How a Well Crafted Vision Statement Can Make you a Winner

This much ignored activity is at the heart of success in fitness endeavors, or any endeavor for that matter, business included. It has gotten a bad name over the years because it has been asked to do things beyond its range of usefulness by people who are unconscious to its possibilities.It’s not magic but it does have indispensable usefulness when properly used. Your personal fitness program will undoubtedly benefit from sound visioning practices as will your business.

What constitutes sound visioning in this context? Well for starters, visioning is the foundation for goal setting. If you can’t visualize something better, how can you set a realistic goal to achieve? Without goals what chance does a business have? So the process is sound and of value. There should be solid emotional content in the statement. A vision should be more than a picture of what could be. Andy Stanley, a popular minister and motivational speaker, defines a vision as “a picture of what could be compelled by the conviction that it should be.” (emphasis added) That’s a little different than just a picture of what could be. Stanley’s definition is something that will connect with people, the standard definition, not so much.

Something that connects emotionally with the reader is what’s required. This may take a little more thought than most usually put into this exercise. If the statement is flat it will not be remembered.  If not remembered , or at least respected,  it won’t be used. A vision statement should be guiding all decision making that goes on in a company or any planning exercise. It should also be the basis for evaluating day-to-day performance.  Think about it for a minute: It’s what you hope you or your company will be someday. An effective argument can be made that anything that does not advance you or your company toward achieving that vision is probably not a worthwhile activity or outcome.

Goal setting in general and the lengthy exercises involved in establishing a worthwhile vision statement have fallen into disrepute. Like the proverbial “brainstorming” session that generates undifferentiated detail for consideration the necessary thinking required to reach useful levels of thought is difficult and frequently avoided by participants as too painful to accomplish. The results, because of this shortcoming, are often lacklustre and of limited usefulness even when used properly. Hence people rightfully resist being held to these second rate commitments. Make the effort. Pay the price. A well crafted goal or vision statement is often all the motivation required to exert the discipline necessary to succeed over tough times either personally or in business. We all know tough times will come. For what valuable prize are you pushing ahead? More information please visit this site www.merrimacmarketing.net

Do You Know Your Competition?

That’s quite the question, isn’t it? Most business owners try very hard not to think, or speak about their competitors. They say it’s enough to know they are out there.

However, isn’t it better to know what you’re up against?  Isn’t it better to know what they are doing great so you can steer clear and make yourself great at something else?

If your competitor has you beat on price, why not beat them on customer service?  It isn’t always just about price. Sometimes value prevails. People buy from those they like and trust. If you offer things your clients value sometimes you get the business even if your price is a little higher.

No one wants to compete in a race to the bottom.  But a race it is and you can decide which one you are willing to enter.  Make it worth your while.  Don’t compete where you can’t win.  Compete where you can!

You can determine the kinds of products you offer; the type of service; the quality; the guarantee and lots more.

Find out what your competitor is doing and be different.  Check to see if what they offer is just standard fare. Then offer better.

Don’t be caught up in avoidance.  For your success, meet them head on.  Determine your own race and WIN!

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Do a Twist

There are things in this world that everyone does the same as everyone else. For example, everyone sends out Christmas cards. Do you ? 

Then maybe you could do something entirely different. How be you send out Groundhog Day cards? Actually, it was Groundhog Day buttons I handed out.

Yes, on a cold February day I ventured downtown to go into businesses and give all there a button. Some were thrilled to have someone come and brighten their day. One office worker actually snarled at me. But, I did get a write up in the local paper because I did something different.

What can you do?

While some people send flowers, you send a basket filled with coffees from around the world; or maybe cheeses; or everyone’s favourite – chocolate.

While everyone is busy using email because it is fast, easy and very inexpensive, why not send your own designed hand-written cards?

Get the idea. Look at what others do, then do a twist and do something that differentiate you from the crowd.

Make a list of 10 things that everyone does in your industry. Now put your own twist on them. Take your time and think it through carefully. The best ideas always take time. Let your mind mull over your ideas as you are falling off to sleep. That way your subconscious mind works at it all night.

You don’t need to do them all; just use them as jumping off points for other ideas.

Become aware. Watch and see what is going on in other industries. Look for oddities and specialties that can be twisted and flipped and turned on their ear to create a whole new use.

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Why a Smaller Company May Be Your Best Bet to Do or Redo That Business Website II

To be successful at internet marketing, one must keep up with the current state of the business; learn how to write, in other words. Innovation is everything in this business and people are constantly innovating. The biggest innovation is that marketers must get into blogs.  Marketers are numerous and constantly looking for new ways to serve their clients, new ways to engage people through to a sale. That is only one way that innovation happens. The other side of the coin and perhaps the one that gives marketers the most trouble is what people do with technology. Sure QR codes were invented by somebody and marketers were sure to come up with lots of applications but who knew that many people would use smart phones as a cheap replacement for computers and tablets to access the internet? Maybe just a few who developed the concept.

Many things people do change the marketplace forever and have to be adapted to by marketers. It takes some time for some to clue in. Generally, there is no shortage of people in marketing circles who identify and teach about new trends in marketing but there are many who don’t respond for a variety of reasons. This is a bad thing for those who don’t respond quickly but a boon to early adopters. People who are constantly on the lookout for those little tweaks people and their habits cause and are ready to move when the market does as a rule. It’s a little like The Law of Attraction says, when you are looking for something it is amazing how often it comes along. Be ready to change your mind on short notice.

Specialized help

 Every company has things they are good at, even best at. Few large companies are best at the basics because of who they serve most often. Even some smaller companies will have a focus that does not match your own. Some will be most suitable to people with a background in applications, software and rudimentary programming and the companies they select will have a similar focus in what they offer. If you don’t have a similar background you may get left high and dry. You may be offered solutions that are overkill for where you happen to be skill-wise.

Other, smaller marketing firms may be centered more on the introductory level with skill sets that are better suited to the man on the street. Here you can find the technology you need to get started; help with establishing a professionally functional website; help with the writing you need to do to create copy for your site and to produce words that will populate your blog and other parts of your site. With smaller firms you will be more likely to find the help you want and need rather than being hammered into the shape required to fit an off-the-shelf program. Think of the definition of help: What you need and want to assist you in doing a task, not what someone decides to offer.

Time

 Getting started in the area of computer based marketing is possibly a time consuming and technically challenging activity that may or may not be a good use of your time. There is no shortage of people with the necessary skills. Make no mistake, all the skills you will need to do this well are ones you need to master if you are serious about your business, just not today. Find a firm where you will get the time to identify the help you need and get it in the time and the way that works for you. This will usually involve spending the time needed in relationship with someone who will guide you through the learning process while seeing to it that you are up and running with what you need online.

If this is something you want to explore, leave a comment and contact information as requested. The talk and the answers to questions are free.

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