A Business Breath Of Fresh Air
Contributed by Lindsey Michael Miller
Do you feel like your career has become stagnant, and other less qualified associates are being promoted around you? Have you lost that edge in your business and you're being out performed by your competition? Your business or career probably needs to be shifted, changed, or supercharged with something, but you may not know what that is.
Many people would think that keeping up with the latest changes in technology by investing in computer training software would be the best solution. Unfortunately, though, that may not do the trick.
A majority of the recent college grads are well versed in programs like Adobe® Photoshop® and Adobe® Illustrator® or Microsoft® PowerPoint® and Microsoft® Excel®, but many of them are having a hard time finding jobs. What then could possibly be that extra slice you could add to see something thrive and flourish whilst everything around you seems to point downward?
Well, there are three basic ideas that may help you lift your business off the ground or get that extra edge over the competition:
- Discover. Determine what your product or company actually has to offer their community of buyers or other businesses. If you're a consultant, do research to find out what your market truly needs. If you're a gardener, think about the type of people who would need your services. The point is to narrow your product down so that you know exactly what you do and why people need it. If you can't think of a reason why people would need it, then you should think about pursuing something else. You need to realize your niche in the consumer market and use that as a platform to help you generate business.
- Focus. Once you've determined what your niche is, center on how to package it so that it fits consumer's needs as well as desires. You should not provide something with great excess, nor should it be too simple. Apple® computers has taken a great leap in sales and awards over the past few years, having gone from almost being bankrupt to being the top in mp3 sales as well as slowly carving through the Windows®-based computer market since they rehired Steve Jobs as the CEO. Many have been baffled by such amazing success, but the method Jobs has used is fairly basic: cut away the unnecessary fat while focusing in on the consumer's needs in Apple's niche market. Many probably don't remember, but Apple used to make printers, digital cameras, and a few other gadgets, which have now become obsolete. Jobs trimmed those away because they weren't doing well in a market that purchased primarily non-Apple products.
Over these past years he's also been honing in on die-hard Macintosh® users by giving Macs® the best graphics and artistic program development to appeal to those pursuing careers in graphic design, photography, film, and music. Concurrently, he created products that appeared artistic, boasting several design awards over the past few years and gaining the attention of many "normal" home users who have been switching because the Mac "looks so cool." The new success of the iPod® is partly attributed to the fact that it has just enough functions that it neither exceeds nor falls short of consumers' appeal to the mp3 player (not to mention that it has also won several awards for design).
- Transform. The hope of those who cling to old business ways is quickly fading, and old business tactics don't seem to be working like they did during boom times. If you want to survive, then you must be creative. This isn't just with your product, though, but how you package and market it as well. This is not saying that you should invest in all kinds of different advertising avenues, but that you should add your own flare to the product. If you're a computer techie who helps people at their homes, come up with a creative name like Geek on the Street, or develop community relationships by networking with other people. If you're in a career, have lots of experience, but can't seem to find a job, create ways to make yourself known and available. Who knows, you may come up with some novel idea that changes the world or makes you rich.
Adobe, Illustrator, and Photoshop are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries. Apple, iPod, Mac, and Macintosh are registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Excel, Microsoft, PowerPoint, and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All trademarks and registered trademarks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.
About the Author:
Lindsey Michael Miller is a writer and freelance journalist living in Brooklyn, New York and writes articles for newspapers and magazines around the country. He's currently working on a MFA in creative writing at Long Island University and recently published his first book entitled "The Circus".
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