05/12/2009
Clearing A Passage
Through Today�s �Frozen� Economy
By Michael Dotson, CEO/Founder WorkSmart Media Group
We
are facing challenges in our economy the likes of which have not
been experienced in most of our lifetimes. News stories seem to
bounce from bad to worse to hope to despair, leaving relatively rare
moments of optimism and huge holes of uncertainty. The primary
result of this combined �gloom and doom� assault has rendered many
businesses paralyzed with a sense of fear for the present and the
future.
Such paralysis has slowed the progress of even the most (formerly)
dynamic of companies to a crawl. Economists are left scratching
their heads unsure of what to do, and Marketing Departments for many
companies appear to be more preoccupied with job preservation than
re-establishment of momentum. As professionals, how do we �break
away� from this stagnation and take advantage of opportunities to
grow our business?
1. Understand the Terrain
Wikipedia defines Trench Warfare as �a form of warfare where both
combatants have fortified positions and fighting lines are static�.
The key word here is static. By recognizing and accepting
that businesses have hunkered down and that the static lines in our
economy are likely to remain for the foreseeable future, you can
begin to develop a path that will enable your business to move
forward.
2. Recognize that Early Progress Could Be Agonizingly Slow
With a robust economy, success could not happen fast enough. In
World War I, forward tactical advancement had often been measured in
feet or sometime inches � so it is in the economic �trenches� of
today. Given our current situation, it may seem that everything is
happening in slow motion. Your business plan must take into
consideration a reduced pace of progress. Sustainable success can
best be achieved through a series of small victories.
3. Lose the Fear!
A
good insurance salesperson knows that fear is a strong motivator. It
is also understood that fear is an emotion that needs to be brought
under control or it will lead to distress and high anxiety. This
does not mean that apprehension should be abandoned, but it does
mean that your success will be determined by how you deal with not
only your fears, but your approach in dealing with the fears of your
customers, clients, and competitors. The sense of fear will
begin to move from the forefront as you focus your attention on your
immediate plan of action.
4. Be Different
There is a common adage that goes something like � performing the
same action repeatedly with the expectation of a different outcome
is a definition of insanity. What may have worked for us last
year, last week, or even yesterday may not work in today�s economic
climate. Take deliberate steps to be different in your approach.
Breaking from the routine will cause you to begin looking at your
business with a fresher perspective.
5. Be a Puzzle Solver
Sudoku and crosswords can be stimulating ways to pass time. Treating
your business as a puzzle to be solved can add a new dimension to
your efforts. Writing down specific problems to be solved
then writing down your solutions can often lead to unexpected and
creative results.
6. Every Business Has a Story to Tell
Whether it is your business or your customer�s, there is a story
that needs to be told. One of the best ways to get that story out is
through the creative use of Public Relations. PR does not
have to be an expensive proposition. PR companies are feeling the
slowdown like everyone else, and are looking for new clients like
never before. Using their professional services on a per event
basis could give your business greater exposure with minimal
expense. Also, remember that a well crafted and timed Press
Release can reward you with huge dividends.
7. Make Technology Work for You
Nearly every business has a data base of e-mail addresses �
including yours. These may consist of customers, clients, friends,
or others whom you connect with on a regular basis. E-mail
Marketing is a proven cost effective way to get your business
message in front of your data base. There are many ways to take
advantage of this relatively new kind of marketing such as e-mail
blasts or even the newest form of E-mail Marketing � e-mailable
Video (Video Brochures). To reach a larger audience, many companies
offer opted in e-mail lists that can be quite specific for a
given type of business or customer. You should avoid bulk e-mail
lists, which are often associated with spam (very different
than opted in pre-qualified lists). The creative use of e-mail could
become the most cost effective method for you to promote your
business.
8. Direct Mail Still Works
Even with rising postal costs, direct mail can be a very
effective way to get your message out to a broad area. A number of
companies offer quality mailing lists with relatively low cost. Keep
in mind that when you decide to do a bulk mail, your response will
nearly always be a very small percentage of the number of pieces
that you mail out. Sometimes they can be a fraction of a percent,
but that is often enough to justify the expense.
9. Know Your Competition Better Than They Know You
Staying on top of your competition is now more important than ever.
Rest assured that your competitors are experiencing the same
economic anxiety as you, and may be dealing with it in ways that you
should be aware of. There is much that you can learn by simply
observing how your competitors are changing their approach to
how they do business.
10. There is No Substitute for Homework!
The
Internet is the single greatest research tool ever developed. A
certain part of every business day needs to be devoted to conducting
research online. By using the resources of the Internet daily, you
will be able to stay informed of the many subtleties pertaining to
your business. You will be able to learn about new products,
technology, and other pertinent information that can help give you a
competitive edge. The Internet can also provide a wealth of
historical information regarding all aspects of your business (and
that of your competitors).
Clearly, there is no single magic way out of our current economic
mess. One thing is certain � doing nothing will produce nothing
and doing little will produce little! But just like a magician
who diligently practices the complexities of a new card trick until
perfected, the result of you working smart and paying attention to
the little victories can bring a gasp from your �audience� and the
resulting question �how did you do that?�
For
more information go to
www.worksmartmediagroup.com.
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