It’s the holidaze. . .

As I sat down to compose this post, I got to thinking about how crazy this time of year can be. Just meeting someone for lunch seems to take more effort than normal; parking is more difficult, restaurants are crowded, and heaven forbid the restaurant you choose is in a shopping mall, you’ll be trampled!

Seeing all of these people running around made me think about business markets. (I know, I’m weird.) But if you think about it, it’s a reasonable representation of how the market your company is in operates. There are numerous companies all trying to get the prize (the customer); they each have different ways of getting there and they all use different methods, some creative and unique, some not so much.

Some people choose to shop on Black Friday with throngs of people everywhere fighting for the big bargain. I’ve learned that shopping on the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving is quiet, few people and many of the same bargains you will see on Black Friday. It’s a different strategy, but we all get the same result eventually. You can shop in a mall and fight the crowds or you can go to the more out of the way shops, or online is an option.

My point here is that there are many ways of achieving your goals, of getting where you want to go. Determining the best way (strategy) for your company is what’s critical. If you want to be part of the crowd, that’s one way to go. But if you prefer to take a more unique approach, that’s going to take a bit more planning.

So while we’re all dazed out and eating more sweets than we probably should, take some time for thought and thanks.

The happiest of the holiday season to all who read this and may 2014 be your best year ever.