Brands That Matter

For The Love or Money

Greg Wyman — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:50:10 +0000

What will it be mister. Are you in it for the love or the money?

So, when you two first got together were there any sparks? No.

Ok, let’s continue.

Now you’ve been together for how long? 2 years.

Have you made any money? Very little.

Has your love grown? No.

So again, where are we?

You have this business relationship. Check.

You give, you get. Simple relationship. Now things are getting a little tough and you’re looking around for what supports you, love or money. Without either, tough call…
or is it?

So You Want to Be a Rock n Roll Star…

Greg Wyman — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:52:56 +0000

Well, maybe not a Rock Star, but you do want to build your own Home Brand. Where to start…

First question…”what’s your point of view”

What’s your look? In one word… “what is it”? “Can you show me an image of what it looks like?”

Are you onto something new? Something the market has not yet seen?

Is it a new take on a current trend? “it’s like….”

Is is a new take on something old?

Second question….is there a market for your look, beyond your friends and family?

Third question….is your market growing or shrinking?

“What if no one knows my name?”

Let’s talk about that next time.

Need to Get Moving

Greg Wyman — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:55:46 +0000

Speaking up. Standing up for your rights. Going along with the crowd. Not shaking things up, just won’t cut it any more. Keeping your head down, is not a strategy. Assuming you’ll be taken care, is not prudent. The rules have changed. It’s not that everything has gotten more difficult. It’s that everything has entirely changed. Dan Pink talks about it in his book “Free Agent Nation”. In reality, whether you consider yourself an independent contractor or not, you probably are, or soon will be.

Can you work be outsourced? Is your work repeatable?

Are you improving your skill sets? Are you pretty much doing the same things, the same way you did them 10 years ago?

Do you have a network that gives you an edge over the competition? What does your Linkedin Profile say about you?

Do you have a broad range of skills that makes you Indispensable? A “Linchpin” ie Seth Godin. Be honest.

How’s your reputation in the market? “He’s the brains behind the operation”

Are you a closer? Do you ship? “Will you be in the meeting? We need you there!”

Can you cite examples of what you’ve created? Think about it. No words just pictures?

Ok, so you now you’ve taken stock.

Feel better or worse?

However you’re feeling, you need to get moving, “Change is gonna come”

Saving For A Rainy Day

Greg Wyman — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:15:23 +0000

Looking back at 2011, it seems like you took one step forward and one step back.

Your business did not grow?

No. Why?

The weather?

Seems like every year there are natural disasters ( now than ever).

Let’s review.

Make sure you’ve factored in some type of disaster percentage into your business planning. ( plan for more days of closure due to weather in 2012 than 2011). That’s not negative thinking. It’s prudent.
If you’re running a business that servers the public, expect there will be snow days, maybe a hurricane, maybe a tornado, maybe a flood, let alone some type of unseen economic disaster such as 2007 market crash or political crisis. I would plan for more of all the above. If it doesn’t happen you’re ahead of the game.

Forget what you believe is causing global warming, something is happening now that has never happened before. You have to factor it into your plan.

Merry Happy

Greg Wyman — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:45:40 +0000

A Merry and Happy Holiday Season to all.
Enjoy every minute of it.
Remember these are only minutes you’ll have.
There are no “do overs” in Christmas.
The kids need happy and so do you.
Don’t let anyone take the magic away from you.
Make it all special.
It won’t cost you a thing.

This is Where You Get Off

Greg Wyman — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 14:17:53 +0000

On some measure, you’d say this has been one your most difficult years. You’re finding yourself getting more and more frustrated with your current situation. Your income is shrinking. Your major client has become very slow pay. You have yet to generate any other meaningful income (although there are signs).

Now just for the heck of it, ride public transportation today. Take a look around. Are you wondering if most of the riders are doing it just for the experience, like you? Maybe they are all environmentalists?
But what if they have to use mass transit? What if they have no choice? What if there are in a tighter situation than the rest of us? Would anyone of them change places with you? Probably, in a heart beat.

Let’s review where you are today.

1) You have a strong intellect.

2) You have a creative mind.

3) You have a strong business network.

4) You have a strong support network of family and friends.

5) You have your health.

Review over.

How do you feel now? Can’t wait to get back out there.

Well you reached the end of the line. This must be your stop.

Getting to There From Here

Greg Wyman — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:45:55 +0000

So how did the year turn out for you?
It’s not over yet.
Sure, it’s over.
So how did you do?
Well, I’m still in the game. I’m on a path.
Really, how did it go?
Not as well as I’d like.
How does it look for next year?
I have a number of initiatives in place that should produce a lot of momentum.
By momentum, do you mean income?
Yes.
So let’s review.
This year, not so good.
Next year, should be ( could be) quite good

Any advice?

Stay open to all possibilities. Network, Network, Network!
You never know where the next big thing will appear.

Keep pushing on all fronts. Keep innovating. You never know what will work.

Finally, don’t give up and don’t give into pessimism. If you’re only as good as your last quarter then you’re only as bad as last quarter too.
Put it all behind you and keep moving.
Let’s talk again next year.

How’s 2012 Going

Greg Wyman — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 14:01:05 +0000

How’s 2012 going for you?
For those of us in the world of marketing/branding/selling home fashion products through retailers to consumers, it’s already 2012.

Talk to any major retailer…they’re already finished planning most of 2012. But you still have 2012 to navigate through.

Here are a few thoughts

If you’re expecting this years product assortment to sell the same next year. You’ll probably be disappointed. If you have newness in the pipeline, you’ll probably anniversary this year. If you’re lucky enough to have a winner. Then all bets are off. You might just have that great year you’re looking for.

Seems simple.

Bring out newness.

Plan for it to sell ie buy inventory to support the upside.

React if you have a winner.

On the other hand, if you stay conservative, wait to see if something sells before you order, you’ll be disappointed in the results.

You won’t have time to react.

That’s the art. Know your business. Place your bet. Reap the rewards or suffer the consequences.

If you decide not to play the game and wait, you’ll miss your opportunity and 2012 will just be a bad memory.

I’ve Got That Covered

Greg Wyman — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 15:53:55 +0000

You believe that people buy your brand for the “look” not the “name”.

I suppose that might be true, but…

Have you ever found yourself pitching your brand and been told…”I have that look covered”.

I’ll bet they never say… “I have that name covered”.

Braking into the Conversation

Greg Wyman — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 14:16:42 +0000

How can/should you go about getting back into the retail brand conversation.

Lets make sure you have everything you need to encourage your tribe to buy.

Do you have a strong website? No. You need to correct that.

Do you have a strong social media program? Not really. You’ll also need to put that one on your list.

How about design. Current. Cutting edge. Newsworthy. A Purple Cow? No. Place that as number one of your list.

The goal should be to break into to the retail brand conversation with something worth saying.

It’s no longer effective to just say “Hello world I’m here”.