Have you noticed how many so-called experts try to convince us that there is just ‘one secret’ to doing something well? I have become more aware of this since formulating my Framework containing the 7 fundamental principles that can enable professionals to STAND OUT from the pack.
What I have realised is that most other people seem to focus on only one or two of these 7 principles. Regular readers will recall that the 7 principles start with the first 7 letters of the alphabet, so as to make them easier to recall.
Yes you can choose to ensure you STAND OUT by wearing outlandish clothes, an extrovert nature and an over the top approach to your business branding and messaging. But there are other, less extreme, ways to achieve a more long lasting and positive impact.
In my framework ‘Appearance‘ includes how you look and present yourself face to face and also how your profile presents you online. Is your image consistent, relevant and memorable? Do you have charisma, create a positive impression and invest in yourself? There are many other factors that can apply here too including some that are otherwise addressed as personal branding.
Business messaging and branding covers a range of typical marketing focused messages and how you present your business as compared with your competitors.
Beyond these two headline issues my framework goes on to emphasise the value of 5 other fundamental principles that can enable you to STAND OUT positively from others who do what you do:
Conversational impact
How well do you listen and tailor your conversation so that the person you are with feels engaged and interested? How good are the stories you tell about the clients who have similar issues to the person you’re with or to people they know?
Dependability and trust
How much effort do you put into evidencing this so that you STAND OUT from those others who do not do this?
Experience and Expertise
How tailored and relevant is your reference to your credibility or do you simply repeat the same relatively meaningless assertions as to how ‘qualified’ you are?
Follow up
Do you do this routinely and regularly? And do you ‘follow up’ BEFORE you meet with people too?
Giving and sharing
Those of us who adopt a giving and sharing mentality tend to STAND OUT positively as compared with those who are more stand offish. No one is suggesting you give away your IP or your ‘billable advice’ but adopting a helpful, caring and sharing approach will pay dividends if you want tow in more work, be remembered, referred and recommended.
Do you focus on one of the above or on something completely different?
If you’d like to better understand those 7 principles simply ask for your copy of:
The 7 key ways to Stand Out from your peers
I’ve often found that “Standing out” cannot be achieved by making this your goal, providers tend to be above the rest by focusing on what they do and doing it well. You can always stand out for the wrong reasons, an individual will select the company based around their ability rather than perk, in my opinion.
Like the “giving and sharing” tip and hope it pays off. I am just off to a bowls club because no-one else will help them.
I’ve been thinking about all this for some time and thing the answer is really to have an outstanding service offering. And, that comes down to deep knowledge which sort of means you need to niche.
Shane and Malcolm
Thanks again for your comments. Absolutely you can stand out for the wrong reasons and many people do. My framework highlights the 7 key principles that professionals can adopt in an effort to STAND OUT positively. Referencing your business focus or niche is but one of these seven.
Relying on your performance in role doesn’t help in securing work or referrals through introducers. How you reference your experience and dependability (two of the seven principles) is important and can help you STAND OUT, but again they are not the only options in most cases.