For better and for worse, home computing technology and the Internet have leveled the professional playing field. No longer is location a barrier to employment entry and diligent workers are emerging from some of the world’s bleakest economies. And while this development heralds a brighter future for countries such as China, India and more, how can American workers compete with those who can afford to perform the same work but for a fraction of the homegrown price?
Get Good – Or Get Out
The late, great management consultant Peter Drucker gave a brief interview to Fortune magazine several years ago that detailed the best advice he had ever received. When he began his career, his manager told him that if he didn’t improve his performance, he was out. The point is this: provide a top quality product at a reasonable price. Note that you don’t have to offer the lowest price; you do, however, have to provide the best product for the price. Run a professional operation with a solid product while providing world-class customer service, and guarantee a happy clientele that returns again and again.
Know Your Worth
Whether you’re a freelance writer or you run a CJ Pony Ford Mustang parts dealer, remember that your time and skills have value, not just the product you’re selling. For example, if you own a ski shop at the base of Vail and you specialize in matching hard-to-fit customers with the best boots on the market – and you’re willing to fit the person again and again, with a smile on your face – then you can charge another $40 for the privilege. If you’re a writer and your client wants multiple edits, do so willingly and with a smile, and perhaps next time you can charge a higher price. If you want to provide the best quality Mustang accessories, differentiate yourself with service and selection so that customers realize that you care about their purchase experience more than the rest.
Hire What You Lack
Perhaps you’re great at technology, but not so great at sales. Or maybe your product is well-made, innovative and reasonably priced, but your marketing skills are nonexistent. If that describes you, then run – don’t walk – to hire a contractor or employee who does have those skills. Once you relieve yourself of the responsibility to be an expert on every part of your business, you can free yourself up to pursue your talent, which drives revenue. It’s ok if you’re not a Quick books expert – someone out there is.
If You’re Not Making Money, Figure Out Why
Most successful business owners will tell you that their small operations turned a profit right away. If your business isn’t making money, figure out why. Perhaps what you think is an essential product or service actually isn’t. Perhaps you have a manufacturing problem. Perhaps your prices are too high, and your customers are getting a better value elsewhere. Develop a relationship with your customers as well as your employees. If you don’t already know what your problem is, chances are someone else does. And the sooner you can figure it out, the sooner you’ll put your business on the path to profitability.
Now that you know more about staying competitive, you might want to learn more about how to market to a target audience like those needing CJ Pony Mustang accessories. Guest post written by James.
Get Good – Or Get Out
The late, great management consultant Peter Drucker gave a brief interview to Fortune magazine several years ago that detailed the best advice he had ever received. When he began his career, his manager told him that if he didn’t improve his performance, he was out. The point is this: provide a top quality product at a reasonable price. Note that you don’t have to offer the lowest price; you do, however, have to provide the best product for the price. Run a professional operation with a solid product while providing world-class customer service, and guarantee a happy clientele that returns again and again.
Know Your Worth
Whether you’re a freelance writer or you run a CJ Pony Ford Mustang parts dealer, remember that your time and skills have value, not just the product you’re selling. For example, if you own a ski shop at the base of Vail and you specialize in matching hard-to-fit customers with the best boots on the market – and you’re willing to fit the person again and again, with a smile on your face – then you can charge another $40 for the privilege. If you’re a writer and your client wants multiple edits, do so willingly and with a smile, and perhaps next time you can charge a higher price. If you want to provide the best quality Mustang accessories, differentiate yourself with service and selection so that customers realize that you care about their purchase experience more than the rest.
Hire What You Lack
Perhaps you’re great at technology, but not so great at sales. Or maybe your product is well-made, innovative and reasonably priced, but your marketing skills are nonexistent. If that describes you, then run – don’t walk – to hire a contractor or employee who does have those skills. Once you relieve yourself of the responsibility to be an expert on every part of your business, you can free yourself up to pursue your talent, which drives revenue. It’s ok if you’re not a Quick books expert – someone out there is.
If You’re Not Making Money, Figure Out Why
Most successful business owners will tell you that their small operations turned a profit right away. If your business isn’t making money, figure out why. Perhaps what you think is an essential product or service actually isn’t. Perhaps you have a manufacturing problem. Perhaps your prices are too high, and your customers are getting a better value elsewhere. Develop a relationship with your customers as well as your employees. If you don’t already know what your problem is, chances are someone else does. And the sooner you can figure it out, the sooner you’ll put your business on the path to profitability.
Now that you know more about staying competitive, you might want to learn more about how to market to a target audience like those needing CJ Pony Mustang accessories. Guest post written by James.
