Boning up on branding.

I have spent the past day and a half studying the wisdom of branding expert, Rob Frankel. Some of you may ask, “What is so important about branding?” Everything! I recently realized the following - there is a vast ocean of coaches with whom I swim; even though the solutions I offer are dramatically different than the next business coach, unless I educate my potential clients, I will simply look like all the rest. That is where a brand strategy comes into play. The Frankel Prime Directive is as follows:

“Branding is not about getting your targets to choose you over your competition. Branding is about getting your prospects to see you as the only solution to their problem.” - From The Revenge of Brand X (see http://www.robfrankel.com)

As I have tried to wrap my brain around the best brand strategy for my growing business it is clear why there are experts, like Rob, with the experience to help. Trying to come up with your own branding concept is like trying to see how your bottom looks as you walk down the street in the new jeans you just bought. It would require you to step outside your own body to get that perspective. When you are so close to the company you have built, it is not a simple task to look at it objectively and put yourself in the shoes of your ideal client.

If you are wondering why your customers are not beating down the door, begging to work with you or buy your product you might want to take a close look at your brand strategy. If it’s not strong and consistent, and imbedded in the way your phones are answered all the way to product, service and delivery, you may need to make some adjustments. In today’s economy, where first impressions are crucial, don’t let money walk right off your web page or out your door because you have not distinctly positioned yourself as the only solution to your client’s problem. Hire the expert and relish the return on investment.

Thank you for reading and be well.

© 2009 Dr. Shannon Reece

What a difference a week can make!

Thank you again for your patience while I took some much needed time to focus on my business. The past week has been very productive and I have concluded that it is time to jump in with both feet. I think I have been trying too hard to avoid making any bad decisions about my business strategy, to the extent that I was paralyzing myself. I simply needed time to figure out the steps and the right order in which to implement them. I made it and am on track.

I will be bringing you along on this journey, so hold onto your seat and let’s go! Beginning this Wednesday, there will only be 100 days left until the end of 2009. I intend to make the most of that time and get more done than I have in years. I am grabbing hold of a personal challenge and you can too. What have you been wanting to accomplish but haven’t started? Do you want to lose some weight, pay off debt, start a business? It’s okay to think big, as long as you are committed to doing whatever it takes to get the job done. If you are ready to rock, take the next two days to write down your personal pledge.

I am committed to strongly positioning my business and earning a multiple five figure income in the next 100 days. Wow! Now it is out there in cyberspace, so I have no choice but to get it done. I can’t wait to cross over into 2010 and set my next personal challenge! Join me on this adventure and please share your challenge with me. We can be accountability partners.

I will be sharing my successes with you every few days as I go along and hope you will let me know how you are doing too. Thank you for reading and be well.

© 2009 Dr. Shannon Reece