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…
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…
The problem with servant leadership
… is pretty much the same as with leader-follower leadership. Today’s episode of The Business of Authority with Rochelle Moulton and Jonathan Stark was about “The books that changed us” (well, them). And it’s quite insightful on how things you read can help you in your own journey. In the mid of it, there’s a mention to The Servant Leader, by Robert Greenleaf. However, that term —servant— makes me cringe. While the book makes a point on key things like searching, listening and being there…
Making sure your team stays productive
“Your team is working remotely. How can you ensure they stay productive?” A question posed by AI on linkedin. Tons of replies. All looking at the tree: productivity. Whether or not your team or organization or collabs are remote or on-site, trying to “ensure they stay productive” is nonsense. Ensure they stay productive.That premise itself assumes they are not.It assumes they need to be checked on —like irresponsible, little kids.It assumes they need to take orders and be under control (of…
A price and a price tag
While being at a department store, I saw this mic… that didn’t have a price. Approached one of the sellers and asked for help. – “Hi. This mic doesn’t have a price…” – “It does have a price. It doesn’t have a price tag.” ???? Funny thing, the same happens when you stop billing by the hour. – Prospect: “What’s your hourly rate?” – You: “I don’t have one.” – Prospect: “So you don’t have a price?” – You: “I do have a price for you. Just not hourly. Wanna keep talking?” If you provide custom…
Can profit be a poison?
Friend-of-the-list, daily emailer and your friendly-CFO (think of it as your friendly Financial Spiderwoman), Lauren Pearl, wrote about how profit-first could be a poison pill for businesses (bolding mine). “The industry is riddled with quick answers from experts on what works for every business. And while many of those insights are revolutionary for some teams.The same can be poison pills for others.” And she’s right. There’s no one-fits-all solution. When profit (or for that matter,…
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…
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. 🙂
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…
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…