Week of February 16, 2009

Hey everyone, here we go. . . . . . 

IN OUR WORLD Today, I find myself in Atlanta working for a new client, but an old friend.   

I have a session on how to “think value add” when looking at creating client strategies that separate and differentiate you in shrinking markets where your service or product is commoditized.  It’s not about how you think; it’s about how your clients think.  Then tomorrow I am honored to do the keynote and closing address to client sponsored event for over 1000 attendees. 

In the past couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to present using new technology that opened the delivery of my content to worldwide audiences while never leaving Dallas.  I did a broadcast program to an international audience and on Wednesday did a program broadcast via computer so that everyone had access to the presentation, while simultaneously using a new conference call technology.  

Now these new methods will never replace the impact of being somewhere in person, but they will be a new strategy for economically delivering to distant audiences. 

Next week it’s off to Austin! 

 

 

 

THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW 

We live in a world defined by immediacy, where real time has replaced geography in the distribution of ideas, information, culture and impact.  This creates a time unlike any other the world has ever seen.  It challenges the way we think and just as important, the way we act.  It often causes us to loose our focus.  We struggle with where to spend our time so that you can have the greatest impact.   

You read a lot about “customer focused strategies” and the number of organizations that are embarking upon this course of action.  I am involved with three clients looking at new ideas in this arena.   

As you know, I never embark upon any program or strategy that exceeds three steps.  When we can do it two, well, that’s incredible, but when one step can create a strategy, an outcome, it’s the ultimate accomplishment.  Let me share the one step starting point for “customer focused strategies”: 

1. INVOLVE THE CUSTOMER

 

Yep, that’s it.  I was shocked to attend a planning session where some really smart people were exchanging ideas about value added programs.  When I asked what the customer really wants, what would they find of value, they did not hesitate with strong opinions based on their interactions with a loyal and strong customer base.  When I asked how they really knew that, there was a small hesitation, just enough for me to know they have not really ASKED their customers.  They had not planned a meeting with customers.  They had not really taken to heart the idea of CUSTOMER CENTRIC involving the CUSTOMER in planning. 

You can spend no better energy than focusing on your customers in a tough market, but do it in a strategy of enrollment, where the customer IS the center of the strategy. 

 

 

ENTERTAINMENT 

 

MOVIES:    Nothing out there to take me to the theater! 

NetFlix Fans:  Cannery Row:  This is one of Laura’s absolute favorite films, EVER.  It is now on DVD and tells a combination of stories by John Steinbeck.  It is a wonderful little tale and should be on everyone’s rental list. 

TV:    Thank God for DVR’s as season ending episodes of Monk and Psyche (I was working out last week in New Orleans and watching an old Psyche episode and found myself laughing out loud in the gym) and I will be with clients.  Check out The Mentalist, Lie to Me and Burn Notice for the best of current TV.    

BOOKS:  In Search of the Obvious – By Jack Trout, check this out, a marvelous read. 

MUSIC:   Nanci Griffith and John Prine singing The Speed of the Sound of Loneliness – Just plain fantastic! 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KmfjWBulic  

 

WEB SITES:   Here is a look at how TV and the internet are blending together. 

 

http://www.usanetwork.com/series/burnnotice/   

SOUTH OF NORMALIn honor of President Lincoln’s birthday I thought I would share with you what many English professors think is the finest letter ever written.  Its simplistic and magnificent structure is like a poem:Dear Madam:I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming.  But I can not refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.Yours, very sincerely and respectively,A. Lincoln 

 

You’re out there running just to be on the run.John Prine 

 

Drop me a note with your comments at steve@creativeventures.com 

 

 

Thanks for stopping by and until next time, Adios and Aloha.