Keep It Simple

There is so much noise and uncertainty in the world today that it’s often tough to figure out what direction to go with each customer. The best way for us to win is for our customers to win, and the best way to do that is to keep it simple. 

Every time we talk with a customer or potential customer, we should be asking three questions: 

1. What are they trying to accomplish? 
2. Why are they considering your product? 
3. How will they determine if their partnership with us is successful?  

While disruption causes inconvenience and confusion, it also creates opportunity. The best and most effective way to take advantage of that opportunity is to simplify things for us and our customers. When we do that successfully, we will turn the confusion into opportunity and the opportunity into wins.   

For each of your potential or current customers, ask yourself the three questions I posed above. This practice will help to clarify the partner’s WIFM (What’s in it for me). When we keep the partner’s WIFM in mind, we win.  

About the Author  

Sam Pines is a Vice President, Partner and Thought Leader at Good Karma Brands (GKB), which is primarily a media and marketing company with expertise in leveraging the power of sports to build brands. GKB utilizes their partnership with ESPN with radio affiliates across the country and as a digital advertising liaison to bring local advertisers customized solutions within and around the best brand in sports. Sam began his career at GKB in 2000, joining founder and CEO Craig Karmazin and four other partners of GKB, after leaving his career at accounting firm Arthur Andersen. He moved to Cleveland in 2006, and now spends his day managing the ESPN Cleveland team, brainstorming GKB’s next big move, serving as a board member on Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Milestones Autism Resources, Autism Speaks and Folds of Honor (just to name a few), and spending time with his wife Deborah and daughters Ellie and Zoey.   

The Story of Time to Win  

What began as a brief email to the Milwaukee team that Sam once managed, Time to Win has developed into a thought-provoking newsletter that touches on the principles of sales, management and business leadership. When it hits teammates’ inbox early Monday morning as they sip their coffee and prep for the week, it inspires them with stories, advice, and tasks of how they can win today and every day moving forward — and we hope it does the same for you. Winning at GKB isn’t about our success, it’s about our advertising partners, fans and teammates achieving success.