Odds Are Against YOU Doing This…BUT

Statistically, there’s a ‘fat chance’ you’ll do what i’m about to ask. Maybe this is a significant waste of time but i’m going ask anyway…

Would You Please Leave A Comment?!

Besides beating the odds and saving a life, Here’s why i ask…

Choosing Your Customers…Get Fussy.

Like most business owners, you probably focus a lot on how to be chosen by customers – good. There’s almost nothing more important than that – except (sometimes) being the one who does the choosing. Here’s why…

23 Random Do’s and Don’ts

Whoever and whatever you are – entrepreneur, business leader or employee going places… check out these random do’s and don’ts…the first 23 that came to mind as i wrote!

Some are  deep, others shallow. Some funny, others dead serious and then there are some you may disagree with completely.

1)      DO: Make friends with people in low places. They’re the one’s who actually do the work. You’d be surprised how much more useful they are than the big boss.

Things Are Going To Get Worse This Year… Definately

Everything is going to get worse for you in 2010… it really is. Things will not improve. It will not ’just work out’…nothing will come together. A year from now, you’ll be broke, your brand unknown and you be going around

in circles, saying…”Things will get better”. But they wont.

Want proof?

 

How to Make Daily Progress That Matters

Successful people ‘think progress’ all the time.  Do you?

Ofcourse,it helps to know where you’re going. I’m talking about really knowing your destination, What and where it is and isn’t. And whenever you get closer to it, that’s what we call progress.

However,  not all progress, is progress that matters - For example:

Success…Is It WHAT or WHO You Know?

Is success about WHAT you know or is it about WHO?

It’s a good question and almost everyone knows the answer…except they disagree.

‘WHAT people‘ emphasize how acquiring knowledge about the facts, principles and strategies is the key to success. They invest in gathering vital information and education (both formal & informal). They know that

Make A Million Dollars The Boring Way

Everyone loves the mega million dollar day idea.

It’s easy money. It’s success in a bottle. It’s instant riches and glory.

Living as though you’re going to suddenly suceed is very tempting. After all it means you can be lazy. and sporadic – now that’s fun – and easy.

You do what you should only when you feel like it.

When you feel like it, that’s when you study, that’s when you pray, that’s when you spend QT with the wife and kids, that’s when when you excersize. It’s fun that way.

Until you fail.

The rest of humanity has one of two choices…

Merry Christmas Everyone!

The heading sums it up…Merry Christmas.

I’m already having a great day – an urgent business meeting, a (tiny) family crisis, but a great day nonetheless.

Still, far be it from me to forget my readers, clients and friends on such a special day.

Thank you for all your support throughout the year, you guys are awesome! Remember, it’s not about what you get, it’s about what you give.

And for every fellow Christian out there, please remember Santa isn’t the real reason for the season. Be sure to take some family and personal time to thank Jesus for coming.

Max Soutter

My Favourite Website Is…?

Do you have a favorite Zimbabwean website? One that you just keeping going back to. Doesn’t matter what kind of site you like – news, blog, business anything as long as it’s your honest favorite – take a vote!

Which do you most frequently visit? The one you’re most likely to talk about? The one you find most useful/ entertaining etc.

Why not share it with the rest of us by answering this quick poll. If you want you can give us your reasons in the comment box below.

‘Tiger Woods’ is Dead – Suicide!

BREAKING NEWS: ‘Tiger Woods’, after a short but traumatic media scandal… is dead. All evidence points to suicide – no foul play suspected.

Tiger's Nike Advert

Who would ever have thought that the ‘Tiger Woods’ brand would die such a horrible death? I mean it is dead right? 10 different women – porn star and all? This is worse than Clinton and Lewinsky in 1998.

Ok… maybe not THAT bad. Still, Tiger Woods’ is dead – at least that’s what I’ve been hearing.

And maybe their right. I mean 10 different women?! That’s gotta be some kind of record for a brand suicide. Right?

RIGHT? It sure deserves to be!

Okay okay, self righteousness aside, Maybe it’s not dead. Maybe this is just be the beginning of a new era in the life of the Tiger brand.

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Last year Tiger Woods earned $100 Million dollars from endorsements, prize winnings and all sorts (wish i could play golf). Since the recent scandals, though, his endorsements have been dropping like flies. – well, very slow flies that is. Seemed they’ve taking a sort of a wait and see approach.

I don’t blame them, unlike my advice to Tiger’s wife, it may not a good idea to drop the Tiger Brand too quick.

Personally, i don’t think Tiger’s marketability is going anywhere. Not really.

Here’s why

1) ‘Tiger Woods’ is ‘Tiger Woods’, first and foremost because he’s the world’s greatest golfer… that hasn’t changed. When he gets back from he’s Husband/father break…he’ll be back to winning. Brands will always want to associated with winning – even if it’s only on the course.

2) This whole saga has made Tiger Woods, even more visible then he’s ever been! Even people who couldn’t care less about golf are interested in Tiger now.  This give his brand wider reach than ever before. With the right positioning…it could be more profitable than before.

3) According to some brand analysts the Tiger Woods brand appeals more to the affluent, middle aged – who are apparently a lot more forgiving and understanding than most demographics. Maybe in time, they’ll just forget it?

Either way, the brand won’t remain unchanged. It may shift target market, and be endorsed by a different set of companies. A huge and very expensive inconvenience. Not to mention embarrassing.

So what’s the lesson in all this? (besides “Thou shalt not cheat on thy wife”)?

I think it’s a reminder of the importance of protecting your brand reputation. That every interaction your brand makes with the public is potentially profitable…or dangerous.

I’ll bet Tiger Would never have been caught near a Porn Star (or 10) if he’d known it would be exposed one day right? All of a sudden, the voices of these  ‘unimportant interactions’ with ‘ unknown people’ have hit the news.

Bummer.

You never know which one of your customers or suppliers will have their opinion of  you amplified for ‘the world’ to hear.

I guess it’s a warning to us all (myself included)…treat each person as though they’ll be telling on you. They probably will. Not always to the media, but many times to someone else, who could be your next big opportunity, or much needed cheque.

Yours for smarter business

Max Soutter

P.S. Are you starting a business? CLICK HERE