Maybe Tomorrow

Maybe Tomorrow?

I am recently back from 2 weeks holiday in the tropical paradise of Bali. There are so many clichés describing Bali that I will not repeat them or bore you with them here.

Rather what struck me during my holiday was a prevailing air of neediness in the people. They have endured some really rough times in the last few years and it is showing.

Amidst all the hassling, haggling and arguing amongst market stall holders for the scarce tourist dollar I was struck by occasional elements of pure entrepreneurial hope.

Drivers - of which there were multitudes hanging around outside hotels, restaurants and other tourist centres offering their services had little to separate then from the hungry market stall holders.

However "Rocky" who walked along the beach with his photocopy map of Bali already highlighted with his personally designed day tours in fluoro yellow. Rocky engaged in conversation with his potential clients and knowing they had already written the day of for hanging out on the beach suggested a pre planned day tour "maybe tomorrow"? We couldn't resist him.

Another driver; Gede befriended the hotel staff to separate himself from the pack. His great English; smattering of German and Italian coupled with his garbled attempt at Russian made him many clients. Each journey he too finished with a question of "maybe tomorrow"? His business cards were printed with the IDD code for Indonesia, so that his new clients could take a few of these back to their home country to pass on to their family and friends to call him to meet them direct of the plane on their next trip to the Island. What a salesman!

Each time we were met by a driver offering something unique/different - we bought. Each time we were met by a gaggle of jabbering stall holders we walked away.

The principles there are exactly the same as here. We want to buy from and do business with someone who will meet our needs; who offers us a unique customer experience.

Whether you are a business owner; a CEO; a BDM or a new job starter - what is your unique offering to your client base or to your organisation? How do you stand out from the masses? What is your personal "Maybe Tomorrow"?

Liz Cassidy, founder of Third Sigma International is an author, Speaker, Trainer and Executive Coach dedicated to facilitating results in the businesses, professional and personal lives of her clients. For more information http://www.thirdsigma.com.au