The Number One Rule of Product Descriptions

The first thing we know about our business is what we sell. As we develop our strategic plans, we also define the problem that we solve. Once we go to market, we are tasked with describing this in a way to attract the right attention, and in only a few sentences. Follow this rule to…

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Different is Good – or Italy vs France

Unique Value Proposition

The last month or so of posts all stemmed from considering Italian cooking and its similarities to good management. Italian food is common, popular, and often adapted to new locations and tastes. However, in Italy itself there are about half the number of Michelin-starred restaurants as there are in France. And Italy is ok with…

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How to Build Strong Business Values

Values are all about self-reflection. The good news is: you have complete control over your corporate values. There are few things in business over which you can claim to have full control. But values is one of them and that makes it essential to your strategy. The bad news is: we often get lost in…

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How to Differentiate

A business can choose one specific area, or a combination of areas in which to build its competitive advantage. See the Infographic below for ideas on where to focus your energies for effective Differentiation.   Next week I will explain the process I perform with my clients to help them identify their key differentiators. Subscribe…

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How I work – Differentiation

Differentiation in business is what makes one company more attractive than another. The simplest differentiation is price, but it is also the weakest, because nobody wins in a price war. A media company client of mine was losing business to a more established, well known brand. I had the owner do an exercise to describe…

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How to Choose Your Competencies

Using these two groups of competencies helps to list out specific traits. There is nothing on those lists that an employer would not want in his or her workforce. But choices must be made, so how do you choose the competencies for your team? Bringing it all together What can be taught, what must be…

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