Great topic and I’d add one more dimension to the value equation, geared especially for tough times:

“What can I offer that’s actually going to HELP people?”

That’s a different question than “does it have value” — because products and services that are worth ten times as much as being charged, matter not a whit if it’s not THE thing that is going to absolutely:

— relieve current pain
— solve THE most urgent problem
— make THE most difference in their life, right away

Those are a bit different criteria than during times when cash flow isn’t hitting people so hard in the wallet. And it requires both different product and service creation, marketing adaptation, and perhaps first of all, keener sensitivity to what people are actually experiencing out there.

A good reality check is always important, but these days if you don’t do that, you may as well hang it up.

I’d love to hear additional thoughts on “pivot strategies” that really get to the heart of what changes we need to make with our businesses during tough economic times. I think this is where we all should be focusing!

Just some additional thoughts today. . .

May we all wish for our customers and clients better than we wish for ourselves! Now that’s something worthy to attempt — probably will stretch me some, too 🙂

Best always,

Nancy

If anyone thinks doing it right all the time is never noticed, try doing it wrong ONCE and see how many remember and for how long.

Dan

Only you, Dan. Only you. lol!

Thanks for making me smile.
N

…just sell “ethics-ometers” and you’ll be set for LIFE!

Dan

Hi Oleg.
I agree, it’s certainly not a simple topic, as you’ve pointed out.

Marketing includes persuasion, of course. And, those of us who make a good living are good at that.

However, as we’ve agreed, it does come down to offering value and checking in with your internal “ethics-meter” with every decision. The questions are my starting point. From there, my gut instinct is always smartest and I defer to it. 🙂

My ethics-ometer and gut will give different answers than your gut may in some instances and that’s fine. We’re different people and I would expect that.

But, I think the important thing to me is making decisions based upon what’s best for my readers & customers, rather than making the decisions based upon what’s best for my pocketbook.

Thanks for a very thoughtful comment! I enjoyed reading your insights.

Warmly,
N

I’m not trying to critique you in any way, Nicole, in fact I like your blog and like your ethic-driven approach, but the point I was trying to make is that there’s a fine line between what’s ethical and what isn’t, that line is further thinned by various people having various levels of ethics and morals, which themselves (the ethics/morals) could be debated as such and thus this is a very difficult subject, if you truly want to examine it and I don’t believe everyone would be able to agree on 100%.

Clearly most sane people understand the difference between wrong & right, yet there are still those who follow hitler’s & lenin’s teachings, even after seeing the horrific effects of their propaganda.

In the end – I hope everyone would subscribe to your direction in conducting business, I’m a firm believer in ethics and certainly do my best to stick to those, but just wanted to bring up the fact that it’s not as simple as asking a few questions… if you were going to delve deeply into the subject.

The best of luck to you and your readers (and for the record, I’ve subscribed to your RSS feed… as should everyone who reads this post 🙂

Hey Deborah,

I agree. Highest standards every single day.

My main question was that, when business owners feel the pinch – they may choose money over integrity. And, that’s it’s not wise for many reasons, as you’ve stated. Not only is it a bad personal move, but it’s not good for long-term business either.

Appreciate your comments and those of the commenters above, as well!