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Monica provides valuable marketing insights for entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Monica shares her unique insights and experience working with entrepreneurs and small business owners on their marketing strategies. She posed some wonderful points and lessons for all prospective entrepreneurs and I hope everyone enjoys!
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Hi Zane,
First of all, your wife is lovely, and I enjoyed hearing you praise her and yourself. I love that she found a position that she can feel passionate about and that her confidence allowed her to gain a stride; gaining notoriety and climbing to a mentor level within her industry. I like that she pointed out marketing is subjective, because what it takes head to is really in the eye of the company on whether the service is seen as successful or not in bringing in business. I like that she spoke about the five elements of the wheel and what some companies focus on, but what they focus on instead; which is vision. Vision is the foundation and I was glad that I was reminded of that through this interview. It is nice watching this interview, and both of you did a great informational segment on marketing.
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Zane,
How wonderful to get to interview your wife! I’m curious to know if you have learned anything new during the interview. I appreciate Monica’s insight, especially how she never expected to be in the position she is in now. It reminds me a lot of Coral, who just wanted a job that balanced well with her home life.
Monica’s definition of success and significance was brilliant, and I really appreciate it. How many people are focused on a vision or consider themselves visionaries vs. just wanting to drive sales and profit? Not that there is anything wrong with driving sales and profit, but when I think of visionary, I think of all the Steve Jobs in the world. The ones who can see beyond and see something different or grasp a perspective others can’t and translate that into a product or surface.
I agree with Monica regarding the in-person vs. webinar format. There needs to be a connection established. Speaking from my own experience, meeting with a financial advisor online was less than desirable. It didn’t help that she gave me a pitch for debt consolidation and raising your credit score when I thought we were discussing life insurance. It was a no from me!
Looking beyond ROI isn’t something I’ve considered. This mentality allows the right people to be paired with the right customers. Not every customer is your customer, and I see that myself with my own small baking operation. Thanks again for the great presentation, and please thank your wife for her time and insights!
Kindly
Shawn
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Shawn,
Thanks so much, I really hesitated to interview her but in reality, she is one of the sharpest marketing minds I have ever come across and I thought it would be a shame to waste that insight due to my own reservations. As for what I learned, I absolutely did and the really interesting thing is that much of what we discussed, we have never openly talked about in great depth. Throughout our marriage, we have made it a point to try and leave work at work and thus, we rarely talk shop in the house so much of what you were hearing, I too was hearing for the first time.
One of the really insightful things I thought she offered up reminded me a lot of Simon Sinek’s “why” question, which is focusing on your vision, rather than the end goal. I thought this over long after we wrapped the interview and continue to believe its a fantastic way to approach founding a venture. I am not even sure we all need to be true visionaries in order to follow this model, but simply be committed to crafting our vision and sticking with it as a measuring stick for fulfilling our own “why”. To your point, sales and profit are wonderful, but the most successful ventures are rarely formed and led by those simply seeking to make fast money. More often, they are led by those who set out to accomplish a vision. In my mind, this is where it tied wonderfully back into Monica’s significance over success. Thanks again for listening and I will share your feedback with Monica, she will be excited to hear it!
Regards,
Zane
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Zane,
I enjoyed your interview with Monica; she is equally as talented as her counterpart!
I was particularly inspired by Monica’s innovative approach to marketing the advisor, finding unique ways to showcase the individual’s strengths. Her strategy of healthy, sustainable marketing, completing the wheel of vision, marketing, sales, and culture, was interesting. I can envision how once the culture is established, the wheel gains momentum.
Also, her feedback on common mistakes was spot on! So many entrepreneurs approach marketing without looking toward the goal, the end result. It’s so critical to begin with goals and objectives and then implement the strategy and the tactics.
Lastly, I am impressed with how well she knows her general target audience but still recognizes the need to customize marketing strategies and tactics based on the advisor. I would imagine that not all advisors shine in a dinner seminar scenario.
Great work and thank you for sharing!
Best,
Coral
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