Discovering your FIT in business by standing out.

by Jen Gluckow

As a child you were taught to fit in.
In school. In family. In fashion. And of course, fit in socially.

Not too tall, not too short, not too thin, not too fat, not too loud.
As a kid, its the Goldilocks syndrome: just right.

In business the philosophy is the opposite, and your entire process must be re-learned and redone. In business, you need to stand out. If you fit in, youll drown in the sea of competition, and no one will see you as different or better than others. Not only that, but youll lose on price.

In business, you need to stand out. If you fit in, youll drown in the sea of competition. @jeninanyminute #differentiate

Attracting prospects, buyers, customers, and connections is about being friendly, offering value, and differentiating yourself from your competition. In short, NOT fitting in.

How do you differentiate yourself?

Ask yourself:
What makes you attractive?
What value do you offer the marketplace?
How noticeable are you?
What do people think and say when they see you or your message?
What makes you different from your competition?
What makes you unique?
What makes you memorable?
What makes your customers want to spread the word?
Why do your present customers return time after time? (or maybe they dont)
What is your customers perceived value of your differentiation?

Do customers and prospects care about the features and benefits that make you different, or do they really want the value that you offer? NOTE WELL: If they dont care, then your differentiators dont matter! Offer something different thats valued by your buyers.

Here are some places where you need to stand out:
Online Is your site ready to do business? Easy to navigate? Responsive? Designed to help? Built-in SEO that makes you findable? Does anyone say WOW after they visit? Your dynamic website is no longer an option. My site is undergoing its annual check-up, and I will be re-launching a new look and new brand (keep watching).
On email I use Outstand for all of my sales follow up. Beautifully branded emails that WOW my customers and make me stand out from my competition.
In networking groups. I used to lead a weekly networking meeting in NYC. The people who get noticed, most spoken with after the meeting, and get the most business, are the ones who give funny and memorable commercials. They stand out. I would create something dynamic, engaging and memorable. I would prep ahead of time, practice my pitch and deliver an outstanding commercial. Do you?
In service How quickly do you respond? Answer with a live (friendly) human being? 24-7? Want a service report card? Your business Facebook page, yelp, and online reputation will tell the tale.

REAL EXAMPLE: When Zappos offered free delivery both ways – they stood out.
REAL EXAMPLE: When Amazon created free two day shipping (okay, almost free, prime users) – they stood out.
REAL EXAMPLE: Ever experience service that was so good that you just had to tell your friends? Hertz rental car in Miami will meet elite customers at baggage claim, help you with your bags, and pull up your rental when youre ready. WOW! Remember taking airport shuttles and wasting time to get your rental car? Now if youre an elite customer they bring the car to you! When I experienced this for the first time, I was beyond WOW-ed.

What do you do to make your customers say, WOW?
How do you stand out?

FITNESS EXERCISE: Visit the sites of your five most hated competitors. Who WOWs? Who wins? I hope you do.

Determine your difference. Refine your offer. Communicate your value. Create your market attraction. Invest in WOW. And bank the business.