. Approach others for impressions and opinions on prototypes before committing to print, and choose a good printer. Many times they can help you with your design. As a business person, EVERYTHING you do reflects on you and your business, whether you know it or not. If you give people extra cards to refer others, if you hand out cards to anyone who asks for them or give them to anyone and everyone, your "reputation" is getting around. Make sure you look professional and competent. Oh, and make sure you actually have them with you! Don't leave them in your other pants! To your business networking success!! If you've enjoyed this article, then please visit www.businessnetworkingmistakes.com for a FREE report on networking mistakes that can cripple your business.

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What Is The Value Of People?

Steve — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:00:00 +0000

Garry Smalley is a well respected person in the field of marriage relationship development. As one of his demonstrations, he crumpled up a $50 bill and threw it on the floor. He then asked if anyone wanted the crumpled up bill. Of course people still wanted it. Why? Because even though the $50 bill was dirty, wadded up and thrown on the floor, it still held value. If I handed you a Stradivarius violin and told you it was worth $1.2 million, would you respect it and handle it gently? Of course you would! Heck, you might not even want to touch it because you thought that you might somehow accidentally break it or something. Bottom line? It’s only a fancy fiddle. It’s replaceable.

So what about people? Do we see their value in spite of the fact that they’re ugly, or dirty, or down on their luck, or even if they’ve made mistakes in life? Do we still see value in people who don’t hold our same political views or agree with our ideas? Are people replaceable or are each of us one-of-a-kind? Have you ever felt that you were being judged by someone who didn’t really know your thoughts and feelings, dreams and talents? Sure, we all have. Of course, those people were low-lifes, but that’s an article I’ll write in the future. Just kidding! Those people have value, too. We just weren’t so inclined to think about it at that moment.

So how do we show that we value others, especially in business? Well, we ask questions. We get to know others that we meet and find out what THEIR dreams and aspirations are. We find out what their challenges are. And what do we do with this information? We try to help them somehow. We show that we value them as people. We treat them with respect and treat them as we want to be valued ourselves. Have you seen the movie, Pay It Forward? What did you think of that concept? Revolutionize the world, right? If only!

But it all starts with each one of us. With me. With you.

Let’s do this! Who knows? What goes around comes around and business is just like anything else – it starts with relationships. You can take that to the bank!

To your business networking success!

If you’ve enjoyed this article, please visit http://businessnetworkingmistakes.com to get a FREE report on mistakes that can cripple your business.

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