So Tell Me, What’s New?

I just came across a fascinating article on CNET that I wanted to share with you.

Formally known as The CNET 100 Leaderboard, this eye-opening commentary chronicles the 100 hottest hi-tech products sold this month. A quick look at some of these items – ranging from the HP OfficeJet 8600 printer to the Samsung Galaxy S5 phone to the Nikon D5300 digital camera – really got me thinking.

Why are these objects selling so quickly? Don’t people already own printers and phones and cameras? What’s with the remarkably high demand for so many clone-like products already owned by nearly every human on the planet?

The answer, of course, lies within ourselves.

Scientific studies clearly show how the mindset of every individual is wired to consistently desire something new. Something different. Something better. And that’s perfectly fine when you’re dealing with printers and phones and cameras – do away with the old, usher in the new.

However, the same can’t be said when it comes to the topic of business.

It amazes me when I see people run from one business event to another. They’re busy sitting in lectures, taking copious notes, asking the experts lots of questions – and then they depart the building. Where do these people go next? To yet another business event, where the grinding cycle is repeated once more.

Instead of focusing on using the valuable knowledge gleaned, so many well-meaning folks seek out the next big thing. They chase after the newest idea and hottest strategy, all in pursuit of achieving success.

And what happens to the growing pile of notebooks painstakingly written at previous lectures? Nothing. All those important points and helpful tips remain waiting to be implemented.

Isn’t that telling?

It behooves us, as members of an intelligent workforce, to exhaust all the existing resources we’ve worked so hard to acquire before moving on to find new stuff. Yes, the next big thing is important indeed – but so are all the many tangible things you’ve already spent time, money and energy discovering.

Study them. Implement them. Review them. Then go forward.

Here are a few helpful Ptex Practical pointers you may want to keep in mind the next time you feel a sudden urge to buy front-row seats at the next Seth Godin lecture happening in your town.

Do Attend Events: The goal here is not to limit your attendance at important corporate events – it’s to limit yourself to being present at events which relate directly to your business needs. Focus on your end-game objectives. Then book tickets only at events that meet your specified goals.

Do Keep Notes: What starts out on paper, ends up in the head. Jotting down notes during lectures and presentations is critical. So is the place where you write them. Don’t use a scrap of loose paper – you’ll inevitably misplace it. Purchase a designated notebook for all your note-taking activities, store it in a safe location, and you’re way more likely to keep it for the long-term.

Do Take Action: I’m a big believer in picking low-hanging fruits first. You don’t have to restructure the entire sales team the same day you get back from the conference – that’s practically impossible. But do choose one or two simple strategies which were discussed and carry them out immediately. Closely monitor the results. You’ll steadily get into the mode and the rest will follow.

These are tried-and-true tips which I myself use and have seen much success when they’ve been applied. You may want to print these tips out and keep them handy.

As an aside, that’s why so many people who’ve attended LTB 2014 purchased access to the newly-released LTB Video Library.

These savvy entrepreneurs are spending hours reviewing the content-driven lessons already heard live at the event. They know it’s first-rate. Now they need to make sure they’ve gotten the most out of everything learned. Care to join them?

Onwards and upwards,
Meny Hoffman

P.S. If you’d like access to the LTB Video Library, just click here. Join today and you’ll also get a complimentary copy of the popular LTB 2014 magazine. It’s jammed with valuable how-to advice from leading corporate experts… along with a few surprising bonus features.