Is Hope Your Strategy?

You've heard the saying – doing the same things expecting different results – but how many of us still do it? We hope this time the campaign will work, this time the client will understand, this time the tactic will gain traction. It’s human nature to miss our part of the equation as what may need to change.

All too often we cite external reasons why our past efforts have not garnered better results. The radio campaign didn't work, television is expensive, social media are too much work, we did pamphlets last time and that should work this time.

Nothing replaces strong leadership, good products or services, and hard work. But all that may not be enough.

This is not to suggest you are doing things wrong or your business plan is flawed but it simply takes a breather from the treadmill to examine the situation calmly. You need to find a way to look at things from 30,000 feet. And that, of course, is easier said than done but should be done.

Take 30 minutes, go off by yourself, turn your phone off and just let your mind rest. Your million dollar idea may not come to you in half an hour but you need to shut off the noise or you will never get there.

We need a break, perspective, space to think and we so rarely make time for it yet it is paramount in the success of our projects. Without ample think time you can spin in the wrong direction quickly and often. It can get rather pear shaped in short order.

A break may bring the answers you've been too busy to find

Kneale Mann

2012 Top 10 - April 2012 | flickr

Hope it Works

You've heard the saying – doing the same things expecting different results – but how many of us still do it? We hope this time the campaign will work, this time the client will understand, this time the tactic will gain traction. It’s human nature to miss our part of the equation as what may need to change.

All too often we cite external reasons why our past efforts have not garnered better results. The radio campaign didn't work, television is expensive, social media are too much work, we did pamphlets last time and that should work this time.

Nothing replaces strong leadership, good products or services, and hard work. But all that may not be enough.

This is not to suggest you are doing things wrong or your business plan is flawed but it simply takes a breather from the treadmill to examine the situation calmly. You need to find a way to look at things from 30,000 feet. And that, of course, is easier said than done but should be done.

Take 30 minutes, go off by yourself, turn your phone off and just let your mind rest. Your million dollar idea may not come to you in half an hour but you need to shut off the noise or you will never get there.

We need a break, perspective, space to think and we so rarely make time for it yet it is paramount in the success of our projects. Without ample think time you can spin in the wrong direction quickly and often. It can get rather pear shaped in short order.

A break may bring the answers you've been too busy to find. 

Kneale Mann

Image: flickr

The Insanity Defence

Hope it works this time

You’ve heard the saying – doing the same things expecting different results – but how many of us still do it?

We hope this time the campaign will work, this time the client will understand, this time the tactic will gain traction. It’s human nature to miss our part of the equation as what may need to change.

When I meet with prospective clients to discuss their current business situation.

All too often they cite external reasons why their past efforts have not garnered better results.The radio campaign didn't work, television is expensive, social media is too much work, we did pamphlets last time and that should work this time.

Too busy to plan

This is not to suggest they are doing things wrong or their business plan is flawed but it simply takes a quick breather from the treadmill to examine the situation calmly. You need to find a way to look at things from 30,000 feet.

Easier said than done but should be done.

This may be in the form of a half hour coffee break with yourself to clear your head, watching a funny video on YouTube or cranking some music - a tactic I deploy often.

Catch-22 in full effect

We need a break, we need perspective, we need space to think and we so rarely make time for it yet it is paramount in the success of our projects. Without ample think time you can spin in the wrong direction quickly and often.

If we’re honest with ourselves – can pleading insanity and doing the same thing again possibly give us new hope for a different result?

knealemann

image credit: istock

Work with me. For an initial free consultation, email knealemann@gmail.com

Managing Insanity and Expectations

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” - Benjamin Franklin

The man who invented bifocals, the odometer, the lightning rod, and hundreds of other items was the personification of doing things a different way every time and certainly never giving up.

If you switch the Franklin quote around slightly you can claim that another definition of insanity is doing different things expecting the same results.

It happens in business all the time. A company is formed and the founders want to revolutionize their industry by introducing new concepts and ideas without realizing - good or bad - that they won’t see the same results as those in their industry.

If it is your wish to thrive in a mainstream don’t take any chances watered down scenario, then put away the spice rack. If you want to shake things up and take chances, go for it! But you can’t have both.

I once worked for a guy who wanted us to constantly do different things but couldn’t understand why we weren’t instantly embraced by the masses. As I’ve said before – if you live on the edge, don’t expect a crowd.

It's interesting to discuss new ideas while embracing integrated media solutions with people. There is a certain point in the conversation when eyes begin to glaze over. Asimov said “the only constant is change” which most of us embrace – in theory. Few want to accept that the way it is won’t always be the way it is.

In the case of social media, online marketing, advertising, radio, television, content, entertainment, production, and ideas – nothing will ever be the same. And you can say that every single day.

But if you manage your expectations, integrate everything, and understand that the definition of sanity is to embrace different things in different ways, then you can have some fun.

And I hope you find other like minded people like you.

km