Sales and the Wisdom of the Comics Page

You can pick up some amazing business insights from the comics page. (Actually, you can pick up insights almost anywhere if you look carefully.)

A character in a comic strip I just read remarked: “Somebody said the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. But the world is constantly changing. Isn’t it just as nuts to do the same thing and expect the same results?”

The more I think about it, the more I agree. There’s been a lot of talk about “change” recently. But the fact is, the world is constantly changing. And we can’t expect to get the same results by doing the same old things. What worked 5, 10, 20 years ago (heck, what worked last year) doesn’t necessarily work now. As companies like Circuit City, General Motors and even Microsoft are discovering. (Too late in some cases.)

So what can we do? Respond with some change, ourselves. What changes could you institute to increase your sales right now? Consider one or more of the following:
• Create a better marketing message.
• Train your sales team.
• Get back in touch with your customers.
• Try new marketing tactics.
• Invest in productivity-boosting technology.
• Develop a new product or service.
• Improve your existing product or service.
• Read a new book.
• Attend a seminar.
• Hire a consultant.
• Find a strategic partner.
• Tap into a new market.
• Join an industry association.
• Form a mastermind group.

Dealing effectively with change requires us to change as well. Change the way you think about your business. Change what you do during your week. Change how you interact with your customers.

Change how you read the comics.