Wedding Crashers has always been one of my favourite movies. In this scene, we see a 40+ year old Will Ferrell still living with his mother, waiting for mom to bring him his dinner. Sometimes I think businesses treat marketing, and their clients much like this. Many times we are guilty of sitting around, expecting clients to come to us – or we are stuck doing the same thing for years, hoping for the same or better results.
“MAAAAA, the meatloaf!”
The very definition of insanity according to Albert Einstein (sorry Will) is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I feel like many of us can go about our lives doing the same routine, employing the same marketing efforts, even using the same methods to try and achieve bigger and better. Whether you are 40 and still living at home (no judgment) or an enterprising 25 year old looking to venture into the business world, maybe it’s time we all re-examined our approach to life, business and marketing.
Here are 3 common misconceptions about methods and marketing:
- What I’ve done in the past has worked, so why change now?
People love turning past successes into lasting successes. We take the methods of past victories and turn them into “tradition”, methods we religiously continue to use year-after-year. The problem with that mentality is simple – people evolve. Plans change. Technology is growing. Doing what you’ve always done will not only jeopardize future success, it’s cost many executives, managers, and coaches their jobs over the years. Practically – look for creative ways to do things differently. Maybe that means trying a different method, or changing your belief in a certain area. We need to be constantly finding ways to stay ahead of the curve, so that success isn’t a “thing of the past”.
- Everyone is doing it this way, so why should I be different?
This may be true. Ask yourself this important question – do you want to achieve the same success as those around you, or are you wanting something more? The majority of people seem to be comfortable with a decent job, a mortgage and a couple of cars to go with their picturesque family. I challenge you to dream bigger, to push for more. While there is nothing wrong with the “American” or “Canadian” dream per se, recent surveys show people who live with greater purpose and drive, tend to be much more satisfied in life. Some of the greatest people and entrepreneurs in history didn’t follow a clear cut path, or the traditional route. Change your methods, achieve different results.
- I’ve been at this for years, why do I need your/or anyone else’s help?
Truth is, no one has all the answers. Your lack of knowledge in an area – whether its sales, marketing, even management – is probably costing you serious money. You could be saving money by amalgamating services and/or methods, or switching to a new, low-cost provider. I’m no self-proclaimed expert. Frankly, I’m just a guy who is passionate about marketing and leadership, and have seen some tremendous successes in these areas. I’ve come to learn that no matter how much I think I know about a subject, or how high my level of success in that area – there’s always someone who knows more, someone who can do it better. A simple attitude adjustment is sometimes all we need to grow stronger, to grow our business. Realize what you are good at, outsource in the areas you aren’t.
4. I’m 40 and still living in my parents basement… (BONUS)
We don’t offer a service to help you yet. You may want to contact your local psychologist. Just kidding (maybe).