Know-How Exchange : Strategy

Dear Phil,
First of all I appreciate the time you took to write the answer which basically says I should rethink my whole business concept... let me think...mmm....no!:-)
Now seriously I understand your belief that some business owners (like you) will be doubtful that spiritual practices do work. And here I take full responsibility for not being more clear as to what these practices are. That includes meditation, working on your belief system realizing that the reality you have in your business today are seeds that you planted in the past through your relationship with others and realizing that the reality as we perceive it has many different ways of grasping it. I do believe that our mind is our most powerful tool therefore we must strive to get the best out of it. Creating an intention through guided imagination and and working on creating a mind that is more concentrated and focused and more geared towards creating the best service so that others will benefit is my idea of a spiritual and enlightened business.
As per results I already did two courses in my hometown introducing my method and I doubled the number of participants and there are many others interested in my upcoming two courses in April and May. My customers enjoy a surge of prosperity( in your words RESULTS increased their number of customers and income) since engaging in the course and implementing my method.My reason for this question is that I want to approach business owners in other areas of the country and suggest that we work in person one on one via telephone.
Regarding spiritual work for finding the right way to approach customers - well let's just say that marketing prof is not the only way I am looking for ideas - I am also working through meditation and asking for guidance.
Again want to thank you for the challange ... and through that making my question more clear.

All the best
Michal

Hi Johnny
Thanx for your feedback and warm words on Israeli business.
I do network and meet business owners in person but I feel it takes a lot of time I am looking for something quicker. I am working on my website I had a previous one and working on a new one but it Will take time before its up and running. I will be happy to have names for SEO experts after my website is up.
Thanks for the answer will read your blog

Michal

Hold free get-to-know-you nights at a local coffee shop/restaurant. Think of the meeting as part business mixer/part lecture. The point is to position yourself as the expert. Instead of advertising per se, create press releases for your local (business) newspapers and business groups.

If the goal is to build your reputation, awareness of what you do, and the list of satisfied clients, why don't you want to use advertising? This is not a case of "If you build it they will come." Somehow you have to get the word out -- either by referral/WOM or advertising.

And I think you might want to consider downplaying the "spiritual" aspect, as that is threatening to many of your prospective clients. Many business owners already meditate and/or use guided imagery to help solve business problems and they know it's effective. But they don't feel any need to share their approach with others ... because they already know many find it "strange" or will be turned off by the notion that it's not strictly logical and business-like.

So my real recommendation to you is to reconsider your marketing plan -- not your product. First, position it so as to be more acceptable to the mainstream business community. Focus on the benefit and not the process. (People buy benefits, not tools.)

And second, advertise to a very carefully selected target audience. "All business owners in Israel" is too broad.

Dear mgoodman
Thanks for your reply - I find some of the points you make very helpful. Maybe I wasn't clear on what advertising is. I dont want to buy an ad on a local newspaper or buy a banner on other websites I want to use referrals, PR and word of mouth. You are so right about the focus on my target market - it can not be all business owners. As for downplaying the spiritual side sorry but I just dont believe in hiding who you are and what you give I think it's much more inspiring to be exactly who you are this is what people buy from me my integrity.
Dear Jay
I like that idea - will think about how to implement it.
Dear Mbarber
First thanks for your info on spirituality. I dont want to buy advertising because I feel that in my field I wouldn't go to a coach because of he advertised in the newspaper TV or radio. I will go because I heard good things about them from others or read about their business in an impartial article.

Karen and Johnny
You win - you had the most accurate response for my needs