Why are business predictions so popular? Isn’t it because we’re always looking for some kind of advantage over our competitors? You’re smart to be looking at the future. Changes are happening faster and faster and I’ve found if you don’t think ahead you’ll be quickly left behind.
I keep my ear to the ground and luckily my work as a consultant has me interacting with a huge variety of clients from solo consultants to corporate leaders in global Fortune 500 companies. So every year, I share my Predictable Predictions with my community of consultants and coaches. Many of you tell me I’m a visionary when it comes to new business trends. I love that, but the truth is I’ve learned to pay attention and quickly adapt to what I’m seeing on the ground.
Take a look at my predictions for 2019 and hopefully, you’ll see some opportunities you can take advantage of this year.
1). Due to reorganization and downsizing, companies need the valuable resources of independent coaches and consultants.
Every single company that I’ve worked with recently is going through some kind of reorganization – mergers, acquisitions, or downsizing – like I haven’t seen in years. As they are downsizing, there is a large need for trusted partners outside of their organization who can help them achieve results via support, accountability, guidance, and training. They also need to develop their internal pipeline quickly to identify and train new leaders qualified to lead larger teams. This means they need more consultants, coaches, and professional development-training experts who specialize in leadership skills.
2). Movers and shakers desire a trusted community to ensure growth, development, and support.
Unfortunately, today leaders aren’t getting valuable learning opportunities, accountability, and support. Both in organizations and entrepreneurs (like many of you) feel alone and disconnected. People are starved for the opportunity to be connected, share ideas and brainstorm with a trusted community of like-minded people who are going places with the support of a mentor. I’ve seen the increased need for more group mastermind learning – whether you work in a large Fortune 500 company or are a solo entrepreneur. Since I’ve personally benefited from mastermind groups over the years, I now lead several mastermind communities to help people stay connected and learn from one another as we venture into a new year. To find out more about my private mastermind group for entrepreneurs, click here.
3). The power of media allows you to reach global audiences with your expertise.
Going global today is about changing your mindset to see that you can become a global thought leader and with the touch of a button connect live with your clients. The Internet allows your prospects to visit your website, read your testimonials and reviews, and get educated on why you are “the expert” they need to hire. Whether you work with big organizations or private clients, you can use technology to teach them through online learning, webinars, teleseminars, live coaching sessions, or even observing them live during a meeting or presentation. There is now no reason why you can’t be available to speak to a client anywhere in the world from your home office. As organizations are reducing live trainings for their leaders, you can offer the same learning opportunity via a webinar hosted on their site.
4). There’s an emerging class that is happy to pay premium fees for big transformational programs.
For better or worst, I find that the middle class is shrinking in our worldwide economy. As a result, many more people find themselves in an upper middle class. In working with private individuals who are in this upper middle-class segment, I’ve learned that they want transformational value and big breakthroughs fast. These “high-end” clients are willing to do the necessary work and invest 6-12 months to get results. They’re savvy enough to know that one-off a la carte services aren’t going to get the big results they are looking for so they want to parachute right into your longest premium program. They will pay premium amounts for instant access to you, valuable experiences, and to work with the best of the best, so positioning yourself is key to work with elite clients for the big bucks.
5). Our overcrowded marketplace is causing a branding revolution.
In every industry in which I work, I see more and more corporate leaders are leaving their corporate comfort zones to become consultants and coaches. This is causing a branding revolution because as the marketplace becomes crowded, only the consultants who have created a strong brand will win business in 2019. This means you have to work on your mindset and be bold about the value you bring to your clients. Creating a strong brand means people come to you through organic referrals, so you don’t have to market yourself like crazy to get one client. Each year I tell my clients to work on their brand positioning, packaging, and pricing. Update your bio, your website, your intellectual property, your testimonials, and know how to articulate why you are the best qualified. There are plenty of low-cost coaches and consultants in every industry – I choose to stand out as one of the highest-priced consultants/coaches with a powerful brand. If you were looking to have brain surgery would you select your brain surgeon based on price? I didn’t think so. Don’t forget, people today want to work with the best experts who will ensure they make it to the top faster.
So was there anything that surprised you or were you nodding as you read along because you’ve seen these trends too? Sticking with the status quo because it’s worked before can get you pushed out of the marketplace. The key to success is to take action when you see a new trend that you can use to your advantage.
Sarah’s Predictable Results Insights
- Which of the five predictions will have the biggest impact on your current business model?
- What changes do you need to make in order to stand out in a crowded marketplace as a top-of-the-line expert with a well-known brand?
- What business achievement is most important to you in 2019?
What do you think about my predictions? Agree or disagree, I’d love to hear from you. If you want accelerated results it may be time to consider one-on-one coaching, please contact me at 1-800-267-3245 for a complimentary strategy session to see how we may be of service to you.