The headlines scream, “It really is the stock market’s worst year. Ever”. “Stock market puts in worst opening week on record.”
There’s panic on the streets. Well maybe that’s stretching it a bit far, but you get my point.
I vividly remember the look I got from a leading Sydney Financial Planner when I said, “Who’d be stupid enough to buy stocks when they’re falling?”
“Why do you think that? What goes down comes up and buying low and selling high is the best way to make money.”
Which highlights a fundamental business lesson.
Namely, when everyone is zigging, you zag.
The people who really make a mark in this world go against the flow. They take a stand. Have a contrarian view. Often they get ridiculed. But they stick at it and fight for what they believe. And eventually they prevail.
Marketing your business is no different.
You can copy your competitors. “It’s always been that way. If I do something different my peers will laugh at me.”
But who are you selling to? Your competitors?
Apple floundered for years after Steve Jobs was sacked. Nearly went bankrupt.
Then Jobs came back and understood his “Why”. Struck out in a bold new direction and the rest as they say is history.
And of the subject of “Why, What, How”, I strongly suggest you watch this 18 minute TED talk from Simon Sinek on “How Great Leaders Inspire Action”.
How Jobs, Martin Luther King and even the Wright Brothers all thought, acted and communicated in a way that’s completely the opposite of everyone else.
Unsurprisingly, there is a pattern which all great leaders and organisations share. A pattern which can be modelled. But you’ll have to watch Simon to find out. (BTW, there is a transcript on the site as well.”
So if you’re zigging with everyone else and you’d like to zag, but don’t know how, I’m known for my contrary views and out of the box thinking which will have you striking out on new paths. Give me a call on 0414-913-334.
