Not Just Different: How to Be Outstanding in Business
If you want to stand out, don’t be different; be outstanding. — Meredith West
For decades, being different was touted as the best way to be successful in business. These days, I think it takes more than that.
It’s so easy to launch a blog or website that literally anyone can start a business. It’s great that so many new companies are springing up, but it also makes finding a unique difference a lot harder. In fact, finding a niche that’s not crowded is a bit like searching for the Holy Grail.
The best thing you can do for your business is to learn to be outstanding.
Do the hard stuff.
Most people just don’t have it in them to do the really difficult stuff. In the end, though, it’s usually the difficult things that are the most worthwhile (for your company and your customers).
Take risks.
Small businesses almost never become outstanding by following in someone’s footsteps, or by taking the safe road. Taking calculated risks is a trademark of outstanding small businesses.
Surprise people.
The easiest way to show people that your company is outstanding is to surprise them (in a good way). Give them more than they expect, or do something interesting that they aren’t anticipating, and you’ll begin to stand out.
Give a damn.
It’s so easy to run around thinking only of money, and a lot of businesses do just that. The outstanding ones, however, go beyond just money. Outstanding businesses actually care about what they do, and care about their customers.
There are enough unique small businesses out there that just being different isn’t enough to guarantee success. Not much will guarantee success, but for the best shot at it, learn to be outstanding.
Now, for the million dollar question, what makes your company outstanding?
Reader Comments
I love the way you think! I think that these 4 points completely sum up exactly what it takes to be outstanding. You rock ~
Fabulous commentary! We are lawyers who help people with financial matters. We break the mold by treating our clients with care, kindness, courtesy, respect, professionalism and love. Who ever heard of a lawyer treating their clients that way? We blow our clients away with good work and extraordinary attention. And why not??
Christine: I’m glad you think so : ) Thanks for the kind words.
David: Lawers and Love—now that’s an outstanding combination that I haven’t seen anywhere. You guys should try marketing that, in the least I promise no one would ever forget you. Thanks for stopping by.
- Mason
Actually, I think that all of these fall under the heading of ‘obvious things people try to avoid seeing’.
If you’ll (mentally) put yourself on the other side of every transaction you have with a current or potential customer and ask yourself not simply “what would I expect?” but, rather, “what is the most I could hope for?” and then deliver -that-, you will see the costs of doing business go up a small percentage but the volume of business go up dramatically.
I read a number of marketing blogs and it is puzzling why they all have to make these very simple points. Are people actually trying to run businesses without trying to impress the customer at every turn?
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