GarthBox

It’s likely we could go on about all the things we want. We have lists for what we want in significant others, lists for what we want out of the restaurant we’re going to, lists we want from an online grocery shopping experience and our morning routines.

As business leaders and creators, however, we need to know what the list of wants are for those we seek to serve.

How long of a list could we write for what someone wants out of their coffee shop experience? Or the list of wants from someone who is searching through your artwork or novels? What about the wants of the person who found you through a Google search or those who donate to a charity?

Then the real question becomes how many of those boxes of wants are you actually fulfilling? Or better yet, which boxes is the competition NOT checking that you can?

The list and evaluation and actions that come out of it are hard work. But that’s what it takes to connect, build a following and actually resonate with those you seek to serve.

Stay Positive & Grab That Pen

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Calculating value of a decision isn’t as hard as it sounds.

Is going to the festival where you’ll introduce your brand to eight people worth it? You can calculate it by assuming 20% or roughly two people will come visit your shop and let’s say the average purchase price is $24. Is your hour at the festival worth $48 dollars next weekend when they visit?

What about the value of a direct mail piece to 2,000 people that costs you $1.50 per person to send and an addition $2 per person who shows up to use the special pricing you included on the mailer? Is the $1,240 life-time value of 5% or roughly 100 people worth more than the $3.50 it took to get them to your shop?

This kind of math is easy.

It’s plug-and-play based on educated assumptions, historical data and hard costs.

The tough part comes in when you work to add in uncalculated value. It’s the free glassware you give out to those two people who entered your shop. Or the high-fives or the story of why you sell what you sell or the value of a new connection to someone in the community.

What about the value of putting a scratch & sniff element to the direct mail piece so those who recieve it have something to talk about even if they don’t enter your store or the value of a smile and friendly “thanks for coming in.”

Calculate the value when you can, but don’t let that stop you from providing uncalculated value to an experience.

Now that everyone has a calculator in front of them (and actually knows how to use it), those who provide more unclaculated value are the ones who make it to the top and who we talk about.

Stay Positive & Blend Your Value

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Before I got one of my tattoos, I drew it on my body with pen to see how I would like living with it.

Before a relationship, we usually go on dates to learn what the compatibility between us is like.

Before someone opens a business, the recurring advice they get is to work in the industry; to test the waters.

When something’s familiar, it’s also easier.

When we dabble in a project or industry, we get connected with others who can help us do the work better.

When we’re just in “trial” mode, there’s a lot less stress and anxiety and fear and worry because, hey, if it doesn’t work, we don’t have to stick with it.

The only caveat to testing the waters is to do so before others; have urgency.

Before you know it, the pool will be full and your vision achieved by someone else.

Stay Positive & Testing, Testing

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We’re already busy to the max, so the business we want to open, the art we want to create, the connections we want to make don’t make us more busy.

All we do is exchange time we previously invested elsewhere.

And this reason is one big reason it’s important to keep track of where we put our time.

The worst is when we sacrifice the important things we put our time to for another dream because we trick ourselves into believing we don’t have enough time.

When in reality, if we reflect, we spend more time on things that feel busy over things that feel productive.

If we’re swapping time for one thing for another, we should probably make sure it’s the right thing.

Stay Positive & Reflect And Update

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There’s no such thing as a valued transaction. There’s nothing exciting about that exchange.

But there’s something unique when it comes to the interaction. The person you’re talking to, the “thank you” email you get, the surprise gift that comes with the purchase.

The transaction is something that happens, but the interaction is something we have complete control over, from start to finish … and hopefully start again.

What are you doing to add value to it?

Stay Positive & Add Value

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If you’re struggling to leap forward in a group setting, then it’s worth calling a meeting.

Not a meeting to waste time or to complain, but to level set the group.

The reason being?

It’s easier to put our attention on what’s in front of us and how to move the business forward than it is to put our attention on getting others to our level, by our side, working to solve the same problems we are.

It’s a problem that plagues so many groups, especially ones of larger sizes (large in this case being 10+).

Perhaps you’re the one that’s not yet playing at the same level as others or you’re the one so focused on what’s in front that you’re leaving your team behind.

Either way.

It’s time to regroup so you can all move forward, efficiently, effectively, and successfully.

Stay Positive & Time To Set The Level

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Work is more fun as a team.

There’s more emotion, ideas and perspectives.

Work that’s made together is usually more inclusive, more moving and more likely to resonate.

If you’re struggling or frustrated with some of the work you’re doing, it’s worth asking if you have to do it alone.

Even a “can I bounce some ideas off you” is a collaborative step.

Stay Positive & Bring It In Team

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