This video interview was done at 2010 WPPI for AskDane.com
Whether its outsourcing, selling yourself or defining your unique position, SUCCESS is really all about how you prioritize and structure your business, right?
- jeff
- Are You In Or Out?
Some clarity on Biz Clarity workshops
A couple weeks ago, there was an experiment conducted in Irvine, CA where, over the course of two days, I (and a few friends, mentioned below) attempted to SHOCK the photographer industry into seeing their businesses as REAL BUSINESSES, rather than just ways to make a few bucks enthusiastically doing something they love. While it had mixed reactions, the ultimate result was what I’d hoped: Great photographers CAN BE great business people.
It clearly takes effort. And, not everyone will survive the attempt. But, IMHO, 100% of those that don’t make the transition to a business that is built on clear goals, strategies and execution, will fail. (Sorry about that, I didn’t create the rules of business survival. Talk to Darwin.) So, what happened? Well, I’ll let some of the attendees tell you themselves:
The result (for me) was an empowerment to do this again, in other parts of the country. I honestly do believe we can change our world from being a really cool cottage-industry to being a professional services business, where you get paid appropriately for your skills, experience and ability to deliver on customer expectations… just like every other business.
So, if you are interested in kick-starting success and you don’t mind a little tough-love and a direct approach, consider a P90X program for your business (thanks to Christine Bentley for this metaphor) and lets Go Get Em.
A few cities have been selected for workshops, already, and you can see them on FishEyeConnect.com. If you want a Biz Clarity workshop in your city, please reply to this post and let me know.
-jeff
P.S. Deep appreciation to Lawrence Chan for helping me produce and conduct the experiment, and to Me Ra Koh, Jessica Claire, Dawn Davis and Kristy Dickerson for being my first panel guests.
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Can You Map Your Biz Success?
Imagine going to your local airport with $200 in your pocket, walking up to the first airline counter you see and asking for a one-way ticket to anywhere $200 will take you… Sounds a little nuts, right?
Well, that scenario could be used to describe what small businesses (you?) do everyday, when you haven’t a clear plan of WHERE you want to go, WHY you want to get there, the resources it will take to make the journey, and WHAT you’ll do once you arrive. This 1-minute video illustrates that point.
Clarity means finding OPPORTUNITY where your competitors see only CHAOS. That is all. 
jeff
P.S. I will be announcing dates and cities for more Biz Clarity Workshops here, this week, so be sure to subscribe and stay tuned
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Being Authentic
Don’t work so hard on being perfect. In fact, it’s that imperfection that will create more trust in your relationships with your clients and prospects… Yes, be professional, but… it’s that humanity that people trust.
Best,
Jeff
P.S. If you were my guest, I’d take you out for sushi to talk biz. Yellow tail is my favorite.
P.P.S. Did you know that sushi is a form of fast food in Japan? Imagine that – no Big Mac.
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I was CEO, but I answered customer phone calls…
“Sometimes we lose touch with our customers. So every Christmas, we send everybody else home and the managers, myself and a half of dozen others take over customer support for a week. And which means that in January, we’re a lot smarter than we were in December.”
How you can stay ahead of the curve…
“Growing your business requires you to break stuff. You got to challenge the status quo. You need to embrace failure (yes you heard right).
If you want your business garden to grow, you need to do more than just water, weed and poop on it.
You’ve got to be fearless.”
P.S. We’re going to be in Sacramento for WPPI’s Road Trip in Sacramento talking about breaking the silent barrier with fusion videos (and some powerful sales tactics).
Don’t Refuse To Choose
By choosing to do one thing, it also means not doing everything else.
Dilution of your brand identity is detrimental. It’s like asking for A1 Chicken Sauce…good luck with that.
McDonald’s served coffee for many years. I meant to say that McDonald’s started serving specialty coffees and heavily promoting it recently.
Welcome to Startup-Strategy.com
Hello!
The small business landscape has changed dramatically over the last 4-5 years, particularly in photography…
Influx of inexpensive DSLRs will create waves of new photographers entering the professional industry. That coupled with free social media platforms, discernment through strategic marketing is dire. Ergo, individuals who rely on conventional methods and believe that pay will be commensurate with experience will slowly (or quickly) be weeded out.
The solution to survival and eventual success is having Clarity in your business – goals, strategies, tactics. I will be talking about many of them in the next few weeks, so definitely subscribe below for updates!
Who is Jeff Jochum?
Sincerely,
Jeff
P.S. I like oatmeal made with herbal tea… try it!