Never Talk Politics or Religion?

I’ve always been one of those top 1% customers for among others Starbucks.??For many years I spent a considerable number of hours working in Starbucks – laptop in the corner – somewhere I knew I’d have wi-fi, endless Iced Tea refills, and where no one would bother me.???Clearly that didn’t work on days when I was on the phone or on video conferences given what was either the escalating noise volume (or, my hearing – not sure.)

Over the last couple of years Starbucks hasn’t exactly lost me as a customer, but they are chipping, chipping, chipping away at my enthusiasm and gradually irritating me.???First there was getting rid of the dress code and suddenly there was pink hair, 22 tattoos and all sorts on interesting buttons.???There was the shutting down for a day for sensitivity training for staff.??There were issues around Christmas.???

Then Starbucks did a “Corporate BLM” shirt that any staff member who chose could wear.???Finally, I was early in Downtown Denver to a meeting at Northwestern Mutual.???None of the lobbies for Starbucks were open.??I went in and ordered and upon sitting down was told not to get comfortable, I couldn’t stay (even socially distanced, 3 layer mask, fully vaccinated, normal temp)??A couple of days later, flew to Dallas-Fort Worth for a birthday party.??Again, looking to work a couple of hours.??Again, kicked out since the lobby was closed.

Is all of that bad or good?

Well, I haven’t looked at their data.????Maybe it’s working for them.??Clearly most people don’t pay that much attention – I do in part because I’ve in the past I’ve used them as an example of paying attention to the details in creating that “3rd?Place” along with others like Disney.

For me a GOOD customer, I’m really not very enthusiastic about them anymore.????Perhaps it’s a well thought through strategy.??Perhaps most of their clientele match up with how people think in downtown Seattle.??Perhaps not, I’m not sure.????All issues they should have considered before jumping fully on the BLM bandwagon, allowing all sorts of buttons and pins on employees (while at work – at the counter,) and nationally over-reacting to the whole Covid thing.

Is this a great example of “don’t talk about politics (or, religion)” in your business?

I’d argue, not at all.

Take another example – Chik-Fil-A – during their controversies about the founder’s (and, his son’s) Christian orientation.??Banned on some campuses.???New York City trying to kick them out.??Guess what happened????Their sales SOARED.??They’re now, I believe the #3 fast food chain in the United States.????Clearly, as with Starbucks, in great part due to operational excellence and customer satisfaction.??But, every time anyone called for a boycott of the company – there were lines down the road to get in and the world’s most efficient drive-through.

Pretty much everyone is talking about at one level or another (at least all of the “talking heads”) about focusing on a Niche.??Be “The Guy or Gal” for Dentists, or whomever.???In my mind the talking “Politics or Religion” issue a great part fits into that category.

It can be a VERY effective strategy to “stake your ground” and, be the advisor for a subset of any population.???You’re the one for Evangelicals, Catholics, or the Jewish Community.???You’re a key member of the local, regional, state Republican, Democratic, or Libertarian Party.???You network through others of similar beliefs.

The big mistake is to make “knee jerk” reaction, to take a stand on issues and wear your affiliations “on your sleeve” without thinking it through as a strategy.??How will it play with your current clients.??Is that stand one that will attract a significant enough number to be worth repelling others?

Most often in business, ESPECIALLY Financial Advisors/Planners – an effort in made to be “plain vanilla.”????Better is to realize those who create the most rabid and loyal following are the same ones who polarize.??If you don’t repel some, you won’t powerfully attract others.

Anyway, I always coach advisors to be different than all of the other “look alikes.”????It’s not so much about your specific expertise or, your certifications.???It can also be about your hobbies, your passions, your social affiliations.????Just make an informed decision and choose a path that’s likely to make you the “Go To” advisors for a key group of likely clients (“suspects.”)

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Stephen Oliver’s Wealth Mastery was founded in 1999 (previously also known as Extraordinary Marketing.)???Our program is designed for Financial Advisors and similar professionals to teach them effective sales, marketing, and practice management practices.

We provide a combination of mentoring, coaching, peer support and accountability to grow financial practices utilizing a range of focused and effective marketing and sales processes.

For Financial Advisors we provide a free package of support materials that includes two special reports: “10 things that you must do to grow your financial practice,” “Social Media Marketing for Financial Advisors,”??Along with two of Stephen Oliver’s business growth books: “Everything I Wish In Knew When I Was 22,” and, “The Way of the Mile High Maverick” along with several valuable training videos that include “The Bozo Explosion,” and “Key Growth Secrets for Financial Advisors.”????

You may contact us at:??[email protected]?or, by phone or text at 1-303-808-8719.???

About Stephen Oliver.???Stephen Oliver graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in International Economics, expecting to go onto a Harvard or Wharton MBA then onward to Wall Street.??Instead he ended up in Denver, an started 6 martial arts schools in 36 months.???He ended up with over 2,500 active students and promoted one of the largest martial arts tournaments in the country along with 100’s of other events.???Very early on professionals ranging from Financial Professionals, commercial realtors, lawyers to, of course other martial arts schools sought him out as a consultant on Marketing, Sales, client relations, and staff development.???He completed his MBA in 1992.??His first book in 1999 was on using the internet to market a small business.???Since then, he’s written a number of books on business management, marketing, personal development, and sales and has worked with 100’s of clients on growing their businesses aggressively and effectively.???He’s taught business seminars all over North America and has shared the stage with speakers ranging from former NYPD commissioner Bernard Kerik to Tony Robbins and Brian Tracy to marketing guru’s such as Dan Kennedy and Jay Abraham.??More at LinkedIn:????https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/stephencoliver/