Give and Give, Then Give Some More - a Path to Revenue Growth
Over the last couple of months, I’ve had a pretty negative tone to my ramblings. “The status quo in the print industry won’t work and if you don’t change, then your company is dead.” And I’ve gotten comments—positive and negative—both here and personally. They’ve been either, “It’s blasphemy not to wave the flag.” or “Yea, that’s the game; it’s all about the Internet.”
Well...I’m done with the negativity. Now it’s all about solutions. Print is going to stay. The question is: What is it going to take for your firm to be one of those that makes the cut? I’m going try to throw out some ideas over the next couple of weeks...here’s the first one.
Hire a CGO—a Chief Giving Officer. That person’s job is to figure out and nurture ways your company can give. And I’m not talking about “giving back.” I’m talking about giving regardless if you’ve received.
I saw this banner on a gas station in West LA yesterday: “We give 20% of all our proceeds on Tuesdays to the Simon Wiesenthall Center for Tolerance.” I’m not a Jew and I don’t care if they have the best gas prices in town, but I’m still going there. They’re giving, they’re trying to be part of the solution—and I want to patronize a firm with that attitude.
People do business with people and companies they like and respect. The little bit I can save getting the best deal pales in comparison to helping someone who’s out there for the greater good. And I’m sure I’m not the only one who feels this way. All your capabilities and “stuff” is not “the be all and end all.” Make your firm one that if I don’t do business with, then I’ll feel guilty. There are always “work arounds” for capabilities.
