Happy New Year,
I cannot believe the year clicked by so fast…it seems that time just keeps speeding up! Unless of course you are trying to do jump rope for 30 minutes at CrossFit, then it seems like the clock slows down to a near stop. Oh well, no matter how fast or slow it seems, if we take the time to find the joy in every minute we will live a happier more fulfilled life.
I wanted to share and reflect with my friends and family on 2011, so I wrote all of you this note. I have found the personal and business treasures that were buried in 2011 and I hope you have, or will also. I broke it up into two parts personal and business. I hope you ENJOY!
Personal Treasure Discovered in 2011
Out of all the 2011 business turmoil and financial changes came an amazing gift for my family… it was “TIME”. Quality, amazing real time spent together with my three beautiful girls, my Mom, Angie’s Mom and Dad (Nash) and other immediate family members. We worked harder than ever this year, but we did it all together.
We did not really travel anywhere. We cut back on all spending, we did not even go out much. What we did do was make a point to spend real and quality time with each other. We spent nearly every day working together, cooking together, eating together, exercising together, playing games together and helping each other with all sorts of “do it yourself” projects.
There were so many nights, I can’t even count them all, that we all just sat around our wine barrel table (one of our DIY projects) or on our patio for 5-6 hours eating an amazing meal (that we conjured up out of nothing), talking, laughing and playing games. This was our gift in 2011, one that we will cherish and carry on for the rest of our lives… it was truly amazing.
Personal Treasure: When times get tough choose to pull your family together and experience everything with each other, it is truly a blessing that will make your life amazing.
Business Treasure Discovered in 2011
From a business standpoint, I thought 2009 and then 2010 were incredibly challenging years, but then 2011 hit. It was not business as usual and we could not wait it out any longer, 4 years of recession had taken its toll and there was no bail out for small businesses… the businesses that normally drive our economy.
2011 proved to be a year of testing our focus, our drive, our determination, our imagination and our ability to adapt and change. 2011 gave many of us a good swift kick in the rear. The business environment in 2011 forced us to make changes, and those who have figured out what changes to make and embraced them started to pull ahead.
So… what in the heck are the changes we need to make in 2012 to get ahead?
I pondered this question throughout the year. I concluded that rapid changes in the business environment, communications, technology and the availability of massive amounts of information on any subject have really made all of us “generalists”. We can easily figure out how to do just about anything with the few clicks of a mouse or a little research and ingenuity. But, does that make us good at it or able to make money at it and how do we market it? So, then what makes one business more successful than another?
The answer is laser focused specialization. Every successful business that I looked at in 2011 did ONE thing great…they were the undisputed champion at a single product, service or offering. Even the superstore Walmart is really great at only one thing “they are the low price leader”; and FEDEX “when it absolutely positively has to be there overnight”. They have both achieved mastery of a their offerings, they are the “go to experts” that you can depend on.
I have found that this same principle applies to local and small businesses, for example would you hire a plumber to fix your pool equipment or would you call a pool specialist? Would you call a remodeling contractor if you have a roof leak or would you call a roofer? If you have a computer virus would you call someone who builds websites? You get the picture, we want and need specialists.
Our business world is transitioning from business generalists to specialists or “experts” in nearly every field. Even large businesses have a singular, niche focus that they have taken into every market. Gone are the days of “I can do everything for you”; from 2011 and beyond you will need to position yourself as the “go to expert” in your niche or field.
If we take that concept and apply it to our businesses then we can start building success right away in 2012. With this kind of laser targeting everything will get easier from marketing our business to delivery of our product or service; and since we will be so focused we will continue to find ways to improve our offering, our skills and we will find more opportunities.
It becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy that leads to long-term success. Success that is not dependent on the economy, our government or anyone else. If we are positioned as the “go to expert” in our field then our product or service will be in demand, we can demand a premium and we will be successful. It is that simple!
So what do you focus on?
Every single one of us has a special talent, skill set, technique, unique knowledge or some kind of gift. It is usually something we love to do because we are good at it and people ask us about it. If we take that one gift, no matter what it is and give it to the world with focus, determination, passion and a plan then 2012 will be our best year ever and the beginning our new empires.
Make a commitment to make this change in your business starting today, January 1, 2012… Laser target your niche and position yourself as the “go to expert” in your field. Start taking the steps to make it happen now. As the expert in your field, 2012 will be the best business year you have ever had. It will set the stage for your self-fulfilling prophecy, leading to your long-term success.
Business Treasure: The expert in every niche is in demand at all times… in every market and through every economic cycle.
MAKE 2012 GREAT!
Ron Brookshire
BizFuel Marketing
Online Marketing & Social Media Solutions in sunny San Diego
www.BizFuel.Biz | www.BizFuelMarketing.com
(619) 279-4258
Get Found Online. Use online marketing and social media to Sell More… so you can Stress Less, Earn More & Live More!
