Posts Tagged ‘Strategy’

Steer Tightly Around the Curves

Happy 2011!  Today, we are here. Where is Here? Here is one day later than yesterday.  Only the digits have changed.  Time and humans tend to stay in motion.  Just because it’s a new year, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a starting gate or finish line.  Life and business are continuous roads on which we drive. You already have cargo. There are likely things in process from 2010 that are still in motion.  There are likely things you started last week that you will finish next.  The kicker is that some things will never truly be finished.  Be ready for that.  Some cargo is with you for the long haul. Steer Tightly Around the Curves There’s no straight lines in life – or business, either.  But you know that already. Sure, we can plan.  And we do.  We create maps based on our goals and assumptions and the information we have.  These maps are best created on whiteboards or with pencils that have erasers.  These maps are best vetted in time and against our gut instincts.  Dynamic conditions surround us and will impact our maps each and every day. In the next few months, the maps in place today will have changed in some way.  But, again, you know that already. Each map we create will ultimately be filled with curves, so keep both hands on the wheel and be ready to steer tightly.  The shortest distance between two points, in life and business, is not a straight line.  Instead, it’s the straightest line you have the ability to make at the time the curve is in sight. Your Foot is Resting on the Pedal You control your speed.  It’s your foot resting on the gas pedal. But here are the questions only you can answer: Will you follow the speed limit or make a new pace? [...]

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HOW TO Use Positive Opposites to Benchmark Your Competitive Position

We’ve nearly reached the end of 2010. And if you’re like me, you may be in “strategic planning mode” for the next year of your business.  It’s funny that over the past years, some stuff has changed but most has stayed the same. One of the things that I don’t think will ever change is the importance of knowing where you stand against the other businesses, departments or people who compete with you.  That can be tough information to visualize, but sometimes laying it all out visually creates the most clarity around your market position. One of the most effective, yet simple, tools I use when working with clients or even on my own positioning is a strategy exercise that was taught to me by Artie Isaac many years ago. Now, I get to teach you. Positioning with Positive Opposites Comparison The technique is called Positive Opposite Comparison.  In this exercise, you will want to look for varying, but positive, traits of your business and benchmark them against the traits of your main competitors.  For the best results, don’t over do it. Select a competitive set of 2-6 businesses who you feel are your close competitors.  You’ll need to invest some time in researching those business and finding the common threads in your category.  The Interwebz makes that part fairly easy.  Once you have good notes, here are three easy steps you’ll want to take. 3-Step Instructions Step 1 – Write out a List of Your Business’s Traits Start by listing out as many traits about your business as you can think up.  Each of these traits will ultimately describe the type of services or products you offer, or even the types of customers and markets you serve.  For example, if you are a local coffee shop, one of your traits might be “locally focused.” The [...]

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SurveyGizmo and Marketing Through Your Company Culture

Lots of companies are wrestling with how to show and share their company culture.  Some are even wrestling with determining what their company culture actually is. Me?  I’m a HUGE fan of SurveyGizmo’s (affiliate link) company culture.  So much so that this isn’t the first time I’ve written about them.  My first post was written way before I ever signed up for their affiliate program. Why am I a fan?  Why do I feel some sense of connectedness to the folks at SurveyGizmo? Aside from their great platform and customer service, they do a nice job of giving me a lens to their people, their office space and even what’s been happening over the past year in terms of their business.  I find that information fun and interesting, and they put a good deal of effort into leveraging transparency for all that it’s worth. Here’s what I mean… [This video was shot with my Cannon Rebel EOS T1i.  Can't see it?  Click here.] Want to see the letter for yourself?  You can view it here. What About You? What’s your company culture like?  Are you giving people a lens to see the humans who work (and play) inside your business? nateriggsLike what you just read and want to get my posts delivered to your inbox? SUBSCRIBE HEREMore Posts Follow Me:

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