focus vs being all things to all people
Okay guys, hope you all have had a nice Christmas!
This post runs a real risk of not making as much sense as I would like, but here goes anyway!
Those of you doing “local offline” business (especially those full time or very much on the way).
Do you have a wide variety of services, or a more focused variety of services?
Let me put it like this: As I go about my day I tend to notice many opportunities from the point of view of various local business. Stuff like, “this electrician doesn’t have a website, perhaps I could offer that” or “I reckon this landscaper could benefit from some postcard direct mail, perhaps I could offer some help with that” or “this new to town butcher would benefit most from building an in store list of customers publishing a weekly email catalogue, perhaps I could do that as a service for them” or “this club always has different things going on, they could really do well with an SMS club, perhaps I should offer that as a service for them” or “this salon needs to do some active facebook work, I could do that for them”.
That’s how I think as I see various businesses (or think of them).
Not to mention all the little ideas you come across from reading WF! "I could do that..." or "I can see that a twist put on that idea...." You know what I mean!
Only thing is – as I start putting my plans together, I am feeling like that may be more of a hindrance than a help. From a business point of view, everything I’m learning (in my business management course) tends to make me think that a more focused approach is the way to go. You know - defined products / services offered to a market that wants them. Not saying, “only offer 1 product” (e.g. web design), not at all. But some structure to your business plan.
Do you get what I mean? (I hope so!) And do you agree or disagree? I guess a pure marketing consultant plays more of an all-rounder role. That’s fine, and that’s not really where I’m going in this conversation. That’s actually a business model/niche in and of itself I believe (and perhaps tends to get confused in this offline forum occasionally).
I guess what I’m asking is: has anyone else struggled with a head full of ideas and seeing various opportunities around them…..and found that you need to sit down and work out exactly what you’re going to offer to whom, and action that plan, rather than try and be all things to all people?
Just by way of example: if I decided to focus on website design (with SEO upsells etc). My idea for the butcher (publishing their weekly e-catalogue) whilst it might still pop into my head I would not pursue it. Because in fact, with time being a limited commodity, the (say) hour a week I spend doing that (although profitable) takes away from building my web design business.
Any comments appreciated!
This post runs a real risk of not making as much sense as I would like, but here goes anyway!
Those of you doing “local offline” business (especially those full time or very much on the way).
Do you have a wide variety of services, or a more focused variety of services?
Let me put it like this: As I go about my day I tend to notice many opportunities from the point of view of various local business. Stuff like, “this electrician doesn’t have a website, perhaps I could offer that” or “I reckon this landscaper could benefit from some postcard direct mail, perhaps I could offer some help with that” or “this new to town butcher would benefit most from building an in store list of customers publishing a weekly email catalogue, perhaps I could do that as a service for them” or “this club always has different things going on, they could really do well with an SMS club, perhaps I should offer that as a service for them” or “this salon needs to do some active facebook work, I could do that for them”.
That’s how I think as I see various businesses (or think of them).
Not to mention all the little ideas you come across from reading WF! "I could do that..." or "I can see that a twist put on that idea...." You know what I mean!
Only thing is – as I start putting my plans together, I am feeling like that may be more of a hindrance than a help. From a business point of view, everything I’m learning (in my business management course) tends to make me think that a more focused approach is the way to go. You know - defined products / services offered to a market that wants them. Not saying, “only offer 1 product” (e.g. web design), not at all. But some structure to your business plan.
Do you get what I mean? (I hope so!) And do you agree or disagree? I guess a pure marketing consultant plays more of an all-rounder role. That’s fine, and that’s not really where I’m going in this conversation. That’s actually a business model/niche in and of itself I believe (and perhaps tends to get confused in this offline forum occasionally).
I guess what I’m asking is: has anyone else struggled with a head full of ideas and seeing various opportunities around them…..and found that you need to sit down and work out exactly what you’re going to offer to whom, and action that plan, rather than try and be all things to all people?
Just by way of example: if I decided to focus on website design (with SEO upsells etc). My idea for the butcher (publishing their weekly e-catalogue) whilst it might still pop into my head I would not pursue it. Because in fact, with time being a limited commodity, the (say) hour a week I spend doing that (although profitable) takes away from building my web design business.
Any comments appreciated!
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