How to Last The Distance, Survive and Thrive

• Tweet

• Tweet

This Sunday is the City2Surf which is a race over 14 kilometres and so far has attracted a record 80,000 entrants. Not a bad effort considering the start time is 8.30 in the morning and it is winter.

One overall objective for the entrants is to finish, however there will be a host of ways they actually accomplish this.

A friend of mine walks the distance with 10 other women, talking and laughing a lot during the race then go to lunch.

Others want to run a personal best time so they have been training and others just what to have fun during the race so they dress up in all sorts of costumes.

As this is not a sprint and it has a hill called heartbreak hill towards the end some entrants will struggle.  In the end most with survive and be thriving from achieving their objective.

When marketing your small business it is not always easy and here are three similarities that may help you get the results you want.

Equipment

Have the right gear is important if they want to finish. A few will buy new trainers although they are warned this may not help them and discover a tad too late when they can’t finish due to the size of the blisters.

In marketing there is a lot of technology and tools you can use to help you reach your objectives and new is not always needed. Before you jump to another tool, consider whether what you are using is getting the results you want.

Training

Not everyone will train before the event but the site has the information so those that want to run the distance are given the necessary training tips and help in the weeks leading up to the race.

There are many tips and ways to learn about marketing today, some free and some you pay for such as courses. Even those with experience will seek to gain the edge by seeking out help and training.

Fun

There are those who run the race to win and break records. There are also many that want to have fun or as much fun as you can running 14 kilometres. Some will dress up, others use the race to get together with friends and family.

Sure business is serious, however a little fun and joining in with others can certainly make the process more enjoyable. This also goes for your customers. One recent video by Hell Pizza in New Zealand shows how a little fun can be shared with many customers, employees etc.

Just like in any race or in business the ones who want to achieve their objectives have an overall game plan and rarely make radical changes. Sure they may change tactics, however this occurs over the duration of the race and it is for a good reason.

Can you add more similarities between this type of race and small business marketing?