Comments on: Differentiate Or Die In A Downturn http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/12/differentiate-die-downturn.html Exploring the trends driving small business Sat, 26 May 2012 02:28:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Swen Seiler http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/12/differentiate-die-downturn.html#comment-677288 Swen Seiler Wed, 28 Oct 2009 22:43:42 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/?p=7800#comment-677288 Fantastic website and explicit this post, also with Camino displayed good. Fantastic website and explicit this post, also with Camino displayed good.

]]> By: Jonathan Fields http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/12/differentiate-die-downturn.html#comment-651514 Jonathan Fields Sat, 20 Dec 2008 23:35:14 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/?p=7800#comment-651514 @ George - Love that example, rather than going broader to appeal to more people, often ultra-specialization or "niche-ing it down" is a powerful way to differentiate. So, now you're not competing against every other executive coach, but against every other executive coach with a focus on on-site exec-coaching/anger management for docs. You've cut your competition from 10s of thousands to, what, a few dozen, if that? And, my guess is, with the state of the medical field, your pool of clients is, well, massive. @ George – Love that example, rather than going broader to appeal to more people, often ultra-specialization or “niche-ing it down” is a powerful way to differentiate.

So, now you’re not competing against every other executive coach, but against every other executive coach with a focus on on-site exec-coaching/anger management for docs. You’ve cut your competition from 10s of thousands to, what, a few dozen, if that?

And, my guess is, with the state of the medical field, your pool of clients is, well, massive.

]]> By: George Anderson http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/12/differentiate-die-downturn.html#comment-651513 George Anderson Sat, 20 Dec 2008 23:27:20 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/?p=7800#comment-651513 Jonathan, I am doing exceptionally well in the tiny niche market of Executive Coaching/Anger Management for physicians. I quickly recognized that busy surgeons who are mandated to coaching course as a result of "disruptive behavior" prefer to be seen at their convenience on-site rather than spending time coming to my office. Therefore, my firm offers Coaching for physicians On-site, nationwide seven days a week. This has made us the leading provider of these services nationwide. Jonathan, I am doing exceptionally well in the tiny niche market of Executive Coaching/Anger Management for physicians. I quickly recognized that busy surgeons who are mandated to coaching course as a result of “disruptive behavior” prefer to be seen at their convenience on-site rather than spending time coming to my office. Therefore, my firm offers Coaching for physicians On-site, nationwide seven days a week.
This has made us the leading provider of these services nationwide.

]]> By: Richard Lockyer http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/12/differentiate-die-downturn.html#comment-651195 Richard Lockyer Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:25:17 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/?p=7800#comment-651195 Yes people are far more selective about spending their money now. Gimmicky sales ploys are no longer effective and only real bargains and quality products/services will sale. Increase communication with your existing clients and look after them before someone else does. Do more JV's they are cheap and effective. Sale smaller quantities more oten, give fantastic warranties, it shows that you are confident in your product and removes the risk. If you want more great business tips go to:- www.yourbusinessbooster.com Yes people are far more selective about spending their money now.
Gimmicky sales ploys are no longer effective and only real bargains and quality products/services will sale.

Increase communication with your existing clients and look after them before someone else does. Do more JV’s they are cheap and effective.
Sale smaller quantities more oten, give fantastic warranties, it shows that you are confident in your product and removes the risk.

If you want more great business tips go to:-
http://www.yourbusinessbooster.com

]]> By: Mary Grace Ignacio http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/12/differentiate-die-downturn.html#comment-651168 Mary Grace Ignacio Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:23:50 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/?p=7800#comment-651168 I agree Melissa. We should give ourselves a chance to go to an extra mile. :) I agree Melissa. We should give ourselves a chance to go to an extra mile. :)

]]> By: Melissa Donovan http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/12/differentiate-die-downturn.html#comment-651114 Melissa Donovan Tue, 16 Dec 2008 23:37:32 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/?p=7800#comment-651114 As a freelance copywriter, I find one of the best ways to set myself apart is to customize my offerings to each client's particular needs. My favorite thing to say is "I can do that, and I can also..." My clients love the extra tips I throw in when their projects are complete - usually recommendations for coding and formatting so the search engines will like their site. As a freelance copywriter, I find one of the best ways to set myself apart is to customize my offerings to each client’s particular needs. My favorite thing to say is “I can do that, and I can also…” My clients love the extra tips I throw in when their projects are complete – usually recommendations for coding and formatting so the search engines will like their site.

]]> By: Wilma Woodson http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/12/differentiate-die-downturn.html#comment-651101 Wilma Woodson Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:21:14 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/?p=7800#comment-651101 Great post. Offer a real value to the target audience and they will come. Thanks, Wilma Woodson 303.322.8340 MentorWilma@gmail.com http://FunNProfit.blogspot.com Great post. Offer a real value to the target audience and they will come.

Thanks,
Wilma Woodson
303.322.8340
MentorWilma@gmail.com
http://FunNProfit.blogspot.com

]]> By: shelley http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/12/differentiate-die-downturn.html#comment-651071 shelley Tue, 16 Dec 2008 15:33:41 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/?p=7800#comment-651071 I like what you said about treating all prospects with respect. I have found more than once that not only have I received referrals based off of that simple notion, I have also been able to return to a project that I had initially passed over because I had gone out of my way to build strong relationships with those I encountered. In 2009 I will have to come up with a few more creative ways to stand out, thanks for the reminder (and the holiday homework) Cheers- I like what you said about treating all prospects with respect. I have found more than once that not only have I received referrals based off of that simple notion, I have also been able to return to a project that I had initially passed over because I had gone out of my way to build strong relationships with those I encountered. In 2009 I will have to come up with a few more creative ways to stand out, thanks for the reminder (and the holiday homework)

Cheers-

]]> By: Dominic Londesborough http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/12/differentiate-die-downturn.html#comment-651066 Dominic Londesborough Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:32:30 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/?p=7800#comment-651066 hi Carla- I just checked out your Green + Chic website and I think it's fab. You mentioned in your post above about the challenge of finding the best way to differentiate yourself from the competition. I have the same challenge in a crowded personal fitness trainer market. I think the key differentiator is YOU! Just as with my business, it is the individual trainer and his/her personality and values. Just project your personality into the market by promoting your site, and keep blogging your beliefs and values on your site. You're already diferrentiating yourself - you just need to find ways of getting more people to visit your site. Hi Jonathan - I'm in the uk and I hope your Career Renegade book will come out in uk too - i'll certainly buy it! I'm so glad I came across your website - it really strikes a chord with me. hi Carla-

I just checked out your Green + Chic website and I think it’s fab.
You mentioned in your post above about the challenge of finding the best way to differentiate yourself from the competition. I have the same challenge in a crowded personal fitness trainer market.

I think the key differentiator is YOU! Just as with my business, it is the individual trainer and his/her personality and values. Just project your personality into the market by promoting your site, and keep blogging your beliefs and values on your site. You’re already diferrentiating yourself – you just need to find ways of getting more people to visit your site.

Hi Jonathan – I’m in the uk and I hope your Career Renegade book will come out in uk too – i’ll certainly buy it! I’m so glad I came across your website – it really strikes a chord with me.

]]> By: Luz Spielberg http://smallbiztrends.com/2008/12/differentiate-die-downturn.html#comment-651026 Luz Spielberg Tue, 16 Dec 2008 06:40:10 +0000 http://www.smallbiztrends.com/?p=7800#comment-651026 Hi Jonathan, Thanks for the reply. And, Yes -- it's worth everything! -Luz Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for the reply. And, Yes — it’s worth everything!

-Luz

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