Onward with Being a Fearless Opportunity Seeker
Last week we talked about obstacles and seeing them as opportunities. Now, let's explore getting our brains to look for opportunities. When we try to do any task that is either part of our regular jobs or something we see will lead to change, some of us will find anything to do other than the job at hand. Relax, and take a nap! Seriously, when people have something big to do or hard to do, if they do something else for even 15 minutes they will likely return refreshed and often with new insights. According to Richard Wiseman author of :59 Seconds getting ready is part of the process. Here are his four techniques to help you think and behave more flexibly.
Priming. Work hard on something and then take time to do something completely different, go to a museum, watch a child's sporting event, do a Sudoku puzzle, just immerse yourself in something.
Perspective. Imagine how your friend, a child, your partner, your accountant might approach this problem. Now, think about doing the exact opposite of what you think you should do - what does that look like?
Play. Take a break for 15 minutes, watch some funny videos, put mustaches on all the faces on the front page of the newspaper.
Perceive. Shake things up, drive a different way to work, count the birds outside your kitchen window or wash the dishes by hand. Doing something out of the ordinary requires you to operate on manual, not automatic.
Use these ideas when you are stuck or frustrated and force your mind to pay attention to just that. You may be surprised when you come back to the task.
Copyright 2010 Linda Fayerweather
Changing Lanes LLC
419-897-0528
www.ChangingLanes.biz
8 Trends in Consumer Behavior
While we can't predict the future, we can use metrics to predict customer loyalty. The following are trends in branding and marketing for 2010:
1) Value is EVERYTHING - with pocketbooks shrinking, people aren't shopping sales any more. They need a "reason to buy" instead of a bevy of items at a low, low cost!
2) Brands = Value - Why J Crew versus The Cap? J Crew is synonymous with careful chic (smart & stylish). The Gap some think of as expensive denim & khaki. What does your brand stand for?
3) Brand Value is Built on Brand Differentiation - While your brand may be readily recognized, it won't pay the bills. Instead you need to differentiate yourself with your competitors to seal the deal when it comes to sales and profitability. Brand awareness is obsolete.
4) Your Brand Can't Stand on Its Own - Just because you tout your brand values doesn't mean the consumer believes you. The consumer decides what's authentic and what's not when it comes to brand differentiation. Sorry Charlie, but "Because I Said So" is soooooo over.
5) Expectations are Blooming - Consumer expectations are high now, which means they are adopting and devouring the latest innovations on the market. There is a hunger for more iPhone, iPad, cool stuff than ever before.
6) Don't Rely on Your Old Tricks - When's the last time you really believed a bank ad that says, "We're all in this together." Sounds pretty hollow right? Make sure the values you're expounding are current. Celebrity scandals, fat cat bankers have made the consumer hypercritical of how their emotions are being played in an ad. Be authentic with your message and with your pairing of celebrities with your product.
7) Conversation & Community are Critical - If consumers trust the community, they'll extend that trust to the brand: case in point: ebay thrives based on consumer feedback.
8) People are Talking to Each Other Before They Talk to You. - Social Networking and exchange of information outside of your store will increase. Start making Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter work for you. Listen, engage and profit from these trends in marketing and branding for 2010.
Copyright 2010 Rebecca Booth
Marketing Goddess
http://www.rebeccaboothmarketinggoddess.com/
Imagine That!
419.855.3399
