Permission to excel or stay where you are?

http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/digg_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/reddit_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/stumbleupon_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/delicious_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/newsvine_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/technorati_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/magnolia_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/google_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/myspace_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/facebook_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/yahoobuzz_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/twitter_48.png

no_mediocrity_pin-300x214

Do your friends give you permission to stay where you are?  Do they pull you down by the coat tails to make sure you stay where you are?  Or do they encourage you to be what you are truly capable of being?—– a person on top of your game!

In my opinion, a real true friend is not someone who simply agrees with you. Or never tells you that you can be any better. Instead, a good friend encourages you to tap into your greatness and do what they know you can accomplish. I believe a true friend is someone that pushes you to follow your dreams and pursue your deepest passions in order to become the best version of “you” possible. A friend is someone who is there to celebrate your victories as if they were their own and would expect the same in return for theirs. They are there for you when the world is caving in. They also tell you what you really need to hear when you need it most, not necessarily what you want to hear. I believe a true friend is someone who will snap you back to reality and kick you in the tail when you need it most.

To be honest, I’d rather have one true friend like that then a hundred phony ones that don’t push me any day. What’s the point of a fake friend? Are they even a friend or simply an acquaintance?  I have this discussion on a regular basis with people because I have a lot of “friends” online.  I know a whole lot of people all over the country but only a few are real friends…. The others are mere acquaintances which is fine… but I wouldn’t call them in an emergency situation or to tell them I just had  a baby or any other life altering news.  2k

I believe there are many of us out there that give our friends permission to stay right where they are. To linger in mediocrity, never growing. Why do we do this? To be dead honest, it’s because many of us have become complacent in our own lives and if our friends grow, then it makes us “look bad.”  No longer can we say “well everyone else is the same, I’m not that bad.” We no longer have that comparison anymore to justify our lack of greatness in life or in our minds.

Monday – December 21, 2009 – The University of Kentucky, UK, Wildcats just hit 2000 wins in the schools history.  They are a force to be reckoned with and from the coaches on down to the players – are encouraged to GO that extra mile and succeed and become all they can be.  I love the team concept of life and winning.  It’s really how we should all be in this life… rooting for each other… pushing each other to BE GREAT… wouldn’t that be nice?

“For every person seeking greatness, there are dozens more charged with safeguarding their mediocrity.” -R.G.

I challenge you all to step out of your comfort zone and encourage those around you to become the best they can. Stop giving them the excuse to stay where they are. Let me be clear: I’m not saying run out there and judge everyone and start telling them they are a screwup. That’s a fast track way to lose all of your friends and possibly get in a few fights… hahahaha… Just don’t let your friends become complacent and settle when you know they can aspire to do greater things. Encourage them that they can become incredible in their endeavors. Compliment them…. and sometimes kick them in the tail toward a better life.

hazen-hac-signature


http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/digg_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/reddit_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/stumbleupon_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/delicious_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/newsvine_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/technorati_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/magnolia_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/google_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/myspace_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/facebook_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/yahoobuzz_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/twitter_48.png

simple-mirrorSometimes, in life, we need a LOT of direction…. WE need to know where we are starting in order to figure out where we are going….

To get from point A to point B – you really need to know the alphabet….  Life doesn’t come with an instruction book but we need reference points to figure things out. SO – the big question is – where are you?  Do you know where you are starting from?  Do you know where you want to go?  Do you like your job?  Would you like better hours?  Would you like more tax deductions?  Would you like to make more money?  YES …. everyone says yes… and why wouldn’t they?  I would say yes…. who isn’t looking for ways to do all those things?

I am a firm believer in network marketing and mlm companies for building businesses.  I know very wealthy people all over the country that literally tell their kids they have to join an MLM and build it up to a certain level. They have to run it like a business…. help people… and make a profit.  Their kids learn the the ropes with a minimal investment into the legitimate world of networking marketing.  Here are a couple of new companies to view -Rain Nutrition and Boresha Coffee and Tea.    Both companies have killer health and wellness benefits and the doctors behind the companies are even better.  NOW — why would these masters of industry have their kids join these companies?  To quote a friend of mine, “Because I want my kids to be able to run a company before they take over for me!”   WOW… that’s a powerful statement for the industry.  I have performed well in this industry because I like to help people and I know how to build a successful team.  I am currently working with the two companies I mentioned before.  They are new… and very powerful for income production and I KNOW what it takes in this industry.  Donald Trump, Robert Kiyosaki and Warren Buffet are all major backers of the network marketing industry…. do you know more than they do?  What are we all missing out on?

I am attaching a video here that almost says it all…. Al Pacino in the movie Any Given Sunday – speech about inches.

It’s simple….. You have to know where you are…. to get where you want to go.  You have to realize it’s a game of inches.  You have to realize it’s not easy but easier than anything you have done before.  Success is easier than failure.  You have to go for it…. why not?

hazen-hac-signature

NorthPoleCallsYou.com – Hear from Santa…

http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/digg_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/reddit_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/stumbleupon_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/delicious_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/newsvine_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/technorati_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/magnolia_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/google_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/myspace_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/facebook_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/yahoobuzz_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/twitter_48.png

northpolecallsyou Christmas is almost upon us and the Elf on the Shelf is reporting back to Santa for thousands of families across the country.

Donate to charity and make your kids smile with a PHONE call from SANTA before Christmas this year!!

www.NorthPoleCallsYou.com

We thought this was such a creative and fun program for families to make the magic of Christmas come to life this Holiday Season!

hazen-hac-signature

Stay foolish…. stay hungry…

http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/digg_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/reddit_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/stumbleupon_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/delicious_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/newsvine_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/technorati_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/magnolia_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/google_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/myspace_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/facebook_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/yahoobuzz_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/twitter_48.png

If you haven’t noticed, we are huge fans of Apple and Steve Jobs.  Above:  KILLER video of a commencement speech he gave at Stanford.

hazen-hac-signature

Jay Walker’s Library Of Human Imagination

http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/digg_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/reddit_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/stumbleupon_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/delicious_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/newsvine_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/technorati_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/magnolia_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/google_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/myspace_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/facebook_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/yahoobuzz_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/twitter_48.png

I am a firm believer that if you want to be successful at something you need to read as many books on the subject as you can, talk to mentors in your field and constantly immerse yourself into your mission.  I also believe you need to experience the world and your passion FIRST HAND.  THERE is no substitute for experience… NONE.

I have something I call the “coming soon” section for my life…. and …. Everyone should have a section in their life for the “Coming Soon” For example…. COMING SOON – Hazen’s library and convention center of entrepreneurship and wonders…… something to that effect.  hahaha

Jay Walker (Walker Digital, Priceline) has done just this with the construction of his “library of human imagination.” (Really cool idea.) Watch his explanation here. A tip of the hat to you, Jay. What a cool idea.

In YOUR life …… What’s your “coming soon?”

hazen-hac-signature

A Toast to the Crazies….

http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/digg_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/reddit_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/stumbleupon_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/delicious_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/newsvine_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/technorati_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/magnolia_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/google_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/myspace_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/facebook_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/yahoobuzz_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/twitter_48.png

I absolutely love this video. It’s an ad from Apple way back in 1997. I thought that it basically summed up my readers better than anything else. I just appeared with 2 clients / friends on the new Cookalong Live Show with famous Chef, Gordon Ramsey.  He is eccentric, different and knows his stuff.  He is a showman and is now teaching people how to cook from home – LIVE – on Fox.  Some people think he is crazy…. I applaud him.  Read more below…

Here is the text version:

Here’s to the crazy ones.
The misfits.
The rebels.
The troublemakers.einstein-tongue-out-150x150
The round pegs in the square holes.
The ones who see things differently.
They’re not fond of rules.
And they have no respect for the status quo.
You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them.
About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them.
Because they change things.
They push the human race forward.
And while some may see them as the crazy ones,
We see genius.
Because the people who are crazy enough to think
they can change the world,
Are the ones who do.

So here is a toast to you, readers. You are the imaginative, the creative, the mentally and physically strong, the innovators, the revolutionaries and the creators that push our world forward. Keep on following your hearts and passions. Keep on in your pursuit to build something incredible to give to the world. Show the world who you are and what you are made of.

Put a bullet through the forehead of mediocrity.

hazen-hac-signature

http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/digg_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/reddit_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/stumbleupon_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/delicious_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/newsvine_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/technorati_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/magnolia_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/google_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/myspace_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/facebook_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/yahoobuzz_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/twitter_48.png

Yesterday the world lost a great mentor Jim Rohn to Pulmonary Fibrosis.

Although I never met him, Jim has greatly impacted my life over the past few years with his teachings. He challenged me to be my best and inspired me to live my dreams. Jim, you are legendary to me and you will be missed. In honor, here are a few of my favorite quotes from Jim Rohn: rohn_photo

Resolve says, “I will.” The man says, “I will climb this mountain. They told me it is too high, too far, too steep, too rocky and too difficult. But it’s my mountain. I will climb it. You will soon see me waving from the top or dead on the side from trying.”

Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.

If you learn to set a good sail, the wind that blows will always take you to the dreams you want, the income you want, and the treasures of mind, purse, and soul you want.

I used to say, “Things cost too much.” Then my teacher straightened me out on that by saying, “The problem isn’t that things cost too much. The problem is that you can’t afford it.” That’s when I finally understood that the problem wasn’t “it” – the problem was “me.”

If you don’t like how things are, change it! You’re not a tree. You must get good at one of two things: sowing in the spring or begging in the fall. The soil says, “Don’t bring me your need, bring me your seed.”

Walk away from the 97% crowd. Don’t use their excuses. Take charge of your own life. You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.

Your paycheck is not your employer’s responsibility, it’s your responsibility. Your employer has no control over your value, but you do.

If you wish to find, you must search. Rarely does a good idea interrupt you.

I find it fascinating that most people plan their vacations with better care than they plan their lives. Perhaps that is because escape is easier than change. If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they may have planned for you? Not much.

Are you working for broke?

http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/digg_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/reddit_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/stumbleupon_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/delicious_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/newsvine_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/technorati_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/magnolia_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/google_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/myspace_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/facebook_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/yahoobuzz_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/twitter_48.png

200383283-001I know a person that wants to succeed. Well they say they do anyway, but I think otherwise. I feel this way because they are working for broke. What do I mean? That their lifestyle habits, thoughts and choices are all engrossed with poverty thinking and are dispelling potential success. It’s as if everything about them does the exact opposite of what they say they “want.” Maybe they don’t really even know what’s happening to them?  Maybe they are just lost in the zip and zoom of life…. Maybe and this is the most likely…. they just don’t have a plan or any set goals…. Do they really want success or are they working for broke?

I want to show you two examples:

Today I was shopping at Kroger and noticed a woman. She had the most intricate coupon system I have ever seen. She had folders packed with coupons all labeled and color coded by departments. I wish I could have gotten a picture to show you what I mean, it was pure nuts. I ended up behind her at the checkout and it took 20 minutes just to ring her up with all these coupons. They had to call the manager to do an override, check all the expiration dates and look up prices. I asked her how long it took her to find all of those deals. She told me she spent all morning going through papers and direct mailers finding them. ALL MORNING. I am not saying coupons are a bad thing at all, don’t get me wrong here. I am in full support of coupons (heck in my advertising for clients I use them all the time!), but this obviously took this woman hours to do. Hours she could be spending elsewhere.

Heres another: This past Friday was black Friday. Tons of crazy deals at stores all over if you are an early riser willing to take on crowds. I drove by Best Buy and saw people camping outside just to get special deals. I’m a curious person, so I pulled up in front and asked them what they were waiting on. Their answer: to get a hundred bucks off a TV. Literally camping the night before just to be the first in line to get a deal for a hundred bucks. I know what you are thinking here…. $100 off a TV… yeah… that’s pretty good except when you realize it’s for a box that makes you dumber.  Wow- I know… camping best buy

Most people if you ask them if they want success will tell you that they do. The real down and dirty truth is that they are lying to themselves. They won’t do what it takes and they spend so much time working to be broke that they will never get what they want. Imagine for a minute if instead of camping out this person dedicated that time to bettering themselves? Maybe learn a new skill that they could market? Perhaps instead of spending four hours cutting coupons they could research that business they always wanted to start.

I’m not sure the exact quote, but I heard or read this from a famous golfer:

Everyone wants to play like me… everyone wants to hit the ball like me…. everyone wants to swing like me… everyone wants to putt like me…. everyone wants to win like me. All I can say is: NO YOU DON’T, NO YOU DON’T, NO YOU DON’T, NO YOU DON’T because the truth is… if you wanted to play like me – you would be up at dawn and going home after dark with bloody hands covered in bandages to stop the blisters from bleeding… your back would killing you from the pain after swinging all day long. You dont’ want what I have or be what I am… it takes sacrifice, dedication and hard work…. YOU REALLY DON’T want to be me… or you would be teeing off next to me…

I love this quote. The truth is that many of us out there spend so much time working for broke that they spend no time at all on what can really can get them closer to success. Imagine just how hard you really have to work at being broke. The time it takes to cut out all those coupons. The pain and embarrassment of having to get money from others just to pay the bills or to eat. Not being able to have the finer things in life. The constant stress from looming bills and expenses. Imagine just how much easier life could be. It’s time for a new plan…. it’s time to set some attainable goals and set some more.  Ask yourself the hard questions…  Are you willing to work for it? Or is your lifestyle set to keep yourself and your family broke?

hazen-hac-signature

It’s lonely at the top.

http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/digg_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/reddit_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/stumbleupon_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/delicious_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/newsvine_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/technorati_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/magnolia_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/google_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/myspace_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/facebook_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/yahoobuzz_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/twitter_48.png

odd birdI have noticed something very common among my entrepreneur friends: we often feel like the odd man out (Or odd women out, for our lady readers).

Entrepreneurs often have a hard time hanging with their old friends and they feel like they are out of place. We are different. We see the world through a completely different set of lenses than most people. We have different experiences, problems and struggles. We are constantly thinking about different things on top of what others think about. We don’t get to leave it behind or come back next Monday like most people. The books we read and television we watch, to the daily activities we partake in and our lifestyles have all completely changed so dramatically that common ground has been lost. You can’t talk about the things that are the most important to you such as your daily struggles with customers, your victories and experiences. It’s not that you feel superior to your old friends or anything, or that what your friends have to say isn’t valid, it’s just that you have become this new person inside. It’s hard to connect with them in this huge aspect of your life. Your lives are completely different now. This often leads to feelings of becoming the odd man out in your old circles. You have this massive side of you that you feel you can’t share with anyone you care about because they don’t understand or can’t relate to you.

I remember trying to talk about business life with my friends and family. They would just blank stare at me like I was from another planet. They were very important to me, but I felt this huge sense of isolation among them. Their lives were so completely different from my own, it was like being in a crowded room and still feeling lonely.

We entrepreneurs are the odd men out. We are different and are no longer normal to our old friends. It’s like we are from a new world. The problem there is that we have lost our common ground. Our connection has changed because of this new side of us. I have found the secret that will help us manage this: Surround yourself with like minded business owners and professionals that want you to succeed and encourage them to do so as well. Meet with them frequently. If you do this you will gain a new network of individuals that you can celebrate success with and face similar challenges together. You will also gain a vault of experienced information that you can build and profit from. You will be amazed at the differences in your conversations and how fulfilling it can be to talk with someone who is in the same boat as you are. You need that time to share your victories, experiences, trials. Please do not get me wrong here, I’m not saying that you should abandon your family or your friends at all. They are still your family and friends, only you have changed. You need this new network of like minded people to connect with your business side of life that your friends and family cannot fill.

Build a network of folks who are just like you. This way you can bridge this inner gap inside yourself and share your business side with people of like mind. You will be amazed at how refreshing it is when you don’t have to fight or convince them… it’s nice when people just “GET IT.”

hazen-hac-signature

http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/digg_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/reddit_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/stumbleupon_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/delicious_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/newsvine_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/technorati_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/magnolia_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/google_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/myspace_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/facebook_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/yahoobuzz_48.png http://hazenchristensen.com/wp-content/plugins/sociofluid/images/twitter_48.png

russian-roulette-240x300

Are you playing Russian roulette with your business? Well, you could be if you aren’t marketing to women. Not too long ago a study found that women control 83% of purchase decisions and are the chief purchasing officer in most households. This mammoth-sized market has become a 4.7 trillion dollar machine (and that does not account for teen spending). Women are a majority, not a niche market. Another study found that women are responsible for more than 89% of bank accounts, 80% of healthcare, and 51% of all electronic purchases.

There is, however, one big problem: communication to them. A lot of marketing is aimed at a male audience and does not account for the large market of women. Women are a much tougher crowd to convince to purchase. What can you do to make your business speak her language? I have assembled a FEW concepts to help over the next few blog entries.

To begin: If you are going to market to women, you must understand the differences between the men and women and how they shop. Men buy while women shop around a bit. For example, a man and woman go to purchase a particular item. The man is going to walk in, find it and buy it within 5 minutes. Women however, are much more complicated. A woman is going to seek information first to learn the ins and outs of the product or service. In a recent study, 70% of women do research on a particular product before they purchase. Women like to find out all the nitty gritty first. They do this because they want to make informed decisions about a product or service. She, for instance, might Google a review of a restaurant or ask a salesmen a few questions. Ever notice how women will read the instructions, while men tend to just try to put it together? Similar concept. Women want the info first before acting.

The next concept is that you must understand that a woman goes through what I call a “shopping process.” She first, will find the product or service she wants. She then will think about it and then will think about it some more. She goes through a collaborative process where she will ask questions like, “what do you think about this?” or “does this look good?” Make your store a place that allows for collaboration from friends with things like couches in the dressing area. Or your business could offer “consultants” to offer free advice. Here is an example: There is a great women’s clothing store that has style consultants that show women how to dress for their body shape, skin tone and much more. They establish a connection with her and reassure the woman that they look good in that dress they tried on. Imagine the difference in a place like that over shopping at Wal-mart. Also, make comparison-shopping easy. Show her that she is making the smartest decision with testimonials and benefits of purchasing from you. She needs to know her purchase is the right choice. Teach your salesmen or employees objections she may have and how to respond to them properly. Women are very detail-oriented. She next has to feel good about her purchase. She will consider factors like: how will this affect me or my family? Lastly, if she feels completely satisfied, then she makes a purchase.

Don’t play Russian roulette with your business and start marketing to more women. More concepts to come soon!

hazen-hac-signature


Looking for something?

Use the form below to search the site:

Still not finding what you're looking for? Drop a comment on a post or contact us so we can take care of it!

Visit our friends!

A few highly recommended friends...