Gain market share at the bottom of the economic cycle

There is no better time to gain market share than when we are at the bottom of the economic cycle. When I tell this to business owners the first reaction I get is a frown or a twitch. After I explained my statement the frowns quickly turn into smiles of hope.

If you look at your competitors and other fellow businessmen you will find that most of them are negative, demotivated, immobile, depressed, withdrawn, unsure and often in a state of panic.
It is easier to outperform your competitors when they are down and out.

Following is a list of a few things you can do to gain market share during economic down-time:

• Get rid of the excess. Be keen on what you spend your money on and get rid of the extra weight that drags you down in tougher times.


• Get focused on a target group. Cut your marketing costs and focus very strongly on specific segments of you target market.


• Increase your contact frequency. Make more calls an spend more time developing your existing clients (especially the A-list clients).


• Get training. Read books, listen to recordings of successful business coaches and owners and go to exhibitions and seminars. Do everything, read everything and listen to everything you can find in order to get your attitude and skills level up to standard.


• Take some vitamins and exercise regularly. This is a sure way to keep your physical and mental energy levels up.


• Associate yourself with positive, successful, motivated and upbeat people.


• Be more creative in your inventions, and be more aggressive in providing excellent customer service.


• Project a positive attitude and make sure that you have a powerful personal marketing agenda to "be seen".