Why Your Business Needs An Opinion
Guillaume Wiatr
?? Authentic Business Strategy for Professional Services Firms | Creator of the Strategic Narrative? methodology
In business, it’s tempting to strive for a flawless image and invest in the surface level of branding too soon.
Instead, I’d rather see you invest first in forging a personal opinion on your discipline and the market your serve.
Absent an opinion, your business may appear sterile. It will lack personality. It risks becoming nothing more than another faceless corporation amid an ocean of similar brands.
With an opinion, it becomes human and warm.
Think about it. Your true friends always have an opinion about what they’d do if they were you.
Why aren’t you that friend for your clients?
Having an opinion builds trust with them.
When you share your stance on your work, it shows commitment. It reveals a concern for your clients and their situation. It shows you care enough to take the risk of speaking your mind despite sounding controversial.
Because saying what matters is more important than saying what’s appropriate.
Too many expertise-based service businesses don’t have an opinion. They think they do, but they didn’t really take the time to push their thinking, publish it, and, most importantly, act on it.
Aspire to be more human, not just another logo.
Aim to transform and build your business into a community of people who have something they believe in and defend. Something to say. Something to fight.
Invest in your opinion to stand out from the crowd and foster a loyal following among clients who appreciate your candor and authenticity.
Don’t wait.
Now is the best time to get started. An opinion is not something you buy from an agency. It’s an asset you build over time.
Managing director and curator of the Miriam McClung Collection at MiriamMcClung.com
2 年An opinion is by definition a view not necessarily based on fact or knowledge. I would rather see a company or leader develop a thoughtful position expressed in a strong point of view.
Helping Organizations Develop & Execute Impactful Growth Strategies
2 年Great piece, Guillaume! The biggest mistake I see companies and professionals make is that they become extremely bland in their published opinions so as to 1) Serve the widest audience possible; and 2) Reduce the risk of a client or prospect disagreeing with their position. If the opinion you're sharing does not carry the risk of someone disagreeing with it, you're likely not sharing anything of value. You're probably just restating already held and understood positions.