Science & Business Merge

One f the worst mistakes that trainers, individuals in the fitness industry, or any business person makes is obtaining accidental success. The mistake often lies in the initial approach to attacking the business world. Most tend to guess at the best way to achieve their goal. Constantly throwing a line into the vast ocean without precise care for the type of fish they seek, the type of bait to use, time of day, or location. Simply casting and reeling might produce a catch, but how long does it take.

This is one of the reasons I don't fish, unless I am looking to have some long conversation with friends.

This is why it is critical to take a more strategic approach. Instead of guessing as to how to reach your goal, take a more scientific approach. Experiment with different methods, but meticulously record your outcome. By maintaining control over the different variables, you can then pinpoint what changes must be made. What's more important, is that you are able to track success, and repeat it in your current business or new business.

Accidental success is usually only successful once. But success achieved through the scientific approach serves to help you build success in the future. By systematically approaching your operations, not only can you correct mistakes, but continue to refine successful efforts. What's better than being successful, than improving your success?

"If it doesn't make dollars, it doesn't make sense!"

No Market, No Money

We have all had great ideas from time to time. Ideas that we thought were worth millions. We have success in some areas, and were convinced that the same approach would work in another avenue or industry. No matter how great the idea or product, if a market does not exist for this idea or product what good is it? Think about it! The purpose of creating a successful business is to make money. Ideas are for philosophers and philosophy, not business. Define and identify a profitable market and the product will come. IF YOU FIND THEM, IT WILL COME. Now I don't suggest that a great product should be abandoned simply because there is no market............ yet. I do recommend, however, that you file that idea away until the market is ready, or while you are cultivating a market. 

"If it doesn't make dollars, it doesn't make sense!"

Think about video phones. They have been around for years, but have no real (or at least profitable) application for the ordinary consumer. But they have found a home in corporate applications. Particularly in light of the increasing cost of air travel. The same could be said for hybrid cars. These vehicles did not become profitable until the cost of gasoline exploded.

Ski suits don't sell in Hawaii. Even if you were able to create the most advance ski suit ever made, there simply is no market for it if you intend to only sell it in Hawaii. Markets should dictate your offering and your marketing. Adapt your business to your market. Adapt your product to the market. The market should be your primary focus. An in depth understanding of your potential consumers will allow the product or service to materialize. Don't be stubborn, be smart. Don't fall in love with your idea, be driven to succeed. Always put the market before the product. Even if it seems to make sense, doesn't mean it will make dollars!

"If it doesn't make dollars, it doesn't make sense!"