the radically nimble info-entrepreneur
DESCRIPTION
Our competitive landscape is changing beneath our feet. This session focuses on how new info-entrepreneurs can approach their business strategically and how long-time business owners can best adjust their strategic plan to take advantage of changes in the competitive landscape. Mary Ellen gives practical tools for making the kinds of strategic shifts that will keep you irreplaceable to your clients. This presentation was given at the annual conference of the Association of Independent Information Professionals on April 4, 2014.TRANSCRIPT
Mary Ellen BatesBatesInfo.com
AIIP Annual ConferenceApril 4, 2014
The Radically NimbleInfo-Entrepreneur
5 Myths of Entrepreneurship
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Myth #1. I know what myclients want and
the value I provide
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Myth #1: I know my clients
Clients’ needs change
What was valuable 2 years agoisn’t now
Forget legacy clients; less corporateloyalty in 2014
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Myth #2. I can cut backon marketing now
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Myth #2: I don’t have to market
Your clients aren’t in a vacuum
You’re competing with “good enough”
Your message (and value) changes
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Myth #3. I’m a bonsai business;I don’t need to grow
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Myth #3: Bonsais don’t grow
The larger environment has changed
Even bonsais grow
Life requires growth
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Myth #4. I don’t have to stayleading-edge
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Myth #4: Forget cutting-edge
Someone else is...
Change your thinkingFrom “I’d like to, but” to “I’d like to, and”
Tutorials abound
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Myth #5. I’m just not goodat ....
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Myth #5: I’m just not good at ...
“I just haven’t learned how yet”
Always push your comfort zoneBe willing to fail
You can be scared speechless and stilltake action
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5 Questions For Entrepreneurs
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Question #1. How much has mybusiness changed in 3 years?
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Q #1: How have I changed?
Stagnation = pond scum
What more can I do now?
What can I let go of?
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Question #2. Is this moving mybusiness forward?
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Q #2: Am I moving forward?
Do I feel drawn to this?
If I keep doing this, will I achieve mygoals?
(Do I have tangible goals?)BatesInfo.com/store for eTools
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Question #3: What is keepingme from meeting my goals?
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Q #3: What’s holding me back?
Has the Imposter Syndrome struck?BatesInfo.com/imposter
How else can I look at this?
What can I change? What else?
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Question #4: How important ismy biggest client?
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Q #4: One major client?
Is any client responsible for >25% ofmy business?
One big client =
A diverse business =
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Question #5: How can I havemore fun?
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Q #5: Can I have more fun?
What could I do differently?
What has piqued my curiosity?
How can I move from “I have to” to “Ichoose to”?
You always have a choice
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5 Exercises For NimbleEntrepreneurs
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Exercise #1: Take a chance.
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Ex #1: Take a chance
S-T-R-E-T-C-H your comfort zone
Volunteer to speak, lead a group
Take on a visible responsibility
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Exercise #2: Createaccountabilities.
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Ex #2: Create accountabilities
“What gets measured improves”-Peter Drucker
Decide what success looks like for you
Create pre-commitmentsHire a coach, schedule a presentation, etc.
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Exercise #3: Say yes only whenyou mean it.
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Ex #3: Say YES and NO
Make every decision a clear yes or no
“No” is a complete sentence
“Yes” is a commitment to excel
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Exercise #4: Learn somethingnew every month.
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Ex #4: Learn something new
Collect your “I wonder if I can...?”wonderings
Pick one a month and invest 4 hoursin you
Yes, you can!32BatesInfo.com
Exercise #5: ID three new waysto attract clients.
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Ex #5: Attracting clients
Where are your clients now?
What do they tell you they need?BatesInfo.com/interview
What (more) can you give away?
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Here, it takes all therunning you can do, tokeep in the same place.
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ComingJune2014
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Contact Mary Ellen at:
+1 303 772 [email protected]: @mebs
Learn about Mary Ellen atBatesInfo.com/coaching andReluctant-entrepreneur.com
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