“It takes about 2 years for a business to become profitable.” Nonsense. “It will be at least 3 months before you can expect to get your first client.” Really? Our expectations affect our actions. If we expect that it will take 2 years to become profitable, then we will do just enough to make thatContinue reading “Averages Don’t Apply”
Author Archives: Marcus Schaller
A Complex Solution is Just a New Problem
“This year we’re going to finally lay down a marketing plan and stick to it.” This enthusiastic announcement is then usually followed by pages of complex analysis, graphs and spreadsheets. Weeks and months of planning. More speeches. Then, before you know it, it’s the end of the year. Start. Pick something simple, actionable and attainable.Continue reading “A Complex Solution is Just a New Problem”
It Sells Itself
No it doesn’t. And that fact doesn’t diminish the quality of your services, the value you offer to clients, or your own competency. So sell. Sell happily and sell often. Let your competitors corner the market on the “selling is beneath us” business strategy.
Capitalism+Greed+Incompetence+Doom = Best Seller
Crash of the Titans (ooooh) Circle of Greed (ahhhhhh!) House of Cards (ohhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!) The Tyranny of Oil (gasp!!!!) These are just a few of the many doomsday business books prominently displayed at my local Borders. Is it any wonder that we remain paranoid and unwilling to move forward, grow and create new opportunities? These booksContinue reading “Capitalism+Greed+Incompetence+Doom = Best Seller”
Whoa!
For anyone overwhelmed by Social Media… From Mashable. Here’s the link: http://mashable.com/2011/01/21/twitter-ecosystem/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Mashable+%28Mashable%29&utm_content=Google+Reader
Moo?
Moo.com has figured out a way to take a normally boring product (business cards) in an otherwise dull industry (printing) and carve out a unique, specific and endearing niche for themselves. That engaging approach is brilliantly demonstrated on their website. If a business card printing shop can build a customer-centric website with an actual personality,Continue reading “Moo?”
Who Cares?
Want a fun little project? Look at your company website. List every single picture, graphic, logo, idea, sentence and thought on it. Go do it right now…I’ll be here when you get back. Okay, got your list? Now, after every listed item, describe exactly why a customer will care about it. Be brutally honest withContinue reading “Who Cares?”
I Talk Too Much (Sometimes)
Ask me about a topic that I’m passionate about, or even keenly interested in, and I tend to boil over with enthusiasm. Simple responses can get drawn out into long monologues, at which point the other person in the “conversation” starts to fade away, eyes glazing as his or her bandwidth starts filling up. SoContinue reading “I Talk Too Much (Sometimes)”
The BS Test
The only words you should use in your marketing, home page, or mission statement are ones that clearly and honestly communicate the value you bring to the table. Platitudes (premier, best, world-class, leading, value-added, best in class, results-oriented) fail the BS test and divert attention away from that which really matters to your clients…how youContinue reading “The BS Test”
Small and Slow
The largest organizations seem to take months or years to change direction and adopt new strategies. Why? A big reason seems to be the need to gain consensus, whether through committee, shareholder vote or even public opinion. Makes sense I guess. After all, there are quite a few stakeholders at Verizon, GM and Microsoft. WhyContinue reading “Small and Slow”
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