Lets Stop The Insanity

Lets Stop The Insanity

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein

This great word was brought up to me today and reminded  me how many times I had presented it to professionals asking for my advice or help.  There are so many instances where this word comes  into play:

• You are frustrated for not having enough time in the day: do you block out your time or just do things as they come up and try to get the day to day done in between?  do you work on new projects all the time instead of focusing on one at a time?
  

• Your marketing efforts are not working and you don't know why: do you have a marketing plan?  are you measuring your ROI or even tracking where leads are coming from?  are you just sticking with the same old things because it worked in the past?

• You wonder why don't have repeat customers: do you follow up on all past clients?  do you ask for referrals?  do you keep one cohesive database?  do you follow up with those you were not able to help at the time?

• You are loosing deals to a competitor:  do you stay up on the latest trends?  do you make your self stand apart?  do you offer something beyond that of others?  do you make yourself  easy to find and get in touch with?  do you work with referral partners?  do you do competitor evaluations?

We all get caught in ruts, doing things because they are what we know and do every day, but those habits could be bringing down your business.  Force your self to answers these questions above honestly and start making changes one at a time.  Once these "good habits" become the norm your business will begin to reap the benefits.

Many people spend more time preparing to do things than actually doing them.  Additionally, professionals get caught up in the new way to advance their business and take on too many new projects, never mastering one and using it efficiently.  Past, present and potential clients many times get forgotten about while other things are being worked on damaging the relationship with not only the client but also the potential referral partner.  There is not always a great reason why a deal is lost to a competitor, but if it is a consistent problem changes must be made.

Evaluating yourself critically, not under a soft focus lenz can truely shed some light on these situations.  Make a solid business, marketing and implemetnation plan and stick to it, only making small changes when needed.  These organization and planning techniques can take your business to an entirely new level.

Lastly, I must say, we have to hold each other accountable!  Let's help each other by getting our colleagues to stick to their plans and not loose sight of their goals.  We are all better working together than we are alone.