Building Forts

Forts were built for a reason – to keep invaders out. Yet if the invaders came with numbers prepared for a siege, forts also left you trapped inside, unable to make your escape until you either surrendered or died from starvation.

When you’re building your business, you may be looking at your growing empire as your own personal fort, keeping you safe from competitors. Just make sure you don’t get barricaded in and trapped from innovation by being too protected from your competitors. 

Innovation comes from awareness. Awareness comes from seeing what’s going on around you. Can you see past the walls of your fort?

 

Numbers

Most people have probably heard the story of how Jesus fed 5,000 people with just five fish and two loaves of bread. It’s one of the most popular tales from the Bible and whether you’re religious or not, it’s likely you’ve heard it.

What does it tell us? That success isn’t dictated by numbers. You can have the biggest company and satisfy the fewest people. You can have the smallest company and satisfy every single customer, every day.

Numbers aren’t the important thing. It’s what you do with the numbers that is. You might be a solitary loaf but you can still satisfy 1,000 people. 

Simple

If someone tells you that you want something, do you listen? Or do you ignore and think that only you know what you want?

If someone asks what you want, do you tell them your ideas and wish-lists? More than likely. We all like to be heard.

So why are you telling your customers what they want? Why are you not asking them? Instead of saying, “Hey, this is our new product, it’s just what you’ve wanted”, why not say, “Here’s the product you asked for”?

Or is that too simple?

Untitled Post

I found this fascinating quote today:

Listen ladies, you’re going to come across all sorts of jerks and pigs. That doesn’t mean we can go on and say “men suck and ladies should have all the power.”Jac Star, Mar 2009

You should read the whole article.

SEOnline Magazine

I found this fascinating quote today:

If I have just found out about social media, what would you advise me to do for a successful future? Listen and be open to changing preconceptions. Unlearn a lot of what you’ve already learned from a traditional standpoint and look at social media as a new opportunity to help you strengthen your existing knowledge base. Never think you’ve learned all there is to know – there’s always more. SEOnline Magazine, Feb 2009

You should read the whole article.

Little Green Men

I found this fascinating quote today:

Whether you run a business or a blog, have an offline or online identity, the premise of something fantastic can often be better than the reality. The teaser of something that can be unique for everyone depending on their take is the bridge between you and your audience.Little Green Men, Feb 2009

You should read the whole article.

Untitled Post

I found this fascinating quote today:

Elaine claims that this tobacco company was misleading people for years. Are you kidding? Did they come out and say “smoking is good for you, tobacco tastes like cherries”?Jac Star, Feb 2009

You should read the whole article.

Who’s Your Audience?

I found this fascinating quote today:

Far from being just a simple look at who’s reading your blog, you’re suddenly seeing how the world in general is looking at you.Who’s Your Audience?, Feb 2009

You should read the whole article.

10 Ways to Boost Your Blogging

I found this fascinating quote today:

There are many blog platforms, tools and plug-ins around, all with various benefits. Some are better than others and depend on your own needs. Here are 10 of mine. Since it’s my platform of choice, these are mainly based around WordPress.10 Ways to Boost Your Blogging, Feb 2009

You should read the whole article.

Family Marketing with Swiss Chalet

I found this fascinating quote today:

I’m a huge fan of this kind of marketing. We get so wrapped up in both our online and offline communities and business needs that we often neglect those that matter the most. David Mullen offered a sombre reminder of this last week in a heartbreaking post.Family Marketing with Swiss Chalet, Feb 2009

You should read the whole article.