I'm an abundance theorist - there is enough for everyone. To get my share, we provide great service, quick turnaround, reasonable prices and expert advice that adds up to VALUE.
In our business I do not look at the good contractors as competition but fellow business men maybe doing a specialty that we may be looking for. Several have become good friends and if we are too busy I will recommend them to my clients and vise versa . There is allot of work out there for reputable contractors . We also try to look out for each other as clients can have a reputation too (good or bad) and Steel sharpens steel with people at the top of their game!
We try to stay up on the customer review process, and of course, provide excellent customer service. We always do the very best we can and work with honesty and integrity. We never "bad-mouth" the competition, and just try to maintain a constant presence through continued marketing and a good reputation. Over time, these efforts are what give us a competitive edge.
Be professional, do great work, deliver more than what's expected. Beyond that, try to determine what your competition's weaknesses are and be significantly better in those areas. For example, be open to new technologies, new methods of marketing, get in front of prospects that your competition won't and did I mention be professional when you do? Be wary of competitors who seek advice or want to tap into your talent. If you aren't comfortable with the arrangement, be polite and move on. In the end, keep your prices competitive. Don't get engaged in low bidding wars. Walk away.
You don't. Competition is an essential and healthy part of all business, but you can't manage others, only your own enterprise. If you focus on the competition instead of your own business, you lose. Keep yourself well managed and competitive, service oriented and technically current, and keep close to your clients/customers.
In the professional photography industry, short of becoming friends with your competition so you can send them work you don't do, you really can't, because it's really up to the customer. Each photographer has their fingerprint, unique style, and specialty. Just because one studio might be more vocal about their work, doesn't always work. The same holds for graphic designers. The key is for potential clients to be convinced that you are the right choice for their unique project. Potential customers need to review the websites of each professional and see if they even like their work, and if it is in line with what they need. Sometimes, even visiting their studio is enough. Recently, I had two new product photography clients use the phrase "You're the real deal" just because they came to my studio and saw it.
I respect my competitions but I won't recommend them if there is no relationship between the two of us. The way that I manage my competition is staying on top of my game with always offering something extra with each service that I offer; or with giving valuable information to each client about their pets and going the extra mile to make sure that my clients are happy campers.
It's kind of funny but I've ended up being friends with people that I I thought were my competitors. It turned out that we have a lot in common. It's nice that when I can't do the job for whatever reason I referre to them. If they don't give me money they give a job close to me. I find that I'm driving less and making more by networking.
If you're a Notary public Lawyer or Title Company let's talk. Alan
Paraphrasing Ray Kroc (McDonalds): Focus on great customer service, quality products/services, value, and cleanliness (appearance) and let your competition try to keep up.
I never think about beating the competition. I only concern myself with competing against myself. That's the only thing I can really control. My life just keeps getting better and better.
Answers (1-10)
I'm an abundance theorist - there is enough for everyone. To get my share, we provide great service, quick turnaround, reasonable prices and expert advice that adds up to VALUE.
In our business I do not look at the good contractors as competition but fellow business men maybe doing a specialty that we may be looking for. Several have become good friends and if we are too busy I will recommend them to my clients and vise versa . There is allot of work out there for reputable contractors . We also try to look out for each other as clients can have a reputation too (good or bad) and Steel sharpens steel with people at the top of their game!
We try to stay up on the customer review process, and of course, provide excellent customer service. We always do the very best we can and work with honesty and integrity. We never "bad-mouth" the competition, and just try to maintain a constant presence through continued marketing and a good reputation. Over time, these efforts are what give us a competitive edge.
May there be enough for all.
Be professional, do great work, deliver more than what's expected. Beyond that, try to determine what your competition's weaknesses are and be significantly better in those areas. For example, be open to new technologies, new methods of marketing, get in front of prospects that your competition won't and did I mention be professional when you do? Be wary of competitors who seek advice or want to tap into your talent. If you aren't comfortable with the arrangement, be polite and move on. In the end, keep your prices competitive. Don't get engaged in low bidding wars. Walk away.
You don't. Competition is an essential and healthy part of all business, but you can't manage others, only your own enterprise. If you focus on the competition instead of your own business, you lose. Keep yourself well managed and competitive, service oriented and technically current, and keep close to your clients/customers.
In the professional photography industry, short of becoming friends with your competition so you can send them work you don't do, you really can't, because it's really up to the customer. Each photographer has their fingerprint, unique style, and specialty. Just because one studio might be more vocal about their work, doesn't always work. The same holds for graphic designers. The key is for potential clients to be convinced that you are the right choice for their unique project. Potential customers need to review the websites of each professional and see if they even like their work, and if it is in line with what they need. Sometimes, even visiting their studio is enough. Recently, I had two new product photography clients use the phrase "You're the real deal" just because they came to my studio and saw it.
I respect my competitions but I won't recommend them if there is no relationship between the two of us. The way that I manage my competition is staying on top of my game with always offering something extra with each service that I offer; or with giving valuable information to each client about their pets and going the extra mile to make sure that my clients are happy campers.
It's kind of funny but I've ended up being friends with people that I I thought were my competitors. It turned out that we have a lot in common. It's nice that when I can't do the job for whatever reason I referre to them. If they don't give me money they give a job close to me. I find that I'm driving less and making more by networking.
If you're a Notary public Lawyer or Title Company let's talk. Alan
Paraphrasing Ray Kroc (McDonalds): Focus on great customer service, quality products/services, value, and cleanliness (appearance) and let your competition try to keep up.
I never think about beating the competition. I only concern myself with competing against myself. That's the only thing I can really control. My life just keeps getting better and better.