How are you different?

When new members join my networking group one of the questions we ask is “how are you different from your competition” and it is amazing how many people give you answers like “we provide great customer service”.

I am sure that if we asked their competition they would say exactly the same thing. So where is the difference?
In today’s marketplace giving your customer things like “great customer service” just doesn’t cut it anymore. In fact, if you think about it, that is what the customer paid for!

So how do you go about “standing out from the crowd”?

In New York City the Naked Cowboy certainly understands this concept. What amazing brand recognition he has created simply by doing something no one else had done. In an often “bland world”, he stands out from the crowd for all sorts of reasons and has gone on to create a worldwide business.

So here are some tips on creating an image that is DIFFERENT from the competition:-

• ask others for ideas – form a think tank or mastermind group just for you – in 2005 mine resulted in the idea of International Networking Week
• be outrageous – bland never stands out and fear of what people might think will defeat you – imagine the Well Dressed Cowboy V The Naked Cowboy
• get a mentor/coach – they will give you new ideas and reasons not to reject ideas outright – that will ensure you stay the same

A guideline for all ideas could well be “has someone done this before in exactly the same way”? If not then try it!

The Referral Master®