Tuesday, May 8, 2012

"The Hunger Games" and Your Business - Part II

I'm still blown away at the parallels I was able to make between the movie The Hunger Games and how business owners must think, feel and act in order to reach success and stay in business!
 
A few days ago, I posted a blog full of business tips based on the movie which included believing in yourself, becoming excellent at your skill and preparing for opportunities just to name a few.  I kept thinking about the movie and couldn't pass up the chance to give you some more insight on the business parallels that I found in the movie.
 
Business Tips Continued.....
 
1.  Dance With Fear:  In the movie, it was very obvious that Katniss, the main character was utterly frightened for her life and what to expect once the games began.  But, she didn't let it stop her, ultimately, she won.  In part because she moved through her fear with courage.

In our businesses, we are faced with daily fears like not being able to pay our household bills, appointments/clients canceling, picking up the phone to call someone on our "chicken list" and even promoting ourselves and what we have to offer.  If we allow the fear to STOP us, we'll never know what ind of life exists on the other side of that fear.  And you know the old saying, "Everything greater lies on the other side of fear so RUN into it full speed ahead!"
 
2.  Make A Good First Impression:  When the 24 children competing in the games arrived in the main city/hub area where the games would take place, they were introduced to the town in a parade of sorts.  They each rode in on a chariot in costume and waved to the onlookers.  Katniess and Peeta rode in last in attractive, black leather outfits that would spit out fire as a result of the breeze they created by the moving chariot.  It was a complete hit and the crowd loved them from the get go!  They made a lasting first impression!
 
 
In business, everyone we come into contact with is a potential client, customer, giver of referrals or a connection to great leads for speaking engagements, etc.  We must remember, that hundreds and thousands of other business owners are out sharing, selling and telling the same thing we are, so what makes us stand out?  Why should someone work with us?  Always make a good first impression in the first 5-11 seconds!!  People make 11 assumptions about you in 11 seconds.
 
 
3.  Who Is Your Target Market?:  In order for Katniss and Peeta, Katniss especially, to make a good first impression and build supporters in the city where the games were held, they needed to find out what to "give" the audience.  What did the audience want?  What would make them follow Katniss and support her along the way?  In the movie, the competitors could be given items that would help them during the games from their audience, also known as sponsors.  The more the audience liked the competitor the more included they were to sponsor the child.  Katniss discovered that the audience was drawn to a "love story", which is how she eventually won.
 
 
In business, know who you want to serve and how you want to serve them.  Know what problems they have and how you can solve them.  Know what goals they want to achieve and how you can help them achieve those goals.  Be extremely clear with your specific niche in that target market.  It will make your messaging must more clear for your audience to understand, therefore, they will be more included to BUY from you.
 
 
4.  Develop a Support Team:  In the movie, each competitor had a support team or a team of coaches.  It was important to have a great connection with your support team and surround yourself with people who would help you get to the top.  Katniss and Peeta were paired with a man from their own district who had competed and won the Hunger Games years prior. He was able to give them incredible insight (at times).  They were also paired with a designer for fashion and advice that really helped them along the way.
 
In business, it is important to surround yourself with people who lift you up, not pull you down.  Being in business for yourself goes against the grain of "feeling secure" in America.  90% of the population who WORK for someone else share 10% of the money that exists.  10% of the population shares 90% of the money that exists.  You've got to hang out with the 10%!!!  They know what it takes to be successful.  They've made all the mistakes for you.  What you are doing has already been done by countless experts so draw on that expertise.  Think about the 5 people you spend most of your time with and find the average of their total income.  You will make the average income of the people you hang out with.  
 
I hope I have not totally spoiled the movie for you!  Even so, go see it and think BUSINESS while you're watching it.  I actually want to go see it again with a pen and paper this time!!
 
Disclaimer:  I am not getting paid to promote the movie - haha!
 
Start Your Engines,
 
Megan
If you are ready to invest in your business with coaching, go to http://www.structuredwellness.com and click on Contact Megan to schedule a 15 minute Start Your Engine session with Megan.

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