If you’re struggling with methods and techniques to help you become more competitive and bring more revenue to your bottom line, consider doing something that almost nobody would do - ask your competitors for help. Now obviously this is a tricky road, after all do you think Coke has conversations with Pepsi on how they can market their products more effectively? I’m thinking no. In actuality, if take a look around at the market in your business, are their more successful competitors doing it better than you?

Depending on your industry it might be more conducive to outright ask a competitor how they market their business. Take for example a doctor. Doctors typically don’t look at their profession from a business perspective, consequently they are a very tight-knit group. They have different specialties that can actually help each other through referrals. Additionally, even though they might want more business, they are only one person so they might refer a patient to a “competitor” because somebody might need help quickly.

If your business isn’t designed where others in your line of work can directly benefit you, try seeking out the successful business people in different geographic areas. If you’re in Kansas and you see a business in your line of work that is successful but their region of focus is New York, a call to the owner of that business introducing yourself to them to ask for their help may be more accepted than you might think. People like being asked for help and successful business people like to talk about their successes and especially themselves. If you attend trade shows or seminars, that is an excellent opportunity to “spread your wings”. Give it a try.

You might be surprised that this unconventional approach may prove to be successful. What about other “ridiculous” methods you can use to help you gain an edge? How can a chicken farmer teach you about inventory control? Can a used car salesman teach you something about marketing? Or how about dispensing with conventional wisdom about ANYTHING and taking a risk by doing it differently. C’mon - No risk, no reward.

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