Two weeks ago, reminded you how important it was to differentiate yourself from your competition. In an effort to clarify my point, I referenced Seth Godin’s book titled The Purple Cow.
Today I would like to expand on this topic by breaking down the word PURPLE.
Passionate. There are two schools of thought here. Some say that you do not need to be passionate about your work to get the job done. I agree. I am not passionate about mowing my lawn yet , at the end of the day, I enjoy hearing compliments as they relate to my turf management skills. That being said, I agree that when the rough times surface, the odds for you weathering the storm are far greater when you have a genuine interest in what you are doing. Deeply caring about your lot in life makes the journey more meaningful.
Unusual. Perhaps “special” is a better word here, but “special” does not begin with a “u.” This implies that being usual does nothing to differentiate you from your competition. Being usual can be interpreted as being average. And average is something you do not want to be. You want to be unusual, in the sense that you stick out from the crowed in some way, shape or form.
Reliable. This is a trait that is much demand today. Another word for reliable is the word trust. More than ever before, we need people and organizations that earn and deserve our trust. If you say it, do it. Become recognized as a reliable asset and the clients will follow.
Positive. It is just my opinion and personal observation that more and more people are appearing angry, unhappy, uninterested, and less than attractive personality-wise. We all recognize the problems our world is experiencing. We do not need another person to remind us. I am not suggesting you saunter around town appearing pollyannish. I would like to see a little bounce in your step, coupled with an upbeat attitude toward life.
Loyalty. I suppose you can interpret this as “staying the course.” As long as you consider somebody as a customer, stick with them through the highs and lows. If this rubs you the wrong way, take them off your customer list. A dog has been considered as man’s best from due to its loyalty. Take a lesson.
Empathetic. Show me a little emotional intelligence. People have a full plate of problems, issues, and concerns, and you my friend are not one of them. Stop flattering yourself. The vast majority of people who come into your world don’t care about you. They care about themselves and the current issues confronting them. Understand that people are fragile, and they will dance to the beat of their own drum.
So there you have it. A little more to think about when it comes to being PURPLE.
Mike Marchev is always looking for a few more proactive travel professionals to join his Sales and Marketing Club, mike@mikemarchev.com.
*** You want more to think about? Check out my weekly podcast (Miked Up Marchev). Also listed on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google, and iHeartRadio.
