I was going through my iPod tunes over the weekend, adding some new ones and building some new playlists.
Looking at the tracks, I saw there’s no real genre that stands out as a favourite – there’s everything on there from hard rock to R&B, Motown to 80?s pop, classical arias to hip hop. Quite the mix.
Instead of being fractured, it makes sense for me to have so many different styles on there – I’m sure it does for you as well.
It all depends on how the mood takes us at any given time.
For instance, if I’m driving in the summer, it’s time for hard rock, windows down, full volume. But if I’m melancholy or introspective, it’s Marvin Gaye and Ella Fitzgerald time. Different sounds for the need at any given time.
And that should apply for us in business as well.
Building a Playlist
We shouldn’t be concentrating on just one area all the time. Sure, let’s be strong where our strengths are, but does that mean we need to limit our knowledge to these strengths?
People aren’t satisfied with the one-trick pony anymore, no matter how strong or sturdy that pony might be. Agencies and organizations are having to adapt to offer an umbrella service.
PR; Marketing; Creative; Customer Service; Sales; Design – couldn’t they be available from one source (or at least have an option to offer more than one core strength)?
Think about what you offer at the minute, and what you don’t. Can you build on that? Can you learn what you need to know, so that you can offer multiple practices instead of just one? If not, how easy can you learn? It doesn’t matter if it’s online or offline, you can find the solution:
- Webinars
- Forums
- User groups
- Networking events
- Workshops
- Social learning
- In-house or on-site training
Think about what you’d like to see as a customer. Are you happy with having to go to 5-6 different agencies to get core skill sets at each one, or would you prefer a solution where everything could be under one roof? Or at least half the current amount of solutions.
Sell Your Strengths, Buy Your Weakness
Even if you don’t have the time to take onboard the new skills you need, why not outsource but keep it under your banner?
Search for freelancers that you can call on for projects that need a specific expertise. Nurture relationships, build portfolios, treat as equals – you never know what could come from it, and it opens your own business up to many more possibilities.
Having a favourite band is normal. Having a favourite type of music is normal. But just think of the amazing sounds you could be missing out on if you don’t mix up your iPod every now and again.
Is it time for you to freshen up your business playlist?
image: Park City Mountain Resort
