4 Tips to Business Success in Lake Norman
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Doing business in Lake Norman is very different than what most people are used to. The community in Lake Norman is composed of a very tight knit group of people. We can’t go to lunch on the weekends without bumping into friends or co-workers. The area is also full of people that have been long term residents and when new people move in, they often are left wondering how to get started in business. Here are four tips to get you started.
Get Involved! Once you are ready to get your business started in this area, you need to get involved within the community. There are the traditional networking groups you could join, or perhaps the local chamber of commerce. But the best thing you can do is get involved in the community. Community events, volunteer at local charities, or connect with the towns and villages in the area. You should know this area very well and what the challenges are that people are facing. The issues here are very different than the major city to the south. Yes, we deal with traffic like everywhere, but that isn’t what I mean. There are a lot of issues with the Lake and keeping it clean, keeping our streets safe, and more. I won’t do the work for you and tell you everything, just get involved to learn what you can do.
Get Connected! Connecting with the community is key. This may sound repetitive of the previous suggestion, but it is different. Who you know and trust is important. Furthermore, who you are introduced to is also important. So take the time to get to know people. Fellow business owners or managers is key. Read the local papers. Be a student first and listen.
Stop Selling! Showing up in this area, hanging your shingle, and pushing your products will not work. This is general sales advice as well. So many sales people just want to sell their goods without solving client issues. But odds are people already have a company that sells them what they need. So of course, people will be naturally distrustful of you or ignore you. You have not created any value. If you are going to be successful in this market you should be looking for ways to solve problems and incorporate value. The world has enough box droppers. Take a look at Anthony Iannarino’s books (https://thesalesblog.com) for some great advice on selling.
Get Active! This is an active community. We love our workouts, exercise, and outdoor events. Getting out there is key! Go to the events in Birkdale or Langtree. Attend the festivals in Davidson. Run a 5k or two per month (I know you can do that)! Be a fixture in the community.
As Stephen Covey said, slow is fast. This advice holds true in any market. Differentiate yourself. Be unique, solve problems, and get involved. This is the best advice I can give you. Good luck!