Politics in Marketing Can Kill Business

Have you seen ads mistakenly promoting political agendas as current social issues that they support?  Have you been considering showing similar support for the short run in your marketing?  If you have, then think again before reacting.  This type of political marketing can backfire on a business.  Consider ticket and sponsor losses of the NFL when they appeared to take a political side.

Before you change your website, ads, and social postings, do your research and consider the implications for your business.  Is the political issue or current socialistic opinion being supported by hundreds rather than thousands, by thousands rather than millions?  News reports can often be misleading. Is the group or charity you are considering making a difference?  Is the movement making a difference, is it  peaceful or violent?  Did it physically destroy property, loot other businesses, or hurt people? Is it really a social cause or a political agenda?  However those actions are perceived may reflect on your company as a supporter.   How many customers do you want to get?  How many are you willing to alienate?  How many are you willing to lose?  If you make the wrong move/impression, the company page on social media may blow-up in your face instead of in your sales. Have you researched the issue to be sure it is real and not a lie or hiding a different political agenda?

Instead of using the political issue or socialized opinion "of the week" or month to build an advertising campaign, look for a way to use your marketing budget for the long run to build business.  Create marketing that builds-up you brand instead of promoting the brand of others.  How do you do this?  Sell your value, create brand recognition, and build trust with current and future customers.  Most customers are interested in WIFM (what's in it for me), so sell the value of your product or service.  Build your advertising and social media presence around being known for what you do, and repeat that in multiple formats and places.  This reputation is key to create name recognition and service/product reputation.   Steer away from ads that leave people thinking "That was an interesting commercial.  What was it for?" If you want to build customer loyalty, do it through brand trust.  You have to have trust in your compnay first, an uninformative or misleading advertisement makes people think you are covering something up, therefore killing any chance at building trust.

Still considering putting your political views to grab attention by supporting current issue?  If you are, you may want to read the articles and tips below before you spend your marketing money.
How Social Media Can Kill Your Business
Politics and Marketing
SBDC 8 Steps To Marketing Your Business

Most Americans Think Social Media Sites Censor Political Viewpoints

Will you let your business be hurt by putting an irresponsible statement in a box promotion or funds into a questionable process/policy? If you move too soon, you may lose business.  If you have already made the wrong move, better backup and hope to reduce/reflect backfire from the larger population not supporting the statements which may be your greatest potential for customers.  It is ok to have a personal political view, however advertising it in your marketing can result in: lost capital now, future loss of consumer business, which means no freedom to innovate and grow your business.  Only a foolish leader makes decisions out of fear or not checking for all the facts. Make sure social media people know to avoid politics and hopefully  avoid boycott and other outcries from customers/readers.

If you have funds you wish to donate anonymously or publicly, make sure they provide a helpful service to society.  Consider ecology and help save the planet.  Or help people by feeding the hungry or housing the homeless.  Before you donate, verify the legitimacy of the charity; as well as their values, goals, and past spending results.  If tax deduction is also important to you, verify what the organization qualifies for since most charitable deductions are not be taken at 100%.  Political contributions are not tax deductible. 

According to the marketing "rule of seven" it takes awhile for people to notice an advertisement.  The more you share information with people, then it may become believable to them even if it is just a cleverly disguised sales pitch.  Be ethical and honest with your potential clients, make sure you statements are truth not lies just for profit.  Dishonesty catches up with a compnay as disillusioned customers will leave in droves and make their dissatisfaction and distrust  known on social media so new customers think twice before buying.

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Managing conflicts that are value driven

These conflicts defy solution because they are driven by inner values. These can destroy homes, families, companies, and nations. We are stuck with our value system. Only rarely, do people shfit their values. It's better to say, "Let's agree to disagree" when we're in a value-driven conflict. The issue isn't resolved, but the relationship stays alive. That's good.

This is what happens in value-driven conflicts:
1. There is no insistence on seeking the facts
2. There is seldom review of the circumstances
3. Each side is solidly immovable - the other person is consistently "wrong"
4. Not much interest in listening to the other's position
5. Seeking a better way is the goal - only when you see it my way!
6. "Cynicism" replaces "Trust" in finding a better way to come together

Some examples of value-driven conflicts...
- I believe in getting ahead, financially, any way I can. vs I believe what you're about to do is illegal.
- I believe our country will be better off we buy American-made goods. Vs I believe it's better to get the "best price" we can - no matter who made it.
- I believe we ought to help the less fortunate in every way we can. vs I believe we ought to let "the cream rise to the top".
- I believe in marriage. vs I believe the institution is not necessary.
- I believe in mercy killing. vs I believe in preserving life - no matter the circumstances.

However, here are some things I have learned to do to manage conflict...
1. Try to hold your tongue when you're feeling angry. You'll be glad you did.
2. De-escalate the conflict as soon as you realize you are stuck.
3. Deeply listen to the other's position (though hard to do at times.)
4. Demonstrate respect for the person - though you may disagree with the issue.
5. Learn the specific set of communication skills for managing conflict.
6. Hold on, as long as you can, to optimism that the conflict is resolvable.
7. Know your best option, if the issue is value-driven, is to "agree to disagree".
8. Leave behind "entitlement" and "blaming" as you communicate.
9. Healthy outcomes from skillfully managed conflict
10. Restored respect for the individual
11. Possible solution that neither of you thought of before
12. Better understanding of how to skillfully handle future conflicts
13. Relationship lives on and may even flourish
14. Unhealthy outcomes from poorly managed conflict
15. Long-term distrust and disregard
16. Stalemate on an issue or situation
17. Physical health issues - high blood pressure, palpitations, headaches, etc.
18. Relationship becomes toxic and may, eventually, die

If you feel the conflict is problem solved instead of values driven, see previous post.

Can You Program Your Success?

Working with a variety of clients in my coaching and mentoring work we often follow this timeless formula for success. It is a proven, well defined path that anyone can travel one step at a time. We’ll begin with the first three steps in the process that energizes this important mindset. You’ll see it is very action oriented and practical in nature.

Step one is becoming an avid, committed learner. That means you must have the desire and willingness to see, accept and begin the learning process of confidence development. Some never get past this step because their confidence in learning is so low that they are defeated before they take the first step. Learning how to develop confidence does take a certain amount of effort, some time and a little desire but your momentum builds quickly once this first step is made. Without taking the first step you’ll never know how far you can go nor what the journey and destination can provide for you. Begin learning today.

Step two is positive, focused self talk. The average person’s self talk is usually as much as 90-95% negative. The quality of your emotional life and the confidence you feel is largely determined by the way you talk to yourself. Using the law of substitution where you change the negative to the positive you can create a new powerful inner dialogue that is like adding the inner support steel to a concrete column. Affirmations that are first person present tense like, “I like myself” or “I am competent and capable” or “I am able and I can do what I choose to do” give you the mental and emotional boost that supercharges your confidence in a positive and productive way. When you use these positive self talk statements frequently and with conviction it puts your subconscious mind to work to give you thoughts, ideas and directions to make your words your reality. Much more on this step to come.

Step three is positive visualization or mental imaging. Everyone is good at imagining the worse outcome or result. You’ve done that since you were a kid and you broke the lamp, stained the carpet or came home tipsy from your first over indulgence with alcohol. Sound familiar? That’s how worry and anxiety grows and takes root and it’s a confidence killer. We talk about ‘positive visualization’ which is likened to building movies in your mind that take you where you want to go. All improvement in your life and specifically in developing your confidence starts with improving the mental pictures that you paint and frequently review with zeal and emotion. Another form of this principle is in repeatedly doing mental rehearsals of the exact way you want an event or interaction to occur. This stamps a very positive and clear expectation for the results you want deeply into your subconscious and thereby puts the accomplishment of that event on automatic.

Does this process work? Try it for just one month, 30 days and see for yourself. You may become an expert ‘programmer’ and surprise yourself.

Staying Optimistic in Troubling Times – Emotions and Performance

It’s difficult to avoid all the negative news right now – the economy, nasty politics, international threats, organizational failures, and many disappointments with our business and government’s leadership. I know of no one not touched in some way by all this.

During times of such stress and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to manage your emotions, your attitude and your focus. It is too easy to get caught up in the cultural drift of fear-based thinking and speaking. If you do, you risk becoming less effective and your business will be in even greater danger.

Tom Peters, during the 1980’s recession, said, “Sales people make 25% less phone calls during an economic downturn.” It was the sales person’s emotional reaction to the economic news which led to less activity and therefore lowers sales. The sales reduction was not caused by the recession itself.

We cannot control the outside market condition, but we can control our own ability to be proactive, as Dr. Stephen Covey, famed author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, taught us. With this in mind, our focus this month is on the emotional intelligence competency that fuels one’s ability to be proactive, and that is Optimism, the ability to look at the brighter side of life and to maintain a positive attitude, even in the face of adversity. Optimism assumes a measure of hope in one’s approach to life. It is a positive approach to daily living.

Psychologist Martin Seligman, in his classic book, Learned Optimism, offers a useful look at how our negative thoughts feed our emotions in a stressful situation. Using the acronym ABC:

A is for Adversity – trouble hits.

B is for Belief – you start explaining to yourself why this is happening – this tends to be negative, and often inaccurate. For many of us, when something bad happens, our pessimistic explanatory style tends to pick the worst possible reason for our worry. Our inner voice tells us that we are a failure and we’ll always be a failure. Psychologists call it “awful-izing,” an over-reaction that puts you in an emotional spin.

C is for Consequence – you are impacted by these negative beliefs and you feel stressed, anxious, scared, hopeless, and depressed. As your emotional response system kicks in, you are not able to think clearly or realistically and you are immobilized. Buying into these beliefs leaves you vulnerable to the ups and downs of life, and ill-equipped to generate powerful responses to inevitable leadership challenges. Developing your ability to be optimistic is a way to stay centered and in control.

Caution: many people are naturally predisposed to optimism, and as in any strength, it can be over-used. This can lead to less than proactive behavior when a leader ignores danger and is too “Polly-Anna,” or out of touch, only to be blind-sided, exposed and unprepared. Optimism must be balanced with another Emotional Intelligence competency, called, Reality Testing. Reality Testing is the ability to assess the correspondence between what is experienced and what objectively exists. In simple terms, it is the ability to accurately “size up” the immediate situation, without taking it personally.

You can use the ABC method to see things as they really are. Then you are ready to fight back, adding D and E.

D is for Disputation - all beliefs are subject to question. When we dispute our assumptions, often formed in childhood, we usually find they are unfounded. Challenge your own automatic and habitual beliefs and look for alternative explanations.

E is for Energization - you observe and nurture the energy that arises naturally when you throw out your negative assumptions and start to follow a new course.

Check my next post for an application idea for staying optimistic.

Contemplating independence, interdependence, and freedoms

The 4th of July is the celebration of Independence Day for the citizens of the United States of America. We celebrate our freedoms as stated in our constitution, the Bill of Rights, and various amendments. On this date we also recognize what we owe to our soldiers at this time as well on other holidays like Veterans and Memorial Days. Since our businesses recognize this holiday of independence , many give employees the day off so they can spend much of their time with family, friends, and where allowed fireworks.

My family often celebrates the holiday getting together for come and go festivities. There are people talking and reflecting on life, liberty, and change. By the time we get around to a really long and leisurely picnic lunch, we may have upwards of 100 people there. They may be great-aunts, grandparents, cousins from first to somewhat removed, in-laws and other relations - aging from a few days old to nearing a hundred. Included is swimming, softball, or volleyball for the athletic and shady seats for others. Desserts are had all day and suppertime is whenever people feel hungry. When nightfall arrives, the fireworks begin. The celebration runs long, lazy, and lavish with love and laughter.

As business professionals or executives - do you ever consider the rights of the individuals and groups within your organization? Do you think about how much of your success you may owe to our soldiers and your employees? What freedoms exist within your organizations for employee empowerment, team-building, individual accomplishment, and personal or professional growth? Tell us what you personally or your company will be doing to celebrate this date, the American idea, and the never-ending pursuit of happiness and growth…

Success Law 3: The Law of Belief

Seven Laws that Guarantee Your Career and Business Success

Just like a first class meal at a five star restaurant these postings are spaced so you can dine slowly and digest as you go. You’ve had the first and second courses and now you should be ready to enjoy our next course which is another fine mini repast for your distinguished palette. You are hungry aren’t you? May I be your maitre d’?

The third law of career and business success is the Law of Belief. It declares that whatever you believe with emotion or feeling becomes your reality. The more intensely you believe something the more it will become true for you. Your beliefs whether wise or foolish, positive or negative will become deeply imbedded in both your words and your actions and will manifest themselves in the results you see.

Over 35 years ago I heard a wise teacher share the following truth. “You are today who you are, what you are and where you are because of your believing. You will be tomorrow where your believing takes you. No person can achieve more than he can believe and no one can believe more than what he is taught.” So, where are you? Where has your believing brought you in your career and business success thus far? Is it where you want to be? If not, it can be changed.

Belief acts as a filter causing you to filter out things you don’t want to see or hear. Typically, it then welcomes those things that already agree with what you believe. The truth is, you don’t believe what you see, you see what you believe, be it fact or fantasy, right or wrong.

The sad fact is that many beliefs that we hold so firmly are far from the truth. They have been given to us or even forced on us beginning at a very early age by a variety of sources many of whom are well meaning (like parents or teachers) but nonetheless not always right or well informed. If you are not consciously and consistently holding your beliefs up for careful consideration you are prone to being one of the masses blindly led by the nose.

As a business coach and mentor I see this frequently with the people I work with. They have engrained a belief, an attitude or a mental picture that is hindering or even crushing their potential, but they can’t recognize it. Helping them see this erroneous belief and breaking free from its death grip can be challenging because it has become part of who they are. Slowly as they begin to trust me and know that I have their best interest in mind they are able to mentally detach themselves (at least for a moment) to see what this belief is doing to their progress or lack thereof. Freeing yourself from self-limiting beliefs can be like unshackling a prisoner from years or decades of imprisonment. To use a well known phrase, “free at last, free at last, thank God almighty we’re free at last.” Are you ready to be free?

People have one of two basic views or beliefs about life which includes both career and business. Either they have a benevolent or good view of the world or they have a malevolent or bad view of the world. Those who have a benevolent view believe that they have control of their lives and the direction they are going. They feel good about themselves and expect to see and enjoy good from the people and circumstances they encounter. They are optimistic and generally positive about who they are and where they are headed. They have an upbeat mental attitude and they are able to respond positively to challenges in their life.

Those with a malevolent view have a negative and pessimistic view of life. They feel that the cards are stacked against them, they don’t get any lucky breaks and that the rich get richer and the poor get poorer no matter what. They see injustice and misfortune everywhere and don’t have a take charge and move ahead attitude. They typically find themselves with others just like them and thus promote a breeding ground for failure for all. Misery loves company and they have plenty of it.

If you believe you are meant to succeed and you have a destiny to fulfill and your beliefs are built around this personal vision you will press on and move forward despite detours, hardships and unforeseeable circumstances. You will have the career and business success you believe is rightfully yours. And this type of belief works every time as is documented in the lives of thousands of people from centuries ago till the present.

With only a few laws left in this series we’ll have to move quickly to cover the final four laws but we will get it done. Come back after you’ve digested this mental meal and be ready to dine again. The secret will be revealed. Bon Appetit!