Strategize Your Way Through Tough Economic Times!

Do you have a strategy in these economic times? People are watching,
saving and prioritizing where they spend their dollars. Our economy
has changed. So what can you do as a businessperson? Let me share some
things we have done in our business.

Something we didn’t do was climb in a cave of hopelessness. We got
busy! We had open and honest communication. We developed a strategy.
The word Strategy derives from the term General and commands serious
focus on implementation.

A couple years ago I discovered a Strategy that works in every area of life.

I started gaining weight and realized that if I didn’t change
something, it could be difficult to reverse. Diets don’t work in my
book. Lifestyle change is what it takes, and I heard four simple
words: Eat Less, Exercise More.

A day later, my wife spoke to a neighbor that lost over 100 pounds in
a year. How? Eat Less, Exercise More. Burn more calories than you take
in and lose weight.

Business and finances work the same way. Waste Less, Earn More. If
expenses outnumber income, we lose money. Improve sales, lower
expenses/waste, and see huge bottom line improvements.

Now, let’s dig into some practical strategies to help find improvements.

1. Toyota is the most efficient manufacturer in the world due to their
5S methodology: Sort, Straighten, Shine, Standardize, and Sustain. We
discovered extraordinary efficiencies in our operation via the 5S
methodologies: where parts enter, where vehicle cleanup occurs, etc.
Study Toyota’s 5S concept and learn how to waste less.

2. Strategic Partnerships: other businesses that would love to partner
with you for mutual benefit. What can you bring to the table and
therefore gain?

After seeing the quality of the people and business practices that
Jiffy Lube uses, we created an inexpensive cross promotion strategy.
They have 12 area locations and see about 10,000 cars a month. Each
customer is exposed to our business by seeing our name as the source
for a body shop when they have problems. We give our customers Jiffy
Lube loyalty cards when we complete a repair. A very simple win-win
with a non-competing company.

Ask yourself who your company can help. What are similar companies in
other markets doing? Study the opportunities within Guerrilla
Marketing.

3. Giving: If you want good things to come your way, you must do good
things. If you do bad things to your customers, the same is true. Give
more value to the customer, and you’ll be paid more. Integrity is a
form of giving. You can give what’s promised or cheat someone.
Integrity is doing what’s right when no one is looking, and is
paramount to your long-term success.

In conclusion, you should prosper in the economic season we are in. Be
the person you would like to do business with. Thrive and give back.
Be sensitive to what your gut tells you. You have what it takes!