Entrepreneurs Have The Advantage, And Here's Why

It didn’t really matter too much whether their product or service was any good .. they simply convinced the market that it was, and the market bought it. Fast forward to today — and there are 2 major shifts why this is all different.  In today’s business world, the entrepreneur has the ability to compete directly with “old business”, and these 2 key elements explain why. The first shift has literally eliminated and created thousands of new industries and business models — the Internet. This one goes without saying.  The Internet has levelled the playing field for entrepreneurs.  Because of social media, it’s impossible for bad companies to hide.  Consumers talk and share information at blistering speeds, and this benefits the small entrepreneur who really does have a better idea, but in the past would have struggled for the world to learn about it. The Internet has made it possible to create a business online, all operating in a ‘virtual’ world with no employees or store, and allowed entrepreneurs to become financial independent.  More traditional ‘bricks and mortar’ businesses that have figured out how to thrive online have driven their growth and profits as a result of the Internet. And of course, the old business models that refused to evolve and embrace the changes (and opportunities) caused by the Internet have been destroyed. The Internet gives the entrepreneur incredible power and reach, allowing us all to compete with virtually any company, wherever it’s located.  This is good news for the entrepreneur! The second shift, which isn’t as visible in the market but is equally powerful, is that our entire society is changing the way that it makes buying decisions. There was a day when high-pressure, over-the-top sales pitches would work.  But in today’s world, people are desperate for authenticity, transparency and honesty. People do not buy the slick sales pitch and hyped up marketing copy any more, and this explains why so many business are getting CRUSHED right now. They may have seen the Internet shift, but they’ve missed this second powerful shift. So — as an entrepreneur, how do YOU plug into this new trend, and ensure that you’re taking advantage of it .. instead of being destroyed? Recently, a good friend of mine Michael Drew, a true marketing genius, gave a presentation at TEDx in Calgary, and blew people away.  In the video, he reveals this powerful trend and shows you EXACTLY how you can align with this powerful shift. It’s about 18 minutes long, and it is one of the most insightful, interesting and through-provoking videos you’ll see if you’re an entrepreneur. After you watch the video, PLEASE post a comment below and tell me what you think.  How does this trend affect YOU, and your business?]]>

36 Responses

  1. Thanks Greg, I do like to see more and more, we are becoming authentic leaders – all of everyone. I believe that there is enough abundance in our world for everyone to succeed, through communication I hope that we are. That was a great Presentation. Take Care, and thank you.

  2. Thanks Greg, I do like to see more and more, we are becoming authentic leaders – all of everyone. I believe that there is enough abundance in our world for everyone to succeed, through communication I hope that we are. That was a great Presentation. Take Care, and thank you.

  3. thank you so much for this amazing info.it's a great guide to know where we are at ,at this point in life, it has opened my eyes,to how to reach people today.this info is priceless .it has made a great difference in my life.i am extremely grateful.

  4. thank you so much for this amazing info.it's a great guide to know where we are at ,at this point in life, it has opened my eyes,to how to reach people today.this info is priceless .it has made a great difference in my life.i am extremely grateful.

  5. Hey Greg,
    there is a saying:“The world is moving so fast these days that the one who
    says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.”
    ~Harry Emerson Fosdick~
    Michael Drew gave us an exact picture about the reality to days, the fasttand
    divelopment ,the progress of the technology ,especially the internet and gave
    us goot tips , how to use it to promote ou business.

  6. Hey Greg,
    there is a saying:“The world is moving so fast these days that the one who
    says it can't be done is generally interrupted by someone doing it.”
    ~Harry Emerson Fosdick~
    Michael Drew gave us an exact picture about the reality to days, the fasttand
    divelopment ,the progress of the technology ,especially the internet and gave
    us goot tips , how to use it to promote ou business.

  7. Hi Greg,
    Loved the video! Michael's 7 Rules of New Marketing are brilliant. I especially like his point of including raw, unscripted testimonials on a website. Whenever you reveal your warts to a potential customer they are so much more likely to believe you because you have been open and truthful. The statistics on Erik Qualman's video of social media marketing were eye opening to say the least.
    I had no idea that Gen Y outnumbered the Baby Boomers…and the beat goes on.

  8. Hi Greg,
    Loved the video! Michael's 7 Rules of New Marketing are brilliant. I especially like his point of including raw, unscripted testimonials on a website. Whenever you reveal your warts to a potential customer they are so much more likely to believe you because you have been open and truthful. The statistics on Erik Qualman's video of social media marketing were eye opening to say the least.
    I had no idea that Gen Y outnumbered the Baby Boomers…and the beat goes on.

  9. "The video contains content from WMG and Sony Music Entertainment. It is no longer available in your country." this means in my case: GERMANY …

  10. “The video contains content from WMG and Sony Music Entertainment. It is no longer available in your country.” this means in my case: GERMANY …

  11. Greg,

    Thank you for including my presentation in your post today.

    I am extremely appreciative.

    To all those that enjoyed and learned something from the presentation I'd urge you to keep tuning into Greg's blog posts here on engagedentrepreneur.com. Always educational and usually entertaining.

    If you have any questions about how the shift in society will impact your business don't hesitate to email me.

    Thanks again,

    Michael R. Drew
    Promote A Book Inc.

  12. Greg,

    Thank you for including my presentation in your post today.

    I am extremely appreciative.

    To all those that enjoyed and learned something from the presentation I'd urge you to keep tuning into Greg's blog posts here on engagedentrepreneur.com. Always educational and usually entertaining.

    If you have any questions about how the shift in society will impact your business don't hesitate to email me.

    Thanks again,

    Michael R. Drew
    Promote A Book Inc.

  13. Great stuff. The world is ever changing. Who you are is who you are really willing to be.
    Who is important? Simple really. All of us, its just that we mostly don`t know it yet. Rob

  14. Great stuff. The world is ever changing. Who you are is who you are really willing to be.
    Who is important? Simple really. All of us, its just that we mostly don`t know it yet. Rob

  15. Very important insights Greg. There is a tremendous shift taking place in the way things must be done in business. Early adopters will thrive and others ignore it at their peril; consigned with the corset makers and cartwrights to the dustbin of history

  16. Very important insights Greg. There is a tremendous shift taking place in the way things must be done in business. Early adopters will thrive and others ignore it at their peril; consigned with the corset makers and cartwrights to the dustbin of history

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  18. I am a newbie entrepreneur starting out. I am also a baby boomer. I think I need to listen to more rap because I found the whole presentation was a 45 minute one wrapped into 24 minutes and was barely able to read the screens before they changed with little opportunity to digest. I will watch it again. I do thank you Greg for the presentation. I do get that social media is the way along with authenticity.

    1. Congratulations on getting on the entrepreneurial path! Michael's presentation does have a lot of information in it, so watching it a few times is a great idea. The video he shows is tremendously powerful, because it clearly demonstrates that 'social media' isn't just a fad — it's having a major impact on how people make decisions and purchases.

  19. I am a newbie entrepreneur starting out. I am also a baby boomer. I think I need to listen to more rap because I found the whole presentation was a 45 minute one wrapped into 24 minutes and was barely able to read the screens before they changed with little opportunity to digest. I will watch it again. I do thank you Greg for the presentation. I do get that social media is the way along with authenticity.

    1. Congratulations on getting on the entrepreneurial path! Michael's presentation does have a lot of information in it, so watching it a few times is a great idea. The video he shows is tremendously powerful, because it clearly demonstrates that 'social media' isn't just a fad — it's having a major impact on how people make decisions and purchases.

  20. Very interesting Greg, thanks! "Generations" is part of a course at a local college so it was interesting to see how right-on the college actually is. Great video that reflects accurately how things are changing, growing and transforming. Would love to know your thoughts about how personal (about our pets, taking a walk etc) vs business (nothing about pets etc) focused we should be on social media. Thanks for sharing the video, and loved what you wrote too.

    1. Hi Laura:
      While it depends a bit on your business, for the most part, I believe that the more your prospects and clients know about you, the more you give them the chance to trust, respect and become interested in what you do. That's the approach I've always taken, sharing a lot of my personal life on the blog and in interactions with clients. It works well for me, and I think this is the part of the shift we're going through. People no longer trust brands and companies – they want to engage with people and personalities. Most people are afraid to be vulnerable and be 'real', but it's tremendously powerful when you step foward and are willing to share who you really are with your audience.

  21. Very interesting Greg, thanks! “Generations” is part of a course at a local college so it was interesting to see how right-on the college actually is. Great video that reflects accurately how things are changing, growing and transforming. Would love to know your thoughts about how personal (about our pets, taking a walk etc) vs business (nothing about pets etc) focused we should be on social media. Thanks for sharing the video, and loved what you wrote too.

    1. Hi Laura:
      While it depends a bit on your business, for the most part, I believe that the more your prospects and clients know about you, the more you give them the chance to trust, respect and become interested in what you do. That's the approach I've always taken, sharing a lot of my personal life on the blog and in interactions with clients. It works well for me, and I think this is the part of the shift we're going through. People no longer trust brands and companies – they want to engage with people and personalities. Most people are afraid to be vulnerable and be 'real', but it's tremendously powerful when you step foward and are willing to share who you really are with your audience.

  22. Hi Greg, An excellent presentation – it makes you realise what is out there and the importance of the social media – I have stayed away from sites like Facebook and Twitter as they were for the kids but I am now going to embrace them especially when you realise what sort of market penetration they have. Thank you

  23. Hi Greg, An excellent presentation – it makes you realise what is out there and the importance of the social media – I have stayed away from sites like Facebook and Twitter as they were for the kids but I am now going to embrace them especially when you realise what sort of market penetration they have. Thank you

  24. Good stuff. I am slowly learning this social media technology. Itf it is what I must do to keep up then so be it. Twitter here I come.

  25. Good stuff. I am slowly learning this social media technology. Itf it is what I must do to keep up then so be it. Twitter here I come.

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