| Unfortunately that famous line from Humphrey | | | | What is changing in the economy? |
| Bogart's movie The Treasure of the Sierra Madre", | | | | We all know the traditional ways to reach out to |
| "Badges? We ain't got not no badges. We don't need | | | | customers..... mailings, telemarketing, mass emails and |
| no badges! I don't have to show you no | | | | others. But what is going to grab your customer's |
| stinkin'badges!" is often one of the most misquoted | | | | attention, how can you convince them to choose |
| lines in movie history, in fact, when I first started | | | | you over all the other alternatives in the market? |
| writing this, I had to correct myself when using the | | | | Think about the following:o Provide value, beyond the |
| quote! That being said, let's get to the point of this | | | | product - value in personal attention and |
| blog....... Planning. Our last blog discussed planning on a | | | | customizationo Make yourself unique - find a way to |
| global, big picture scale. Let's focus on what it means | | | | differentiate yourself from the competitiono Build |
| to you, as an individual running your business! The | | | | Relationships - showing the customer you really are |
| first step is to realize "WE NEED A PLAN!" How do | | | | invested in helping them make the best decisions and |
| you go about developing a plan that will be | | | | choices with your expertise. They will count on you |
| meaningful and effective for your business? There | | | | to make sure their best interests are being looked |
| are many templates and programs that will assist you | | | | after!o Network in the community.... Join the Chamber |
| with the fundamentals, a simple Google search will | | | | of Commerce, sponsor a youth activity, help with a |
| provide a wealth of information. It's what you put in | | | | charity event, get involved in local professional groups |
| the plan that counts! Following are some ideas and | | | | The key is your plan should focus on cultivating a |
| thoughts that you may want to consider as you | | | | two-way relationship with your customers. Yes, the |
| develop your plan:o What is changing in your | | | | new technology of Social Media is important, but so is |
| industry?o What is changing in technology and how | | | | an act so simple most of us have forgotten it.... Pick |
| does it impact your ability to connect with | | | | up the phone or stop by to say a personal "Hello". |
| customerso What is changing with your customers?o | | | | |