Tag: business strategy

For years, I kept my business strategy in my head. It was a reliable place to keep it, or at least I thought. My memory is fairly decent when it comes to things that matter and reaching my business goals – matters. 

With our marketing plan, that was another story. Writing it down is what we do, and we know that it is the only way to achieve marketing goals, aligning the sales function with marketing tactics that derive results.

The reality of a post pandemic world is that life as we know it has transformed, from manufacturing supply-demand crunches to the restrictions on shopping, businesses have had to adapt to an uncertain environment at lightning speed in order to survive in this Brave New World.

Like every other business owner, a month ago I stopped in my tracks. I looked around, read everything I could and basically tried to fill my head with as much knowledge as possible. I know that I don't know what I'm doing and right now more so than ever. I had so many questions: What is happening to the world and how is it going to effect my business? How do I navigate through this period of uncertainty and change, without falling apart? How are my staff going to take this? What's important? What isn't?

Losing jobs to technology is really nothing new if you think about it – even when humans haven’t been totally overrun they have learned to adapt to technology and machinery to become more efficient and accurate in what they do.

With continued advances in artificial intelligence, technology and robotics, businesses will need to stop and rethink their approach to getting the job done in the most competitive manner.

Businesses are having to transform their training models and methods, reevaluate their hiring practices, reconsider their organisational structure and transform their job descriptions.

One of the biggest mistakes any business owner can make is thinking that they are singularly capable of everything; accounting, management, finance, marketing etc.

We see all too commonly, small to medium business owners who think they know marketing. Reality check: just because you own your own business, this doesn’t make you a marketing expert. Its time to take your business to the next level by acting now and investing in both marketing and a comprehensive strategy to strategically and tactically help achieve your business goals in both the short and long term.

When a business starts a new calendar year with have a business strategy in place, supported by a sales and marketing plan - CEO's expect results.

But what if the results are not forthcoming? What if key people have read the strategy yet are not "making it happen"? As we near the end of January, many companies are realizing that targets are not being met, and while some may scratch their heads, the real leaders are taking action.

Do people really believe what they read in newspapers, internet, magazines, watch on television or YouTube or hear on the radio or through podcasts? 

Daily I receive updates on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin from people that have received publicity whether it is through an online blog or in the media sprouting how successful they are. The first couple of "pushes" of publicity, I applaud and genuinely think "good on that person". Then when it keeps coming in what can sometimes be "D-grade" versions of media that perhaps only a few people ever get to read, I start to think "oh, this person is looking for attention or needs people to think they are successful".

Which, might I add, may not be the case at all, but it is just my immediate perception if I don't know any better about the person.

Last night I had dinner with a good friend of mine. He is one of the smartest people I know in business. He is not only academical, but very street smart.

I talked in length about the next stage of Marketing Eye's business. That is, expansion into the US, selling rights for the company in Europe and basically becoming a truly global player in small business marketing. No else seems to be taking the lead, so it may as well be me.