We recently had our niece move in with us to attend college in Toronto. Coming from small town Ontario, she seems more like 14 than 18. You forget how much wide eyed enthusiasm kids have, especially when you’ve been removed from it for a while.

Jumping sideways… we motorcycled out to Port Perry on the weekend to meet up with friends for a bite. We had lived out that way for a couple of years and like to go back on occasion. It’s a big bike town and they have a local bike night on Thursday’s during the summer.

Another step sideways…after our bike trip we went to a pub near our place in Toronto where for the last several months I have been jamming with the local band there. It’s a great release and I thoroughly enjoy it, as the level of musicianship is pretty good.

The revelation… As I spent a little time with our niece and followed it with activities that I engaged in when I was around her age, I came to the realization that as much as I have changed I am fundamentally the same guy today that I’ve always been. The package I present myself in has changed and I reveal and hide different characteristics now then when I was a kid.

The marketing application? Even if the essence of your company is similar to what it has always been, the packaging of that product has infinite possibilities. Of all the characteristics that make up your company you can choose to bring something to the forefront that has historically been in the background. If you have been quiet… you can be loud. If you have been all encompassing… you can be specific. It’s not changing the essence of your company so much as it is altering your perception to better suit current market conditions.

This type of repositioning can bring excitement to your brand and the people working there. You can effectively fill in the cracks and crevices that show with business maturity…a little botox for the bizz!

Lee’s quote for the day:

“If you find there is nothing to get excited about at your company haul out the “Marketing Shake and Bake”. Hey, if you can shake up a pack of dead chicken and make it palatable…
just think what you could accomplish by spicing up your company!”

Working in marketing has allowed me an opportunity to meet many successful business leaders. Our process of discovery before rolling out a marketing program has given me an even greater opportunity to have in depth discussions with these visionary entrepreneurs.

Your chance for greatness can be realized if you adopt their common entrepreneurial traits. They’re excited about what they do, they know their business inside out and they are without exception… workaholics. Life balance may have escaped them but business needs leaders and the ones I’ve met seem comfortable with their calling. Maybe like sharks that need to keep swimming to stay alive, true entrepreneurs need to keep building their business for the same reason.

Assuming the best and being prepared for the worst are characteristics that put these individuals on a pedestal far above us common folk. I used to be in awe of their bigger than life personas. Over time, that awe has transformed to respect and the realization that the people running 2 million, 20 million or 200 million dollar companies have many similar characteristics.

Off comes the cloak of mystery. The truth is these entrepreneurs have learned and applied these simple lessons and you can take these 5 undisputable facts to the bank too:

1. Multiply your efforts through others.
2. Attract and keep great people.
3. Focus on your unique ability and delegate what you dislike or are not particularly good at to capable individuals on your team.
4. Make the bold move and seize the moment when it presents itself.
5. Let success build your confidence and increased confidence build your success.

Lee’s Quote for the day

“If you find something you love, that there is a market for, become really good at it, hang in there long enough, and add a little WYAO… success will be yours.”

As I get to know my customers better, I’m surprised to find so many boomers in charge of transportation sales and marketing who share my interest in riding motorcycles and playing guitar. Many of us have rekindled these passions later in life, but is it a mid-wife crisis, a way to keep our Mo-jo workin’ or just good old fashion fun?

Regardless of the reason we enjoy the 3M’s, here are a few things to keep straight as we continue these activities into our senior years.

• Music. If your plucking your G string make sure it’s attached to your guitar.
• Motorcycles. Although wearing leather chaps promotes safe cruising on the highway, prepare for different reactions if you mistakenly wear them to the boardroom or the bedroom.
• Marketing. If you don’t understand how you are different from your competition, neither will your customers.

Lee’s Quote for the day. “You need to blend out, not in, to get noticed. This applies equally to your marketing, your music and your motorcycles.”