As marketers and PR professionals, we strongly believe that at the heart of any successful business is a clear, concise and well communicated marketing strategy. This is why when we stumbled across the following on the social networking site LinkedIn, we thought this would fit quite nicely into our blog post for the week, even if it is a day or two late!
Richard Branson has highlighted 5 points to starting a successful business, and we see these 5 points as being as relevant for a successful marketing campaign as they are for a successful business venture, can you see the connection and put the following into practice?
1. Listen more than you talk
Richard Branson
We have two ears and one mouth, using them in proportion is not a bad idea! To be a good leader you have to be a great listener. Brilliant ideas can spring from the most unlikely places, so you should always keep your ears open for some shrewd advice. This can mean following online comments as closely as board meeting notes, or asking the frontline staff for their opinions as often as the CEOs. Get out there, listen to people, draw people out and learn from them.
Box PR
In order for our campaigns to be successful for our clients, we need to listen to them. We need to understand their business strategy, to make the marketing fit and adapt to the forces that are placed on the business even if they are not something the business can control. Being PR professionals we clearly like to talk lots, so this one is a challenge, but when we put our minds to it we can do it!
2. Keep it simple
Richard Branson
You have to do something radically different to stand out in business. But nobody ever said different has to be complex. There are thousands of simple business solutions to problems out there, just waiting to be solved by the next big thing in business. Maintain a focus upon innovation, but don’t try to reinvent the wheel. A simple change for the better is far more effective than five complicated changes for the worse.
Box PR
Sometimes the simplest campaigns are the most successful. We are always trying to help are clients stand out from their competition and do something different. Copying someone else will not provide differentiation, however like RB says you do not have to go the extreme, simple tweak or adjustment on something that has worked successfully for someone else or for you in the past, might provide inspiration. A little tip is, we sometimes look at what companies in other industries have done, and that is always good for opening new doors.
3. Take pride in your work
Richard Branson
Last week I enjoyed my favourite night of the year, the Virgin Stars of the Year Awards, where we celebrated some of those people who have gone the extra mile for us around the Virgin world. With so many different companies, nationalities and personalities represented under one roof, it was interesting to see what qualities they all have in common. One was pride in their work, and in the company they represent. Remember your staff are your biggest brand advocates, and focusing on helping them take pride will shine through in how they treat your customers.
Box PR
We can say that all we do we take pride in. The work we do, not only reflects us but also our clients. We cannot send out work or act in a way that does not reflect positively on all the companies we are associated with. We work in a small niche industry and the relationships we have built up add value to our business, everything we do is about maintaining and building on those relationships. Simply put, if we act in haste we will repent at leisure.
4. Have fun, success will follow
Richard Branson
If you aren’t having fun, you are doing it wrong. If you feel like getting up in the morning to work on your business is a chore, then it's time to try something else. If you are having a good time, there is a far greater chance a positive, innovative atmosphere will be nurtured and your business will flourish. A smile and a joke can go a long way, so be quick to see the lighter side of life.
Box PR
At Box PR we have fun. Everyday is completely different from the day before. We are constantly working on different projects as well as maintaining the status quo for our clients. We want to finish each day with the satisfaction of knowing we have achieved something positive for our clients and they are happy. We hope you can say that about your work? If our clients are not happy we have to work twice as hard to get them smiling and keeping them happy.
5. Rip it up and start again
Richard Branson
If you are an entrepreneur and your first venture isn’t a success, welcome to the club! Every successful businessperson has experienced a few failures along the way – the important thing is how you learn from them. Don’t allow yourself to get disheartened by a setback or two, instead dust yourself off and work out what went wrong. Then you can find the positives, analyse where you can improve, rip it up and start again.
Box PR
You should see our recycling pile…….! Mind mapping (brain storming) is the name of the game, the process is a long one, and the paper pile is high, but we don’t give up until we have a result. The various ideas our customers see are only a small percentage of where we started. One lesson we also learn is being diplomatic, and understanding criticism. What we think is a good idea, our clients might not, and what our clients think is a good idea, might not sit right with us. Either way, we work hard to make concepts come to life whilst maintaining good relationships with clients, our team and the media. It’s a good balancing act, trust us!
Richard Branson has highlighted 5 points to starting a successful business, and we see these 5 points as being as relevant for a successful marketing campaign as they are for a successful business venture, can you see the connection and put the following into practice?
1. Listen more than you talk
Richard Branson
We have two ears and one mouth, using them in proportion is not a bad idea! To be a good leader you have to be a great listener. Brilliant ideas can spring from the most unlikely places, so you should always keep your ears open for some shrewd advice. This can mean following online comments as closely as board meeting notes, or asking the frontline staff for their opinions as often as the CEOs. Get out there, listen to people, draw people out and learn from them.
Box PR
In order for our campaigns to be successful for our clients, we need to listen to them. We need to understand their business strategy, to make the marketing fit and adapt to the forces that are placed on the business even if they are not something the business can control. Being PR professionals we clearly like to talk lots, so this one is a challenge, but when we put our minds to it we can do it!
2. Keep it simple
Richard Branson
You have to do something radically different to stand out in business. But nobody ever said different has to be complex. There are thousands of simple business solutions to problems out there, just waiting to be solved by the next big thing in business. Maintain a focus upon innovation, but don’t try to reinvent the wheel. A simple change for the better is far more effective than five complicated changes for the worse.
Box PR
Sometimes the simplest campaigns are the most successful. We are always trying to help are clients stand out from their competition and do something different. Copying someone else will not provide differentiation, however like RB says you do not have to go the extreme, simple tweak or adjustment on something that has worked successfully for someone else or for you in the past, might provide inspiration. A little tip is, we sometimes look at what companies in other industries have done, and that is always good for opening new doors.
3. Take pride in your work
Richard Branson
Last week I enjoyed my favourite night of the year, the Virgin Stars of the Year Awards, where we celebrated some of those people who have gone the extra mile for us around the Virgin world. With so many different companies, nationalities and personalities represented under one roof, it was interesting to see what qualities they all have in common. One was pride in their work, and in the company they represent. Remember your staff are your biggest brand advocates, and focusing on helping them take pride will shine through in how they treat your customers.
Box PR
We can say that all we do we take pride in. The work we do, not only reflects us but also our clients. We cannot send out work or act in a way that does not reflect positively on all the companies we are associated with. We work in a small niche industry and the relationships we have built up add value to our business, everything we do is about maintaining and building on those relationships. Simply put, if we act in haste we will repent at leisure.
4. Have fun, success will follow
Richard Branson
If you aren’t having fun, you are doing it wrong. If you feel like getting up in the morning to work on your business is a chore, then it's time to try something else. If you are having a good time, there is a far greater chance a positive, innovative atmosphere will be nurtured and your business will flourish. A smile and a joke can go a long way, so be quick to see the lighter side of life.
Box PR
At Box PR we have fun. Everyday is completely different from the day before. We are constantly working on different projects as well as maintaining the status quo for our clients. We want to finish each day with the satisfaction of knowing we have achieved something positive for our clients and they are happy. We hope you can say that about your work? If our clients are not happy we have to work twice as hard to get them smiling and keeping them happy.
5. Rip it up and start again
Richard Branson
If you are an entrepreneur and your first venture isn’t a success, welcome to the club! Every successful businessperson has experienced a few failures along the way – the important thing is how you learn from them. Don’t allow yourself to get disheartened by a setback or two, instead dust yourself off and work out what went wrong. Then you can find the positives, analyse where you can improve, rip it up and start again.
Box PR
You should see our recycling pile…….! Mind mapping (brain storming) is the name of the game, the process is a long one, and the paper pile is high, but we don’t give up until we have a result. The various ideas our customers see are only a small percentage of where we started. One lesson we also learn is being diplomatic, and understanding criticism. What we think is a good idea, our clients might not, and what our clients think is a good idea, might not sit right with us. Either way, we work hard to make concepts come to life whilst maintaining good relationships with clients, our team and the media. It’s a good balancing act, trust us!
To
follow Richard Branson on LinkedIn see:
Let us
know how you get on with applying the above to your business.
Until
next time
Box PR
team
