Interesting ponderings lately. I'm having "Happy Tuesday" and am sharing another mindpoppy with you. (Feel free to give feedback in the comment section.)
Many of us yarn or rabbit or talk or chat or tweet or post or write or brag or ponder about learning and the art of progress. This takes individual forms and unique expressions. For each and every one of us there is a goal or direction of some description, there may be a dream or vision, there may be some cash available or maybe not, there may be support from others or maybe not. Still: the fact that you are reading this post implies you have:
a. things in common with me, otherwise you'd be on YouTube watching some chimps in action, or actually doing your work or getting those dishes done and
b. you have things in common with the other readers of this blog as well. This I find a very nice idea. In this time of rapid technological advancement they say there is no solitude anymore, unless you seek it. The beauty is really to meet other groovy souls we otherwise wouldn't have, as the beaming up technology is not yet available to us.
This morning I received an email from Simon Mainwaring to say I had won the book "Crush it" by Gary Vaynerchuk, signed, sealed and delivered. I was surprised. I was excited. I was grateful. And I thought: interesting how inspiring people are so compelling and also: how cool to befriend people all over the globe. To have dialogs, questions, more questions then answers, stories, at time advice, and always the joy of discovery.
After the first phase we get the second phase: personal stories and more sharing. To offer more details of the things we did that were embarrassing, the cock ups, the sheer stupidity, the learning curves. A friend of mine told me there are many posers out there. I understand the sentiment. It is true that it is hard for some to be transparent and genuine. Instead of getting annoyed we might feel these people we come accross are maybe not yet sure of what they are really about. I don't know, but it's worth considering. The point is we have a choice always whom we want to give attention to. We also have the inhibitions to be careful, as our parents drummed into us not to accept candy from strange men and not walk home alone. Especially not when you're a girl.
Still, I'm all for keeping the door open, more so then keeping it shut. When we have been snubbed, conned, let down, hurt or just plain feel disappointed, it's tempting to say: they did it! And not try again. But really; who's losing out? In the end you find it's in your best interest to keep trying and happily hoping. Be sensible, but keep that door open, because there are great people out there and basically you make the choice yourself, by expressing who you are, to draw towards you those that you want to find. If you are not happy with who you are seeing, focus on those you would like to see instead.
The world is diverse, and it's truly amazing to be alive and kicking today. Kudos to you all. "Live long and prosper."
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What makes competition what it is? Why does it matter? Some use competition to work harder, others to give up beforehand. There are grim faces, smirks and comments. Here are ways for you to consider something else:
If you become so totally kick ass good at being the brand, and you know what it is that makes you and your product different, then competition is basically off the cards, because you have literally become a new breed in your own right, a special species. Unless you bang out washing machines that are the same as the ones from up the road, you've got options.
As Seth Godin puts it: "You don't have to like competition in order to understand that it exists. Your fair share isn't going to be yours unless you give the public a reason to pick you." (the rest of his post here)
The competition mindset is one of fear. I am a huge believer that there are excellent ways of making distinctions in the big pool, or like Seth said: give people a reason to choose you. There is usually work for everyone, depending on how you look at it. Look further then door number 1. It's not about going along with playing the game, but to change the game or to play your own game. Either way, getting too hung up about the whole gig is bad for your health. The most successful people are telling the story right, know the benefits that they offer and have that magic "it" factor that people will remember. They have full confidence and belief in themselves and their product. It is magnetic.
Above can also apply to you as a person. I explained to my husband the other day that he should remember that he is valuable as a professional and a rare commodity on the market, so to speak (which he is). It's good to realize your own market value, don't sell yourself short, and also, dare to ASK for what you want and know you can. Nicely. It is different approaching your target audience with confidence -knowing what you got- opposed to from a place of 'what if', desperation or neediness. Most people can smell your underlying thought pattern by reading your behavior in a flash. Examine your attitudes.
Another reason to look at - and work with competition differently is that I have found it far more worthwhile to work with them. It's not a matter of "keeping your friends close but keep your enemies closer"; but to see the competition not as an opponent at all, rather someone to work with to create mutual benefit. This makes sense, and it's a lot more positive and fun then the other way round. Why repel or ignore them? Have a chat and see how you can help one another. Some may be very suspicious, others wary, or even very surprised. It doesn't hurt to try. Consider it.
Competition definitely has it's place and function: it does work as the benchmark of any given topic, because of the competition's existence you can re-evaluate where you stand yourself and how you think and feel about the process. You should almost be thankful that they are obliging to just exist in this fashion so you can learn from them.
And finally: how about the discussions that you have to be where the action is (so others are not going to out-do you)? Naturally if you are a retailer or a local dairy this makes sense. But what if you can take that retailing online? What I find so captivating is that more and more entrepreneurs seems to be able to work from anywhere and be creative and resourceful in how they earn a living. Products can be send from many locations. The key is being flexible and adapting to your market. (Check out how Ponoko does things here. I use them for my jewelery and they are a very clever bunch. Also ice cream manufacturer Giapo in Auckland, New Zealand has absolutely aced at marketing their product, using social media -very impressive- they have a compelling organic story to boot.)
"the Global Micro brand is sustainable. With it you are not beholden to one boss, one company, one customer, one local economy or even one industry. Your brand develops relationships in enough different places to where your permanent address becomes almost irrelevant".
Hugh Macleod
(the rest of his post here)
Now I have to say: I like that idea very much indeed.
