10 Ways To Make Your Business Unique

1. Largest Selection -

One way that you can make your product or service stand out is to offer the largest selection of products, services or programs. Example: Home Depot, E-Bay, Staples, Amazon.com

2. Innovative Product -

If you have a new product with a patent covering it or a service that others don't offer, you will have something that no one else can offer. Example: Windows, Viagra, Value Program

3. Multiple Uses -

Once you have a product or service to offer, look for other ways that the customer can use the same product or service. Example: Baby carrier that has carriage base, electric can opener with knife sharpener, Aspirin can be used as pain reliever and heart attack preventative. Cell phone is a camera too. This is what Merck set out to do with Vioxx --there are risks.

4. Superior Customer Service -

Keep reminding your customer that you are eager to help them by giving extra-ordinary support on your product or service. Example: Nordstrom's is known for this. Doctors who make house calls, a mobile lawyer's office, a glass company that comes to your workplace to change the glass in your automobile are other examples.

5. Convenient Location -

Make it easy for customers to do business with you by providing them access in exactly the place where they will need your product or service. Example: Bank in the supermarket, ATM in airport, setting up a stand to sell umbrellas on a busy street corner on a rainy day.

6. Expert Consulting -

If you have deep knowledge of your product or service, you can be useful in helping your customers before and after the sale is made. Example: Computer sales person who understands connectivity issues and can help you integrate your equipment with the new computer. Real Estate Agent who has huge rolodex and provides referral to other vendors that new home owner would need.

7. Price -

If you have a product or service with a high price, you offer prestige. If you offer the lowest price, the thrifty customer will be attracted to your product or service. Example: High Price - Lexus, Canyon Ranch etc. Low price - Target, Wal-Mart

8. Lasting affect -

The product or service you offer have a longer lasting affect than any others.

Example: Extra strength Tylenol, Bike lock that cannot be opened, car battery that lasts 5 years, long lasting car tires.

9. Guarantee -

Offer a guarantee with your product or service. Example: Money back if not satisfied. Free conversion back to previous vendor if not satisfied.

10. Packaging -

Offer a package that is different from others. (prettier, stronger, environmentally friendly, easier to open, child-proof)Example: Packaging material that dissolves in water, free gift wrapping for all purchases, child-proof aspirin bottles, juice drinks with straw.

Alvah Parker is a Business and Career Coach as well as publisher of Parker's Points, an email tip list and Road to Success, an ezine. Parker works with high potential professionals who want to have a career that is fun, fulfilling and profitable. Her clients are managers, business owners, sole practioners, attorneys and people in transition. Alvah is found on the web at http://www.asparker.com. She may also be reached at 781-598-0388.

---

Site Selection and Demographic Tips for Establishing Outlets

Many cities have home pages on the Internet. Many of... Read More

Fail to plan... or Plan to FAIL??

Running a business, whether it be an offline multi-billion dollar... Read More

City of Cortez and South Western Colorado Market Survey

We have been spending many hours surveying the market for... Read More

Leverage - A Small Step For You /A Big Change For Your Career

Cassy was an employee of a nonprofit who had been... Read More

Elite Positioning Brings Higher Profits

Imagine spending the same amount of money on marketing and... Read More

Why Six Sigma Will Work in Healthcare

If ever there were an industry where we want zero... Read More

Business Plan Long Term Goals

Writing a business plan is not an easy endeavor, nor... Read More

Akron OH; A great place to do business

When looking at Akron carefully one cannot help but notice... Read More

Memo: Sustaining Growth in Your Business

What gets measured gets done.How do you keep your business... Read More

Don?t Just Talk About the Weather, Use It to Advantage

A well known, national chain of restaurants discovered that certain... Read More

19 Questions to Supercharge Your Business Plan

Whether you are seeking capital for your company or are... Read More

Advice To Manufacturers Creating A Business Plan

If you are a manufacturer wanting to use your business... Read More

Break-Even Analysis

A significant advantage of some business ideas is that the... Read More

Business Plan: The Simplest Business Plan Ever

If you're a solo professional like I am, you know... Read More

Succession Planning: Problems Getting Started

A survey released by the American Institute of Certified Public... Read More

When Do I Need To Hire A Business Plan Consultant

Every new business owner knows that a business plan is... Read More

Three Steps to Give Your Strategic Plan Traction

We all agree Strategic Planning is a critical part of... Read More

How to Develop a Successful Board of Advisors (...and Why You Should!)

In today's rapidly changing and highly competitive markets, many privately... Read More

Planning For The Slow Season Of Your Business To Increase Sales

Every business experiences slower periods. For some, they sell more... Read More

Strategic Acquisition Strategies for Small Businesses

Growth through acquisition should not be considered an option reserved... Read More

Buying Used Detailing Equipment and Rainy Day Services

Mobile auto detailing equipment becomes very inexpensive around March each... Read More

How to Achieve E-commerce Success ?You Gotta Plan!

Before becoming a netpreneaur, I was an entrepreneur. First, I... Read More

3 Undercover Ways to Make Big Profits from Your Competition

You have heard that there is extra money on the... Read More

The Six Sigma Method and Design of Experiments

Six Sigma is becoming a proven approach for businesses and... Read More

The Accountability/Alignment Process: Three Steps to an Accountable Organization

The Accountability/Alignment Process: Three Steps to an Accountable Organization Generating... Read More

In Business Planning, Competition is Good

When developing the competition section of your business plan, companies... Read More

Menu Driven Business Planning

A menu is the foundation of any restaurant; Guests will... Read More

Planning for Success

Business planning is widely acknowledged as one of the keys... Read More

The Top 10 Priorities That Guard Your Five-Star Reputation

Making money doesn't make your reputation... your reputation makes you... Read More

Designing an Efficient Distribution System

Let us look at a few of the big distribution... Read More

Writing a Business Plan for Success in Business and for Funding

Writing a business plan to help you direct and manage... Read More

Are You Aware of Planning in Business?

Human beings are rational agents. Rationality endorses one to take... Read More

Strategic Planning Fundamentals

Strategic planning is vital while starting a new business or... Read More