Not doing… to think = Wasted time
Have you ever felt like when you’re working and need to make a stop to decide over which way to go, this “deciding” time is wasted time? You’re not alone. Talking with friend-of-the-list and data science expert, Genevieve Hayes, we got to talk about this kind of work. David Marquet defines it as red/blue work. “Work has 2 activities: doing and deciding.” The dynamic between these 2 is what can bring you to stay ahead. It’s not one or the other, but when it’s the right time for one, and when…
On working on your positioning
Two things: 1. Start with the basics. Positioning → Discipline for Market.Where market = a group of people trying to get something done. You figure that out, you’re getting way closer than most of your competitors and alternatives.2. Define, state and articulate your business POV in the market —versus how the market (competitors, rivals, alternatives) sees the ways to solve the problem. If you can’t tell your POV from the rest, your position is general and undifferentiated. If that’s the…
Reversing
Yesterday’s message was an example of what a set of assumptions —in this case, the industry I’m in— looks like. The next step about this is going all the way to the opposite. To reverse the norms, the expectations, the standard. Not to say exactly what it’d look like in reality, but to push boundaries and for you to go crazy. To go all in. Without fear of consequences. Because this is the part of the exercise that can show you glimpses of how far you could go. How you could make yourself (or…
What does it take to stand out?
Ask yourself these questions How the hell do I get to better serve my customers? What questions do I answer? What questions do I make? Don’t (over)think them. Just write them down as they come. Don’t filter them. Once you got them, take some tea —or coffee, or your drink of choice— and explain each of those. Again, don’t look for the right words. It’s about a feeling first. You’ll have time for wordsmithing. Once you have those 3 questions answered, take a day to not look at them. And after…
Outperforming the competition
It won’t make your brand the leader. It even won’t guarantee you higher sales. And if you’ve heard that “strategy is a set of choices to outperform the competition”, don’t follow that advice. It’s bullshit. Strategy is not about “outperforming”, as many say —especially on LinkedIn. If it was about performance, why would a business be preferred over others when they underperform? Take Apple, and even their other side in Samsung. Can you find companies that perform better? Yes. Do they get…
Fits & Misfits
If you qualify your customers and prospects, you’re looking for the right Fits, so that you can help them thrive, and by extension, make your business thrive. If you’re looking to stand out in your market, you’ll be a Misfit. You’ll think, do and see things different —all to help your customers rise. You’ll be fine in not being what you’re expected to be: standard. And Misfits are also the ones who appreciate how you can make things better for them in new ways. After all, how can you stand…
Loyalty doesn’t exist
Brand loyalty. Customer loyalty. They’re a nice couple of terms, but they don’t actually exist. Are your customers loyal to your brand? If they find a choice that works better, do they stay with you? If they find a choice that is cheaper, do they stay with you? If they find a choice that improves their lives, do they stay with you? The harsh answer is no. And that’s ok. Loyalty goes both ways. If your customers are not profitable anymore, do you stay with them? If your customers aren’t a…
Good habits die hard
Over a year ago, friend of the list and daily emailer Jonathan Stark launched his e365 workshop: how to write for a year, daily. Now, you’ll think… But what if I run our of things to say? Won’t people unsubscribe / stop reading me? Do I have something worth saying? Will I be able to keep at it at this high frequency? Will anybody actually want to read what I have to say? Etc. etc. etc. Thing is, that’s of second order. What writing and publishing daily does is it helps you think: better and…
Normal behavior
Quick question: What would you say are normal behaviors from your customers/prospects? What do you think are the expectations when approaching a new prospect? Yes. There were 2 questions. 🙂
The S word
Selling. You guessed it. Yesterday’s message was about what a normal behavior is acceptable from your prospects. Friend of the list, data science expert and hostess of the podcast Value Driven Data Science, Genevieve Hayes, asked what are these sets of red flags from both sides: your prospects and yourself. Spoiler alert: it depends. All of us are at different stages in life and business, so conditions vary. One thing that doesn’t vary, though —and personally use as a good filter— is: Would I…
