Vicinity Magazine, November 2010 - page 47

Diamond Minds By Barry Farber The Work Will Teach You How to Do It was inspired to write this column after my recent interview with Scott Nash, owner and founder of MOMS Organic Markets in Virginia and Maryland. Instead of doing outside market research, Scott and his leadership team talk to the 27,000 customers who visit his stores every week. "We challenge conventional wisdom," he says. "We refuse to believe that others have the answers; however, we do our best to remember that we don't know what we don't know." I "All you need is ignorance and confidence and the success is sure." —Mark Twain Scott boldly tries things other stores won't do. His email and home number are on every bag. He has no plastic water bottles in his stores and offers customers free filtered water to refill their reusable bottles. In 2005 he launched reusable bags before they were popular and educated consumers with in-store signage on why and how to use them. He stocks only 100% organic produce. He believes that in telling his customers he's green and environmentally focused, he must live by that. Many people said he would lose a lot of business with this approach. But the opposite happened—he gained more customers and greater customer loyalty. ey appreciated the education and personal commitment. Scott Nash did two things that made a difference. He got personBarry Farber ally involved with a hands-on approach and he wasn't afraid to be different based on his homework and gut feeling. wasn't ere is nothing in the world like hands-on experience. No book, teacher, seminar, coach, or column will give you the great advantage of being directly involved in the action. Research can make your actions smarter and more efficient but nothing surpasses the engagement of your entire self into the process. e next time someone tells you that your fresh idea or process won't work, take a hard look at who's telling you this. How do they know? Have they done it? Do they know who you are and what you're capable of accomplishing? Of all the actions and methods I've used in the past, the unique, unconventional and different ones always got the greatest results. So why do we avoid trying something new or something that might fail? Fear: of failure, embarrassment, ridicule and more. Fear is the biggest deterrent to progress. It is said that based on the bumblebee's engineering design it should not fly—its body is too heavy for its wing size—but the bumblebee doesn't know any better. Mark Twain said it best: "All you need is ignorance and confidence and the success is sure." Next time you read or hear something about how things are done remember this saying: I hear – I forget, I see – I remember, I do – I understand. Let the work teach you how to do it best.  Barry Farber consults with businesses to help them break through sales clutter and land more deals. He specializes in developing simple yet creative strategies that get results. He is the best-selling author of 11 books, a black-belt weapons expert, and a regular on QVC, marketing innovative products. His latest release is a 6-CD program, Diamond in the Rough (Nightingale Conant Corporation). Contact him at 973-535-9400 or barry@barryfarber.com. Bring Out the Beauty in You BEFORE AFTER Great Selection, Great Service… GUARANTEED to Fit and Satisfy! Offering the LARGEST SELECTION of Children's Shoes and UGG's in the area. Primigi • Skechers • Uggs • Converse • Geox • Naturino • Tsukihoshi Michael Kors • Stuart Weitzman • Enzo • K-Swiss • Pediped Stride Rite • Kenneth Cole • Hunter • Crocs • New Balance Fall Collections from… JENNIFER LYNN – Professional Makeup Artist/Licensed Esthetician Professional 732-915-0580 www.HeavenlyTouchCosmetics.com 2 SUBURBAN ESSEX / VICINITY Layout Comp 386 Springfield Avenue, Summit ANY PURCHASE of $30 or More with this ad. Cannot be combined with (Next to Nee-Dells) 973.665.0100 other offers. Expires 11/30/10. www.JaysShoeBoxLivingstonNJ.com Visit our Livingston Store: 20 East Mt. Pleasant Ave • 973.992.0338 OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Monday-Friday 9-6 • Saturday 9-5:30 • Sunday 12-5 SHOE BOX $5 OFF November 2010 VicinityMagazine.com 47

Links appearing on this page

www.heavenlytouchcosmetics.com
www.jaysshoeboxlivingstonnj.com


<<Previous Page | Home | Next Page>>

Get the latest Flash Player plugin free from Adobe.