Thinking Outside The Box...

Thinking outside the box, I guess the expression ‘thinking outside the box’ doesn’t really apply to me, as I am the one person who would never get in the box to start with! Over the years, I have come up against all sorts of competition in lots of different business fields, and it never ceases to amaze me how some people feel so threatened. I suppose it must be down to one of two main factors.

1) They are not really sure that what they have to offer is as good for their customers as they tell them it is.

2) They know what you offer is a better product or service and are scared they will lose business.

I believe you are on a slippery slope when you start to think like this, as without fail, I have always found that it is better to work with people rather than against them. Generally, you find if you put someone’s back up they will go out of their way to make your life more difficult. Since Kevin and I started to promote the ABC and all the aspects of it, we have had several people say, “isn’t that like what Joe Bloggs does” and we would say NO, fortunately, there is nothing out there like ABC.

Business without a doubt is about making contacts, working with those contacts, and exploring the opportunities for business with those people and their businesses. There are so many places now to network it is unreal. On-line alone, there are hundreds of new sites to network on. Don’t get me wrong, I belong to lots of these sites and get some great business contacts from them. However, you have to look at the big picture, like outside the box. We have, and you should see what’s out here!.

Let me just point out a few facts about business as a whole and how things are going to change this coming year. I speak with hundreds of business people each week, and at the moment, they all say the same thing, “THINGS ARE BAD”. Not because they know they are, just the media told them it was, so it must be. But inside the box, they believe what they are told! So if things are bad, in the box, this is what will happen and you won’t be able to change it.

1) Businesses will only have so much to spend on advertising.

2) Businesses will want proof of what that advertising is bringing them.

3) Businesses will want to get more customers, but at know extra cost.

4) Businesses will want to network with more businesses at know extra cost.

5) Businesses will want to save money and get more benefits.

I think you get the point. I could go on, but it would only depress us both!
So what are the options for the everyday business person with only so much to spend?
I guess the common one is, to keep doing what you have always done and get what you have always got…..

… OR TRY SOMETHING NEW!

How does this sound, for the last 3 years Kevin and I had a dream; to launch the Advantage Business Club. It would offer its members one simple thing, a way to get more business at no extra cost. Let me clarify what I mean.

Businesses spend money on advertising in lots of different ways, so we thought let’s bring it all under one roof.

Business Breakfasts
Coffee Mornings
Evening Buffets
Business News Letter Advertising in The Advantage
News Articles
Search Engine Listing
Banner Advertising
Key Word Search
On-line Networking Sites
Profiled on Busy Sites
15% of Meals at the Chez Gerard’s Group
Put Your Business Cards, in Business Card Dispensers in Busy Outlets
Spot Light Your Business at Meetings

Just to name a few and we have only been launched a month!

Backed by a company who do both online and off line advertising to promote all of the above. Oh, did I mention the fact that we are looking to launch a Charity to help start up businesses. Strange what you can think of over 3 years.

I know you’re thinking, “They can’t do all that”, well, you’re wrong, as the grass is greener on the other side, and in this case, it’s outside the box!

Add up what you would spend on all the above, if you could even get it. Then have a look at our website and let us know what you think about what we are doing. If you don’t like it, the worse case scenario is, you can register on our search engine for FREE.

Speak soon and check out the site.

Mark

http://www.abcadvantage.biz
http://www.abclocal.biz/