Borderless Boundaries
Over the last few months I have had the opportunity to talk with a number of local business owners, discussing everything including politics, weather, and culture. From community to community surfaced one major overlaying topic; discouragement. As I continued approaching new business owners, I began to see the same looks of worry, frustration and a desire for something to change on the faces of each owner. I felt like I was almost able to pick out these individuals out from a crowd of people.
As business owners we often focus so much on our problems that it almost becomes impossible to see around that problem for a solution. We then tend to repeat the same strategies and methods of operation because they have worked in the past, hoping they will work again. At this point we then become frustrated and worry takes over because we can’t understand what the problem really is and we have no clue how to change it.
Hearing these business owners talk and vent frustrations, I began asking questions in return. I started off by stating “it’s not that you’re doing something wrong, but merely our world is changing”. Boarders are becoming tighter for travel, dollar values are shifting, and crises all over the world are changing the way we do business. I asked one business owner who owns a unique retail store in Niagara on the Lake if he was selling his products online. He stated to me in return that he has a website but his does not sell his products online. So then I asked this question in return, “if your customer base is changing, and they can’t afford to travel then how else do you suppose they will acquire your products?” He didn’t have an answer for me; it seemed the simple question was the answer to his problems. Business is changing and we can’t expect to repeat the same methods and achieve the same results.
We need to start thinking globally. Products are shipped all over the world today. Most likely the products or materials near you have crossed multiple boarders before reaching you. We can’t have a mindset that that consumers won’t look on the internet for us, or buy from our websites. In hard times they are looking for the best possible value for your product. We have had requests recently from as far as Hong Kong. As business owners we take pride in our uniqueness, in the elements of what makes us different from our competition. This is now time for us to showcase those unique qualities that define us.
Recently we too have restructured how we have been conducting our marketing and awareness. Using more Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn then we have ever done in the past. Surprisingly it has been very successful. This was not a frustrating experience; it actually became very comforting and rewarding. In the first 25 minutes of our restructure I had my first lead. It would have taken me far longer using cold calling or networking to receive a qualified lead.
The bottom line is that even during changing times people will still have the same needs and wants as they had during stronger economic times. They will still spend money when they get it although they will be more cautious. Therefore you have to tailor your methods. Don’t’ box yourself in and begin to focus on your problems. Instead adapt to the change and realize as business owners we have Borderless Boundaries.
For more information on how we can help your business adapt to the changing times, and enhance; your online presence please contact us.