November 2010
1 post
What happens when we lose sight of our real vision
As Caribbean entrepreneurs or any entrepreneur we sometimes lose sight of our real vision. Pressured by the everyday need to pay the bills and meet mounting demands on the business for cash we “do what it takes!” This is quite understandable and even necessary to ensure you remain viable. The challenge however, is that without a clear focus and determination you can quite easily find...
October 2010
4 posts
4 tags
6 tags
The No-budget marketing Strategy
We deal with alot of Caribbean entrepreneurs and we often hear the complaint about the high cost of marketing. Though this might be true in many cases there is always another way. The unfortunate thing is that many overlook the hugh difference the simple things could make in driving your marketing when money is short.
So to help some of our cash strapped entrepreneurs we decided to just state a...
“The world is more malleable than you think, and it’s waiting for you to...”
– Bono, musician
3 tags
An entrepreneur's biggest investment
Many might argue that the entrepreneur’s biggest investment could be in plant and equipment, marketing, a great sales team or an accountant. And they all would be right. Let’s however, for one moment consider another investment— The Network— that collection of individuals which make up your vital chain of connections to opportunities and advancement.
It is amazing how many...
September 2010
3 posts
4 tags
The Power of Networking
As entrepreneurs we can never belittle the power and opportunity behind embracing networking. The simple act of connecting with others to build relationships that extend far beyond our own circles is an investment in the future growth our companies.
We need to understand the dynamics of this very powerful marketing tool and realize that successful networking is not about looking for what you can...
6 tags
Empowering Ideas
Living and running a business in the Caribbean exposes you to certain mind sets. One of the most debilitating I believe is the approach to ideas.
When a Caribbean entrepreneur gets an idea for his business it quickly is shrouded in secrecy. Often fueled by the fear of intellectual theft the entrepreneur hoards his ideas and often looses out on the opportunity to strengthen it. The end result is...
4 tags
The high performance business
I am sure you too have heard this statement made time and time again, “We need to maintain our market position!”
Let’s consider for just a moment the high performance athlete who has to face up against other well trained and determined athletes in her quest for goal. The high performance athlete is and cannot be content to simply “maintain her times.” Her training...
August 2010
3 posts
“Focusing on the intended result allows you to see past the disappointment to...”
– Selwyn Cambridge: www.tenspace.biz
4 tags
Caught on a sale!
With ailing revenues, mounting bills and encroaching competition many Caribbean businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs get caught up in “just making the sale” and lose sight of the all important ‘connection’ which is necessary to build customer loyalty.
I think enough of us acting as consumers realize the power in referrals when making a purchasing decision. We listen to...
5 tags
When giving back drives you forward!
There is this saying I always use, “ when you row someone else across the river, you get there too.” That quote really does sum up the effects of helping others to succeed and the result of a deliberate attempt to look back and give a helping hand.
We live in a hugely competitive world, one often marred by “aggressive takeovers” and predatory loans. For some, leaving others behind is a deliberate...
July 2010
8 posts
Keep your eyes open TEN is about to move closer towards realizing the dreams of Caribbean entrepreneurs
Blog title...
We often take for granted the power resident in our brands and neglect them in exchange for the expensive alternative of advertising. A well nurtured brand over time costs you less to promote and earns you more!
Time to make your investments in the right place
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The Real Brand
Often times I hear business owners and even marketers refer to their brand or their client’s brand as the logo. ”You got to work on your brand it needs redesigning.” or “I am very protective of my brand it must stand out on my stationary and my signage!”
This reference could not be farther from the real truth about the true identity of your brand.
Your logo is...
3 tags
Hold off on Marketing?
Today I heard a business owner tell me her agency appointed officer told her to hold off on marketing to concentrate on developing more product.
Am I missing something or is this advice bordering on ridiculous?
In my book maintaining your marketing helps you to build demand for product but also identify new areas of opportunity to diversify your existing product. The more people know, the more...
The Marketing Connection
Is hiring a new employee a marketing activity? Should this decision simply be relegated to the HR department for consideration or should it be a move that should be viewed as a strategic connection to the company’s overall market positioning?
I say that EVERY activity which happens in a business has am implication on that company’s marketing strategy. Position yourself as great on...
There is nothing more powerful than surrounding yourself with positive
people doing positive things. The worse that can happen is their
actions become contagious.
Selwyn Cambridge
Managing Director
Ethnic Vision Inc
Founder of TEN
www.ethnicvision.com
www.tenspace.biz
4 tags
The Marketing Connection
Very often as business owners we never stop to realize the critical connection marketing has to EVERY function within our company. We tend to have every aspect operate in elaborate silos hopping for everything to miraculously come together.
The glue however, is the real marketing connection. Understanding that how you hire should be connected to your marketing strategy because that new hire will...
“The successful man is the one who had the chance and took it.”
– Roger Babson, executive
What business are you in?
When entrepreneurs set out on their dream-inspired journeys armed with grit, determination and a will to succeed, the path ahead often seems promising and bright. And it should be. Every entrepreneur’s journey into the checkered world of business ownership ought to be one driven by passion, self fulfillment and a desire to make a difference. In your “pursuit of happiness”...
June 2010
8 posts
4 tags
When Marketing kills
Entrepreneurs are always eager to get their businesses off the ground and running and in their haste rush into marketing activities to drive new business. Before you do this however, let’s for a moment consider how marketing could actually hurt your business.
It might sound strange to some but far too often I have seen businesses in their haste to attract new customers fail to prepare for...
1 tag
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you say to them, people will forget...”
– Maya Angelou (via lionofbedstuy)
5 tags
WatchThe Founder of TEN, Selwyn Cambridge talks about the benefit of businesses looking at the current economical challenges as great opportunities.
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The Marketing Myth Entrepreneurs face
I am constantly confronted by a comment made by entrepreneurs which is an obvious indication of their belief. I get this a lot, “I can’t afford marketing.” Nothing could be more untrue.
What entrepreneurs can’t afford are misguided advertising strategies peddled to them by traditionalist.
The real truth is ANY entrepreneur can afford to market on ANY budget. The...
The Caribbean Entrepreneur's Story
Many of you might know this story because you probably lived it or know of someone who has.
The Story goes:
I am working hard at a reputable company but i believe that my hard work is making only my bosses rich and not me. I believe my boss is clearly an idiot and without me could not possibly make as much money because it is my work that makes him all the money.
So in frustration I talk to...
“The impossible truly becomes possibly when each of us begin realizing the power...”
– —Selwyn Cambridge: Founder of TEN
