What To Do When Bad Things Happen
Owning a business means you’re juggling lots of things. There are so many challenges and priorities, it’s often hard to see when things get slightly off track. Sometimes, things aren’t broken or in need of repair so much as a cry for attention.
Then IT happens. A competitor lands the account or gets the great partnership that you wanted. Or you find out that someone with less experience is charging 3 times what you charge.  It’s enough to make you want to scream and then find someone or something to blame. Before you do anything drastic hold up and let’s think this through.

You will be okay.
Small business owners tend to live and breathe work. If you lose a deal, or find out that the newbie got your well deserved recognition, it’s critical to your sanity that you don’t take it personally. It doesn’t mean you aren’t liked or that people hate you. It may mean they don’t know you as well as they should, or that you aren’t highlighting your success for all the world to see.
Life isn’t always fair.   Now is the time to focus on what you can control.  Ready to tackle this, feel better and move on? Great! Grab a pen and paper to make some old school notes and get going.

Rx: Profile, Pricing or Performance
Profile: Are you and your business or organization the best kept secret around? Are you doing amazing work or have the best product but only a handful know how awesome you are? Take time to evaluate the way you communicate to current customers and prospects as well. Make sure you regularly update your info to reflect the great accomplishments for your company and most importantly for your customers.

Pricing: Does your price structure represent the value you offer? There’s a psychology regarding pricing that is based on our need to assign value – and reward those who deliver it. The fact is that we value the $200. pair of jeans over the $20. pair even though the raw materials are similar. Should you improve your value or offer and increase your pricing? Higher margins can mean better relationships with a smaller number of clients while seeing a rise in revenue.

Performance is the great equalizer. If you deliver and you know you bring amazing value to your clients, then it’s also your responsibility to let those who need what you offer know about it. It’s also expected that you charge for it, based on the value your clients can expect to receive. If you know you over deliver, it’s also your mission to make sure that becomes part of your message.

Action is the magic pill!
If you are delivering great value to your customers without the expected results in revenue, apply attention to your “problem” area. The magic is in the action! Clarify your target market and identify irresistible benefits that you are uniquely positioned to offer. It really can be that easy. Let me know what you come up with – or how I can help. What obstacles get in the way?