If you are trying to gain awareness and enter new markets, it is important to get your name, your brand, and your reputation out there. Whether you are an army of one or part of a major organization, it is important for people to become aware that you and your services or products exist. Once they are aware of you …
Looking for a new job? Here’s what to focus on
First, it’s not the corner office, or the title, perks, bonuses, corporate cards or cars. While all of those are nice to have (and will need to be addressed during interviews), they shouldn’t be your primary areas of focus. Instead, begin by focusing on earning the opportunity to get as close as possible to the core mission of the business …
The value of strategic partnerships
No matter how large your business might be, it can always benefit and see value from a select number of strategic partnerships. These partnerships are larger and deeper than simple vendor relationships and as such they should be formed and entered carefully, thoughtfully and with a mutually beneficial outcome in mind. Think about your future and your distant goals and …
Give away your products and services
Give away your products and services to enter new markets or segments and establish your brand while sharing your knowledge and experience. Provide value BEFORE you ask or expect anything in return. When people are not familiar with what you can do and know, it is is up to you to build awareness and share freely without expectations or conditions.
There’s always another deal to be made
No matter what you are buying or selling in life, it is essential to learn how to negotiate well. Negotiation takes time and experience, so start practicing, begin small and work your way up to larger value items. Also, always remain cool, calm and collected during the process as otherwise you lose the leverage. 😉
Don’t steal content, be original
Ddidn’t our parents and grandparents teach us that stealing is bad? Then why do so many continue to steal the work of other people and pass it off as their own? While most ideas aren’t original any longer and anyone can speak about a particular concept or a topic, it is important to stick to what we know and what …
Build a great team
Build a great team. Surround yourself with the best people you can find, attract and retain. If you are good (ideally great) at what you do, you want people who are amazing at what they do, preferably, in areas that are not your strengths. Furthermore, don’t simply post a job description on your website and wait for applicants. Instead, leverage …
Improving presentation skills and knowing how to SELL
Knowing how to present, negotiate and sell are critical skills for your overall success. Even if you are not in “sales” you should know how to sell your ideas, plans, products, services and so on. This also applies to yourself as you navigate your career and look for new opportunities. Furthermore, quality of a product or a service is essential, …
It’s not who you know, it’s who knows you
How many times have you heard: “it’s who you know!” as the reason or a justification why someone has made it or succeeded in some way. While it is important for you to get out there, network and meet new people, it’s even more important for them to know you. If people know you as someone who is honest, trustworthy, …
Performance speaks for itself
Performance speaks for itself, every single time. Performance will say a lot more about you and your accomplishments over time than any marketing campaign ever could. Having said that, I see value in promotion, marketing and building awareness of your products and services and your own personal capabilities, but please don’t over do it and don’t make promises you can’t …