In Saturday’s blog we showed how AT&T serves as an example of complacency – behavior you want to avoid as a business owner. Apple serves as an excellent example of striving to get better. They do it through understanding their competition, innovation, and never being satisfied with what they’ve achieved. The Apple iPhone targeted Blackberry; the Apple iPad (just released this weekend) is targeting Kindle and the e-reader market. Are they the first to the market – not always. Do they have “great stuff” – most certainly.
So how can you apply some of Apple’s ideas in your business?
You can learn more about Angie’s list and build a strategy to build your reputation on Angie’s list
o Ask all your customers to write a reference or a testimonial
o Provide outstanding service so the reference is always stellar
o (Hint: many of your competitors don’t know Angie’s list exists)
You can improve your website and offer e-coupons or free value (i.e. special reports, business templates, etc) for people who come to your website and see everything you have to offer
You can return all your calls within 1 business day (trust us – many of your competitors don’t)
You can guarantee on time and on budget service, and quality of your services
There are many other ways to differentiate yourself from your competitors. Remember, many of you competitors have gotten complacent. What they do is basically not different from what they’ve always done – and that breeds opportunity. If you want ideas on how to get better – ask your customers and prospects – they’ll tell you. The Great Recession has change the business landscape for many. Understand it, take advantage of it – and don’t listen to people who say you can’t do it because it’s never been done.
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