Don't Be Mining for Fool's Gold

If you're a sales pro, are you spending time wasting your talent on opportunities that deep down you know will never close?

And if you're a client retention expert, are you wasting your resources by planning that educational series that you will never have time to present because you are wasting your time on a project that has no real value?

It might be fun to explore a new opportunity or dominate your current area of expertise in terms of market share, but what's it worth if it doesn't support your overall goal?

The technology and communication tools at our disposal are more powerful than ever before. We have more opportunities to make connections to people than ever before. Which makes picking the most effective and productive targets and actions to achieve your milestones more important than it has ever been.

Take time to plan, study your plan, then execute with precision and passion on the most productive and beneficial tasks that get you to your goal.

Beware of the Business Blocker

It's not very hard to become stalled by trying to figure out what your customer really sees as their next big hurdle.  And when you do finally figure it out, it becomes an even bigger challenge to break through the various success blockers who try and keep you from getting your solution in front of the people who want to buy it.

It's easy to forget what the blocker wants.

If the blocker can't make money or get a promotion from your solution, why will they help you?  And if the blocker sees an easier path to making money or getting that promotion, they may mislead you.  You can view these things as foolish or even something that won't happen to you. Or you can wake up and realize it is simply a part of the process and is as "real" as the gatekeepers who rely on them.

Beware of the blockers and the paths they map out for you.  The mistake could make you forget the end user. And we know how that that story ends.

Are new ideas scarce?

Not at Industry Weapon.

Looking around, it appears lots of business folks have come to a conclusion that there's a shortage of good ideas. So they're busy trying to keep the "limited resource" to themselves.
I have been inundated lately with a variety of ways to avoid this pitfall and eliminate the risk. So if you find yourself being driven into a corner, don't just say something, do something. Build more functionality, more alliances, more customers and get more exposure in places you haven't explored.
Idea hording is a lousy and narrow minded profession, one that ought to be punishable by jail time, if not death. I'm more in favor of idea sharing. 2010 is the year that the world will look at Industry Weapon for their continued manufacturing of ideas that just work. In fact, every year is that year, but this time Industry Weapon will be promoting these ideas to our vast network of business relationships.

Game Changer

For just about everything, people will go with the less expensive of the choices they are presented.

If the features and functionality appear to be identical, 9 times out of 10, they will choose the least expensive that meets their needs.

When faced with this truth in business, you have a few choices:

You can attempt to be the low cost provider, but it is almost impossible to maintain.

You can be the most stable and predictable, but in the ever changing business environment, this can make you the most generic and limiting solution for your customers.

You can rewrite the game to be the only player (best strategy).

Designing a new logo for your business doesn't do any to help move your business further, it merely misleads you to believe you are becoming better. Same with buying a new PDA, getting a new job title and rearranging your office furniture. They keep you preoccupied with doing tasks that won't make a difference.

The most impactful strategy is to change the game, not change your team's mascot.

It's the scrapper.....the fighter that succeeds

When the economy is experiencing a downturn, it's very tempting to do what my son says...."take what you get and you don't throw a fit!"

Unfortunately the paths you choose now will shape the way your life or business looks in the future. It is tempting to take the first job or the easiest job that comes your way. But many times, it is not the best job for you to take. The best opportunities can take work and sacrifice to get. And many times, you need to make the investment in your future by taking a short term set back now.

It's the scrapper.....the fighter that succeeds. Taking on the hard work and managing your plan without reservation is a strategy that will certainly lead you and your organization to long term success.

Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Whose ideas, thoughts and advice do you spend your time listening to?

Is there a specific need either internally or externally you are trying to satisfy?

Who in your business and personal life has had the most effect on your actions and decisions? Has their contribution in your life helped you or hurt you to become the person you want to be?

Be mindful of the impact, accomplishments, friends and overall character of the people you dedicate your very limited resources to most often. Do they deserve your attention?

Industry Weapon mentioned in Pittsburgh Technology Leadership Article

"Is 2009 the year for life sciences in Pittsburgh?

Apparently so, according to local investors and experts. Besides the dynamic likes of Vivisimo, Plextronics, SMaSH, ModCloth and Industry Weapon, the companies most people are talking about are developers of medical devices, healthcare IT and diagnostics."

Full Article: http://www.popcitymedia.com/innovationnews/10lifescience0