Are we serious about our marketing? Here are 6 lessons.

You may wonder why I have such a topic for this post, but just Friday, March 15, 2019, in the evening an observation prompted me to put this post up. It is not intended to get the representative in trouble, but more importantly, reinforce the need for companies to be diligent about what they do with regards to representation within the market.

I happened to visit Pricesmart, Barbados when I encountered this product. Left to my own interpretation about what the product's benefits are I am yet to hear the voice of the lass who tossed it into not only my shopping cart but also those of others who happened to be going through the aisle.

Clearly, she came to the end of her shift as she just walked off after throwing her 3 pointers from quite the distance. This was done without a greeting or even an inquiry as to if I/we wanted the product.

Thanks for the free sample, but there are ways that things are done and this is not what I know product sampling to be. Surely the company paying for this product to be marketed had no intention of having their product represented this way. Then again, maybe they did since clearly no due diligence was done to find out if the marketing company had a track record of presenting products properly to the general public. It seems like they hired the cheapest company to get the product out.

Approaching the cashier, I had to indicate that this product does not have any pricing and described how it reached my cart. The cashier assured me it was a sample and nothing would happen when clearing security to go to my vehicle.

Here are some 6 lessons:

1. When marketing your businesses, the cheapest option is not always the best. 
2. You need to train your representatives on the presentation of the products they will be showing. 
3. The representatives need to be courteous even when their shift comes to an end. 
4. She did not know if I was a mystery shopper for the same/other brands or even for Pricesmart itself. (easily she could lose her job in an already tough job market) 
5. Your representatives need to know how to competently handle objections raised by potential customers. 
6. You never know who is a blogger. 

Marketing dollars are expensive, and often businesses have to be creative in order to find funds for marketing in an already competitive environment. Many need to remember that they are not working for the company for whom they wear the uniform, but primarily they represent themselves and cannot afford to take a shoddy approach to their work. 

If your team needs to be trained, there are a multitude of trainers who can help you realize your objectives. Marketing organizations need to invest in their teams so they get the best representation. As I always say, think beyond the first sale. 

Check back often as we post things that we observe. That's what we can do in the islands. I hope that this article helps businesses become more aware of how little deviations in behaviour can help/hinder the development of your business. 

KEEP THEM POOR | This Is What The Richest Don't Want You To KNOW (an ill...

When you watch this video as I have, you tend to ask yourself. What if he was right, what am I doing to make a difference? What am I teaching letters when I stand before a group of entrepreneurs?

Every time I share with a group of people who are ambitious about beginning a business, I tend to be very direct with them. I don't sugarcoat anything and make any guarantees other than they have to put in the work, a lot of it, in order to see any kind of a reward.

Sure there are systems and models that can be taught to participants, but if they are unwilling for one reason or another to use them, then they have just attended another talk shop.

One person said to me that when they first entered a program where I taught, they didn't like me. I sounded too surefooted about what I said. They subsequently found out, that I have made more mistakes than many facilitators. That what I referenced during the program was things that I actually did, and therefore knew what would/wouldn't work.

My language isn't the cautious language of most facilitators. I have found that those who make the most strides in educating others are those who don't say what the participants want to hear, they say what needs to be told. It's not that I am harsh and uncaring, far from it; but I need to have participants take the information they are given seriously, and act upon what they've learned.

There was a time that I did a consultation, and the client said to me that I don't tell them what to do, but make them work by pulling the solution out of them. I believe that the aspect of discovery is greatest when this approach is taken since through the experience, they recognize for themselves that through the work, through the effort, they then know what will/will not work.

Robert Kiyosaki's video title shocked me when I first read it, I watched it out of sheer curiosity, and I found what the video presented to be memorable. Have a look for yourselves, and feel free to share what your thoughts were when you have finished. I can almost be sure that some learning would have taken place at one level or another, and you may just be willing to act on this information to ensure you are not being kept poor.

Has literacy been redefined

In all aspects of life, work and personal, it would appear that we have lost the ability to communicate what we mean in a way that we are understood by others.

At university, I learned a very important lesson in this regard. Many of us who ordinarily would get outstanding grades when we did accounts, struggled with financial management. It was so bad that it prompted the lecturer to have meetings with us to determine why this was so. The struggle was real.

During our first meeting, he asked me a series of questions. Among all the questions that we asked, he then gave instruction, "Show me how you read". At first, it seemed strange. How do you show someone how to read?

As I was observed reading, the lecturer then said to me that he saw where I was going wrong and showed me a technique for reading. Using this technique, it would feel as if the words were burned into my brain via a laser. More than that, I remembered what I had just read with clarity and understanding that I had not experienced in a lifetime.

It made me realize somethings:

• Reaching the university level does not mean you can read. 
• Being able to recognize and pronounce words is not reading, it goes much deeper into the comprehending of what was read and the interpretation of what is meant by the author communicating the message. 
• Over the years, I have realized that people who struggle with reading and ultimately self-expression quickly resort to violence as an outlet.

Can this be a reason why there is so much conflict within our society? Is this responsible for people resorting to violence as a solution since they cannot communicate effectively?

I remember taking a writing class with people who wrote novels and was told that I don't have what it takes to write novels, I'm more suited to business writing. A gentle let down if there's such a thing. Nonetheless, I persevered. My intent is not only to improve my writing, but my communicating on the whole. 

There are so many who have not grasped the rudiments of grammar, sentence structure and all the other linguistic techniques. There are so many publications saying what not to do, I read them since I believe that if you know the rules, then you know how to break them; did I write that? I really meant to apply them properly. 

Let's do better to see if we can enhance our literacy. Perhaps in doing so, we would improve our society as well. 

I welcome feedback. It helps with improving my skills. Why not jot me a note. Thanks for stopping by for the read. 

I'm excited...Here are 7 reasons

During this week the new year will begin and I am excited to be returning to work. I went on leave from the end of November and while it was supposed to be a vacation, it didn't quite work out the way I intended. It seems that as soon as I stopped, every health bug that couldn't catch me when I was going at the frenetic pace of my work schedule was just waiting to come in and roost. It seemed like every bug hit me as my resistance was quite low, and I ended up getting much-needed rest, though not necessarily on the terms I would have planned. 

So now what? Why am I excited? 

I had time to think. The downtime allowed me to reflect on the past year, and the future. It enabled me to see what I wanted/did not want; where I made mistakes/experienced learning; where I failed/succeeded. The thing is we rush through life without really taking the moments necessary for reflection. 

I often tell my participants when making references about a reading list about the book, "Think and Grow Rich", by Napoleon Hill. They have also heard me say I have never heard/nor read the book/article called work hard and get rich. One has to put in the time to just think about what they're doing. 

During the last year, I have met with people who wanted different things/results for their lives and businesses. Despite their backgrounds, one common thread was that they never were able to grasp the time necessary to dedicate themselves to realizing these goals. Some had the plans, in their head, which seldom does any good; but they didn't really commit to anything, not even in writing. 

Those who went through the modeling process with me realized that there is a sequence that can be applied to the way we execute our plans. However, we cannot just use a haphazard approach and hope that the details will sort themselves out. There is a recipe for success and they are tools, systems, and measurements that can be applied to somewhat ensure we are close to the planned results we desire. 

The systems are not only for operations, but for finance, marketing, and legal elements that are related to the business/personal activities. Once followed, our lives can become much easier and streamlined. 

People are willing to learn, and the feedback from those who have met with me, shared and learned with me, and followed the plans was encouraging since their stories tended towards the path of success and growth as they saw it. 

I am excited about the possibilities for this coming year. Since:

• There are systems that enable people/businesses to realize planned results once followed; 
• People are willing to learn just how this can be done; 
• They are recognizing the benefits/opportunities for applying themselves; 
• There has been a reduction of hopelessness; 
• In an environment where there has been economic displacement, people can quickly acquire economic stability regardless of the scale of their operation/development; 
• The principles can be applied to individuals, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations;
• The assistance is not only limited to being provided through me but is available globally. 

2018 is almost over, but 2019 and beyond holds promises that can be realized by all who wish to apply themselves. From Blades & Blades Consultancy Services LP, here's wishing you every blessing in the new year. May your plans be realized by you and those whom you will serve. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

Story Time - Brief business examples

There's a saying the elderly repeated when I was growing up, that to talk is to reveal. It is for these reasons that I constantly tell the youth that they should grasp their education with both hands and feet. It is because, even when you have qualification and experience, there are people within the workforce that will still try to take advance of you.

When you're young and full of energy that is the time that you should try to live your life to the fullest before family etc. comes on board. People go through challenges and when they do, it is important that they maintain the right mindset if not they can be easily led off course; that is assuming they had a course planned.

Nowadays, I have a greater peace of mind than when I may have worked for significantly more money. Though I frequently get my medical check-ups, they are more preventative than curative. I know what it is to have money and I also know the flip side of the same coin.

High paying jobs are not always as they seem. They have pressures that are associated with them that can be daunting if you don't have a strong support group coupled with strong resolve. I gather much of my strength from The Almighty God. It has allowed me to fare better with the storms I weathered.

Working with various teams, I have been blessed to have always been a part of a team of high performers. Standards have been set high and exceeded on many an occasion however to realize this required lots of discipline.

In the early days of my working, I was asked why I go to work early even though I'm in charge. Upon reflection, when I drove on the roads at that time I found that there was less traffic, and those who passed by in one direction or another often happened to be the well-known business leaders within our country.

This preparation meant that when those with whom I worked called meetings at seemingly odd times I was always prepared for the most part. Although, I do remember going into a meeting one evening that was so much pressure that when I caught myself, I had driven past my home without even realizing it and ended up by the airport. It was a meeting that almost left me bewildered for the most part, and I remembered the best revenge is a massive success, which I set about to have happen the very next day. I decided instead of going home to return to work and encourage my team of marketers to really excel, and so they did. The very next day sales were asking me to ease off the pressure from them; to which I reminded them what they said in the meeting and hung up the phone.

My first trip to The Cayman Islands taught me the importance of learning Geography. My orders were to catch the next flight out to meet the VP in Miami at American Airlines counter, I was not to be late. Upon arrival, I was bumped to first class, given my instructions for the marketing research on the flight over, and when going to collect my luggage once we arrived was told by the VP if I ever travel with him again don't have luggage, anything that can't fit within a carryon is not needed. These guys were high pressure but also high performance. The environment was one where we made things happen and though reasons were acknowledged, excuses weren't tolerated.

Whenever we hit revenue targets and exceeded them the celebration was short and the next target was set. If we missed even by a fraction, the target was reset and we strive to hit it again. There was no almost there. If we wanted anything, first we worked, then achieved, before we could realize the reward. I still use that approach to this day and therefore abstain from hire purchase transactions for the most part.

Doing without keeps you sharp! Your observation is then keen, and your strategies set on replicating success.

Sure we can realize goals on occasion, however, can you say you can replicate it 22 - 26 days per month?

Why am I telling you this? In our current environment, we are faced with challenges. Unemployment for some, inability to afford things by others, the opportunities that seem to be constantly escaping us by others. WE MUST NOT LOSE HOPE.  Faith is the beginning of things hoped for, the evidence of things not yet seen.

What I've learned is:

1. You must write your goals and have pictures of them;
2. A date by which you wish to achieve them must be on there;
3. You must be committed to reaching that/those goal(s);
4. Recognize you can reset the goal(s) if you miss it/them;
5. You must work! They are not realized by wishing about them. 

There's a winner within you waiting to be recognized; not by the world but by you. YOU HAVE TO recognize YOUR INNER WINNER! 

Here's hoping you benefited from reading this. I am Richie B. 

Entrepreneurial disconnect - 7 things that are noticeable

During the week of GEW2018, I reflected on entrepreneurship. I thought of the entrepreneurs and how they interacted with the following:

• Technical Assistance
• Access to Finance/Investment/Grants Funding
• Information made available via research
• Laws governing ages of entrepreneurship
• Business education 
• Statutory commitments 
• and a whole lot of other factors that we encounter in business 

We are failing our entrepreneurs! There seems to be a disconnect that only serves to frustrate the entrepreneurs. Dreams become disillusions. Information is fragmented and impractical. We follow the instruction blindly of start small and grow it. Has no one ever sought to grow the business at the size that it should be from the outset? With access to greater planning tools and an environment where there are greater information stores, something is wrong. We are operating with archaic strategies to new world problems. We have not adapted to the necessary changes. 

Much of the information that we have is outdated before it even sees the light of day. Our observation tells us so, but because our new found information has not yet been published it isn't accepted as mainstream. What do I mean?

1. With greater education being made available, why has the age at which a person can get into business still 18? What programs do we need to put in place to harness the creative abilities of those who have business ideas but have not yet attained that age? 
2. Why are they still being told to check out their close friends and family when they can see that those same people are struggling within the same environment they are? 
3. Recently, I said the friends that you currently have will change should you embark on the path of entrepreneurship and they are not of like mind. Your friends will become those with whom you do business. This is not to say that you won't have your old friends, but that the friendships will evolve. You will move towards the direction of your most dominant thoughts and as your needs and priorities change so will your friends. As an entrepreneur, there is no blank cheque waiting to be picked up by you. Hard work and discipline is required. If you happen to experience the early success you have to be even more discerning as to who your true friends, those who will be back to back with you in tough times and good, are going to be. 
4. Teaching young people to prioritize needs to be taught in the home setting, it will not happen in school. What is the mentality of those who surround you? What are your goals? Have you carefully defined these goals for your business and personal?  
5. Are you proactive/reactive? Do you plan ahead or face situations as they crop up? How do those approaches work for you and which gives the better results? 
6. The financial houses are still looking for traditional collateral despite the fact that their market no longer possesses these traits. Many entrepreneurs are renters, not owners. No one is really placing an emphasis on valuing intellectual property [I.P.]. Actually, within our markets we have accountants, not a lot of professionals are qualified in valuing a business and many with these skills tend to come from overseas. 
7. Some start ups can make money quickly, and if there is no plan in place can suffer from having excess cash that is not productive. The result is that they flourish like match heads, burning suddently bright and then vanishing as quickly as they appeared. They are no real instruments for making your excess cash productive without their being exorbitant. 

We need to stop giving entrepreneurship lip service and really put systems in place that give businesses in this area the opportunity to grow and flourish. One does not need to live in a metropolitan country in order to experience success that can be massive. 

You may follow us for new articles at www.bladesandbladesconsultancy.com and subscribe. 

A fresh perspective is needed

Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 

Facing the challenges of people in business can be a daunting task. In business development, it means that I daily have to grapple with the challenges and problems that people present to me about their situations. Often they are related to their business, however, there are instances of some personal issues they need to address that often impact their businesses.

2018 has been a particularly rough year, it seems that bad news was just coming in from all directions. Averting foreclosures, turning around financial situations, dealing with all the challenges in business within an environment of uncertainty were all old hat to me or so I thought. The bigger the problem people had the more I enjoyed the challenge of successfully solving it for them.

This year, sure it may have been going on before, but I hadn't noticed it with this intensity. Lots of people I know died, and quite unexpectedly and at a rapid rate. It was at such a rate that I couldn't even attend all the funerals. Many were younger than I am.

'“Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”' Ecclesiastes 1:2

I managed to recognize it earlier last evening when depression was trying to grasp me. Having heard others describe it, I never once experienced it before. Along the way, I wondered how many others have to grapple with this thing called depression, especially when everywhere they turn there is bad news. Reader, we have tried to compartmentalize our lives using human standards of understanding, and we are wrong. Life is intricately intertwined.

Of late, there are many who want to put God in a box, only calling on him when there is a tragedy. I have read comments by those who know better, it would appear, who post seemingly careless thoughts about what they think about God.

Well, thank God for my relationship with him, since you can really get some really negative thoughts coming at you that if left unchecked can result in a loss. It is important to have a default position. Mine is with Christ. The opening statement of this article sums it up to an extent.

How many others have to grapple with this with changes and challenges to their equilibrium with regards to work, family, lifestyle, country, and other aspects of living to which they have grown accustomed. Yes, the only thing constant in life is change, but are we prepared for these changes?

We can't rely on the government for assistance, but the government has to rely on us as we are facing a most dire rebuilding process given the magnitude of the situations we face. There are many who don't have a mechanism for coping. We have to be our brother's keeper. It is necessary for others to experience the joy of their salvation. A fresh perspective is needed.