To pay tribute to Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People, I have created the
Seven Strategies of Profoundly Profitable Businesses.
Before you read this, if you have not read The Seven Habits book, order it right now. It is a must read.
#1 – Be Proactive
You must be proactive by contiually educating yourself about marketing and growth strategies as well as educating your teams. When a new strategy is discovered, use it as fast as you can and attract as many customers as possible to create a loyal customer base that nobody can touch.
#2 – Begin With the End in Mind
Every strategy must begin by thinking about end results. When considering a new advertising method, do not focus on the immediate cost per sale; focus instead on the return on investment over the life of the customer.
#3 – Put First Things First
Each day you must put something on the back burner. Instead of crossing off a slew of little things that an employee can handle, start a new marketing campaign to bring in new customers. There is nothing like a new flow of income to fix other business challenges.
#4 – Think Win/Win
If you are working and marketing smart, then a happy customer should mean long term profits. Trying to make a quick buck never works out in the long run. It should be, “customer wins, you win.”
#5 – Seek First to Understand, Then to be Understood
Many of the “social media sucks” crew think that social media is for selling. Sure, you would like to see a measurable ROI when possible, but social media is also about listening to your customer so you can improve in other areas like operations, service, and other marketing. Listen to your customer and they will tell you what they want you to sell to them — and how to do it.
#6 – Synergize
Whenever possible, all of your marketing should complement other marketing campaigns. Building a huge fan base via social media or an email newsletter list is not just for selling. It can also be used to send out new articles, press releases, or online videos and get hundreds of quick hits, views, and readers. This leads to items that get “shared” online with others who may turn into buyers.
#7 – Sharpen the Saw
Continue to get better and learn more. It is easier today than ever before in history to learn just about anything while still in your pajamas. Subscribe to relevant newsletters. Order books to stock your library. Buy training programs. There is no excuse to NOT be in the know.
To read more about the death of Stephen Covey or see our tribute video go to Stephen Covey Dies
Leave a Reply