How Was Your Year?
Posted on December 27, 2009 by Ed Roach
Whew! I guess we made it through the year. Looking back at 2009, were any of your fears realized? Was your apprehension worse than your reality? I have to admit I came through it with barely a scratch. (maybe a few bumps and bruises) Every new year presents unique challenges. The one main strategy I employ is positive energy. When new challenges present themselves, I try to make them into opportunities. If a lose a piece of business to competition, my attitude is that they will come over at some later date – stay focused on the bigger picture.
What have you put into place over the past year that strengthens your brand? One thing about a poor economy is that it provides us with the motivation to refine our operations and in some cases re-define who we are. New revenue streams may emerge from the lessons we have learned.
Going forward, your job is to get the word out there about your business. Use the web as much as you can to push you brand and expert profile. Build an opt-in email database and use it as your own personal market. Don’t view the web from a traditional marketing stand point – that is, run an ad, wait for a response. Discover ways to engage leads, customers and past-customers in stronger relationships with your business.
Ignore the financial shows on CNN and other media. They get better ratings when times “seem” desperate. Look at Glenn Beck for instance: preaching doom and gloom through his shows and books all the while endorsing Goldline (a gold selling service). Gold benefits from a horrible economy. Talk about a self-serving philosophy – I used to admire him a bit, now he’s just another charlatan in my view. Shame.
I suggest taking the yang from Beck’s ying, and generate an atmosphere of positive energy. Surround yourself with positive entrepreneurs and look for ways to raise the bar of your business and make 2010 your best year ever. You’re already working hard, so take that fabulous effort and direct it to additional initiatives that will differentiate your brand allowing you to “lead not follow”.
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Discussion: 15 Comments
Author: Ed Roach (108 Articles)
For 25 years or so I have developed positioning strategies for small businesses that helps to differentiate them. I appreciate working with companies who see the value of going beyond mere slogans and have a desire to sell from compelling positions. Opportunities come to light in every discussion. I consult predominantly with small business and and implement the solutions developed. I've had the pleasure of being interviewed in all media regarding branding small business, most recently in "America's Best" magazine and the "Christian Radio & Music Industry" trade magazine. I am available for speaking engagements and I have authored "The Reluctant Salesperson", an Introvert's Guide to Selling. Contact me if you are looking for practical advice on bringing your corporate brand to the next level. I also have international speaking experience including a recent event in Prague, Czech Republic. I am currently working on a branding conference in Mumbai, India for next year. I can be contacted directly at: 519-324-9536 or ed@thebrandingexperts.ca Blog: TheBrandCorral.com Twitter: BrandCorral Facebook
15 Responses to “How Was Your Year?”
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How Was Your Year? « Small Business Branding - Brand Management World - 28th Dec, 09 04:12am
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Carico
- 30th Dec, 09 09:12am
What a great article. It is important to surround yourself with positive people. I was a little dissappointed you got that from Glen Beck but either way I think 2010 is going to be a great year!
Kim Lawrence
- 30th Dec, 09 10:12am
I am happy to see that not all businesses are screaming about how bad things were this year. I am told that if I finish the year with only a 5-6% reduction in revenues, then I am lucky. I prefer to think it was because I continued to work hard and market my business in the right ways to keep new business coming in. Several years ago, I didn’t believe I could be successful selling my products on the internet, but I tried it and I don’t regret the decision. I believe it was a huge reason why my business hasn’t suffered as much as others. I am still a bit uncertain how much the social networking aspect of marketing is going to pay off, but I am determined to learn and try it. Happy 2010!
Kevins Promotional Products
- 30th Dec, 09 10:12am
I started building up speed towards the end of the year but NO this was not my year.. I had a good year and learned a great deal but I really feel 2010 is going to be a HUGE year for me.. I honestly cant wait
Ed Roach (author comment)
- 30th Dec, 09 11:12am
Excellent attitude Kevin, I hope the new year embraces you.
Ed Roach (author comment)
- 30th Dec, 09 08:12pm
Carico/Kim, great attitude gang. I sincerely believe that’s half the battle. The other is the hard work and determination to succeed. Bring on 2010!
Business Broker
- 1st Jan, 10 09:01pm
2009 was a year where although the ’sky did not fall’, it was rough on a lot of people I talk to professionally. The overwhelming good news is that 2010 is seen as a clean slate. Happy new year everyone.
Ed Roach (author comment)
- 2nd Jan, 10 07:01pm
Mr. B. Broker. A clean slate – that’s what’s so invigorating about a New Year. It is our opportunity to learn from any errors of the past year and build on our successes. Thanks for commenting, we all learn from each other’s experiences.
cpr certification
- 5th Jan, 10 01:01am
nice post.. it seems like you were surrounded by nice and positive people.. 2009 was not good for me.. had got lots of troubles.. just hope 2010 will be good for me.. anyway HAPPY NEW YEAR to u all..
Gmat Prep
- 5th Jan, 10 01:01am
HAPPPPPPPPYYYY NEWWWWW YEARRRRRRRR to u all my friends. my 2009 was rocking.. had great fun and success.. just wish 2010 will be more enjoyable..
Ed Roach (author comment)
- 5th Jan, 10 09:01am
CPR- hang with us here at Small Business Branding, we’ll make 2010 your best yet. Lot’s of positive entrepreneurs here, like Gmat for instance. What was your biggest hurdle last year CPR?
Mark
- 14th Jan, 10 04:01pm
Nice post, Ed. You bring up some great points. I especially like what you said about “atmosphere of positive energy.” It can be hard to do during times like these — even if you as the CEO are jazzed, employees have things like medical bills and college tuition to keep them stressed. Chicago’s Loyola University Health System is one of the latest sources to say that stress equals lower workplace productivity because it burns employees out.
I think the firms that are going to do well in 2010 are small ones — because they tend to be more on the pulse of what their employees are thinking — that are open and honest with them, including about pitfalls/shortfalls. The nonprofit I work for hosts an annual small business competition, and we always see with the winners that this mentality leads to greater innovation and sales during any market.
Ed Roach (author comment)
- 14th Jan, 10 08:01pm
Thanks for your compliment Mark. Your non-profit’s competition is a great way to generate positive energy. I agree with your assessment that SME’s will do well this year. Their flatness is their advantage.
Jerry
- 21st Jan, 10 12:01pm
The year was hard with its ups and downs, but by focusing on what matters – delivering high quality – and meeting customers needs, it was mostly good.
Ed Roach (author comment)
- 23rd Jan, 10 10:01pm
Glad to hear it Jerry. You’re got the right attitude.