Editor's Note: Take a look at our featured best practice, Strategic Marketing & Sales Plan Template (71-page Word document). This 71-page template is a comprehensive template for a Strategic Marketing and Sales Plan. It is based on the Systems Thinking Approach, and guides the development of the strategic marketing and sales plan in the context of the bigger picture corporate strategies. Using this template will allow [read more]
How to Make Your Business Stand Out
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There’s no question that it’s harder than ever to stand out in business. With so many companies vying for attention, it can be tough to get your voice heard. If you want to succeed, you need to find a way to stand out from the pack. Here are some tips for making your business stand out.
Offering Unique Products or Services
The best way to ensure you’re noticed is to offer something that’s never been done before. This could be a new product, an original service, or some other kind of innovation. If your business is doing the same thing as everyone else in your industry, then there’s no reason for anyone to remember it – so offering something truly unique is your best chance of standing out. For instance, you can have custom printed boxes to create an eye-appealing appearance in the market!
Having an Excellent Reputation
If you think about the companies that you interact with on a regular basis, it’s likely that there are only one or two which stand out in your mind. Generally speaking, these businesses have something special going for them – be it quality products and services, good customer service, or some other intangible that you can’t quite put your finger on.
If your company is the one that everyone thinks of when they hear about your industry, then you’re halfway to standing out.
Focusing on Customer Service
In today’s business climate, you need to show customers that you’re thinking about them. This means having a customer service mindset at all times and going above and beyond the call of duty to offer excellent care and support.
When your customers know they can rely on you for anything, they’ll be happy to recommend you – and word-of-mouth is one of the best ways to attract customers.
Build a Great Website
Make sure that you have a fantastic website that represents your company in the best possible light. This site should be user-friendly, informative, and easy to navigate. So make sure it’s designed with your customers in mind. It could also help to offer an online booking system so clients don’t have to pick up the phone to place orders.
It doesn’t have to be expensive. You can find agencies that specialize in platforms like WordPress that are affordable to any business. They can help with WordPress development and optimization so your page stands out from the rest. It really is that simple!
Developing Innovative Marketing Strategies
If you’re looking for an edge in today’s market, then you need to develop creative marketing strategies. This should be something that sets your business apart from other businesses in your industry and it can take any number of forms.
For example, if you run a flower-delivery service, you could partner with florists across the country to offer your customers a nationwide delivery service. If you’re looking for an unusual approach, you could try sending handwritten letters to prospective clients or giving away free high-quality products in exchange for product reviews.
Building Relationships with Key Stakeholders
One of the most effective ways to stand out is by building relationships with your key stakeholders. This could be through email newsletters, social media interactions, or even face-to-face meetings.
Whatever the approach, it’s important to show these people that you appreciate their business, and they’ll remember your company whenever they have something relevant to share with their customers or contacts.
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"Strategy without Tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without Strategy is the noise before defeat." - Sun Tzu
For effective Strategy Development and Strategic Planning, we must master both Strategy and Tactics. Our frameworks cover all phases of Strategy, from Strategy Design and Formulation to Strategy Deployment and Execution; as well as all levels of Strategy, from Corporate Strategy to Business Strategy to "Tactical" Strategy. Many of these methodologies are authored by global strategy consulting firms and have been successfully implemented at their Fortune 100 client organizations.
These frameworks include Porter's Five Forces, BCG Growth-Share Matrix, Greiner's Growth Model, Capabilities-driven Strategy (CDS), Business Model Innovation (BMI), Value Chain Analysis (VCA), Endgame Niche Strategies, Value Patterns, Integrated Strategy Model for Value Creation, Scenario Planning, to name a few.
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About Shane Avron
Shane Avron is a freelance writer, specializing in business, general management, enterprise software, and digital technologies. In addition to Flevy, Shane's articles have appeared in Huffington Post, Forbes Magazine, among other business journals.Top 10 Recommended Documents on Marketing Plan Development
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