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Different Times Call For Different Strategies

Business-Building Action Steps From Terry Brock

We are living in times that are different from anything you and I have lived in before.  Is the economy picking up?  Is it in for a long-term change? What is happening around us and how can we, as small business people, adapt and succeed?

Well, in different times one strategy is to can keep on doing what you’ve already done.  I remember the old phrase that I heard long ago, “If you keep on doing what you’ve already done, you’ll keep on getting what you’ve already got.”  That sounded like profound wisdom.

Until I realized it was wrong.

When things are different and the ground rules are changing and everything becomes different, if you keep on doing what got you to the level of success you’re enjoying now, you are certainly NOT going to keep getting what you’ve already got.

You are going to fall further and further behind.

This is not a pretty picture — if you keep on doing what you’ve already done.

Things are different today and we have to change a lot of the core beliefs we have held.  The toughest beliefs to discard will be those which brought you success in the past but are no longer valid in today’s new environment.

If you know me, you know that I love studying history and embracing the principles that worked long ago to practical relevance for us today.  I’m reminded of the approach the British used in the American Revolution.  They embraced the tried-and-true 17th Century strategy of soldiers, all dressed in pretty red uniforms, marching in straight, organized formation doing war the “proper” way (and yes, the British still use that word “proper” today to indicate the way things “should” be done).

Well, it didn’t take long before the British realized that these colonists were not practicing the “proper” way of waging war.  Those pesky Americans were hiding behind trees, hiding in bushes and even shooting officers.  “How dare they?” asked the outraged British military.

Well, what worked in the 1760’s against Frederick the Great (The great enemy of the British in the Seven Years War) didn’t work against American frontier fighters who didn’t quite get around to reading the manuals on the “proper” way to fight a revolutionary war.

I hear the Americans did all right in that little conflict!

For you and me today, the lesson is that what worked in small business in the 70’s, the 80’s and the 90’s doesn’t work today.  We have to look at different ways of getting our message out to others.  We have to be unconventional.  We have to be willing to embrace new ideas, new technologies and new ways of doing things to serve customers, increase the bottom line and be profitable.

What worked before is not necessarily going to work in today’s new environment.  We have a fiscal year national debt of close to $2 Trillion dollars today (I still have trouble wrapping my mind around that much debt).  We have a national debt of around $14 Trillion (and THAT number boggles my mind!).

That means that you and I have to embrace different strategies in a different world.  Lean more heavily on technology and systems.  Lean more heavily on outsourcing to leverage your ability.  It means that we have to think of our market as international much more than based within a given geographical region.

Yes, we can make it and many are.  Throughout history those who can and did adapt to the changing landscape and circumstances succeeded.  Those who could not adapt to the new ways of doing things were eliminated.

Resolve today that you will learn something new that can help your business.  Also, resolve that you will let go of what isn’t working anymore — even if it worked before.

A new way of doing business is upon us.  As we embrace the change and adapt both with our philosophy and our technology, we will succeed.

Be sure to listen to the audio podcast of this article — enhanced with more comments that you are going to love!  Click on the “Play” button below to listen. You can also download it as an MP3 file to listen on your favorite MP3 audio player.  Enjoy!

© 2009, Terry Brock and Achievement Systems, Inc.  Terry Brock is an international marketing coach and professional speaker who helps businesses generate profitable results.  He can be reached by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.  Join the Twitter adventure with Terry through his Twitter address: TerryBrock

5 Ways To Annoy the Daylights Out of Prospects

Business Building Actions From Terry Brock

If you’re facing a problem of way too much business (work with me here) then I’ve got just the solution for you!  I’ve noticed many businesses doing these steps below and it is a sure-fire way to get prospects annoyed and drive them away.

It must be something some companies want because they do it so often.  Maybe you can relate from being on the receiving end of some of [...] Continue Reading…

Surprise! Good News Abounds In Today’s Market (Really!!)

Business-Building Action From Terry Brock

We are living in the best time possible.  You and I, as small business owners, have opportunities as never before to excel and achieve not only the business goals we have but also the lifestyle goals.

Right about now, you might be wondering if I’m in tune with reality.  “Doesn’t this guy know about the problems with blah, blah, blah (fill in your favorite problems with the “blahs”)?”  Well, yes, [...] Continue Reading…

Facebook Password Alert – Video Explains All

Image via Wikipedia

Facebook is a great way to connect with others. It is all about Relationship Marketing. But, you have to be careful. Watch this fun video (below) that explains what happened to a friend of mine and then what is recommended to avoid problems like this in the future.

If you use Facebook, you need to be aware of what is going on today.Take the precautionary steps [...] Continue Reading…

Gradualism: Leveraging Time To Get What You Want

Business-Building Actions From Terry Brock

“Great ability develops and reveals itself increasingly with every new assignment.”  Baltasar Gracian

We live in a world that wants everything now — or yesterday.  We have little patience and seem to be constantly in a hurry.  Just look at “rush” hour traffic and listen to the horns blaring away.
[Bonus!  Listen to the podcast for an expanded version of this article.  Just click on the "Play" button below!]
Nature has a [...] Continue Reading…

Adapt to Change – Here’s How

Image by jmtimages via Flickr

It is imperative to adapt to change to survive.

Last night, we had several elections in the United States.  One year ago Barack Obama was elected on a platform of “Change You Can Believe In” and today, people wanted further change.

What does this mean for you and me in our business?  Listen to this short podcast and you’ll find ways you can benefit both in your business and [...] Continue Reading…

PDF Creator 6 – Interview with Product Manager Mike Angelo

One of the products I love on my Windows computers is PDF Creator/Convertor. It gives me the ability to read PDF books and articles quickly and easily. I can also annotate them and more.

But the real advantage is in the marketing you can do. You can create multiple PDFs, stitch them together into one document and send to others. This is one you’ll want.

Recently I was able [...] Continue Reading…

Personal Responsibility: Making Relationship Marketing Work

Image via Wikipedia

Business-Boosting Actions From Terry Brock

“Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.” – General George S. Patton

Personal Responsibility.  It’s a concept that we don’t hear much today — particularly from politicians.  Yet, it is critical in your business and personal life to achieve anything worthwhile.  If something is going to happen, you have to take the steps to make it happen.  Don’t depend on [...] Continue Reading…

Patrick Taylor of Oversight Systems on Business Success

Achieving success in your business requires more than just the technology.  Recently I had the pleasure of meeting Patrick Taylor, the CEO  of Oversight Systems.  Patrick has worked with successful high tech companies for many years including Oracle, ISS and Symantec.

You’d think that a techie guy like him with education from Georgia Tech and Harvard Business School would tout the importance of technology.  Well, Patrick is a big fan of and helps a lot [...] Continue Reading…

Creating Dazzling Customer Experiences: How To Make It Work

Business Building Action Steps From Terry Brock

[Note: Be sure to listen to the Russian podcast of this at the bottom of this article]

Today’s economy requires innovative ideas to generate more revenue.  That comes from creating dazzling customer experiences that bring customers back again and again.

Recently I had the opportunity to hear Cathie Black, the President of Hearst Magazines, make a presentation at a Harvard Business School Alumni Club meeting in Atlanta.  The insights [...] Continue Reading…

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