Test and Validation
The most productive way to test something is not by making MVPs. Even before that, what you can do is reaching out to customers and ask them. The usual way to do business is: “I’ll build and they’ll come”. What if you just ask first, see if there’s interest (aka traction), and from there build? You might be able to kill quickly the bad ideas. Or look for better ideas to make it more impactful. Just go and test. 🙂
A core definition
Here’s a definition of creativity: It’s the ability to see (opportunity). You seeing that things / subjects / themes / applications from other disciplines can be translated into what you do is you being creative. You seeing different paths in your business, is also creativity. You seeing new/different paths in your practice with your clients, that’s also being creative. Just like originality. 🙂
The difference is the risk
The difference between charging 300K and 10K to the same client, project, and scope: the risk. The risk to ask what’s important to them. The risk to make and deliver on a promise. The risk to stop thinking of what you can do, to start thinking of what they [truly] want. The risk to walk away. The risk to push back. The risk to be the expert. The risk to think big for them. The risk of looking dumb. The risk to put your money where your mouth is. The risk of helping. Fortunately for all of us,…
The difference
What’s the difference between someone charging 300K for a job? And someone else charging 10K for the same job? Same specs. Same client. Same job. Same budget. Same timeframe. (and the client willing and ready to pay 300K without even flinching). Hint: it’s not the portfolio / previous work.
The fake intersection
There’s no intersection between personal and professional lives. It’s just one life. Within it, you have sides that are personal and professional. They work and influence each other. Work life is part of what makes life. Personal life is what makes life. Look for the harmony of them. It’s like a chord: a set of notes sounding at the same time. Sure, you could play note by note. Or something richer in chords. 🙂
Execution is everything
That’s what you’ll find in most places and insights. “Execution is everything”. That’s a common (mis)conception. Knowing how to execute the right thing is everything. Execution can be done by anyone, meaning you can always find someone to do the thing (either by training or hiring). Coming with the different, bold idea is also something learnable. It takes more time, as it’s not a formula. (It’s about breaking them) You can even be amazing at executing the great idea. Yet if you miss the…
This is not a fight
Time and You. It’s not a fight. It cant’ be won. Sure, you want to do more stuff. But is it, though? What if you could do LESS, in less time? Time is nothing but a constraint. If it were a resource, you could use it at will, you could store it, you could buy and sell it. So, what to do instead? First, make your peace with it. It is what it is. And it’s ok. Second, grab a piece of paper and jot down EVERYTHING that comes to your mind you would/could/need to do this year. Don’t filter it. Just…
Do you know what’s the easiest way to not stand out?
Do the same as everybody else. Set prices based on the market. Focus on revenue at all costs (literally). Go for the easy sale (at the low price). Fight any chance you see change coming. Block crazy ideas. Do what you’re told. Not standing out is safe. Makes life easier. You face no resistance. You subdue. And then you fade.
Closing doesn’t need to be that hard
Going into a sales conversation to close a deal that might feel significant to you in terms of revenue doesn’t mean it’ll be the same for your customer. You need 2 main things: Be willing (and ready) to hear No. And follow up with more questions to understand, not to convince. Be willing to walk away. If it’s not a fit, it’s not a fit. And that’s ok. It’s just a number. Say your offer is 50 000 euros / dollars —and keep the straight face. The more you practice saying it out loud, the more…
Are you taking the hit?
So, tiktok is gone. At least (for now in the US) banned. Here’s what you hear: “It’s a big hit on brands and creators.” “It was a main revenue source.” “It was a strong comms platform to connect with new customers.” Now, the obvious (?) thing is to find other platforms where to leverage the same. Or is it? Because this is actually one more reason not to leverage these platforms as the key point for your comms. Same thing happened with Twitter few years back. And Clubhouse. And Facebook. And…
