I extend thanks to Paul Francis for the below contribution to the SDMA blog. And, a big "oops" on my tardiness getting this online!
Although the commentary here applies to last month's event, due to current economic forces (ahem...layoffs and thus confiscated emails) some messages were not getting to me. And this brings me to the perfect point of introducing Paul's message about the last SDMA networking event and informational dinner. He offers us an inspiring re-cap of the direct marketing session on High-ROI Marketing in a Down Economy, with appropo humor and a good read!
Thanks again, Paul. Readers... see below...
I don't watch CNN these days. For a self-professed news junkie, that's not an easy thing to say. It's hard for me to abandon my pundit peeps. And I know I'm missing important information about the new administration's sweeping goals for reinvigorating the economy.
But CNN and the rest of the news organizations are stuck. Their endless cycle of doom and gloom, bad news and worse news, breast beating and woe is me was taking a toll. My enthusiasm was sapping. I was looking at my IRA balances every few hours. I was fixating on the stock ticker. It was time for an intervention.
So I took a step back and reminded myself, "This is a phase, just like a boom is a phase. It only has power if I give it power. I choose to believe that the economy is adjusting for all the right reasons." Then I turned off the TV and erased news sites from my Bookmarks.
Removing all that negative clutter has had an interesting effect on me. I'm focused, motivated and able to drill in on the work I need to do. My productivity has increased and my attitude has gone through the roof. I think I caught myself whistling the other day, but I'll deny it if confronted.
Last night's SDMA presentation on High ROI Marketing Strategies in a Down Economy was an elixir that fed my new mental stance. Why? Because I was in a room of smart folks in my industry, all of whom have been barraged with the same media coverage, but I didn't detect a single note of woe. People were engaged, eager to hear the speakers and looking toward the work needed for a recovery.
What I found interesting about the speakers was the collective sense of opportunity, the subtext of optimism. We have been through this before, they said, and we weathered the storm. This is the time to analyze what you're doing right and what needs to change. Use this time to talk to your clients. Think like your customer. Consider the channels they're using and open your mind to new ones you can offer them. Remember that your clients are also hearing the naysayers, so be the voice that tells them how it can be better. Be real, lead with authenticity.
Good stuff, this.
What's striking to me about what they said is that it's exactly what we should be doing all the time, in boom times as well as busts. We all know this, but when we're busy making money and times are good, we tell ourselves we're busy making money and we'll think about it tomorrow. So tomorrow becomes today and we get that deer-in-the-headlights look – hey, wha' happen? I wonder: why is it that it takes a time of challenge for us to consciously say, "I am responsible for my client's success. I must be their eyes and ears every day. It is my job to make their brand better."?
I've come to the conclusion that this cycle is here to teach us something about client care. Take care of your clients all the time and you won't have to worry about these so-called down times. Your clients will be your allies good times and bad, and you'll be a better business person every day. A synergistic client/vendor relationship can weather whatever CNN throws at us.
Now I gotta go find that half-empty glass of water and top it off.
Calvin Coolidge once said this great thing:
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan, 'Press on,' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Paul Francis
Owner, PushInc.
Although the commentary here applies to last month's event, due to current economic forces (ahem...layoffs and thus confiscated emails) some messages were not getting to me. And this brings me to the perfect point of introducing Paul's message about the last SDMA networking event and informational dinner. He offers us an inspiring re-cap of the direct marketing session on High-ROI Marketing in a Down Economy, with appropo humor and a good read!
Thanks again, Paul. Readers... see below...
I don't watch CNN these days. For a self-professed news junkie, that's not an easy thing to say. It's hard for me to abandon my pundit peeps. And I know I'm missing important information about the new administration's sweeping goals for reinvigorating the economy.
But CNN and the rest of the news organizations are stuck. Their endless cycle of doom and gloom, bad news and worse news, breast beating and woe is me was taking a toll. My enthusiasm was sapping. I was looking at my IRA balances every few hours. I was fixating on the stock ticker. It was time for an intervention.
So I took a step back and reminded myself, "This is a phase, just like a boom is a phase. It only has power if I give it power. I choose to believe that the economy is adjusting for all the right reasons." Then I turned off the TV and erased news sites from my Bookmarks.
Removing all that negative clutter has had an interesting effect on me. I'm focused, motivated and able to drill in on the work I need to do. My productivity has increased and my attitude has gone through the roof. I think I caught myself whistling the other day, but I'll deny it if confronted.
Last night's SDMA presentation on High ROI Marketing Strategies in a Down Economy was an elixir that fed my new mental stance. Why? Because I was in a room of smart folks in my industry, all of whom have been barraged with the same media coverage, but I didn't detect a single note of woe. People were engaged, eager to hear the speakers and looking toward the work needed for a recovery.
What I found interesting about the speakers was the collective sense of opportunity, the subtext of optimism. We have been through this before, they said, and we weathered the storm. This is the time to analyze what you're doing right and what needs to change. Use this time to talk to your clients. Think like your customer. Consider the channels they're using and open your mind to new ones you can offer them. Remember that your clients are also hearing the naysayers, so be the voice that tells them how it can be better. Be real, lead with authenticity.
Good stuff, this.
What's striking to me about what they said is that it's exactly what we should be doing all the time, in boom times as well as busts. We all know this, but when we're busy making money and times are good, we tell ourselves we're busy making money and we'll think about it tomorrow. So tomorrow becomes today and we get that deer-in-the-headlights look – hey, wha' happen? I wonder: why is it that it takes a time of challenge for us to consciously say, "I am responsible for my client's success. I must be their eyes and ears every day. It is my job to make their brand better."?
I've come to the conclusion that this cycle is here to teach us something about client care. Take care of your clients all the time and you won't have to worry about these so-called down times. Your clients will be your allies good times and bad, and you'll be a better business person every day. A synergistic client/vendor relationship can weather whatever CNN throws at us.
Now I gotta go find that half-empty glass of water and top it off.
Calvin Coolidge once said this great thing:
Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence.
Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent.
Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.
Education will not the world is full of educated derelicts.
Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.
The slogan, 'Press on,' has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Paul Francis
Owner, PushInc.
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