It Hasn’t Been Done

Too often we do not take action because we are convinced that our ideas are not unique or worthy of the attention of our community.

This is especially true when it comes to using the social networks to publish content that serves a useful purpose.

It’s nearly impossible to study the business landscape and find an idea or topic that has not been discussed.

As a result, many decide that their idea has already been done – but they are wrong. Yes, that includes you and me too. We are all guilty of sabotaging our best ideas.

We need to remind ourselves every day that there are more opportunities for making a difference than we could ever handle.

In every industry there are customers who are unhappy, confused, inadequately served, and most importantly, hungry for solutions to their unsolved problems.

Isn’t this why the same problems never seem to go away?  That’s the opportunity, and it’s one that I’m taking action on – and you should too.

This past week I signed a deal with Wiley to write a book to help mainstream businesses use social media well, thereby building a more relevant and profitable business that better serves their customers.  

Is there really a need for another social media book?  My publisher and I think there is, and we have very specific reasons for that belief. It’s indeed exciting to be creating what hasn’t been done to better serve your community.

Can you tell me that you do not believe you have something unique to offer your customers, something that differentiates you from your competitors?  Of course you do, that’s what gets and keeps entrepreneurs in the game. You have to believe!

Here’s how to leverage that and bring to your customers the one thing that hasn’t been done that they both need and want.

Learn From and With Your Customers

Every business that has a loyal client base has an opportunity to create a new product or service that is needed, wanted, and as a result is exceptionally profitable. What everyone is doing eventually becomes a commodity, and that drives the profit out as more businesses seek their share.

While the solution is common, its execution isn’t  – learn from your customers. Your customers are a wellspring of ideas just begging for solutions. In fact, I believe we all need to redesign our businesses around this concept to maintain our relevancy with our customers.

Most of us sell ourselves short because we do not have the perspective that our valued customers can give us. Talk to your customers. They will be honored that you care enough to ask about their insights for improving how your company can serve them better.

Fearlessly Believe in Your Value

If succeeding in business were easy everyone would be doing it. When I look back on my career, I realize my greatest successes were the result of believing in myself. I imagine the same holds true for you too.

Last week I published an article about influence ranking service Klout. Fully aware of the controversy that has followed Klout for years, I was prepared for some pushback, and indeed I got some.

Disagreement is nothing to fear. In fact, you should welcome it, because it will help you to be more clear about your ideas, provided you firmly believe in their value for your community.

There is no question that Klout has a ways to go before it earns widespread respect. However, wasn’t that also true of Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest in their early days? Keep that in mind, and simply believe in your idea.

Acknowledge and Then Ignore the Naysayers

I’ve personally blown more opportunities than I can count because I acknowledged the criticism of others, and then altered my plans as a result.

You can be open to the opinions of others, but then you have to determine what (if anything) is useful. Use what best orchestrates the accomplishment of your objectives, and ignore the rest.

It’s a simple process of asking a single-worded question: Useful?

This is something those of us that speak professionally quickly learn, because we get a great deal of feedback, much of it positive, a little negative, and every now and then downright nasty.

There is an expression that everyone is right based upon their level of understanding. So, there you go. Acknowledge that and move on with what is useful.

You know more about your business and customers than anyone.

And that’s why you are ideally positioned to create what hasn’t been done.

It worked for Steve Jobs.

As he often said – when you realize the people around you are no smarter than you are, you can change the world. 

What is the one thing that your customers desperately want that hasn’t been done? 

Can you do it?  Are you ready to do the work?

Leave a comment below – and share this with your community.

Until next time, Jeff

Photo Credit: freedigitalphotos.net

Business Planning is Overrated

If you noticed a hundred dollar bill on the sidewalk would you ignore it because its discovery was unexpected?

It seems crazy, but that is what many of us do because we are too attached to our plans. As a result, we miss the easiest opportunities of all – those right front of us.

Last week I opened an email, viewed the short video within it, and then picked up the phone to call the sender who had previously hired me. We had an interesting discussion that led to a referral and another discussion, and that led to another.

The result was a renewed friendship, a new connection, and the opening of a door to a business opportunity.

Business Happens in Real Time

The time invested in that series of events effectively killed my plan for the morning. Yet, it also produced a productive and potentially profitable result.

Do you believe in karma, destiny, and synchronicity?  How about  good luck?  The truth is every day we are greeted with opportunities that we ignore. Why?

Our plans, systems, and engrained processes blind us to them. Building systems and setting agendas can be productive, but they also limit our ability to discover new possibilities that are quietly bubbling up right before our eyes.

Robert Frost suggested we take the road less traveled. Paradoxically, that road is the obvious one that most people ignore because they are looking for the secret pathway that is hidden in woods.

An example of this is chasing the big opportunity that everyone else is chasing. It’s the one you are sure will finally put your business on the map and earn the respect of your colleagues. Sadly, it’s probably driven by your ego that wants to show off.

Action Opens Doors to Opportunities

Is showing off (maybe) part of your plan, or would you rather accomplish practical business objectives, such as making a profit.

The more reliable path to accomplishing your business objectives is to focus on the obvious – the client or customer that today happens to be right in front of you, and probably wants to do more business with you.

Connect the dots – be aware of looking for these opportunities and you will more readily notice them.

Plans are necessary, but they can be inherently vague. Opportunities are specific, evident, and inherently viable.

Forget the plan. Keep it in the background and take action on what may be a nice little success, one that leads to future successes.

Have the intention of being open to any opportunity that comes your way.  Look for them, and be willing to go with the unexpected. It works, at least that has been my experience.

Success in life and business is seldom a linear process.

So, why are you rigidly following one? Give yourself permission to go forward with opportunities as they present themselves.

What do you really want to accomplish?  

Leave a comment below – and please feel free to use these ideas as you wish. 

Until next time,  Jeff

Photo Credit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Auspicious Occasions

When you celebrate any occasion you feed it, giving it your full attention – and thereby capturing its most essential value. This weekend I attended the commencement ceremony for the 2012 Class of Indiana University, of which my daughter is a proud member. The commencement speaker, IU alumnus, and honorary doctorate recipient was Booker T. Jones, […]

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Why Facebook Really Bought Instagram

The purchase of Instagram by Facebook is classic forward thinking – strategically preparing for where business is going. Instagram is a photo sharing application that also allows for creative enhancement of photos via a few clicks on your mobile device. Facebook isn’t buying technology – they are extending their reach into new communities on a […]

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Get to Know Your Marketing Angels and Demons

When you are creating marketing content for your small business there is a demon on one shoulder and an angel on the other. The challenge is determining how that devil is working against you – and the angel for you. In other words – what do they represent when it comes to your creative process […]

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