Lists — Are You Making Them? Experts Say They Are Crucial to Success!
Ah, the dreaded lists!
Most of us make lists — shopping, chores, and important dates to remember are just a few. So why do many not make lists for their business? And even worse, why are some touting that task-lists are not good?
It is well established that making lists can assist you in reaching your goals.
The list methodology has driven many to achieve success in business. Kevin Kruse, author of 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management asks, “Do you really think Richard Branson and Bill Gates write long to-do lists and prioritize items as A1, A2, B1, B2, and so on?”.
So with all things being equal, Simon Sinek says, “If we think of everything we have to do, we feel overwhelmed. If we do the one thing we need to do, we make progress.”. While Simon is not specifically talking about list making, I believe this speaks to the positive side of making a list.
Regarding lists, I believe that Kevin Kruse’s Richard Branson and Bill Gates example is not true, not to mention lacks insight.
Of course, these two powerhouse leaders do not make a list themselves — at least as we see lists.
That said, I can guarantee you that their staff does. Further, “big picture thinking” and running worldwide companies, is drastically different than the daily lives most of us lead.
I ask, “Have you ever had a successful day without a list?”. I have, but it is only on the bigger tasks of running a business. Doing things like reconciling finances and other business necessities. And all my lists range from big-picture to the micro-list within a task.
Not all lists are created equal!
My most successful days are all done via task lists that are in a time-blocking format with ‘to-be-completed’ items or contain a host of details that need to be included in a project.
I happen to use “the listing methodology” for everything in my life. In fact, I even use my calendar to create reminders for me throughout the day. At the end of the day, however, that is simply another kind of list.
Regarding Simon’s point of being overwhelmed, for many, lists are just the fix to keep you and your business on track.
It is true that being overwhelmed is a road to non-productivity — however — a simple task list will help you organize with the same efficiency of your simple shopping list, checking off items as you do them.
So, lists are bad?
In my opinion, “No.” — In fact, experts on business efficiency say that operational efficiency is about making the best possible use of all resources.
“Operational efficiency is the capability of an enterprise to deliver products or services to its customers in the most cost-effective manner possible while still ensuring the high quality of its products, service, and support.” ~ Webopedia
For most of us, I propose that list-making is crucial to completing your job with efficiency. As, with every position, there is a constant influx of new things to do and older things to remember.
The Pros and Cons of lists
- PROS
- Better focus
- It can help not feeling overwhelmed
- Easier to recall conversations
- Better manage multiple projects
- Easier to present idea’s to business associates
- Big picture understanding of the needed task flow
- The pleasure of seeing completed tasks
- CONS
- It takes time out of your day
- It can feel overwhelming
- Your list is lost in the shuffle
- Relying on it can be a nightmare if you lose it
- You keep adding to the list and it never ends
I would love to hear your feedback on how you work best. Do you make lists or not? Message me, or connect with me on Facebook or Twitter.
You can also connect directly with me on LinkedIn.
Why We Buy: Features vs. Benefits
Top 5 Ways Marketing Professionals Help Your Business
Here Is Another Top 5 List To Help Your Business Grow!
Okay, this will be a bold statement: “Marketing professionals are the unsung heroes of the business world.” There I said it. There is no glory, no fanfare, and no one — for the most part — understands what we do to help their business.
I am hoping to change some of that with this post!
So, Why Do Marketing Professionals So Often Get Ignored?
In today’s world, the act of marketing often gets confused with sales, and while the act of sales is important and ultimately the end result, they are two very different methodologies.
Many businesses operate based on “sales-out-the-door” — and they should — as, without sales, there would be no business. However, what is driving the lead conversions to the sales team is the creative methodologies of your marketing team.
That all said, here in the information age — as it has been for hundreds of years before — the way business marketing is done can be the difference between success and failure in bringing in quality prospects to whom to sell your service or widget.
Marketing Professionals Know That It Has Always Been This Way!
In fact, today’s funnel has been completely flipped on its head, finally giving validity to the power of not only the deliverance of leads but the deliverance of good, qualified leads that allow you to close the sales process faster.
That said, the biggest fault has also fallen upon the shoulders of your marketing team.
“A salesman’s mistake may cost little. An advertiser’s mistake may cost a thousand times that much. Be more cautious, more exacting, therefore. A mediocre salesman may affect a small part of your trade. Mediocre advertising affects all of your trade.” ~ Claude Hopkins in Scientific Marketing
Today’s purchasing funnel is now 75% marketing and 25% sales, whereas even as recent as 15 years ago — circa 2002 — ‘sales’ was the dominant focus to drive business at 60% sales and 40% marketing.
Here is my Top-5 list for how we marketing professionals can help your business.
#1 – We Know Why People Make Decisions…
Trendsetters like Claude Hopkins or Simon Sinek know that when you market to the “emotional-why”, you are marketing directly to the part of the brain that makes a decision. This ‘direct response marketing’ methodology is used by 100% of today’s successful businesses such as Apple, Inc..
#2 – We Focus On The Perspective Of The Buyer…
There have been many times when I have seen marketing that is all about the features. Unfortunately, it is little about the benefit. You have the best widget or service, or you claim to have a low price, you may even claim to have all the right colours & all the right sizes — and within your message, it was forgotten that all the prospective buyer wants to know is how you will solve their problem or fix their need. Remember, benefits sell; features don’t!
#3 – We Deliver Better, More Qualified Leads…
The shorter the cycle, the faster you can grow. Good marketers deliver leads to your business. The ones that are qualified can then be given an offer from the sales team. Quite often businesses have their sales teams out there trying to market, but they do it like salespeople. Some will be successful, but the majority will falter. Today’s discerning customer has more direct access to your competition, and the bigger the impact, the deeper the relationship must be! Simply, driving better/more qualified leads to your sales team will bring in your profits faster.
#4 – Brand Continuity…
All us marketers say that consistency is important, but “why” is it important? Brand continuity affects what people think about your company. People are emotionally driven to buy and as such, an inconsistent brand will not drive confidence. The more consistent your messaging, the more consistent your branding — whether via words, design, offerings or perspective. That’s why it’s so important to develop standards for brand consistency in your business.
#5 – We Are Professionals At Showing Value…
Price is often pitched as value and just as often, they are not related. There are two aspects to the definition of value: ‘desired value’ and ‘perceived value’. Desired value refers to what customers desire in a product or service. Perceived value is the benefit that a customer believes he or she received from a product after it was purchased. One-hundred percent of all generated value is delivered by your marketing team before they even talk to a salesperson.
And there you have it. If you found value in this post, please share it.
Are you looking for some quick insight and/or need some help? Phone calls are always free. Call Toll-Free throughout North America 1-888-502-3523
Are you using a Sales or a Marketing Message?
Your marketing message is a crucial component in reaching your target customer. The first thing to do, however, is to identify all customer benefits because this will in-turn generate interest.
STEP #1 How to Target Your Market By Answering 3 Questions.
Copy-Boarding is an exercise in benefit clarification. Copy-Boarding consequently flips sales-objections into benefits.
A simple copy boarding exercise nail down your messaging. These sessions take about an hour and are valuable in all your marketing copy. Book a Copy-Boarding session here.
So Are You Using a Sales or Marketing Message?
First of all, what are your tactics?
- “Tactics are the actions you take to implement your strategy. Think about these carefully so you can determine what response you’re trying to generate from your target audience. For example, you might want them to:
– Go to your website to get more information.
– Fill out an online survey.- – Call to speak with a salesperson.
- – Request that a salesperson call them.
– Attend a free webinar.
– Download a free white paper.
– Call for more information.
– Agree to a sales meeting or presentation.
– Attend a free seminar or workshop.
– Request a free product demo.
– Take a 30-day free trial of the product.
– Refer your services to others in your target market.
– Become an affiliate and sell your products and services.
– Buy the product with a credit card.”
Excerpt is from Robert W. Bly’s book The Marketing Plan Handbook.
Marketing messages are different because of the approach you deliver to the prospect.
Most noteworthy in sales vs. marketing messages — while both are aimed at increasing revenue — most don’t realize the difference between the two. This is mostly because most small organizations have too few employees to separate the two.
Marketing is the lead-up and into benefits for the prospective buyer; how it will affect them after they buy and start using. Sales simply is the offer; the guarantee; the close of the deal.
And regardless of the size of an organization, an alignment to your messaging must have continuity through sales and into the aftersale (or customer service). This is where Social Media is a crucial component of your strategy and effort-mix.
Are you still wondering about the effectiveness of your Marketing Message?
Schedule a time to do a copy-boarding exercise and discover the way you can take your message to the next level and get better results in both engagement opportunities and sales.