6 Millionaire Secrets of Success REVEALED

I don't know if these are necessarily secrets, but whatever. Here are the "Big Six":

1. Everything is marketing (or marketing is everything). So true, so true, SO TRUE (right Sherna?!). I mean think, we've been hung up on some dumb ass products before, but thought they were cool as a result of clever marketing and product placement. That being said, there are also many instances when the marketing and the product/service being marketed don't exactly blend - the marketing is waaaay cooler. Geico, anyone? The product? Not so much. And then there are those who get it right on: Volkswagen, Apple (with their new Apple vs PC ads), Nike, Adidas (especially the big head commercials).
   
   This includes: being your own number one fan (duh! If you don't like it, what makes you think anyone else will), treat every opportunity like a marketing opportunity, not all marketing opportunities are created equal etc.
   
   
2. Million dollar ideas come from anywhere and anyone. Think: Nike swoosh and the lovely "administrative assistant" who penned the design. The point: use your employees. You hired them for a reason, and 9 times out of 10 they're a lot smarter and creative than you give them credit for. We should know. We were all once employees, and got fed up with lame opportunities and set out on our own (or are hoping to).
   
   
3. Don't underprice yourself. This I post with a caveat: don't overprice either. A lot of pricing depends on what you have to offer and what you're trying to accomplish at that stage in the game. Case in point: at American Airlines, prices are changed on over 10,000 fares daily. Forget the fact that they make no money and that the quality of their airline is sinking quickly - they understand their customers better than we understand ourselves. Clever pricing is key. And make sure that your pricing is directly in line with your overall strategy.
   
   
4. Expect icebergs. Think: Titanic. Even the most rock solid ideas, in theory, can be sunk! And sunk quickly! And can take 1,100 passengers with them. Wait, that was the movie. The point: be agile. They WILL come up. The successful companies are those that don't necessarily plan for icebergs, but those that have built an organization that is easily maneuverable. (I type this stuff like I know it...psssht).
   
   
5. Networking is NOT working. And I quote: "Many young entrepreneurs spend more time at networking events [and trying to meet the RIGHT people] than they do on their businesses". We're the opposite HAHA. Don't confuse networkign with working, don't spend time and effort on event preparation unless "worthy" people are going to be there and don't assume that because someone claims to be something at an event that they are what/who they say they are. Nadi adds: And this goes right back atcha - trust that the networking pros are thinking the same thing about you. Find the balance. Find, meet and attach yourself to "worthy" people and make sure you and your business are equally worthy.
   
   
6. Compete only with yourself. This sounds like some Confuscious-Speak (and i wonder, did the word confusing come out of the name "Confuscious"??). In other words: know your competition exists, know what they do and why they are your competition but don't let what they do DRIVE what you do. Influence is one thing. Control is another. There's a reason why you went into business despite having competition - because you knew you could do it better (and maybe faster and/or cheaper). Remember that.

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