Six Steps to the Heart of Business Success

Do you have a business? Then have a heart.

1. Clarify your core message, what makes you unique. Start every conversation with prospects and customers by telling them Why you’re in business; the what and how are supporting players that will never capture anyone’s heart.

2. Marketing and management are two varieties of conversation. Hold every marketing or management conversation for a clear reason, with the appropriate people (who are in a position to take the most effective action), and with an engaging message or promise.

3. Take humane leadership of your niche market, your staff, or a team. Offer more value to everyone you come into contact with. Today’s leader provides the most real (or at least perceived) value to those very important people

4. Stop dreaming that a single procedure, formula or magic bullet product will move anyone to support you or buy what you’re selling. People have always resisted being manipulated–and never more strongly than today.

Would you freely submit to being manipulated into doing something? Then why expect others to submit to you? “Push” and “pull” will soon become dead as doornails. It’s all about people!

5. Want to feel special? Then talk about yourself, your company, and your activities, But if you’d rather make money, help your customers, prospects and employees feel special. That’s the path to authentic engagement and success with heart.

6. Show how much you value others’ time and attention. Make sure every message is rich with relevance, proof and value. Otherwise you’re wasting their time–and ultimately yours.

Here’s a thought. Post your next blog or marketing message as a craigslist.org classified. You’ll focus on what you’re really offering, get noticed by people in a buying state of mind, and write more clearly, concisely and compellingly than ever.