Author Archives: Kit Prendergast

Yes. If you don’t need it, toss it out. And pick up what you do need. In this month’s wonderful book, The Next Level, Scott Eblin describes this process as making strategic choices. These choices start with:

Once you have that clear understanding, you need to get up above the situation. Imagine you’re in a helicopter up above that turbulent river – so you can see what’s ahead of you and what’s coming at you. Get the fullest perspective you can.

Based on that information and knowing your own strengths, you can then make strategic choices. What do you need to keep in that boat and what do you need to toss out to successfully navigate through upcoming bends in the river? Move quickly but thoughtfully. Here are the steps:

Get up above for a wider, 360-degree perspective.

1. Assess what’s needed in this new situation.
2. Know what you want to achieve in this next level.
3. Intentionally choose to pick up new behaviors and beliefs that you need.
4. Have the courage let go of behaviors and beliefs that no longer serve you.

There are many, many uses of technology to take yourself to the next level of business success, which means lots of choices and decisions for you to make.

How to begin?By asking yourself, “What do I want?” This is the “Why am I doing this?” question. Do I want to keep my job in this tough economy, move into a new job, attract new clients, build my own business or just stay socially in touch. And then think carefully about what value you can provide your target audience. This is key! This is what people are thinking – how can you make their lives easier? What do they come to you for and why? Keep in mind those trends we were talking about last month and ask yourself “Why” and then Who, What, When, Where and How. Answer those questions and you have the beginnings of a marketing plan for yourself!

• Who is my ideal client/customer/audience?
• What value can I provide them?
• When is the best time to reach them?
• Where are they?
• How do I reach them?

For this first Monday on this first month of the 2009, let’s focus our eyes toward the future.

What are the trends in today’s global economy and world markets? What is everyone talking about? What are the big problems our country and other countries face? What industries are growing, what is declining and where are people willing to put their time, energy and efforts?

Here are 3 ways to find out what’s happening:

• Grab an international, national and local newspaper. With a black Sharpie, scan the headlines for trends. Circle them all and start to notice big areas of interest such as the “Green” movement, sustainable energy, universal health care and global inter-connections, to name a few.
• Listen to people’s complaints. What are they struggling with? Is this a trend (example: lack of time)? Remember: where there is a problem, there is a job.
•  Watch those wild gadgets and products hitting the market. What is their appeal and what need do they satisfy?

This past year was certainly a wild roller coaster ride. And 2009 will probably be just as challenging. So hold onto your hats and be ready to kick it up to the next level. Let’s be bolder, more creative and a lot more willing to take risks as we grow ourselves and our businesses in the New Year.