Once you take away all of the shiny toys, we all become the same.
You may have made the same mistakes that I did when starting my company nearly ten years ago. I was young. Stupid. I secured a large business loan and proceeded to buy everything I thought the company needed. In cash. Sound familiar? I had a kid in the candy store sort of mentality. But instead of each piece of candy costing $1, each piece was several hundred dollars. Sometimes even several thousand. I could have saved $15,000 by simply using what I had readily available. Instead, I wanted to purchase cutting edge and stylish. Why didn’t anyone state the obvious to me? I fell prey to the allure of shiny new things to represent my skill set and ambition.
But all it is, is an expensive conversation starter.
The way we conduct business has changed drastically over the last decade. Those shiny toys we used to decorate our office walls with now reside in home offices for many of us. As technology advances we shift focus to building strategic telecommuting teams. Clients don’t want to pay an agency that has a brick and mortar building full of employees. They want to hire the best people for the job. They don’t care if you have a fancy office in a historic part of your city. Sure, it’s sexy. But all it is, is an expensive conversation starter.
Remember, you are the commodity in your business.
This may sound crazy to you but it took me quite awhile to learn that the experience you provide clients is worth far more than your packaging.
Your clients are buying into you. Once we peal back the onion skin of technology costs, software upgrades and brand names you will find that we all have a skill set that transcends the cost of influence. The ability to use pen and paper. To vocalize without our fingertips pressed against a keyboard. Once you take away all of the shiny toys, we all become the same.
Now, without the aid of your toys, what can you offer your clients that will separate you from your competitors?
