Disqus - Latest Comments for kevindervin

Re: Are you standing out? 8 examples on getting found!

kevindervin — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:38:15 -0000

Great post Shawn and GREAT examples of what pretty much any business can do. I love the fact that as you point out, none of these examples is of a business doing something terribly complex. The fact is they are just doing it and doing it consistently.

Thanks for sharing.

All my Best!
Kevin

Re: 7 Uncommon Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs

kevindervin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 14:01:26 -0000

I agree we could keep adding more and more to the list, but more than likely continue circling back to the same core traits.

Like you said, I'm not sure if they can be learned or not. But, understanding is learning and at least that's a good start.

Then you'd know what kind of help to seek out to fill your gaps. Isn't it Covey or Peter that says to focus on increasing your strengths instead of trying to improve upon your weaknesses. There are other ways to address those weak spots.

OK, maybe that's taking this conversation in a direction we don't even want to go. Just wouldn't want anyone to read thru the list and feel disappointed if they don't possess all 7 traits.

Good discussion post!

Re: 7 Uncommon Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs

kevindervin — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 12:01:32 -0000

Hey John, I'd add "Doggedly Persistent" to the list. Successful entrepreneurs don't seem to have the "off switch" like a lot of other people do. The most successful don't view failure as an option. Doesn't mean they don't make mistake along the way. But, as you mention they are more willing to learn from those mistakes.

What keeps them driving forward to success is that Dogged Persistence.

How many do I posses? Hmm, let me go back through and read again. I'll get back to you on that.

All my Best!
Kevin

Re: Sometimes the Secret to Marketing is Just Being There

kevindervin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:22:24 -0000

Nice post again John. Couldn't agree more. A few thoughts that came to mind as I was reading.

It's OK to have a mindset of continuous improvement. But, you have to get it out there to start improving on it. Too many small business marketing ideas never get off the drawing board because they're still being tweeked to perfection (which never happens).

I'm reminded of advice I got years ago. Two things you don't want to hear from customers and prospects. Number 1 is, "I didn't know you guys did that." And, number 2 is, "Oh, I wish we'd have thought of you when we bought that last month." You're less likely to hear those things if you're being there and marketing consistently.

Last thing I'd say is to pay attention to what's working and what's not working. When you notice somthing that's starting to produce, do more of that. In other words, be there even more.

Thanks for sharing John.

All my Best!
Kevin

Re: Answering Marketing Questions on MSNBC

kevindervin — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 14:48:08 -0000

Nice job. Good segment.

It's too bad that it's sort of rapid fire, get your answer in 20 seconds type of format. Would have been nice to hear you share a few ways that someone can differentiate their small business.

Target market focus;
Specific Problems/challenges you address focus;
Outcomes you produce focus;
Unique delivery method focus;
Unique pricing focus;

Or better yet, some combination of the above. It works into a powerful marketing message when you know how to do it.

It just would have been cool to hear you have a little more time to explain some of your answers like this.

Still, well done. Thanks for sharing.

All my Best!
Kevin