A Process Of On-Going Improvement (POOGI) - Part 22

We are continuing our series based on The Goal by Eliyahu M Goldratt and the Theory of Constraints.

You will possess a sustainable competitive advantage when you have value-creating products, processes, and services for your customers that cannot be duplicated or imitated by your competitors.

Having a competitive advantage, even a sustainable one, does not necessarily mean that you or your customers and prospects are aware of it. So, there is a need to create an Offer or positioning in the market that clearly states your competitive advantage. We call this an un-refusable market offer or a “Mafia Offer” (this term was originally coined by Dr. Goldratt). A Mafia Offer is an offer so good that (1) your customers can’t refuse it and (2) your competition can’t or won’t match it.

A Mafia Offer is NOT a list of strengths, a cliché, subjective, or offered by competition. In addition, it is sold differently. When you have a Mafia Offer, you are making a business proposal. A business proposal promises substantial improvements for your prospect, and it is appropriate to present at the highest levels of your prospects organization. A Mafia Offer addresses a significant need of your prospect in a way that your competition can’t or won’t.

Developing a Mafia Offer is not trivial, but having one improves closing rates from less than 5% to as much as 80%. Typically, additional sales people aren’t required, but sales funnel management is.

If you are interested in more information about developing a Mafia Offer, and the significant increase in sales and profits it can bring, we recommend you read “It’s Not Luck” by Dr. Goldratt. This book is the sequel to The Goal. It also is an easy to read novel that provides a story for the development of three Mafia Offers. Also, check out our website http://www.mafiaoffers.com/ to hear an example, find out how you can develop a Mafia Offer for your company, and learn about our Mafia Offer Boot Camp.

Next time, we will address managing the sales funnel once you have that compelling Offer.

...to be continued.

Here's to maximizing YOUR profits!
Dr Lisa Lang
(c)Copyright 2008, Dr Lisa, Inc. All rights reserved.

NEXT Group Mafia Offer Boot Camp: September 24, 25, 26 2008 in Denver. More information at http://www.mafiaoffers.com/. There are also PRIVATE and On-line Mafia Offer Boot Camps. The July boot camp SOLD OUT and there is no group boot camp in August. Don't miss September!

NEXT Maximizing Profitability Event (no charge): September 23, 2008 in Denver from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the Science of Business Training Center. More information at http://www.viable-vision.com/

FREE Marketing & Sales Constraint Assessment Webinar July 28 from 2 to 3 pm Denver time. To register, just drop me an email with which date works best for you. We have expanded our seat limitation to 50 for each Webinar. Seats are filled on a first come first served basis and both sessions are already more than half filled.

A Process Of On-Going Improvement (POOGI) - Part 21

We are continuing our series based on The Goal by Eliyahu M Goldratt and the Theory of Constraints.

When asked about what is unique and different about their company, most people reply with some of the following typical answers:

• We provide great customer service
• Our quality is outstanding
• We innovate and/or help our customers to innovate
• We have great employees
• We deliver results
• We have a very knowledgeable staff
• We are responsive to our customer’s needs
• We have a great reputation
• Our customers trust us

Don’t your competitors say the same thing? All good companies have these qualities or they wouldn’t be in business for long. We call this the “blah, blah, blah” answer because that’s what is sounds like to your customers and prospects.

Your Mafia Offer is a sustainable competitive advantage that differentiates you from your competitors. It separates you from everyone else. It is usually the reason you are in business. It answers the question “Why should I buy from you?” or “How are you better that my current supplier?”

...to be continued.

Here's to maximizing YOUR profits!
Dr Lisa Lang
(c)Copyright 2008, Dr Lisa, Inc. All rights reserved.

NEXT Group Mafia Offer Boot Camp: September 24, 25, 26 2008 in Denver. More information at www.MafiaOffers.com. There are also PRIVATE and On-line Mafia Offer Boot Camps. The July boot camp SOLD OUT and there is no group boot camp in August. Don't miss September!

NEXT Maximizing Profitability Event (no charge): September 23, 2008 in Denver from 1:00 to 5:00 pm at the Science of Business Training Center. More information at www.Viable-Vision.com

FREE Marketing & Sales Constraint Assessment Webinar July 21 from 2 to 3 pm Denver time or July 28 from 2 to 3 pm Denver time. To register, just drop me an email with which date works best for you. We have expanded our seat limitation to 50 for each Webinar. Seats are filled on a first come first served basis and both sessions are already more than half filled.