Monday, June 30, 2008

A New Twist


As a designer/marketer, I meet people every day who are looking to start a new business or move their busines to the "next level" (the ubiquitous term for making more profit). Each time I'm kind of amazed at how afraid they are to stand out or differentiate with their company image and materials. Here they are, maverick entrepeneurs, and they want a safe, conservative image. Problem is, our current culture is not inclined to notice safe and conservative. As a matter of fact, safe and conservative will almost ensure you're company stays undiscovered -- well-camouflaged in the sea of safe and conservative image and marketing that proliferates.


So my biggest challenge in working with clients? Convincing them to have courage -- to stand out from the crowd. People are looking for new, different, more for the money -- and they like to associate with prosperity. These are the things that will help you and your business stand out... and move to that next level.


Not surprisingly... business/art reflects life. Safe and conservative may be good for a long-term portfolio, but you also need some more aggressive & risk to have some balance. In the portfolio of your life, you need some risk and challenges to spur growth.


So where's your risk? How are you differentiating your life? "Design Your Life" is about discovery, growth and getting to that "next level."
And yes, this is a real tree.
photo credit: c. 2008 Sherri Lasko. All rights reserved.