The economy is constantly changing whether it is due to the current political party or available resources. It does not matter if you have right sized, downsized, or any sized, you need to adapt to the fluctuation of the marketplace. If you are a business owner, you know that you can’t sit around and wait for the timing to be just right.

You’ve probably learned that there are times you have needed to dig deep and tap into creativity and lead the way in innovation. You may have heard the entrepreneurial saying, “build the plane as you fly”. Entrepreneurs are constantly pivoting or course correcting to reveal the blueprint or formula that allows for a model that scalable and rinse and repeatable. If everyone waited for the right time, nothing would happen.

During tough economic times, you need to be adaptable to what is going on in your environment. Not just tough times – anytime. Pivoting allows you to refine your initial vision and re-position yourself with the economic changes .You may take a look at the skill set of your team or brainstorm new programs and services to support your clients. At the end of the day, your clients or customers are looking to receive solutions to their pain points and provide the greatest value. Ensure you are using your team’s assets. Even if you readjust your product line, products or services, you still need to market and let people know about what you have to offer them. Now is not the time to stop marketing. You can’t be on the mind of your customer if no one knows that you are the solution that they’ve been searching for.

“The easy way to get into a person’s mind is to be first.” Al Ries and Jack Trout

You don’t have to wait for the market to turn to prosper. Market your message to the masses. Create your own economy. Distinguish yourself from your competitor by being the best in your industry. This doesn’t mean comparing yourself to your competitor. It means being your best-be so good that people rave about you. What makes you unique? What do you do or offer that makes you stand out from the crowd? What emotions do you trigger that causes people to want to choose you… How do you make them feel?

You want to create that hunger or desire that people need to have your product or service and that you are the only one with a solution to their pain point or problem. Why do people need you? What do you offer that others do not?

TICE Strategies to Put Yourself Out of Your Comfort Zone and Into the Marketplace

• Tell –Tell people what you need. Tell people what you need them to do. Tell people what you offer.
• Inquiry – Discover the needs and wants of your clients. Aim to fulfill those with your products, programs, and services.
• Collaborate – Connect with other business owners that offer complementary services for a joint venture or collaboration. Ensure they are like minded and have the same vision and values you do.
• Escape the Office Computer – Get out from behind your computer and connect with people. Learn what is important to people and how you can help them without being salesy. Listen to what they want and need.

By doing these four things, you can redefine or reinvent your business strategy and marketing plan to suit the needs of the ever-changing environment. Set yourself up for success so you can pivot, position, and profit.

DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. She is a contributing writer for Diversity Magazine and Fabulous at 50 magazine. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. www.debrakasowski.com