Elevate Your Business In 2017

The business world has changed significantly at a remarkable speed, in the upcoming year or years its either you adapt to the existing competition or watch your business perish before your eyes. Here are some of the things 2016 highlighted that might seed and nourish the growth of your business and market it in 2017.

1.Change your Perspective

Think like the customer, search on the social media or search engines in a different perspective. If you don’t search you will never find. People often type-in search engine or social networks “Shoe buyers and retailers” or “ Handbag buyers”.In 2016 Google SEO team found out that this is a wrong approach, try from the clients’ view, as they according to statistics, search for sellers under “I am looking for bag suppliers”. If you search as a client it directs you straight to their post or trade leads. Always find out what your competitors are doing and search for what people are saying about you company , market or line of business. 

2.The Art of Surprise

Many people have asked me several times how l drive the customer attention from competitors on social media .The real problem is many companies are STUCK and won’t go anywhere any time unless they make a few adjustments. Don’t let your business develop monotony or a state in which the client knows how your business performs, your product lists and so on. How do you feel after work going home knowing that you are going to eat the same food each day and tomorrow you will wear the same socks you wore yesterday, then at work you know what everyone one will say ? Sounds bad right? That’s why you need to figure out ways to surprise and delight your customers on a regular basis. PROMOTIONS, TRADE DISCOUNTS, GIFT CARDS encourage your community to join and increase energy of your business and social media acknowledgment . They’ll connect your company with a positive experience and keep coming back for more! 

3.Connections and Relationships

“Successful businesses - even those occupying the same space - view competition differently, because they know there's more than enough work to go around and winning together is easier than going at it alone!”-Mary C Long

A relationship without communication does not exist as many millionaires have constantly emphasized. You need to know the right people in your line of work. Connecting with them in a meaningful way, that will be beneficial for you and them at the end of the day. So if you do not any people who share the same trade you have homework to do. Do you know meaningful connections offer insight without being asked - and without trying to sell anything? Such connections are the heart of your company they will pump energy into the business and facilitate its growth with you as the muscle and brains of course. Nurture those relationships by interacting regularly. Identify adjacencies and ways to potentially collaborate.

4) Feedback

Feedback is critical to improving performance. Some businesses or people have what l call a dead profile with a picture serving as a memorial. Business growth is stimulated when you have public opinion, this is ‘social gold’ capitalize on it. If you don’t conduct surveys or get public opinion online or through other means , how then do you expect feedback or any response? Even big corporations engage in social networking. Do not complain that your website is not driving any traffic. But what have you done to market it. Ask a question and people are bound to respond .Social media is all about conversation, not just self-promotion. More leads and questions ,more views and trust, which grows into more sales!

5. Digital Marketing Integration (DMI)

If there is a sharp rise I witnessed is DMI ,the year2016 certainly highlighted the increasing content and social media noise by big companies .ALIBABA shined as it had a well defined DMI - which drove a record breaking sales record on 11 November. Failure to rise above the social media noise of the massive content sites and establish clear objectives and execution in these areas negatively affects the ability to realize results long-term. This pushed a lot of small businesses out of the market. Which is why in 2017 small companies must boost their DMI significantly. Businesses need to strategically, consistently create relevant content that starts conversations, build relationships, and drives the sales funnel to cope up with the rapid change in the business scene as we enter the DIGITAL ERA. This is why in 2017 focus on blogging, graphic creation and relevant content leads will serve as a platform of keeping your business afloat. All this must and should integrate strategically with clear objectives.

6) Your Story

Stories basically connect people. Your competitors might have the same products but your stories will never be the same! This should make you stand out from them. CAPITALIZE ON YOUR PAST. In 2017 your history, efforts and struggles will play a part. Storytelling will play a huge factor in how brands relate to customers. I find it necessary to have emotional points in Marketing and telling the public in captivating ways through stories on why your business does what it does to current customers and prospects will keep people emotionally connected to you. This why companies like Apple, Alibaba and other giants constantly talk about challenges their founder faced and why they pioneer behind the public.

7) Time Management

For centuries this is one factor that has been stressed a number of times but still people are caught up in the same web. When you wake up time is moving, when you sleep time is moving and even when you are reading this time is progressing. In business time is the first asset but to many it turns out as a liability factor on the balance sheet. There is a way on dealing with time, DON’T WORK ALONE, have a team that way you have a longer day as you can make use of your team’s time and you can get a lot done, a good example is Lenovo. Quantify everything according to time put everything on a calendar. Every little bit of work, every appointment, every phone call, every part of everything you do. Time and planning are partners, keep that in mind. So create a goal and stick to it.

8.Win-Win

How about a shift from running the race to sponsoring the race. You can turn your competitor to your indirect partner. Helping your competitors sometimes can be a huge reward to your business. Sales and Marketing is an ever-evolving field. Because you don't produce a certain product but your competitor does should not be a cause to action. As long as you know who needs the product you are officially a part of the profit proceeds. You can even market something you do not produce but just because you have a better brand name and market. Likewise you can allow other to brand your products and sell them. In the event of sales its a win-win. One had clientele and better marketing and you the product.

Always keep learning, then share what you learn. This is a great way to create content to elevate your business, including blog posts, social media updates and your newsletter. If you wonder how it is done, so will others. It will make you a thought leader in your field and your company will be sought out for its ideas. In doing so, you will grow your business exponentially and have a broader target market and sales team that will serve you well.

Grow well!!