Comments on: Episode 137: “Don’t Be All Things to All People”

By: Ivan Misner

Ivan Misner — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 21:34:01 +0000

Thanks for your comments everyone.

Jenifer, tell the person you’re talking about that he might want to rethink his strategy. UNLESS, of course he’s your competitor. In that case, tell him it’s a great idea! :-)

By: Jenifer Anseth

Jenifer Anseth — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 20:46:43 +0000

It’s interesting that I just came upon your article after meeting with an individual who complained about not wanting to “niche” themselves. They felt that having a target market or niche was limiting. I like many of the examples above that demonstrate the absolute importance of having a target, a mission, a clear “what I am all about” statement. I told my friend that unless you have a niche or specialty, you are just like everybody else. What is going to distinguish you from the crowds? “You must be specific to be terrific.” It is your differences that will attract your perfect client…the equivalent of having the right bait in the right pond.

By: AhSin Ang

AhSin Ang — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 19:04:19 +0000

In the hypercompetitive world where most companies expects everyone to be multi-tasking, many a times, it became a norm to be as many things as possible to as many people as possible.
This podcast helps to re-align ourselves and to be proud that BNI cannot be expert in everything except referral marketing.

By: Alan Lewis

Alan Lewis — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 11:09:37 +0000

Wise advice and in line with what Jim Collins in his book, “Good to Great” identified as the “Hedgehog Concept”. All 11 of the great companies his research team identified had a hedgehog concept, i.e. unlike foxes who try many different approaches, the hedgehog is smart enough to have one simple tactic: curl up in a ball. Smart companies know what they are really about and will stick to that theme religiously. An example in the pharmacy sector is aiming to provide the most convenient and accessible drug stores, even if that means closing a highly profitable store to move it a few hundred yards to an even better corner site.

By: David Demangos

David Demangos — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:02:45 +0000

This is great. My business coach would agree with this article 100%!

By: Shawn McCarthy

Shawn McCarthy — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:27:51 +0000

Great post Ivan. As a BNI Director, I, too, get asked questions similar to what you mention. BNI is the best in the world at referral marketing. We can’t be everything for everybody.
This also applies to people and their businesses. I see a lot of business people out there doing (or attempting to do) 2, 3, or 10 things/businesses! That’s crazy! Being knowm as the expert in your chosen field is much better than the old “jack of all trades” (and, of course, master of none)thing. I once saw a business card of a guy who listed numerous profressions that he did. He listed everything from landscaping to taxes to translation services (and many more) on the card! How can he be an expert at any of them? Answer- he can’t.
“You have to know the ropes in order to pull the strings”.

Shawn McCarthy BNI ED Ventura County, Ca.

By: Tweets that mention Episode 137: “Don’t Be All Things to All People” | The Official BNI Podcast -- Topsy.com

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:48:00 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Amy Jantzer, BNI Central Florida and BNI Success Chapter, BNI West Virginia. BNI West Virginia said: #BNI Podcast: Episode 137: “Don’t Be All Things to All People” http://ow.ly/16kmhz [...]