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Now That You have Turned the Page

POWER ON! - Mark — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 13:02:34 +0000

Last week I discussed everyone being on the same page. The result? Stagnation, rigidity, group think and even boredom. Let me suggest something to try next time you are in one of these meetings. TURN THE PAGE…

What's the worst that can happen? Ridicule, a bit of embarrassment, being called on the carpet for not being a team player? And….How long will that resonate? Probably until the next person takes a risk. In the big scheme of things it will be a minor blip.

On the flip side, if you are the page turner, the risk taker, the payoff can be tremendous. Recognition, authority, promotion, empowerment. Even if it takes 5-10 times for your unique ideas to be recognized, it is worth it. It is needed and it is essential to grow, both for yourself and your company.

Turn the page, write the script and reap the rewards, What's to lose?

POWER ON–Mark

If You Are All On The Same Page….

POWER ON! - Mark — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 18:51:12 +0000

Meetings, committees, workgroups, corporate escapes–You have probably participated in one or more of these. Have you noticed more than likely that at the end of the meeting all of the participants are "on the same page"? How did everyone get on the same page? Was it by edict, collaboration, hashing and rehashing or was the goal completed by the beating down of the opposition? If you are all on the same page, who is looking at turning the page to create what happens next?

Think about being on the same page. Is it what you as a business owner real hope to achieve? Do you stay the course because that is what the handbook says?

I recommend listening, learning and turning the page. Don't forget your foundation, and don't forget that your success is based on turning the page, not reading the same thing over and over again.

POWER ON–Mark

Now This Is Using Confetti to Support a Great Cause

POWER ON! - Mark — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 13:53:09 +0000

Tour de France follower or not you should recognize the effort made to support those fighting cancer. The video says it all. #team28

POWER ON–Mark

Cooking and Marketing, Part 2

POWER ON! - Mark — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:00:58 +0000

Last post I discussed building the recipe for starting a marketing idea. This week, let's talk about the atmosphere. Where do you choose to eat when you are in a new town or want to try a new place? Is it based on proximity, food choices, service or recommendation? Or is it something else?

When I want to try something new I do it a couple of ways. I decide what kind of food I do or don't want to eat. Usually I eliminate what I don't want to eat, then decide what sounds good. Then I will check Yelp, see what is new, then take a chance.

The first experience is based on the above; my return is based on atmosphere. Atmosphere in a restaurant is a lot like marketing. You create an environment that enhances an experience, want the customers to buy-in, and most importantly creating the desire to return and voluntarily spend money.

When creating the atmosphere of your marketing program, think of what you enjoy. What are you willing to pay extra for, and what do you expect as part of your interaction? Do you anticipate smoke or aroma in a BBQ restaurant? Are you looking forward to being given chopsticks or do you have to ask for them at an Asian eatery?

Does your marketing program create the right atmosphere? Or is it based on the narrow vision of a few people unwilling to look beyond the end of the nose. Or worse, is it so broad-based that it misses everyone?

It is hard to choose the right marketing recipe, but it is sometimes harder to walk away from a mistake. Using the steps of The Confetti Project, start with the countdown to determine where to start. Most importantly, consider all options, make a choice and initiate liftoff.

POWER ON–Mark

Cooking and Marketing, Part 1

POWER ON! - Mark — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 13:24:36 +0000

Salt is a common element composed of sodium and chloride, each of which have various other uses, but together they form the simple compound of salt. Why is this important? It is an example of how two elements when combined can create a wonderful outcome. This is also true when you create a marketing program. Take your knowledge and an associate’s creativity, both of you combined can create a powerful program.

Think of it as an exercise in expansion. See how much each of you can contribute to the success of a project. You cannot let the fear of the outcome block your way. Be prepared to inspire, listen and GO! Be the salt of your marketing and business success. It just starts with a sprinkle.

The hardest part is usually starting. Here is a suggestion.

Get a piece of unlined paper, a crayon and an empty space
Either write or draw the basics of your idea (no style points are given, and no experience necessary – I suggest drawing)
Have someone else look at what you have done and have them add to your writing or drawing with their own crayon
Go back and forth until both of you have the basics of the path you are going to pursue
Hang the picture where it is visible to all involved (no explanations necessary)

Now you have the salt of your project. And a recipe to follow as you move forward.

As for recipes, I learned one the other day for steak that was unbelievable. Take your steak, grind twice as much salt and pepper on both sides as you usually would. Cook it over a grill with hardwood as the heat source. Remove when cooked to preference, enjoy!

What recipe for your success can you start today?

POWER ON–Mark

How do you “Disney”?

POWER ON! - Mark — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 13:24:02 +0000

Bryan Waldon Pope, Founder of Marketing Success Institute, recently wrote about competing with Disney and how he observed the Disney Experience. Disney itself has a book and seminars that cover how it is done at Disney. It is a plan that plays to perfection almost every day in each Disney theme park around the world. Next time you visit, really look a little deeper and see how your interaction and experience is enhanced by the plan the Disney Corporation has put in place.

What led me to discuss Disney is a conversation with a client. When I asked what company he wanted to emulate, his immediate response was “Disneyland”. Not the rides or the food, but the experience. As I am working with him to create that experience I wanted to share a few of my observations.

You cannot wish to create an experience without a plan. The plan starts before you answer the phone, greet the first customer or sell your first paper. The plan needs to address everything that affects the customer experience; seen, heard, smelled, felt or even tasted.
Your plan needs to address all of the above and do so in a way that exceeds expectations and creates a better experience than expected.
In creating an experience, look to the customers for validation – not in a survey, but in their smiles, posture and actions. If you see an issue, address it immediately.
Give the customers more than they expect. Fireworks are always a good fallback. If you are inside, what fireworks can you create?

One thing that is lost in the creation of the experience is the price. Don’t price to beat the competition, price to make the customer feel they got more than what they paid for when the experience is complete.

In looking around your business, what can be improved immediately to enhance your customers’ experience?

POWER ON–Mark

Don’t Read This Book!

POWER ON! - Mark — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:01:43 +0000

Tony Hseih, CEO of Zappos had his book, Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion and Purpose recently released. Here is what I learned:

I just finished this book for the second time and am wondering who this guy thinks he is? Happiness at work? Building a brand through culture, interaction, transparency and creating loyalty as well as personal relationships? Taking care of customers in a way that WOWS them and creates a reason to return?

This has got to be STOPPED! We cannot tolerate this type of behavior! Allow our employees to think and voice opinions? Making decisions and taking calculated risks? What’s next, provide a nap room and an onsite counselor?
Doesn’t he realize that we as corporate leaders know more than the cumulative brainpower of the collective?

Please help me spread the word, this has to stop, and stop now. Before you know it, the underlings will all be looking for more than a paycheck; satisfaction and a great work environment are not to be allowed. Thinking will result, and sooner or later tattoos of the corporate logo on the ass will disappear.

Join me in putting an end to this kind of thinking. If not now, when? If not you, who?

The lizard king must rise again!

(sarcasm intended)- sometimes translation is necessary.

POWER ON–Mark

Quit Begging

POWER ON! - Mark — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:13:47 +0000

John Jantsch has a new book, The Referral Engine, all about building referrals without begging. What is begging? Asking your customers for the names of their friends and family who may be interested in your product or services. The customer came in to buy your product or service, not to give you more prospective customers. At a retail store I was asked for my phone number and email address after paying for my product. I probably will get a survey or call on my “satisfaction” with my purchase. I really just wanted to buy the soap that my wife wanted, not to give a life history. I believe you do your customer a disservice by asking for more and more. At some point it becomes a dissatisfier.

If the customer is happy, they will tell others, if they are not, they won’t. It’s that simple. Make your customers happy, and give them a reason to refer you. Your measure will be when you ask your customer where they heard about you in a passing manner.

Your customer is not a checklist, she is a person who made the choice to interact with you. Don’t blow the opportunity by asking more than you need to know. Begging will get you nowhere, but genuine thinking will get you everywhere.

POWER ON–Mark

Again and Again Marketing

POWER ON! - Mark — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 13:13:15 +0000

It worked before, it will work again. Have you ever told yourself that? It’s like trying a suicide squeeze in baseball three times in a game. If it worked for you, it has probably been noticed by the competition and they are doing something similar. If you continue to do the same thing, you move into the crowded field of marketing that you created. The same thing again and again may create a reminder for current customers, but will it attract new customers?

You can do the same thing over and over, but will it pay off? Why not reset the parameters and redefine what you are doing? Same message delivered in a different way. WOW the buying public!

Make your message memorable and fresh. You can do it if you are willing. Again and again will work to maintain.

But don’t you want to grow?

POWER ON–Mark

The $3 Customer, Marketing ROI on a Budget

POWER ON! - Mark — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 18:12:53 +0000

You have many choices when marketing to customers. Imagine the scenario where you have $3 left in your marketing budget. You want to reach as many prospects as possible and want to grow your business. Sounds absurd, right or wrong. As a marketer or business owner you have that decision to make every time you begin a new marketing concept.

What can that $3 buy you? Printing, postcards, a couple of banner ads? How about some goodwill and respect? Instead of marketing to the masses, market to the ONE. Who is the ONE? It is the one person who can influence others to interact with your business.

Your $3 can buy a cup of coffee or a piece of pie. Make the interaction special, memorable and personal. A cup of coffee by itself is just a cup, but the conversation and interaction will make or break the deal. Discuss what is important to the ONE. Family, sports, cars, world peace. It is your money but her time. The whole idea is to gain the trust of the ONE. If you do, the ONE can be your gateway to your future. Not only in customers, but in VC, media, alliances.

$3 and an hour of your time. It’s worth the investment.

POWER ON–Mark