Put on Your Consumer Vision

I often speak to groups about networking and building a successful business.

It often surprises me that people fail to try to see things from a consumer aspect.

To build a successful business you need to offer three things:

1. Be there (in person, on mind, and at their fingertips) and ready to deliver
2. Make a favorable and lasting impression
3. Provide value (not the cheapest price!)

To do the above you have to look at your business from a consumer standpoint. You already think you do all three. But, do they? Why don't more think that of you and your business?

I challenge you to partner up with a fellow business professional (not your best friend) and offer to review each others businesses with your consumer vision or consumer goggles. It would go something like this:

• We each agree to spend 3 hours reviewing each others businesses over the next 30 days
• We will review the following materials or items: (examples) storefront, business cards, marketing materials, philosophy, presence in the community, etc...
• We will deliver a written report to each other on such a date when we meet for coffee. The report will include our impressions of the materials, recommendations and/or feedback on how to improve them and our overall impression of your business (in the three key aspects stated above in this blog).

Now, just because your business partner doesn't accept each recommendation doesn't mean the exercise was not valuable. Remember, business is not personal! You learned about your business from another persons perspective- and you offered your valuable insight to them on theirs. You've already won by doing the exercise.