How a Beautiful Sunset Can Inspire You to Stand Out
Melissa Dotson Business Culture and Workplace Expert
President/Owner Rieke Interiors | Business Alignment | Winning in the Game of Work/Life Speaker | Personal Development Coach
No two sunsets are the same, but all are incredible. No two people are the same. No two businesses are the same, either. Of course, most have similarities—they want to succeed, grow, serve their customers, and make a profit. They also have their differences.
When we take the time to sit down and watch the sun setting below the horizon, with all those incredible reds, oranges, pinks, and purples spread across the sky, we are in awe, we dream, and we are inspired.
Bernard Williams said, “It is almost impossible to watch a sunset and not dream.â€
When we are inspired, it might be just for a moment, but even that moment can make a difference. Inspiration can take many different paths, and sunsets often lead people to think about peace, harmony, renewal, rest, and reset.
When it comes to business, sunsets allow us to be reflective, introspective, and to think about the lessons we have learned that day. Then, we can take those lessons, apply them to our future, and work toward our goals.?
Even more, the sunset stands out gloriously at the end of each day. How can we do that with our business? How can we stand out? How can we share with others what makes our business glorious, too?
Here are some ways you can help your business to stand out:
·?????Master the Basics: Build a great website, design a beautifully functional office space, hire staff that aligns with your company values, provide the best possible customer experience, and give your team a great employee experience, too.
·?????Solve your customer’s problems: It’s obvious, but without this, you will be left behind.
·?????Find ways to show your audience how you are different from your competitors.
·?????Run sales at unexpected times.
·?????Use storytelling and humor to engage your audience.
·?????Make sure your branding stands out: Visuals help capture your customers’ attention.
领英推è
·?????Reward customer loyalty.
·?????Give your customers every reason to identify with you—be authentic, show integrity, share your values with them, live out those values as a company, and give your customers opportunities to join you.
·?????Encourage your customers to toot your horn and tell your prospects what they love about your products/services and why they chose them.
·?????Be innovative: Create something new. Brainstorm with your team to uncover what your customers need that they don’t have, and then find a way to give it to them.
·?????Be visible: If you haven’t already, research to find out where your customers hang out and then build a presence in each of those spaces. This could be advertising in print media, building platforms on different social media, building landing pages in addition to your website, attending conferences, etc.
·?????If a mistake is made, admit it—don’t cover it up—and then fix it. The brave will share that experience and what they learned from it, which goes a long way in building trust with customers.
·?????Always be honest—about products, services, delivery dates, backorders, everything—even if it results in a tough conversation. Honesty that brings about disappointment is much better than dishonesty that is uncovered, and it will be, probably faster than anyone would imagine. One keeps customers and earns respect, while the other loses them forever.
·?????Blog to educate, and your customers will come to know, like, and trust you.
·?????Offer a guarantee that shows your customers that their satisfaction is important to you.
Remember, as Kristin Butler said, “Sunsets are proof that no matter what happens, every day can end beautifully.†Here’s to claiming your beautiful days!?
About Melissa
As president of Rieke Office Interiors (ROI), Melissa Kehl is passionate about building relationships, serving others, and helping companies grow. As a part of that, her company provides full office needs from design through installation, handling every detail along the way. She believes that success starts with a solid foundation and the right space to work in.?Their products are designed by her in-house design staff and manufactured in the finest craftsmanship style in ROI’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Elgin, Illinois. An innovator at heart who loves passionate people, great ideas, and inspiring spaces. Melissa has been in business for more than 25 years. She is committed to helping others win in the game of business.
?
Volunteer - Open to Opportunities
3 å¹´Wonderful Analogy - Good stuff.